If Edwin Edwards, Louisiana is longest serving governor, we’re alive today, he would be 99 years old.  One would be hard pressed to find a politician with so many highs and lows in his career.  It’s no secret that we were close political allies, but had our ups and downs as I ran against...Read More

Monday, August 10th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  CONTINUING INTEREST IN GOV. EDWIN EDWARDS!  Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards would have turned 99 this week if he had been living. I suppose I knew him more than anyone, having been a political ally, running against him for governor in 1987, and publishing a biography of the...Read More

Jessica, who is pictured with me at Barnes & Noble bookstore in Town Center,, Baton Rouge, help me show off my new book of poetry. First edition is running low, so if you want one, go to The Lisburn Press link on the left-hand column to order.Read More

Some contradictions in living here in Louisiana. Our state is at the bottom of national lists.  But in the be happy group, Louisiana eyes ranked toward the top. Quite a difference between here and New York. I write all about this in my new column now posted. You can read it now by going to...Read More

Monday, August 3rd, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY IN LOUISIANA! Bayou State residents are well aware that Louisiana is a pleasant place to live. Some would sarcastically say that we are fat, dumb, and happy down here in the deepest of the deep southern states. The state motto is, after all, Laissez les...Read More

Second lining in front of St. Louis Cathedral in the New Orleans French Quarter for a very special relative, Mrs. Gloria Newman. She lived a full life and passed away at 99 years. Two of my grandsons are with me for this special service.Read More

Father Cleo, Milano of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church celebrated 43 years as a priest this week. He is a special gift to us here in Baton Rouge. We wish him 43 more years of service and good health.Read More

With Major congressional elections soon to be held across the country, there continues to be allegations in the Press of widespread voter fraud. I know something about potential fraud since I served as Louisiana’s chief elections officer for eight years. So is there any truth to the charges that motor fraud is taking place in...Read More

I wanted to share with my readers some information about a special new friend. Rev.Becca Stevens is a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, priest, survivor, and founder and President of Thistle Farms. She has founded 12 nonprofits and justice enterprises, mentored another 70, and has raised over $75 million to support them. Becca has authored 12 books...Read More

Monday, July 27th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana RUSSIANS AND ELECTION FRAUD? YEAH, RIGHT! “The Russians are coming!  The Russians are coming!” And according to politicians in both parties, they are out to infiltrate the entire U.S. election process. President Trump is looking under every rock to find the culprits involved. And down here in Louisiana,...Read More

  Criticism has been directed towards the South for decades. But far from slowing down, the attacks on the southern way of life continue to appear in northern publications across the country. Sure, we act to do a little different down here. But far from being out of sync, those of us living in the...Read More

Monday, July 20th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana TO OUR YANKEE FRIENDS, WE SAY — GET A LIFE! Our friends up north need to let it go.  According to a cross section of northern commentators, the Second Reconstruction may be over, but they think a third one may be necessary.  The first came with the demise...Read More

Our national election to pick new members of Congress, along with many local officials is just months away. Can we expect anything different than the gridlock we have now? Unfortunately, it’s not encouraging. Neither Republicans nor Democrats seem to be very responsive to voters they are supposed to represent. I analyze this conflict in my...Read More

  Monday, July 13th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  VOTER DISTRUST IN LOUISIANA AND ACROSS THE NATION! And I thought voters were distrustful, angry and confrontational a few years back when I held public office in Louisiana.  This coming federal election is viewed by many, including yours truly, as a herculean and rather grim battle between...Read More

Did you know that Louisiana just had a major election days ago? A vote for US Senate, one of the most important offices in the nation, but the overwhelming number of Louisiana citizens were just “too busy” to take a few minutes and vote. Only 17% turned out, And remember that half the voters who...Read More

Monday, July 6th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana DOESN’T ANYONE TAKE TIME TO VOTE? Remember the 1970 song by Chicago: “Does anybody really know what time it is, does anybody really care?” Louisiana held an election last week and only 17% of registered voters showed up. Only a handful of voters, both Republican and Democratic, bothered...Read More

A big Fourth of July celebration weekend ahead. Lots of family time, barbecues, and all kinds of special activities over this holiday. But just what does it all mean? The keyword that best describes the Fourth of July is “freedom.” I write about the importance of freedom in my new column now posted. You can...Read More

Monday, June 29th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana FREEDOMS ON 4TH OF JULY! Independence Day to most Americans means a three-day weekend with gatherings of family and friends, barbecues, parties, games, food, parades, baseball games and fireworks.  Traditionally, most of us know that July 4th is the recognition and celebration of our country’s independence from an oppressive...Read More

Taking pride where you live is an important part of living a healthy life. I’m concerned about many Louisiana who do not take enough pride in their state. And it has huge economic consequences. I write about the importance of pride in my new column now posted. You can read it by going to the...Read More

Check out one of my grandchildren, nine year-old Ruger, curled up in my office chair, reading not my new book of poetry. Kudos to a young man trying to figure out what his Grandfather is writing.Read More

Monday, June 22nd, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  PRIDE-MAYBE YOU START WITH THE HOTDOGS! One of the biggest challenges facing Louisiana’s newly elected Governor Jeff Landry is the task of re-instilling pride in the attitudes of many Louisianians. Government can only do so much. But a governor can be a catalyst in raising the public’s expectations. The whole...Read More

My home state of Louisiana has recently gotten blistered in the national Press. Of course we have problems down here in the deepest of the deep southern states. But some of them are not on our own making. I write all about this new controversy in my column now posted. You can read it by...Read More

Monday, June 15th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  MAKE LOUISIANA A PROTECTORATE!   Have you heard the cries that Louisiana is unable to take care of its problems and should be treated differently than other states? Some even say, OK, then — make it a protectorate of the federal government.  And you know what?  Maybe that isn’t...Read More

I thought we might be past living in a world of being “politically correct.” But apparently not. Seems like we’re having to walk on eggs not to offend someone. And this week’s column, I write about the pros and cons of political correctness. You can read my column now by going to the  above or...Read More

Monday, June 8th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT! Political correctness continues to be on the march in the Bayou State from Shreveport to New Orleans. Just about everywhere a Civil War commemoration or monument is located, there seems to be some local group calling for a re-writing of history by eliminating such testaments...Read More

I don’t know about you, but when summertime comes around, I look for several good books to read. And I have a long list that I’ve gathered over the winter months. Unfortunately, readers are becoming more scarce. I write about this concern in my new column. You can read it now by going to the...Read More

Monday, June 1st, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana READING A GOOD BOOK!      June has always been my special month to read extensively. No how to, general information, politics, or any other type of practical knowledge reading. It’s always been fiction. Off to summer digs at Gulf Shores, with nothing more to do than fishing,...Read More

Big news down here in the Bayou state. It will soon be alligator hunting season. That’s right, if you want to get a gator to either eat or fix yourself up a new pair of boots, you can now do so even though you’re not a licensed commercial alligator hunter.  There’s a recreational season opening...Read More

Monday, May 25th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana TIME TO HUNT AND EAT GATORS!  Big news from the Louisiana Legislature. A new law has been passed that will allow a season for the recreational hunting of alligators. In the past, you could only get a commercial license. But now, all you hunters can go after a...Read More

In Louisiana, we just finished a knock down drag out United States Center race were the incumbent, Senator Bill Cassidy, placed a distant third and did not qualify for the runoff. Nothing positive was said during the heated race, with every candidate attacking the other,. What a sorry reflection on what’s happening across the country...Read More

Monday, May 18th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana DON’T BE CIVIL IN POLITICS!  Here’s what we learned from the first U.S. Senate primary last week where incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy was defeated.  If you want to be successful, continually attack your opponent.  Make no effort to be at all positive.  And if a candidate is successful ...Read More

It’s been one year since the new Pope took over his official duties. And it’s been a controversial year. The papers are full of his run-ins with President Trump. But the public seems to be favorably impressed with this new pontiff.  I have a deep interest in Catholicism and have been following the direction of...Read More

Monday, May 11th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  THE POPE AND LOUISIANA!  Despite his conflict with President Trump, Pope Leo XIV is quite popular worldwide. There is talk of an American visit by the pontiff soon. He should come to Louisiana. More than half the population in South Louisiana is Catholic. There are over 500,000 Catholics...Read More

With little fanfare, Congress last week past a chilling wall that impacts every American’s freedom.  The law is called the Patriot Act  and it passed or do nothing congress with little fanfare. This law impacts the freedom of every single American and is terrible for the future of this country. I write all about the law...Read More

Monday, May 4th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana LATEST EROSION OF FREEDOMS NOTHING NEW! Congress re-authorized the so-called Patriot Act last week. The law has created an invasive federal surveillance system that began with lies that undermined the liberty of millions of Americans. Did this unconstitutional act begin the movement of the country  towards a “Brave...Read More

Well, the word is out. Can you believe, Louisiana has the worst drivers in America. How can it be so? The facts don’t lie. In most categories, Louisiana is at the bottom of the heap Drunk  drivers are specifically a terrible category, and there is often little enforcement of these strict DWI laws in Louisiana....Read More

Listen to NEW Podcast by going to www.datelinelouisiana.com.Read More

Monday, April 27th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Louisiana Has Worst Drivers in the U.S.! Say it isn’t so. The Bayou State, made up of docile souls who are law abiding, courteous and well-trained motorists, has just been tagged by several rating services as having the worst drivers in the nation. Look, the folks down here...Read More

We can look over the past and find the number of examples were some small event in one country could affect the whole world. That’s exactly what I would argue has happened in Louisiana one event, the Battle of New Orleans, had a dramatic effect, not just on America, but on the whole course of...Read More

Monday, April 20th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana WAS THE COURSE OF HISTORY CHANGED IN LOUISIANA? Two hundred and ten years ago, Louisiana was the center of a major turning point in both American and world history. The War of 1812 was the first time in the short life of the nation’s history that the U.S....Read More

It seems that our political leaders contain they have to bring religion into political decisions that are made. Most political parties in the U.S. say God is on their side. If you have to ask such a question, it should be are they on God side.  I would argue that religion is personal and too...Read More

Monday, April 13th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  THE COMPLICATIONS OF RELIGION AND POLITICS! I have a request of all of our pontificating politicians. Leave God and me alone to work out our relationship. I consider myself a religious person, but I don’t wear my faith on my sleeve or preach to my neighbors. I have...Read More

Louisiana has a history of political killings that have taken place over the years. Of course, we all know about the shooting of governor Huey Long. But one of the most blatant, involving both the mafia, and the Klu Klux Klan, was the killing of Shreveport public relations executive Jim Leslie. I was personally involved...Read More

April 6th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana POLITICAL KILLING FIFTY YEARS AGO! It’s been fifty years ago that a major event happened in Louisiana political history.  Jim Leslie was gunned down in the parking lot of the Prince Murat Hotel in Baton Rouge. I was just beginning my second term as a State Senator where I...Read More

Our lives continue to change, but sometimes I’m not sure it’s for the better. I started out in public life back in the 1970s, and many things were pretty predictable. Wow, how things changed so much over the past 60 years. I make a comparison and write about the changes in my new column is...Read More

  Monday, March 30th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  THE CHANGES IN LOUISIANA’S QUALITY OF LIFE! All we know Left untold Beaten by a broken dream Nothing like what it used to be We’ve been chasing our demons down an empty road Singer Alan Walker These words hit home to me as I read a number...Read More

To listen Do this podcast, go to www.datelinelouisiana.com.Read More

With all of the crises going on throughout the world, there are lots of blame going around. One thing we do not seem to have is more heroes. In the past, we often had heroes we looked up to that  offered hope for some type of order out of all the chaos. Unfortunately, there seem...Read More

Listen to this new and concerning podcast by going to www.datelinelouisiana.com.Read More

Monday, March 23rd, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana WE ALL NEED HEROES IN OUR LIVES! I’m a Tina Turner fan, but she got it wrong in her hit a few years back called “We don’t need another Hero.” The song goes on to say: We don’t need to know the way home, ooh All we want...Read More

It’s common knowledge anywhere in the country that some of the most exotic, tastiest food anywhere is found down here in the Bayou state. We eat everything down here. Raccoons, possums, alligator, squirrel you name it, and you can find it in some south Louisiana chefs cooking pot, but how about horse meat? You cannot...Read More

Monday, March 16th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana HORSEMEAT-IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER! Louisiana has been called the Culinary Mecca of America. Folks in this part of the country can take just about anything edible and make it not just good, but quite exceptional. And when we say anything, we mean everything. There is virtually no limit to what...Read More

More and more countries seem to be affected by the war that has broken out in the Middle East.  Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, no country is exempt from the fighting that is starting to develop across the entire region. Can the United States make this work? If you look at our...Read More

Monday, March 9th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana DELUSION OR COMMON SENSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST? Although presidents from both political parties process no desire to carry on wars throughout the Middle East, history shows otherwise. The bigger question is just how much involvement should the United States undertake in the Middle East?  We have been...Read More

The Louisiana legislature will start its annual session next week, and we can certainly look forward to some strange proposals being put forth. Cock fighting is back on the menu.  And what else do you think we are going to see proposed. Whatever happens, we’re not as goofy in the Bayou state as they are...Read More

Monday, March 2nd, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana THE LEGISLATURE AND CAESAR SALAD! Big news!  The Louisiana Legislature will be back in session next week. We all yearn for the riveting coverage of meaningful issues touching the quality of life in the Bayou State. No, not solving the crises the state faces in healthcare, education and...Read More

Well, it’s always time to stir up something to eat with Louisiana ingredients. Cooking our wild game is a way of life down in the Bayou state. So what are some of the choices? How about cooking yourself up a raccoon stew?  That’s right. Lots of people eat a raccoon in the deepest of the...Read More

February 23rd, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana RACCOONS AND LOUISIANA POLITICS! U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has stirred up a hornet’s nest back in the Bayou State over his Facebook comments of eating a Louisiana delicacy. The Senator had this to say: “Found this raccoon in my backyard. We ate him for breakfast.” He even included a...Read More

Former LSU All-American Billy Cannon is back in the news, even though he’s passed away several years ago. The president has pardoned Billy for crimes involving counterfeiting sometime back. And what a comeback he made after serving time in prison. I tell the story what happened to this football superstar, and also share some personal...Read More

Monday, February 16th, 2026 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF BILLY CANNON- THE TOAST OF LSU! You just cannot keep Billy Cannon  out of the news.  LSU’s all-time football hero was pardoned by President Trump last week.  And this brought back memories of the guy who put LSU football on the national map....Read More

When it comes to food down here in the Bayou state, many items are part of the equation creating the best food in America. And one item that always stands out is the Tabasco sauce. I had a personal experience with what Tabasco meant when I was in the legislature back in the 1970s. It...Read More

 BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TABASCO SAUCE?  A recent trip to the east coast to visit a grandson gave me a chance to partake and enjoy Maine seafood, particularly the bountiful supply of lobster.  Now coming from the Bayou State with the best seafood in the nation, my standards are high. And with all due respect to...Read More