We want to let all you folks who come to The Lisburn Press site know the new feature we will be beginning in the next several weeks. We will host weekly interviews with a cross-section of writers, many who pen their work with The Lisburn Press. We will also host a cross section of other...Read More

In this week’s column, I take a look at the question of jut how important is Ukraine to the interest of the United States. Should we be actively engaged in this country over 6000 miles away from our borders? Probably so, but with caveats.  Why is Vladimir Putin  so intense on invading Ukraine?  It is...Read More

Monday, April 4th, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana HOW IMPORTANT IS UKRAINE TO AMERICA?  My home state of Louisiana is some 6000 miles away from Kyiv, Donbas, Crimea, and the Azov Sea.  Yet an overwhelming majority of Louisianians, along with most Americans, have no idea where these places are located.  For that matter, most of us...Read More

A special day at the Garden District bookstore in uptown New Orleans with a presentation by popular author Karen White. She has written over 30 books, and tells great stories about New Orleans, the French quarter and the south. It was a treat to visit with her at the bookstore. Pictured below shows my visiting...Read More

In this week’s column now posted, I write about the importance of America’s relationship with Ukraine, and how far America  should go in protecting this country some 6000 miles away. Pictured below are some of the political commentary showing this relationship. And I hope you will read my column listed above.        Read More

A warning for my readers. There is a new strain of Covid that is lurking through some parts of the world, that could be quite dangerous back here in the U.S. A lot of us have been lulled into thinking that our lives are back to normal, and we are not really affected by any...Read More

One of the most stunning multimedia art exhibits is the current van Gogh exhibit is traveling throughout America. Lucky for us, it should be in New Orleans soon. Van Gogh was troubled through most of his life, but was pure joy genius when it came to painting. He died broke, but his paintings today sell...Read More

Monday, March 28th, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana KEEP YOUR COVID GUARD UP!  With a new strain of the Covid lurking, there are reports of a major uptick of infections this coming summer. If you are not that concerned, let me tell you how my Covid experience transpired. What happened to me was horrendous. I would...Read More

Louisiana legislators and insurance regulators are belly hoeing a host of new “catastrophic laws” to hold insurance companies more accountable. But just what are these proposals, and are they even necessary?  My new column raises questions about why the insurance department is not enforcing the laws that are already on the books.  Policyholders in the...Read More

Monday, March 21st, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana LEGISLATIVE INSURANCE REFORM A DUD!  The headlines blared across newspapers and television stations last week.  “State insurance leaders join forces on Catastrophe Reform Legislative Package,” featured the Lake Charles American Press.  “An insurance reform package is working its way through the Louisiana Legislature, “publicized TV station WDSU in...Read More

This is not a photo from 1941. This is a photo from March 2022 in Ukraine with all the color taken out. Yes, a chilling reminder that history does repeat itself.Read More

The fighting gets worse in Ukraine. And whether Americans like it or not, we are directly affected. It just seems irresponsible for anyone in the U.S. to stand on the sidelines. So what can an individual do?  I list a number of opportunities to help in my second column I’ve written on Ukraine. Take a...Read More

Monday, March 14th, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana HOW TO STAND WITH UKRAINE! Following my column this past week on how Louisianans are affected by the current war in Ukraine, I was surprised at the number of responses I received asking just what the average citizen can or should do to help this besieged country.  This...Read More

We all know parents involved at the school their children and things are going right. Here’s an amusing take on parents complaining, even though their children miss school a great deal. Take a look.Read More

Gas at $4.45 in Baton Rouge. Here’s how I’m preparing.Read More

Countries across the world are expressing concern about what’s happening in Ukraine today. But are we as Americans and particularly here in Louisiana understand the economic and military toll this war will have right here at home?  There is going to be sacrifice regardless of how much America becomes involved. And this sacrifice could well...Read More

Monday, March 7th, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  DOES THE UKRAINIAN TRADEGY AFFECT US IN LOUISIANA?  When I bring up the subject of Ukraine with friends here in Louisiana, the response is more often than not some interest and a bit of concern, but that’s about all.  They don’t feel they are really affected.  So should...Read More

  The Ukrainian Library Association was supposed to be holding a conference this week, but something came up. Books, that define the culture of a nation, are always at risk when war breaks out. A note on the association’s Facebook page explains, “The insidious, brutal and bloody aggression of the Russian Federation prevented us from...Read More

Time sure does fly, don’t you agree?  From the Louisiana Senators who were elected in 1971, only four of us are living today. In the picture below, we were suited up for a basketball game against the House of Representatives. All four of us in the photo ran for governor of Louisiana. Pictured from left...Read More

I started out in Louisiana political life back in 1972. There sure have been a lot of the changes in our priorities, how we live, our moral values, and what we think is important. And it’s not all good. There’s been a proliferation of gambling in numerous forms, loosening of drug laws, and a whole...Read More

Monday, February 28th, 2022 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 of...Read More

Hey, it’s Mardi Gras Time down here in the Bayou State. If you haven’t made it down to the deepest of the deep southern states, you sure have missed “passing a good time.” Laissez les bons temps rouler.  Read More

All of a sudden, we seem to be going through an uncertain time in America were books are bring banned that have been on the shelves for many years. “To Kill A Mocking Bird?” Mark Twain’s novels? What are we turning in to as a nation? Certainly scary tinmes. Readers and protectors of free speech...Read More

What a year for former LSU football great Joe Burrow. He’s destined to be one of the best in the NFL. LSU fans have another great player they look back on with awe. Billy Cannon was LSU’s first Heisman trophy winner before Burrow, and left quite a legacy, the highest being an All American and...Read More

How about the spectacular full moon that appeared over Manhattan last week? You can’t much  closer than this.Read More

Monday, February 21st, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana THE TWO BEST THERE EVER WAS AT LSU! Two Heisman Trophy winners have come out of LSU.  Right now, Joe Burrow is the toast of Tiger Land along with the whole state of Louisiana. He will be a Bayou Bengal legend for decades to come.  But don’t forget...Read More

OK, regular readers of this website. Here is your test. Let’s see just how talented you are.Read More

via GIPHY That’s right! This virus is still off around and affecting a great number of people. Sure, we’re all anxious to get back to normal. Rushing to fast is going to put us right back where we were a year ago. So keep your guard up friends.Read More

If you live in Louisiana, a homeowner pays the highest property insurance rates in the nation. By a lot. And now some other news. Rates could will go up over 129% in the next 10 years. Yes, rates will continue to rise. Why is this happening, and what can be done about it? I take...Read More

Monday, February 14th, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  MAJOR PROPERTY INSURANCE RATES ON THE RISE IN LOUISIANA! Louisiana homeowners know a good bit about suffering, particularly when it comes to being stuck with the highest property insurance rates in the nation. The Clark Research Group determined that Louisiana has some of the highest insurance costs, coming...Read More

It’s always dangerous when the Louisiana legislature is in session. It’s even more so this week with the members take up reapportionment. Under federal law, every 10 years, various political districts have to be redrawn. The problem is that legislators are drawing their own districts. Is this fair? I don’t think so. Instead of voters...Read More

February 2nd, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  GET THE POLITICIANS OUT OF REAPPORTIONMENT! There’s a lot of wrangling, wheeling and dealing going on down at the state capital in Baton Rouge.   State legislators are presently meeting in a special session to redraw the districts they represent.  Such action is required to take place every ten years...Read More

Ok, I’ll admit. I’m a huge Tom Brady fan. I signed up for his TB three program, and he’s gotton me off dead weights, and I went to band stretching. I’m approaching 82, and cannot be in better shape, thanks to Tom Brady. I sure would like for him to play another season or two,...Read More

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Well gun owners were given quite a bit to consider this week. In San Jose, California, gun owners will be required to buy insurance if they own a gun. And it won’t be cheap. Will we see a political wave of more insurance requirements across the country? And we have the President saying that a...Read More

February 1st, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  ALL YOU REALLY NEED IS A SHOTGUN, TWO SHELLS, AND INSURANCE, HUH? You think insurance policyholders in Louisiana face huge insurance requirements?  How about living in San Jose, California, where the city council just voted to adopt a first-in-the-nation ordinance requiring most gun owners to pay a fee and...Read More

Oh alright! I’ll admit it. Though I claim to be a health nut, I must confess. I like hotdogs. No, I really, really love hot dogs! With mustard, onions, relish and a spot of chili. Can’t go to any ballgame without having a dog or two. The worst hot dog? Hands-down at LSU sporting events....Read More

January 24th, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana AUTO INSURANCE RATES SKYROCKETING! Now let’s see.  It’s been almost two years since the Louisiana legislature passed legislation taking away certain legal rights of Louisiana insurance policyholders.  But it will be worth it said many legislators and the insurance commissioner.  We were assured that there was to be a...Read More

Remember all the talk in the Bayou State legislature just two years ago about a dramatic plan to lower the cost of your automobile insurance rates? It was given the name of so-called “tort reform.”  And the insurance commissioner said rates would plummet by 25% in no time. So what happened? What’s today’s status? Surprise,...Read More

Former state representative Steve Carter passed away one year ago this week. He was a leading voice in the legislature for early childhood development, and was highly respected by legislators as well as the educational community. He is deeply missed by his family, so many friends, and those who appreciated the good work he did...Read More

What are the best movie performances I’ve ever seen was Anthony Quinn starring in Zorba the Greek. If you seen the movie, you’ll never forget the great dance for Quinn performs. Take a look at André Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra performing Zorba’s Dance (Sirtaki) live in Maastricht.Read More

I’ve had a knee replacement but no one suggested this solution for my sore knees.Read More

You’ve got to be kidding me!  The Bayou State has the worst drivers in America? Why it can’t be. Unfortunately, the comparisons prove otherwise. In virtually every category, Louisiana is close to the bottom of the barrel. What’s the problem? Is it one thing or a whole variety of bad driving habits? Take a look...Read More

January 17th, 2022 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 in...Read More

Way down yonder in the Bayou State, it’s all about the football coach. That certainly is obvious with the recent hiring a new coach Brian Kelly, who will be paid over $100 million. That’s big bucks!  And in a state that is at the bottom of the barrel on most national quality of life lists....Read More

Monday, January 10th, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  BOTTOM OF THE BARREL IN LOUISIANA,  BUT IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOOTBALL COACH! Perception and reality often intertwine.  At Louisiana’s flagship university as well as other major universities across the country, any talk of the so called “revered tradition of amateurism” has gone by the wayside.  College athletes...Read More

Monday, January 3rd, 2022 Baton Rouge, Louisiana SHOULD THE FEDS MAKE LOUISIANA A PROTECTORATE? HECK YES! Hey, I have a good suggestion for a New Year’s resolution. 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...Read More

Louisiana is fighting a tough fight as it tries to get off the bottom of most major quality of life lists throughout the country. Some northern columnists are expressing their disgust by calling for Louisiana to become a protectorate. A protectorate? Stand by and let the federal government take over? Hey, now to think of...Read More

As you  can see, I am getting off to a good start for the New Year.Read More

December 27th, 2021 Baton Rouge, Louisiana NEW YEAR THOUGHTS FROM THE BAYOU STATE! Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I always do.  A New Year always brings with it promise and uncertainty, but this coming year brings with it a greater foreboding than we have experienced in the past.  The Chinese have a saying: “May...Read More

It’s been another difficult year in Louisiana and throughout the country as we continue to deal with the Covid virus. I’ll be receiving my booster shot next week, but still do not feel all that safe.  In spite of this challenge, we have a lot to be thankful for. I review the new year, and...Read More

He sees you when you’re sleeping He knows when you’re awake He knows when you’ve been bad or good So be good for goodness’ sake!” My friend John Whitehead has written a chilling commentary on the new tools of the surveillance state for his column at The Rutherford Institute. John was often a guest on...Read More

As some of you who read this blog regularly know, I’m a frustrated banjo player. In fact, I used to play my banjo on Bourbon Street in New Orleans at a place called Your Fathers Mustache. Helped pay my way through to Tulane Law School. But really, I was not all that good. Here at...Read More

Happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and a pleasant time of year for all my friends, readers, to all those who agree with my commentaries and to those of you who disagree.  I hope we can put our political beliefs aside, and enjoy this special time of year. I write about the holiday season in...Read More

A recent visit to the Garden District Book Shop with owner Chris Tidmore. There is a whole section of books published by The Lisburn Press there. Well worth a visit.  Read More

Over 1000 singers and musicians gathered to perform a stunning rendering of the magical song Angels We have Heard on High.  It’s a marvelous tribute on the special time of year, and well worth listening to over the next few minutes.Read More

Thursday, December 20th, 2021 Baton Rouge, Louisiana THE HOLIDAYS OFFER US A SECOND CHANCE! Most of us have been swept up in the momentum of the holiday season. We have passed Thanksgiving, reached the Christmas milestone and are approaching New Year’s Day, the third in the trilogy of holidays. Sure, there is a lot of our...Read More

Below is a link the interview I did with the publisher of BayouBuzz, Steve Sablubodsky, on just how political decisions affect private business decisions. Take a look!Read More

A new ranking of states with supposedly poor Judicial climates was released this week by the American Association for tort reform.  Louisiana was named in the top few states by the American Tort Reform Association of America.  So just how bad is the judicial climate in Louisiana, and are there any viable alternatives for the...Read More

December 13th, 2021 Baton Rouge, Louisiana IS LOUISIANA A JUDICIAL HELLHOLE? According to several watchdog organizations, Louisiana has one of the worst judicial climates in the country.  Just last week, the state was given the dubious title of the nation’s judicial hellhole by the Tort Reform Association of America. Campaign funds given to a judicial...Read More

Many of us are big basketball fans down here in Louisiana. I have held front row tickets for LSU basketball games over the past 40 years. This week, it was a special treat to go to New Orleans with my son James to see the New Orleans Pelicans. Again we were able to sit in...Read More

It’s the holiday season, and time again to visit with our old friend Ray Stephens. I’ve been a fan of his for many years. He keeps us amused with his new version of the Christmas story as he talks and sings  about his nightmare before Christmas. Take a look below.Read More

Politics is serious business. But there has to be a relationship between members of both parties. To create an effective government, there has to be some camaraderie, friendship, and a commitment to make a good working relationship. Simply put, politics needs to have some fun in it. So what happened? Political life in Louisiana as...Read More

Monday, December 6th, 2021 Baton Rouge, Louisiana THE DEMISE OF ENTERTAINING POLITICS IN LOUISIANA! I have a sad announcement to make. Politics is just no fun anymore in Louisiana.  Let’s hope with new LSU Coach Brian Kelly we have something to enjoy.  But not politics. Reams of books have been written about the colorful characters...Read More

In Louisiana, apparently gambling is the answer to all the state problems. There is no other state in America where the different types of gambling are so prevalent. But then, why is the state at the bottom most quality of life lists?  We even have former slaves quarterback Drew Brees expanding on all the value...Read More

November 29th, 2021 Baton Rouge, Louisiana IS GAMBLING LOUISIANA’S ECONOMIC SAVIOR? Football icon Drew Brees certainly deserves all the accolades he has received on the playing field. But now he’s become a huckster for a new gambling casino in Slidell on the Mississippi Louisiana state line. Here’s an interesting thought. Why is it that Louisiana...Read More

A moving luncheon for several World War II vets, all around 95 years old, at Antoine’s in New Orleans last week. A fine celebration of distinguished Americans who served the country well.Read More

What’s up with that with the supposed sleuths that work for the FBI? They’re supposed to be the nations finest law-enforcement agency. But week after week, there’s either some kind of a specific screwup, or there’s a calculated effort to undermine the rule of law. The Wall Street Journal has even called for the FBI...Read More

November 21st, 2021 New Orleans, Louisiana STOP THE MISCONDUCT OF THE FBI! It seems to be spreading like a communicable disease. And apparently there is no cure. Week after week, there are new reports of agents with the FBI engaging in premeditated acts of prosecutorial misconduct. Coaching witnesses to lie. Hiding evidence from the defense...Read More

The Lisburn Press has just released our new publication, a book of inspiration called “Reasonably Happy” by Dr. Terry Ellis. Terry is well known throughout the strate and has a large following, so we anticipating brisk sales. It’s available on our website at www.thelisburnpress.com.Read More