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You are visiting my site on: October 3, 2024

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I’ve written several columns over the past few weeks about my first legal client, Jerry Lee Lewis.  If you’re interested in learning a lot more details about Jerry Lee’s life, and my relationship with him, I recorded a podcast recently that gives a great deal of information. You can listen to it at the link...
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This week, Rannah Gray and I talk about the role of local newspapers in our communities and why they need to survive. You can listen now: Go to https://datelinelouisiana.buzzsprout.com.   This week, Rannah Gray and I talk about the role of local newspapers in our communities and why they need to survive. You can listen...
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Jerry Lee Lewis went a long way from Ferriday Louisiana, traveling worldwide, and became the King of rock and roll music. But when it came to pick his final resting place, he told his wife he wanted to come back home to Ferriday.  I traveled this past Saturday to my old home of Ferriday, and...
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A huge hit on the FBI.  Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington  say in a report just released that the FBI is “rotted at its core,” has a “systemic culture of unaccountability” and is full of “rampant corruption, manipulation, and abuse.” The report is over 1000 pages long.  To read news reports...
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There’s a sadness that is taking over the world of rock ‘n’ roll this week. One of the all-time greats, the Killer himself, has passed away at 87. That’s right! Jerry Lee Lewis, from my hometown of Ferriday, Louisiana, is no longer with us.  Jerry Lee was my first client when I was a young...
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I don’t know about you, but I love flash mobs. Large groups  dancing in public places that seem spontaneous, but obviously are well planned. Remember the movie Grease?More than 250 people participated in a “˜feelgood’ stunt this morning during rush hour at the Central Station in Antwerp, Belgium. Grease is definitely still the word! What...
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The Ukrainian War has received strong support from a number of American allies at the strong urging by the Biden Administration. But as the war has drug gone, some of the support is starting to weaken.  Italy’s new Prime Minister has been buddying up to Vladimir Putin, and India is trying to stay neutral. Great...
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On the latest Dateline Louisiana podcast, Rannah Gray and I are talking about the Katrina story we can’t forget — portrayed in the Apple TV mini-series, Five Days @ Memorial. Lives tragically lost, questions unanswered. What would you do? You can listen here now: by Clicking Here.  
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Do you want to see how arbitrary and shortsighted our federal court system is? Take a look at this article involving a and effort by St. Louis minister to distribute a few sandwiches to the homeless.The city of St. Louis did not violate the First Amendment rights of a Christian pastor and his assistant by...
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A jury last week in Parkland, Florida recommended Nikolas Cruz get life in prison for killing 17 people, sparing Cruz from a death sentence after his lawyers argued he had a troubled upbringing.  I read a great deal about this case and I wasn’t impressed with his “upbringing” argument.  Hey, life growing up can be tough,...
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Rita Gardner passed away recently. This name may not be recognizable to you, but she’s someone that I have followed her for a long, long time, and her involvement in the longest running musical in American history could’ve influenced my life. In 1960, she originated the lone female role in an Off Broadway show that...
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Charles Cook a well-known writer for the National Review, a publication with conservative leanings, but well respected with their  unbiased articles.  Cook’s article this month is titled: “The Case for Dismantling the FBI.”  Cook’s conclusion is that there have been a long list of abuses by the FBI, and that the agency should be completely...
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Life and death.  Two different stories in this week’s column about one popular Louisiana official who survived cancer. And a serial killer who was to be put to death before he died in prison.  Eighteen years ago this week, Derrick Todd Lee received the death penalty in Louisiana. He was the state’s most notorious and...
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Washington DC is full of phony supposed leaders who pushed for more military involvement around the world but never served a day in the military. These blowhards are called chicken hawks. And there are lots of them around. I was exempt from the military draft back in the 1960s, but I still joined the army...
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It’s a new week and that means the latest episode of Dateline Louisiana just dropped! This week, Rannah Gray and I have a laugh or two about Louisiana’s unique brand of humor. You can listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/…/11358896-episode-15-the…
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Insurance rates for both homeowners and businesses in Louisiana are going through the roof. Companies are going broke, and the state run program, supposedly put together to help policyholders, wants a 63% increase. What? That’s just outrageous. Has the legislature done enough to curtail these high insurance rates and should Louisiana have an elected insurance...
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Every week, Dateline Louisiana takes on topics Rannah Gray and I hear talked about in Louisiana. You can catch any episode at www.datelinelouisiana.com or the latest one by Clicking Here.
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  The Government’s War on Political Freedom! Check out the column below by our friend John whitehead with tTe Rutherford Institute.  John makes the point that the FBI never stops and Sheffers to invade itself in our personal freedoms. You can readers complete column by Clicking Here. “In so many of the little places of...
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It was 132 years ago this week. That’s the birthdate of one of Louisiana’s most powerful United States senators whoever served representing the Bayou state.  Senator Allen Ellender was a legend in the U.S. Senate serving for 35 years until his death in 1972.  I had quite an initial meeting with Ellender at a rural...
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Every week, Dateline Louisiana takes on topics Rannah Gray and I hear talked about in Louisiana. You can catch any episode at www.datelinelouisiana.com or the latest one by Clicking  Here: 
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This week, September 18th through September 24th, is Banned Book Week all over Louisiana and all over the nation.  The week has been recognized for over 40 years. So why is there such a rage in banning books today? National groups are coming into states like Louisiana to push for banning books that have been...
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  “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.“ “” Abraham Lincoln It continually amazes me as to how the federal government ignores these specific requirements in the constitutional amendments that are part of our basic...
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Here’s a statistic that will surprise you. A national website has named New Orleans as the top city in America to retire. What are these people smoking? New Orleans is in a state of meltdown right now with murder and overall crime out of control. The leadership there is dysfunctional, and the locals feel unsafe...
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Don’t mess with JB when he’s working out. One tough guy at 82.
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This month marks the 30th year anniversary of the FBI massacre at Ruby Ridge. It was simply an example of Militarized Central State Versus Individual Life and Liberty.  A chilling story of an FBI sniper who shot Vicki Weaver in the head as she held her ten-month-old baby at her home in Ruby Ridge, Idaho. The sniper...
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Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson.  Both are iconic figures in American political history. They also are, in my opinion, the two most important figures in Louisiana history. Without the intervention activities of both Jefferson in Jackson, Louisiana could well not be a state today. But are they getting the respect they deserve? I write about...
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John Whitehead heads up the Rutherford Institute, a think tank that is trying it’s best to protect our basic freedoms.  Here’s what he says about the FBI. “The government’s henchmen have become the embodiment of how power, once acquired, can be so easily corrupted and abused. Indeed, far from being tough on crime, FBI agents...
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It’s pretty obvious that President Biden does not read my weekly columns. He went ahead last week and forgave billions of dollars in student loans.  Both Republicans and Democrats were highly critical of the President’s action.  There are so many unanswered questions. How much is this forgiveness going to cost the taxpayers? Will loans be...
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One of best websites that works towards protecting our basic freedoms is The Rutherford Institute headed up by John Whitehead.  John has been a guest on my nationally syndicated radio program on several occasions. He is tireless worker pointing out government abuse and undermining the basic freedoms of all of Americans.  Here is what John...
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This week’s Dateline Louisiana podcast is a subject dear to my heart. I know everyone has a story to tell and if you’d like to write yours, join Rannah Gray and me as we share some tips to get you started. We’re on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts…or just click here: www.datelinelouisiana.com.
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Former representatives Steve Carter was a champion for early learning programs in our schools throughout Louisiana. He unfortunately died of Covid related problems almost 2 years ago. The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate has a story of how this program is slowly being funded, and praises Steve Carter for h efforts.  Steve was my brother-in-law, and...
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It’s hard to remember just when America was so divided as a nation. It seems like we’re split on so many issues. Trump- anti-Trump, Red State– Blue State, the list is long.  Can we learn anything by going back to the Civil War when Lincoln faced dealing with a divided nation? I think so. America...
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Here is a recent interview that I did concerning coming Louisiana elections, as well as the seizure recently of boxes of records located at the home of former president Donald Trump in Florida. Check it out and see if you agree.
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Do you have a garbage man that is this lively and enjoys his day to the fullest?  We all should have such a happy attitude.
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So just what’s up with this raid on the residence of past president Donald Trump? Is he hiding secret government documents for some  nefarious reason to undermine democracy? Or is all this just a public records dispute that should have been handled directly between the current and past presidents? What about all this FBI overreach?...
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 I spent 8 years managing orderly elections when I was Secretary of State. This week on Dateline Louisiana, Rannah Gray and I talk about the current state of voting in Louisiana and throughout the country. It’s Dateline Friday and you can listen to Episode 7 by going to https://www.buzzsprout.com/…/10892725-episode-7-voting…
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How much was that lottery amount? $1.3 billion.  Come on, that’s the loft wall. What an earth would you do if you won over $1 billion?  I suppose we all dream every now and then about riches. But this is out of the ballpark. So just what would you do if you won? What would...
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It’s Friday and this week Rannah Gray and I going global on #datelinelouisiana! You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music…or just click here: www.datelinelouisiana.com. Thanks, everyone!
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A nice visit and a presentation about books this week to the Good Old Boys Club at the Kenner Knights of Columbus Hall. I was invited by Dr. Gary Arnold, and it was certainly a lively group. “My Louisiana Odyssey” was purchased by a number of members. It’s good to be back out on the...
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We are in the midst of baseball season, and the season of politics is just a few months away as we approach congressional elections. So do you have a favorite? What rings more true to you- baseball or politics?  And are there similarities between this grand sporting event and our national elections? You might be...
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You might want to take in our new podcast that is has been posted. My colleague Rannah Gray and I talk about what to do about gun violence in America today. We normally talk about Louisiana issues, but so many killings in recent months need all of our attention. You can listen to the podcast...
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With all the serious matters we talking right about today, every now and then we need to include a little humor in our lives. Check out below some of the complaints by travelers to their travel agents. A few examples are 1. “They should not allow topless sunbathing on the beach. It was very distracting...
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You never know what Rannah Gray and I will be talking about on the Dateline Louisiana podcast! You can listen to Episode 4 wherever you get your podcasts…or right here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/…/10892700-episode-04…  
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Is there a happier place to live than in Louisiana? A recent survey by the U. S. National Bureau of Economic Research, Louisiana found that the Bayou State  is by far the happiest state in the nation.  Have you heard about the five Fs?  They best describe what’s happening here in the deepest of the deep...
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Rannah Gray and I have a new podcast out about the strange and interesting world of Louisiana politics. You can listen to it now on any podcast site by just plugging in www.datelinelouisiana.com. You can also check out all of our recent podcasts by Clicking Here.  Hope you will give it a listen.
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Here’s interview that was created a number of radio stations by the sounds of the show, my friends Chris Tidmore and Hi McEnery.  The show runs on stations throughout Louisiana, it’s always been lighthearted program with the two hosts.  My friend Rannah Gray also joined the show, as we’ve started a new podcast to together....
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We live in a different world today then when I grow up. Going and coming from school, and daily safety were just not an issue. Today, protecting your children is often the only issue. What should we do as parents to see the schools protect our children more? There certainly have been failings  as we...
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If you haven’t listened yet, the new dateline Louisiana podcast is gaining a number of new listeners.  Several new episodes have now been posted, including great discussions on  all the interesting and exquisite food you can find in Louisiana.  So be sure and check out all these new episodes. You can listen to all the...
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All we’re hearing in the press are several high profile decisions from the US Supreme Court. But quietly, other decisions have eroded your basic constitutional rights. Something the Supreme Court Has done a lot recently.Although the Supreme Court stopped short of overturning its 1966 ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, the conservative majority declared that individuals...
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There’s a major effort in Washington, both by the president and key members of Congress, to pass legislation forgiving current student loans. The amount of these loans currently exceed $1.7 trillion. And that ain’t chump change.  So is this something that Congress and the president should do? Is it fair to the those who earlier...
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The Keystone pipeline has become an issue that now dominates criticism of the President by  pleading how important the pipeline  is to the economic future of Louisiana. My reaction? Hogwash! The issue will not mean diddlysquat to the Bayou State. No new jobs will be created and not a dime of economic development. Read my...
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I’m excited to tell you about a new podcast that is taking off this week with my cohost Rannah Gray. For years, Rannah and I broadcast a nationally syndicated radio program that you could listen to right here on this site.  We have started a new podcast called Dateline Louisiana, where we discuss the various...
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Fifty years ago this month, the Watergate break-in took place in Washington. It seemed like a minor event at the time, but the whole political mess continued to  unwind  and led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Like most of the rest of the country, I was an avid observer of the whole process....
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One of the important issues missing from the whole gun debate is the violence that takes place at the movies, on TV and in video games.  Yet we see time and time again the fist kind of violence influences potential mass murderers. Check out daughter Campbell Brown’s article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal...
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All things considered, Jupiter seems like a pretty scary place. More than 300 times bigger than Earth (and twice the size of all the rest of our solar system’s planets combined), the King of Planets has double the strength of our gravity and an exceptionally dense, dry atmosphere. And you know that Big Red Dot on...
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Kudos to my colleague John Whitehead for his  continuing to stand up for our freedoms. He writes  regular columns on his website The Rutherford Institute. Here’s what he insightfully says this week: “In a closed society where everybody’s guilty, the only crime is getting caught.”””Hunter S. Thompson “The groundwork has been laid for a new...
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The recent legislative session at the state capital of Louisiana provided an excellent chance for legislators to deal directly with the nation’s highest automobile  insurance rates. There were a number of positive suggestions that were offered to legislators. But with all was said and done, nothing of any consequence happened. So policyholders in the state...
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How about my two good-looking and quite athletic grandsons, Eli and Asher Senor? In New York City for Asher’s bar mitzvah. And watching these two guys play lots of great tennis
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So what do you choose? Exercise or reading a good book. I say you can do both. I’m at my local health club 5 to 6 days a week, and always bring a book along. If it’s time to ride on my recumbent bike, I can both ride and read. My rule of thumb is...
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All across America, the voting process is under siege.  And much of the criticism is directed at secretaries of state who are the top election officials in most states.  A number of groups, many tied to the past president, say there is widespread voter fraud, and the whole system needs to be revamped. So is...
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Two of Louisiana’s most colorful governors certainly are Edwin Edwards and John McKeithen.  They were political allies when McKeithen  was governor and Edwards served as a congressman from southwest Louisiana. Then Edwards was elected, and the relationship between them became strained. I was a first hand observer to the highs and lows of their relationship,...
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Sad to say, but another week- another school shooting. It seems like these deranged killers are popping up way too often. And the police response in Uvalde, Texas has been absolutely appalling. Domestic terrorism in America continues to rise. What if anything that we do about it? I express my thoughts about the terrible shooting...
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A nice evening visiting with my friend Charlie Cole overlooking the Mississippi River. Charlie has been working for a number of years on his wonderful project of restoring Como plantation outside of Saint Francisville as a wonderful getaway. The Como Plantation Retreat has been in the works for several years””a vision that has transformed this...
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This week, I want to tell you all about me and the Killer. Well, not that kind of killer. I’m talking about one of the great country music and rock ‘n roll singers of all time. He’s from my hometown in Ferriday, Louisiana and he was just inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame....
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  So how long will he wait? In Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”, a revolutionary creation, the symbolic Godot never comes. Will he show up for this guy?  Some say Godot represents death, unless the only thing that comes.  Hummmmm!  I don’t know about that. But I did like the play.
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Randy Weaver has passed away.  Three decades ago, he was entrapped by an ATF agent.  Federal agents subsequently killed his son and wife. The Justice Department denied that anyone’s rights were violated but still paid a multi-million dollar settlement for the Weaver family’s wrongful death lawsuit.  Federal abuses at Ruby Ridge, the subsequent FBI coverup,...
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What’s going on in my home state of Louisiana and across the nation? A crime wave of violence from coast to coast. Political leaders in both parties who  scream for attention, but offer few solutions. We as Americans deserve better. Much better! I take on the thorny subject in my new column now posted. Where...
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I would be remiss not to comment on the passing of my longtime friend Mickey Gilley. He was one of my first clients when I started my law practice in the small town of Ferriday in Northeast Louisiana. Mickey was a  country music star whose Texas nightclub served as the inspiration for the 1980 film Urban...
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I’m sure you recognize actor James Cromwell. He’s played major character actors in any number of movies. In the popular series the crown, he played Prince Philip and did an excellent job. Well now he’s created a really sticky situation.  Incensed by the “senseless upcharge” at Starbucks for nondairy milk, the “Succession” and “Babe” actor...
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Well like it or not, I’m moving on up. I’m talking about age. Eighty two years old this week. In the past, I would have assumed that this is really old. Not so says me. Yes, a lot of water has pasted under the bridge, but I’m convinced I still have a good ways to...
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Mega country music singing star Garth Brooks is certainly a national treasure. But it’s hard to top the thousands of fans that packed LSU tiger stadium this past Saturday night. It was a Garth Brooks weekend with diehard fans traveling from hundreds of miles just to see the king of country music. He wasn’t always...
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Did you know that some so-called celebrities go ahead and hire a book stylist? A book is recommended to carry around and let people think you are a real intellectual and regular reader. Hey I’ve got a good idea. Just sit down and read a book!
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  Now look all you guys and gals. Ain’t nobody messin’ with me. You can see below, I got friends. Remember “The Incredible Hulk” in the U.S. TV series that ran in the ’70s? Well,the Hulk came to Baton Rouge this week to hang out. With me-right? Well alright. He did open up a new health...
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It’s a simple fact with no disagreement. Violent crime is running rampant all over Louisiana. In fact, a number of the most violent crime ridden cities in America are right here in the Bayou state. So what can be done about it? Newspaper editorials and columns are calling for a new study commission. What? We...
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Being from Louisiana, and having spent a good part of my life in New Orleans, I really love the street performers take their music seriously, and give awesome performances. Here is one of the best performers. Every Breath You Take – The Police | Karolina Protsenko & Daniele Vitale Sax
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Former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is back on the political scene again. She is a candidate for the one congressional seat in Alaska. Over 50 candidates are qualified to run against Palin. So what do you think about this controversy and outspoken lady? I have my opinions. In fact, I almost...
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Sunrise church this Sunday Easter morning at the Flora-Bama service in Gulf Shores, Alabama. I’v been a regular down here on the Redneck Riviera for the past 56 years.
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Someone asked me what this was a picture of. I told them this was just a typical gas station down here in Louisiana.
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The Louisiana legislature is under the gun during its current regular 2002 session, and for good reason. Policyholders who own property  are livid about the cost of insurance, and the way insurance companies are failing to adequately adjust claims. And it’s because property insurance is by far the most expensive in the entire country. And...
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Well, we here at The Lisburn Press hope you feel the same way about happiness. If you live down in the deepest of the deep southern states, you know we have so many productive authors, and so many good books to read. I hope you go to our website and look at all the new...
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Baird Dodge, principal second violin of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performs “Over the Rainbow” in the courtyard of his residence, as tenants gather on the fire escapes to enjoy the music.What a thoughtful musical gift from a gifted musician.
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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.        
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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...
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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.
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Gas at $4.45 in Baton Rouge. Here’s how I’m preparing.
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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...
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  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...
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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...
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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...
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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.  
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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...
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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...
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