Former Gov. Bobby Jindal has never minced words about Medicaid, particularly the largely federally funded expansion that he adamantly refused to accept on behalf of Louisiana’s working poor. Here a few of those words:
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
It is characteristic of Kathleen Blanco that the former governor, battling a terminal illness, does not want tributes or statues in her honor, but is thinking about the longer future.
Monday, September 24, 2018
In the aftermath of catastrophic flooding in Louisiana in 2016, thousands of residents borrowed money through the U.S. Small Business Administration to rebuild. Unfortunately, federal regulations then barred them from rebuilding grants later made …
Monday, September 24, 2018
For more Walt toons and animations click here.
A decade ago, recently elected Gov. Bobby Jindal and a bunch of new legislators who made up the first post-term limits class were still finding their legs. Money was rolling in to state coffers, thanks to recovery spending from monster hurricanes …
Apparently, the State Bond Commission of Louisiana is more interested in protecting manufacturers and sellers of guns rather than protecting its citizens from unethical money scammers. Earlier this year, they passed a resolution forbidding the sta…
Monday, September 24, 2018
Every year millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how or where to register.
This is to suggest to those who will vote on the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court that it is possible that both he and his accuser are being truthful.
When the U.S. Supreme Court OK'd sports betting across the land earlier this year, one outcome was already in the cards: Just as with the establishment of casino gambling itself, Louisiana would lose out to nearby Mississippi.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Not for the first time, the U.S. Congress is showing itself ill-equipped to deal with the complex and financially challenging issues around flooding and the National Flood Insurance Program.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Cajun Cookin’!
Thanks to Sam Karlin for his article “Insurance on track for smaller hike” which outlines why Louisiana residents have the second-highest auto insurance rates in the country. But of all of the reasons that Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon listed…
Sunday, September 23, 2018
It was a delight to read your news article about the design of the Water Institute of the Gulf, the recipient of Baton Rouge’s highest honor at the the American Institute of Architects Rose Design Awards in July.
Regarding the recent letter about what the Rev. Martin Luther King would do on the issue of NFL protests, MLK would take a knee. You see, Dr. King upheld the First Amendment right to peaceful protest. This is no disrespect to the country, the flag…
When Louisiana prepares its budgets for the coming fiscal year, starting every July 1, there is always an element of uncertainty because the 12 months ahead might bring surprises.
Saturday, September 22, 2018
For more Walt toons and animations click here.
Earlier this month, I wrote a column about the phrase “shoo-shoo,” which is sometimes used in these parts to describe a tropical threat that fails to materialize. Some readers had never heard the phrase, while others said they had known it since t…
Are Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and former President Barack Obama two Democratic peas in a pod?
Like those Nextdoor social media sites where your neighbors whine about the way things used to be, the Louisiana Legislature’s largely negative reaction has overshadowed news of an actual surplus after 15 mid-year deficits over a span of nine years.
Did you know as recently as 10 years ago, former President Barack Obama said, "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage."
Donald Trump's trade policy in a sentence: "None of this stuff is good."
Friday, September 21, 2018
Sept. 22, is National Hunting and Fishing Day — an event I’m not touting to promote the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, where I work.
I retired a little over a year ago and, since then, have done some fairly extensive driving all over the southeastern United States for family events and for vacations. I’ve driven thousands of miles on rural roads, highways and on the interstate …
The article about Richard Windmann’s abuse at the hands of Jesuit High School janitor Pete Modica is unfortunately typical of the pattern of child sexual abusers. Modica groomed Windmann by befriending him, giving him treats and ingratiating himse…
U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson's characterization of the lawsuit brought against the Bossier public schools by Americans United for Separation of Church and State (The Advocate, Sept. 20) as an atheist plot against religious freedom is false. It's a bugaboo.
New Orleans’ new airport terminal, once it finally opens, will be a grand new gateway to the region. It could also serve as a symbol, not just of the city’s modern, outwardly-focused ambitions but also its prosaic, perennial challenges.
Thursday, September 20, 2018
In the wake of a sexual abuse scandal that’s rocked the Catholic Church around the world, including horrifying incidents in Louisiana, church leaders have promised to champion reforms to help prevent such abuses in the future.
On the police shows of television, complicated crimes get neatly resolved in an hour. In the real world, justice can take much longer, as residents of south Louisiana were reminded this month with the arrest of Oscar A. Lozada for the murder of hi…
For more Walt toons and animations click here.
Being mayor of a major city such as New Orleans is a big, big job, and realistically speaking, no one person can do it all.
For those who live there, New Orleans is our city. Not in the insular, dangerous way that organizations like Jane Place use the word “our” — to divide, but in the way to unite. There are those of us who’ve seen a New Orleans changed, destroyed and…
As reported in The Advocate on Sept. 19, Attorney General Jeff Landry or his chief deputy will go to Washington, D.C. next week to push a federal antitrust initiative to potentially break up social media giants such as Google and Facebook.
One of many unproductive dynamics during and after Hurricane Katrina was the toxic relationship between FEMA director Michael Brown and his boss, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
While the debate is focused in Baton Rouge, a pending decision about a tax exemption for a new half-billion-dollar industrial project has statewide implications.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
For the last three years, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber has worked closely with Thermaldyne as it built its state-of-the-art oil recycling facility in Port Allen. From the start, Thermaldyne has diligently worked with state and local officials to b…
I recently saw the picture in which the Miami Dolphins kneel to protest social injustice.
I have been doing vacation rentals for five years. I hesitated at first. Did I really want strangers in my home? And would they even want to rent in Old Algiers Point? My fears were totally unfounded. I am pleased to offer my home, mostly to exten…
On Sept. 11, the Orleans Public Defenders Office and other justice reform advocates hosted NFL Players Coalition members from the New Orleans Saints; Commissioner Roger Goodell; New Orleans Saints President Dennis Lauscha; and Saints owner, Gayle …
A recent Advocate story rightly describes the curious reticence of Attorney General Jeff Landry, to look into Louisiana's Catholic church involvement in the sexual abuse of children — and cover-ups by clergy and officials, Everyone knows the curre…
Speaking at a Tuesday morning briefing hosted by the Bureau of Governmental Research, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell answered a question over the long-shuttered Municipal Auditorium with what sounded like a pretty enthusiastic pitch for relocat…
The U.S. Senate is supposed to be the cooler head of America’s body politic, a place where principle, not passion, prevails over the people’s business.
Formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana’s Cajun Navy has been at it again, rescuing stranded homeowners in the flood-ravaged Carolinas as residents there cope with the aftermath of what was once Hurricane Florence.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
For more Walt toons and animations click here.
Now that Christine Blasey Ford has come forward willing to testify, U.S. Sens. John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy have no choice but to take her testimony as truth and vote no on Kavanaugh. All my life, I've seen how women who accuse men in power of se…
I am writing to offer comment on Andrea Gallo's article on Woman's Hospital's program to help babies born to opioid-dependent mothers. In no way am I offering criticism of the article or the program at Woman's Hospital. I applaud both.
How sad it was to learn that Carolyn McKnight is leaving BREC. What an outstanding and creative leader she is. Baton Rouge is losing one of its finest. Her shoes will be very difficult to fill.
As a proud Vietnam Veteran, I found The Advocate's cartoon on Sept. 12 to be offensive and demeaning to veterans. There is no doubt there are many veterans who have problems and need help. I just don't think it is necessary to depict veterans as p…
Our path to a prosperous and equitable southeast Louisiana is difficult. One in two households in our community struggles to make ends meet. The impact of that staggering figure is responsible for much of our region’s societal and economic challenges.
From a marketing standpoint, Nike’s recent ad campaign is pure genius. I and many others believe Nike could have selected a much more deserving spokesman instead of Colin Kaepernick. Perhaps a wounded warrior severely injured defending our country…