Commentary
The NRA backed a 1934 machine gun ban; it now opposes nearly all firearm restrictions
The mass shootings at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, just 10 days apart, are stirring the now-familiar national debate over guns seen after the tragic 2012 and 2018 school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida. Inevitably, if also understandably, many Americans are blaming the National Rifle Association […]
Maybe it’s time to reform the United States Supreme Court
Virtually all Americans are in a tizzy about the forthcoming ruling that may overturn Roe vs. Wade. That forthcoming ruling, drafted by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, was leaked to the public. Pro-birth advocates, comprised mostly of Republicans, are hopeful abortion rights will be overturned while most supporters of the Democratic Party are furious about […]
Despite mass shootings, Louisiana likely to lose gun law ‘island’ status
I took a walk around the neighborhood Tuesday evening to clear my head before I sat down to write this column. Stepping away my work and social media was needed given the news of the day from Uvalde, Texas, and my 10-year-old daughter decided to come along to release some pent up energy. We shield […]
Why Louisiana ‘absolutely’ still has an unconstitutional abortion law
It would be a waste of time and energy to continue to beat the near dead horse that is Rep. Danny McCormick’s anti-abortion bill. Instead, let’s look at why it should have never made it to the Louisiana House floor, who could possibly have stopped it before it got there and why the existing law […]
Louisiana lawmakers take a step back on police accountability
Louisiana lawmakers have been at the forefront recently when it comes to seeking accountability from police. A special House investigative committee continues to peel back shrouds of an apparent coverup in the death of Ronald Greene when he was in State Police custody, and a Senate oversight panel is moving toward fashioning policy changes to […]
Logic takes a backseat during debate over conversion therapy
Logic took an extreme backseat Wednesday during debate over a bill that would prevent certain medical professionals in Louisiana from practicing conversion therapy
Lawmakers ignore, twist facts in COVID proposals
It’s bad enough when bills are based on bad information. When their authors won’t stand behind them, that’s even worse.
Lawmakers load up state budget with pet projects chosen behind closed doors
The approach lacks transparency, squanders the short-term budget largesse and appears aimed at election bids and politics rather than state priorities.
Legacy of Jim Crow still affects public school funding
An important step in remedying entrenched school funding inequalities is to first recognize that they are rooted in the history of Jim Crow segregation.
Police presence on school grounds poses potential risks to kids
The school resource officer debate has many sides. This debate comes at a time when communities and police have increasingly strained relations due to police shootings and other negative encounters.
Louisiana can’t afford to be oil and gas exclusive
Fears of an all-green outlook for Louisiana are misguided, as the state will always be oil and gas reliant to a great extent
Private school vouchers provide students a better chance to excel? Prove it
Republicans in the Georgia General Assembly and in legislatures across the country have been moving toward passage of full-fledged school-voucher systems.