Editorial

Hurricane season – do you feel lucky?

It’s the kickoff for hurricane season and forecasters are predicting as many as 14 named storms with anywhere from 3 to 6 of these storms growing into major hurricanes. Here on the Gulf Coast, we certainly perk up when this time of year rolls around. For years, a good story in south Louisiana went like this:

“I’m a Catholic, so I certainly know a good bit about suffering,” she would say.

“Yeah, I’m a Louisiana homeowner,” he answered.

“Oh, so you understand.”

Trump’s war on legal immigrants

President Trump and his allies often say they only oppose undocumented immigrants, not legal ones. During a 2016 campaign stop in Illinois, Trump even applauded a supporter wearing a T-shirt that read, “Legal Immigrant For Trump.”

The candidate patted the man on the back and said, “We want people to come in. But they’ve got to come in, like you, legally, my man.”

Teachers’ hard work deserves recognition

Being an educator is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it takes dedicated, caring hearts to be in the classroom every day.

Teachers are one of the foundations in society. Without those who have educated us in reading, writing, science and math, we could go on to become journalists, doctors, lawyers, police officers, accountants or oilfield workers.

Some say teachers have an easy job, an 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. schedule on weekdays only, with plenty of holiday breaks and a long summer. The only people who say this are those who have no clue of what an educators’ work entails.

The good, the bad and the ugly manners ’

THE WAY I SEE IT

It’s a love/hate relationship. It seems that more often than not, I am referred to as “Mr. Don” or “Mr. West.” It is a sign that those who are addressing me have been reared in good homes, learned proper manners and respect.

On the other hand, more often than I care to realize, I am addressed as “bud,” “dude” or “buddy” when being served in a restaurant or other place of business. Customer service people are not being trained properly and they need to be as the upbringing is not always in place in today’s homes.

No question there was spying on Trump campaign – but how much?

At his contentious hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General William Barr dropped a big hint about his investigation into the conduct of the Trump-Russia investigation.

“Many people seem to assume that the only intelligence collection that occurred was a single confidential informant and a FISA warrant,” Barr said. “I would like to find out whether that is, in fact, true. It strikes me as a fairly anemic effort if that was the counterintelligence effort designed to stop the threat as it is being represented.”

Seas the Day

“Arose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare may have penned that sentiment but the generations following him have worn the blush off it.

If it is true, however, that a rose would smell as sweet (by any other name), does the same hold true for a boat?

A bottle of nail polish?

A tube of lipstick?

I recently strolled through the yacht basin of a beach resort and marveled at the creative genius which is at work among the rich and famous… or at least among those the rich and famous can afford to hire to be creatively genius.

How to handle insurance claims after a storm

Victims of severe weather can find help regarding insurance claims thanks to the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI).

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is encouraging policyholders to become familiar with their insurance coverage before filing a claim.

You can check your homeowners and business insurance policies for coverage limits and deductibles.

Storms are considered ‘Acts of God’ or ‘Acts of Nature’ and an insurance company cannot cancel, refuse to renew or increase the amount of a premium on a homeowners policy based solely on this type of incident.

Summer reading programs forestall ‘summer slide’

Summer is an important time for students to keep reading and improve their language skills. Numerous studies indicate that students who don’t read or read infrequently during their summer vacation see their reading abilities stagnate or decline. This effect becomes more pronounced as students get older and advance through the school system.

With summer break around the corner, local libraries in Jennings and the Kiwanis Club here are doing their best to make sure the minds of students in the parish stay sharp over the summer months.

Budget wish list lengthy and expensive

The wish lists at the Louisiana Capitol are long and pricey, as the state climbs out of years of budget gaps into a place of increased revenue. And with the election year, lawmakers are looking for ways to use the newfound cash to help their politicking.

Adults key to addressing bullying

Bullying is not always an interaction between one aggressor and a victim. It often involves groups of students who support each other in harming others, ganging up on one person