As a long time, Democrat, I must admit I have mixed emotions about the way Dade Phelan is being treated by the Republican Party. While I am pleased to see the Republicans are so... — Updated 3/19/2024

I am starting to think that America is becoming like the old gentleman who once said that ignorance and lack of action is what is wrong with the world. He followed by saying, “I d... — Updated 3/12/2024

If you are reaching your so-called “Golden Years,” you most likely have a new adventure in store. I just finished eight weeks as a guest of a hospital. I escaped but learned a lot a... — Updated 1/30/2024

While we celebrate new things that encompass life, we should pay attention to what we are leaving. Though the auto in ways made it easier to travel, we did not think what we would... — Updated 10/17/2023

While not perfect, our system of determining facts for juries is the best in the world. Usually, juries decide what is factually based on what they see or hear. Sometimes, however,... — Updated 10/10/2023

Because of my activities concerning public education, I was invited and attended a two-week seminar at Oxford University in England. Most of the participants were educators from... — Updated 10/3/2023

One thing that sets the U.S. apart from most other nations of the world is the quality of our colleges and universities. There is a vast number of citizens of other countries... — Updated 9/26/2023

If you didn't watch the recent debate of candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president, you should have. It is important to know their beliefs and some idea about how... — Updated 9/12/2023

Have we as Americans grown so accustomed to bad things that we are not shocked or offended by them? It seems that we are no longer excited about the news of a mass shooting. We obvi... — Updated 9/5/2023

I have often compared serving in an elective position to skiing. The reason being that both look so easy to do until you try. Being somewhat athletic, after seeing people flow down... — Updated 8/29/2023

Any student of American history understands the importance of inform4ed citizens. Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison and others of our founding fathers were great purveyors of... — Updated 8/22/2023

After you pass your 80th year, things that were routine become an adventure. My most recent mental exercise and physical adventure was renewing my driver’s license. Thanks to our l... — Updated 8/15/2023

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 Our nation is divided more today than any time since the Civil War. A major cause of the division is bec... — Updated 8/8/2023

Early in our marriage Beverly and I were looking for a house to be our home in Port Arthur. Our problem, like many young couples, was lack of enough money to even produce a... — Updated 7/18/2023

Our Supreme Court has recently issued some very controversial rulings. All the rulings create dissatisfaction among political blogs but there is one ruling I truly believe... — Updated 7/4/2023

Next to California Texas leads the nation in gun ownership as well as deaths by guns. Obviously, we have a large number of gun ownership advocates. However, I have yet to meet a... — Updated 6/27/2023

Oliver Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, once said the only tax that people like is a tax on someone else. It seems that for many years Texas politicians have been searching f... — Updated 6/13/2023

There are many ways for our state Legislature to improve public education. Unfortunately, our statewide politicians are focusing on the wrong things. Several states, including Texas... — Updated 6/6/2023

How and why has there has been such a shift in politics in Southeast Texas? When I was growing up and running for office, Southeast Texas was the bright spot. The capitol income in... — Updated 5/30/2023

There is not much excitement when you reach 88 years of age. But this Mother’s Day was a little different. Saturday morning I was awakened by my wife announcing that there a... — Updated 5/23/2023

Our governor and lieutenant governor and other elected leaders could learn valuable lessons by watching some of the old westerns on TV. At my age I have begun to enjoy old western... — Updated 5/9/2023

Around our house while I was growing up unionization was considered almost at the level of religion. My dad, a 40-year refinery worker, saw unions as the route to a better life and... — Updated 5/2/2023

As a longtime church goer from the time I could walk and follow my mother around, I have decided there is ample hypocrisy in our churches to the point that we don’t necessarily n... — Updated 4/18/2023

For the last few days the press has had a lot to say about three members of the Tennessee Legislature being expelled by their fellow members. Allegedly the reason for their... — Updated 4/11/2023

As we move into our late 70s and 80s, one of the few pleasures left for us is memories. I am told that we all have a tendency to remember things in the past as being truly better... — Updated 4/4/2023