CenLamar | Est. 2006

  • Donkey Depression

    Earlier this month, Jeremy Alford, who, in my opinion, is one of the best and most thorough journalists in Louisiana, published an article for The Independently Weekly titled “Donkey Desperation.” I have shamelessly co-opted his headline; I’m also a fan of alliterations. Mr. Alford’s article detailed the recent history and the plight of the Louisiana Democratic Party; it’s a great primer for anyone interested in Louisiana politics, whether you’re conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between. A couple of days after Mr. Alford’s article was published, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced that he was switching to the Republican Party. As a…

  • Satire Versus Hate Speech

    During the last couple of years and particularly during the last Mayor’s election, I’ve thought a lot about the differences between satire and hate speech. Famously, the late televangelist Jerry Falwell sued Larry Flynt and Hustler Magazine in the late 1980s for libel, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress after Hustler printed a satirical ad that suggested Falwell’s first sexual experience was with his own mother. Initially, a jury rejected Falwell’s charge of libel, but agreed with him on the charges of invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress, awarding Falwell $150,000 in damages. Flynt…

  • Go Joe!

    To my friend and colleague Joe Page, a former City Councilman and one of the most decent, intelligent, and fair-minded people I have ever encountered: There aren’t many people in the City of Alexandria, Louisiana who have dedicated their entire professional career to public service. Joe Page is, without any doubt, an exceptional leader and public servant. He’s soft-spoken man who possesses a deep and abiding belief in his own community. Yesterday, at the conclusion of a press briefing, he spoke his mind as a citizen, and I commend him for his courage, his tenacity, and his integrity. Like Mr. Page,…