by Alejandro de los Rios

Not too long ago, I was told that the best place in New Orleans to watch soccer football was a place called Finn McCool’s in Mid-City. Relatively speaking, that’s not much of a statement — New Orleans isn’t quite known for its soccer fanaticism. But all I had to hear was that they had projection screens and Guiness on tap and I thought I might give it a shot. Sure thing, the bar was wall-to-wall for the Champions’ League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea. But the sure sign that this is as authentic a football pub as you’ll find in New Orleans is the immigrant presence. After all, how can you call yourself an Irish bar if you don’t have any Irishmen drinking in it?

State Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, isn’t a scientist, but he feels he knows what’s “good science,” even if the scientists don’t know. Nevers keeps pushing his Louisiana Science Act, SB 733, Read the rest of this entry »

by Sam Winston

According to this latest assessment of the Recovery by the national policy magazine, City Journal , New Orleans and its rebuilding successes show that…

“restoring neighborhoods is a job far better suited to citizens and organizations than to government. ” - City Journal

The piece goes on to explain where it thinks government should be more of a leader in areas like blighted properties and crime.

I’ve always found it fascinating how the battle of ideas constantly influx in Washington squared off time and time again in New Orleans over the last three years. From charter schools, to charity, to housing, and to law enforcement, it was a non-stop fight. Now, it seems some ideas are clearly winning out. Read the rest of this entry »