Another year, another birthday. Right? I’ve had a number of them, but it’s hard to believe that I’ve reached the hallmark of being 84. That really sounds like an old guy. I guess I should not be that concerned as long as my health holds up.  What’s the Toby Keith song? Don’t let the old Man in. That’s what I’m trying to do, and I write about it in this week’s column. Take a look and see if you relate. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

It’s my birthday this week. Hitting  the 84 year mark. So what do I do to celebrate? Simple. Gather a few family members and friends for a crawfish boil. How can you beat that!

It’s open season as the Louisiana Legislature tries to jam through a new constitution in a matter of days. How irresponsible. Take a listen to our new podcast to see what you think. You could get it by going to ww.datelinelouisiana.com.

The public’s right to know is under attack in Louisiana. The old saying certainly makes sense today. “Beware and keep your guard up when the legislature in session in the Bayou state is in session.”   There is a major effort to limit the public right to know, and keep public records and deliberations under seal. Louisiana used to be the pillar of open government. Not anymore. Take a look at my new column now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

The trial of former President Donald Trump is underway with the jury having been selected.  So now it’s up to the judge to see that the rules are followed, and that Trump gets a fair shake, right? Will not quite. Whether you like Donald Trump or not, any neutral observer would determine the Trump has the decisions of the judge stacked against him. I take a look at all the reasons that stand in the way of the former president getting a fair shake. You can read my new column now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

One of the most colorful and controversial characters in American history passed away this week.  Some called him the Juice, others called him  O.J., and even others called him a killer. His trial for murdering his wife captivated America like no other. So many highs and lows. One of the greatest football players ever to play the game, a world class track and field athlete, and then the trial. I write all about O.J. in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

State constitutions are important. They sit out the framework that affects every citizen in the state. Louisiana has needed a new state constitution for years. I know. I helped write the last constitution. I write about what’s going on in the Louisiana legislature in my new column. The Governor is pushing for a new constitution, but doing so in haste. Read my concerns in my new column now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

Let me tell you this. Throughout most of my life, I’d loved riding motorcycles. But there was a caveat. I always wore a helmet. Now in Louisiana, the legislature is coming close to doing away with the mandatory requirement that motorcycle riders wear a helmet.  Is this really a freedom of choice issue? I write about it in my new column. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

Madness taking place all this month and April. It means big money for the college oversight group, the NCAA, as well as many individual basketball players. There are pros and cons to how the present system works. Some things I don’t like. I take a look at March madness in my new column now posted, you can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

Is there anything that could be done about the outrageous insurance rates that Louisiana drivers and homeowners are paying? The little Southern state leads the entire nation in the high cost of basic insurance. A new legislature has a governor committed to helping the new insurance commissioner with the problem. But can any official really  do anything? I take a look at this issue in my new column that is now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

To listen to Jim’s new podcast, go to www.datelinelouisiana.com.

The Louisiana legislature met recently to find ways to crack down on crime. And yes, there are so many solutions that are being implemented all over America. So what did our Bayou State guys and gals do? They just stuck it to the old guys. Violent crime is taking place all over Louisiana by young thugs; 13 and 14-year-olds carjack, commit our robberies, and even murder. And it’s just not boys. It is often girls joining their gang.  So what should the the legislature have done? I write about it in my new column now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

It’s Super Tuesday week with presidential primaries taking place all over the nation. So where is Louisiana in the mix? Irrelevant! Louisiana does not get into the race for president until March 23, several weeks away. By that time, decisions on other candidates have been made all over the nation. Why are we last? Why can’t we be first? We can, and I explain how in my new column. You can take a look at it now by Clicking Here or going to the Red Flashing Box above.

What’s all this talk about being too old to run for public office? OK, OK. Biden and Trump are both pretty old guys. Kind of like me. So are all of us over the hill and not fit to serve in making policy and running the state or the country? Good question! I take a look at this issue in my new column now posted. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

A blockbuster sale of Louisiana’s largest insurance company has been put on the back burner, and it’s probably dead on arrival. Well it should be. Hundreds of thousands of policy holders in Louisiana get their health insurance she will cross. I most satisfied. So why the necessary reasoning to sell the company? I know something about this whole operation, haven’t been insurance commissioner and having taken over Blue Cross some years back. That’s the focus of my new column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

There are lots of Louisiana parties in the nations capital last week. The annual Washington Mardi Gras ball. All well and good. Besides partying and asking for campaign contributions, how do your congressman actually vote? Do you know? There are lots of important issues that come up before the Congress. Do you know what position your representatives have taken on, so many national and international issues? I talk about all this in my new column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by ClickingHere.

There is growing support all over the country for either abolishing or restructuring the federal bureau of investigation. The FBI has become an embarrassment for America, and find the respect with countries all over the world. Here’s the latest article from the Future of Freedom Foundation

“Among the worst mistakes America has ever made is to bring into existence the Federal Bureau of Investigation — the FBI.  A national police force is an essential part of any tyrannical regime. Just look at any tyrannical foreign regime, either right wing and left wing, over the past 100 years. I will guarantee you that you will find a national police force. It serves as a useful adjunct to a big military-intelligence establishment to keep people in line.”  To read the whole article of what this national voice has to say, Click Here.

Look out, are you Swifties and you Mega supporters.  The election police may be after you. That’s right, the new Supreme Court decision has determined that it’s OK to prohibit people from The election police may be after you. That’s right, the newif you do, you will be kicked out of the building both. Is this a violation of free speech? Take a look at my new column. I posted to see what you think. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here

                                                                                      New Podcast now ready for listening at www.datelinelouisiana.com.