Check out Bush foreign policy adviser Dan Senor, as he discusses the reasons for going into Iraq this week on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Dan is a regular on both Morning Joe and Fox News when it comes to issues in the Middle East . His new book, “Start Up Nation,” made the New York Times...Read More

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The Republicans were big winners in last Tuesday’s national election, taking control of the House of Representatives, and coming close to a takeover of the Senate.  But is it enough to say that you are winning solely because the other side blew its opportunity?  Numerous polls show a majority of Americans view the Democrats as...Read More

Thursday, November 3, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana DOES THE DEMOCRATIC COLLAPSE GIVE THE REPUBLICANS A MANDATE? The Republicans were big winners in last Tuesday’s national election, taking control of the House of Representatives, and coming close to a takeover of the Senate.  But is it enough to say that you are winning solely because the...Read More

My “Common Sense” radio show was broadcast live from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina this past Sunday.  Dan Vallie, pictured below, runs the campus radio station, and is a veteran consultant to radio stations all over America.  We talked n the air about how the media is going through quite a revolution right...Read More

Let's face it.  We are all spoiled rotten.  Take a look below to put things in perspective. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/8r1CZTLk-Gk" width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen="true" fvars="fs=1" /]Read More

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I always wanted to run a marathon.  I did finish several triathlons, but never took the challenge of one of the major marathons throughout the world. The granddaddy of them all is the Athens Marathon, and how many such races can celebrate a 2,500th anniversary?  The first marathon was run back in 490 B.C. at...Read More

Will the rolling tide of the Tea Party and a Republican onslaught really bring about major changes Washington following this Tuesday’s election?  Don’t count on it. Let’s just say we are in for some fine tuning that should have taken place two years ago when the Obama Administration first took office.  All the political pundits...Read More

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010 Linville, North Carolina WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER TUESDAY’S ELECTION Will the rolling tide of the Tea Party and a Republican onslaught really bring about major changes in Washington following this Tuesday’s election?  Don’t count on it. Let’s just say we are in for some fine tuning that should have taken place...Read More

Oct. 27, 2010Read More

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Are you ready for Halloween?  I have my pumpkin carved out, with a really big one this year.  Check them out all below.  Hope you have you costume ready.  You can see mine in the video below. Happy Halloween! Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!Read More

A nice evening in New Orleans last week where I was the banquet speaker at the yearly convention of the Louisiana Private Investigators Association.  With the changing world of the internet and new applications for wireless electronic surveillance, there was much to talk about with this group.  Robert Weltz, who is the LPIA President, presented...Read More

Universities across the country are facing a major cash crunch, and supporters are lobbying their respective legislatures to maintain current funding.  Here in Louisiana, higher education is expecting draconian cuts of 30% or more.  The focus is to keep present funding.  But are colleges like LSU doing its share to convince the public that it...Read More

Thursday, October 21st, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR LOUISIANA UNIVERSITIES Across the nation, colleges and universities are facing a major financial crisis.  Federal stimulus funds are running out, and state legislatures are facing a deep decline in revenues.  Are flagship universities so important to economic growth that they should maintain their present funding...Read More

Funny or Die’s Presidential Reunion from Will FerrellRead More

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Well the popular Old Spice commercial has created a lot of buzz for the ladies, but is also copied by a number of political candidates running this fall.  Check out the original Old Spice guy, then have some laughs looking over the political take offs.  It’s the “In” thing to do politically this election year...Read More

Just when you thought the insurance crisis along the gulf coast, particularly in Louisiana, could not get any worse, along comes congress to really muck up the problems faced by property owners in being able to financially protect the value of their property.  If congress and the Obama Administration have their way, look for already...Read More

Thursday, October 14th, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE MAY BECOME UNAFFORDABLE ALONG THE GULF COAST! Just when you thought the insurance crisis along the gulf coast, particularly in Louisiana, could not get any worse, along comes congress to really muck up the problems faced by property owners who are trying to protect the value...Read More

It seem you can’t go anywhere with the problems of Louisiana being a part of the discussion.  I was in Washington, D.C. several weeks ago attending An Ideas for the Future forum sponsored by The Atlantic Magazine.  And of course, there was lots of talk about after effects of Katrina as well as the Gulf...Read More

October 14, 2010Read More

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Public frustration seems to be boiling over as the November 2nd election approaches.  Is there a candidate anywhere in the country that is addressing the issues that are drowning America in red ink and more debt?  My new column cites a number of examples where both Republicans and Democrats have missed the boat on what...Read More

  T  hursday, October 7th, 2010 Linville, North Carolina IS THE WHOLE COUNTRY GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET? And I thought voters were distrustful, angry and confrontational, a few years back when I held public office.  My favorite author, Charles Dickens, would have said, “Hey Brown, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”Â  (Actually, I’m...Read More

In several columns, I have written about the Black Swan theory.    In ancient literature, a black swan was a proverbial phrase for something extremely rare or nonexistent.  How to assess risk is a key problem along the Gulf when it comes to figure the odds of oil spills and hurricanes. Professor Nassim Taleb has a...Read More

Senator Jim Webb from Virginia was a combat Marine in Viet Nam, and has written nine books.  The Atlantic Magazine named him one of the world’s 27 “Brave Thinkers,” and he has a strong commitment to protecting America’s security interests.  He expressed the same concern over the massive spending in the Middle East with so...Read More

Charlie Cook is the political insider’s guru in Washington, D.C.  The Cook Political Report is a must read for all who traverse Capitol Hill, and Charlie has become one of the most respected political observers in the country.  He happens to be from Shreveport, and our mothers played bridge together for many years.   Charlie and...Read More

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Mad Men www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Rally to Restore SanityRead More

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With a major national election just a month away, the stakes continue to get higher. Will the republicans regain control of congress, and will the President have his hands tied on major policy decisions for the next two years? Every major spending issue, the cost of the war, the national debt and healthcare can trace...Read More

Thursday, September 30, 2010 Linville, North Carolina EDUCATIONAL REFORM-ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE BUT IGNORED IN LOUISIANA AND OTHER STATE ELECTIONS With a major national election just a month away, the stakes continue to get higher.  Will the republicans regain control of congress, and will the President have his hands tied on major policy decisions for...Read More

Sept. 30, 2010Read More

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Sept. 22, 2010Read More

The new rising political star in the Republican Party “has dabbled in witchcraft.” So maybe tea Party candidate Christine O’Donnell has cast a spell over her coverts.  That’s about the only logical reason to explain the “off the wall” pinball effect of the GOP embracing a quagmire of diversionary issues that keep a responsible political...Read More

Thursday, September 22, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana IT MUST BE WITCHCRAFT- WHY ELSE ARE REPUBLICANS ALL OVER THE MAP? The new rising political star in the Republican Party “has dabbled in witchcraft.” So maybe tea Party candidate Christine O’Donnell has cast a spell over her coverts.  That’s about the only logical reason to explain the...Read More

Well now we know.  It’s voodoo.  That’s what’s happened to many Republican candidates.  A spell has been cast, I guess.  Instead of focusing on spending and the economy, many Republicans are all over the wall on social issues.  a message to all the candidates.  Most of us want the outrageous spending to stop…then just leave us alone.  Christine...Read More

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SO REGGIE BUSH GIVES THE HEISMAN BACK? BIG DEAL! Reggie Bush gave up his Heisman trophy this week.  If you don’t know anything about him, Bush is the star running back for the NFL’s Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints.  Someone needs to tell Reggie he is doing us no favors.  He repeatedly broke the rules. ...Read More

Thursday, September 16th, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana SO REGGIE BUSH GIVES THE HEISMAN BACK? BIG DEAL! Reggie Bush gave up his Heisman trophy this week.  If you don’t know anything about him, Bush is the star running back for the NFL’s Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints.  His press release, obviously written by the PR folks...Read More

Eat your heart out fellas.  That’s Kathleen Turner “hangin’ out” with me a few years back.  Who can forget her sizzling performance in “Body Heat?”Â  If you missed it, take a look at one of her tamer scenes below.  Actually, she is a real basic down to earth gal from central Missouri.  I was born...Read More

One of the most energetic and talented fellows I have ever met also happens to be the basketball coach with the most wins in LSU’s history.  Coach Dale Brown is an icon in the basketball world having honed his playing and coaching skills in his native North Dakota.  Thanks to Coach Brown, I’m a die hard...Read More

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September 16th, 2010Read More

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When Bill Clinton was on the defensive, back in his first presidential run in 1992, the Democratic message was all over the map. At a time when the country was stuck with staggering economic woes, Louisiana’s own national political commentator James Carville stated the obvious:   “It’s the Economy stupid!”The Ragin’ Cajun got the nation on...Read More

September 9th, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana LISTEN TO THE RAGIN’ CAJUN! Don’t be stupid! When Bill Clinton was on the defensive, back in his first presidential run in 1992, the Democratic message was all over the map. At a time when the country was stuck with staggering economic woes, Louisiana’s own national political commentator James...Read More

The political pyromaniacs are on the loose in the nation’s capitol, with both parties pandering to their respective bases.  Little concern for a large pile of national problems-the economy, healthcare, Afghanistan, Iraq, job creation. .  All the rhetoric from both parties seems to be exclusively focused on the “ground Zero mosque.”Â  Is the controversy really...Read More

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 New York City, New York PANDERING AND HYPOCRISY OVER A MOSQUE The political pyromaniacs are on the loose in the nation’s capitol, with both parties pandering to their respective bases.  Neither democrats nor republicans could be accused of being “bathed in courage” on a litany of important national issues. Political demography...Read More

A downtown Manhattan blogger with a camera strolled around the Ground Zero two block periphery and snapped some photos of the “hallowed ground” many political leaders  say the proposed Cordoba community center and mosque will defile. It may not be a matter of the law, or Constitutional rights to free expression, some  lawmakers  are saying. ....Read More

August 19, 2010Read More

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Well sad to say, my candidate for Tennessee Governor, Basil Marceaux, did not make the cut.  Sad, because what a governor he would have made.  Basil is the guy I talked about on several occasions.  He referred to himself as “BasilMarceaux.com” when not referring to himself as “an international Internet celebrity and an international superstar...Read More

August 11. 2010Read More

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Former Senator Ted Stevens was able to weather a number of difficult challenges in his life, but the clock finally ran out on the 86 year old Alaskan. He had survived as the federal government did its best (or maybe it’s worst) in trying to destroy his political career in a most unsavory way. But...Read More

I’ve always had a lot of respect for Steve Wynn, who single handedly revitalized Las Vegas, and is building casinos in Asia now.  I happened to run into him when he opened the Wynn hotel a few years back.  When heard I was from Louisiana, he told me frankly how the state had really missed...Read More

Thursday, August 11th, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana SEAN O’KEEFE, SEN. TED STEVENS AND PERVERTED JUSTICE Former Senator Ted Stevens was able to weather a number of difficult challenges in his life, but the clock finally ran out on the 86 year old Alaskan.   He had survived an earlier plane crash in his home state that...Read More

Have you ever soared up in the sky in a hot air balloon? It’s amazing how quite it becomes, and how much more vibrant all the colors appear. I had the chance with my son to take a balloon ride last weekend at the Baton Rouge Balloon Festival. In spite of the heat, it was...Read More

         Remember the 50s rock group, The Cowsills?  Hair, Rain and many other mega hits.  Then they disappeared.  Well the youngest member, Susan, has a solo act that was in Baton Rouge at the Red Dragon Listening Room last week.   I was in the number, and that’s Susan pictured with me above.  She...Read More

     (photo above, Lake Charles Councilman Stewart Weatherford, club Prez Hardy Parkinson and Jim) Jim Brown: Insurance Louisiana’s No. 1 problem BY MIKE JONES AMERICAN PRESS (August 9th, 2010) The high cost of insurance is Louisiana’s No. 1 problem, Jim Brown, former state insurance commissioner and secretary of state, told the South Lake Charles...Read More

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     It’s time that everyone in America speaks English.  No exceptions. That’s the buzz phrase in many political campaigns this fall.  In Alabama, the leading candidate for governor looks into the camera and says:  “We speak English so if you cannot speak English or refuse to speak English, get out of Alabama and our country.”...Read More

    Thursday, August 5th, 2010 Redneck Country, Louisiana DON’T TELL ME TO SPEAK ENGLISH OR LEAVE! I was at a book fair recently hawking some of my Lisburn Press publications, and was asked to comment on the nation’s immigration problem. One fellow apparently didn’t like my response. “Oh, I know all about you writers...Read More

LSU Football Coach Les Miles may know a lot about football (though he needs a darn good season this year to prove it), but he probably should not be the Louisiana spokesman for explaining all the damage caused by the current Gulf Oil spill.  Here is an interview with Miles by a national radio show. ...Read More

August 5, 2010Read More

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It may just be August, but there’s already been plenty of crazy out there this year when it comes to campaign ads. From the repugnant morgues of Louisiana to the surreal valleys of California, we’re counting down the top  most bizarre political ads of 2010 (so far): Pamela Gorman, Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District. Pamela Gorman...Read More

July 29, 2010Read More

  The “Rally for Economic Survival,” organized and orchestrated by the oil industry drew thousands to the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana last week.  “No Moratorium” and “Drill baby Drill” were the T-shirt slogans of the day.  State officials made no bones about their willingness to have an open slugfest with the federal government.   All well...Read More

  Thursday, July 29th, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana   THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING IN LOUISIANA AFTER OIL SPILL! The “Rally for Economic Survival,” organized and orchestrated by the oil industry drew thousands to the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana last week.  “No Moratorium” and “Drill baby Drill” were the T-shirt slogans of...Read More

Daughter Campbell Brown  says goodbye to CNN viewers after several years hosting her nightly show.  I’m glad she is moving on to new projects, but you can understand that as a Dad, it was nice to tune in each evening and check up on my kid to be sure she is eating well and taking care...Read More

So you live in Tennessee and you have to make you choice as to who to vote for in the coming governor’s race”¦right?  Well you certainly need to take a look at the people’s choice, Basil Marceaux.  I have a friend who lives in Tennessee and say that Marceaux is a cinch to win.  Take...Read More