June 10, 2010Read More

Once a year, former Louisiana state senators come to the capitol for a reunion.  I was first elected as a senator back in 1971, and served for eight years in what many good government observers feel was one of the  most progressive and productive times in the history of state government.  It’s a treat to...Read More

We are all motivated by money to some degree”¦.right?  Yes, money can be a powerful motivator, but as studies performed by universities around the country (and this video below) explain, rewarding people financially only works to a point. Beyond that, you need autonomy and purpose.  You will find the following verbal commentary a fascinating review...Read More

With all the media attention on the Gulf oil spill, the financial disaster caused by Wall Street has slipped out of the public eye. But I’m convinced there is trouble in River City.  A.I.G., the countries’ largest insurance company, still has big problems despite a $185 billion bailout by taxpayers”¦.you and me. And the big...Read More

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Oil Spill Rage – James Carville www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Fox NewsRead More

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June 3, 2010Read More

British Petroleum is certainly everyone’s villain these days.  And for good reason.  But now, right in the middle of their desperate effort to cap this massive oil spill, the Feds move in to possibly bring criminal charges.  Doesn’t this put a damper on BPs efforts to get this leak sealed?  Or are BP officials running...Read More

        `Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana IF YOU DESTROY BRITISH PETROLEUM, THEN WHO IS THE REAL LOSER? British Petroleum, the overseas oil giant, is under siege from every direction as they struggle to cap the massive Gulf oil spill.  The BP stock price has plummeted 25% since the start of...Read More

Louisiana Congressman Charlie Melancon represents a district that will soon be covered along its entire southern border in oil.  He has been a guest on my national radio show (see above) for the past several weeks, and has spent the bulk of his time over the past month on Louisiana’s oil slick coast.  In an...Read More

Well as you can see from the photo above, I was “in that number” Sunday night to hear Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, and a whole array of nationally known country singers in Tiger Stadium. More than 50,000 people cheered Chesney as the country music star ended the 16-act, two-day Bayou Country Superfest. I had...Read More

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The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c There Will Be Blame www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea PartyRead More

I’ll tell ya,’ it’s no holds barred and kickin’ butt time in Alabama political campaigns.  Tim James, the Republican candidate for governor, has a TV spot about making the state’s test for a driver’s license be written in only English that’s generated buzz, but it pales next the rifle-toting, tough-talking candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, one...Read More

A massive oil spill!  Were all these years of oil money worth it?  Or did Louisiana make a deal with the devil in dealing with the abundant minerals the state has?  My new column is up, and it , unfortunately, may be time to pay the piper for not being good stewards of Louisiana’s environment. ...Read More

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 Venice, Louisiana DID LOUISIANA MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL OVER OIL? The blame game is in full force as the Gulf catastrophe oil spill continues to directly attach the Louisiana coast.  BP, the giant British corporation that drilled the defective well, is taking the blunt of everyone’s criticism.  But BP...Read More

MEMORIAL DAY, for Americans, is a day dedicated to the military people who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the security of the countrymen. The Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May every year and following the tradition, this year it will be observed on this Monday, May 31, 2010. What is Memorial...Read More

It seems like all we her on the news is continuing coverage of the Gulf oil spill, and controversy over a lack of any consistent immigration policy.  I’m a big Ray Stevens fan, and he  takes the politicians in Washington head on as he points out how wishy washy the country’s approach to immigration has...Read More

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Oil spill problems continue to mount along the Gulf Coast.  What was once a fairly contained south Louisiana problem has now become a massive problem for the entire Gulf Coast and possibly the east coast.  It’s hard to put into  words the extent of the damage to the marshes in south Louisiana.  The soft delicate...Read More

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Thursday, May 20th, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana IS THE GOVERNMENT TRYING TO SAVE US FROM OURSELVES? George Orwell’s novel 1984 paints a disturbing and chilling scenario where one can be accused of a crime, arrested and prosecuted merely for thoughts in the mind. “The thought police would get him just the same. He had committed”¦...Read More

In recent years, the federal government has promised us safety, but at one heck of a price.  We live in a brave new world today.  Surveillance cameras monitor most areas of our lives. When the government chooses, it can listen in on our telephone calls and read our e-mails.  And now, the U.S. Supreme Court...Read More

Listen to Jim Brown’s current radio show. 11:00 am central time and replayed continuously throughout the week. Listen to Jim Brown’s current radio show On Demand 24/7. Winamp, I-tunes, and most others: http://www.fast-serv.com/live/stream.pls?host=lin1.san.fast-serv.com&port=6004 RealPlayer: http://www.fast-serv.com/live/stream.ram?host=lin1.san.fast-serv.com&port=6004 Windows Media Player: http://www.fast-serv.com/live/stream.asx?host=lin1.san.fast-serv.com&port=6004 QuickTime Player: http://www.fast-serv.com/live/stream.qtl?host=lin1.san.fast-serv.com&port=6004Read More

Actor Kevin Costner, who has come to save the day in many movies, may be a key player in cleaning up all the oil spill mess off the Louisiana coast.  Could there be a Hollywood ending to the Gulf oil spill. The “Waterworld” movie star has invented a device that cleans oil from sea water....Read More

As most of you readers who have followed my website and columns over the years well know, I’m a diehard basketball fan, having played a bit years ago.  North Carolina legendary basketball Coach Dean Smith recruited me to come to Chapel Hill back in 1958. C Some guy came to Carolina a little after me...Read More

The first big, blockbuster movie I can remember is the first Star Wars film.  I was hooked from the get go and cheered on Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Ben Kenobi, C-3PO, R2-D2) and the whole gang as they battled the evil empire.  The first film came out 30 years ago, and I’m...Read More

May 20, 2010 mp3Read More

Click here to download edited and unedited versions of Jim’s show.Read More

IN LOUISIANA OIL SPILL DID STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES DROP THE BALL? It didn’t take long for the blame game to begin shortly after the tragic Gulf oil explosion. State and Federal officials were in lock step in declaring that British Petroleum (BP), who had leased the gulf oil track from the federal government, was...Read More

Thursday, May 6th 2010 Venice, Louisiana IN LOUISIANA OIL SPILL DID STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES DROP THE BALL? It didn’t take long for the blame game to begin shortly after the tragic Gulf oil explosion.  State and Federal officials were in lock step in declaring that British Petroleum (BP), who had leased the gulf oil...Read More

A delightful, older couple, Marlo and Frances Cowan, traveled to the Mayo Clinic to have a check up, and had some time to kill.  There was a piano in the atrium of the clinic, so they stopped for a bit to play.  The have become an overnight sensation on Youtube.  Maybe I’m just getting older,...Read More

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has taken some roosting and hits from some skeptics on the national level for his all out call for federal help to deal with the present oil spill crisis.  They say that Jindal is being inconsistent and “two faced” in opposing many federal programs, including the stimulus package, while now asking...Read More

My second home has been, for many years, Linville, North Carolina, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the Tar Heel state’s northwest corner.  I ski in the winter, hike watch the leaves change in the fall, then golf and take in bluegrass music in the summer.  Maybe some fly fishing in the spring.  And...Read More

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cRead More

may-12-2010.mp3Read More

The blogosphere is full of many important issues to write about.  Often, it is hard to choose a subject.  Terrorists, immigration, rip offs on Wall Street, oil spills”¦the list can go on and on.  But hey, today is my birthday.  Can you believe I hit seventy?  So I paused for just a bit, and write...Read More

Thursday, May 6th, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana I’M SEVENTY? YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING! I woke up this morning, followed my normal routine of walking the dogs, picking up the morning papers, pouring my large glass of orange juice half filled with water to dilute it down, checked my emails, walked out to glance over...Read More

Billy Joe shaver has been around longer than me, and I’ve heard him sing many times.  We’ve gotten to know each other over the past 15 years.  He’s a survivor like me.  Willie Nelson says “Billy Joe shaver may be the best songwriter alive today.”Â  His songs talk about a life full of hard times,...Read More

Clint Eastwood and I share a birth date.  He turned 80 this week.  And you sure wouldn’t know it.  He seems to have not slowed down a bit, and turns out a new movie almost every year.  One of his keys to longevity is a continuing exercise routine.  I had the change to have a...Read More

  It’s Rambo all this week on the AMC network.  Rambo One, Two and Three over and over.  And I have a confession to make.  I’m an unabashed Rambo fan.  You see, in the Rambo movies, the system royally screws the war hero.  But he bides his time, and then gets his revenge.  His government...Read More

Anyone in New Orleans back in the latter half of the 20th century was well acquainted with Seafood City, a giant supermarket of seafood that took up a whole block at 1826 North Broad Street in an area called Gentilly.  The King of Seaford City was “Doctor” Al Scramuzza, a real local character who was...Read More

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TIME TO ASK SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT LOUISIANA INSURANCE A number of Louisiana legislators are feeling increasing heat back in their districts about why Louisiana continues, year after year, to have the highest insurance rates in the nation.  A small deep southern state should be way down the list of most expensive states.  That’s the...Read More

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana TIME TO ASK SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT LOUISIANA INSURANCE A number of Louisiana legislators are feeling increasing heat back in their districts about why Louisiana continues, year after year, to have the highest insurance rates in the nation.  A small deep southern state should be way down the...Read More

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There’s nothing like a week in the Tampa, Florida areas for baseball spring training and long workouts to clear your head and get you revitalized.  I make an annual pilgrimage to South Florida to see a number of baseball teams get ready for the new season.  In addition, a few days at the IMC Bollettieri...Read More

Whell St. Patrick’s Day is here, and I’ll be cheering on the green at the annual St. Partick’s Day parade  in Baton Rouge with a number of kids, grandkids, grand nieces and a number of other family members.  But the politicians will be out in large numbers on the parade route.  Here’s a St. Pat’s...Read More

Funny or Die is my kind of website for it makes fun of both political parties.  Take a look at their latest spoof of our current and past presidents. Funny or Die’s Presidential Reunion from Will FerrellRead More

  An FBI agent stops at a ranch in Texas, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.” The rancher says, “Okay, but do not go in that field over there,” as he points out the location.  <The FBI agent verbally explodes saying,...Read More

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  COMMON SENSE IN LOUISIANA GOVERNMENT? COME ON MAN!  There is no shortage of controversial and often puzzling happenings in Louisiana to write and comment about.  One of the more challenging things about writing only a weekly column is how to pick and choose.  No problem in Iowa or Oklahoma.  But the Bayou State just...Read More

  Thursday, February 25, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana COMMON SENSE IN LOUISIANA GOVERNMENT? COME ON MAN! There is no shortage of controversial and often puzzling happenings in Louisiana to write and comment about.  One of the more challenging things about writing only a weekly column is how to pick and choose.  No problem in Iowa...Read More

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  “The Authorized Biography of Edwin Edwards“ is quickly becoming the largest selling Louisiana book by a Louisiana author in the state’s history.  Our publishing company, The Lisburn Press, is the book’s publisher.  The story of the state’s most controversial governor is in its third printing with some 50,000 copies now in circulation. To view...Read More

Ever feel a bit sorry for yourself?  Wish that you could overcome a few problems you have been dealing with?  Need a bit of a lift up?  Well take the time to watch the video below, and you might quickly put your life in a more favorable perspective.  It’s worth a few minutes. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/vNq-EjWMvbs"...Read More

Want to see a dramatic portrait of how unemployment has crept across Louisiana and the whole country over the past two years?  Take a look at the map below.  You will see in startling slow motion just how, month after month, more and more people were put out of work.  It’s a chilling reminder that...Read More

  A number two guy in Louisiana?  Lieutenant Governor! What Lieutenant Governor?  If Gov. Bobby Jindal has his way, the number two spot in the state hierarchy is a gone pecan.  But hey Governor, why stop there?  Do we really need more elected public officials than any state in the country?  And what about all...Read More

As I have well documented in numerous columns, I am skeptical of certain “slam dunk” criminal cases that law enforcement officers often say are air tight, but later prove to be full of holes.  That is often the case with so called “eye witness” testimony.  Just how reliable is your first impression of what you...Read More

  In the Saints huge victory, one of the key plays of the game was the call by Coach Sean Payton to try an onside kick as the second half began.  New Orleans kicker Thomas Morstead squibbed the ball short in a surprise attempt at an onside kick and the ball was recovered by New...Read More

Thursday, February 18, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana JUST THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE? ABOLISH EM’ ALL BOBBY! A number two guy in Louisiana?  Lieutenant Governor! What Lieutenant Governor?  If Gov. Bobby Jindal has his way, the number two spot in the state hierarchy is a gone pecan.  But hey Governor, why stop there?  Do we really...Read More

  I’ve seen it many times, but I still really like “Gone with the Wind.” It was 71 years ago this month that GONE WITH THE WIND premiered. On that star-studded evening in Atlanta, GA, no one knew the four-hour epic would go on to win eight Academy Awards. The film still attracts large audiences...Read More

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  What a week for Mayor elect  Mitch Landrieu!  How could anyone create a better scenario to begin rebuilding and renewal in New Orleans?  An overwhelming first primary victory, the saints win the Super bowl, and Mardi Gras just days away.  The new Mayor is on an unbelievable roll right now with accolades raining down on...Read More

  Thursday, February 11, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana WHEN THE CHEERING STOPS IN NEW ORLEANS, WHAT WILL THE NEW MAYOR DO?  What a week for Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu!  How could anyone create a better scenario to begin rebuilding and renewal in New Orleans?  An overwhelming first primary victory, the saints win the Super bowl, and...Read More

Former LSU basketball great Rudy Macklin is a class act, and well honored this week.   His No. 40 jersey was retired at 5the LSU-Kentucky game last Saturday, and was unfurled from the rafters, along with other basketball greats Bob Petit, Pete Maravich and Shaquille O’Neal.  Rudy was the first great LSU player I followed back...Read More

Well as you can well imagine, no matter where you might live, things were really crazy in New Orleans this week.  Can you believe that the New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl in the same week as Mardi Gras?  Just couldn’t happen any place else.  The voice of the Saints is former NFL quarterback...Read More

Well we are just a few weeks from taking that trip down the rabbit hole.  I’m an unabashed Lewis Carroll fan, and read and re read “Alice in Wonderland” on a number of occasions.  And Tim Burton, that macabre eccentric film director, who I also really enjoy, has made a new version of Alice’s adventur3es...Read More

We have all heard how wild and wooly politics are out in California.  But things have really gotten strange in the race for US Senator.  The former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Carly Fiorina, is trying to unseat incumbent Barbara Boxer.  But she has a tough primary fight against fellow republican Tim Campbell.  So she has gone...Read More

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  Two different parts of the country and two different issues dominate the news.  For obvious and understandable reasons, the “Who Dat” nation has captivated Louisiana.  Other news stories fade to the inside pages as the success of the New Orleans Saints dominate front pages of newspapers across the state.  But some 2000 miles away...Read More

Thursday, February 4, 2010 Portland, Oregon THE SAINTS vs. STEVE JOBS AND THE iPAD Two different parts of the country and two different issues dominate the news. For obvious and understandable reasons, the “Who Dat” nation has captivated Louisiana. Other news stories fade to the inside pages as the success of the New Orleans Saints...Read More

There is just no doubt about it.  Louisiana Senator David Vitter is just about the toughest, meanest guy on the political stump these days.  Just take a look. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/bc-38CWZsTQ" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Read More

It’s all Super bowl talk here in Louisiana, but there are a number of other front burner issues in the northwest.  I was in Hood River, Oregon (just south of Portland) over the past few days, checking on a new granddaughter   The Oregon legislature is in session (they meet only once in two years), and...Read More

  Did you hear the one about the groundhog in Chapel Hill? He stuck his head out of the ground this morning, said it looks like six more weeks of bad basketball, and went back into his hole. As those of you who have been reading my site for a while know, I’m a diehard...Read More

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  Some observers are saying that the Supreme Court decision last week allowing corporations to openly support candidates in federal elections will now put these candidates, including those in Louisiana for sale subject to the highest bidder.  Just how does this controversial decision affect Louisiana candidates?  Take a look at my new column now up. ...Read More

 Just when you thought the Louisiana Citizens Insurance fiasco could not get any worse, it always does.  The most recent audit blasted Citizens for being the most dysfunctional and worst run agency in Louisiana state government.  The new audit, by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, highly criticizes Citizens for doing a poor job as placing internal...Read More

Thursday, January 28, 2010 Baton Rouge, Louisiana OPEN SEASON IN LOUISIANA FOR OUT-OF-STATE CAMPAIGN MONEY? Last week’s Supreme Court decision declaring that corporations and unions can spend money on political advertising has unleashed a storm of controversy on both sides of the political spectrum. And some press reports predict that Louisiana will become “the wild,...Read More