It’s been a really bad month for insurance policyholders and taxpayers in Louisiana.  You wonder if anything else traumatic can happen.  Questionable audits, misspending, major investigations, court orders make insurance documents public, troubled companies, and hands down the highest insurance rates in the country.  Can things get any worse?  Why does Louisiana have...Read More

  Thursday, August 6, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana INSURANCE DYSFUNCTION CONTINUES IN LOUISIANA Press reports, both nationally and at home, have confirmed what financial analysts and investigators have known for months.  Louisiana continues to have the most dysfunctional insurance system and the worst insurance climate in the country.  In almost every category, insurance rates are...Read More

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  What is the future of casino gambling in Louisiana?  Income is dropping in casinos throughout the country.  And what happens in the Bayou State if Texas legalizes casino gambling?  I talked about this issue on my radio show recently.  You can see the clip below. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/unyIORr4aQ4" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Read More

Now I know the saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”  But I really met a lot of interesting folks I want to share with you.  Now I’m not much of a gambler.  but I do like to hob nob with the stars.  So  take a look below.  You will surely want to come...Read More

You won’t believe this….the yellow dots in the video below are airplanes in the sky during a 24 hour period. Stay with the picture. You will see the light of the day moving from the east to the west, as the Earth spins on it’s axis. Also you will see the aircraft flow of traffic...Read More

I've been a Ray Stevens fan for many years, going back to his great rendition of "Everything is Beautiful."Â  He has a new song out that sums up the feelings of many taxpayers.  Ray was recently a guest on former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's TV cable show, and sang his new song, " If  10%...Read More

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  The national focus is healthcare and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal last week jumped headlong into the debate.  Jindal says the President’s plan will cost trillions, and he offers his own proposal he says will cost nothing.  Burt is really just “Jindal lite?”Â  And if these ideas are so good, why hasn’t the Governor implemented...Read More

Thursday, July 230, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana OBAMA AND JINDAL ON HEALTHCARE ONE TO MUCH, ONE TOO LITTLE The President is facing an uphill fight in his quest to change the face of health care delivery in the United States.  Each day, more and more Americans are concluding that the billions being spent to shore...Read More

So I’m walkin’ into the Whole Foods in Baton Rouge over the weekend, and there sits this musician, a guy with 5 or 6 instruments, just singing and playing for all he’s worth.  He wore an Italian gondolier’s flared back hat with a feather in it, and royally entertained the crowd all afternoon.  His name...Read More

  Possible US Senate candidate in Louisiana and porn star Stormy Daniels make be getting a little apprehensive about her future political career.  Her campaign manager, political consultant Brian Welch, had his car bombed this week.  Completely destroyed.  Stormy thinks it’s no coincidence and quite suspicious.  Has Louisiana politics become that dangerous?  Take a look...Read More

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  In an op-ed this week in Politico, Gov. Bobby Jindal panned the federal stimulus funding  as “a nearly trillion-dollar stimulus that has not stimulated.” Yet as Think Progress, Bayou Buzz and other on-line sources were quick to point out, a sizable portion of the money the governor is doling out during his “Louisiana Working” tour is...Read More

  Well it looks like the Republicans have a major Democratic opponent next year for incumbent David Vitter.  Congressman Charlie Melancon has all but announced he is running for Vitter’s seat. The mudslinging has begun early as the National Republican Senate campaign committee knows they have their hands full re electing Vitter.  The Senator actually...Read More

  The Louisiana Governor seemed to be getting all the attention this past weekend in Biloxi at the National Governors’ Conference.  But Bobby Jindal was a no show, right?  So who got all the attention?  Jim brown gives a firsthand observation that you will hear or read no place else.  He was there and saw...Read More

  Thursday, July 23, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana LOUISIANA GOVERNOR MAKES BIG SPLASH AT NATIONAL GOVERNORS’ CONFERENCE BUT WHO? It was like old home week at the National Governors’ Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi this past weekend.  The Louisiana Governor seemed to be the center of attention, with other state governors coming up to greet, give...Read More

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Helen Gentry Brown (Died July 18, 2009) Mrs. Helen Brown passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2009, after a brief illness. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport with Rev. Bryan McDowell officiating. A reception will follow in the church parlor. There...Read More

  There is all this new lingo in national politics.  Remember “Getting Borked” and of course the “Hanging chads?” We won’t forget “Lipstick on a pit bull.”Â  But the latest is a “wise Latina,” two words that have been repeated ad nauseam since the middle of May, when the record of Supreme Court nominee Sonia...Read More

  Thursday, July 16, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana SOTOMAYOR DOES NOT PASS THE FAIRNESS TEST   “Elections have consequences.” These were the words of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, as he questioned Judge Sonia Sotomayor on the first day of her Supreme Court confirmation hearings.  “Republicans lost the November election and President Obama won.  And that...Read More

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  I had this really weird dream last night.  I mean really, really weird.  It involved me (of course), sharks, Bobby Jindal and Stormy Daniels.  Can you believe the Governor and I are in a video with Stormy?  Now where did all that come from?  So  take a look at tell me if you can...Read More

While in Italy for the G8 summit, President Barack Obama checked out the, er, sights. The Prez should know you never look back, only forward. Take a look at the video below.  I still think the Prez is “checkig out” the girl.  What do you think? [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/maV2Zg5_uz0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Read More

(Thoughts on the guy who called himself “The King of pop.”)  During the past two weeks, we have heard reams of commentary about Michael Jackson, the victim.  That was the tone of numerous eulogies at his funeral He was  pictured as a victim of some mysterious stew of health maladies, public persecution, and secret sad...Read More

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  Last week in my column, I pointed out the stumbling blocks encountered by La. Gov. Bobby Jindal since his less than stellar response to the President’s State of the Union speech in February.  I promised this week to set out some concrete ideas to get Jindal some national attention, and keep him in the...Read More

   I’m tryin’ my best to learn to play the fiddle, but it’s obvious I have a long, long way to go.  What progress I have made is because of a good teacher, Mitch Reed.  He plays both fiddle and bass with world renowned zydeco group, Beau Soleil.  Below is my visit with Mitch and...Read More

Over many political campaigns, a must stop on your way to Lafayette was Crawfish Town, USA, in Henderson.    I dropped in for lunch this week, and had the chance to look back and some bizarre events that took place here.  You can check it all out in the video below. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/fkB_mtw1ueA" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent"...Read More

  Thursday, July 9, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana IS BOBBY JINDAL STILL VIABLE NATIONALLY? “Whatever happened to Bobby Jindal?”Â  That is the question posed in this month’s Economist Magazine.  “At one point he was the great hope of the GOP and now we hardly hear a word about him.”Â  So is it time to begin...Read More

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 Is there national life left for Louisiana’s Gov. Bobby Jindal?  Many national columnists and political observers have written him off after was generally considered a disastrous nationwide introduction when he bombed on his response to the president’s State of the Union speech this past February.  But other Republican contenders seem to be dropping like flies. ...Read More

  Thursday, July 2, 2009 Linville, North Carolina IS BOBBY JINDAL OUT OF THE NATIONAL POLITICAL PICTURE? That’s the question posed to me by a group of political consultants meeting in Charlotte this week as they tried to ferret out what Republican is a viable contender for the 2012 presidential nomination.  The group felt that...Read More

I was in North Carolina all last week (so cold I built a fire at night) and was part of an interesting and troubling discussion of the dramatic demise of LSU.  I share a few thoughts here from the mountains about how the rest of the country views our flagship university’s financial troubles and overall...Read More

My son and I decided to get ourselves in really good (well at least much better) shape, by joining a boot camp workout program.  Three days a week, we join a small group of die hards to work up a good sweat, and develop a better overall core.  Am I making any progress?  Well you...Read More

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Hey, be sure and catch my radio show tonight, Monday, June 22nd on WJBO, 1150 am, broadcast out of Baton Rouge.  You can stream the show live at www.WJBO.com.  Just a few hours ago, the United States Supreme Court ruled that major portions of the Voting Rights Act were constitutional.  I feel the court’s decision is...Read More

  Louisiana, according to our members of congress is a second rate state, and is treated like a step child when it comes to federal control over our elections.  Although there has been no voter fraud by elections officials in over 35 years, Louisiana is still burdened by having every single voting decision approved by...Read More

Thursday, June 18, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana LOUISIANA A SECOND RATE STATE UNDER VOTING RIGHTS ACT! Are institutionalized acts of racism interwoven in the election procedures that regularly take place in Louisiana? Is there a concentrated effort on the part of Louisiana elections officials to put up barriers so that it is more difficult for...Read More

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Every few weeks, I like to get into the car and travel into various stops in South Louisiana.  This is territory I have covered on numerous occasions over the years, but it’s always nice to re visit old friends. Last week, it was off to Breaux Bridge for lunch in Breaux Bridge at the Crazy...Read More

 What’s it like to do a daily radio show?  Take a look at the video below, and I try to give you an idea of the preparation involved and the logistics of being on the air. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/JOTsKmjn1JE" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]  Read More

I have this like-dislike relationship with Glenn Beck.   I liked the old Glenn who was not quite so edgy and calculating.  He used to be more funny, and irrelevant.  He still has his moments, so I was one of the handful in Baton Rouge who went to the local United Artists theater (cost $18 bucks)...Read More

Louisiana’s senior US Senator minced no words when asked to comment of the job Bobby Jindal is doing as governor.   Landrieu and Jindal, from different parties, never have been particularly close.  But this is the first instance where Landrieu is suggesting Jindal’s frequent out of state trips.  Take a look at 5he Senator’s comments below....Read More

  Legislatures all over the Gulf South are focusing on ways to lower skyrocketing property insurance rates.  And in many states, their efforts seem to be working.  There is, unfortunately, one big exception.  And that’s Louisiana.  With the current session of the Louisiana Legislature winding down, there is little encouraging news for homeowners and small...Read More

  Thursday June 11, 2009 New Orleans, Louisiana LOUISIANA HURRICANE SEASON DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?  WELL DO YA? A dangerous hurricane season this year?  Forecasters are predicting nine to 14 named tropical storms with four to seven of them expected to be hurricanes. And three could be major.  Or as Dirty Harry would say: 44...Read More

 Everyone wants to have freedom of choice.  But what happens when your freedom gets in my face?  that was one of the topics on a recent radio show I did out out Baton Rouge last week. Take a look and tell me what you think.  Does your freedom of choice override my right not to...Read More

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 Have you been following all the fuss over former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco’s supposed “snub” of Katrina General Russel Honore?  The General has a new book out called “Survival.“Â  I have not had a chance to read it yet, though I do plan on doing so.  The general says that some three weeks after Katrina...Read More

  Did you know that I used to be quite a pool shooter?  I racked up the balls often when I was in the Army and later when I was living in Ferriday.  (Not a lot to do up there when the sun goes down.)  I’ve had a pool table most of my life.  Still...Read More

So What about Gun Control? Since the election of new Pres. Barack Obama, gun sales have skyrocketed. A lot of people are apparently worried that Obama will make a major effort to control who can own a gun. I think there’s fat chance of this happening. But the two videos below tell you a lot...Read More

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  Louisiana’s flagship university, LSU, is in a desperate legislative fight to maintain its current spending levels.  Right now, the university is looking at a shortfall over $100 million dollars.  Why isn’t there more concern and outrage coming from legislators?  And Jim raises the question in this week’s column-Should the leadership at LSU carry some...Read More

  Thursday, June 4, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana THE RISE AND FALL OF LSU Huey Long was the best friend and supporter LSU ever had.  He was called the father of the modern LSU by the Virginia Quarterly Review in commenting that “Huey stroked LSU as if he had been coddling a newborn pet elephant. ...Read More

  Take a look below at radio show highlights from Jim’s show on WJBO-1150 am, out of Baton Rouge.  He is on the air this week from 5pm until 7pm weekdays.  You can tune in if you are in the Baton Rouge area, or hear Jim over the worldwide web at http://www.wjbo.com/. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/i1SAfdM_cHU" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent"...Read More

Have you heard or read about Oklahoma druggist Jerome Ersaind, who was confronted by two robbers in his store, pulled a gun and shot one thug, ran after the other one, then came back and shot the wounded thug 5 times as the thug lay on the floor?  It was the subject of my radio...Read More

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    JIM’S BACK ON THE RADIO You can catch Jim on the radio in Baton Rouge beginning next Tuesday, June 2nd on WJBO from 5pm till 7:00 pm.  Tune in all next week.     A new nominee just appointed by the President to fill an upcoming vacancy on the US Supreme Court.  Was...Read More

  Thursday, May 28, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana A SUPREME COURT APPOINTEE FROM LOUISIANA? FAT CHANCE! Before the President made his choice this week for a new nominee to fill the coming vacancy on the United States Supreme Court, the White House undertook a nationwide search.  There were parameters.  The pick was certain to be...Read More

  What could have been in New Orleans?  That’s the opinion of Casino Magnet Steve Wynn, who is tabbed as “Mr. Las Vegas” for the many hotel casinos he has built.  He also built the beau Rivage in Biloxi, where I spent Memorial Day.  My weekly video gives me a chance to tell you about...Read More

  Memorial Day found many of us here in the South at the beach.  I made a last minute decision to head to Biloxi and the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.  I’m not a gambler, but there is plenty to do around Biloxi and Ocean Springs.  So if you want to take a quick cyber...Read More

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  We hear so much about the huge debt the federal government is running up.  Just how do they figure it all ?  Maybe  we should use the formula in the video below.  Makes as much sense as these federal budget analysists do. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/88E0TYijc5I" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Read More

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  The financial scandals involving The Sanford group and Bernie Madoff have hit a number of Louisianans hard.  Several families in the Baton Rouge area reportedly lost $50 million or more.  New York Yankee left fielder Johnny Damon lost much more.  So who is to blame?  Is it just Madoff and Sanford?  My new column...Read More

  As part our regular weekly videocasts, this week, you can watch an interview with LaNewsLink.com publisher Pat Bergeron, fom Baton Rouge, who gives his view of problems facing Gov. Bobby Jindal.  Pat is one of a growing number of commentators who feel Jindal should be focusing more on problems in Louisiana, and stay away,...Read More

Thursday, May 21, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana STANFORD AND MADOFF HAD ACCOMPLICES: THEIR VICTIMS! There are three things you should learn early in life. Don’t play poker with a guy named Slim. Don’t buy a Rolex form a guy on the street who’s out of breath. And don’t put your money in some exotic investment...Read More

  Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching with the actual day being this coming Monday.  Do you even know what is being memorialized?  Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly...Read More

  I’m a big Bluegrass Country music fan, and have been for many years.  I was in Jackson, Louisiana last week for the Pecan Ridge Bluegrass Festival, and will be up in the North Carolina Mountains in June for several more.  Or I try to play a bit.  I have and play (not too well)...Read More

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  Free spirits like you and me love the great outdoors and feeling the wind blowing in our face.   And one of the best examples of this great feeling is riding on a motorcycle.  I’ve had bikes most of my life, from smaller dirt and off road bikes right up to my most recent, a...Read More

  Thursday, May 14, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN MOTORCYCLE HELMET DEBATE One of the hottest issues in the current session of the Louisiana Legislature, meeting at the state capitol in Baton Rouge, is the repeal of a law that currently mandates the wearing of a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle. ...Read More

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Should Roman Catholic priest be allowed to marry and have a family?  The issue is receiving national attention this week after a highly popular Miami priest, Rev. Alberto Cutie, was caught by a Spanish tabloid cuddling on a beach with a woman the priest says he loves.  Father Cutie is receiving overwhelming support in the...Read More

Louisiana US Senator David Vitter has caused a firestorm in both Washington and a number of Gulf Coast States by putting a hold on the new nominated FEMA Director Craig Fugate from Florida.  He is strongly supported by key republicans, but Vitter says he want answers to a number of past FEMA problems.  Is he...Read More

  What’s happening to Bobby Jindal and transparency in government?  The Governor has lost me on the political or “good government” benefits of keeping his records more secret than any governor in the nation.  This is a personal issue with me.  Back in the mid 1970s when I was a state senator, I authored and...Read More

  Should Louisiana pay out millions of dollars to the New Orleans Saints as a subsidy to keep the owners happy in New Orleans?  That’s the question Jim raises in his new column this week. No other state pays one penny for a professional football team.  So why should Louisiana?  Jim takes a close look...Read More

  Thursday, May 7, 2009 Baton Rouge, Louisiana A HIGH PRICE TO KEEP THE SAINTS! The plan seems to be “Keep the Saints at any price.”Â  Proposals at Louisiana’s state capitol to give millions of dollars a year for decades to come is steamrolling through the legislature.  Governor Bobby Jindal says the deal will “save...Read More

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