The Jihadists converging in Louisiana?  What a crazy idea!  But wait”¦.is it so off the wall that millions of dollars could flow into Louisiana creating up to 700 new jobs if the state will agree to take several hundred detainees (yes, accused terrorists), and confine them in a maximum security federal prison?  Read my reasoning...Read More

There have been a lot of disappointing former heroes recently.   So many of our sports stars have been tainted with drug allegations.  Movie stars seem to always get into some kind of trouble.  Look what’s happened to one of my favorites-David Letterman.  So who are the real heroes that help us carry on in our...Read More

  Chris Rock, in my opinion, has become American’s best observer and chronicler of our way of life today.  He’s generally “right on” when it comes to both observing and commentating on what we do and why we do it.  He was on Jay Leno this week talking about the ridiculous arguments being made in...Read More

I grew up politically with “Saturday Night Live.”Â  I can still picture Chevy Chase stumbling at his speaker’s stand imitating Producer Gerald Ford stumbling and falling down.  Ford was probably the best former athlete who ever served in the White House, but Chase, on Saturday Night Live, tagged him as a bumbler. The show is...Read More

  There’s a lot of fuss in Louisiana right now abut legislators meeting secretly  to talk about reapportioning legislative and other districts in the state.  But the question no one is asking is why legislators should be involved in redistricting at all.  After all, don’t they have a direct conflict in being able to draw...Read More

  In John Camp’s new book, Odyssey of a Derelict Gunslinger he writes a great deal about his relationship with Evangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart.  I too know Rev. Swaggart well since he was from my old hometown of Ferriday.  John and I talked about the Swaggart controversy last week, and you can see it in...Read More

Leno is off to a fast start with his new earlier night show on NBC.  Can I brag a bit?  My kid was on Leno and did OK if I do say so myself.  Take a look at this short clip of Campbell and Jay Leno. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/QHN86vjfi5o" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Read More

  When was the last time you heard any politician mention the dreaded term “affordable property insurance” in Louisiana?  The insurance front has been extremely quite.  Maybe too quiet.  Louisiana elected officials hope the subject just goes away.  Quite a contrast to what’s happening in Florida.  Property insurance rates are a front burner issue.  The...Read More

“Odyssey of a Derelict Gunslinger: A Saga of Exposing TV Preachers, Corrupt Politicians, Right-Wing Lunatics…and Me.”Â  Quite a book title.  It’s a new book by Louisiana news reporter John Camp, who now lives in St. Francisville.  He was an investigative reporter for CNN and has followed many Louisiana scandals, including Rev. Jimmy Swaggart and the...Read More

So do you feel sorry for insurance company executives?  The you can join in the weeping by watching this new online ad below that concludes (tongue in cheek) that health insurance  executives are getting a bum rap in the national healthcare debate.  Even if you don’t agree, it’s pretty funny to watch.  Even has Will...Read More

Daughter Campbell gives both the President and Congress hell for something as difficult as “reading proposed legislation.”Â  Is she being to strict on these poor public officials?  Take a look and see what you think. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/UFuhbkvuml4" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Read More

  Can you believe it?  One politician calling another a liar!  What’s the state of public affairs coming to?  Is South Carolina congressman Joe Wilson an anomaly in his shouting escapade directed at the President last week?  Hardly.  Those who are taken back just need to take a look at many such incidents where one...Read More

  I’m over at Perdido Key all this week getting myself in shape for a weekend Triathlon, and enjoying the fact that most of the summer crowds are gone.  The Gulf is still warm for swimming, and the cooler early morning weather makes a jog on the beach much easier.  One thing I have noticed...Read More

  The anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attach on New York passed rather quietly last week.  Remember how Mayor Rudy Giuliani and President Bush both vowed to quickly rebuild the  smoldering hole in the ground that would be bigger and better than before?  Well eight years have gone by and Ground Zero remains just...Read More

Sometimes my musical favorites are a little off beat, but I listen to the songs I like hundreds of time.  Most of my favorites end up on my juke box on the left side of this site, and you ought to take a listen going back a number of years.  I just happened across singer...Read More

  Both La. Governor Bobby Jindal and President Obama took a lot of heat this past week.  The Prez for wanting to “indoctrinate” our kids with his TV address.  And Jindal for using state helicopters to travel around the state to attend church services.  Are these legitimate knocks?  I take a look at both issues...Read More

  Edwin Edwards is far from just disappearing from the political scene.  The former governor is 82 years old, from all reports is in good health, and has a year and four months left on his sentence.  A new book will be out late this fall on the life of “The Cajun Prince” that, the...Read More

  How can prosecutors continue to convict innocent citizens, send them to jail, and yes, even put those innocent to death.  You will be surprised, if you take a little time to investigate, at how often this happens.  Look at the chilling video below of Todd Willingham from Texas, who was put to death for...Read More

  Well it was not a good week for taxpayers as August came to an end.  A tax holiday begins? For tax cheats?  It’s appalling when there are so many other ways to get the money owed?  No high-speed rail, huge subsidies to the Saints when no other state gives any money at all, and...Read More

Is Louisiana justified in being the only state with an NFL football team in giving money to this sports franchise?  No other team gets tax dollars from their state.  So does why Louisiana?  I talk about it on the radio.  Also, how about Louisiana’s Highway department not even applying for federal dollars to build a...Read More

As you regular readers of this site know, I closely follow the political antics of a great national figure-Paris Hilton.  She is saying she just might run for president next time around.  Well, at least be a “fake” president.  Here’s a good interview of Paris getting sound advice from former “West Wing“ Prez Martin Sheen. ...Read More

Daughter Campbell is called one of the very few unbiased news commentators on the national scene today.  Should those presenting the news give it with their own personal political slat, or do you want to hear the facts then make up your own mind?  Take a listen to Campbell then see how you feel? [kml_flashembed...Read More

Healthcare is dominating the national agenda, with the rhetoric heating up higher almost daily.  And there seems to be so many questionable charges of what will happen if major healthcare reform is put into law by the congress.  Just who’s telling the truth, who is exaggerating, who is there putting out absolute falsehoods?  And what’s...Read More

  One of the great things about this country is that often, we are given a second chance when things just do not go right.  And America is a forgiving country.  But forgiving and rewarding wrongdoing are two separate and different things.  Thus the case of football star Michael Vick.  On this date, he resumes...Read More

Well we habe Bobby hoping to run for President.  And Brad now says he might run for Governor.  So how about Britney also being President?  How would things be different?  David Letterman put the questions to her in his Top Ten nightly list this week.  You can see what her priorities would be.  And we...Read More

  Our Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is in the middle of national controversy over his administrations requests for federal funds to build a high speed rail link between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  I personally think proposal is a good one, and the numbers should justify the expense.  The problem is that the Governor said...Read More

  Financial scandals are the range today with Madoff and Stanford leading the culprits.  Some 1700 Louisiana families got scammed by the Stanford group.  A federal receiver has seized Stanford’s assets, while little can be done for Louisiana investors, some who have lost all their savings.  So here’s the question.  What did Louisiana financial regulators...Read More

This whole Stanford group scandal seems to get more strange and murkier.  It’s obvious the boss, Alan Stanford received special treatment from federal and state regulators, and he made major contributions to many elected officials.  And were where those who were supposed to be guarding the hen house?  I talk about Louisiana’s possible liability on...Read More

  We know how narcissistic and what big egos politicians have.  But here are two guys below that really take the cake.  Former Illinois Governor Rudy Blagojevich, presently under indictment, doesn’t seem to have a care in the world as he mounts the stage and does his Elvis imitation.  I gotta tell you Rudy, you...Read More

  So here’s what we know about Insurance.  All these big shots running insurance companies think they have it all figured out.  And they do when it comes to buffaloing the little guy.  They use all this fancy language like credit default swaps and other verbiage that is just a front for simple insurance.  So...Read More

Well there is a cable news war going on and daughter Campbell is right in the middle of it.  Take a gander at her recent comments about the nasty words flying from one cable station to another.Read More

  An “angry mob” is always welcome at Sen. David Vitter’s (R.-La.) town hall meetings, the conservative snare said this past weekend,  Vitter, picking up on  the “mob” rhetoric first floated by national Democrats, complimented protesters who have made their way to lawmakers’ district meetings across the country during the August recess.“please know that this...Read More

  Introducing the Louisiana Progress Journal View and download here: http://tinyurl.com/laprogress1  FIRST “˜LOUISIANA PROGRESS JOURNAL’ LAUNCHES You might want to take a look at the first edition of the Louisiana Progress Journal which was released by the Louisiana Progress Initiative(LPI). The public policy publication includes five articles that share original thoughts, proposals, and analysis on current...Read More

     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

  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

  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

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

  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

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

  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

  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

 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

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

  The Louisiana Legislature just complete  a not so memorable legislative session that is being panned by newspapers all over Louisiana for the missed opportunities to reform, the failure to address any long range planning ,and the lack of leadership coming from Governor Bobby Jindal.  Some feel the legislative session was exemplified by a rap...Read More

I’m in the North Carolina mountains, my second home, for the week.  I hate to tell my friends back in Louisiana, where the temperature often is cracking 100, how cool it is here.  70s during the day.  And can you believe?  I build fires at night.  I’m with my granddaughter and grandniece, so we tour...Read More

And we think Louisiana politics are bizarre.  What’s going on in South Carolina?  Another presidential wannabe has bitten the dust.  But in what a strange way.  How could the governor, Mark Sanford, think he could slip off to Argentina completely incognito, with his staff and family knowing nothing, to see a woman he was having...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

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

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

 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

 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

  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

  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

    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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/KTr5WuI84qU" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Read More

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

  Well nationally know porn star and Baton Rouge native Stormy Daniels is traveling Louisiana this week on what she bills as a listening tour in her quest to oust incumbent U.S. Senator David Vitter from office.  Stormy says she is serious about making the race.  You can read about and watch stormy below.  By...Read More

Now I don’t know about you, but I love country music.  Oh, I like many kinds of music (even Opera, would you believe), but being from Ferriday and knowing Jerry Lee, Mickey and Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, country music just kind of grows on you.  Hey, I was in Walker, La. Saturday night listening to their...Read More

  I have seen many Las Vegas shows over the years, and have been entertained by many of the great ones.  Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Wayne Newton, Bette Middler, Jay Leno, Queen, the list goes on.  But hands down, my favorite Law Vegas entertainer was Danny Gans.  If you haven’t been to Las Vegas, you...Read More

  Hold on to your wallets.  The Louisiana Legislature is  in session at the state capitol in Baton Rouge.  And they have 60 days to potentially do a lot of damage.  It’s all about money, and I share my perspective this week in my new column now posted.  Where are the problem areas?  You can...Read More

The Zurich Classic golf Tourney was a big success this past weekend at the TPA course in New Orleans.  I started playing golf a few years ago, and am not all the great, but do enjoy walking the course by myself, and play8ing 3 or 4 balls at a time.  The Classic was the place...Read More

Randy Newman is Louisiana’s special troubadour.  He’s funny, clever, sarcastic,  emotional, and generally right on the money.  He’s origionally from New Orleans, and talks about the Bayou State at all his concerts.  He’s written numerous movie musical scores (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville, an The Natural to name a few), and though getting older, aparently has no intention...Read More

  You’re a 19 year old kid. You’re critically wounded, and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam.  Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8 – 1, and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac...Read More

  Louisiana has a big financial problem, and many state agencies are facing major cutbacks.  But do we really need all the various state and local governmental bodies that have built up over the past century?  As Jim points out in his column, we are asking general Motors to downsize and restructure.  So what about...Read More

  I was in New York last week, and stayed across the street from the World Trade Center hole in the ground.  Construction on a new office complex is under way, but will take several years to complete.  I spent a few minutes there with long time friend and New York lawyer Kevin Salter (See...Read More

  There are a lot of people out there, and I’m one of them, who feel that or country has lost its focus and direction.  We seem to be fading away from our sense of values that set the foundation for our democratic way of life.  Many readers know that I have some problems with...Read More

  I’m not one to watch “American Idol“ or its British counterpart, “Britons Got Talent.“Â  But every now and then, a performer appears that simply mesmerizes the audience and captures the hearts of all who are watching.  Last year, it was Brit Paul Potts, a car phone salesman who sang Opera like the best at...Read More

As regular readers know, I often brag about my alma mater at Chapel Hill. But there was a low point last we that I certainly am not proud of. Former Rep. Tom Tancredo recently visited University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to speak to a group on the topic of immigration and his opposition...Read More

  The strange case of former Sen. Ted Stevens has raised some real issues of how much the Justice Department prosecution team specifically broke the law by failing to give Stevens FBI notes that would have significantly helped his case.  And how widespread is this prosecutorial misconduct.  Should these Wild West prosecutors be given immunity...Read More

  Were you into March Madness?  It started with 654 teams playing through March and into early April.  Millions were made by the NCAA, the colleges, the coaches, but not the players.  They get left out of the whole mix.  My new column is now up, so take a look at why I think our...Read More