That’s right. It snowed early this morning (Thursday).  What a rarity.   It seemed the whole neighborhood was up to see the flakes come down, and throw snow balls.   It was a rare treat that we have not seen in years.  Gladys and I found are neighbor’s showman for the photo above. That’s one of our...Read More

  A major insurance scandal is percolating in Louisiana, and it comes as no surprise to those who have been following the shenanigans of the state created Citizens Property Insurance Company. The first of what may be a number of indictments were handed down by a state grand jury last week that tagged the ex...Read More

In Louisiana, the Governor’s office annually presents an award that recognizes extraordinary service by an individual who has enhanced opportunities for persons with disabilities. The award was given this week at the old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. This year’s statewide 2008 Volunteer of the year Award, I’m proud to say, went to my brother-in-law,...Read More

  Can you believe all this outrageous criminal behavior by the Governor of Illinois? His name is Ron Blagojevich, and to put it gently, he is a corrupt bonehead. The FBI (who as we well know you cannot always trust) apparently have tape recordings of the Governor  discussing the withholding of state funds from a...Read More

I’m a big Holly Clegg fan.  Besides being longtime friends, I really admire the numerous cookbooks she has produced.  Here’s her latest, just in time for Christmas, and the proceeds go towards helping fund wetlands preservation, so vital to Louisiana.  The book is available at all bookstores.  Hwer website is www.hollyclegg.com. trim&Terrificâ„¢ Gulf Coast Favorites ...Read More

I don’t know about you, but I have been watching Meet the Press each Sunday morning for as far back as I can remember. Even now, when I do a Sunday morning radio show, I have one eye on what guest is appearing on what has to be the most popular new show on television....Read More

  There’s a three hundred pound gorilla loose in Louisiana called “public healthcare” that continues to eat up a growing sector of the state’s tax dollars.  Meanwhile, the state’s efforts are focused on trying to stop the bleeding, with little emphasis on offer affordable healthcare to over one million people who do not qualify for...Read More

  I’ll have to tell you”¦..I’m an unabashed Angelina Jolie fan.  She is a captivating women and one really fine actress.  I haven’t missed any of her recent movies.  A few of my favorites are “Life or Something Like it,” Original Sin, Wanted, and Beyond Borders.  I have watched her in Laura Croft-Tomb Raider several...Read More

  Here is a real tough one.  How much control should you have over your life, particularly if you are withering away and perhaps have five or six months to live?  Should you have the right to pull the plug?  Most states say no.  It’s a difficult issue, and I’ll be talking about it on...Read More

  Remember my column written last month when I proposed that Louisiana become its own country?  Well would you believe it?  There are voices worldwide who are predicting that the U.S. will splint up into various countries in the years to come.  In fact, a leading Russian political analyst has said the economic turmoil in...Read More

  Can American automobiles continue to be competitive on the international market?  I wrote last week about the financial impact of the GM in Louisiana that directly has created some 25,000 jobs.  To read my column, Click Here. Take a look at the following video that tells the story of Ford Motor Company’s success in...Read More

  I’m taking a little break this week over the Thanksgiving holidays, so there will be no new column posted, and just a few changes here on my website. I will be doing my Sunday radio show on WRNO Sunday morning as usual from 11 AM to 1 PM. If you’re not able us and...Read More

It was back to my old hometown of Ferriday this week will try was the guest speaker at the Ferriday Chamber of Commerce. A good chance to talk abut my new book and visit my old stomping grounds and renew friendships with a number of friends that go back to the mid-1960s. Actually, under some...Read More

  Just when you thought that insurance regulatory problems in the Department of Insurance could not get any worse in Louisiana, more problems, and even outright violations of the law, raise their ugly heads. Just this week, the insurance department was blasted by the Legislative Auditor in a 60 page scathing report alleging that the...Read More

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 about what you do to...Read More

Regular readers of this site know that I’m a die hard basketball fan. I walked out of a dinner party this past Tuesday evening so I could go home and watch the UNC- Kentucky game on television.  I am a real Tar Heel fan since my days at Carolina in the early 60s. (Sports trivia...Read More

    Now that the election is over, we need to get back to the really important matters in our lives like football and hate crimes. That’s what my column is about this week. I know you’re wondering how the two are intertwined. Well Alabama’s Nick Saban came to town last weekend, and when he...Read More

  Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has wasted no time, once the presidential election was over last week, traveling the country, giving numerous national TV interviews, and making no bones about the fact that he plans on being a major player in Republican politics on the national scene. His Achilles’ heel may possibly be not addressing...Read More

The outrageous lack of oversight continues as more troubling audits show widespread mismanagement and outright theft on the part of those running the state created Citizens Property Insurance Company. Citizens has been called the biggest financial disaster in Louisiana’s history. And for good reason. This notoriously mismanaged company was on the road to disaster from...Read More

It was Veterans Day on Tuesday of this week. And very few people remembered in any fashion. There are only one or two American flags in my large subdivision. State employees in Louisiana were given a holiday, but it was merely a day away from work. Nothing special.  I know of no public official in...Read More

Now that the election is over, I wrote this week about some of the winners and losers in the past election.  The list includes La. Gov. Bobby Jindal, Tina Fey and Joe the Plumber.  Yu can read it now by Clicking Here.   If you know anything about Louisiana politics, you are well aware of...Read More

I have always been a big fan North Carolina US Sen. Libby Dole.  I had a delightful dinner with her in Natchez, Mississippi back in the early 1970s. But she was soundly defeated in her re-election efforts this past Tuesday, and she only has her own self to blame. Dole has always been a Washington...Read More

Presidential Candidates. Funny Pictures. – For more amazing video clips, click hereRead More

You just will not believe the dream I had last night.  It was the strangest thing you can imagine.  Now those of you who have followed my years of public service know full well that I’m a quiet, non— controversial kind of guy.  But in my dream last night, I was right in the center...Read More

Atlanta high school kids below  give an energetic presentation of your right to vote for whoever y9u want for President, but how it’s important to vote.  And by the way, I think the pundits are going to be surprised at the high number of yunger voters who will go to the polls on election day....Read More

Campbell Brown “cuts through the bull” and raises questions about how McCain insiders are calling Sarah Palin a Diva.  Check her comments below. Embedded video from CNN VideoRead More

  Are you happy that you as a taxpayer have plowed some $120 million into the AIG insurance company?  Yet insurance regulators over the country seem to be quite blasé about the shenanigans of AIG.  And you may not realize what a big presence this giant company has right here in Louisiana.  You can read...Read More

  Would you like to get an idea of how Sarah Palin would operate if she would end up as President?  Well click on the link below, and take a look.  Be sure and click on different parts of the office to see her various reactions.  I hope you will find the experience amusing.  To...Read More

In less than two weeks, we will have a new president elect.  The first president I remember watching on election night was John F. Kennedy.  I was in my apartment at the University of North Carolina, and stayed up until the early morning hours watching his first comments as the new president.  Like most Americans,...Read More

Some political observers are puzzled over the last minute endorsement by Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy, who is running for the U.S. Senate.  Kennedy’s opponent, incumbent Senator Mary Landrieu, is solidly ahead in recent polls.  So why would Jindal get in the middle of what seems to be a losing cause? ...Read More

If you live down here Louisiana, we are use to seeing and reading about movie stars throughout our state all the time.  That’s pretty neat, but we pay a price for the small pleasure.  The state is giving away millions of dollars to movie producers in order to lure them to do their work here...Read More

In the heat of a presidential campaign, there are charges, innuendos, inaccurate statements, and outright lies that plague any major candidate.  We have certainly seen this take place in the present McCain-Obama slug fest.  That’s why it is refreshing for a political commentator to deal with misinformation head on, and try to keep this heated...Read More

  Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal traveled to Gainesville, Florida for the LSU ““ Florida game last week, and held a rally in front of a Florida fraternity house.  He injected a little humor into his remarks by giving his top 10 reasons why LSU and Florida fans agree on a number of things.  You can...Read More

How many of you have ever attended your 50th year anniversary of your high school reunion?  I had the great pleasure last weekend of becoming reacquainted with so many old friends, a number of whom I have not seen in the past 50 years.  I graduated from a first rate high school in the suburbs...Read More

The presidential race is coming to an end for two candidates, but would you believe, the jockeying is already beginning for 2012.  And Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is right in the mix.  You can check out my thoughts by reading this week’s column about a major fundraiser in Florida this weekend, and why Jindal may...Read More

Jimmy Davis was the first Louisiana governor I ever met.  He took me under wing back in the 1960s and supported me every time I ran for public office. Whenever he came through  my hometown of Ferriday, he would stop for coffee and share numerous stories of his years in public life. When he ran...Read More

Daughter Campbell has caused a lot of controversy  on the cable news circuit.  She was profiled in Saturday’s New York Times on the growing popularity of her weeknight evening television show and how she has become more opinionated during the current Presidential campaign.   You can read the Times article by Clicking Here. And you...Read More

Lousiana Lawmaker Faults Media For Focusing Attention On His Eugenics Proposal» Louisiana State Rep. John LaBruzzo (R) recently stirred controversy by advocating a form of eugenics to decrease the number of poor. “I realized that all these people were in Louisiana’s care and what a massive financial responsibility that is to the state,” he said....Read More

Despite how busy the last week has been, it would be a major faux pas not to acknowledge the passing last week of Paul Newman. He was simply the quintessential movie star. A handsome guy with penetrating blue eyes, who graced the screen with his style, humor and great talent. After can you begin to...Read More

How can you make any sense out of this present financial crisis? Exactly how did we get into this mess? I gave it my best shot in this week’s column. And it’s just not a problem in New York or Washington, DC. For those of us who live in Louisiana, those representing us here are...Read More

I know something about stirring up controversy. But my oldest kid did a pretty good job of stirring up the pot this week. She has begun a campaign to “Free Sarah Palin.” Her knock is that the McCain political handlers have muzzled the Alaska Governor, and won’t let the press grill her as they like...Read More

During the almost 12 years I spent as an insurance regulator, I continued to hear the cry that there was “too much regulation taking place.” Limit the regulation, and let the free market work its magic. Well, the so-called “magic” has come to pass. As I wrote last week, not just on a national level,...Read More

So you are confused about the upheaval of the national financial markets, and want someone to tell you just what’s happening, and what we should do about it… right? Well you are not alone. On my radio show this past Sunday, caller after caller expressed concern, rage and disgust over how our elected officials have...Read More

As anyone who regularly follows my website knows, I am an unabashed country music fan.  And it should not be surprising.  After all, I lived in Ferriday, Louisiana for a number of years, and got to know all the musical legends there including Jerry Lee Lewis, Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, and of course, my longtime friend,...Read More

Both political parties should have received wake-up call this week following the crash of key financial institutions in New York. But the problem hits right home here in Louisiana with a potential collapse of AIG insurance group. You might be surprised at what a huge presence AIG has right here Louisiana. I wrote about it...Read More

Charges continue to fly in the current race for the White House, and depending upon what side you are on, one could make a pretty good case against either candidate.  But realistically, both McCain and Obama are pretty solid candidates for each of the respective political parties.  McCain is both a war hero, and has...Read More

If you wanted to pick the perfect typecast for VP candidate Sarah Palin, it would be an easy pick. Tina Fey, formerly a regular on Saturday Night Live, made a return visit this past Saturday to play her look a like double, the Alaska Governor. She was a big hit, and we will certainly see...Read More

Bobby Jindal for President? The Louisiana Governor? Wait. You mean Vice Prez don’t you, and that didn’t happen, right? Well some, can you believe, are already talking about Jindal for the top spot in 2012, with or without Sarah Palin. Jim’s NEW column is now up, and he takes a look at the present campaign,...Read More

Now that the storm has passed along the gulf coast and (fingers crossed) Hurricane Ike seems to be moving away from Louisiana, insurance issues are now on the front burner for many residents. Wind this time, not water. And that’s good news, for insurance companies cannot hid behind questionable water claim denials. Losses in Louisiana...Read More

The Brown Family was well represented during convention week this time around. My sister, Madalyne (upper left) was a delegate at the Democratic Convention in Denver. She met up with my daughter Campbell who covered both conventions for CNN. Madalyne has been a delegate for a number of conventions, and is escorted by her husband...Read More

Hey, we all like a good kiss. But sometimes you end up with some that are clumsy or even bizarre. I’ll let you be the judge. Take a look at some of the more famous kisses, political and otherwise.  And to read about appropriate political hugs and kisses, Click Here. How about Angelina Jolie and...Read More

Well we are cleaning up in the aftermath of Gustav that caused some $10 billion in damage to Louisiana. Two million customers lost power, and there is a great de3al of cleaning up to do. But wait. HURRICANE IKE is on its way into the Gulf and could pose a real new threat to the...Read More

I’ve just returned to Louisiana after a week in the North Carolina Mountains, followed by another week out west in Hood River, Oregon where my youngest daughter lives with her husband. And there certainly is a lot to catch up on, with problems to address. On the national front, the Democratic convention is dominating the...Read More

It’s pretty obvious that New Orleans Congressman Bill Jefferson has his hands full over $90,000 in cash seized by the FBI in his home freezer. Check out the following video and see what options the Congressman had when it came to putting the money in refrigerator stocks rather than in the refrigerator itself. Take a...Read More

What is hands down the worst run agency in Louisiana State government? Jim takes his annual review, and the final competition is not even close. If you want to read Jim’s annual pick, just Click Here. You can see from the photos below that Jim was on vacation in North Carolina last week. He will...Read More

The North Carolina Mountains offer me a little therapy each year, particularly in the heat of a Louisiana summer. I’ve been a regular this time a year for a long time. One of my trip highlights is to hike Grandfather Mountain, which is located about an hour and a half northeast of Ashville. A trek...Read More

Is it really down to a two man race this November for President? Yes, there are some minor candidates that have qualified, but none that seem to be creating any excitement. Well this is Louisiana so what about a local named Breaux? Take a look at the following video, then judge for yourself. I certainly...Read More

Game time for numerous colleges is only a week a way. Will LSU repeat as national champion? If not, who’s your pick? You can sign up to make your choice and get a lot of clear and concise college football news by Clicking Here. Go ahead and have some football fun.Read More

Well you just have to check ot the new Paris Hilton political ad. Sure she’s a dingbat, but guess what? Her energy plan makes pretty good sense. Check it out and see what you think. See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or DieRead More

For you political groupies who want the daily tracking polls and trends on the coming presidential election, here is a site you might want to check out. Nate Silver is the publisher and you can find his daily evaluation of political information by Clicking Here. You can see below an interview with him on Countdown...Read More

. Oh all right. I’ll admit it. I am a card carrying member of the AARP. And for good reason. You qualify at 55, and you get great discounts on hotels, rental cars, and a number of other purchases. Power to us old guys. And here’s a great service. Below is just some of the...Read More

 August 6th, 2008 Jim is on vacation all this week, out of cell and web range, high in the North Carolina mountains. He’s back in business next week with a new column, and plenty of updates on this site. So keep checking.   Have we too many federal laws on the books in this country?...Read More

If you did not listen and see the last lecture Professor Randy Pausch, you really missed something special. Randy was a computer-science professor from Carnegie Mellon University. He died at his home this past week at the age of 47 of pancreatic cancer. Knowing that he was going to die, he gathered up his class...Read More

Are you a dancer? I wish I were much better than I am. And how about a trip that takes you dancing all over the world? Take a look at the video below of young Matthew Harding who did just that. He traveled the world to dance. And what exotic places. I’m quite envious. And...Read More

So how is Louisiana handling its insurance crisis. Poorly argues Jim in his new column now posted. Louisiana now has the title of having the highest property, auto and health rates in the country. And there is no relief in site as the most recent session of the Louisiana legislature punted on any meaningful reform.,....Read More

Me run for President? Well, there has been a real draft movement that seems to be sweeping the country. Have you witnessed it? I’m on TV, on Billboards, everywhere you look are signs about the “Brown for President” movement. So take a look. Check out this video on my campaign (and yours too if you...Read More

The big fall election is just a few months away, and active campaigning is underway. Check out JibJab’s new video about the upcoming presidential race.  See if you can spot both Bobby Jindal and yours truly in the video. Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!Read More

Oh, that’s right. I have met Jesse Jackson several times through the years, and talked about a number of issues with him. Now we don’t hang out together, but I do have a theory about the guy. He’s dumb like a fox. And he ain’t stupid. I just wonder about all this talk of making...Read More

I’ve been a Billy Joe Royal fan for as long back as I can remember. That gives you some idea as to how old he is. He has some great old songs including Out in the Boondocks, Cherry Hill Park and I Knew you when you were Lonely. Billy Joe is aging a bit, and...Read More

Online Videos by Veoh.comRead More

The focus of my radio show this past Sunday was a fellow named Joe Horn from Pasadena, Texas. A grand jury last week cleared him from any charges related to the shooting of two burglars who entered his neighbor’s house. Horn killed them both with a shot gun. Website publisher Greg Aymond (Central La. Politics)did...Read More

Shame on you Governor Bobby Jindal! How could you stand by and allow our lawmakers, who sacrificed so much, to sleep in their cars? That’s right! According to comments from state Rep. Joe Harrison, who represents St. Mary, Terrebonne and Assumption parishes, legislators in Louisiana are so broke that some can’t afford a room on...Read More

Louisiana State Sen. Ann Duplessis, from New Orleans, said the legislative pay raise issue was skewed by those who do not believe elected officials are credible. She was the author of the proposed legislation that had voters rise up in arms. As an example, she pointed to the photo of her Mercedes that popped up...Read More

Ray Nagin, the Mayor of New Orleans, has no problem spending tax money to wind and dine his wife and just about anyone else he cares to entertain. And all on the public’s dime. I talked about Mayor’s reprehensible actions on my talk show this past Sunday. Nagin says his wife is one of his...Read More

As many of you know, I’m a product of the 60s. My time in college, studying abroad in England, and finishing law school. The time in my life that formed my values, my persuasions, and my future goals. When I listen to the oldies today, the music generally comes from the 60s. This was a...Read More

My good friend, Attorney Paul Hurd, up in Monroe has spent a great deal of time evaluating the performance of our recent Louisiana legislature, and has come up with a Legislative Competence and Proficiency Test.  Take a look and put a grade to your legislator.  Better yet, email the test to those who represent you...Read More

VIDEO PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSINATION GAME Now here’s one hard to believe. For the aspiring young assassin, a popular online games site offers kids the opportunity to assume the identity of a leading presidential contender and then shoot their political opponents in a series of armed confrontations in the White House. While the ammo is paintball, the...Read More

JIM’S NEW COLUMN (JINDAL AND PAY RAISES) NOW UP JINDAL NEEDS TO PICK A FIGHT! TO READ, CLICK HERE. The “Anti-Pay Raise Rally” WILL BE HELD JULY 7 at the STATE CAPITOL from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact steve@bayoubuzz.com to help or to attend. Rally is being sponsored by Citizen Can and...Read More

Kudos’ to J.R. Ball, the feisty editor of the Baton Rouge Business Report, for his just published article on the La. Legislative pay raise. It’s worth the read by Clicking Here. And you just gotta bring the Kingfish into the mix as J.R. does with the following poem. So, with apologies to Gov. Long and...Read More

It looks like Gov. Jindal has dug himself into a deep hole on the Louisiana legislature’s pay raise issue. He has said repeatedly he will not veto the 200% increase in salary and benefits. But as Mike Hasten just reported for the Gannett news service, Jindal took a much different approach during his gubernatorial campaign...Read More

The untimely death of NBC’s Tim Russert hit home personally to my family.  I was a regular viewer of Meet the Press that he hosted every Sunday morning.  He also hired my oldest daughter, Campbell, when she was a fledging local news reporter, and took her under wing.  What a tragedy to die at 58....Read More

So I’m hangin out with my Buddy Pete Rose”¦. Well, there is a little more to the story. Legendary former major league baseball star Pete Rose was the guest of honor at a baseball dinner last week over at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi. I was lucky enough to be an invited guest. Pete holds...Read More

The British Prime Minister does it. And Sen. John McCain says he will do it if he is elected President. So how about La. Governor Bobby Jindal? Look at my column this week now up. (Hit here.) I say Jindal should weekly “go to the well” of the state House of Representatives and answer questions...Read More

So what do you think about this 300% pay raise the legislature is close to giving themselves? It has passed the State Senate with NO opposition, and passed the House committee this week with only minor protests. Is it a fait accompli? In my day as a Senator, I would have been recalled and run...Read More

Former state senators get together once a year during the regular legislative session in Baton Rouge to fraternize and “remember when.” I look back on my days in the Louisiana Senate as some of my most enjoyable times, with a group of Senators that did a great deal for the state. Unfortunately, most of the...Read More

Even if you are not a baseball fan, it was an unbelievable weekend for LSU and their baseball team scraping their way to the college world series in Omaha. After a loss on Saturday, the tigers pulled out a 9th inning victory Sunday,then just plummeted Cal-Irving Monday night by a score of 21-7.  Check out...Read More

When it comes to real American heroes, they don’t come more authentic than Captain Jack Lucas.  He was on my radio show last year when he was visiting New Orleans, and what a pleasure to have him on my show. He was the youngest soldier to ever receive the Medal of Honor at 17.  You...Read More

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/J_E3ldpFbjo" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /] Graphic: Police Release Video Of Hartford Hit-And-Run  Read More

The Ku Klux Klan and a house of ill repute? How much wilder can it get than that? My new column talks about the wild and troubling days of my old home in Concordia Parish. It’s up now, so take a look.  Just click here Below is a photo of the great Haney’s music hall...Read More

If you are a sports fan and you ever go to New York City, a must stop is Mickey Mantle’s restaurant located right on Central Park South. I’ve been a Yankees fan all my life, and made a number of pilgrimages to the Bronx so I can see “The Mick” in action back in the...Read More

My First Rock and Roller  .I grew up with the advent of Rock and Roll in the 50s.  And the first 33 1/3 album I ever bought was by Bo Diddley.  It all seemed to start with Bo. He was born in Macomb, Mississippi just north of the Louisiana border.  He invented his own name, ...Read More

Isn’t this adorable? The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (or the other ABC) put this site up for the kiddies. Take a look at: http://www.abc.net.au/science/planets…e_calc.htm ABC managing director Mark Scott said the site was not designed to offend certain quarters of the community but to engage children in environmental issues. How do they “engage” the children? By...Read More

    Governor Bobby Jindal continues to build strong support from conservatives throughout the country as a possible vice presidential running mate with Republican presidential nominee John McCain. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh started the ball rolling, and a number of conservative organizations continue to sign on in support Jindal. You can read a...Read More

New York was my last stop on this lengthy road trip that took me into North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts and then on into to the Big Apple. And I certainly had a full agenda. A nephew’s graduation, a long visit with a daughter and a new grandson, a little business, a lengthy lunch with my...Read More

La. Gov. Bobby Jindal will spend this weekend in Arizona with Republican presidential nominee John McCain. This certainly will increase speculation over the possibility of gentle join McCain on the GOP ticket this fall. With Jindal will be Florida Governor Charlie Crist whose name is also been batted around a good bit as a potential...Read More

So you always wanted a tattoo, right? Well here’s your chance to see what your name would look like on someone else. Give this link a try and you will be surprised at the results.Read More

Well it looks like Senator Barak Obama has his dander up, telling one and all to leave his wife out of the coming presidential campaign. Is that a fair request from the Senator? Michelle Obama has been quite outspoken, raising questions about pride in America, and proving to be a quite controversial figure in her...Read More

Every now and then, I just had to take a break and get away… right? Well that’s just what I am doing this week, revisiting local haunts, beginning at my old alma mate at, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I try to get back to Carolina, several times a year, particularly during basketball season. But on...Read More