The President vetted a number of Court of Appeals judges in the process of filling a vacancy on the US Supreme Court created following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He announced from the beginning that his pick was going to be a woman. So naturally, the seven women on the fifth circuit Court...Read More

Special holidays like the Memorial Day always have, for good reason, a special acknowledgement of those military service men and women who have defended our country for so many years.  There are few veterans in congress today.  Most politicians reflect the comment of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who, when asked why he did to volunteer...Read More

Below is an excellent video on the perspective of millennials in our country today. There’s a great deal of talent, but also a sense of entitlement. Here is an excerpt of Simon Sinek, a commenter on today’s younger generation from an episode of Inside Quest. It is well worth a few minutes to review. And...Read More

OK, OK. I know The New York Times is not a popular publication down here in the deepest of the deep southern states. And boy did they get things riled up in a recent article on the editorial page saying that black athletes are being exploited at LSU. They went further to say that whenever...Read More

It was 19 years ago this week. A horrific scene glued by TV watchers all over the world, as two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City. So many lives lost, and so many questions still on answered.  This event dramatically changed our lives, and brought a whole new wave of security...Read More

Louisiana has always lagged far behind other states in educational attainment. Now we just get some news from the state Board of Education. If your kids are going to learn virtually, they have to have access to the Internet.  So what’s new? This information has been obvious for a number of years. I wrote about...Read More

I have always been fascinated by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. He was known to transmute vibrant colors and great detailing of his everyday observations onto the canvas. The poor artist died with little money and during his lifetime, he managed to sell only one painting. Often referred to as the ‘Mad Artist,’ van...Read More

To mask or not to mask? That is the question.  Here’s a fun parody of whether or not to mask based on the hit Broadway Musical Hamilton.  Checkout what side you are on.Read More

Another cleanup begins as Hurricane Laura devastates the Gulf coastline and moves up through Louisiana.  Fifteen years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc and tore into the soul of New Orleans and south Louisiana.  It was one of the most trying times in the state’s history.  I look back at my personal experience with...Read More

As I have written before on this website, I wish I were a really good dancer. Looking back over these 80 years, I just wish I had danced a lot more.There are so many really good dancers today.Take a look at the video below to see the cast of Ghee do some really creative dancing....Read More

It’s always a treat hanging out with my buddy Tony Bennett. He looks great for being 94 years old. (Oh alright! You caught me. The photo was taken at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in Las Vegas. We both look pretty good in wax, don’t we?)  Read More

If you live in Louisiana, you were bombarded with assurances by the insurance industry that new laws limiting the rights of policyholders would show a dramatic drop in the cost of automobile insurance. 25% by the end of this year. But guess what? It looks like you policyholders really got conned.  Now the insurance lobbyists...Read More

Are you getting tired of staying home and binge watching so much TV? All right, I know there’s a limited amount that you can do with a pandemic going on. And like you, I’ve watched any number of TV series and old movies. One of my favorites is about the outlaw Jesse James. You might...Read More

Sure, I pick up my iPhone regularly, and I am on social media a good bit. But how much is it affecting us? Social Media and technology can connect us, but it can also harm us. Take a look at today’s generation and their digital addiction. And see what did you think?Read More

Bourbon Street in the New Orleans French Quarter is still dead as a door nail.  Do you think it will ever come back?Read More

How about those little critters that seem to be taking over Louisiana and other coastal states? Nutria didn’t exist down here in deep South until the last 50 years. What to do? What to do? Are there any solutions?  Well, yes, if you want to be experimental. Did you know that these little varmints make...Read More

Here are some big news. We have a new podcast basis. My colleague Rannah Gray and I have started a podcast about the fascinating things one can find in our home state of Louisiana. And where to begin? Whether it is the food, the music, art, politics, you name it, Louisiana is often called the...Read More

Do you like to dance? I sure do. OK, I’m not very good at it. But everyone likes to think they have a little rhythm, and get out on the dance floor from time to time. Actually, I was pretty good back in high school. That’s why I like the movie, Footloose so much. Here’s...Read More

Money, money, money goes the song from the Broadway show Cabaret. And this should be an issue in Louisiana comes to electing state judges.  Insurance lobbyists push through legislation in the recent session of the Louisiana Legislature that limits rulings of judges when it comes to automobile injury cases. But if money is the problem,...Read More

What do you do when you’re in the middle of a pandemic, stuck at home, and bored to death? You read of course!  Book sales are at an all-time high throughout the country, as people have more free time. I write about the joy reading in this week’s column. And you’ll find some interesting facts...Read More

Chef Paul Prudhomme is a Louisiana national treasure. He put Louisiana on the map of culinary specialties to food buffs all over the world.  Chef Paul  died some years back, but his name and reputation has continued over the years at K Paul’s restaurant in New Orleans. Sadly, now it is closed for good. I...Read More

We hear so much about social distancing today. You would think it’s a brand new idea, and obviously quite necessary as we fight this pandemic. Well keeping your distance is not all that new. Take a look at this great Buster Keaton movie from 1920 as they are social distancing way back then.Read More

The Louisiana legislature just passed new laws that are supposed to reduce auto insurance rates. 25% reduction says the insurance commissioner. And before the end of the year. Realistic? Of course not. There’s a lot more to reducing insurance rates in the Bayou State than clamping down on people’s right to sue. I take a...Read More

Are we supposed to be politically correct in everything we do? Some people think so. Well there are issues involving race, gays, transgenders, praying in public, and even who can or cannot bake a cake. Everything we do these days has a “politically correct” connotation attached to it. Have we gone to far in America,...Read More

As part of my pandemic defense, our family is up on the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Boone North Carolina for the summer. And look who I came across.  I’ve found a new hiking buddies. He’s lots of laughs.  And we are both keeping up common sense protections.Read More

Can any of us even remember life before the digital age? Things were so much simpler then. We were sitting down at family meals, spending lots of time reading, never looking down at iPhones, because they did not exist. Actually, one of the only benefits of the current pandemic is the fact that we have...Read More

We are living in uncertain times, with COVID-19, economic problems, and racial confrontations. But political life goes on, and both Democrats and Republicans are preparing for their national conventions. New Orleans was in the running for the Republican national convention up until a few weeks ago. In my new column, I talk about the last...Read More

I’ve seen a number of Broadway shows in my life, but at the top of my list has always been Les Miserables. The music is wonderful, and it’s a compelling story about the French revolution. If you’ve never seen the show, I would urge you to do so. Below is a shopping center flash mob...Read More

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has stirred up a real hornet’s nest of controversy over standing for the national anthem. He didn’t make a big deal about it. He just said in his opinion you should stand. Boy the criticism sure rained down on him. So what do you think?  Is it unpatriotic to...Read More

I’m cooking up a storm with fresh vegetables up in the North Carolina mountains. It was 38° this morning when I got up to start cooking. Who knows, I might put out a new addition of the famous “Jim Brown’s World-Famous Squirrel Stew and other Country Recipes.” Stay tuned.Read More

All over the nation, there are a wave of protests over what many feel is the continuing glorification of many events in our nation’s past. How far should we as a country go in  obliterating  monuments, images, writings, motion pictures, and other symbols that often memorialize individuals whose past actions are today politically incorrect?  I...Read More

Are you ready for this year’s Democratic and Republican national convention? Quite a change from years past. We’re not even sure at this stage whether the parties will even have a convention. I’ve had the opportunity of attending seven different national conventions, both democratic and Republican. Remember picking candidates in smoke-filled rooms? I do. I...Read More

When it comes to operating the congress in the nation’s capitol, one would think that we were still in the horse and buggy days.  Members of congress spend half their time flying back and forth from their home districts to Washington, D.C.  And often it’s for routine matters and non-controversial committee hearings.  We can do...Read More

This past weekend, Memorial Day weekend, we were to  pause and honor those who served and gave their lives for our nation. Relatives on both sides of my family served their country with honor and distinction. My Uncle had quite a navel military career.  In the final months of World War II, Commander Jack Gentry was...Read More

As terrible as the coronavirus is, life goes on, and there is a wave of comedy making fun of what we are going through in our daily lives.Here’s one of may parodies below:Read More

DOES LOUISIANA CARE ABOUT OLD PEOPLE? The Coronavirus has caused havoc in Louisiana and all over the U.S.  But the damage has been shouldered mostly by older people. So the question is-does Louisiana, and many other states, really care that much about our senior citizens?  I take a look at this troubling question in this...Read More

Check out below the Erie picture of looking down a deserted Bourbon Street in the downtown New Orleans French quarter. One of my very favorite restaurants is Galatoire’s, that you can see in the picture on the left. It’s hard to find a better meal anywhere in the world than you could get at Galatoire’s....Read More

THE NEW NORMAL IN OUR LIVES! I’ve just turned 80 years old, and who could have predicted what the world is going through now? Who could have ever imagined that our lives would so dramatically change by a virus that just a few months ago was dismissed by our leaders as a minor problem that really...Read More

I find a pleasant surprise now and then when older books that have been published by The Lisburn Press turn up. A friend of mine was checking out a flea market over theLafayette  area recently, and look what he found. My first book, printed back in 2005, is still making the rounds.  It’s not selling...Read More

Below are some of my personal thoughts and observations as I reach a new milestone-turning 80 years old. I also write about my thoughts about the past, present and future in my new column now posted. You can read it by Clicking Here or by going to the Red Flashing Box above.Read More

Well, at least all you readers have plenty of time for this now.  So many goo books to read.  Check out many of our new publications at www.thelisburnpress.com, or click on The Lisburn Press link on the right side of this page.Read More

On our front door is a drawing by 9 year old grandniece Yvie Hunt, thanking all the service workers and responders who are helping us daily get through this difficult time. Yvie is saying in her drawing that even we have to be isolated, we are not alone.Read More

I’ve been a John Prine fan for many years. Always wanted to see him in person. He died yesterday, but just take a listen to his ode to going to heaven. My kind of wish and my kind of dude.Read More

Each year on April 1st, I make it a habit of posting a funny April fool’s joke. Not this year. Sad to say it’s not April fool but April Cruel. Let’s all pray we get through this month safe and healthy.Read More

Do I look bored at home or what? I asked wife Gladys what will be the highlight of our day. She said “Let’s change the sheets.”Read More

My book tour, like so many other events, has come to a temporary end. We’ve canceled all the book signings that were set for March April and early May.  Here’s hoping but this terrible virus will be contained, and we will get back to our normal way of life in the not too distant future....Read More

An enjoyable evening speaking recently to the Country Classics Book Club in Zachery, Louisiana. Lots of interest in “My Louisiana Odyssey.” From left, pictured are Ginger Hughes, Ginger Parker, yours truly, Beryl Beier-hostess, & Donna Kline, president of Country Classics book club.Read More

  The Portfolio Club of Zachary met on March 4, 2020 for an authentic French luncheon at Maison Lacour in Baton Rouge. The guest speaker was  Jim Brown who spoke about his publishing company, Lisburn Press,  and his latest book, “My Louisiana Odyssey: A Memoir.” In the book, the author shares his journey of initially “discovering” Louisiana,...Read More

The Brown book tour took a break over the past 10 days to celebrate Mardi Gras, then head back east. As you can see, heavy snow falling in the Blue Ridge mountains, up in Linville, North Carolina. I’ll be returning and back on the tour next week (March 3rd) and will speak and sign My...Read More

It’s crawfish season here in the Bayou State, and a regular stop for me as a travel throughout South Louisiana is Crawfish Town USA in Henderson, La. Even has-been politicians like me still have their name on a chair. I was there this week to sit in my own chair and eat lots of boiled...Read More

Book presentations continue all this week with the following stops: February 18th-Rotary Club of East Ascension-7:00 am February 18th-Opelousas Rotary Club-noon February 19th-Bunkie Rotary Club-noon February 20th-Kiwanis Club of Acadiana-noon Then we will take a break for Mardi Gras. Below are photos of stops at the Denham Springs Rotary, and a private bookclub presentation in...Read More

It was a fun-filled day in Ville Platte, La. recently when I spoke to the Rotary Club there and re-newed a number of old friendships. Evangeline Parish always gave me a good vote in my six statewide races for public office. Below I’m pictured signing books with my longtime friend Judge John Saunders sitting by....Read More

The book signings continue all over Louisiana. This coming week, I’ll be speaking to the Ville Platte Rotary Club, The Luling Rotary Club and the Roundtable Club in New Orleans. Guest at  the Hammond Rotary Club recently. A good turn out at the Northshore Kiwanis Club in Mandeville. With Rotary President Rebecca Jacob a the...Read More

Three long time friends getting together to visit at Mike Anderson’s restaurant in Gonzales this week. That’s former state senate president Mike O’Keefe on the left and Governor Edwin Edwards. We old guys are all hangin’ in there The Governor is 92 and Mike is 88. I’m the kid in the group.Read More

    January 31st-Rotary Club of Liviingston-noon February 4th-Lafayette Kiwanis Club-noon February 6th-Ponchatula Rotary Club-noon February 11th-Ville Platte Rotary Club-noon February 12th-Luling Rotary Club-noon February 13th-New Orleans Roundtable Club-7:00 pm February 15th-La. Political Hall of Fame-7:00 pm February 18th-Opelousas Rotary Club-noon February 19th-Bunkie Rotary Club-noon February 20th-Kiwanis Club of Acadiana-noon  Read More

It was treat renewing old friendships at the Alexandria Rotary Club this week. Central Louisiana was my home for many years. I not only swapped many stories, but also sold a good number of copies of “My Louisiana Odyssey.” I’m pictured here with Professor Robert Wright from LSU in Alexandria (left) and old friend Ed...Read More

A pleasant visit to Vidalia (just across the Mississippi River from Natchez, Mississippi) to speak to the Concordia Parish Library Association about my new book, “My Louisiana Odyssey.” A number of students pictured here from the Vidalia High School were in attendance to learn a little Louisiana history. This week’s speaking schedule is listed below:...Read More

Speaking this past Thursday to the Ferriday Rotary Club up in my old hometown. Attorney Joey Booth is incoming Rotary Club president.  His dad, Judge Leo Boothe is a longtime friend.  Leo Young on my right helped me get started in Ferriday some 50 years ago.  It was a treat to see old friends and...Read More

January 7th-Natchitoches Rotary Club-noon January 9th-East Baton Rouge Lions Club-noon January 14th-LaPlace Rotary Club-noon January 16th- Ferriday Rotary Club-noon January 16th- Vidalia Library Association-6:00 pm January 21st-Alexandria Rotary Club-noon January 22nd-Hammond Rotary Club-noon January 23rd-Northshore Kiwanis Club-noon-Covington January 28th-Gonzales Rotary Club-noon  Read More

A nice visit this past week with the Baton Rouge Lions Club to discuss my new book, “My Louisiana Odyssey.”  Club members had many Bayou State stories to share with me themselves. Maybe for a new book.  I’m pictured with club members John Fontenot and David Young.Read More

It was good to be in Natchitoches this past week visiting old friends and speaking about my book to the Natchitoches Rotary Club.  Former State Senator Don Kelly and I had a long visit, reminiscing about starting off in the legislature together back in the 1970s. I’m pictured below with Rotary members including long time...Read More

The new book, “My Louisiana Odyssey,” is being distributed all over the south. I’m pictured here in Boone, North Carolina at The Foggy Pine bookstore with owner Mary Ruthless, where my book is being distributed. Glad to see the interest in Louisiana by folks up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. More information about the book...Read More

Hopefully, we all are kicking off the New Year on a positive note. LSU is on the verge of winning a national championship, the Saints are in the playoffs, and initially, there’s real spirit of optimism. I sure hope it lasts. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I always do.  Take a look at my...Read More

Happy New Year to All. 2020 will be a good year for you to write a book.Read More

Looking forward to the Holidays with old friend Father Cleo Milano, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Baton Rouge.  I’ll be slowing down a bit over the holidays but Father Cleo will have his work cut out with a full scale of Christmas and New Year’s services and other events.  Happy Holidays...Read More

Most of us have been swept up in the momentum of the holiday season. We have passed Thanksgiving, reached the Christmas milestone and are approaching New Year’s Day, the third in the trilogy of holidays. Sure, there is a lot of our attention on holiday shopping, football (especially here in the Bayou State), and social events. But...Read More

My Louisiana Odyssey is now available at local bookstores in the Baton Rouge area.  In Denham Springs, John Cavalier reports brisk sales at the Cavalier Book Store located in the Antique Village on Range Road.  Up in St. Francisville, Missy Couhig has a delightful bookshop on the main street of town called Conundrum Books where...Read More

An enjoyable lunch with the Baker Rotary Club Most of the members bought my new book, “My Louisiana Odyssey.” Picture below with several of the club’s regular members.Read More

He has worn plenty of hats. He’s a former Louisiana State Senator, Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner,. He ran for Louisiana governor and he is an attorney, columnist, publisher, husband, father and grandfather. He’s also a story-teller. Jim Brown has a quite a few of those remembrances which he shares with all of us. At...Read More

It was a pleasant trip to Northeast Louisiana a few weeks ago when I travelled to Monroe to speak to the Monroe Rotary club. My old friend Dr. Russ Greer was the host and gave me quite the introduction, more than I deserve.  I’ve spoken to this club on numerous occasions in the past, and...Read More

Spoke this week to the Port Allen Rotary Club and the Kentwood Rotary Club about my new book “My Louisiana Odyssey.” And you have a choice of two covers. How about that.  You can order the book on the right side of this site.      Read More

I’ll be talking about my new book, “My Louisiana Odyssey,” as a speaker at the Louisiana Book Festival this weekend at the state capitol in Baton Rouge. Pictured below with Lt. Governor Billy Nunguesser, state librarian Rebecca Hamilton, and author Rannah Gray. Below also is the coming week’s book tour schedule. Thursday, October 31st”“ Guest...Read More

Louisiana is facing an election runoff for the state’s next governor. Incumbent John Bel Edwards is in the fight of his political life, and not by just taking on the Republican challenger. He is also under assault by Pres. Donald Trump. He’s a Democrat in a Red State, and the question is can he survive?...Read More

JIM BROWN’S BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE Pictured with Cavalier Book Store owner John Cavalier.  Off on a statewide book tour.) Thursday, October 31st– Guest on the Jim Engster Radio show.  (9:00 am) Saturday, November 2nd.  Featured speaker at the Louisiana Book Festival (Louisiana State Capitol. 11:45 am.) Tuesday, November 5th -Speak to St. Francisville Rotary Club.  7:30...Read More

President Donald Trump has stirred up a hornet’s after he ordered an immediate pullout from northeastern Syria.  Maybe he could have been a bit more diplomatic.  But are a thousand U.S. troops really going to make any major difference in the chaos taking place in this part of the world?  Take  look at this week’...Read More

Were you pleased with results in last week’s Louisiana first primary election? Needless to say, the results showed a number of surprises. Incumbent Gov. John Bell Edwards was forced into a runoff, contrary to what to the polls that were taken in the last few weeks. Now there will be quite a knock down drag...Read More

The Lisburn Press has published a compelling story of the yellow jacket epidemic in New Orleans back in the in 1800s.  I’m pictured above with author Renee Uzee ,who is speaking all over Louisiana about his popular new book.  It’s available on our website at www.thelisburnpress.com.Read More

The Lisburn Press has been selected for the 2019 Best of Baton Rouge Award in the Book Publisher category by the Baton Rouge Award Program.The Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Baton Rouge area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability...Read More

Did you vote in advance i n the first primary election for numerous offices that were on the ballot? About 35% of the registered voters did in Louisiana. There’s been a huge upturn in people voting early since the laws have been changed. In my column this week, I write about some of the stranger...Read More

I have kicked off my new Louisiana book tour,  to promote my book, My Louisiana Odyssey. At a recent stop was in Lafayette, I spoke to the Lafayette Rotary Club.  As a public official in the past, I have spoken to this large civic club on a number of occasions.  It was a treat to...Read More

Saturday night Live on NBC, always a bit edgy, had a funny and one the money sketch on race relations in our country last weekend. It’s well worth watching.Read More

With the Louisiana statewide election only a matter of days way, it’s time for me to look into my crystal ball, wave my magic wand, and make predictions of just to who is going to be the winners and losers. Incumbents always have a big advantage and that is certainly true this time around. I’ll...Read More

Absentee voting is just beginning here in Louisiana with statewide election day just a few weeks off. As I’ve written before, there are only two major statewide races on the ballot. There’s a real horse race for governor, and the question is can current incumbent John Bel Edwards win in the first primary. But the...Read More

Down here in the Bayou State, the election for major offices as well as the legislature and local offices is only a few weeks away. So how do we sum up what people are thinking? BORING! Very little interest, and it’s just quite surprising. After all, voters all over the country are quite mad about...Read More

 After the debacle of last season’s N.F.C. championship game, you would think officials would be bending over backward to not have a huge missed call go against New Orleans. But in the first half of the much-hyped rematch between the Saints and Rams, Jared Goff fumbled the ball to Cameron Jordan of the Saints, who...Read More

If you come to my website regularly, you know I make fun of both political parties. That’s one of the advantages of being a registered independent. You can be a bit sarcastic on either side. Here’s a good rant for the Republicans. New song out by country singer Brian Lewis titled “I thank my Dog’s...Read More

The Louisiana Democratic Party is upset with Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin saying that “Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states for election interference in the nation.” Any truth to such charges? I happen to know a good bit about the elections process because I served as Louisiana Secretary of State through the 1980s....Read More

State wide elections in Louisiana are just around the corner, and it is an exciting time for political watchers to see the candidates pressing the flesh and attending so many public events throughout the state. Or are they? It’s a sad state of affairs that retail politics have been cast aside by the candidates, particularly...Read More

What’s all this talk about America buying the country of Greenland? After all, it’s stuck way up there in the northern corner of the world, and not really worth anything is it? Surprisingly, yes, and it’s certainly in the interest of United States to acquire Greenland if possible. America has acquired land from many other...Read More

I’ve always been a fan of country singer Johnny Cash. His is music is one of the reasons I took up playing the guitar. And I’ve always admired him for being such a strong patriot. I was particularly taken by his comments you can watch and listen to below regarding the state of America today,...Read More

Election day in Louisiana is less than two months away. There’s very little interest in most of the statewide races, but the governor’s race is turning into a knockdown drag out event. Can current Gov. John Bel Edwards win out right in the first primary? If not, he’s going to be in for a heck...Read More

The gubernatorial election in Louisiana is only two months away, as incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards is on the stump for second term. So is Bobby Jindal running against him? The previous two-term Republican Gov. Is being criticized every campaign stop by Gov. Edwards. You would think he was running against Jindal. But that’s not...Read More

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Election season is here, with qualifications just ending. What should the candidates be talking about? The Bayou State is way behind most other states across the country in many surveys that rank education, economic development, health and overall quality of life.  Does any candidate, from governor on down to the local level, really offer any specifics...Read More

My good friend Rannah Gray has written a best selling true crime novel, Familiar Evil, and it is being used as the basis for a TV series.  It airs on August 22nd on the Investigation Discovery Network, at 9:00 pm central time.  You don’t want to miss it.  Check out your local listings for your local...Read More