Well is it cold enough for you? We rarely get cold weather down here in the deepest of the southern states. I remember on a number of occasions going to swimming in my backyard pool in January. No way this year. We are supposed to get some snow in a few days, and the kids will love that. This is just a personal note from me and hoping that your New Year’s is going well, and you have a prosperous and productive 2018. And be sure and bundle up in the weeks to come.

Have you had your fill for the year 2017, and ready to move on? I sure am. On the national scene, Pres. Trump continues to stir the pot of conflict. Sure the president has a bully pulpit, but is he all that big a bully? And how about these federal judges that can’t even answer simple questions about enforcing the law? You’ll see some amusing tidbits on the questions that I hope the Senate will be asking in he future. Take a look at it all in my new column now posted. You can read it by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

We will broadcast our final radio program of the year on Sunday morning, and we review the highs and lows of 2017.  I hope you had a good year.  We will talk about special things that have happened in the past few months  and a new beginning for all of us.  So join us as we bring  in 2018. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

State government in Louisiana and in many other states throughout the country are busted, and have little or no tax dollars for infrastructure and new road construction. What to do? There are creative solutions going on in a number of more progressive states. And a little thinking “outside the box” can bring in a great amount of new money. I talk about it this week in my new column. Take a look by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Time for our annual Christmas show. Here’s what’s on tap. Vincent Genna will give us a live psychic reading and to discuss why dead relatives might
very well make an appearance at your holiday gathering and why the season is so filled with spirits. Genna is a triple power psychic ““ a psychic with the knowledge and experience of a licensed psychotherapist, and the personality of a showman. And let’s begin getting in shape for the New Year. Trainer Bryant Johnson, the personal trainer for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, will give us some tips. So join us for a lively program. Check local listings for times and stations. See you on the radio.

The FBI is receiving a great deal of criticism and for good reason in many instances.  Just look at a cross section of editorial cartoons below.  You can see a consensus building that the supposedly nation’s top law enforcement agency is being accused of conflicts, being biased, playing favorites, leaking information to the press, grandstanding and being untruthful to congress.  Hopefully, congress will sort out the entire FBI mess in their current hearings on these FBI conflicts.  Here is the latest story of Congress investigating the FBI.  The headline is quite clear.

House Republicans quietly investigate perceived corruption at  FBI

(For full story, Click Here)

Was it a sad ending for Republicans in Alabama over the loss of the U.S. Senate seat? Former Judge Roy Moore, a republican, lost what should have been a sure republican spot. But maybe it was a blessing in disguise. I explain this theory in my new column. Also, there is a special tribute to federal Judge Jim Brady, who unexpectedly passed away this week. A real loss.  You can read the column now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking here.

Ready for weekend radio? The Alabama US Senate race, and the repeal of the net neutrality. Craig Aaron, President of the Free Press Action Fund will join us to discuss. How bad is sugar for you? Gary Taubes has written a new book called “The Case Against Sugar.” Finally it’s the Christmas season. Is there still a war against Christmas? And Renae Baker will join us to discuss. So check your local listings for times an stations. Happy holidays and see you on the radio.

What a tragedy taking place in California. The fifth-largest wildfire in California history expanded yesterday, ripping through dry brush atop a coastal ridge while crews struggled to keep flames from roaring down into neighborhoods amid fears of renewed winds.  This most recent fire was raced to encampment: Blaze was accidentally ignited at a homeless camp near L.A.’s most affluent homes. Look at these chilling photos below of raging fire and horses flee the flames.  How sad.

I’ve spent a good part of my life in New Orleans, certainly the most interesting city in America. I went to Tulane Law school the 60s, practice law there in the 70s, did a week day radio show beginning in 2005, and have had an apartment there often on for the last 54 years. I don’t ever recall it snowing, outside of a slight drizzle. The picture below shows all the snow New Orleans received just a week ago. I’m really sorry I was not there to enjoy it.

We’ve heard so much about the Russians hacking elections across the US. Is it possible to tamper with our voting machines and change the outcome of who wins political offices? Many think so, and offer a variety of solutions. One suggestion is to return to paper ballots. Their argument is that you can’t fix paper. Ah ha, but they’re wrong. I talk all about it in this week’s column that is now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Radio weekend is close at hand, with many subjects to discuss. Professor John Quigley, a professor emeritus of international law will join us to discuss the implications of moving Israel’s embassy. And the president wants to selloff thousands of acres from our national parks. Environmentalist Andy Curry gives us his view. Finally, Investment Management Specialist Vitaliy N. Katsenelson, will tell us about the fast rise of Bit coins. So join us for lively program. Check local listings for times and stations. See you on the radio.

Did you see the Supermoon this past Sunday night? We found a clear sport outside our house to watch it here in Baton Rouge.   Check out the Supermoon rising in front of a replica of the Statue of Liberty, atop the Liberty Building in downtown Buffalo, N.Y., last evening. December’s full moon appears bigger and brighter in the sky as it sits closer than average to Earth. Sunday’s moon is the first of three consecutive Supermoons. The next two will occur on Jan. 1 and Jan. 31.

Another week, and another scandal involving the FBI. The top FBI agent booted from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe for trashing President Trump in partisan text messages to his mistress has also emerged as a key player in the investigation that cleared Hillary Clinton over her email scandal.

Peter Strzok, a lead investigator on both probes, was involved in everything from toning down the feds’ assessment of Clinton’s wrongdoing to the questioning that led to former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn’s conviction last week for lying to the FBI, according to reports.  Strzok  was formerly the FBI’s No. 2 counterintelligence official, he served as Mueller’s lead investigator in the Russia probe.  So another blemish on the reputation of the FBI.

It’s reapportionment time in Louisiana. By federal law, every state has to reapportion its various political districts once every 10 years. That means the legislature, congressional districts, judicial districts, and the public service commission that is unique to Louisiana. So who does the reapportionment? Who decides what voters to pick? Did you know that legislators are allowed to carve out their own districts? That’s about as political as you can get. I talk about it in this week’s column. You can read it now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Wow! We really have a full schedule with interesting guests coming up this weekend on the Common Sense Radio Show. What is Net Neutrality all about and who’ll be the winners and losers? Should the Internet be completely free? Tech expert Shelly Palmer will join us to discuss. (ShellyPalmer.com). And what to do about North Korea? Retired Air force Lt. Col. Eric Anderson will help us consider America’s alternatives. Finally, how about the stock market, the Dow Industrial Average, hitting 24,000? Barry Habib, CEO of the MBS Highway financial review, will join us to discuss. So we have a great program planned. Check local listings for times and stations. See you on the radio.

Network Neutrality is usually defined as the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all online content equally without blocking or slowing down specific websites on purpose or allowing companies to pay for preferential treatment.  In other words, your internet provider cannot interfere with your right to access whatever you want.  But this may change. The FCC is considering abolishing net neutrality so that internet service providers can steer users to favored website and services, including their own.  Not good.  We all should keep a close eye on this fight.  Your freedom of expression and the right to a free flow of information is at stake.

The entire gun-control debate has heated up significantly following the shootings in Las Vegas, and at the church in a small Town in Texas. Both gun-control and gun rights activists blame each other. Is the debate frozen or what can be done? Well, actually a lot. You see, there are a number of laws on the books keeping dangerous people from having guns, but these laws are just not enforced. Before we start passing new laws, how about enforcing the ones we have right now? I talk about this my new column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Happy Thanksgiving, and we hope you were all set this coming weekend for our “Common Sense” radio program. Author Matt Taibbi joins us to discuss his new book “I Can’t Breathe,” about police killings in the U.S. Author Ann Bailey will discuss her new book “The Weeping Time“ about slave acing. And our old friend, The Great Kristin will make predictions for the New Year.  So join us for a Full packed program. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

Time for a few laughs before we hunker down for our new column now posted and getting ready for our weekend nationally syndicated radio program.  Take a look and smile, at, can you believe, the sexy nun.

It was called the Race from Hell, and was probably the most observed gubernatorial election in the history of United States. 26 years ago this week, former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards and David Duke squared off in a runoff election to determine who would be the next governor. Duke was head of the Ku Klux Klan across the country, and a huge controversial figure. And I was right in the middle of it all, running myself for Commissioner of insurance. Look back with me at this controversial election. I set it all out in my new column that you can read by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Radio weekend is close at hand what’s up full agenda topic in gash windup. We will talk with Harlan Ullman about his new book, “Anatomy of Failure”“ Why America loses Every War It Starts.”Â  Then Chef Dominic Condo will discuss the many ways Italians incorporate their traditions and culture into holiday dishes. And will judge Roy Morris stay in the US Senate race? Will former VP Joe Biden run for President again? Lots to talk about so tune in. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio

I’ve been to this cathedral before on a visit to Florance.  A worker in Florence, Italy, climbs atop Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral’s Brunelleschi Dome to perform maintenance works and regular checks this week.  In the background is the famous Giotto’s Campanile, or bell tower.  Quite a site.  How would you like to be up there with this guy?

Why don’t more people go vote? There have been a series of elections all over the country, yet turnout has been abominable. There’s an election in a few days down here in Louisiana, and projections are that only 10% of registered voters will bother to show up at the polls. Does that say something about the voters, or maybe the election process itself? I write about reasons for low voter turnout in my new column this week. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

The Common Sense Radio Show we’ll be on the air soon, and we’ve a lively program scheduled for this weekend. First up is America’s moneyman, Jordan Goodman, who will explain the new proposed trump tax plan. Check out Jordan’s website at www.moneyanswers.com. And are you ready for Thanksgiving travel? The guy in know, travel expert Keith Nowak, we’ll share inside tips on how to save money and save your sanity when planning a trip. And have you seen the new movie, LBJ, about the life of the former president? It’s in all the movie theaters now, and one of the movie’s stars, Jeanne Caldarera, will join us to talk about the picture. So we have much news to cover, and we hope you will tune in. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

For those of you who  check out my website regularly, you know that I  enjoy discussing good health and ways I try to stay in shape.Watch out for some of us old guys. We can be pretty tough with our workouts in the gym. Eat your heart out  all you young guys in our family. And remember:
You don’t step on Superman’s cape,
You don’t spit in the wind,
You don’t pull the mask off the ole’ Lone Ranger,
And you don’t mess around with Jim.

There’s a new debate starting across the country. Should be mandatory for gun owners to carry insurance? Many think so, and five states are considering legislation to require gun insurance right now. They argue it is mandatory in all states to have car insurance. Why not get gun insurance? I look at issue from the insurance perspective in my new column now posted. Take a look and see what you think. You can read it now but going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Wow, what a week for news. The indictments of Trump allies, terrorist attack in New York City, it seems like major stories break daily. We will cover all this on our weekend radio show. Matt Taibbi will join us to discuss his new book I Can’t Breathe, about the Eric Gardner story in on Staten Island. (Read more by Clicking Here. ) The noted author Ann Bailey will discuss her new book, The Weeping Time about slave auctions in the South. (Click Here).  And finally, our old friend, The Great Kreskin will talk about his long time relationship with Johnny Carson. (www.AmazingKreskin.com).  So join us for a lively program.(www.AmazingKreskin,com).  heck local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

Do you celebrate the Day of the Dead?  I do. Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is the Mexican holiday when people celebrate and honor loved ones who have passed away. Celebrations typically run from Halloween, October 31, to All Saints Day, November 2. Non-Mexicans may recognize the sugar skull aesthetic from their friends’ ill-advised Halloween costumes, but many may not realize where the iconography of skeletons bearing flowers, fruit and candy comes from. Is it even possible for someone who isn’t from Mexico to celebrate the holiday without being an annoying gringo? It’s complicated, but not impossible. So I give it a try each year.  Above is my quick painting of the skull seen all  over Mexico this week.  And check out the video below.

I’ve always wanted to paint and draw.  But I never seemed to find the time,And I knew I really wasn’t that talented anyway. But a recent trip to San Miguel, Mexico gave me the opportunity. San Miguel is a wonderful small Mexican town full of budding artists. So I gave it a shot. A local studio and art gallery took me on, and I was able to paint several images. Sure, I still have a long way to go. But I found a new hobby. Take a look above and see what you think.

Are you ready for the World Series? Baseball has really taken off, with the largest viewership for the playoffs in many years. When it comes to professional football, lots of empty seats in the stands. And politics has never been hotter in this country. So what is America’s favorite pastime? Football, baseball, or politics. Check out my column and see what you think. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

I’ll be out of the country this weekend.  Tough family wedding duty in San Miguel, Mexico, one of the premier tourism destination spots in the world. So you’re stuck with Leo Honeycutt and Rannah Gray this week.  I say”stuck” and just kidding, because they did a great show last week, and you can look forward to a lot of fun, review news of the week, and hear some in-depth interviews on this week’s show. So be sure and  tune in. Check local listings for times and stations. We will all see you on the radio.

The annual Louisiana Book Festival has grown in to one of the top readers and writers gatherings in the country. It will be held this weekend, October 28th, at the Louisiana State Capitol of Baton Rouge. Our publishing Company, The Lisburn Press, always has a presence at the book festival. Several of our authors will be speaking this year. For a complete list of speakers and presentations, Click Here. You can also find out about the various publications of The Lisburn Press by Clicking Here.

Check out the cover of this week’s New Yorker magazine. The world of automation is on us. A friend of mine here in Louisiana just ordered a driverless car. He says it can do anything, go pick up your kids from school, or anything else you want to program into the system. Government regulations require that someone be in the car. But it shows you how the world is changing. On my radio show this week, I talked about the future of robots. They will be caregivers, fix your dinner, clean your house, change your kid’s diapers, and do any number of amazing things. But look at all the people that will lose their jobs. My how the world is changing.

So it seems like the state of Louisiana threw this election party, and nobody showed up. The voter turnout in the recent statewide election was the lowest in memory. Nobody really seemed to care. The New Orleans Times Picayune blames it all on the voters, saying they should be ashamed of their abysmal apathy. But is it really the fault of the voters? Why in the heck does Louisiana have so many elections to begin with? I analyze the problem, and possible solutions in my new column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

So much in the news to talk about on this weekend’s radio program. An update on” taking a knee” by NFL football players. And what’s all this stuff about Bit Coins? Los Angeles attorney JR Landis will explain the rapid development of crypto currency and how it works. Is this the future of how we raise and spend money? American’s top restaurants, staying healthy, and some new good books all will be on the agenda. We will talk Napa Valley wildfires with winery owner Susie Selby (www.selbywinery.com), and how to survive a mass  shooting attack with former British Army Officer Chris Bird.  (www.rivateerpublications.com.).  So be sure and tune in for a lively program. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

Sally Quinn, noted journalist and news anchor, as well as the widow of Washington Post editor Ben Bradley, was a guest on my nationally syndicated radio program this last weekend. She has a fascinating book out called “Finding Magic-A Spiritual Memoir.” I stayed up late one evening reading it, and would highly recommend the book, where she talks of life in Washington, the news business and the magic she finds in religion and the occult. One of her best stories is about an incident where the FBI came to interview her and promised to keep her comments confidential. Her response? “I burst out laughing, Are you kidding?” I certainly have the same distrust of the FBI. You can find out more of her book by Clicking Here.

We live our daily lives, and are glad when the bad guys are arrested and put in jail. But sometimes, prosecutors mess up. By and large, we have good prosecutors at both the state and federal level. But there are bad eggs in every batch. A fellow named John Thompson quietly died last week. And he was the victim of one of the worst cases of prosecutorial misconduct that ever happened in America. And it never should’ve happened. Yet nothing, nothing will happen to those who falsely accused and then put this man in jail for 18 years. Read my new column now posted and see what you think. This is a real American tragedy. You can read it now by Clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

We are all set for a fast-paced and lively radio program this weekend. So much to talk about. Wild fires in California, the end of healthcare subsidies, and why do people become mass murders? Also, the sports princess, Kate Delaney joins us to talk about taking a knee on the football field. And finally, media personality and Washington insider Sally Quinn, who is the widow of Washington Post editor Ben Brantley, will join us to discuss her new book. So be sure and tune in. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

I’ve been a big Tom Petty musical fan for many years. He is one of America’s great songwriters, and, sadly, he died last week at the young age of 66. My favorite Petty rendition is his song “I Won’t Back Down.” The song is quite personal to me, because I relate it to my run in with the Justice Department, and the prosecutorial misconduct that has been allowed to fester in the New Orleans U.S. Attorney’s office. I talk about such misconduct in my new column posted this week. And I wrote about similar misconduct, in fact, outright criminal activity by prosecutors, in my book Justice Denied. Take a listen to Petty’s anthem for justice in America.

Have you weighed in on the “taking a knee” controversy as the Star Spangled Banner is being played at sporting events across the country? Does it really make any real difference if some use our national anthem to protest? Or is this the time and place? I must admit I have some pretty strong views about this issue as well as flying the American Flag. Take a look at my thoughts and see if you agree. You can read my new column now bye going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Hey, do we have a great radio show plan for this weekend. Our regular broadcasting time it’s Sunday morning, from 9 AM a.m. till 11 AM schedule time. Various stations round the country may rerun, or have different times, so check local listings for times and stations. Of course we’ll talk about the Las Vegas massacre. Should machine guns be illegal? Should a going to order be allowed to upgrade his rifle to machine gun by using a bump stock? Rich Emberlin will join us who is a 30 year law-enforcement veteran and has appeared on the number of TV shows discussing gun issues. Also, some people want to do away with Christopher Columbus statues and names. He was a slave owner. How far do we go? Andre DiMino represents the ‘Italian American One Voice Coalition’ and will join us to discuss. And finally, Richard Chamberlain, owner of Chamberlain’s Steak and Chophouse in Dallas, joins us to discuss how much to tip in a restaurant. So tune in for a lively show. We will see you on the radio.

Some folks up north just can’t seem to stop taking pot shots and the supposedly “backward” South. A few Yankee pundits are even calling for a wall. No, not to keep out Mexicans, but to block off southerners. When will these reprobates just let it go? I write about the north-south tensions in my new column week. Take a look and see what you think. You can read it now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Radio Program Schedule to be posted Friday Afternoon.

Familiar Evil is the title of one of the most gripping true crime stories published in recent years.  I t has won numerous awards. Check lout more about this book by Clicking Here.

Will the recent storms, the did so much damage in Texas and Florida, cause their insurance rates to go up? What makes the cost of insurance go up in the first place? Shouldn’t these companies be sticking back the money they’re taking in for a rainy day to pay out all the claims? And why does Florida have lower insurance rates then does Louisiana, even though much of Florida is exposed to hurricane damage? All these are questions I look into in this week’s column. You can read it now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Americans are extremely protective of their rights. We don’t want government interfering in anything we do. But how about the right to determine just when you shutdown your life? That does when government steps in, and says you have no choice. Is this right? Should you have a choice? Take a look at my column this week on the right to live in the right to die. See what you think. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Weekend radio we shaping up well, and we hope you’ll join us for lively show. We will talk to former United States Sen. John Breaux about the lack of cooperation in Washington. We will also talk with Seth Siegel, an expert on water throughout the world. And Jeff Dorson joins us to talk about dealing with dealing with pets in a time crisis. So check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

What a month for disasters. Hurricane Harvey caused great devastation in the Houston area as well as parts of Louisiana. And hurricane Irma destruction will take years to repair and recover. And it’s just not hurricanes. There’s a wave of natural disasters in the United States. Wildfires out west, tornadoes in the Panhandle, and flooding from coast-to-coast. States just can’t afford to deal with this problem by themselves. What’s the solution? I talk about it in this week’s column based on years of experience as an insurance regulator. You can read the column now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Wow, what a Radio weekend coming up! We will be following all the natural disasters. Free hurricanes in the gulf, and wildfires raging out west. And how about the immigration fight going on in Washington? What to do with all the children of the illegal immigrants that came in to this country. We will have several guests on to discuss. Finally, there’s a new study out saying that concussions continue to be a major problem, and that experts feel your child should not play competitive sports like football until they’re 18 years old. Any truth to this? We will discuss with Concussion Expert Dr. Sally Fryer Dietz. (www.concussion-therapy.com). So tune in for a lively program.   Check local listings for times and stations. See you on the radio.

Here is an outrageous example of a police officer going completely out of the bounds of his authority. Alex Wubbels, a nurse at University Hospital in Salt Lake City, was arrested after explaining to police that she couldn’t draw a blood sample from an unconscious person. A Salt Lake City police detective asked for a blood sample. After explaining to the detective that the police needed a warrant, consent from the unconscious patient or that the patient needed to be under arrest before the blood sample could be drawn, she was arrested..  As a lawyer, I can  tell you that Salt Lake City is  going to have a heck of a lawsuit on their hands.  And for good reason.  Check out the video below.

Houston remains under siege and the rescue operations will go on for weeks. Isn’t it ironic that almost 12 years ago to the day, Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana and the entire the Gulf Coast. In both storms, one of the saving graces was the Cajun Navy. Large contingents of Louisianans are in Texas right now with their bass boats or whatever they have to offer help. Were lessons learned from Katrina? Maybe not. Check out my thoughts in this week’s column. You can read it now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Why wasn’t our country called Columbia, after Christopher Columbus? He discovered the Americas, right? Columbus might well have had the new world named after him, had it not been for two shortcomings. The first was that Columbus was under the mistaken impression that he had found a new route to Asia and was not aware that America was an entirely new continent. The second was that he never wrote publicly about it so the masses were not aware of his discovery. Right after Chris comes another Italian explorer, Americus Vespuccius. He did write a great deal about the new world and the first map called the new nation America. But did you know that both Columbus and Vespuccius were slave traders? That’s right. So, to be politically correct, what do we do? Check out the cartoon below.

Are college football players considered little more than mascots? This seems to be the conclusion of a recent column in the New York Times where the college game his supposedly there to amuse the fans, with no respect for the players. And black football players particularly take it on the chin by the Times article, with specific reference to LSU football. And get this! Louisiana judges get into the mix for longer sentences on black defendants following an LSU upset. I kid you not!   To read more of these over-the-top conclusions, take a look at my new article now posted. You can read it now by Clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fight fan. And this Saturday night, August 26, is a big fight night out in Las Vegas. Former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather will come out of retirement to face UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor in a boxing match to determine the super welterweight champion of the world. Some are saying this will be the highest grossing fight in history. Seventy million dollars alone will be bet on this fight. And the odds say Mayweather will win as a big favorite. I don’t think so. McGregor is taller, has a longer reach, is much younger, and not the grandstander that Mayweather is. So get ready for a big upset.

It’s show time this weekend, and we will be on a major hurricane watch throughout entire Gulf South. What’s Harvey going to do? Severe weather expert Michael Smith will join us to discuss. (www.accuweather.com). And how about gas prices? Huge refineries in the hurricane’s path. Energy expert Wolf Hanschen will be our guest (http://www.peregrine1031.com). And can a plant-based diet help in healing? We will hear from Meg Donahue about her company MamaSezz, to get you healthy (www.mamasezz.com).   Check local listings for timing stations. We will see you on the radio.

Well, the solar eclipses over, but that doesn’t mean there are not other eclipses working across the country. Look below it what are common my opinion, continuing eclipse activity, both in politics, and of course the coming on slot of football season. I say we give politics rest for a while.

The tragedy in Charlottesville Virginia last week raises the profile of hate groups likes the Ku Klux Klan. Louisiana had been a hot bed of Klan activity back in the 50s and 60s, and many Americans are well aware that one of the top national Klansman, David Duke, came from Louisiana. He was so popular down in this part of the country back in the early 90s that he was elected as a state representative, and garnered a majority of the white vote in a race for governor. In my column this week, I look back on my own experiences with Ku Klux Klan activities. The local Klan members were pretty active in trying to keep me out of politics. You can read the column now by Clicking Here or by hitting the Red Flashing Box above.

It would be an understatement to say that we have a really big show lined up for this weekend. Is the Charlottesville tragedy the beginnings of many more such confrontations? Author Leslie Sorrell joins us to discuss. She’s written a new book: “From Clients to Crooks”“ An Insider reveals the real Washington DC.” (www.clientstocrooks.com.)  We will also talk with Louisiana publisher Stanley Nelson about the continuing presence of the KKK. His best selling book is called: ” Devils Walking,” about the story of the Klan in Louisiana and Mississippi. (Click Here for the book.)And we won’t forget the eclipse with psychic Vincent Genna to discuss Monday’s been event. (www.vincentgenna.com.) So join us for a heckuva program. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

 

Check out daughter Campbell talking about straight political talk on The Jon Stewart program.  Yes, she has stirred up a lot of controversy, but for good reasons as she explains. Take a look.

Wasn’t it Shakespeare who said, “The first thing you do is to kill all the lawyers?”Â  In this day and age, attorneys get blamed for just about any problem or wrong. That’s sure the case here in Louisiana when it comes to the highest automobile insurance rates in the nation. The politicians and insurance regulators always say it’s the lawyer’s fault. But it’s far, far from being that simple. Check out my new column now posted.  You can read it now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

It was on this week in 1974 that Richard Milhous Nixon resigned as president of the United States.  But did you know that former Louisiana secretary of state and insurance commissioner Jim Brown  (Me) almost ended up working for Nixon?  Here’s a remembrance from Brown’s syndicated newspaper column in April of this year.. Nixon became the first and only president to resign from office. Those of you too young to remember the events surrounding Watergate missed one of the most riveting episodes of American history. Nixon survived a number of bitter political fights, but he had always been able to bounce back. However, it was his own words in secret recordings that he personally authorized in the Oval Office that finally led to his downfall.  Take a look at my Nixon column that was written in the Spring.  You can read it now by Clicking Here.

Isn’t it terrible how so many local stores are closing. No more local bookstores, general stores and many other businesses where we used to go it, pass the time of day with the owner or clerk, maybe get a cup of coffee. I miss them. What made them close?  We all know that answer as you  can see in the cartoon below.  The internet has killed many of these local businesses off.  Some say it’s progress and convenience, but I personally miss them and the local shopping.

Then take a gander below again and see what the world is coming to.  Can a robot take away your job?  I hope not.

Louisiana State government is in a real fiscal mess. Over $1 billion in taxes are about to come to the end, with no responsible voice giving alternatives as to how to balance the state budget. What’s a poor governor to do? Actually, there are number of ways to build in some financial responsibility and stability. It just takes a little foresight. I write about it in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

Our weekend radio show is close at hand, and we have a lively program scheduled. First up, we will talk about Answers from the Afterlife, new book by Dr. Nancy Danison. www.backwardsbooks.com). She will discuss her after death experience, and how it affected her as an attorney. Next up will be our show, Ken Abramowitz will also join us who co-founded NGN capital, and is intimately familiar with the new tax plans from the Trump administration. And finally, with a major eclipse scheduled for August 21st, we will talk with Kelly Beatty to let you know the best place to watch the eclipse. He is the publisher of Sky and Telescope magazine. So join us for a lively program. We will see you on the radio. Check local listings for times and stations.

I’ve ben a big fan of the Fred Eaglesmith traveling music show for years. Fred is a Canadian, but comes to my home town of Baton Rouge once or twice a year to play at the Red Dragon Listening Room. I’m always in that number. Take a listen to Fred and his band below.

The tragedy in Charlottesville Virginia last week raises the profile of hate groups likes the Ku Klux Klan. Louisiana had been a hot bed of Klan activity back in the 50s and 60s, and many Americans are well aware that one of the top national Klansman, David Duke, came from Louisiana. He was so popular down in this part of the country back in the early 90s that he was elected as a state representative, and garnered a majority of the white vote in a race for governor. In my column this week, I look back on my own experiences with Ku Klux Klan activities. The local Klan members were pretty active in trying to keep me out of politics. You can read the column now by Clicking Here or going to the Red Flashing Box above.

So how about it? Are you and your family going to take a summer vacation? That’s something we all used to do, and often for several weeks. It was an American tradition. But it seems to be no more. Putting all your electronics aside, and curling up with a good beach book or just lounging and having family time, to many, are things of the past. I think it’s a big mistake to pass on getting away for a while. The job will be there, and virtually everything you feel you have to do can wait. Take a look at my thoughts about the importance of summer vacations. You can read them now by clicking on the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

We have the whole Radio “Common Sense” team together this weekend for a lively program. The president’s health care failure. What does it mean for our future? Healthcare expert and environmental professor Dr. Ellen Moyer,
says America is nowhere near a solution to putting health back into healthcare. (www.ellenmoyerphd.com).

She will join us to discuss.  And a new study showing that the vast majority of football players end up with head trauma. Dr. Brandon Brock (www.cerebrum.com ) will join us to discuss. Also, we have a solar eclipse coming in just several weeks. Is this an omen about bad things to come? Vincent Genna is a world-renowned psychic medium and healer, and will give us his thoughts. So a fully packed show. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

I really enjoy listening to somewhat eccentric outlaw Texas singers. Ramsey Midwood is one of the best. We had a nice visit during his recent gig at the Red Dragon Listening Room last weekend in Baton Rouge. I hope he comes back to play again soon. Check out his unique style in the video below.

If you try to list American heroes that had a profound effect on the saving of Louisiana during the early years of this country, two statesmen at top the list would be Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase from the French, and Jackson saved the state at the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson and Jefferson were instrumental in forming the Democratic Party. So how are they acknowledged by Louisiana Democrats? They are wiping their names off the history books. You can read my new column about the ridiculous bumbling’s of Louisiana Democrats. To read it now, click on the Flashing Red Box above, or by Clicking Here.

I first ran for office back in 1972. There was a basic way of campaigning by passing out cards, doing a little radio, and if you could afford it, maybe a little TV. Boy how the landscape has changed in running for public office today. Social media has transformed the art of networking with voters no matter how big the district. From Donald Trump, to the local sheriff, using social media has become the wave of the future. I talked about it at length with BayouBuzz publisher Steve Sabaladosky this week. You can see our whole discussion by looking at the video below.

I generally do not watch the reality shows on TV. America’s Got Talent is one of the most popular. But every now and then, I’ll stumble across a very unique act that is well worth watching. In fact, sometimes it brings tears to your eyes. Take a look at the video below. It involves a young girl named Darci Lynne: 12-Year-Old Singing Ventriloquist. It takes a real talent to talk without moving your lips. Wow, is this young lady special. Take a look.

Going up high in the Blue Ridge Mountains would seem to get one about as far away from Louisiana as you could go. But I found in my travels, all over the world, that you can’t really get away from the Bayou State. Whether you are from Louisiana or not, people everywhere seem to have fond memories of Louisiana food, music, sports, and a variety of other unique factors that make the deepest of the deep southern states such an attractive place to live. Take a look at my new column about fly-fishing, memories, and continuing relationships with Louisiana. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.

A busy radio show is scheduled for this weekend. We of course will talk about healthcare, so important to so many of us. What’s the status in Washington? Then, have you heard the news about snorting chocolate? That’s right, some people are actually snorting this great tasting stuff up their nose. Dr. Myers Hurt from the Dallas area will join us to discuss this weird trend. His website is www.diamondphysicians.com. And a successful blind author will join us, who has written an important new book. David Faucheux has written  “A Year in the Life of a Blind Bibliophile,” and you can find out more by Clicking Here.  So join us for a lively program. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

Former Louisiana Gov. John J McKeithen had quite an influence on me. He was the guy that got me interested in politics. A lot of people looked on him as a small town redneck politician, who was lucky to make it to the governor’s mansion. And maybe he was. But he surely grew in office, and I call him Louisiana’s transition governor. He brought the state full blast into the 20th Century. You can read my new column about my personal relationship with Gov. McKeithen in my new column now posted. To read it, Click Here.

I’m still playing hooky up in the North Carolina mountains, and tuning out from the world. No Wi-Fi connections, put my cell phone on hold, just curling up with good books, doing some hiking and some flyfishing. So you’re stuck with Leo Honeycutt and Ronna Gray this week.  I say”stuck” in just, because they did a great show last week, and you look forward to a lot of fun, review news of the week, and hear some in-depth interviews on this week’s show. So be sure and  tune in. Check local listings for times and stations. We will all see you on the radio.

It takes a lot of gumption and fortitude to be the only Democratic governor in the entire south, and a governor coming from a state that has a huge republican base. You’ve got a handed to John Bel Edwards. He’s or site he is a fighter and survivor. But will his political persuasion last? Does he have any chance at all of being reelected? I examine his chances in this week’s column. And then there’s that “ “vision thing.” Check it out right now to see what ol’ John Bel needs to do to have any future in Louisiana politics. You can read it now by Clicking Here.

Co-hosts Leo Honeycutt and Rannah Gray will fill in this weekend on the “Common Sense” radio program.  I’ll be in the North Carolina mountains, but I’ll be tuning in for a lively and fun-filled show. I hope you  will too.  Check local listings for times and stations.  See you on the radio!

It’s difficult for many younger people to understand the world tensions it took place over the building of the Berlin wall. Most Americans remember the famous line by Ronald Reagan when he traveled through the wall over 30 years ago when he said: “Mr.Gorbachev take down that wall.” I have vivid memories of the tensions between the East and the West, and traveled to East Berlin crossing under the wall. This event is the subject of this week’s column, and you can read it now by Clicking Here.

Our weekend Common Sense Radio Show is close at hand, and we have a lively program scheduled for our stations and listeners across America. We will bring in a little religion (Hey, the show is Sunday isn’t it?) New York Timers best selling author Rob Bell will join us to discuss his new book WHAT IS THE BIBLE?: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything. Then we will talk about the new Republican  healthcare legislation with insurance expert Roger Abramson.  Doe the law help or hurt most Americans?  Roger’s website is www.ameriflex.com. And much more. So join us for a full packed show. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

Is America fast becoming a fractured society sitting on a foundation of hate? We are doing some needed soul searching after the tragic shooting of our god friend, Congressman Steve Scalise. Our governmental houses, silos of partisan-cable news, and social media are not throwing food but weapons of mass destructiveness. Instead of our focusing on the possible solutions to solve our differences among us, we’re debating who is being the more careless with our words and actions.  As the temperature rises and the anger mounts, for some, the focus has turned to an even yet-political argument over who is the more irresponsible, the more violent?  I talk about it in the interview with BayouBuzz publisher Steve Sabludowsky show below.

Daughter Campbell, since January, has been Head of News Partnerships for Facebook, and says it was important to equip people with the tools make informed decisions on the type of content they share.  Below are her recent comments to the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong.

Who would’ve thought that and early morning baseball game in the suburbs of Washington DC would lead to mass shootings, and the serious injury of a Louisiana congressman? Every TV network covered the shootings for hours. But the shooting in the nation’s capital not the only place that killers are loose. New Orleans, down here in the Bayou State, is hands down the murder capital of America. And has one of the worst murder rates in the entire world. What’s the problem and I will get any better? Take a look at my thoughts in this week’s column. You can read it now by Clicking Here or by going to the Red Flashing Box above.

What a week that just went by. Louisiana’s own Steve Scalise, the number three ranking House member in Washington, who is still fighting to recover. Should all members of Congress have Secret Service protection? We’ll talk to gun law expert Edwin Walker. (www.uslawshield.com ). And how about the sale of Whole Foods, bought up by Amazon? Will this change the way we shop? We will talk with and expert on disruptive innovation, Alex Doubet (www.doorhomes.com ). Also, Happy Father’s Day. So join us for a lively program. Check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

Hangin’ out with my buddy Jay Leno. (Yeah, right!). He put on a great show at L’Auberge in Baton Rouge this past Friday night. I shared a few of my jokes with him, but he didn’t seem too impressed.

We hear a lot about states rights, but it seems like the federal government is taking over everything. That’s certainly true in the case of crimes. When the county was first founded, there were three federal crimes. Today there’re over 5000. We seem to be criminalizing and trivializing many things that Americans do every day. Is this the right thing to do? Check out my new column now posted. You can read it by Clicking Here.

Wow, what a weekend radio program we have lined up for you. Sunday will be the big day, where we’ll have a team of experts analyze the whole Donald Trump”“ FBI fiasco. Was James Comey believable? And did Trump suffer any real damage? We will discuss. Also, Dr. Donna Barsky, a Dallas compound pharmacist (http://www.texasstarpharmacy.com), will join us to talk about how to reduce basic health care costs. So a full program, and check local listings for times and stations. We will see you on the radio.

I grew up in St. Louis, and Budweiser beer was a way of life there. Now I’m not much of a beer drinker. But this is a great commercial below. Take a look.

While in California I needed to go to the emergency room. Not wanting to sit there for 4 hours, I put on my Magic Green Hat. When I went into the E.R., I noticed that 3/4 of the people got up and left. I guess they decided that they weren’t that sick after all. Cut at least 3 hours off my waiting time. Here’s the hat: Below.

It also works at Dept. of Motor Vehicles. It saved me 5 hours. At the Laundromat, three minutes after entering, I had my choice of any machine, most still running. If you live in Texas, it might cut your wait time at the grocery store. But, don’t try it at McDonald’s. The whole crew ran out the back door and I never did get my order!

President Trump just returned from a trip to the Middle East. But can he really make any difference? Arabs throughout the Middle East have been fighting each other for two centuries.  And many other countries have tried to conquer a number of different Arab nations, but it became a quagmire for them. Can Trump actually find any way to bring peace and solve the Middle Eastern crisis? Or is he on a quixotic quest that is doomed for failure? Check out my new column and see what you think. You can read it now by Clicking Here.

There is a show much going on throughout the country and throughout the world, and our Common Sense radio program will have a lot to cover this weekend. Bombings in London, rejection of climate change, Washington investigations, and so much else. We will also talk with Catherine Marrs, who was a certified educational consultant, about the massive amount of student loans that are owed by college students. Should you and I have to pay these loans off? We will discuss. So tune in for lively radio program. See you on the radio.

A 23-year-old Texas man is under arrest after authorities say he was shot during a scuffle with a Louisiana Supreme Court officer in the New Orleans French Quarter late Saturday night (May 27). But check out this strange video about the incident. What caught my eye is that the police officer is struggling with the attacker, and a large number people just stand around laughing and taking photos. Someone finally mentions they should call 911, but nobody apparently does. What were all these goofballs doing just standing there? A weird time in which we live. Check out the video below.

Hey, I’m a big baseball fan it’s a treat to see your brawl take place every now and then.   And there was a real doozy over the weekend. Benches cleared during Monday’s Giants”“Nationals game after Hunter Strickland nailed Bryce Harper with a pitch. The brawl occurred in the top of the eighth inning with the Nationals leading 2″“0 at AT&T Park. Strickland hit Harper in the leg, and Harper proceeded to charge the mound. After throwing his helmet in Strickland’s direction and pointing at him, it was on. The players exchanged punches as both benches raced to the mound, turning the incident into an all-out brawl.  Great to see a good fight to spice up the game. See the confrontation below.

For over 80 years, Louisiana has been a major oil producer, and state government has been dependent on this royalty income. But has the Bayou State really received its fair share? Many people think not. In other states with lots of lots of mineral income, there is a much higher percentage of royalty payments received. Louisiana gets a pittance. How come the state has gotten such a shortage? Take a look at my new column and see what you think. Passed political mistakes have cost Louisiana taxpayers billions of dollars. You can read the column now by Clicking Here.

A great Memorial Day show lined up for the weekend. We will talk about the importance of remembering Memorial Day, not just for a break to the beach. It should mean much more to every American. Then we will talk about what you can do to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s. Michael Morgan will join us and has written an interesting new book called “The Body Energy Longevity Prescription: How Cranio Sacral Therapy Helps Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia While Improving the Quality of Your Life.”

And since it’s a big holiday weekend we certainly have to talk about good food and ways to make it taste better. Richard Chamberlain is the owner of Chamberlain’s Steak and Chophouse in Dallas.  He’s consistently recognized by the world’s top restaurant and dining publications, including Bon Appetit, Zagat, and Gourmet magazine. He can offer grilling tips and doesn’t mind media calls over the holiday weekend.Finally, let’s go to the movies with Bryan Jefferies who is a top guy with Cinemark, one of the nation’s largest theater chains. So join us for a lively program. Check local listings for times and stations. See you on the radio.

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 for the military, said he had “other priorities.”Â  They don’t think it’s all that important to serve one’s country.  Spoken like a true chicken hawk.  I’m proud of my military service.  The Army and the National Guard for 12 years.  From time to time, I get out my old uniform (it still fits).  Take a look at the moving video below about being proud of military service.

Anyone who looks over the structure of the Louisiana government will come to one conclusion. The make up of the state, and the way it is run, hasn’t change in over 100 years. There are inefficiencies glory, duplicated services, out of date practices, and a major waste of money on both the state and local level. There’s got to be a better way to skin the cat. When the Legislature meets, consolidation seems to be almost a dirty word. What can be done about it? Take a look at my new column now posted. You can read it by Clicking Here.