Red states, Blue states, the country is full of a number of states that overwhelming support one party or the other.  Louisiana has become solidly Republican while states like California and New York are firmly in the democratic column.  This is certainly one of the most important elections in modern history.  But if you live in strong red states or blue states, your vote is looked upon as irrelevant to the process.  Your say on who will win American Idol has more influence than who will be the next president of the United States. There has to be a better way than the present outmoded and outdated Electoral College, where a candidate with fewer votes can still win.  Take a look at my thoughts on this controversial issue in my new column now posted.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by Clicking on the flashing red box at the top of this site.

And here is a pretty balanced view of both sides of this debate over abolishing the electorial debate in the video below.

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So much news to cover.  So little time.  That’s my dilemma for this Sunday’s “Common Sense” nationally syndicated radio show. We of course have to give the nation a”flood update.”Â  It’s a national story of the disruption of thousands of peoples’ live and a huge economic disruption for the entire country.  And sad to say, the high waters will continue for weeks to come.

And how about that new test developed in England that can tell you how long you have to live?  Would you take it?  Or do you really want to know?  This controversial test measures how fast someone is aging, and does so by measuring vital structures on the tips of a person’s chromosomes.  So if the test works, will it be misused by your banks and insurance companies when you take out a loan or life insurance?  Lots of troubling gut important questions to be discussed this weekend.

With all the political controversial throughout the country, why is it so difficult to get various groups to work together and set some realistic national goals?  This question is addressed by my guest Linda Stout in her new book, “Collective Visioning.” Linda will join us in our second hour this weekend and you get more information about her new book by Clicking Here.  So be sure and tune in this weekend for a lively radio program.

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE JIM BROWN WEBSITE AND THE  “COMMON SENSE” RADIO PROGRAM.

1)    Follow @JimBrownla on Twitter and share (tweet or retweet, as it’s known in Twitter-speak) likes to recent articles and videos on the Jim Brown site.

2)    Become a friend of Jim Brown on Facebook. If you are a member of Facebook, you can go to Jim’s Facebook account by Clicking Here.

3)    Become a subscriber to Jim’s regular columns and radio show up dates by signing up in the box at upper right on this page.

4)    Download the Jim Brown free app that brings every reader to your IPhone.  Available for download from iTunes.

5)    Email Jim’s weekly columns to friends who you think might enjoy reading some non partisan “Common Sense” views of the country.

Jim Brown’s Common Sense

Old politicians never die, but they do get together once a year for a reunion.  My first elected office was to the Louisiana state senate back in 1971.  Former senators traditionally get together each May at the Louisianan state Capitol in Baton Rouge, and it’s nice to see old faces and renew acquaintances.  Actually, since I was one of the younger elected officials back in the 70s, many of my colleges have passed on.  Shown are a few old friends below.

Judge Oswald Decuir (above) has been a long time friend, even before we both were elected to office.  He came to the Senate about the time I moved on to being Louisiana’s Secretary of State.

Mark Moriel (above) was a Senator, and then went on to be Mayor of New Orleans following in his father’s footsteps.  He now heads up the National Urban League in New York.  Mark’s dad, Dutch Moriel, practiced law with me for a while in the late 1980s and passed away too soon.

My Senate district was No. 32, encompassing a good bit of Northeast Louisiana.  Pictured above are the four fellows that followed me as Senators.   From left to right, yours truly, Steve Thompson, Dan Richey, Neil Riser and Noble Ellington.

A 13-year-old boy in Washington state faced federal interrogation by a Secret Service agent over a Facebook posting that warned President Obama of suicide bombers, q13fox.com reports. Vito LaPinta of Tacoma, Wash., said he posted a message on Facebook after Osama bin Laden’s death, saying Obama should be careful of possible retaliatory acts against him by other terror members, according to the station. “I was saying how Osama was dead and for Obama to be careful because there could be suicide bombers,” the boy told the station. A week later, the boy said a man walked into Truman Middle School “with a suit and glasses and he said he was part of the Secret Service.” Questioning a 13 yer old kid without his mother even being notified? A petty lame effort on the part of the Feds on this one. The mother is fully justified to be upset, especially when the kid did nothing wrong.

Flooding up and down the Mississippi River has become the paramount concern for hundreds of thousands of people as the water continues to rise. And more rain is expected in the days to come. As of right now, predictions are that water levels up and down the river will exceed those reached in the 1927 disaster. And no one really knows how bad it will get. Why is the flooding so bad this year? Take a look at my new column just posted where I write about the current high water and similar rising rivers in years past. Is Randy Newman right when he sings about how “”¦their goin’ to wash us away?” You can read my column right now by Clicking Here or by going to the red flashing box above.

We will be broadcasting the Common Sense Radio Program this weekend live from Pensacola, Florida.  Our audience there can listen to us over WNVY-1070 AM and also on WVJT-610 AM.   Are great audience in Pensacola, and not a bad place to hang out for a few days”¦right?  I spent many a summer on Romar Beach, right on the Alabama-Florida line about 30 miles from Pensacola, so I know this region well.  A must stop will be at Joe Patti’s Seafood, which has to be one of the best seafood markets I the country.

The dangers of flooding continue to grow, and we are facing some major problems up and down the Mighty Mississippi.  This is the subject of my column just posted, and we will certainly give updates on this weekend’s show.  You can read the column by Clicking Here. And I’ll get my listeners views of the fact that the New York City public library, run with both  city, state and federal funding, allows visitors to go to porn sites on the library computers.  Free Speech or a real lack of Common Sense?

Following the killing of Osama Bin Laden, my guest is Col. Brad Taylor who was a Special Forces officer and the author of a great new novel, One Rough Man. Col. Taylor will give some insights as to how Bin Laden was captured.  You can find out more  on his book by Clicking Here.

And finally, a repeat guest on our show will be Steve Berry, who will discuss his New York Times best seller, The Jefferson Key.  Steve concludes that we might not just be following the constitution in many things going on in this country today. More on Steve’s book by Clicking Here.  This and much more all on this weekend’s show.  Be sure and tune in or check out the podcast.

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE JIM BROWN WEBSITE AND THE  “COMMON SENSE” RADIO PROGRAM.

1)    Follow @JimBrownla on Twitter and share (tweet or retweet, as it’s known in Twitter-speak) likes to recent articles and videos on the Jim Brown site.

2)    Become a friend of Jim Brown on Facebook. If you are a member of Facebook, you can go to Jim’s Facebook account by Clicking Here.

3)    Become a subscriber to Jim’s regular columns and radio show up dates by signing up in the box at upper right on this page.

4)    Download the Jim Brown free app that brings every reader to your IPhone.  Available for download from iTunes.

5)    Email Jim’s weekly columns to friends who you think might enjoy reading some non partisan “Common Sense” views of the country.

Jim Brown’s Common Sense

Affiliate Radio Stations

There has to be a better reason for why the chicken crossed the road than just because he wanted to get to the other side…right? So I checked out what a number of celebs thought. Take a look. Just why did the chicken cross the road?

SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because gosh-darn it, he’s a maverick!

BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn’t about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don’t really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where’s my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken’s intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won’t realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he’s acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I’m going to give this chicken a NEW CAR so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he’s guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer’s Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I’ve not
been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can’t you people see the plain truth? That’s why they call it the ‘other side.’ Yes, my friends, That chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the Liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like ‘the other side.’ That chicken should not be crossing the road. It’s as plain and as simple as that.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn’t ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn’t that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish it’s lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2011, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2011. This new platform is much more stable and will never reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

The following is video of a young Chinese woman playing the piano and I’ll just bet it is about to make your day.  It may cause you to examine the excuses you make not to tackle those major challenges in your own life. This young lady plays with beauty and grace.

“Souvenir D’enfance” by Richard Clayderman is not an easy piece to play. She plays beautifully, with the sort of lyrical maturity not often found in those new to their instruments.  Even more impressive, she first sat down at a piano a mere 3 years ago. But be sure you do this.   Watch her hands closely.  You will be amazed.  It’s inspiring s to just what an individual can overcome.

WILL OSAMA BIN LADEN

CONTINUE TO HAUNT US?

The most wanted war criminal in the world is now dead.  And it is for good reason that Americans are enthralled over his death. So do we now go back to our life before 9/11?  Or will we find that in death as in his life, bin Laden will continue to haunt us?  I hate to say it but this devil’s henchman will be a major thorn in our side, affecting the way will continue to live, for many years to come.  Take a look at my new column now posted, and see if you agree.  You can read it now by Clicking here, or by going to the flashing red box above.

And when Donald Trump herd that the President said Bi Laden was dead, what was his reaction?  See below.

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We have a busy and really informative radio show lined up for this week at stations nationwide on the Genesis Communications network, and we hope you will be able to listen. Let’s first welcome several new stations to our fast growing network.
Omaha, Nebraska KLNG ““ 1560am
Valdosta, Georgia WTHV- 810am
Ashland, Oregon KSKQ 94.9fm

Of course, we will take a look at the consequences of Osama bin Laden’s death, and how it will affect our safety in the future. Take a look at this week’s column that concludes bin Laden is dead but his effect on our American way of life continues. Will we ever get our basic freedoms back? We will talk abut it this weekend.

Don’t forget it is Mother’s Day. Mothering today is trickier than ever before,” says gender/relationships expert and bestselling author Susan Shapiro Barash) whose latest book, “You’re Grounded Forever”¦But First, Let’s Go Shopping” examines the mother-daughter bond. (Click Here for more information.) Susan joins us in the second hour of the show.

We will also talk with author Deanna Fei, who takes us on a tour of three generations of Chinese families, and how women are emerging more and more as important influences in the growth of modern day China. Her new book is called “A Thread of Sky.” (Click Here for more information.) So join us this weekend on our local station, or by listening on line right here on this site. See you on the radio.

Most states throughout the country, like all gulf coast states down here were I live, have problems of both insurance affordability and availability.  But there is a big  difference between the other states and the Bayou state.  Other states are  giving the problem serious attention.  It’s a front and center concern for the governors, the legislature, insurance regulators, and the news media.   In Louisiana where I live, there is hardly a whisper.  Why?  when we are talking about Louisiana policyholders spending some 3 billion dollars more than they should be?  Take a look at my new column now posted to see what should be done.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by going to the flashing red box at the top of this page.

As a side note, boy do  I have a big weekend planned.  I’ll be in that number to see the Hornets play the Lakers in the playoffs, then stay in New Orleans for the Zurich Open Golf classic.  And finally, JazzFest, the biggest outdoor music festival in the world.  I top this off with my radio show, so come on down if you want to join me for one heck of a weekend.

This week’s “Common sense” radio program will cover a list of topics that should generate a lively discussion.  How about the fact that both parties in Washington are being hypocritical when it comes to getting a handle on the deficit.  And raising the debt ceiling.  When a republican president s in office, republican congressmen are all for it, but against it if there is a democrat in charge.  And visa versa.  And how about the NFL lock out?  If it continues and the courts rule for complete free agency like the player’s association wants, could it mean the end to smaller football markets like green Bay and New Orleans?

Educational reform (or the lack there of) will be a topic with Dr. Jeffrey Jones, who will talk about his new book, “Officially Pathetic.”Â  You can read about Dr. Jones and his book by Clicking Here.

And I will also be joined by Professor David Sehat, a history professor at Georgia State University, and author of “The Myth of American religious freedom.”Â  Just what did our founders mean when it came to religious freedom, and were they all that religious?  Dr. Sehat’s book is listed by Clicking here.

Finally, we will talk to Dr. Scott Jackson, a dermatologist in Baton Rouge, about the prevalence of skin cancer, and what you need to do as summer heats up.  So a busy weekend, and we hope you will be listening to Jim Brown’s “Common sense on your local station, right here on the web live or by pod cast.  See you on the radio.

Dr. Scott Jackson

My friend Andy Borowitz has made a startling discovery. In a stunning announcement that took even political insiders by surprise, Andy has revealed that President Barack Obama ran for President of Kenya in 2005 but was disqualified when a birth certificate surfaced showing he was born in the United States.

Andy was able to flush out the President, who had to immediately call a press conference at the White House. Mr. Obama spoke for the first time about his little-known unsuccessful foray into Kenyan politics: “Like every American boy or girl, I grew up with the dream of someday becoming President of Kenya.”

But soon after he entered the race Andy says, political opponents began spreading rumors that he was not “a real Kenyan,” the President said, and foiled his bid by disseminating copies of his authentic American birth certificate.

“I guess I didn’t look into the rules closely enough before I ran,” the President admitted. “I got caught up in the excitement of being President of Kenya and I guess I just got carried away.”

Andy also reported that Lisimba Ogongo, a Nairobi talk radio host who spearheaded the effort to unearth Mr. Obama’s U.S. birth certificate, confirmed Mr. Obama’s version of events today.

“I felt strongly that the people of Kenya deserved the truth,” Mr. Ogongo said. “We were not about to elect a President of Kenya who was really a secret Hawaiian.”

Andy’s other flash news reports? Donald Trump found himself under renewed pressure to produce all of his authentic marriage certificates, believed to number in the thousands. To read Andy Borowitz’s daily thoughts, just Click Here.

We all like to hear really great versions of the star Spangled banner, and from time to time, a really great rendition is heard at a public event.  Here’s one of my favorites by the Cactus Cuties.  They have gone on to perform any number of songs, but this was one of their first.  Take a listen.

BARRY BONDS AND THE GREAT

AMERICAN WITCH HUNT!

Now let me try to understand. Bankers, investment brokers and insurance magnets, whose greed and fraud reached into every household in America, don’t even get as much as a slap on the wrist.  But home run champ Barry Bonds will go to jail as the scapegoat for major League Baseball, which choose to turn a blind eye to how much drugs had infected the sport.  In walks the federal government who took on the role of the omnipotent umpire.  When all is said and done, all parties to this pathetic case are real losers including the prosecutors.  Now that’s what I think.  You can read my full opinion and evaluation of this troubling case by Clicking Here or by Clicking on the flashing red box at the top of this site.  And  take a look at some of the reaction to Bonds’ conviction below, particularly the first video of comments by Judge Andrew Napolitano.

Several new radio stations have signed up for the Common sense radio show, and I am looking forward to a lively Easter weekend show.  Is the Lenten season still important to many of my listeners?  We will talk about it.  On the national scene, what happened to any creative thinking in both political parties? Are there any visionaries left in Washington or in our state capitols?  And a new poll just out says Americans across the country overwhelming want to elect their judges. What do you think?  We will talk abut it.

I’m amazed at the number of people I come across who have diabetes.  There is a new book out that offers a cure, by Dr. Gabriel Cousens, called “Cure for diabetes.” Dr. Cousens will be a guest on my show during the first hour to discuss this important subject.  Full information about her popular new book is listed below and by Clicking Here.

In the second hour, I’ll talk with Stephanie Vance who will discuss her new book, Citizens in Action.  If you are tired of the political rhetoric with no results, listen to what Stephanie says you, as an average citizen can do to hold elected officials more accountable.  More information about her book can be found by Clicking Here

.

And we welcome new stations WLMA am (1450) in Chattanooga, Tenn. as well as KSKQ fm(94.9) in Eagle Point, Oregon. See you this weekend on the radio.

This short film illustrates the power of words to radically change your message and your effect upon the world. Take a look.

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Like most of you, I’m a big Clint Eastwood fan. It would be hard for me to pick just one of Clint’s movies I’d call my favorite. The list of his really first rate pictures go on and on. And he seems to get better as the years go by. I’ve watched Firefox many times. The Outlaw Josey Wales is a real favorite. Of course all the Dirty harry movies. But my favorites are the spaghetti westerns. Low budget and made in Italy, I always have liked The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Take a look below at how the orchestra actually played this compelling them song.

Oh, here’s a photo of my buddy Clint and me some years back.

WAS THE CIVIL WAR REALLY NECESSARY?

One Hundred and Fifty years ago this week, the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in South Carolina.  During the next four years, carnage, mayhem and death were the order of day after day.  By the time the dust settled and the South had surrendered, some 620,000 soldiers had died on the battle field..  Fifteen decades later, here’s the question that needs to be asked:  Was it really necessary to have this war?  Take a look at my new column to see if you agree.  You can read it now by Clicking Here or by going to the flashing red box at the top of this page.

Aftermath of the Civil War and Angels in your life highlight my weekend radio show this week. One hundred and fifty years have gone by and America is still fighting some of the same battles that tore our country apart in the 1850s. Invariable, extremism polarizes the debate, and the more “Common Sense” view often gets cast aside. Bestselling author David Goldfield joins me from Charlotte, North Carolina to discuss extremism and the Civil war. His new book, called “America Aflame, How the Civil War created a Nation,” is at the top of the list for recent civil war books. His new book was reviewed in the New York Times last week, and can be read by Clicking Here.

And do you have a Guardian Angel? Author Lorna Byrne thinks so, and talks about her theories from her international bestseller, Angels in my Hair. Find out just what it means to have a Guardian Angel, and why her books are so popular worldwide. She will be joining my show from Ireland. You can read all about your guardian Angel by Clicking Here.

We also want to welcome a number of new stations that carry Jim Brown’s Common Sense program each weekend. New stations include:

WITK 1550am Scranton, PA
KCXL 1140am Kansas City, KS
KLID 1340am Poplar Bluff, MO
KSKQ 94.9fm Ashland, OR
WSIC 1400am Statesville, NC
WDSL 1520am Mocksville, NC
WLRM 1380am Memphis, TN

See you this weekend on the radio, and my show is available by podcast at top of this page.

Springtime brings nature alive and all of us like to get out and about”¦including some of our animal friends.  I’ve had the chance to be up in the northwest and see elk roam freely, even in small towns.  The video below shows you want many folks up north see every spring.  Quite a sight.

A repugnant decision was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court that casts dispersion on any sense of fairness in both the federal and state judicial system.  A New Orleans man spent 18 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.  Sometimes the prosecutors get it wrong.  But in this case, it was a calculated effort to cover up the truth.  Jim Brown’s new column tells a chilling story right out of a John Grisham novel.  Unfortunately, it’s a true story this time.  A chilly, disgusting, and ugly story about prosecutors in New Orleans and an uncaring U. S. Supreme Court.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or hitting the red flashing box above.

Another week goes by, and we are close to a new “˜Common sense” radio program to be aired.  The regular broadcast time is live on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am until 11:00 am central time.  But a number of our affiliated network run “Common Sense” at other times throughout the week, so check your local station to verify the exact time.  Our program is listened to by over 400,000 listeners on the worldwide web alone.  And can you believe that some 20% of the listening audience is from outside the United States?  We also want to welcome new listeners this week on station WWNL, 1080 AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

We broadcast live his week from Shreveport, Louisiana, where listeners hear the “˜Common Sense” show on KIOU-1480 on the AM dial.  I’ll begin the show by taking a look at presidential politics.  How many really serious candidates are emerging from the Republican ranks?  And we will talk about what the Founding fathers would say about the hot-button issues of the day with author Larry Schweikart, who has a New York Times best seller in “What Would the Founders Say?“Â  His book is listed by Clicking Here.

And how do you respond when the doctor say “There’s No Cure” to  a serious health problem?  Do you just accept the outcome or become pro active?  We will talk with Jerry Smith about his new book “Does God Give Us More Than We can Bear? You can find out about Jerry by Clicking Here. So a full agenda on the “Common sense” network of stations this coming week.  I’ll see you on the radio.

Several friends sent me the list below of how Japanese citizens weathered the after effects of their recent terrible, tsunami and earthquake.  There are certainly comparisons to Katrina when we heard so much of looting,violence,  price gouging, and government incompetence.  Take a look at the list below to see how the two tragedies compare, and I’ll let you make your own judgment.

It seems like problems in the Middle East continue to grow by the week.  And we still have not found Bin Laden.  Ater all these years, why can’t we get the guy?  So I turned to my Italian buddy Mike Marino, who seems to have it pretty well figured out.  Take a look below at how Mike would solve the problem if he were President.

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MARCH MADNESS-

ARE ATHLETES BEING SHORT CHANGED?

Millions of rabid college basketball fans have been glued to their TVs over the past month as March Madness reached its crescendo this Monday night.  My North Carolina Tar Heels came close in an effort to win its second national title in the past five years.  And the big bucks have been rolling in.  There are lots of winners, with coaches getting big salaries, and colleges spiting up their percentage of huge TV and admission revenues.  But there is one group that is being both exploited and shortchanged. It’s the players, themselves.  Take a look at my thoughts on how unfair the system is to the college kids who carry the load.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by clicking on the flashing box at top of this site.  And check out my video cast at upper fight to see commentary on this same subject.

My weekend radio show is shaping up with a jam packed topic lists and some really interesting guests.  Please note that a number of new stations tat have recently joined the {Common sense’ network, run the program at varying times throughout the weekend.  My show runs live on Sunday Mornings from 9:00 am until 11:00 am central time.  But check your local affiliate station for a number of stations run “Common Sense“ on both Saturday night and Sunday night, and often several times each over the weekend.   Here are few more stations that have recently joined our network and who run my show on Saturday evening.

 Banning, California  KMET 1490 AM

Lakeland, Florida    WWAM  1330 AM

Pensacola, Florida   WVTJ  610 AM

Hahira, Georgia       WTHV  810 AM

Moultrie, Georgia   WHBS  1400 AM 

 Our show begins with an over view of the Middle East, and Presidential politics.  Then I will be joined by Daniel Rasmussen, telling the chilling story and discussing his new book “American Uprising–The Untold story of America’s Largest Slave Revolt,”Â  all that took place here in Louisiana in the 1850s.  Information on this book is found by Clicking Here.

 And are you and your family doing a good job of managing your money? Bethany and Scott Palmer join the show to discuss how couples need to frankly communicate abut their money.  Their new book is a best seller called “First Comes Love, Then Comes Money.”  Here is informaion about their popular book by Clicking Here.

And finally, we will discuss one of the worst decisions ever handed down by the US Supreme Court in its history.  This week, the high court overturned a jury verdict of $14 million awarded to John Thompson, who had spent 14 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.  The prosecutors in the case withheld key evidence that certainly would have set him free.  It was obvious from the evidence that the New Orleans prosecutors had “dishonored” their obligation to present the true facts to the jury.  Author John Hollway, whose book, “Killing Time“ covers the case in detail, will be a guest on my show.  The case makes it clear that those who should be in jail are the prosecutors and the investigating police officers involved who orchestrated this outrageous decision.  More information about John’s book can be found by Clicking Here.

 Looking forward to seeing you this weekend on the radio.

Let me say unabashingly, I was really a big fan of Elizabeth Taylor, who died last week at 79. She was the epitome of a real movie star. In fact, she could just be the last great movie star from the Hollywood tradition of grandeur. Many of her movies I have watched time and time again. You can’t really understand 20th century Texas without seeing her portrayal in “Giant.” And no pity pat rolls for this lady. Her acting in Tennessee Williams’ “Suddenly Last Summer,” and “Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf” showed how versatile her talent, and how varied her speeds of hysterical emotion could be. She well deserved her three Academy Awards.

I met Elizabeth Taylor once. I really did. I was working one summer during my laws school year as an athletic director of a teenage camp up in the Adirondack Mountains, some three hours north of New York City. Ms. Taylor’s then husband, was the great British actor Richard Burton, and I really wanted to see his performance on Broadway of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” So I drove down from Schroon Lake one afternoon, bought a “cheap seat” ticket outside the theater, and relished in Burton’s stunning performance.

When the play was over, I hung around outside the theater to take in the ambiance, the lights, the sounds and the smells of Broadway. Twenty minutes went by, and then right by me on the street came a white, stretch limousine. The door opened and out stepped Elizabeth Taylor. I was blocking the path to the stage door, so she looked at me and smiled with those violet eyes. . Just then, the stage door opened and out comes Richard Burton. He’s waving at her, she’s waving at him and I’m standing right in the middle. So I step aside as they embraced, both she and Burton throw a smile towards me, then they were off in the limousine. So what do you think? I was there right between the two of them. Wouldn’t you agree that I actually “met” Elizabeth Taylor? I sure thought so. Yep, it was me and the two movie stars. You will never get me to say otherwise.

AND LIBYA WOULD BE”¦.

WHERE EXACTLY?

My morning coffee group can solve just about any domestic problem, and generally can offer better solutions than the folks up in Washington.  But now, all of a sudden, our daily rants about Wall Street bailouts, corporate welfare, our bumbling educational system, and lousy final four picks are being overshadowed by murky events have way across the globe.  We now are inundated twenty four-seven with news on countries most Americans could not point out on a map.  So what do we do?  Read my thoughts in my new column now posted.  You can get it now by Clicking Here. or clicking on the red flashing box above.

The “Common Sense” radio program is all set for this Sunday, March 27^th, with a full array of guests and important topics.  Libya, American exceptionalism,  and just how far the United States is willing to engage and pay the bill will be a front burner discussion with several national guests weighing in.  Author Doug Sanders will discuss his new nationally acclaimed book, Arrival City: How the Largest Migration in History Is Reshaping Our World.  To get more information, Click Here.

Author Preston Fleming will discuss his new book, NEW EXIT TAX: AMERICA’S BERLIN WALL? Fleming has identified five stages along the road to tyranny in the U.S., including concentration of power, corruption, polarization, crisis and conflict.  He wrote The Kamas Trilogy to dramatize the kind life Americans might expect under a future authoritarian regime.

And we want to welcome a number of new stations to our network of affiliates all over the country.  Here is a partial list of recent new radio stations that carry Jim Brown’s “Common Sense.”Â  We will see you Sunday, 9: am till 11:00 am central time.

BIG BROTHER HAS YOU UNDER CLOSE WATCH

THANKS TO THE PATRIOT ACT!

When Tea party candidates throughout the country ran for office last fall, most members offered soaring campaign promises to defend liberty of ordinary Americans, and fight governmental intrusions on basic freedoms. But whatever hopes there were that newly elected Tea Partiers would put the brakes on intrusive domestic surveillance, illegal wire wiretapping and warrantless searches went out the window just 20 days into the new Congress.  The Patriot Act has become the most dangerous legislation ever passed by congress that undermines our basic freedoms.  Look at some of the commentary below.  And check out my views in my new column by Clicking Here.

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LIVELY SUNDAY RADIO PROGRAM SET!

My Sunday radio show is shaping up to be a lively two hours, and I hope you will tune in.  Obviously, the Japanese Nuclear facility meltdown and the possibility of another war in Libya will be a front burner items to discuss.  We will also have two informative guests that bring some poignant issues that affect every one of us.  Conservative author and activist Bob Adelmann kicks off our fist hour in discussing the recently passed and so called “Patriot Act,’ one of the worst pieces  of legislation in the country’s history.  I agree whole heatedly with Bob that Tea Partiers in Congress “cut and ran” in failing to stand up for basic freedoms that are guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.  You can read Bob Adelmann’s disturbing article by Clicking Here.  Bob is a regular contributor to The new American, a well written journal that argues in support of opposing the undermining of our basic freedoms in our country today.  You can find out more about The New American by Clicking Here.

Aldo on the show in the second hour is futurist Dr. Curt Stager, who has a new book out called DEEP FUTURE;  the Next 100,000 Years of Life on Earth. Dr. Stager is a self-described “converted climate skeptic” who believes our behavior in the 21st century will determine the magnitude and longevity of our legacy for thousands of year to come.  So a full agenda, and a show well worth tuning in to for two hours on Sunday morning.  See details for listening to the show over the internet above and on radio stations all across America.  For more information about Dr. Stager’s new book, Click Here.

In the past 200 hundred years, we have seen quite a shuffling of the economics that affect some 200 countries in the world.  Now we are witnessing third world countries making huge strides in “catching up” with developed countries like the USA.  Take a minute to follow the progression presented by Professor Hans Rosling.  You wonder just were we will be positioned in the years to come.

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I wish I had the knack to write a good poem.  I’ve tried, but I’m just not very good at it.  A few have this special gift to make words flow and dance across the page.  Robert Hass has such a gift and he has become one of the country’s most well read poets.  Hass has won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and he has served as the poet Laureate of the United States.  I caught up with him at a recent reading down at Tulane University, my law school alma mater, a few weeks ago.  Check out my interview below.

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A LOUISIANA GUY THEY COULD CALL MR. PRESIDENT?

Here’s your question for the day!  Name a Louisiana resident who seriously considered running for President?   Here are a few hints to round out his profile.  His resume’ shows that he was well educated and intelligent, was a member of congress, was elected governor of Louisiana”¦.and is short.  Several candidates come to mind, right?  Bobby Jindal, and now, Buddy Roemer.  But there were more who flirted with the nation’s top job.  Click Here to read my new column or go to Jim’s New Column on top right.

Buddy Roemer looks to be off to an impressive start in his initial visit to Iowa.  He made a good impression at the first Presidential Forum, according to a number of press reports.  To watch his presentation, see the video below.

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Now I’ve got to tell ya, Buddy has some tough competition out there.  If you have any doubts, check out the approach of Paris Hilton be

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The “Common Sense” radio show this weekend has a full array of guests.  There will also be continuing analysis of both what’s happening in the Middle Ease, as well as an update on the Tsunami in Japan.   Then, I’ll have author “˜Steven Rosenbaum, who, in his new book  Curation Nation, “curates the curators” by gathering together  insight and advice from the top thinkers in media, advertising, publishing, commerce, and Web technologies.  Full information about his book can be found by Clicking Here.

The Ken Kamen joins me to talk personal finance.  He zeroes in on the philosophy of investments, advising readers how best to maintain a strong financial position, especially given the latest run of economic jitters. And he does so by leveling the knowledge of investments, scrutinizing the past, and scouring the present for lessons to be learned.  His new book, Reclaim Your Nest Egg, is available by Clicking Here.

And finally, with Monica Lewinsky back in the news, I’ll talk with Ken Gormley who teaches law at Duquesne University. In 1999, the shocking revelation of President Clinton’s affair with a White House intern captivated the nation and nearly sank his career as well as that of prosecutor Ken Starr.  Professor Gormley has new insights that have never been reported in his new book, The Death of American Virtue. More information is found by Clicking Here.

A really full and informative show is scheduled this Sunday, from 9:00 am central time until 11:00 am, on the Genesis Communications Network.  You can also listen on the world wide web by accessing my radio program at the top of this site.

During my annual baseball spring training trip to Tampa each year, I spend my mornings at the Bollettieri Institute trying to stay in good shape for a guy my age.  This is one of the premier training facilities in the country with professional athletes in a number of sports coming here to reach peak fitness.  Many of the world’s top tennis pros live there year round.  Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton spent the week at the Institute while I was there.  The facility includes state of the arts training programs in football, basketball, tennis, soccer, baseball and golf.  The Institute’s founder, Nick Bollettieri, takes a few minutes out of a training session to visit above.

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The guy who runs the tennis program at Bollettieri is Red Aimee, who is a Louisiana naïve from Laplace.  Red has been looking out for me at the Institute for a number of years, and we visited about his program above.

One of Red Aimee’s top players is Sabine Lasicki from Germany.  She is nationally ranked, and obviously has a bright future ahead. That’s me above giving her a few pointers. (Yeah, right!) You can check out her website by Clicking Here.

A great weekend at the Natchez Literary and Film Festival recently.  Director Carolyn Smith (pictured above), and old friend from my Ferriday days, was the Executive Director and did a first rate job.  Writers and film makers from around the country came to give advice to new authors and film makers.  Natchez is quite a place with more anti bellum homes than anywhere else in the country.  I broadcast my radio show live two Sundays ago from Monmouth Plantation, one of the real Nachez gems. I’m pictured below with Monmouth owner Lori riches, who lives in California, but travels to Natchez monthly to oversee her vast property.

So  you want to have your own anti bellum home?  I can tell you from personal experience that it is a real labor of love.  The video below tells about my major undertaking to live in a historic home.

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ARE BASEBALL AND POLITICS INTERTWINED?

Just what is America’s favorite pastime? Is it baseball or politics? The past few years offered interesting contrasts. On one hand, we went from a full-blown presidential campaign right into a major political controversy of how to “stimulate” the economy. Certainly in the past year, politics has become a major spectator sport both in Louisiana and throughout the rest of the country. But don’t sell baseball short. Not only has baseball been around longer than any of America’s professional team sports, the game’s highs and lows have been injected in national politics almost from the sport’s inception.  I’m in Tampa, Florida this week check out the major league baseball teams as I do each march.  And politics always enters into the discussion.  So check out my new column by Clicking Here.

You can also catch me on the radio the rest of this week in Baton Rouge on WJBO am from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.  We will talk about the latest US Supreme Court decision allowing vicious hate speech to interrupt a soldier’s funeral.  And how about Louisiana’s own former Governor buddy Roemer announcing for President?  (Of what you say?  How about Prez of the U.S.?)  So tune in this week, and you can listen on the worldwide web at http://www.WJBO.com.

And below are some scenes from my week in the Tampa area.  As you can see, I have a big time every year.

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REAPPORTIONMENT BLUES-NO RIGHT TO CHOOSE!

It’s redistricting time for legislators, both in Louisiana and throughout the country. Criticism that decisions are being shaped behind closed doors is raining down on this politically sensitive process.  Lawmakers in my home state have scheduled a number of meetings to discuss the process of divvying up the various political boundaries including congressional, public service commission, and their own legislative districts. Many of the sessions are not open to the public.   “Wrong!” cry the press and the good government groups.  But the question should be, why are legislators meeting at all?  Check out why there is a much better way to proceed in a non-partisan way that gets the politics out of the process.  you can read my new column now by Clicking Here.

And please note that I will be making my annual trip next week to Tampa, Florida for baseball spring training.  I’ll certainly have a new column up next week on baseball and politics.  See you then.

A full and lively radio program is scheduled for this Sunday, as I will have the pleasure of broadcasting live from Natchez, Mississippi.  The “Common Sense” radio show will be part of the Natchez Book festival and I will have broadcast facilities set up at historic Monmouth Plantation in the heart of one of the nation’s most historic cities.  Several of the authors making presentations will be guests on the show.

There are a number of stations in Mississippi that carry the “Common Sense” program, including Jackson (WPBQ am), Hattiesburg (WHSY am), and McComb (WHNY).  We will also have on the show Oxford, Mississippi author Curtis Wilkie, who just published a riveting new book, “The Fall of the House of Zeus.’  It’s the true story of Mississippi lawyer Dickie Scruggs, one of the most successful plaintiff’s lawyers ever, who became entwined in a legal bribery scandal that sent him and many others to jail, and reads like a John Grisham novel.  To order his compelling book, Click Here.

So be sure to listen in this Sunday, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am central time on stations throughout the country, or right here on the world wide web.

Now I’m sure you will agree that everyone needs to get a way to the islands from time to time.  I tuned out last week on the back side of St. John in the Virgin Islands at the invitation of my law school roommate, and came back with some stories to tell.   Do you know where Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island:” is located?  Well check out my video below and I’ll give you the whole background. And by the way, the temperature on St. John says between 75 and 80 degrees all year long.  How boring.  (Yeah, right!)

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Below is my visit with Tom Lawson, a Virginia lawyer who spends a great deal of time on St. John and has developed quite a reputation as a painter in the Islands. His Picasso like figures blend in with Tom’s island interpretations, and have become quite popular.  Take a look as Tom explains his approach to his art.

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Remember singer Pat Boone?  The guy in the white bucks who played and sang in all those smaltzy movies, and who was the All American guy?  I ran into him up in Washington last week while attending the Washington Mardi Gras Ball.  He’s become a vociferous conservative politician.  I tried to be polite, and merely wanted to hear his favorite song.  Take a look at what happened in the video below.

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 The 34^th President of the United States took office 50 years ago last week, with tributes and remembrances flowing from all over the world.   But to Republicans and Democrats alike, John Kennedy seemed to capture the hearts of the American people in a way that was unique in presidents before or since.  And from the first stirrings of his efforts to become president, to events that took place after his death, my home state of Louisiana held a special place in the Kennedy legacy.  You can read my new column now by Clicking Here.

President Kennedy at the Crowley Rice Festival with Judge and Mrs. Edmund reggie.

Louisiana attorney Camille Gravel is pictured with Jackie Kennedy at the Rice Festival.  Gravel was legal counsel to numerous  Louisiana Governors.

I had the distinct honor this past weekend to be inducted into the Louisiana political hall of Fame.  Each year, the board of directors selects several honorees to recognize who have been actively involved in Louisiana Politics.  The Hall location is in Winnfield, Louisiana, home of former Louisiana governors Huey and Earl Long.  The museum there is filled with memorabilia collected over the years.  You can see some highlights from my special night below.

I’m joined by two other new members-Chief Justice of the La. Supreme Court Kitty Kimball, and Ralph Pearlman, who oversaw Louisian’s budget for many years.

Louisiana Fifth District Congressman Rodney Alexander stopped by for a visit.

The Long name is quite special in this part of the state, and I’m joined at the reception by State Senator Gerald Long, and his cousin, former State Representative Jimmy Long.

One of the instigating forces behind the Hall of Fame is Washington lobbyist and native Louisianan Ted Jones.  As you can see from the photo above, Ted is a multi-talented guy and a long time friend.

Curent Louisiana Secretry of State Tom Schedler stopped by for a visit in from of my exhibit.  I kid Tom that he has some big shoes to fill following my tenure in the job back in the 1980s.

Daughter Gentry joins me for the special occasion.   She remembers well being quite a campaigner in years past.

Just a few campaign items gathered up over 28 years in public office.  It will be nice to have them out of boxes and displayed for years to come.

So who ya’ rootin’ for in the Super Bowl game on Sunday?  It’s an easy choice for me living down here in Louisiana.  The Packers are one of the best examples of how a sports franchise should operate. They don’t go to the state capitol hat in hand, looking for a handout.  The team is owned by citizen stockholders all over Wisconsin, and the Packers’ management doesn’t regularly try to blackmail public officials into giving more handouts under threat of picking up and moving the franchise.  Louisiana could learn a lesson from Green Bay.  You can read my thoughts in my new column now posted by Clicking Here.

Hey, we have a full blown and lively radio show planned for this Sunday morning, and I hope you will have a chance to tune in.  A full update and analysis of the exploding Egyptian revolution in the making.  And when you see TV film of the rioting and demonstrations in Cairo, do you notice all the young people involved?  Sixty per cent of the population there is under 30.  Young demonstrators’ and political activists are and in full force throughout the Middle Ease.  A far cry from the limited number of young activists in America today.

 Also joining me on the show is historian Marc Schulman, whose new book, “JFK History Maker,” offers a modern tribute to President John Kennedy, who was inaugurated 50 years ago.  He offers a fresh new look at the Presidency from the perspective of events than have taken place over the past five decades.  The book can be ordered by Clicking Here.

 I’ll also be joined by New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf, whose new book, “These Things Hidden,” tells the chilling and absorbing story of an unconscionable murder. Heather has also been a strong advocate for “Safe Haven Laws,” which are growing in popularity throughout the country.  Her new novel can be ordered by Clicking Here

 A full show, so be sure and tune in or listen to our podcast.  See you on the radio Sunday all over American and worldwide on the Genesis Communications Network.

The new “Twilight” film has captivated my home town of Baton Rouge with movie star sightings occurring throughout the city daily.  The various movie sets are surrounded by fans who want to catch a glimpse of the stars.  One of the films main actors is Cameron Bright, who has made over 20 films, and starred with the likes of Robert De Niro and Nichole Kidman.  Cameron and family members joined the Brown household for dinner this week.  He is a well spoken young man, so take a look at his thoughts.

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We all seem consumed with our electronic toys, don’t we?  Smart phones, I Pads, texting and emailing continually.  Wouldn’t it be nice to take a break, just shop a bit, and get away from all the wave of new products that supposedly tell us how to communicate?  A bit of sarcasm here.  Take a look at the video below.

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New Orleans continues to maintain its premier position of the murder capital of America, and one of the top five murder cities in the world.  Eighteen murders so far this year.  Five murders took place on the day of celebration for Martin Luther King.  Is the city setting new record, and just what’s wrong?  And I have a few stories to tell about some of the worst murders in the Crescent City.  And you will find of great interst troubadour Bob Dylan’s thoughts. Take a look at my new column now posted.  You can read it by Clicking Here.

 And we have a lively and interesting weekend radio show planned on Sunday, January 26^th.  My guest will be Christopher A. Preble who is the director of foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. He is the author of three books including The Power Problem: How American Military Dominance Makes Us Less Safe, Less Prosperous and Less Free , which documents the enormous costs of America’s military power, and proposes a new grand strategy to advance U.S. security. You can get more information and order the book by Clicking Here.

Valerie Plame went form a clandestine CIA agent working the Middle East to a national celebrity once she was “outed” by the Bush White House. The compromising of her secret activities with the CIA led to a Justice Department investigation with which exposed that there was a coordinated at the highest levels of government to embarrass her husband, Joe Wilson.  The Vice President’s Chief of Staff, “Scooter” Libby went to jail over the violation of federal law.  Since then Valerie has written a book and her story was told in the movie, Fair Game,” starring Shawn Penn and Naomi Watts who portrayed Valerie.  We visited about her efforts to speak the truth against the powers that be.

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Can you weave a web of symbolism in numbers? Many people do. Look at the number “one.” One is the first number used when counting and therefore it is considered to have great power; without it there would be no numbering system as we know it. Every numerical system we are aware of has had one as its initial starting point. As one is common to all numbers, it is often seen as the origin of all things and represents perfection, absolute, and deity in monotheistic faiths. So how about the fact that this is a special year for using number one.

This year, we will experience four quite unusual dates. 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11. And 11/11/11. Now here is where it gets real freaky. Take the last 2 digits of the year you were born, and then add the age you will turn this year. That’s right.  Add them together. Hummmmm. This is a special year for you because of the number one.

Could you believe it?  A number of pundits who watched the state of the Union “response” this week for several Republicans where saying:  Hey, we miss Bobby Jindal.”Â  Two Republican voices took the political TV stage following the President.  First came Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.), and then came fiery Michele Bachmann (Minn.).  They both said the government spends too much money, but neither gave any specifics.  They both gave the same pledge:  We’re working on it.  So Big Deal! Down here in Louisiana, we are saying: “Let Bobby give it a shot again.  As bad as he did two years ago, the recent responses have been dry rag dull with “no beef.” Remember the Jindal days?

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After eight and a half years in a federal prison, Louisiana’s prodigal son has come home.  And far from quietly slipping back into home confinement, the former Louisiana governor was greeted with the attraction generally reserved for a rock star. There was the kind of media coverage and public fascination generally reserved for a President or the Pope.  Even the Kingfish would have been envious. Edwin Edwards is back.  You can read about all the hype over his return by Clicking here. or going to “Jim’s New Column” in upper right corner box of this site.

Because my publishing company, The Lisburn Press, had published the recent biography of Edwin Edwards, I was asked to do a number of interviews as to why there is so much interest in the former governor.  I was  interviewed  on NBC’s Channel 33, and you can watch the whole interview below.

To watch the interview about the huge interest in Edwin Edwards, Click Here.

To watch an additional interview as to what Edwards will be doing in his new job, Click Here.

On my radio show this past Sunday, I interviewed Linda and Tony Cole, who discussed vividly and emotionally about a silent stalker who caused great hardship for their son Anthony.  This young man collapsed n his school program, and no one knew that he had Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which is a congenital heart condition. It took 13 attempts to start his heart, and he was in a coma for over a year.  Today, Anthony is fully dependent on his family.  His tragic case points out the importance of proper medical screening, even for young folks like Anthony.  I would urge every parent to read Linda and Tony’s book, “Resurrecting Anthony.”Â  You can order this compelling book by Clicking Here.

 

Are there political lessons to be learned from Saturday’s tragic shootings in Tucson? The talk show pundits on both the left and right would have us believe that the other side’s hyper-partisanship has been the catalyst for a growing vehemence and hatred that led to the terrible violence by one deranged killer.  Are there underlying causes to explain this shocking event that can be directed towards either side of the political spectrum?  But killings tragically happen, and birds fall from the sky.  Stuff happens, and the mentally deranged can do some terrible things.  We sure saw that in Tucson last week.  My column now posted looks at political opportunism, and the lack of mental care in America.  You can read it now by Clicking Here.

 

                                              

FULL SCHEDULE OF ISSUES ON SUNDAY RADIO

 We won’t have to worry about what all to talk about on my Sunday radio program.  The shooter in Tuscan, and just what his motives were.  What looks to be the same old gridlock in Washington?  Pro footballer Michael Vick wants a dog.  What?  The dog killer wants another one?  Good luck with that!  And remember the chilling Hitchcock movie “The Birds?”Â  Who can forget those massive flying flocks diving down on the heroine of the movie, actress Tippi Hedren!”Â  Well guess what?  Tippi will be a guest during the 10:00 hour (central time).  So much to talk about and I sure hope you will tune in.  You can listen live over this site, and in stations all over America.  See you on the radio.

Johnny Mathis has to be one heck of a singer with real staying power.  I first saw him in a concert back in 1958.  And he’s still going strong.  We had a visit this past weekend over in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage resort.  Johnny tells me he plays tours and plays golf 250 days a year.  And his voice is just as strong and mellow today as it was over 60 years ago.

 I told him about seeing him perform at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel when I was a senior in high school.  I took my then girl friend to a dinner theatre, and we arrived a few minutes early to see the cities’ sites from the top of the hotel.  As we were coming down the elevator, Johnny got on heading down for his show.  We said hello then and he walked with us towards the showroom entrance, before heading for the side door.  The concert was great and his big hit them was “Misty.”Â  After the show, I asked for my check.  “No charge sir.  You’re with Mr. Mathis.”Â  Wow!  The waiter must have seen us walk in with Johnny and assumed we were part of his entourage. So a full dinner and concert, all on Johnny.  He really laughed when I told him the story last week.

You will see below one of the most disturbing videos I can recall watching in a long time.  But I feel it is a must view for you and particularly young members of your family.  There still is way too much drunk driving in this country, particularly in my home state of Louisiana.  Prepare for some rough viewing, but definitely watch this video below.

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It does not seem like that far back that I was elected to my first statewide office and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.  In 1979, I won the election for Louisiana Secretary of State. I was able to build a new state Archives, re write the election code and modernize the whole corporation laws and requirements in Louisiana.  My good friend Tom Schedler just took over the office, and we recently had the chance to visit about a number of ways to update the focus of the office in the years to come.  He filled an unexpired term and will have to run for re election this fall.

So happy New Year! And by the way, get ready for higher property insurance rates along the Gulf Coast, particularly in Louisiana.  One would think that if anything, homeowner’s rates would be going down.  After all, there has been virtually no hurricane activity in the Gulf for the past four years.  And with the national economic slump, home prices have dropped which should translate into lower insurance rates.  Not so say the experts.  My  column this week takes a look at why you will no doubt pay more for the cost of property insurance, particularly if you live in Louisiana.  You can read it now by Clicking Here.

 

Sunday’s “Common Sense” radio show is shaping up to be a lively two hours, and I hope you will be able to join us.  With the New Year, there will be plenty of topics to cover.  On our agenda is an interview with singer Johnny Mathis.  He preformed this week at the Beau Ravage resort in Biloxi, and I had a chance to visit with the musical icon that has been a headliner for more than 50 years.

 Also scheduled on the show is award- winning writer Tess Smith McGovern, who has a new concept of bringing a variety of short stories to you in the palm of your hand.  She will be with us during the 10:00 hour.  Plus much current news of dead blackbirds and whether or not football star and dog torturer Michael Vick should have a dog.  (I vote NO!)

 So be sure and tune in this Sunday morning, January 9^th, on stations nationwide or right here over the worldwide web at the top of this site.  Our show airs from 9:00 am until 11:00 am central time.  See you on the radio.

Spring is not too far away, and that, to me, means baseball season.  Each year, I travel with a regular group of guys to spring training in Tampa, Fla.  A work out at the Bollettieri athletic training camp in the morning, and a different major league ball game in the afternoon.  It’s a treat to meet die hard baseball fans from all over the country.  I had the chance last weekend to swap some baseball memories with LSU successful baseball coach Paul Mainieri. We are pictured below. He cleans up pretty good for a ball coach.

 

Also pictured below is Maria Sharapova, who trains at the Bollettieri complex.  Nice scenery while working out.

Have you been following the new wave of extemporaneous “Flash Mobs?’ Well, it’s not completely extemporaneous, but a few, generally young folks, pre arrange to join in song or dance in a public location.  Take a look at one of my favorites.  A Christmas Food Court Flash Mob singing the Halleluiah Chorus.  And notice all the average folks who just join in.  Hooray for Flash mobs.

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We are winding down the old and bringing in the new.  I’m taking a bit of time to think back over some memorable past New Years.  Some go back more than four decades.  Join me on memory lane by reading over my new column.  You can get it now by Clicking Here.   Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

                                                  

It’s the day after New Year’s this Sunday, and we have a fully packed radio show planned.  We hope you can find time to spend two hours with us from 9:00 am until 11:00 am central time.  Of course we will be talking about your New Year’s resolutions, and what to expect on the national scene.  We join you in hoping for a much better 2011.

 Hey, how would you spend your life if you had just one year to live?  Jim’s guest will be Clint Arthur, who has written several books on how to change our life in the year to come.  Here’s just a few of the topics I’ll be covering with Clint in our second hour on Sunday.

 1) Why do so many people give up on New Year’s resolutions by the end of January?  

2) What are the 5 things our listeners must do immediately to make 2010 the best year of their life?

3) How does a person’s subconscious mind trick them into short-changing themselves, and how can a person turn that around?

4) How did you quit smoking, lose 40-pounds, and triple your income, and why will only 1 out of 34 people be able to quit smoking this year?

5) So let’s use smoking as an example, tell us the 11 ways to keep your resolution to quit smoking.

6) Are there actually some very common goals that do more harm than good?  

7) A lot of people have friends who are holding them back ““ how can our listeners stop their friends from destroying their dreams and ambitions?

 Got your interest?   We will cover much more with Clint Arthur on Sunday. Be sure to tune in.  To access Clint’s website and order his several books, by Clicking Here.

New York Times correspondents David Rohde has quite a story to tell.  He was a reporter for the Times in Afghanistan, and set out in November of 2008 to interview a Taliban commander.  Unfortunately, he was headed for nothing but trouble.  He is kidnapped and spends eight months in a Taliban make shift prison with no contact to the outside world.  Finally, eight months later, he escapes, and has quite a story to tell.  We visited recently in Washington and I was mesmerized by his wild tale. David will be a guest on my Sunday radio show in late January.  His new book is about the entire ordeal, and can be ordered by Clicking Here.

It’s been often a less than memorable (or maybe an exceptionally memorable) year and decade for all of us.  Just to commemorate and relive, I’ve posted some of the photos that will live with us for years to come…right?

It’s getting close to redistricting time for legislators, and the criticism that decisions are being shaped behind closed doors is already raining down on this politically sensitive process. But when legislators draw the reapportionment lines, isn’t that a real conflict of interest?  We don’t pick our legislators”¦they pick us!  There has to be a better way.  Check out my new column on the abuses of the present reapportionment system, and some ideas to make it work better.  Check out my new column by Clicking Here.

It’s a busy two weeks for me on the radio, and I hope you will have the opportunity to tune in.  I’ll be hosting a two hour daily program on the voice of my hometown in Baton Rouge, WJBO.   You can catch me on the air each weekday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm central time.  It’s hard to believe that over 30% of my listeners and visitors to this website come from outside the United States.  So for those of you who tune in over the internet, you can catch the show at http://www.wjbo.com.

My Sunday show is syndicated all over America, and I we have a huge internet audience that averages well over 300,000 listeners.  You can listen on each Sunday morning by coming right here to this site.  And we podcast every show to allow you to listen at any time of day or night.  By  the way, all the shows I did in New Orleans at Clear Channel’s WRNO are also available in the box at upper right on this page.  On this Sunday’s show, I’ll take a look at where our country is heading in 2011, so I hope you can tune in.

And to all of you who have supported me on the radio and by reading my weekly columns, let me wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Thanks for keeping an eye on me.

 

It wasn’t that long ago when the economy was churning.  So instead of planning a reduction of the deficit, both political parties in the nation’s capitol joined the fray by adding massive entitlement programs, cutting taxes, and entering two wars that cost several trillion dollars.  Both parties in Washington are supporting a second stimulus package that will blow another $1 trillion hole in the budget. Forget the ever growing deficit.  And the same problem exists here in my home state of Louisiana.  Check out my new column on irresponsible spending now posted.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by going to Jim’s New Column on upper right.

 

Radio listeners throughout south Louisiana can catch me on the radio for the rest of this year on WJBO out of Baton Rouge.  We will cover a lively review of both national and local issues that took place during 2010.  You can listen on the worldwide web at www.WJBO.com. The program is broadcast weekdays from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm central time.

Surprise last Sunday if you tried to tune in to my weekly Sunday radio show.  The winter storm and heavy snow not only postponed the Minnesota Vikings-New York Giants football game in Minneapolis, but also caused my show to be cancelled.  I broadcast the show from Baton Rouge or New Orleans each week, but the actual transmission goes out over three different satellites from Minneapolis.  My producer and engineer support were not able to leave their homes the storm was so bad, and the Genesis Communications studios were shut down.

So we are back on for this Sunday with a repeat of many of the topics scheduled from last week.  The corruption of politicians with campaign money will be the focus of the first hour this week.  we will talk about how money is the key, and qualifications mean little.  My guests include Gabriela Schneider from the Sunlight Foundation in Washington, D.C. as well as Meredith McGehee, who is the policy director at the Campaign Legal Center, also in the nation’s capitol. They both will join me during the 9:00 am hour central time.

Also joining me at 10:00 am central time will be author Eric Lamet, who tells of his flight with his parents from Hitler’s Germany to Italy during World War II.  It’s a riveting and important Holocaust memoir.  So tune in this Sunday on your local station or on this site.  See instructions at top of this page.

 

Last week long-time U.S. ambassador Richard Holbrooke suffered an aortic dissection–a tear in the aorta that can lead to stroke, heart attack, or abdominal complications. Half of patients who experience this event, which fortunately is rare, never make it to the hospital. Holbrooke made it to the hospital, but died within days at age 69. My Mother passed away a year and a half ago from the same complications, so I knew when I heard about his situation that he had a real uphill fight.

He was probably the most respected U.S. diplomat in the forefront of American’s foreign policy.  I had the chance to talk with him several months ago in Washington, and found him engaging, blunt, and confidently knowledgeable about the world of foreign affairs.  He knew my daughter and son-in-law from New York, and was quite gracious in his praise.  A class guy that died way too young, and who America will greatly miss.

Well it’s the end of the year, and here’s a review of some of the “way out” political adds.  I’ve done my share of these commercials over the years with varying results.  But nothing quite like these. ads.  Take  a look.

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My home state of Louisiana has been the poster child for being cursed by the Black Swan theory.  I had the opportunity a few months ago to visit with the theories’ originator, Nassim Taleb. That’s him with me in the photo above.  He is a futurist, and an economic philosopher.  Taleb says some leaders live in a world where they feel disasters rarely happen.  It’s the proverbial “black swan” theory. In ancient literature, a black swan was a proverbial phrase for something extremely rare or non-existent. Certainly a good metaphor for the mindset of both BP and federal and regulators following the recent Gulf spill.  But this ignores the basic premise we all know as Murphy’s Law.  “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”.  Louisiana and the nation need to be more cognoscente that “stuff” dos happen and game plans need to be in place. You can read a recent question and answer session in Time Magazine with Taleb by Clicking Here.

 

ARE TEA PARTIERS, ESPECIALLY IN LOUISIANA,

SELLING OUT FOR CAMPAIGN MONEY?

It was just a few months ago when we listened to Tea Party candidates across the country declaring that they were going to Washington in order to shake up the political establishment.  No more “politics as usual” was the battle cry.  But in a matter of a few weeks, these new guys and gals on the block have rapidly embraced the Washington culture of big-money fundraisers.  And the new so-called reformers are gathering up the big bucks for their campaign war chests. The more we hear about change in Washington, the more things stay the same. Check out my new column about hypocrisy and politics by Clicking Here.

 

Political campaign money is being raised at record rates by candidates across the nation.  No sooner is one election over than incumbents start raising money for the next contest.  The process just is not in the country’s best interest.  On my Sunday radio show, we will talk about how money is the key, and qualifications mean little.  My guests include Gabriela Schneider from the Sunlight Foundation in Washington, D.C. as well as Meredith McGehee, who is the policy director at the Campaign Legal Center, also in the nation’s capitol. They both will join me during the 9:00 am hour central time.

During the 10:00 hour, we will discuss the rapidly changing world of internet publishing, where short story writers can upload  their work and have it immediately available right to the palm of the readers hand. My guest is award winning author Tessa Smith McGovern.  Boy how the publishing world has changed.  And my publishing company, The Lisburn Press, has a number of new books in the hopper.  You can check them out by going to The Lisburn Press box above right. Be sure and tune in this Sunday.

I’m a big movie buff, but have not had the chance to see that many new films in recent months.  Luckily, I did see the recently released film “Fair Game”-which covers a poisonous Washington controversy about how we got into the war in Iraq.  The book outlines how the White House deliberately revealed the identity of a key CIA operative, whose husband was challenging the Bush Administrations assertion that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. As we have come to find out, there were no such weapons. The bigger issue is how government agencies lie and fabricate to cover up or to just “get” someone, whatever the justification.  The message is simple.  And it’s the same message I have framed by my desk.  “I love my country-It’s the government I’m afraid of.”Â  Go see this film.  And hey, keep your guard up. A review of the film below.

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Don Meredith died this week at the young age of 72.  You younger visitors to thins site might not remember Don.  He was a star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, and a legendary broadcaster with Howard Cosell on Monday Night football.  He was the guy who made Monday night a glitzy, energetic a special time that made the ratings soar.  Fans know him as “Dandy Don,” but I knew him as Joe Don.

  I spend my freshman year in college at SMU in Dallas, and Joe Don talked me into joining the Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he was a member.  He took me under wing, pushed me to make my grades and razzed me constantly about working out more if I wanted to be a great athlete.  When I told him I was not all that happy at SMU and was considering transferring to North Carolina, he simple told me: “Follow your dream.  Do what you think is best for you.”Â  I saw him a few years ago on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.  He asked me:  “Well Jimbo, did you follow your dream?”Â  Dandy Don was a class act and passed away much too young.  A video tribute below.  Time to “turn out the lights” Joe Don.

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Sarah Palin brought her indomitable road show to my hometown of Baton Rouge this week with the flair and the chutzpah of a larger than life personality, which she just might be.  Security was tight at the local Books-A-Million, and the crowd of over 1000 was given strict instructions of what it could, and could not do.  From the way her entourage carried on, on you would have thought she was trying to be like Louisiana’s own, Governor Bobby Jindal.  Check out my comparisons, and comments about Palin’s new book in my new column now posted.  And look at the video below about Palin’s book singing here in baton Rouge. You can read the new column  by Clicking Here.

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Business And Politics highlight the Jim Brown “Common Sense“ radio program this coming Sunday, December 5^th.  Jim has a strong lineup of guests, plus lively discussions of the week’s news.  Professor Steve Gillon will discuss his book, “The Pact, Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and the Rivalry that Defined a Generation,”  that reviews the political turmoil following the democratic congressional losses in 1994 when Bill Clinton was President.  How was Clinton able to reach a compromise on key legislation with the Speaker Newt Gingrich and the republicans, and are there lessons to be learned by President Obama.

And how do entrepreneurs in business find the new ideas for rapid growth.  Business adviser Eran Roman has worked with some of the country’s most successful companies and will discuss key marketing approaches that work. Check out his new book below.  This and much more on Jim’s Sunday show from 9:00 am until 11:00 am central time.  You can listen live and find stations that carry the “Common Sense “show right here on this site.

You can get more information and order this book by Clicking Here.

You can order Eran Roman’s Marketing book and get more information by Clicking Here.

GET OFF BOBBY JINDAL’S BACK

ABOUT TAKING A SABBATICAL!

(For  Jindal-Book Tour?  Toga Party?)

So what’s with all the criticism about taking a sabbatical?  It’s become a big issue in my home state of Louisiana with educators, legislators, and good government groups debating the value versus the cost of taking a little time off.  Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, who is touted by some national commentators as a new “Republican “Great Right Hope,” is dead set on any university professors taking a sabbatical leave from their classrooms.  But if it applies to the goose, what about the gander?  What about Jindal’s present “sabbatical” as he crisscrosses the country to sell books and support other Republican candidates?  Check out Jim’s new column now posted on this touchy subject by Clicking Here.

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Welcome to a new radio station joining our “Common Sense“ Network this week.  Its station WTHQ, 750 AM out of Paducah, Kentucky.  I’ve been to Paducah, and it’s as great town in Western Kentucky right where the Tennessee and the Ohio rivers meet, half way between St. Louis and Nashville.  The surrounding area has several hundred thousand residents, so we are looking forward to a large listening audience in the weeks to come.  Welcome Paducah.

And this Sunday morning, November 28^th, several guests will join me.  Gideon Rose is the editor of  Foreign Affairs Magazine, and has written a compelling book called “How Wars End.”Â  He argues that we easily get into wars, but do a poor job of planning how to bring them to an end.  He will join me at 10:00 am central time. Also on the show is author Freeman Hall offers an amusing look at what goes on behind the retail business and now stores tempt you to shop, all in his new book “Retail Hell.”Â  Timely reading at this “shopping” time of the year.  Freeman will join me at 9:30 am central time.  And of course, as usual, we will take a “Common Sense” look at the week in review.  So tune in this Sunday morning.

One of LSU’s all time great basketball players is former point guard Howard “High C” Carter, from Baton Rouge.  Howard played in the NBA and throughout year for 13 years before retiring.  He openly admits he had a drug problem while playing professional ball, and is giving testimony regularly to young people about how he got off drugs and changed his life.  I was on a program last week with “High C” and legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown.  I told Howard I’m ready to play him one on one.  What do you think?

JINDAL ONE OF MANY NATIONAL WANNABES

FROM THE SOUTH

Last year, before the President’s State of the Union address, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was the fair haired boy of the national Republican Party.  He had even been considered as a vice presidential candidate on the McCain ticket in 2008, and every pundit had him high up on the list of contenders for 2012. But like the old saying goes, “the south shall rise again.”Â  Potential candidates for a Republican national ticket are emerging from all over the South.  What kind of competition  do these other potential candidates offer?  Take a look at my thoughts on my new column now posted.  You can read it by Clicking Here.

Many educators feel, and I agree, that the focus of educational reform is directed at the adults with little regard for the kids being taught.  We fight over school boards, term limits, and other adult centered issues.  But what’s happening in the classroom?  Secretary of Education “˜Arne Duncan has written a challenging article in this month’s Foreign Affairs Magazine about how American kids are losing ground to countries worldwide. Duncan told me recently at a conference in Washington (see above) he would be glad to come to my home state of Louisiana to discuss a number of reforms with legislators.  So far, no one down here has asked him. You can read the Duncan article by Clicking Here. And by the way, don’t miss the movie “Waiting for Superman.”Â  It is a realistic picture of the failure of our public system in the U.S. today.

I had the pleasure recently to speak to a number of students at the School of Mass Communication at Loyola University in New Orleans.  These young journalists to be were eager to talk about the changing role of reporting and gathering the news.  And I certainly did not miss the opportunity to warn them about the secrecy in our court system today, and how so many individual rights are being trampled on by federal judges.  I’m pictured with some of the students above, along with Professor Sherri Alexander.

The Tea Party movement has engulfed a Republican Party that now has an agenda of low expectations centered on whatever it takes to beat Obama in 2012. The Democrats, from the President on down, have lost control of the narrative with little vision of passion being offered to the American public.  Forty percent of American voters think it’s time for a third party alternative.  Are we split into two Americas with no vision for our future?  I explore this major problem facing our political leaders in America today.  Take a look at my new column now posted by Clicking Here.

MSNBC’s Willie Geist will be a guest on my weekly radio show this Sunday, Nov. 14th at 9:30 am central time. We will talk about his new book “American Freak Show. ”   The best and worst of American politics. If you are up early and watch Morning Joe on MSNBC (6 to 9 am central time), Willie is one of the co- hosts each weekday morning.  Willie worked with daughter Campbell when she was with NBC.  You can order Willie’s book by Clicking Here.

Check out Bush foreign policy adviser Dan Senor, as he discusses the reasons for going into Iraq this week on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Dan is a regular on both Morning Joe and Fox News when it comes to issues in the Middle East . His new book, “Start Up Nation,” made the New York Times best seller list, and is available on this page. Oh yes. And by the way, he also happens to be my son-in law.

The Republicans were big winners in last Tuesday’s national election, taking control of the House of Representatives, and coming close to a takeover of the Senate.  But is it enough to say that you are winning solely because the other side blew its opportunity?  Numerous polls show a majority of Americans view the Democrats as the party of big government and the Republicans as the party of big business.  And frustrated voters are wondering just who represents them.  Check out my new column on what both parties need to do in the months to come.  You can read it now by Clicking Here.

My “Common Sense” radio show was broadcast live from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina this past Sunday.  Dan Vallie, pictured below, runs the campus radio station, and is a veteran consultant to radio stations all over America.  We talked n the air about how the media is going through quite a revolution right now.  Also pictured is Chancellor Ray Peacock, the top dog a the University.  Ray is an LSU graduate, and had some good Louisiana stories to share.  I sure appreciate their hospitality in opening up the campus studios for my national broadcast.  You can listen to the show by hitting the “Listen Live” link at the top of this page.

Dan Vallie

Chancellor Ray Peacock

Let's face it.  We are all spoiled rotten.  Take a look below to put things in perspective.

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I always wanted to run a marathon.  I did finish several triathlons, but never took the challenge of one of the major marathons throughout the world. The granddaddy of them all is the Athens Marathon, and how many such races can celebrate a 2,500^th anniversary?  The first marathon was run back in 490 B.C. at the Battle of marathon, a Greek City.  When the battle was won, a messenger carried the news back to Athens on foot, a distance of 26.2-miles.  And that’s the standard marathon distance today.  In the New Orleans airport, I met the two local ladies pictured above on their way to Athens last week, to make the annual run.  Three cheers to Twyle Torregano and Carolyn Fink, for their yeoman’s effort.

Will the rolling tide of the Tea Party and a Republican onslaught really bring about major changes Washington following this Tuesday’s election?  Don’t count on it. Let’s just say we are in for some fine tuning that should have taken place two years ago when the Obama Administration first took office.  All the political pundits around the country are making their projections and predictions, so let me weigh in on some of the things to expect in 2011.   Check out my new column by Clicking Here.

Are you ready for Halloween?  I have my pumpkin carved out, with a really big one this year.  Check them out all below.  Hope you have you costume ready.  You can see mine in the video below. Happy Halloween!

A nice evening in New Orleans last week where I was the banquet speaker at the yearly convention of the Louisiana Private Investigators Association.  With the changing world of the internet and new applications for wireless electronic surveillance, there was much to talk about with this group.  Robert Weltz, who is the LPIA President, presented me with the speaker’s award.

Universities across the country are facing a major cash crunch, and supporters are lobbying their respective legislatures to maintain current funding.  Here in Louisiana, higher education is expecting draconian cuts of 30% or more.  The focus is to keep present funding.  But are colleges like LSU doing its share to convince the public that it needs all the money it presently receives?  I pose some tough questions for all our universities in this week’s column.  Should professors get tenure,  take sabbaticals, and concentrate on research rather than being in the classroom?  Are undergraduate students being short changed?  Take a look at my new column now up by Clicking Here.

Well the popular Old Spice commercial has created a lot of buzz for the ladies, but is also copied by a number of political candidates running this fall.  Check out the original Old Spice guy, then have some laughs looking over the political take offs.  It’s the “In” thing to do politically this election year to copy this popular TV spot.

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Just when you thought the insurance crisis along the gulf coast, particularly in Louisiana, could not get any worse, along comes congress to really muck up the problems faced by property owners in being able to financially protect the value of their property.  If congress and the Obama Administration have their way, look for already sky high insurance coverage costs to take a big leap upward. And to the detriment of the property owner, nary a discouraging word is being heard from state officials along the gulf.  Take a look at my new column now posted on this issue of concern to all property owners.  You can read it now by Clicking Here.

It seem you can’t go anywhere with the problems of Louisiana being a part of the discussion.  I was in Washington, D.C. several weeks ago attending An Ideas for the Future forum sponsored by The Atlantic Magazine.  And of course, there was lots of talk about after effects of Katrina as well as the Gulf Oil spill.  Below are just some of the participants, all who had varying views on what Louisiana has gone through in recent  years, and how well, or how badly the state and federal governments responded.

 

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (pictured with me above), who may run for President in 2012, feels Louisiana should lower the rhetoric a bit.  “After the oil spill, we need to tell the nation we are open for business, and not keep hollering about the oil.”Â  Barbour’s point is that you discourage visitors when the state so publicly demands recompense for oil on the beaches  and  for testing seafood.  Go ahead and push for  monitoring and clean up, but do it behind the scenes so as to quite scaring away the tourists.  When you keep hollowing about how bad things are in the New Orleans area, it’s no wonder the torist business is off.

Ken Feinberg (above) is a Washington attorney who has mediated some of the largest and most controversial public conflicts in the country.  He was special master overseeing the 9/11 fund, and is handling Gulf Oil claims along the coast.  He is quite articulate in analyzing how you go about determining just what a life is worth.  Ken told me his efforts to settle the multitude of Gulf Oil claims was one of his toughest tasks to date.

How about my man Spike Lee?  Every time he saw me at the conference, he would holler across the room:  “Who Dat!”Â  His two HBO films have captured the tragedies of Katrina and the oil spill better than any other effort.  And he sure does love New Orleans.