International conflict and just taking good care of yourself nightlight this week’s “Common Sense” radio show over the genesis Communications network.  Let me say how amazed and pleased we all are at the huge growth in listeners all over the world. Over 20% of our listeners over the internet tune in from outside the United States.  10% from China alone.  So there is a thirst for information worldwide and we are certainly happy to have so many new radio fans join up from listening stains from far and wide.

Do you know that former President Bill Clinton has become a vegan, and do you even know what a vegan really is?  An eating and lifestyle that hopefully keeps the heart and other organs ticking and working well right up to a ripe old age.  Dr. Ann Gittleman, from California, will join us at 9:30 central time to discuss how you can become healthier yet still enjoy what you eat.  Should you eat meat and dairy products?  What are the best substitutes?  Dr. Gittleman has a great nutritional website at www.annlouise.com, and nutrition advice at www.smoothieshakedown.com.  Her new book, “Fat Slush for Life” has a number of great tips, and you can read all about it by Clicking here.

During our show’s second hour, we will look at American’s quagmire in Afghanistan and Iraq?  It seemed easy to get in, but how do we wind this whole Middle East  mess down and how long will it take?  Joshua Gleis has an important new book out called “Withdrawing Under fire.”Â  He takes a look at lessons learned from Islamist insurgencies and we will certainly have a lively discussion.  You can get more information about his book by Clicking here.  All this and more on this weekend’s “Common Sense.”Â  Be sure and tune in.

This Sunday’s date, 9/11, turned into the frantic dialing of 911 ten years ago. . A surreal feeling of shock and helplessness enveloped all Americans as we watched that day’s events unfold. In hindsight, we should ask many questions.  Is America a safer place today?  Maybe.  But we also have witnessed a fundamental shift in our culture, where liberty and freedom have been compromised so that we supposedly feel “more safe.”Â  In my new column, I look back at my own personal experience on the tragic day, and also take a look at the ramifications of how our lives have changed.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by going to the flashing red box at the top of this site.  Also, check the haunting and troubling video below about the futility of war.

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9/11 will obviously been the “˜Common Sense’ focus on this 10 year anniversary of this catastrophic tragedy that changed the focus of our American way of life.  We will have guests that were in the World Trade Center and struggled for their lives.  We will look back and listen to perspectives of the three groups that were caught up in the 9/ll horror-those who died, survivors, and first responders.

Nicole B. Simpson, CFP and a survivor herself, represents many of the 9/11 survivors. She spent almost three years talking to individuals who were directly impacted by the tragedy of 9/11/2001.  In June, 2011, she released the survivor’s story titled 9/11/01 A Long Road Toward Recovery.   During the month of September a portion of the proceeds from books sales is being donated to Tuesdays Children and other organizations who work with struggling survivors.  You can read more about the book by Clicking Here.

My long time friend and New York Attorney Kevin Salter will also join us and re-live his harrowing experience of standing outside the World trade Center as the buildings fell.  He crawled for blocks through the smoke and soot barely being able to see.  Kevin was the subject of a CBS Report to cover his gripping story.  We are pictured below at the World Trade Center site.

 My 9-11: One Man’s Journey Through the Unexpected Events of September 11, 2001 is a 144-page hardback commemorative book recounting the World Trade Center tragedy through the eyes of a civilian first responder, a professional photographer who lived in lower Manhattan, a few blocks from the Twin Towers. This beautifully crafted volume presents 40 images, including never before published photos taken 20 minutes after One World Trade Center collapsed and selected artifacts preserved from Ground Zero. The book includes a vividly detailed 11,000-word narrative offering a glimpse of both the turmoil and heroism at Ground Zero immediately following the towers downfall. You can read more about the book and the dedicated organization helping so many first responders by going to their website by Clicking here.

A part of the MY 9-11 Project, here is a very moving song and video written and sung by Alicia Lemke who edited the 144-page commemorative book that is the flagship medium of the multimedia project. The song, entitled “Maiden Lane“ was inspired by the true story of the photographer and civilian first responder, Richard Agudelo, who rushed in to help as others were fleeing. Maiden Lane is the street he led some fellow volunteers down to get to his apartment so they could recoup.

You can listen and watch the video below.

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So join me this weekend on stations throughout the country, as well as a worldwide audience right here on this site.  Merely hit the flashing blue box above.  See you on the radio.

  

I’ve been a Gibson guitar fan as far back as I can remember when I first picked up my first stringed instrument. I paid my way through law school strummin’ a Gibson banjo, and have had several fine Gibson guitars over the years. So you can imagine my surprise when I heard about the recent raid on the Gibson factory. Paul Craig Roberts a, former associate editor of the Wall Street Journal, has been reporting shocking cases of prosecutorial abuse for two decades. He outlines well the picayunish abuse by the feds in harassing the Gibson Company. Roberts asked what law did Gibson Guitar Corp break that caused federal agents to disrupt Gibson’s plants in Nashville and Memphis, seize guitars, cause layoffs, and cost the company $3 million from disrupted operations?
No US law was broken. The feds claim that Gibson broke a law that is on the books in India. India has not complained about Gibson or asked for the aid of the US government in enforcing its laws against Gibson. Instead, the feds have taken it upon themselves to both interpret and to enforce on US citizens the laws of India. The feds claim that Gibson’s use of wood from India in its guitars is illegal, because the wood was not finished by Indian workers.
This must not be India’s interpretation of the law as India allowed the unfinished wood to be exported. Perhaps the feds are trying to force more layoffs of US workers and their replacement by H-1B foreign workers. Gibson can solve its problem by firing its Tennessee work force and hiring Indian citizens on H-1B work visas. Typical overkill on the part of the justice department and the FBI.

   

What a game at Cowboy Stadium in Dallas last weekend.  If you are not from down here in Louisiana, you really cannot understand the magic of being in Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night.  But I have to say, the magnificent stadium in Dallas is a step above anything in the country.  It’s not just the huge, 50 yard long TV monitor, but all the glass that surrounds the stadium and gives one the feeling of being outdoors with so much sun light beaming in.  The food choices are unrivaled, the ushers and security are extremely professional, and the stadium is just in a class all to itself. Of course, the highlight was the LSU victory over number thee ranked Oregon, that propelled LSU to number two in the nation in this week’s new college football poll.  Below are several videos inside Cowboy Stadium, to give you a feel of the experience.

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DON’T MESS

WITH MY SUMMER VACATION

Many naysayers have predicted that the family summer vacation, a venerable American tradition for over a century, has now passed away quietly after a lengthy illness. Supposedly, the final coup de grace was the recent rise in gas prices. But I say they protest a bit too much. I’ve taken a vacation a few weeks during the summer as far back as I can remember. Now I know the family dinner hour has gone by the wayside with an onslaught of television, cell phones, and way too many over-booked extracurricular activities. But I’m staying sanguine about the future of American mobility, and I’m back on the open road again. You can read my new column on the importance of just “getting away,’ now posted by Clicking Here or by going to the flashing red box at the top of this page.

The “Common Sense” radio show this weekend has a full array of guests.  We will be broadcasting live from Dallas, Texas on Clear Channel’s all talk  station, KFXR There will also be continuing analysis of jut what effect the recent hurricane will  have on insurance rates nationwide.   Your rates are bound to go up.  so what can you do about it?   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 byClicking Here.

Ken Kamen also 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.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s autobiography, “In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir,” is not on sale and he continues to defend the Bush Administration’s decision to invade Iraq because of the presence of weapons of mass destruction.  You will recall that Ambassador Joe Wilson contradicted the V.P in a New York Times op ed piece.  Shortly thereafter, Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame Wilson was outed as a CIA agent.  Both Wilsons claim it was as vendetta and that Cheney lied about what actually happened.  A major motion picture (“Fair Game”) was made about the story and Valerie was played in the film by actress Naomi Watts.  Here is my interview with Valerie Wilson recently in New Orleans.

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I’ve written before about one of the most unique music venues in America, The Red Dragon Listening Room.  And that’s exactly what the place is.  No drinks or food.  Nothing for sale.  Just listening to some first rate musical groups.  I’m a regular, and owner Chris Maxwell knows to hold me a sea up front.  I was in that number this past Friday night to hear Keith Sykes and Sara Jean Kelley.  Singer/songwriter Keith Sykes first surfaced in 1969 with a self-titled LP on Vanguard, followed a year later by 1 2 3; out of the limelight throughout much of the early 1970s, he resurfaced later in the decade playing guitar in Jimmy Buffett’s touring band.  He is a prolific song writer based out of Nashville.  Also on the program was   Nashville born singer and songwriter Sara Jean Kelley, who delivers a mixture of traditional country, bluegrass and blues with modern Americana; sultry vocals, and haunting lyrics all played on a classic 1969 Gibson B25.  You can view both performers below.

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Well normally, this is the slow month of August, with hot summer days, and not really  all that much news.  Not this year.  We have followed international confrontations that will leave an unstable Middle Ease for years to come, and a national recession that has been a financial calamity for millions of Americans.  And now, some Lady called Irene.   We know something about preparing for hurricanes if you live down in my part of the country.  But this is a whole new world for millions of Americans up and down the east coast.  I’ll have a number of personal stories and insights plus the latest information at the top of our show this weekend.

     

And how controversial can we get?  Well, how about public executions?  That’s what a team of criminal professors are advocating in a recent New York Times column.  I’ll have as a guest Professor Zachary Shemtob to talk about his avocation of a return to public executions as a deterrent for violent crime.  What do you think?  Tune in for the conversation.

    

And it’s time again to talk about this atrocious law called the Patriot Act, and all the damage it has done to our democratic system of government.  A pox on all those congressman and senators who voted to strip you of many of your constitutional rights.  Author and columnist Jay Feldman will discuss his provocative new book about how our notions of democracy, freedom, and tolerance are threatened during political, social, and economic crises.  It’s called MANUFACTURING HYSTERIA: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America, and you can find out lots more and order the book by Clicking Here.

   

Finally, we will be joined by national bestselling author Ellen Lubin-Sherman, who has some insights for working men and women alike in her new book “The Essentials of Fabulous:  Because Whatever Doesn’t Work Here Anymore.”Â  You can read all about it by Clicking Here. So a lively show that we hope you won’t want to miss.  You can hear the “Common Sense program on stations nationwide, or live right here on this site by clicking the blue box at the top of the page.  Hey, we will see you on the radio.

How much more bleak can the mood of the country get?  Several new polls out this week show that only 15% of likely voters in next year’s presidential election say the U.S. is heading in the right direction.  Enter Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the new flavor of the month, and our neighbor next to my home state of Louisiana.   Perry is the perfect fit for the Texas cowboy gunslinger who “shoots first” and delves into the details later. So is Perry for real or just another blow hard gun totin’ Texas that ends up being all hat and no cattle?  Take a look at this week’s column that raises some troubling questions about ole’ Ranger Rick.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by hitting the flashing red box at the top of this page.

I have written before about the great music stop in Baton Rouge called the Red Dragon Listening Room, located in the heart of the city.  No alcohol unless you bring your own.  Owner Chris Maxwell (pictured above with Terri Hendrix and me) makes nothing off the concert as all the proceeds go to the musicians who travel far and wide to come to Baton Rouge.  It’s just a “labor of love” for Chris, and there is generally a concert every weekend.  Last Saturday night was a special treat with Austin singer and song writer Terri Hendrix taking the mike.  Accompanying her was legendary Texas guitarist Lloyd Maines, who is the father of Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines.  You will enjoy Terri and Lloyd below.  We all had a long visit before and after the concert, and I look forward to their coming back to perform again soon.  You parents, take a listen particularly to Terri’s song, “If I Had a Daughter.”

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Just because it’s August and often up to 100 degrees in many parts of the country doesn’t mean there is not a whole lot going on to talk about on the radio.   The political climate is dysfunctional, and daily “goofy” comments take place by both parties.  Is there anyone running for president that has a lick of “Common Sense?”Â Â  Just who is this guy Rick Perry, and does he have way too much Texas swagger to be President?  Did you know he was Al Gore’s Texas campaign manager when Gore ran for President back in 1988?  He sure can change is stripes.  Are we ready for another cowboy President?  We will talk about it.

It seems like every time you pick up the paper, there is another scandal involving the Catholic Church.  New Orleans author Jason Berry was a major figure in breaking the pedophile priests scandal throughout the church and has ever produced a film abut this tragedy.  Now he has a new book out called “Render unto Rome-The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church.”Â  Jason will join us in this weekend’s show as part of our second hour.  You can find out more concerning his new book by Clicking Here.

We also seem to read daily about another innocent victim incarcerated for a crime they didn’t commit.  I am gathering a wide list of such injustices for a possible new book, and the list is growing rapidly.  Gov. Rick Perry, by the way, has some answering to do over his failure to investigate a horrendous miscarriage of justice in Texas involving Cameron Todd Willingham who was executed, and who many reliable investigators now say it was obvious he was innocent.  Author Laura Caldwell has a new book out called “Claim of Innocence.”Â  It too profiles a woman falsely accused of poisoning her best friend.  It’s a major best seller and you can find out more about this chilling novel by Clicking Here..

Also, my  ole buddy and home improvement guru Michael King, the Cajun Contactor, will give us an update on protecting your home in case you have a major insurance claim.  All this and much more to be covered in this week’s “Common Sense” radio program.  I sure hope you will tune in on a flock of stations that carry or show nationwide, or right here on this website by Clicking on the blue box at the top of this page.  We will see you on the radio.

Are you a NASCAR fan?  There sure are a great number of die hards down in my part of the country.  Now some will say that NASCAR fans are rednecks, who have nothing better to do than watch a bunch of cars go in circles.  But those that feel that way are missing a whole culture of fans that have made this racing a way of life. I know many folks down my way who go to the races, camp out the entire week or weekend, bring about 10 cases of beer, cookout, party and have fun with other fans, stay up all night, enjoy the smell of gasoline and rubber, and feel that the hair on the back of their necks stand up when they fire up the engines and when they turn them loose at the wave of the green flag. They pay good money for a seat in the stands that many never use because they stand the entire race, screaming and hollering GOOOOO  to their favorite driver.  And of course, all races begin with a prayer.  And generally not just the average prayer.  Take a look below at a recent pre- race prayer below.

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With all the bad economic news abounding worldwide, at least we can look to the fall sporting events of football and basketball to divert our attention from so much world confrontation.  And it’s particularly nice to see healthy competition between the U.S. and China, since China holds so much of the American debt.  How about a friendly game of basketball, especially since Vice President Joe Biden was in China at the time?  Take a look at how well the game went below.

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Fifty years ago his weekend, the Berlin Wall was erected by the puppet soviet state of East Germany.  Unless you are over sixty five or are a history buff, you may not understand the tensions that existed then that had many observers feel we could be on the brink of war with the Soviet Union.  I lived through this troubling time as a student at Cambridge University in England, and remember well crossing over the Berlin Wall that was built by the East Germans 50 years ago this weekend.  Check out my new column that will take you back with me to 1961.  You can read the column by Clicking Here or by going to the flashing red box above.

Also below are two videos of Presidents Kennedy and Reagan at the Berlin Wall.  Kennedy calls for freedom and Reagan demands that the wall come down.

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After a long but quick trip throughout much of the Southeastern United States, my “Common Sense“ radio show is back home in Baton Rouge this weekend on our home station, Clear Channel’s WJBO, that’s 1150 AM.  We made radio stops in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Atlanta, Georgia, and Boone, North Carolina.  And after a few week break t home, our show will be back on the road again soon.  Hey, my thanks to Chris East and all the folks at 640 AM WGST -The Talk of Atlanta. We had a great reception with these folks during our sow last weekend from their studios, which, of course are located on Peachtree Road.  Seems like every street in Atlanta has a form of Peachtree in its name.  I’m pictured with Chris below.

This week, we will take a look at the booming Texas economy, that possible presidential contender Gov. Rick Perry says is the shining example to the rest of the country.  But just why is the economy there booming?  Does it have anything to do with drug money?  University of Texas criminal justice professor Michael Lauderdale said drug money from Mexico is a major part of the growing Texas economy in a Time Magazine feature last week.  And he will be on my show this weekend in the first hour to tell us just why.  Youcan find more about Prof. Lauderdale and his recent book on Texas by Clicking Here.

Also joining us will be author Stephen Glain, who raises important questions about America’s spending priorities and how far should we go in building up a continuing world presence with our military. An interesting account of how sixty years of American militarism created the Cold War, fanned decades of what Glain says is unnecessary conflict, helped to fuel Islamist terror, and threatens to bankrupt the country. In eye-opening fashion, State vs. Defense shows how America truly operates as a superpower and explores the constant tension between the diplomats at State and the warriors at Defense. He will join us in the second hour of the show, and you can find out more about this book by Clicking Here.

We will also get an update on America’s troubled economy, and what could happen to Medicare and social security coverage.  Plus, can you believe that football is getting popular in India? These Asians just won’t let us be, will they?  All this and more on the “Common Sense“ show this weekend, so be sure and tune in.

    

       

The Masters is certainly America’s most prestigious golfing event, and one of the great golfers most associated with this world famous tournaments is two time winner Ben Crenshaw. The Masters is where Crenshaw tied for 19th place as a first-time amateur in 1972. It’s where he holed that impossibly sinister 60-footer for birdie at No. 10 in 1984 and won by two over Tom Watson. It’s where he beat Davis Love III by a shot in 1995 the week he and Tom Kite flew home before the tournament to carry legendary golf coach Harvey Penick’s casket to its gravesite at Memorial Park.  I’ve followed the Masters Tourney for years, so what a treat it was this week to have lunch with Ben up at Grandfather Mountain Country Club in Linville North Carolina.  He later passed me on the driving range and I hollered a challenge for him to take me on.  He said he had watched me hit a few and thought he would pass on my offer.  So was this a compliment or a nice way to say I wasn’t up to the challenge?  In any event, the Austin, Texas native is as class guy. 

Well as Willie Nelson sings, It’s on the Road Again for the “Common Sense“ show and we will be making a number of stops.  This weekend, I’ll be broadcasting live from Atlanta’s largest talk station, Clear Channel’s WGST-640 Am located in the heart of downtown Atlanta.  (Of curse the station is on Peachtree Road). And we really have a jam packed and interesting show planned for you listeners.  Then we head up into the Blue Ridge mountains for some cool weather, and a radio visit at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where the show will be broadcast live on  August 14th.  Hey, who knows where we will go from there.

With the debt limit crisis temporarily averted, a lot of questions are being asked about the financial stability of social security.  Noted economist and author Allen Smith, Ph.D. has been writing about Social Security for more than a decade. He will be my guest   to talk about the “Great Social Security Theft” our government doesn’t want you to know about. He’ll reveal insidious ways Social Security has been mishandled and plundered”“ and why your future has been put in jeopardy. He is the author of seven books including “The Looting of Social Security.”Â  You can find out more by Clicking Here.

In addition, with all the flooding along the Mighty Mississippi, a timely book is Lee Sanlin’s new best seller, Wicked River, all about how the Mississippi River initially ran wild.   This mighty river, that runs right through middle America, and past several of my hometowns, has been the key economic transportation engine over the past 250 years of America’s history.  Lots of information on this fascinating book by Clicking Here.

And if you like good mysteries, New York Times best selling author Andrew Gross has a new one out that will grip you with suspense.  it’s called Eyes Wide Shut, and Andrew will visit the show to talk about his new chiller.  You can get more information on this novel by Clicking here. So plenty to talk about this weekend.  I hope you can join  our show.

*****

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Jim Brown’s Common Sense

So what do you think?  Is former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards irrelevant?  He has not been in office since 1995″¦.that’s 16 years, and we all know he had to take an eight and a half year “vacation” until just recently.  So many assume he just would fade of into the sunset and never be heard from again.  In fact, several New Orleans political pundits wrote that he is no longer of any consequence on the state and national scene.  Well they apparently have not tuned into the wave of attention showered on the former governor in recent weeks.

His biography, Edwin Edwards-Governor of Louisiana, has become the largest selling book by a Louisiana author in the state’s history.  My friend and colleague Leo Honeycutt has received a number of honors for authoring the Edwards book. Noted Louisiana author and playwright Gus Weill said in a radio interview this week that the Edwards biography and the man himself is more significant that T. harry Williams’ biography of Huey Long. And just last weekend, you would have thought there was a world movie premier at the Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans, as over 1000 people packed the hotel for an Edwin Edwards Roast, or just to mill around and be part of all the excitement.  Many national papers were there to cover the Governor’s comments including the New York Times.  Of course at 84 years old, he has no intention of running for office again.  But irrelevant?  Most politicians would love to have the attention being received by Louisiana’s Cajun Prince.  Edwin Edwards is far from being irrelevant.

Eye eeeee.  The Louisiana man, Doug Kershaw, came home last week.  Doug started out as a South Louisiana Zydeco singer, and became the Cajun voice to Cajun music lovers all over the world.  I’ve heard Doug perform many times, and we have become good friends over the years.  He and I had a rollicking good time roasting former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards last weekend at the Monteleone Hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter.  We swapped stories for hours, but you just can’t one up ole’ Doug.  Below are several of my favorite Doug Kershaw songs.

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George Rodrigue has been a Louisiana institution for many years. I knew George when he began painting south Louisiana pastorals back in the 1970s. Then one day, on a whim, he painted his dog that had stayed by his sid3e in his studio for many years, but had recently passed away. For some reason, he painted the dog blue. And now, the Blue Dog is recognized worldwide and George’s paintings often command a six figure amount. George and I had dinner together with a number of old Louisiana friends down in the French Quarter in New Orleans last weekend. His is as energetic and vibrant as ever. And of course, the talk was about many more Blue dogs to come. Take a look below.

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ON THE RADIO!

I’ll be taking the “˜Common Sense“ radio show on the road in the next few weeks, visiting some of our network stations, and enjoying an extended summer vacation as I travel.  A good chance to also renew old friendships and visit far off family members.  It’s New Orleans this weekend for a round of activities.  I’ll be joining a number of Louisiana politicos in roasting former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards at the famous Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter Saturday night.  Then live from Clear Channel’s WRNO in the Crescent City, the “Common Sense“ show will air at its usual time from 9:00  am until 10:00 am central time.  The following weekend, August 7^th, we will be live from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

If you were not able to catch last weekend’s show, you missed a first rate discussion of why so many people are drifting away from the more traditional denominational religions, and finding other ways to explore their religious beliefs.  Author Tim O’Donnell was my interesting guest.  Since the time Tim says he was a nuisance to the nuns, he has been asking questions about religion and Catholicism. After sixteen years of formal Catholic education followed by a successful business career, at age forty he sold his companies, built a log home in the woods and resumed his inquiry into the religion of his birth. Being a former daily newspaper publisher, O’Donnell unabashedly and unflinchingly dove headfirst into the taboo questions of Christianity, not as a theologian but as an investigative reporter. His bold probe has generated a straightforward and at times controversial exploration into questions many Christians carry from Catechism into adulthood. You might want to take a look at the video of Tim’s thoughts below.  And you will find his website full of information on his concepts and his new book by Clicking Here.

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And get ready for this week’s lively program.  Since the country seems to be on the brink of a financial meltdown, we will take a look at how this national financial disaster began.  I have written repeatedly how the financial and insurance regulators dropped the ball causing the recent financial crisis.  New York Times writer Joshua Rosner has a new book out, Reckless Endangerment, that agrees.  We will try to figure out just what went wrong and where the blame should lie.  You can get full information about Rosner’s book by Clicking Here.

f you read this column regularly, you know what a big country music fan I am.  “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Country Music” is an inspirational collection of more than 100 of your favorite country songs. Author Randy Rudder will join me in discussing his new book.  While many fans may focus on the artist singing the song, I think the meat and potatoes to any successful tune is the songwriter behind that creation. In this book, the story comes straight from the songwriter’s mouth in enjoyable bites of information. We hear from Jimmy Webb who talks about the Glen Campbell hits, “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” Tom T. Hall dishes about his musings for “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” Bobby Braddock reveals the history behind Tammy Wynette’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” and Alex Harvey tells about the person in his life who inspired “Delta Dawn.” You can read all about this fun book by Clicking Here.

So our program is jammed packed this weekend from New Orleans.  Be sure and tune in.

Many naysayers have predicted that the family summer vacation, a venerable American tradition for over a century, has now passed away quietly after a lengthy illness. Supposedly, the final coup de grace was the recent rise in gas prices. But I say they protest a bit too much. I’ve taken a vacation a few weeks during the summer as far back as I can remember,  so  I’m back on the open road again.  I’ll be on the East Coast in both New York and North Carolina in the weeks to come.  Oh, I’ll do some posting here from time to time.  But generally taking a break for a regular weekly column for the summer.  You can read my thoughts on the importance of summer holidays and all my meanderings by checking here on this site.  Hope you too are enjoying your summer and are able to get away and take a vacation.

Hey, we want to welcome new station KQEW 102.3fm, an FM signal that is heard all over south Arkansas and located in Fordyce, AR.  They are the latest in a growing number of radio stations that carry the “Common Sense” program each weekend.

A biomedical gerontologist in England is predicting that humans will soon live to be 150 years old, and within 20 years, people could live to be 1,000 years old. He says the key to this will be regular maintenance of the aging process to minimize the cellular damage that occurs over time. While this prediction has many excited, holistic physician Dr. Mark William Cochran points out that we haven’t made a toaster that can last 150 years, much less 1,000 years. So how can we realistically expect such amazing results with something as complex as the human body? Dr. Cochran days it will be lifestyle changes that will create more centenarians worldwide. He is the author of the award-winning book “Oby’s Wisdom! A Caveman’s Simple Guide to Health and Well-Being.” Dr. Cochran will join us at the top of the hour this weekend.  You can find out more of his book by Clicking Here.

And have you followed the case of Notorious Boston Mob kingpin James (Whitey) Bulger, who was finally busted, ending a 16-year manhunt that was a major black-eye for the FBI.  He hid out down here in my home state of Louisiana for several years, then was finally nabbed in Los Angeles, where he was living in Santa Monica with long-time girlfriend Catherine Greig.  He seemed to be the last of the larger-than-life gangsters, and he had risen to No. 1 on the FBI’s Most Wanted List after Osama Bin Laden was killed last month. Bulger had a $2 million bounty on his head. So why did it take so long to find him since he was living right out in the open?  We will talk to columnist Tom Eddlem to give us the “real scoop” on whether or not Bugler was being protected.  You can read his blog by Clicking Here.

One of my summer reads was Eyes Wide Open, a real menacing psychological thriller by New York Times bestselling author Andrew Gross.  You will think or cult killer Charles Manson when you read this compelling story.  Andrew will join us in our second hour this weekend.  You can find out more of his book by Clicking Here.

All in all, a jammed packed program.  So we hope you can tune in by checking our local listings or by Clicking on the blue flashing box above.  We will see you on the radio.

We are really fortunate in my home town of Baton Rouge to have a “Music Room.”Â  Local businessman Chris Maxwell has created a place where song writers and solo musicians can come and perform.  Chris serves no food or beverages.  It’s just a place to listen to good music.  You are welcome to bring your own cooler, and Chris generally stirs up some bits to eat.  You generally pay $20.00 at the door, and all the proceeds go to the performer.  To find out more about the Red Dragon if you are in the area, you can check out the Facebook page by entering Red Dragon Listening Room, or by Clicking Here.

I listened to Oklahoma singer and songwriter Greg Jacobs perform last weekend.  He’s written some great songs, and still has a strong voice after many years on the road.  The show opened with the melodic voice of Emily Branton.  She’s a local Louisiana gal from St. Francisville right up the road from Baton Rouge.  You can listen to both of these talented singers below.

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RUSH TO JUDGMENT IN THE  ANTHONY AND STRAUSS-KAHN CASES?

The press told us that both high profile cases were slam dunks for the prosecutors.  Casey Anthony and Dominique Strauss-Kahn There was no doubt in the press and by the prosecutors.  Both were guilty.  Or so we were told.  From the beginning, both cases were played out in a soap opera bubble that was surrounded in a circus like atmosphere.  Cable TV and talk radio served up a daily dose of inflamed rhetoric that convicted both of the accused in the media from day one.   But what happened in both cases?  My new column  takes a look at a few of what we think to be basic American judicial premises.  Reasonable doubt,  a jury not swayed by public opinion, fair decisions by judges.  You can read my new column on these high profile, mesmerizing case by Clicking Here, or by Clicking on the flashing red box above.  And needless to say, CNN s Nancy Grace was not at all pleased with the Anthony verdict.  To get her reaction, watch below.

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The Baton Rouge Business Report in its current issue published a lengthy story about Jim’s views on the current insurance crisis all along the Gulf Coast.  His opinions apply coast to coast as the whole country faces higher property insurance rates.  You can read this informative article now by Clicking Here.

Jim Brown’s “Common Sense” nationally syndicated radio program will be back in Baton Rouge this week, broadcasting from our flagship station, Clear Channel’s WJBO. One more week at home, then our show is back on the road broadcasting from New York City, Asheville, North Carolina, and Mt. Helens, Oregon, all in the weeks to come. We again want to welcome new stations WVNJ 1160 AM in New York City and Teaneck, New Jersey. New Orleans station KAGY 1510 AM, WABL 1570 Am in Hammond, Louisiana as well as KMRC 1430 AM in Morgan City, the heart of South Louisiana.

Casey Anthony and Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Have they received justice or are they getting away with their accused crimes? We will talk about it this weekend, and take your calls and comments. Check out this week’s column by Jim, then join us for what certainly will be a lively conversation.

Several authors will join us this weekend. Joseph Michelli, author of The Starbucks Experience and The New Gold Standard, is among the world’s top authorities on the principles of creating an organizational culture dedicated to service excellence. Michelli turns his attention to one of the most complex, controversial, and critical industries””healthcare. In Prescription for Excellence, Michelli provides an inside look at UCLA Health System, an organization that has become the envy of its industry””and explains how you can dominate your own industry by using the same approach. You can read more about the book by Clicking Here.

In addition, with all the flooding along the Mighty Mississippi, a timely book is Lee Sanlin’s new best seller, Wicked River, all about how the Mississippi River initially ran wild. Lots of information on this fascinating book by Clicking Here.  This and much more to update listeners on this weekend on Jim Brown’s “Common Sense.”

When the GOP converged on New Orleans last month, I ran into Mark Halperin, editor-at-large and senior political analyst for TIME Magazine.  I had read his book Game Change, which thoroughly covered the 2008 presidential election from beginning to end.  He struck me as rather laid back, and I was surprised at his recent comment about the President?  “You called Obama what?”Â  Take a look at his comments that started quite a controversy, and the follow up by Jon Stewart is priceless.  Should Halperin have been suspended from NBC?  Take a look and see what you think.

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As many of you know, New Orleans has been my home off and on for almost 50 years.  I received my law degree from Tulane University, worked my way through law school by coaching little league and playing my banjo on Bourbon Street, began my law practice in the Big Easy, and for years hosted a daily three hour radio show in the Crescent City on Clear Channel’s WRNO.  I’m a regular at Mardi Gras, Saints and Hornets games, Jazz Fest and I get a fix at Galitoire’s at least once a month.  The HBO series Treme gives a whole different side of the city and you never stop making more cultural discoveries.  My longtime friend and musician Vince Vance offers a fitting tribute to what’s special about New Orleans.  It’s worth a view below.

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THE 4^TH OF JULY-FREEDOM NOT HOT DOGS!

Independence Day to most Americans means a three day weekend with gatherings of family and friends, barbecues, parties, games, food, parades, baseball games and fireworks.  Traditionally, most of us know that July 4^th is the recognition and celebration of our country’s independence from an oppressive government.  But this mid summer special day is really only about one thing.  Freedom.  And way too often, our freedom is being compromised and challenged, not by some foreign power, but from within by our own political leaders.  Take a look at my new column on the real meaning of Independence Day.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by Clicking on the Flashing Red Box at the top of this site. My friend, Judge Anthony Napolitano has a few thoughts on freedom and the government below.  And check out Richie Havens’ classic from Woodstock on Freedom.  Plus, anything patriotic has to  include Clint Eastwood-right?

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The Common sense radio show starts out in the month of July with an independence weekend bang, and several new stations joining our network.  New additions to the show include:

WVNJ 1160 AM in New York City and Teaneck, New Jersey.  This is a large market station that has listeners throughout northern New Jersey and throughout New York City.

And how about a surge in Louisiana stations?  New Orleans station KAGY 1510 AM, one of the Crescent City’s great music stations will go all talk when the Jim Brown “Common Sense” show hits the airwaves.  We are proud to also go live with sister stations WABL 1570 Am in Hammond, Louisiana as well as KMRC 1430 AM in Morgan City, the heart of South Louisiana.  We welcome these new stations that now are a part of one of the country’s fastest growing talk radio networks.  Our show is heard coast to coast on Sunday mornings, and we hope you will tune in.

The U.S. Supreme Court came down with a chilling decision this week banning states from stopping young kids from watching violet and sexually expressive video games.  So much for states rights.  It’s open season on mass torture, mayhem and gross violence for your kids to enjoy.  So guess who will join me on my show?  Leading sex expert, clinical psychologist, lawyer and former Playboy Playmate Dr. Victoria Zdrok Wilson, author of a new book called, “The 30-Day Sex Solution,” and she will talk about our country’s puritanical sexual attitudes in American life which Dr. Zdrok says have long been “pro-violent and anti-sex.  So what is the law and the effects on minors of violent sexual behavior on video games as well as the mass violence that takes place in many of these games?  We will find out on Sunday.  And you can find out all about Dr. Wilson’s new book by Clicking Here.

And we will take a gander at a hot new bestselling novel called The Faculty Club, by author Danny Tobey who will join me on the show.  Full information about the new novel can be found by Clicking Here. This and much more all this weekend on Jim brown’s Common Sense.

The 4^th of July means family, friends, outdoors and a good mid- summer holidays.  But it’s a so a special day to remember the freedoms that we fight to protect in this county.  Too often, our freedoms are under attack, not from abroad, but from politicians right here at home.  And like several other holidays, it’s also a time to pause for a moment to remember and give thanks to those special and brave men and women who serve in the military to protect our freedoms.  Below are two of my special videos that express both of these continuing concerns.

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As of this writing, my two favorite female tennis stars are soon to face each other in the Wimbledon semi finals.  I’ve had the chance to see tennis at Wimbledon for many years, going back to my days in school at Cambridge University.  I used to run track meets at Wimbledon back in the 60s.  Now it’s THE place for tennis, and I wish I could be there now to cheer on my two favorites.  I followed both Russian American Maria Sharapova and Sabine Lasicki, who is from Germany, during my spring training trips to Tampa over the past several years.  Sharapova is the flashy glamor star of tennis, and Lasicki is the teenage newcomer.  Now they face off in a match I look forward to seeing.  I’ve followed and visited with them both, so I’m torn as to who to root for.

Maria Sharapova, the Wimbledon favorite, in action above and getting a few pointers (Yeah! right!) from yours truly below.

I’ll be watching Sabine Lasicki work out for years to come since she is so young, as I did this past March in Florida.

THE GOP DOG AND PONY SHOW

COMES TO NEW ORLEANS!

The circus comes to town quite often in New Orleans.  It’s always Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, frolicking in the French Quarter, and weekly festivals where zany antics take place, few restrictions apply, and the good times continue to roll.  So it was no surprise that republicans gathered in New Orleans last week to assess their chances in 2012.  Sizing up the field of presidential wannabes that showed up, there were no real standouts.  National polls indicate that half the republican voters nationally are still hoping a better candidate emerges.  But don’t bet on it. It was tea party tough talk as the eight announced candidates engaged in one-upsmanship in seeing who could be the bigger critic of the President, and who could offer the biggest slice of rhetorical red meat to the party’s base.  I was there and wrote my column this week about the big sow.  You can read it now by Clicking Here or by Clicking on the blinking red box at the top of this site. You can see my summery of the convention below.

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Visiting with Republican Presidential Candidate and former Senator Rick Santorum from Pennsylvania.

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Former Louisian Governor Buddy Roemer gave one of the better speeches about the dangers of too much campaign money, but few took notice.

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In the video above, GOP convention chairman Charley Davis gives his view of the convention’s success in New Orleans.

Wow, do we have a fully packed radio program this weekend that you won’t want to miss.  I’ll rehash the Republican circus that took place in New Orleans last weekend at the National Republican Leadership Conference.  It was Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs all running for the presidential nomination with each candidate trying to out tea party the other.  They got so riled up they threw a Barack Obama impersonator off the stage.  I’ll give you the full details this Sunday morning.

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And how as bout pro football this fall-will we have it?  These are interesting times for the National Football League. Immediately after producing the most watched television show in U.S. history, the focus has shifted towards the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the owners and the players.  What’s it all about?  I’ll have as my guest Tulane law professor Gabe Feldman to explain the whole conroversy.

I have written repeatedly how the financial and insurance regulators dropped the ball causing the recent financial crisis.  New York Times writer Joshua Rosner has a new book out, Reckless Endangerment, that agrees.  We will try to figure out just what went wrong and where the blame should lie.  You can get full information about Rosner’s book by Clicking Here

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If you read this column regularly, you know what a big country music fan I am.  “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Country Music” is an inspirational collection of more than 100 of your favorite country songs. Author Randy Rudder will join me in discussing his new book.  While many fans may focus on the artist singing the song, I think the meat and potatoes to any successful tune is the songwriter behind that creation. In this book, the story comes straight from the songwriter’s mouth in enjoyable bites of information. We hear from Jimmy Webb who talks about the Glen Campbell hits, “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” Tom T. Hall dishes about his musings for “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” Bobby Braddock reveals the history behind Tammy Wynette’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” and Alex Harvey tells about the person in his life who inspired “Delta Dawn.” You can read all about this fun book by Clicking Here.

So a full show on the radio this Sunday, June 26^th live from 9:00 am until 11:00 am central time, on stations all over American and on this site.  I hope you will give a listen.

ARE REPUBLICANS FLIP FLOPPERS ON

HEALTH INSURANCE  MANDATES?

Remember the old knock on presidential candidate John Kerry back in the 2004 election?  “I was for it before I was against it.”Â Â  Today, about the single worst charge that can be make against any conservative republican presidential candidate is that they support requiring Americans to buy health insurance. But for decades, the Republican leadership in Washington embraced and championed individual mandates”¦well, that was before they “saw the light” and flip-flopped against such a requirement. As Ricky Ricardo used to say: “Lucy, you got some explainin’ to do.”Â  Take a look at my evaluation of this difficult and controversial problem in this week’s column now posted.  You can read it by Clicking on the RED Flashing Box at the top or by Clicking Here.  And see video on this flip flopping below.

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The Presidential season seems to be approaching way too soon, with the first major Republican debate having taken place this past Monday evening.  Did you watch it or even care?  We wil talk a bit about winners and losers.  Our friend Professor Gabe Feldman was sidetracked last week, so he will be with us again to talk about the potential NFL strike.  Could there still could be a football strike this fall.? What’s all the disagreement about? We fans just want to watch football. And in today’s economic doldrums, how does a family pay the rising cost of the professional sporting events?

Summertime means getting into shape, and Joan Pagano will be my guest, and will tell us about her theory of a good workout in just 15 minutes a day.  Her book, “15 minute abs workout, is a fast seller, and more information can be found by Clicking here.    James MacManus also will check in from England to share some stoiries from his engrossing book, The Language of the Sea. You will be surprised to learn what happens to an ordinary guy who slips out of his life and into legend.  More information by Clicking Here.

Our list of staions that make up our syndicated network continues to grow, and we wil have a new annoucement next week about new members of the “Common Sense” network.  Be sure and tune in.

It’s interesting what you can see on signs around your area, and a few of the conflicting surrounding messages.  Take a look at a few of my favorites;

And my favorite below.

Cajun music is a way of life down here where I live in Louisiana, and this time of year means summer festivals, piles of crawfish, and Cajun music galore.  Cajuns are the descendants of exiles from the French colony of ACADIA (present-day Nova Scotia and adjacent areas) who left their homeland in 1755 and found refuge in southern Louisiana a decade later. The French-speaking, Roman Catholic Cajuns, today estimated to number about 500,000, maintain many cultural and occupational traditions of their ancestors. Their speech is an archaic form of French into which are incorporated words taken from English, German, Spanish, and various Indian languages.

Below is a little Adam Sandler Cajun humor plus several of my favorite Cajun musicians.  Take a listen.

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Below is the Cajun national anthem, Jole’ Blon, sung by three Cajun musical legends, Jimmy C Newman, Doug Kershaw, and  Joel Sonnier.

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John Edwards is a sleazy guy who has betrayed his family, his friends and his supporters.  He has certainly fallen from grace and will carry this albatross for the rest of his life.  But is he a criminal under federal law and should he go to jail?   That’s the question that needs to be asked as the former presidential candidate faces the biggest challenge of his life.  Some troubling questions have been raised in this case.  Is any money given to a person who happens to be a candidate considered to be campaign money?  Or is that a stretch and can there be abuse in such an interpretation by prosecutors?  Take a look at my thoughts and see what you think?  You can read my new column right now by Clicking on the red flashing box above or by Clicking Here.

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Normally, the summertime is a slow news time of year, and radio shows like mine often scramble to book interesting topics for our listeners. Not in today’s climate. From worldwide confrontation to presidential, congressional and state politics, there is plenty of “red meat” to discuss, analyze and pontificate over. This week is no exception. John Edwards (“Is Being a Sleaze a federal Crime?”), New York’s Congressman Andrew Weiner (How low can you go with your twittering?), and Sarah Palin (Paul Revere warns the British? Give us a break).

We will talk with NFL expert and Tulane law Professor Gabe Feldman about why there still could be a football strike this fall. What’s all the disagreement about? We fans just want to watch football. And in today’s economic doldrums, how does a family afford to take a summer vacation or even buy their season tickets? The Money Couple, Bethany and Scott palmer will join me to give some good current hints. Their new book, “First Comes Love, Then Comes Money, is a best seller and more information is available by Clicking Here.

Finally, summertime is a good time to get fit, lose some weight and begin eating better. Fitness guru Gus Deligiannidis will join me in giving good advice on how to talk a new direction in your life and begin feeling really good. Gus has a book titled: “My Personal Story of Health through Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Light Exercise and the Fascinating Wellness Program that came with it.” You can read all about it by Clicking Here.

A lively weekend planned, so be sure and tune in for Jim Brown’s “Common sense.”

Malcolm Holcombe is considered a bluegrass, folk singing genius in the Blue Ridge Mountains around Asheville, North Carolina.  He’s been around for years, and has a unique personal style of playing and singing that has built quite a following in the backwoods music field.  I’ve listened to Macomb for years.  He’s had highs and real lows in his life, but his popularity seems to be coming back.  I had an enjoyable evening last week listening and visiting with Malcolm at the red Dragon Music Room in Baton Rouge.  Take a listen and see what you think. Listen particularly to the second video that Malcolm wrote about  New Orleans.

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Well by now, most of you have heard Sarah Palin’s explanation of why Pal Revere made his famous ride.  According to Sarah, it was to warn the British.  It was even a bit much for Chris Wallace at Fox News to swallow. All the Palin apologists immediately came to her defense saying Revere did warn the British.  Less known, says Sarah, is the fact that Paul Revere was captured by said redcoats and did indeed defiantly warn them of the awakened militia awaiting their arrival ahead and of the American Revolution’s inevitable victory.  But if you look at the interview, this was far from what Palin meant.  My friend, Andy Borowitz has the following comments about Palin’s “Freedom Tour.”

Visiting Thomas Jefferson’s historic home, Monticello, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today paid tribute to the nation’s third President, telling an audience of supporters, “We must never forget the wisdom of Jefferson, and his wife, Weezy.”Â  Gov. Palin said that “at a time of our history when the American people needed leadership, it was Jefferson who said the immortal words, “˜We’re movin’ on up.'”Â  The former Alaska Governor, criticized in recent days over her grasp of American history, used the Monticello speech to demonstrate her knowledge of the country’s founding fathers.  “Let us have the ingenuity of Benjamin Franklin, who invented the electric chair,” she said.

“Let us have the honesty of George Washington, who told his father that he chopped down a cherry tree because it was blocking his view of Russia,” she added.  “And let us have Washington’s perseverance, which he demonstrated during that harsh winter at Sweet Valley High.”Â  But she saved her most fulsome praise for her favorite American hero, Paul Revere: “In his famous cry, “˜One if by land, two if by sea,’ Paul Revere proved that you don’t have to know how to count higher than two to be a great American.”Â  At the end of her speech in Monticello, Gov. Palin said that she was looking forward to the next stop on her bus tour, Philadelphia, “the home of the Taco Bell.”Â  Go Andy.

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Last week, The Congress of the United States sent a strong message to the American people that infringement on the Bill of Rights and the Constitution itself is just all part of the price we pay for “Big Government” to protect us.  Thomas Paine warned us at the birth of our nation that “it is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government.” Paine would be

stunned today to watch our Congress march in lock step with the President in renewing the so called Patriot Act.  Jim Brown writes this week that the Patriot Act is one of the most egregious acts against basic rights and liberties that we have witnessed in our lifetimes. Take a look at Jim’s thoughts and see if you agree.  You can read Jim’s thoughts on this controversial law by gong to the flashing box at the top of this page, or by Clicking Here.

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So much to talk about in our weekend show, and way too little time.  We will take a look at the week in review, and look at the musical chairs being played by republican presidential candidates.  It’s hard to say from week to week who is in and who is out.  Sarah Palin goes to New Your to eat pizza and gets more attention than several major republicans who announced for President this week.  Go figure.

Hey, there is a new blood test out that can supposedly predict just how long you will live?  Will you take it?  I think I would, but we will talk about it.  And did you know that your teeth and gums are an important part of keeping you from a number of diseases?  Dr. Daniel Sindelar will join me to tell you why he feels that your total health depends on the state of your oral health and the connection between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s is now uncomfortably clear.  His book, Refresh Life, is compelling and full information can be found by Clicking Here.

I’ll also talk with educator Susan Kruger, who challenges parents to organize their kids time better if they want to see dramatic improvement in learning. Susan’s book, Soar Study Skills sets out an ambitious plan for student improvement.  More can be found by Clicking Here. A full agenda, so join us this weekend on the radio.

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

So are you a big supporter of Sarah Palin for President? The lady is back on the campaign stump tour traveling in her “Freedom Van’ all across the country, particularly in those states that will soon have presidential primaries. And guess what? She has some strong supporters already running TV spots in her behalf. Take a look.

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You’ve probably heard of shrimp on the barbie, but what about shrimp on a treadmill? The National Science Foundation has, and it spent $500,000 of taxpayer money researching it. It’s not entirely clear what this research hoped to establish. It’s not just shrimp on a treadmill. The foundation spent $1.5 million to create a robot that can fold laundry. But before you try to buy one to save some time, consider that it takes the robot 25 minutes to fold a single towel.

The list goes on. Lots of people love to use FarmVille on Facebook, but lots of people probably don’t love the government’s spending $300,000 in taxpayer money to study whether it helps build personal relationships.

But there’s more. The National Science Foundation has its headquarters in Arlington, Va., just across the river from Washington, D.C., a building it pays $19 million a year to rent. But now that the 20-year lease is nearly up, it has decided that it is time to move; into a new building that will cost $26 million annually to rent. Even gelatin wrestling has been the subject of an agency project. In Antarctica, no less. The foundation notes that the project is the work of contractors, not agency employees. Whatever the case might be, the situation is another example that federal spending has gotten out of control.  Look at the video report below.

HOW CAN  STATES LIKE LOUISIANA

BECOME PLAYERS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

Last week, this column analyzed how only a handful of states will be both relevant and make any substantive difference in next year’s presidential election.  Under the present system, it’s a “winner take all” contest, where the state’s electoral votes go to the top vote getter.  In a red state, like Louisiana, a Republican voting majority is a dead cinch.  So why should the candidate for president pay any attention to die hard red or blue states where campaigning is of little value?  I have  an idea that may have some merit…at least for the Bayou State.  Take a look at my new column now up  you can read it  by Clicking Here, or by going to the RED FLASHING BOX above.  Take a look.

There never is a lack of challenging topics to talk about on the radio, particularly this weekend.  “˜We have a full agenda planned and we hope you will be able to join the show.  How about we start grading parents as well as the kids?  Teachers overwhelmingly agree that parental guidance and participation is a key component in a child’s advancement and success in school.  Some parents don’t carry their load.  So how about giving them a grade and build in some consequences?  We will talk about it.

And is America in decline?  Many seem to think so.  Maybe it’s our leaders, the politicians who never tire of pontificating, but what about effective leading?  Is they system that is the problem, or is it our elected officials?  The Patriot Act (better called the Unpatriotic Act) will also be on our agenda as congress is about to renew this terrible legislation that continues to erode our individual freedoms.

Todd Lipscomb will join us to discuss why we our undermining our economy by not buying American.  His new book, “Re-Made in the USA,” is creating a lot of comments as to whether we can restore jobs, retool manufacturing and compete better in the world market.  You can read more about Todd’s book by Clicking Here.

And finally, who can forget the movie E.T. and the star, Dee Wallace?  She has made 130 films, and has a new book out called “Bright Light.”Â  More information is found by Clicking Here, and I look forward to talking to Dee about her fascinating life.  All this crammed into our show this weekend.  Be sure and tune in or listen to our podcast which you can access above.

I was over in the Pensacola, Florida area last week.  My radio program is carried over WNVY (1070 am) and WVTJ (610am) so it was ice to touch base with a number of regular listeners throughout that area.  Tourism is still down following the Gulf Oil spill, and may restaurants complain that many northerners think there are still problems with the seafood and the beaches.  I talk about it below.

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Well President Obama might need to get a little protocol help on his next foreign trip.  While visiting the London last week, the President attended a dinner with Queen Elizabeth and a number of British officials. He decided to raise his glass and make a toast, all quite proper, but then he does so and speaks right over the British national anthem.  Hey, even most of us know you show a bit of homage before raising your glass.   Watch the video below.

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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

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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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