It’s been 55 years since one of the great American war tragedies took place. It continues to be a stain on America’s image of being honorable and not being vindictive in the time of war. It was the My Lia massacre, and a tragedy of which America should not be proud. But like so often when tragedies happen, some special person rise to the occasion and put a stop to wrongdoing. Such a hero was Colonel Hugh Thompson from Lafayette. I write about his bravery in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

From the Wall Street Journal. (Letters to the Editor)

“I always believed that the Covid virus leaked from a Wuhan lab, but now that the FBI has confirmed it, I have my doubts.”  Ken Matthew-Long Beach , Miss.

Jim Brown, former Louisiana Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner and State Senator makes a return visit to the podcast and for good reason. He always has a lot of stories to tell. Brown joins Errol Laborde, Executive Editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to tell tales from his latest book, “My Louisiana Odyssey: A Memoir,” including a late night phone call from Bill Clinton and flying with Edwin Edwards. Oh yes, we will also hear about visiting a saint’s relic and why.

Recent reports list Louisiana as one of the top gambling spots worldwide. And when it comes to choices of how you gamble, you just cannot find a state or country with  so many options. Yes, there are big casinos in other locations, but no one has the wide variety of various ways to gamble.  You might be surprised at the list I have compiled. All this information is found in my new column now posted. To read it, go to the Red Flashing Box above or Click Here. 

Can’t we just make it one more day without some new scandal brewing inside the FBI?  Check out this headline of this week’s New York post: ” 30 years ago, the FBI might have had its biggest bomb: the World Trade Center attack.  The story went on to say:

Thirty years ago Sunday, the largest terrorist attack then in American history occurred when a 1,200-pound bomb exploded beneath the World Trade Center in New York City.It was sheer luck that the explosion did not topple the entire skyscraper and kill thousands of people.  Politicians solemnly marked the anniversary, but dignitaries made no mention of the FBI’s role in that disaster.”  Read on to see the bubbling, and how ineffective the FBI was in the whole terrible mess.

A presidential candidate says candidates over 75 years old should take a competency test. Is old age a disqualification in running for public office? What about understanding public issues to begin with? Does being young automatically qualify one to understand just had to run any public office? I take a look at these questions in my new column now posted. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of an Ohio man who was arrested, jailed, had his apartment searched, and had his phone and laptop seized by police in retaliation for mocking the police department through a parody Facebook page. Thumbs down for a bad decision.  To see the full story, Click Here.

Check out our new podcast just posted on the ridiculous cost of all forms of insurance in Louisiana.  You can listen now by going to www.datelinelouisiana.com.

In recent months, the FBI has come under continuing attack. In fact, the Wall Street Journal has called for the abolishment of what what is supposed to be the nations premier, law-enforcement organization.  And for many good reasons.  Let us tell you hell out of control the FBI has become. He said internal memo was released, saying that Americans who believe in the Latin traditional Catholic Mass terrorists and should be investigated.   That’s exactly what the memo says. I kid you not.  Take a look at my new column that lays out the facts. They may shock you. To read it, go to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

So many families today are forced to deal with dementia and Alzheimer’s that affect their loved ones. The toll is not only devastating to the individual who comes down with such terrible diseases, but family members and particularly the caregivers are also deeply affected. Is there any answer on the horizon?  I talk about several experiences in my new column now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

Yes it’s Mardi Gras time with people all over Louisiana celebrating the days before the Lenten season.  Parades are taking place right now in the cities all over the state. And we you  come to Mardi Gras, we all love the great music. My favorite is Professor Long Hair and you can listen below.

What’s all this stuff about we don’t need another hero? The naysayers in this day and age seem to undermine anyone who succeeds, and the criticism in politics is just overwhelming. I started out with my first hero when I was 11 years old. If you go to read my new column, you will see who it is. Tina Turner has a song that sings “We don’t need another Hero.”  Tina, you’re wrong. Hey, check out my new column about my thoughts on why we need heroes. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

An FBI agent stops at a farm to see a local rancher.

He tells the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.”

The rancher says, “Okay, but do not go in that field over there,” as he points out the location.

The FBI agent verbally explodes saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.”

Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher.

“See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish… On any land. No questions asked or answer given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand? “

The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the FBI agent running for his life chased by the rancher’s big Santa Gertrudis Bull…

With every step, the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he’ll get gored before he reaches safety.

The agent is clearly terrified.

The rancher, in a slow southern drawl, rambles casually over to the fence before cupping his hands and shouting:

“Your badge… Show him your badge!”

Two old guys are pushing their carts around Wal*Mart when they collide:

The first old guy says to the second guy. “Sorry about that. I’m looking for my wife and I guess I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”

The second old guy says. “That’s OK. It’s a coincidence. I’m looking for my wife, too. I can’t find her and I’m getting a little desperate.”

The first says. “Well, maybe we can help each other. What does your wife look like?”

The second old guy says. “Well, she is 27 yrs old, tall, with red hair, blue eyes, long legs, big busted and is wearing short shorts. What does your wife look like?”

The first old guy says. “Doesn’t matter, let’s look for yours.”

Students arrived in some Florida public school classrooms this month to find their teachers’ bookshelves wrapped in paper — or entirely barren of books — after district officials launched a review of the texts’ appropriateness under a new state law.  Do you read the whole story about a new wave of book censors, Click Here.

A Baton Rouge killing with worldwide interest related to the drug cartel trade was back in the news this week. Barry Seal at one time was by far the largest drug smuggler in America. He worked for the Colombian drug cartel that was headed up by Pueblo Escobar. The fellow who orchestrated the assassination of Seal is in Louisiana prison, and he asked Governor Edwards for a pardon.  No ways said the Governor. In this week’s column, I write about Seal, his Baton Rouge connections, and just how he got assassinated. There’s also questionable federal judicial conduct involved. Take a look and see what you think. You can read the column now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.

I really love this song, “Born to be an Eagle.”  It’s produced by my long time friend, Jimmy Carr out of Winnsboro, Louisiana.  I hope I was born to be an eagle and that my life accentuated such a highflying commitment to a good life.  Take a listen.

It was 60 years ago, yet the speculation of who actually killed former President John F Kennedy continues to be discussed. Was there more than one shooter? When did the plot begin?  Did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone? Or was there an actual conspiracy. I have my own theory, and I write about it in this week’s column. In fact, I almost got to the bottom of it; well, at least from my perspective. And by the way, above is a picture of Kennedy rarely seen wearing a hat, and that’s former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards to his right.You can read all my thoughts in my new column now posted. Go to the Red Flashing Box above or Click On Here.

Oh, and here is an afterthought. In the Oliver Stone movie, JFK, District attorney Jim Garrison is played by Kevin Costner. I had a chance to talk to Koster about his role a few years back as you can see below.

It would seem that the attacks and criticisms of the FBI never cease. A week does not go by when we don’t see more news articles plummeting the reputation and the confidence of what is supposed to be the nations premier, law-enforcement agency. How wrong this is proven to be.  Check out the various articles below to get a  perspective of how bad things are for the FBI. Click on  the article title to read it.

The FBI’s Attacks on MLK, Jr. Are Helpful Reminders for Today

Did J. Edgar Hoover Order the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr

The FBI and Attacks on Personal Liberty

Are you sure what you are saying passes the politically correct test? In this day and age, you never know. Things I’ve been saying and writing for years, to some, just does not cut it in today’s world.  But you know what? I’m just too old, or perhaps too bullheaded to change, and I don’t mind using phrases and words that I have been putting in columns for many years. That’s just the way I think but others may disagree. Look over my new column and see if you and I are on the same wavelength. To read it, click on the Red Flashing Box above or Click Here.