IS IT SAFE TO WEAR MY HOODIE?

The hoodie has become a symbol of the successful (Mark Zuckerberg), the criminal (see any intercity cop show) and the tragic in the most recent case of Trayvon Martin.  This young man found out that depending on when and where it is worn, a hoodie can put you in harm’s way.  We are told it is wrong to profile.  But we do it every day, and are foolish if we do not.  Read my new column about the confrontations that can be caused by a hoodie, and my own personal experience.  Murders take place in this country every day.  Why so much focus n the Martin case?  You can read it now by Clicking Here or by gong to the Flashing Red Box above.

A busy but fun filled weekend for the “Common sense” radio program.  It’s “LIVE” from the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.  This is certainly one of the nation’s prettiest campuses, and it will be quite a treat for me to return to my alma mater.  I graduated from Carolina 50 years ago this weekend, so it will be quite a homecoming.  We will broadcast from Kenan Football Stadium as the graduation ceremonies take place.  Mayor Michael Blumberg from New York will be the commencement speaker, and we are looking forward to talking with the popular Mayor.  President John F. Kennedy spoke at my graduation ceremonies back in 1962.

We will remember our mother’s on this special day also.  I sure miss my mom.  And we will review the week’s news and have some fun with several special guests.  So be sure and catch the Jim Brown “Common Sense” show this Sunday on stations nationwide.

Anyone that knows anything about Rock and Roll has heard of Jerry Lee Lewis from my old hometown of Ferriday, Louisiana. He’s one of the three famous cousins that include Mickey Gilley (see interview below) and Rev. Jimmy Swaggart.  But Ferriday has a whole slew of musicians.  One is this pretty lady with above and below, Jerry’s sister Linda Gayle Lewis.

And the Lady really can perform.  Take a listen to my interview with Linda Gayle, and then listen to her knock out a song or two on the piano.  She is a great entertainer by herself.  You can imagine playing a concert with the “Killer,” Jerry Lee.  A side note about Jerry Lee.   I was dancing with my high school gal in St. Lewis back in 1958 to the hot new national hit, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”  Fifteen years later, I was living in Ferriday and doing some legal work for the killer himself.   Small world!

 Tobacco Smoke Enema Kit

Tobacco Smoke Enemas (1750s – 1810s)

The tobacco enema was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient’s rectum for various medical purposes, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims.A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke towards the rectum.The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase “blow smoke up one’s a@@.”

This has been reintroduced in Washington D.C. by members of congress from both parties.  It’s about the best suggestion both Republicans and Democrats have come up with to deal with our anemic economy.

Those TSA guys (Transportation Security Agency), far from being more helpful at airport security lines, just seem to be ore belligerent and right down obstinate.  And the billions of dollars spent are, in many instances, for naught.  A waste of money that gives us little additional protection from the terrorists.  Israel, that is under constant terrorist threat, thinks much of the airport security efforts are a complete waste of time.  You don’t take off your shoes in Tel-Aviv.  They profile you, like any reasonable security guard should do.  Check out my column now posted on the frustrations of going through airport security.  You can read it now by Clicking Here, or by clicking on the Red Box above.

The weekend “Common Sense” Radio Show is close at hand, and we have another interesting line up for our listeners. Presidential politics is on our agenda, and we will take a look at who is seriously in the running for Mitt Romney’s vice presidential nominee.  Does he play to the voting blocks he needs, particularly Hispanics, or does he pick the best person to take over as President if the need arises?

And do you have a bad back?  We will talk to a back expert to give you tips on how to minimize the pain and get you straightened out.  Dr. Vaughn Dabbs will join us to talk about his ideas in his new book, “This is Why Your Back Hurts.”  You can read about it now by Clicking Here.

Also, we will talk with author J.D. Davis, about his new best seller, The “Unconquered.”  This book brings back many memories to me as it covers the lives of the three great Ferriday, Louisiana natives, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley (see next story) and Rev. Jimmy Swaggart.  You can get information on J.D.s book by Clicking Here, and see my interview with him below.
So be sure and tune in, this Sunday Morning.