WHY SAY SOMETHING IF NOTHING HAPPENS?

Thursday, February 22nd, 2018

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

WHY SAY SOMETHING IF NOTHING HAPPENS?

With an increasing number of mass shootings in recent months, we are urged by law enforcement officials to keep an eye out.  Report anything suspicious. “If you see something, say something” we are regularly told. The problem is, that in too many instances, the alarms raised by concerned citizens are falling on deaf ears.

The most recent blatant example of a failure to respond came last week as 17 teachers and students were gunned down in Parkland, Florida. The FBI received several credible tips that a graduate of Parkland High school, Nikolas Cruz, was posting disturbing social media postings that he wanted to become a “professional school shooter” and had a desire to kill people.  The FBI admitted it had failed to investigate even though there are only 12 “Nikolas Cruz” in the country.  So much for “see something, say something.”

In the same case, the local sheriff admitted to receiving over 20 calls about the dangers of the shooter. No action was taken.The Parkland public defender, whose office is representing Nikolas Cruz, said: “This kid exhibited every single known red flag, from killing animals to having a cache of weapons to disruptive behavior to saying he wanted to be a school shooter. If this isn’t a person who should have gotten someone’s attention, I don’t know who is. This was a multi-system failure.”

In the Nassar molestation case of teenage gymnasts, the doctor molested more than 40 young girls after the FBI had been notified.  One of the gymnasts who complained to the FBI told The New York Times: “I never got a phone call from the police or the FBI during that time. Not one person. Not one. Not one. Not one.”  She saw something and said something, but got no response.

How about Devin Kelley, the mass murderer at the small church in Texas. While in the Air Force, he talked openly about killing his superiors, illegally snuck a gun on his military base, was charged with assault and escaping from a psychiatric hospital, attacked his wife with a gun, hitting and choking her, fractured the skull of his baby stepson, and became a convicted felon. Yet after all this, he still was allowed to buy a number of guns. Many saw something and said something, but there was no response.  

We know about mass shootings here in Louisiana, A killer named John Houser, who had a long history of violence and mental illness traveled to Louisiana from Georgia. Houser had been ordered to a psychiatric hospital by a Georgia judge in 2008, which should have prevented him from even buying a gun. But then he went to an Alabama pawnshop and bought a 40-caliber, semiautomatic handgun. Georgia and Alabama are both saying the other state should have done more to stop Houser from purchasing the gun considering his checkered mental condition. So what good was it to “see something, say something?”

As I wrote in a column last year, some 48,000 convicted felons and fugitives lied about their criminal history, a federal offense, so as to pass the background checks and purchase guns illegally. How many of these 48,000 were prosecuted for making false statements? A total of 44. The Justice Department’s response was that it was “prioritizing prosecutions to focus on more serious crimes.” More serous crimes?  What could be more serious than getting thousands of potential killers off the streets who lie to get a weapon? 

It’s all well and good to have these national campaigns that tell the public to keep their eyes open and report suspicious activity. Some will argue that this leads to a big brother mentality, but it’s just the price we have to pay in the this violent day and age. 

But if you “see something and say something,” you expect that federal and state law enforcement agencies will give such information a serious look. Too often, such important information gets ignored or falls through the cracks. Americans deserve a lot better.

Peace and Justice

Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide.  You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.  You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9:00 am till 11:00 am Central Time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

LOUISIANA NOT IN THE RUNNING FOR AMAZON LOCATION!

Thursday, February 15th, 2018

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

LOUISIANA NOT IN THE RUNNING FOR AMAZON LOCATION!

In the current competition to land a new Amazon second North American headquarters, Louisiana pulled out all stops.  It would have been quite a coup for a Louisiana location to land this big prize with some 50,000 new jobs to the winner.  But from the beginning, the Bayou State never had a chance.

The state continued its long tradition of trying to buy new companies, by offering “over the top” financial incentives. Amazon was offered $6.56 billion, a sum much higher than a number of other states that made the most recent cut.  But Amazon had listed a host of requirements it would consider in picking its new $5 billion location.

A flagship research university consortium was deemed an important component for any serious bidder. In North Carolina for example, where two locations are still under consideration, a private-public partnership among Duke, North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina has developed a working syndicate offering private companies a world-class research triangle.

Louisiana has been plagued by long standing rivalries and turf battles between LSU, Tulane and other universities in the Greater New Orleans area.  As the anointed flagship university in the state, LSU has failed to gain any serious recognition as a major research facility. As this column related just a few weeks ago, the latest hit to LSU was a report from Kiplinger’s financial magazine published recently citing how public universities rank when it comes to academic quality.  LSU ranked at 270th, far behind every other SEC school with the exception of Mississippi State. Offering top-notch university research capabilities were a key component of Amazon’s requirements, and Louisiana colleges could not meet the Amazon standards.

Airport and airline availability was also a key component listed by Amazon.  New Orleans has improved on its non-stop options to a number of major cities, but trips still often require stopovers in Atlanta, Memphis or Dallas.  From Baton Rouge, nonstops outside of major hubs are non-existent.  Amazon prides itself on quick deliveries, so numerous nonstop options are of paramount importance.

Public transportation infrastructure was also a top tier item on Amazon’s list.  We all have horror stories about traveling on Louisiana roads, particularly through New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  State legislators continue to refuse facing up to the necessity of toll roads, particularly individual toll lanes similar to those found all over Texas. The one lane I-10 bridge crossing into Baton Rouge continues to be a national disgrace. No serious discussion of a bypass or a monorail between Baton Rouge and New Orleans puts Louisiana at a disadvantage.

But the biggest handicap for the state is a lack of a large tech talent pool. We all would like to think of Louisiana as "Silicon Bayou," but the fact remains that the current talent pool of tech workers is far below other competing cities and states across the country.  In fairness, New Orleans is seeing millennial tech growth, but it will take another 10 years to build a pool of workers that will make Louisiana competitive. 

DXC Technology, a global IT firm is bringing 2000 jobs to New Orleans, and that’s a good start.  Amazon listed in a recent press release that it needed an average tech talent pool over over 100,000. The whole state of Louisiana has a good ways to go to reach anywhere close to such a number.

Then there is the question of how much is too much to give in order to buy new jobs.  As I discussed in a recent column, local governments had lost $16.7 billion in revenue over the past decade in giving business tax breaks throughout the state.  And the cost per new job? An astronomical $535,000.

Maybe Louisiana will acquire the reputation of being "Silicon Bayou" one day.  But until research, infrastructure and lack of high tech jobs are addressed, the state won’t be taken seriously by Amazon or other expanding national companies.

Peace and Justice

Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide.  You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.  You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9:00 am till 11:00 am Central Time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

NATIONAL MILITARY PARADE NEEDED!

February 9th, 2018

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

NATIONAL MILITARY PARADE NEEDED!

The president last week suggested that the nation establish a yearly military parade to honor the service and the sacrifice of the current military and our veterans.  He spoke of it as “a unifying moment for the country.” Almost immediately, the Trump naysayers jumped all over the idea as noting more than “pandering patriotism.”  “Tanks, but no tanks,” was the opinion of the Washington Post.

Former Obama State Department spokesman and retired Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby ripped the idea by saying:  “This is just beneath us as a nation. We are the most powerful military on earth. We don’t need to be parading our military hardware down Pennsylvania Avenue to show that to anybody.”

I personally think a number of Trump ideas are a little loony, but in this case, he is right on the mark.  America has done a poor job honoring those who served in the military.  The only voices who are “pandering patriots” are the numerous chick hawks who dodged the draft yet go around with the American flag on their lapel telling us to “stand up for the USA,” as they ran for the foxholes when service to their country called.

Remember former Vice President Dick Cheney’s response when asked why he didn’t serve his country in the military? In 1989 he told the Washington Post, "I had other priorities in the '60s than military service."  His unpatriotic attitude is mirrored by many current members of congress who often used every trick in the book to avoid serving in the military. 

Many congressmen think wearing an American flag lapel pin is some kind of fashion statement. But that doesn’t cut it to the thousands of Americans who have dedicated a portion of their lives to public service.  Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy never wore lapel pins.  Sen. John McCain, who was tortured for five years in a Viet Cong prison, doesn’t feel it necessary to wear his patriotism on his suit coat.

And how about General John F. Kelly, Trump’s current chief of staff? He served over 40 years in the military, fighting in the initial invasion of Iraq and in Desert Storm. And he’s a Gold Star father as his son, serving in the Marines, was killed fighting in Afghanistan. When asked why he doesn’t wear a flag pin, he responded: “I am an American flag.”

The message here is that wear a flag if you wish, but do not think this gesture substitutes for active public service to your country.  Particularly in Louisiana, we need to honor those who have given so much for our freedom. The Bayou State has an exceptionally high number of war casualties who died in Iraq with 41 National Guard soldiers alone from the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team based out of Lafayette and Shreveport.

I enlisted in the 256th Infantry Brigade back in 1967.  I was just out of Tulane Law School and beginning my law practice up in Ferriday, Louisiana, with my first child on the way.  Since I was over 26, I was draft exempt. But I volunteered anyway serving both in the Army and 12 years in the Louisiana National Guard.  Hey, I didn’t consider myself anything special. It was what thousands of Americans did. It was, to us, the American way and a call to duty.

The nation has numerous celebrations and parades on a local level for Veterans Day (November 11th) and Memorial Day (last Monday of the month), but there is no national military parade honoring those who served.  You are right Mr. President.  The world needs to see that America rallies around our military on a special day with a full review of all branches of the nation’s armed forces.

Veteran’s Day in November would be my suggestion.  This year would celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.  A national military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue on November 11th?  I’ll be there joining thousands of others who volunteered to serve.

Peace and Justice

Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide.  You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.  You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9:00 am till 11:00 am Central Time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.

RESTORING FAITH IN THE FBI!

Friday, February 2nd, 2018

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

RESTORING FAITH IN THE FBI!

It’s been a bad last few weeks for the nation’s top law enforcement agency.  First, an innocent hostage was shot and killed in a botched raid in Houston by an FBI shooter.  Then the television movie series “Waco,” debuted and revisited the FBI killings of innocent victims in both Ruby Ridge and Waco.  And currently, the Bureau faces charges by members of congress of malfeasance and even interfering in the most recent president election.

The FBI has a credibility problem. And for good reason. The House Intelligence Committee is investigating the mishandling of federal wiretap requests involving both the Clinton Campaign and the Trump campaign.  There is also the disappearance of thousands of FBI emails and efforts by certain agents to undermine both candidates.

Take a look at just some of the newspaper headlines across America.

“Evidence Suggests a Massive Scandal is Brewing at the FBI”-New York Post

“Wanted: An Honest FBI.”  Wall Street Journal

“The Massive Case of Collective Amnesia at the FBI”-National Public Radio

“Scandal Ridden FBI-Must Be Abolished”-Boston Globe

The House Intelligence Committee voted along party lines to release a staff memo that Speaker Paul Ryan says will show that  “there may have been malfeasance at the FBI.”  In response, the Bureau is pleading with congress and the president not to release the document.  But with all the charges and counter charges taking place, a little transparency would seem to be in order.

Maybe we can learn a little bit from Hollywood.  In the movie “Final Impact,” the president asks a reporter to hold off on a major story by saying: And I can't appeal to your sense of what’s in the nation’s best interest?”  To which she responds: “I always thought the truth was in the nation’s best interest.” The point made is to let it all out.

And how about the confrontation between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicolson in a ”A Few Good Men?”

Col. Jessep: You want answers? 

Kaffee: I WANT THE TRUTH! 

Col. Jessup: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! 

Yes we can Col. Jessup. As the Wall Street Journal editorialized this week: “The House memo is not about ‘attacking the FBI or ‘our law enforcement professionals.’ This is about restoring confidence in a law-enforcement agency that played an unprecedented role in the US presidential election regarding both the Trump and Clinton campaigns.”

A number of Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee seem to be outraged over any allegations that the FBI has a political agenda and that it can be vindictive.  But as an investigative report by National Public Radio concluded last week: “As a matter of reality, the FBI has been political from its outset.  The people in charge and the people in charge of the administrations under which it has served have been as political and as partisan as it is possible to be.”

History shows that from the creation of the FBI under President Teddy Roosevelt, the FBI has been used, misused, and by their own actions insubordinate in many administrations.  How long could we talk about the shenanigans of J. Edger Hoover, Watergate, Deep Throat, Sen. Joe McCarthy, investigations of Martin Luther King, and LBJ having the FBI harass Vietnam protesters?

At the present time, there are three major congressional investigations into possible criminal activity within the FBI.  Special prosecutors seem to be appointed in Washington at the drop of a hat.  With the president himself under investigation by a special prosecutor, it would seem appropriate to have a similar special prosecutor appointed to fully investigate the numerous allegations of impropriety by the FBI.

Is this powerful bureaucracy worthy of America’s trust?  Yes Col. Jessup, we can handle the truth. Just let the chips fall where they may.

Peace and Justice

Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide.  You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.  You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9:00 am till 11:00 am Central Time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.