THURSDAY: C.B. Forgotston, Bradley Beychok, Stephen Handwerk, and Gus Weill

February 12, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Political Consultant C. B. Forgotston discusses the potential candidates for the 2016 Louisiana Governor's election. "They want to think that when they qualify, it's divine intervention," he says of those who pray about running for political office. Forgotston comments on the budget crisis and the public's cynicism in believing the extent to which the fiscal crisis has gone.

Bobby Jindal stated on Morning Joe that the the total tuition and fees to attend LSU is under 10 thousand dollars.

A listener comments that Bobby Jindal's tax cuts have done a lot more harm than good for Louisiana.

"I think legislators fear Governor Jindal," says Forgotston in response to the question, 'Is it better to be feared or loved?'

Bradley Beychok of Media Matters comments on the recent scandal regarding Brian Williams, "I think it's strange to suspend someone for six months with the expectation of them coming back to the highest paid network." Brian Williams had lobbied to be the replacement for Jay Leno.

Beychok comments on Rush Limbaugh's conversation with Scott Walker, advising him to say he left college so as not to be accused of rape.

HOUR TWO:

Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk criticizes Governor Jindal for his incorrect statement about LSU's tuition and fees totaling under 10 thousand dollars. Handwerk says, "I think the Louisiana Democratic party has a lot of soul searching to do."

"Each one of those Republican candidates that are running... are all different shades of Bobby," Handwerk continues, criticizing all of Jindal's "failed" policies. Jim asks how long it will take for Democrats to get back to where they were. Handwerk responds, saying that Democrats are right on the issues but they need to work on their tactics.

"I think the only way he {David Vitter} would know how to do that {form a coalition in Congress} is through fear."

Political Consultant Gus Weill comments about how Scott Walker was asked if he believed in evolution. "I do believe in it," Weill says, "but that doesn't preclude from me believing in God." He tells a story about an interview with a heart surgeon.

Jim asks why believing in a higher power is a prerequisite to run for political office. Weill says, "It's simple. It's because they {believers} are the majority."

Weill describes writing his books. "Discipline is more important than talent."

"Looks do not elect anybody," Weill says, "but they do help... Jindal is a brilliant man, but we could hardly call him handsome."

"A movie plot was stolen from my book," Weill laughs, "and I never did a thing about it."

"Bruce Jenner is an American tragedy," Weill says, "I think it {the claws of a woman} destroyed his manhood."

WEDNESDAY: Allan Lokos, Rudy Macklin, Jay Dardenne

February 11, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Author Allan Lokos comments on his book,
Through the Flames: Overcoming Disaster Through Compassion, Patience, and Determination. Lokos describes his experiences with meditation and how this helped him through his plane crash. "Stress is a major enemy of the human body," Lokos continues, "There is no answer to 'why me' except why not me." He says, "We had no idea the plane was going down until it hit the ground."

Director Rudy Macklin on the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports joins us today at 4:15. Macklin is LSU's leading career rebounder and second leading scorer. He turns 57 on February 19th, and he can still bench press his own weight.

When asked if other public officials should be required to bench press their own weight, Macklin says, "Getting our public officials to do anything when it comes to eating right and being active is hard enough."

Macklin comments on the LSU v. Kentucky game. 13,997 people attended the game at the PMAC last night. He says that LSU should be put down for the Final Four next year.

He describes his own athletic career and shares his difficult experiences over the years.

The 'Voice of the Tigers,' Jim Hawthorne, is stepping down this year.

Macklin says that he decided to stay at LSU so he could "build something new." He describes his recruitment with Dale Brown, and how unlike other coaches, Brown had lunch with his family. "He was supposed to be recruiting me, but he was really recruiting my parents."

HOUR TWO:

Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne discusses his quest for governor and to succeed Governor Jindal. Both men were graduates of Baton Rouge High.

Dardenne comments on the budget cuts to higher education and the impact it will have on future students. He expresses his support for keeping the TOPS program as it is currently.

He was a Student Body President when Jim was a college freshman at LSU.

The Lieutenant Governor hopes to see more scrutiny in campaign funding in the coming election.

Dardenne says, "I say to you very clearly. I am running." He continues, "Education is always going to be the biggest issue, and what exactly we can do to prepare Louisianians for the workforce." He also clarifies he is for Common Core because "it is a standard not a curriculum."

TUESDAY: David Stewart, Tom Aswell, Joseph Califano, William Arp

February 10, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Author David O. Stewart discusses his book, "Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America."

Tom Aswell of LA Voice comments on the trials and tribulations of Governor Jindal. Aswell expresses his doubt for the success of Governor Jindal in the upcoming presidential race.

They discuss a recent article in the Louisiana Voice in which "Bobby is for immunizations but two years ago he discontinued health unit vaccinations for the poor."

Aswell says he feels the budget cuts for higher education were planned, and that they are part of a process to privatize state schools. 69% of UNO athletic funding comes from the state. A listener calls in to express his belief that athletics are put before academics in the state of Louisiana. Jim says, "I think we should still have a university our football team can be proud of." The state budget is 1.6 billion dollars "out of bounds," Jim says.

HOUR TWO:

Joseph Califano, former health secretary for President LBJ, comments on the inaccurate portrayal of LBJ in the recent movie Selma. "I met him that first weekend on the White House lawn after coming back from the ranch," Califano says of LBJ. He continues, quoting words of the former president to him, "What you learned on the streets of Brooklyn is a hell of a lot more important than what you learned in Harvard Law."

Califano tells the real story about the interactions of Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lynden B. Johnson. He continues his description, calling the week in which MLK was shot, "the worst week of the Johnson presidency."

Dr. William Arp gives his opinion on the visit of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, former spiritual advisor to Obama, to Southern University. Jim questions if this is not the same issue as Governor Jindal's recent prayer rally at the PMAC. Jim says, "Universities are the place controversial people speak." Dr. Arp expresses the importance of bringing different points of views to universities.

He calls President Obama "politically expedient" for disavowing Reverend Jeremiah Wright. He continues, "After he <Reverend Wright> left the navy, he enlisted in the marines."

They discuss the potential reaction of the students to the probable provocative things Reverend Jeremiah Wright will discuss in his speeches. "It may incite the congregation, but I don't know the real impact it will have on college students," Dr. Arp says, "I teach philosophy.... This is just another philosophy the students will be exposed to, but I also think there will be a real spiritual presence."

Dr. Arp feels that the "splash by Rev. Wright" is absurd in the midst of more important issues and problems in Louisiana such as the budget crisis and the cuts on higher education.

MONDAY: Henson Moore, Alex Martin, Tara Hollis and Roy Fletcher

February 9, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Former Congressman and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Henson Moore shares his viewpoints on the national and state political landscape. He comments on another round of anticipated funding cuts to higher education in Louisiana.

Moore discusses his belief that the greatest problem in our country is the sharp divide among political ideals and the lack of compromise. "If you want something done or you want to solve a problem, generally you have to compromise," Moore says.
Henson Moore spearheaded the Forever LSU Campaign which raised more than $750 million.

"I don't think any of us think this will be reversed," Moore says of the budget cuts to higher education, "I don't think we will ever received more funding."

Moore describes the year of reelection between President Bill Clinton and Ross Perot and President George Bush Sr. He says, "It was the worst of times because we were the White House Staff, and we failed."

"One thing I have noticed is that the government pay roll has come down since he's been there," Moore says of Governor Jindal. He continues, "Louisiana does have too many universities for its size,"

Henson Moore discusses the potential front runners for the upcoming governor's race. "I'm not sure that Louisiana is a red state yet when it comes to a statewide election," Moore says.

HOUR TWO:

Deputy Managing Editor/Page One Editor of the Wall Street Journal Alex Martin discusses his opinion on NBC Anchor Brian Williams. Alex Martin graduated from the Manship School of Mass Communication in 1981 with Jim.

Martin describes his personal experience with Hurricane Katrina and his disbelief at the flooding on Canal Street. They discuss whether Brian Williams' career will survive the scandal. "Everyday it's drip, drip, drip, more stories are embellished, more are misremembered," Martin says.

Brian Williams just signed a 4 year $40 million dollar contract. Jim points out, "Even for NBC, that is a lot of money."

Tara Hollis joins us to discuss the upcoming governor's race. She is a teacher. She received 18% of the vote in the 2011 Louisiana's governor's race. In the 2011 governor's race, Hollis spent $18 thousand dollars and received 18% of the vote. Governor Jindal spent $10 million dollars and received 66% of the vote.

She comments on the Common Core program and parrc testing, declaring her belief that it will be a "disaster" this year. Hollis also shares her creation for digital lesson plans.

Political Consultant Roy Fletcher joins the show to discuss how the Louisiana governor's race has changed over the past two decades.

He describes his experiences in past campaigns. Fletcher discusses what he thinks the big issues will be in the 2016 governor's race.

FRIDAY: Scott Stossel, Cliff Vannoy, Matthew Patterson, Leo Honeycutt and George Sells

February 6, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Author and editor for The Atlantic Scott Stossel discusses his book "My Age of Anxiety." He opens the discussion explaining what exactly constitutes an anxiety disorder.

Stossel has a phobia of cheese. "More people would rather be the copses at a funeral than the eulogist," Stossel says.

Stossel says that his fear of cheese, turophobia, began when he was five years old and his sister ate a piece of cheese from an airport floor, consequently becoming ill for several days. He goes on to describe an event in which his Irritable Bowel Disorder "IBD" caused "explosive plumbing" at an ill timed moment.

President of the LSU Alumni Association Cliff Vannoy explains that the LSU Alumni Association is organizing a lobbying effort to protect LSU campuses from significant budget cuts. LSU Alumni Association President Cliff Vannoy says they are seeking volunteers that will be part of a group called Tiger Advocates, who will have lawmakers’ attention as they craft the budget.

Vannoy agrees with Jim's assessment that "essentially LSU is turning into a private university," by default of budget cuts. If the cuts are made, LSU will lose 1,500 course options.

If you want to be a Tiger Advocate, go to the LSU Alumni website. Vannoy says volunteer advocates will be kept up to date on key legislation that will impact higher education and they’ll have a chance to make their voices heard.

"The only way you're going to stop cuts is if you can find the cash to recover them," Vannoy says, though he is vague about the final goal of Tiger Advocates.

Today we remember Ronald Reagan on his would be 104th birthday.

HOUR TWO:

Matthew Patterson from Equality Louisiana comments on Olympic gold medalist and television star Bruce Jenner's gender change. He is joined by Dr. Dana L. Rofey, a psychiatrist and professor from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Rofey explains the difference between a transgender and a transexual is a common misconception. She says that "unequivocable positive regard" is what is needed for someone contemplating coming out as a transgender.

1 in 12,000 males and 1 in 34,000 females undergo sexual change.

They discuss Nicholas Kristof's article in The New York Times.

"I never thought I would say something nice about the Kardashian/Jenner clan," Patterson says, praising their positive reactions to Jenner's potential gender change.

He describes the discrimination against transpeople as "pervasive." Patterson continues, "Transgender people are twice as likely to be homeless."

The only transsexual judge in the United States is a graduate of LSU.

Author of Edwin Edwards, Governor of Louisiana: An Authorized Biography Leo Honeycutt and FOX 2 Reporter George Sells discuss NBC anchor Brian Williams and his lies about taking fire in Iraq and his experiences in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Both agree that Brian Williams will survive this lie though Williams will most likely be victimized by social media attacks. Jim jokes if Williams should or will be replaced by Dan Rather. "I don't know of a man more hated for the wrong reasons," George Sells says of Dan Rather.

THURSDAY: Phil St. Amant and Roger Villere

February 5, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Colonel Phil St. Amant discusses the recent burning of the Jordanian fighter pilot by ISIS and gives his opinion on how the United States should respond. Colonel St. Amant graduated from West Point Academy in 1963. He spent 30 years in the army and had two tours in Vietnam. His 97 year old father is a World War II veteran.

"For America, we are so involved everywhere, and there is so little understanding, generally, among our leaders about these places," the colonel begins when asked about the safety of America.

Colonel St. Amant begins describing the content of the ISIS video. "This is a great step forward in the ISIS fighters and the degree of barbarity they are capable of," he says, "There is a big difference between cutting someone's throat and burning someone alive." The colonel states, "I'm sorry I watched it <video>, but I think I needed to see it."

"I don't think it's necessary for everyone to serve in the military to serve this country," the colonel says. "I think the country is perhaps getting a little soft... ever since 1973 when Mr. Nixon did away with the draft there has been a movement to admire the military publicly, but privately hoping it's not their child going to war."

He describes his experiences in the military in Lebanon. "There were about 244 soldiers and marines killed, mostly marines."

"I have heard reports that he sneaks a cigarettes from his secret service detail every once in awhile," St. Amant says of President Obama, "Though I tend to find fault with other things."

Jim discusses Vladmir Putin and his rumored Asperger Syndrome.

A listener comments that Representative Fleming leaves security meetings and watches instead Fox News for information.

Colonel Phil St. Amant gives his opinion on drones. "It's easy to think that someone not as benign as Amazon.com would drop explosive 10 lb packages."

"I am not one who believes that soldiers should stand up and argue about lawful orders they are given." St. Amant says the best president he served under was President Ronald Reagan whose birthday is tomorrow. "He understood that America has an exceptional history made by exceptional people. He thought things through... He was not held up by artificial arguments. Things were either right or wrong."

Colonel St. Amant gives closing comments about ISIS.

HOUR TWO:

Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Francis Villere Jr. comments on the upcoming governor's election and shares his opinions of Governor Bobby Jindal and the Republican Party. He is also the owner of Villere's Flowers.

"I anticipate an extremely big risk race," Villere says, "We just don't know yet, it's still early. I don't see a high profile democrat getting in at this point."

Question from twitter, "Why did they turn on Representative McAllister after his affair but still support Senator Vitter?" Villere responds, "You know we are talking about something that happened years ago... We need to concentrate on the positive and move forward."

"Someone with his views... is that what we really want to hear trying to move our state forward?" Villere says of Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

The chairman expresses the importance of prayer to him.

Jim comments on Villere's early race with David Duke. Villere comments on the recent news with House Whip Steve Scalise. "I've never heard him tell an off color joke or anything out of bounds... Steve is an honorable person. I think the whole things is ridiculous and a made up, jimmed up issue that was blown out of proportion."

The chairman gives his opinion on Governor Bobby Jindal and shares his support for "strategic budget cuts" without raising taxes. "Can we afford to have duplicated programs at multiple universities?" Villere comments on the proposed cuts on higher education, " I don't think so." Villere comments on Jindal's quest for the White House.

LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center launches an initiative providing doctors in Louisiana with proven strategies to reduce and treat obesity in children. The project is lead by Dr. Amanda Staiano who says the Child Obesity Treatment Toolkit helps primary care physicians determine who's at risk for obesity. "It teaches doctors ways to assess obesity and ways to treat childhood obesity in clinic settings," said Staiano.

Staiano says childhood obesity is a very serious issue in Louisiana with half of our kids being overweight or obese. She says they have great recommendations on how to treat obesity and screen for it, but many physicians aren't using them.

"This toolkit is trying to get into the hands of doctors, nurses & dietitians, so they can better understand what children are most at risk for obesity," said Staiano. "And then give that advice to parents and families."

Staiano says they have over 2,000 hard copies of the toolkit they plan to distribute throughout the state or doctors can download it online at www.pbrc.edu/obesitytoolkit.

She says Louisiana ranks near the top of obesity prevalence even in preschoolers.

"It's really important to intervene early in a child's life," said Staiano. "Make sure that child is set up with good eating habits, good physical activity and also good self-esteem."