Wednesday, December 31
Bowl. Liberty Bowl.
Dr. S has to confess that he's been largely ignoring the college bowls in favor of Spike TV's 7 Days of Bond. You can't watch those James Bond movies enough. …
Comic David Cross on voting and f*ckin' bumper stickers
Wiretap's Dan Hoyle interviews comic Dave Cross: "It's pretty galling that I know people will wait in line for a weekend to see a f*ckin' movie that's gonna be there …
Tuesday, December 30
[Drive] Year of the Mini?
As another year fades into our collective rearview mirrors—OK, that was cheesy—it offers an opportunity for us to take a look at what the future may hold for us in …
[City Buzz] Colonel Snoop Reporting for Duty, Sir
JACKAL SMOKED OUT … Like the rest of the world, Jacksonians of all political persuasions were all aglow in the days leading up to Christmas over the capture of long-time …
Monday, December 29
Saints: The Agony Continues
The New Orleans Saints' miserable season came to a merciful end on Sunday when the Saints defeated the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys, 13-7. The Saints finished 8-8, but were one missed …
[Spirituality] Hooked on Kwanzaa
Like a sunlit praise house in the middle of the woods, Kwanzaa is a wonderful retreat in an insane world, a laying-on-of-hands for my soul, a season to reflect on …
Saturday, December 27
The Death of Horatio Alger
Paul Krugman writes aboutreading "a leftist rag that made outrageous claims about America. It said that we are becoming a society in which the poor tend to stay poor, no …
Friday, December 26
God is not a right-wing zealot
A compelling story in Salon: "In the heart of the Bluegrass, a Bible Belt preacher is rallying people to political action around what he calls 'basic religious values.' Think you …
Tuesday, December 23
Bennie Thompson to endorse Howard Dean
AP is reporting that Rep. Bennie Thompson plans to endorse Howard Dean for president: "Dean's campaign had said Thompson would have a conference call on Monday with reporters and former …
[Arts] We Are All Guinea Pigs
They are planting an olive grove in Brookhaven at the Mississippi School for the Arts. Olive groves line the hills in the Mediterranean, a testament to previous generations' forethought, labor …
Do Not Disturb
I first met Beaux Miller in 1996 at Fenian's. How he struck me there behind the bar, pouring, smoking, chuckling, angry one minute, ebullient the next, gathering a customer in …
The Frame Is Crooked
"If I could just make it to daybreak/Maybe I could find my way by the light of the sun
[Ask JoAnne] Avoid Shopping Hangovers
Q. Do you think rampant consumerism is ruining the true meaning of Christmas?
A. My dear, dear one, whoever you are, how do I begin? Rampant consumerism can ruin anything, of course, particularly one's pocketbook. But whose rampant consumerism are we talking about? …
Caleb Hampton
If it weren't for the deep teal blue sign perpendicular to the street, I wouldn't have noticed the unassuming rectangle of concrete blocks at 3028 W. Northside Drive. Caleb Hampton, …
[Stauffer] To Peace and Prosperity
As I'm writing this, the Dow seems to have settled into a new level over 10,000 and up about 25 percent on the year. Our abysmal unemployment numbers have seen …
[Taylor] Isn't It Ironic?
"And I want to tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that there's not enough troops in the Army to force the Southern people to break down segregation and admit the negro …
[Stiggers] Post-Saddam Clearance Sale!
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is in jail. So it's time for a sale! Pookie Peterz, your international hustler, has capitalized on other people's property, and he is coming to your …
Idiot's Guide to Cocktails
Looking back over the last couple of decades, I've certainly enjoyed my serious journalistic life. But I must admit that some of my best times, my favorite memories, involved not …
Sunday, December 21
Asleep at the Budget Wheel?
According to an AP poll, President Bush's economic policies are playing better with the country this week—the stock market is up, consumer confidence is rolling along and Bush's economy approval …
Saturday, December 20
[City Buzz] Screw ideology; Mississippians want health care
MOVE OVER, VERMONT: The John C. Stennis Institute of Government announced the surprising results of a statewide poll on Dec. 8, showing that a wide majority of Mississippians want the …
The Cakemaster
"Hey Babycakes!" she shouts, eyes wide open, as I enter. "Come in!" Nestled between the JPD traffic division and Swann's gun repair on Old Canton Road, is a tiny green …
[Stiggers] Afrocentric Ghost of Kwanzaa Present
"Terminator 2003: No More Token Minorities" is an exciting sci-fi-reality-docu-drama starring Gov. Arnold Swarzenegger as he attempts to terminate college prep courses in predominately minority schools. Michael Jackson makes a …
Friday, December 19
Checking Slate
Outside of the Amazing SportsBlog, Slate is one of the best sites on the Web to find good sports articles. Here's two of the latest: 1) Josh Levin wonders why …
Nader Eyes Bid
Will Nader run again? Of course some Republican pollsters would like it, but he doesn't appear to have the same support he had in 2000 -- he may not even …
A Musical Interlude
Dr. S was on hand Thursday night at Hal & Mal's for the first JFP/H&M Southern Fried Holiday Karaoke Night. Or whateve they called it. Thankfully, alcohol and anarchy prevailed …
Wednesday, December 17
Dean's Foreign Policy: I Am No George Bush
An interesting piece about Howard Dean and his foreign-policy ideas by John Tirman of the Social Science Research Council:
‘Is this the neo-con century?'
(Be afraid. Be very afraid.)
Michelle Goldberg reports in Salon: "Neoconservatives are very sensitive people. Even those who've attained stature and power are exquisitely attuned to insults hurled from obscure quarters of the left as …
Tuesday, December 16
[Drive] Could It Be the One?
Ms. D and I had a driving trip planned for the long Thanksgiving weekend, and I saw it as a chance to give a good, long test to a car …
[Whitley] Losing Our Religion
Dec. 10, 2003 It's not unusual for Robert L. Johnson to draw a crowd. Nor is it unusual for the Hickory, Miss., native to have camera crews, reporters and fans …
Rise of the Third Party?
Here's an interesting Washington Post piece on tech in politics and a little hint as to why the Dean campaign apparatus allows a smaller "third party" organization to organize politically. …
Monday, December 15
Supreme Court to consider Cheney's secret task force
CBS Marketwatch is reporting: "The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether the White House must reveal the energy-industry contacts that helped a task force headed by Vice President Dick Cheney …
Heisman Hangover
Dr. S should have put this up on Friday, but he was in the official Dr. S spider hole, chilling and trying to remember where he left those doggone WMDs. …
Dean Under Attack, Trippi Says
To watch the attack ad in Windows Media Player, click here:
E-mailed to Dean list this a.m. from Trippi: "A faceless group that the Washington Post calls 'despicable' is using hundreds of thousands of dollars to air vicious television ads that …
Signs of Life
Elixir at LeFleur's Gallery, I-55, 981-7896, has opened its very sophisticated doors, offering delightfully potent potables, as well as a small menu of tapas. The JFP editor and publisher stopped …
Democratic ‘Shadow' Groups Face Scrutiny
The Washington Post reports: "Leading campaign finance watchdog organizations as well as Republican activists intend to challenge the new 'shadow' Democratic Party -- a network of independent groups gearing up …
Sunday, December 14
[Talk] Gettin' Safer
Jackson has lunged out of the "Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities" to No. 16, according to just-released 10th annual Morgan Quitno Press "most dangerous city" rankings for 2002. Using M-Q's …
Friday, December 12
Faith and Taco Bell
What does Taco Bell have to do with faith? It seems the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA finds a connection, as well as the Presbyterian Church …
Thursday, December 11
[Ladd] Just As I Am
I was baptized when I was 13 in a Southern Baptist church in Neshoba County. I wasn't particularly spiritual; there was more anger and selfishness and confusion in my heart …
[Lott] A Generous Giving
To hear some folks talk, you'd think that big places with the most compassionate liberal attitudes and bountiful personal incomes would be teaming with the most generous, nicest, most appreciative …
Wednesday, December 10
[Jacktown] M-I-CROOKED's Year, by Alphonso Mayfield
First off, I really want to thank everyone for the love that I have received since I started writing this column. All the pounds and props I've been getting have …
When Religion Becomes Good
In the spring of 1995, I journeyed on an interfaith tour to Israel, during that brief and hopeful interlude when an achievable Middle East peace seemed to be just over …
[Spann] That's All I Want for Christmas, Santa
That time is finally here. For months, I've patiently waited for this special moment. As I head to the mall for a little afternoon shopping, I can finally pop in …
[Talk] In for the Long Haul
Robert Langford, executive director of Operation Shoestring, expresses himself passionately about what goes on at 1711 Bailey Avenue, across from the Capitol Furniture store. Passionately, but not so loudly as …
Debra Kassoff
Seated demurely before me was the first rabbi I'd ever met—a slim clear-eyed young woman who looks like she could be a lawyer, a teacher, a counselor—not the stereotypical picture …
Sick Of The Knicks
Quitman native and NBA superstar Antonio McDyess is in a love/hate relationship. He loves making millions playing basketball, but he already hates playing for the godawful New York Knicks. McDyess …
Tuesday, December 9
Jackal Bites Back
Former Mississippi State football coach Jackie Sherrill returned fire Tuesday, accusing the NCAA of distorting facts about alleged recruiting violations. Dr. S asks: Did you ever notice how State, Ole …
[Ask JoAnne] There Ought to Be a Law
<i>— Enough of This Sh*t in Jackson</i>
Q. Most of my neighbors clean up after themselves, but not after the dogs they walk across my front yard. It's gotten to the point I can't get my garbage …
Gore Endorses Dean
Former Vice President Al Gore endorsed Howard Dean for president today. AP reports: "Gore said Dean 'really is the only candidate who has been able to inspire at the grass--roots …
Monday, December 8
MSU Slapped with NCAA Charges
First Croom, then the bad news ... The press release from State just in: Mississippi State University has received a letter and notice of allegations from the National Collegiate Athletics …
Mobilizing the Youth Vote
The New Voters Project announced plans to try to mobilize youth voters in 6 states for the upcoming election cycle. The six states areColorado, Iowa, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and …
Gore to Endorse Dean
Reuters is reporting that Al Gore is to endorse Howard Dean for President on Tuesday morning at a Harlem event.
Friday, December 5
Bloggers Speak Out
Mississippi keeps cropping up out there on the weblogs (called "blogs," we're talking about Web sites that update daily with news and politics coverage) and—almost universally—in a familiar context. I …
Thursday, December 4
A Football Feast
Mississippi's greatest football weekend is upon us: The MHSAA championships on Friday and Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. This year, Mississippi ETV is going to broadcast all five games. …
Wednesday, December 3
Sly Reaction
The Washington Post's Michael Wilbon weighed in with a very cranky column on the hiring of Mississippi State football coach Sylvester Crooms. Wilbon makes a couple of good points, but …
Move Over, Boys
Lakshmi Chaudhr writes: "Whether she is a divorced waitress in Harlem, a welfare mom in Iowa, or that thirty-something singleton sipping a Cosmopolitan at your local bar, the unmarried woman …
MoveOn.org Parties in Jackson this weekend
Heard of MoveOn.org, the hip and powerful grass-roots movement that is doing an end-run around party politics and the media? This Sunday, Dec. 7, MoveOn is holding house parties all …
FOX Works for GOP
MoveOn.org warns: "The wall between objective journalism and partisan politicking at Fox News fell last week when it became clear that Fox News staff contributed to the orchestration of the …
[Drive] Cat-Like Reflections
Does your car say something about you? It's a question I can't seem to get out of my head, even though, intellectually, I'd prefer not to worry about it. Unwittingly, …
Conerly Trophy Giveaway
The Conerly Trophy is going to be given out on Thursday night in Biloxi. The finalists: USM linebacker Rod Davis, the 2002 winner; Eli Manning, the 2001 winner; and Scott …
Sly Is MSU's Guy
Mississippi State made it official on Tuesday, introducing Sylvester Croom as the Bulldogs' new head football coach at a raucous news conference attended by hundreds of State fans. State's pioneering …
Tuesday, December 2
MoveOn.Org Irritates the Right
Michelle Goldberg writes in Salon: "Bill O'Reilly wants its nonprofit status revoked. Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie sees it as part of the 'Democrat plan to subvert campaign finance …
Monday, December 1
MSU, Croom Make History
Mississippi State has become the first SEC school to hire an African-American head football coach. Sylvester Croom, a former Alabama player and coach who's been an NFL assistant for the …
"Letters, Prayers, and Journal Entries," Anne Davis
I have a confession to make: I am inherently suspicious of confessional albums with a message. So when I received a copy of Anne Davis' "Letters, Prayers, and Journal Entries"—which, …
Waiting For Sly
Mississippi State gave prospective football coach Sylvester Croom a tour of the campus on Sunday. Now the Bulldogs are waiting on his answer. It could come as soon as Monday.
