Monday, October 31
Site for ‘Mississippi Renewal Forum'
Keep an eye on the plans of Gov. Haley Barbour's "Mississippi Renewal Forum" on this Web site. The front page states:
Trent Lott: Alito Is a ‘Home Run'
[Verbatim statement/Oct. 31, 2005] WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi issued the following statement upon President Bush's nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to be Associate Justice …
The Weekly Jerry Update: Its All the Democrats Fault, WAHHHH
This week Jerry speaks about Harriet Meyer's step down as Supreme Court Nominee and ruminates about who Bush can put up next to heal the rift in the Republican party. …
Sunday, October 30
Harp Player Sam Myers Back in Treatment
Long time Mississippi vocalist/harmonica blues artist is starting a second round of treatment for cancer of the throat. He received treatments and was improving but learned recently that the cancer …
Trent Lott, Harry Reid Call for ‘New Blood' in White House
The New York Times reports today that prominent lawmakers of both parties, including Sens. Trent Lott and Harry Reid are calling for the president to make shake-ups in the White …
Saturday, October 29
3 More Soldiers Die in Iraq; 8 in Last 3 Days
On the day that a high-level White House office was indicted for trying to cover up lies told to justify invading Iraq in the first place, three more American soldiers …
Friday, October 28
Gentrifying Diversity in New Orleans
Mother Jones reports:
In a recent email to Louisiana officials, FEMA curtly turned down the state's request for funding to notify displaced residents that they could cast absentee ballots in the city's crucial …
BREAKING: Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff Indicted, Five Counts
Word is that Dick Cheney's chief of staff will be the first to go down. Meantime, check out this Salon piece that defrocks Cheney's inner circle:
Thursday, October 27
Franklin Advocate Editorial and Thomas Moore Response
Franklin Advocate, July 28, 2005
This letter appeared in The Franklin Advocate, the weekly newspaper in Meadville, Miss, the week after Thomas Moore's story appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It is reprinted verbatim; below …
Melton: Zero Tolerance for Moving Violations
[verbatim/Oct. 27, 2005]—Mayor Frank E. Melton issued Executive Order to address number of pedestrians being injured or killed by moving vehicles in the City of Jackson.
Not Everyone Hurt By Rising Oil Prices
Some companies, for instance, are doing just fine as a result:
Hell House Comes To Jackson
I was reading this article in the CL about the "House of Destiny" at the First Baptist Church in Florence.
Harriet Miers Withdraws
CNN reports: "President Bush 'reluctantly' accepts Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers's request to withdraw her nomination."
Condi's got a great Halloween Costume.
Michelle Malkin, whom I dislike with the burning fire of a thousand suns, has an interesting photo of Condi on her web blog
"I Thought the Yankees Would Have Hung You Long Before…"
I edited a children's collection of slave narratives a few years back. This was my favorite reading.
Wednesday, October 26
The Best In Sports In The Next 7 Days
Junior college football, Gulf Coast at Hinds (7 p.m., Raymond): The Eagles entertain the Bulldogs in a game loaded with playoff implications.
[Jacktown] Of Remixes And Masterpieces
Well, Jackson, it's been a really long time. I have been busy trying to keep my wallet filled with Benjamins. But I'm back, and I have my ear to the …
[New Releases] Animal Collective "Feels"
— Alex Slawson and Herman Snell
Animal Collective — "Feels" Animal Collective is a neo-psychedelic-quirk-pop band that has incorporated folk acoustics and campfire-style vocals on their previous works. This aesthetic reached its pinnacle on 2004's masterpiece, …
Gold Miners: A Review Of "North Country"
A fictionalized account of an actual 1984 court case that revolutionized sexual harassment law and exposed the misogyny of Minnesota's mining industry, "North Country" is a stunning, must-see drama marked …
[New Releases] The American Analog Set "Set Free"
— Alex Slawson and Herman Snell
The American Analog Set — "Set Free" For 10 years, the American Analog Set have made an art out of subtle textures and hypnotic melodies. Over this time, they have …
Damned If We Don't
The weekend Katrina hit, Kate Medley and I were in the Natchez area finishing research and art for the package of stories that you'll read in this issue. This time …
[Cohen] All Haley The Chief
On Oct. 1 in Oxford, 4,000 people filled the Tad Smith Coliseum for what was billed as a fund-raising concert to benefit Hurricane Katrina's Mississippi victims. My wife and I …
[Kamikaze] The Apocalypse Is Nigh
I'm back from a couple of weeks in the media capital of the world—New York City. Bright lights, big dreams and bad weather. Unfortunately while I was there, the Northeastern …
[Stiggers] Crunchie Burga, Give Us Gas
It's Boneqweesha, your on-the-scene reporter, live from Crunchie Burga World headquarters. The Customer and Support Services Workers' Union, No. 208-1/3, has gathered outside C.B.W. headquarters to protest the plight of …
Pumpkins, The Stuff of Memories
Whether you call it autumn or fall, it's here. The natural signs of fall include the leaves on many trees that ignite in color. Thanks be to God, the temperature …
Melton: Taxpayers Should Pay My Fine
Photo Graphic by Darren Schwindaman
Attorneys for Jackson Mayor Frank Melton argued in a Meridian court on Oct. 20, over whether Melton can be sued as a private individual or if the state has to …
Evolution Of A Man: Lifting The Hood In South Mississippi
Read the JFP's full "Road to Meadville" blog/archive here
Daddy, Get Up: This Son of Natchez Wants Justice, Too
Photo of Wharlest Jackson Jr. by Kate Medley
When Wharlest Jackson Sr., 36, left his job at the Armstrong Rubber Co. in North Natchez the evening of Feb. 27, 1967, life was looking pretty good for him.
Dear Meadville: Thomas Moore Tries To Wake Up His Hometown
Photo of Mac Littleton by Kate Medley
On his July pilgrimage back to his native Mississippi, Thomas Moore got his hopes up. With the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and the Jackson Free Press documenting his effort, Moore went …
Charles King
Charles King is the president and a co-founder of Housing Works Inc., a non-profit organization that provides a full range of services for homeless men, women and children living with …
The New Well
Graphic courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy is considering Richton, Miss., as a location for the newest expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The reserve, established in 1975 to protect the …
Henrietta Martin
Open the heavy glass door, take six steps across the foyer to the next glass door, open it, and you're in the Beverly J. Brown Library in Byram, a branch …
Union Pledge On Shaky Ground
After a shaky start, AFL-CIO leaders say a meeting last week with Jackson Mayor Frank Melton went well, with the mayor re-stating his commitment to working with the union in …
Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2005
<b><u>History in Books</b></u>
As one born and raised in Mississippi, I am deeply interested in its history. A part of that history too little known and too readily forgotten in our time is …
Tuesday, October 25
Should We Give Tax Breaks for Cars?
As someone who leans toward new-urbanism and spends a little time suburb bashing, the story Auto Mobility in this month's Washington Monthly started out a little off-putting. Of course there's …
ARTICLE: Kemp Says Ex-Felons Should Be Able to Vote
WASHINGTON - Jack Kemp, the former Republican vice presidential candidate and HUD secretary, urged Congress on Tuesday to require states to restore voting rights for felons once they complete their …
Monday, October 24
National Debt Breaks $8 Trillion; Pork Highest Ever
According to a story in the Washington Post, Republicans plan to attempt to pass $35 billion in spending cuts, part of a plan set forth in the spring, although some …
Here Comes Codex Teenage Premonition
So it's clear there's a "Scotland Thing" going on, with the amount of love surrounding Franz Ferdinand, Sons and Daughters, Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai and more. But before those bands …
Melton Moves Halloween
Does anyone know what's going on for Halloween in Jacktown? The last couple of years there's been a pretty big party in Fondren, but I haven't heard anything about it …
The Weekly Jerry Update: Better Late Than Never
I had begun a series of Sunday sermons pulling Jerry around by the short ones, but was unable to update it yesterday because someone at Fallwell Ministries was being lazy …
Can You Be Misquoted In Your Own Column?
Talk about sleeping with the enemy: Since he became manager of the Chicago White Sox last year, he's written a regular column for a daily in Caracas, Venezuela. Presumably, his …
Father Knows Best
When I read stuff like this I wonder why more federal money isn't thrown at investigating "daddy issues" among our men in power.
So Long, Saints?
Saints owner Tom Benson declared this week that nothing will be decided on the franchise's future until after the season. But ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that, based on information from …
Sunday, October 23
Study: Most Katrina Victims Elderly
AP is reporting:
A majority of people killed by Hurricane Katrina were older residents unable or unwilling to evacuate in the rising floodwaters, according to a study of almost half the bodies recovered …
All The Right Moves
See "Mad Hot Ballroom" Monday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Parkway Place Regal Cinema on Lakeland Drive. $7, $5 Crossroads members. Rated PG. 601-613-6060. Join or renew your Crossroads membership …
The Devil Went Down to Clarksdale
Yesterday I went to the Crossroads in the Delta. I'd been up there numerous times before, but was bringing a friend to see the famed Johnson "selling his soul" site.
R.I.P. TwiRoPa
Dear Friends, Family, and Loyal Customers of TwiRoPa: I am very sorry to say that the damage to the TwiRoPa facility was extensive and severe. Initial inspections have led to …
Saturday, October 22
Friday, October 21
Who doesn't love reruns of "In the Heat of the Night"?
The plan includes subsidizing converter boxes for the average American home.
The AP is reporting that the government is gonna give us free TV in four years.
Fitz Posts a Website
Patrick Fitzgerald, special prosecutor in the Plame case, has posted a website. The site has the blogosphere in a titter as to whether it will be used to post indictments …
Memphis Flyer: Handicapping Plame Game
The Flyer takes a look at the Plame situation and "handicaps" the odds of the various types of indictments that could come as early as next week from the grand …
Judge Hears Arguments in Mayor Libel Lawsuit
Interesting report in The Meridian Star today about the lawsuit by MBN officers against Frank Melton for releasing false accusations against them to The Clarion-Ledger in 2003 (the story originally …
Thursday, October 20
Great Moments in Law
I ran across this while researching my new crime history book for Facts on File, and just about cracked up.
Wednesday, October 19
The Best In Sports In The Next 7 Days
Thursday, Oct. 20
Junior college football, Jones at Copiah-Lincoln (7 p.m., Wesson): Jones has returned to its winning ways.
[Music] Mississippi's Widespread River Rat
When Mississippi native George McConnell broke out of the local scene and became a member of one of the most popular jam bands of all time, he didn't forget his …
The Chardonnay Wars
Who among us has never tried a Chardonnay? I would imagine that anyone with even a minor interest in wine has sipped on this rich white varietal at some time …
Look Ma, I Made An Omelette!
My earliest recollection of actually seeing an omelette dates back to late 1969, early 1970. I had moved from Jackson to Kansas City, Mo., and being in my early 20s …
Haley's Unholy Alliance
Barbour Client Indicted in Nursing Home, Delay Scheme
When Haley Barbour was head of the Republican National Committee from 1993 to 1997, he loathed Medicare, the federal health-care program, and tried to gun it down in the GOP …
With A Little Help From My Friends: Waveland's Getting By
In Waveland, Miss., the little town that arguably received the worst punishment Katrina could mete out, those credited with the swiftest response are not disaster-relief groups or government agencies, but …
Paradise Lost: Latinos Caught In Katrina Squeeze
Strangely, it wasn't the hurricane itself that tore down the life and family of Daniel Dotta. It was the clean-up crew that came along behind it.
Your Name In Lights
You gotta love the folks who decide to do something instead of just complain about it. Last year, in response to the common refrain "We never get any decent independent …
[Greggs] I Am Mississippi
I love this place. This state, I mean. I love the fact my neighbors showed up the day after Katrina with chainsaws in hand because they noticed a tree blocking …
[Stiggers] Scary Nation
I'm Boneqweesha Jones on the scene at Jo-Jo's Discount Dollar Store during his Scary Nation: Trick or Treat Halloween Costume Sale. He has an interesting selection of spooky/non-traditional costumes at …
Peggy Carlisle
It's a safe wager that third- and fourth-graders at Pecan Park Elementary School in Jackson know a lot about Kenya. That's because their ExCel teacher Peggy Carlisle, 54, added "The …
The City vs. The Cops
Last week, the Jackson City Council voted to pay a $34,487 settlement in a suit against a Jackson police officer accused of handcuffing a man before banging and grinding his …
No. 5 October 20 - 26
<b><u>Solid Work</u></b>
Keep up the solid work with the Jackson Free Press. I grab every one of those free copies I can get my hands on. We agree on precious little (actually, …
Herman's Picks
I once heard in a movie that "Art is the highest source of education." The next two weeks you're in for quite a schooling, if you're willing. The New Orleans' …
Tuesday, October 18
The Corporate Court
Has Bush nominated an anti-Roe stealth candidate? Not if he's smart. Wait, let me rephrase that...
My trip to the beach
I went to The Coast today. In my grown up job I was asked to be part of a group that went down and conducted coping groups with survivors of …
D.C. Rumormill: Cheney May Resign, Condi Move Up
According to a piece in U.S. News and World Report, rumors are flying around Washington that Vice President Cheney might resign if "Plamegate" indictments reaches into the V.P.'s office. Further …
China Ups its Space Program
According to CNN, the Chinese sent a manned spacecraft into orbit and brought it back safely on Monday, calling it a victory for the Communist Party in China and saying …
Radical Right Targets Girl Empowerment Effort
Oct. 14, 2005—AP is reporting that the Tupelo wingnuts are at it again:
What They Think About Us At DailyKos
Here's the all-important light-up-the-phone-lines nut graf:
Today finds a 'recommended' diary over at DailyKos, about a visitor to our lovely state and his "blue state" reactions to the people he encounters when he's working on Katrina …
Harriett Miers Supported Ban on Most Abortions
AP is reporting:
Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers pledged support in 1989 for a constitutional amendment banning abortions except when necessary to save the life of the mother, according to material given to …
Monday, October 17
Marah CD Drops Oct. 18, Live in Oxford Nov. 5
If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry, the fifth, and arguably finest, record from that little ole' band from Philadelphia known as Marah, will hit stores on October 18th. These days …
Hitchcock was SO RIGHT to be scared to death of them…
I must share the trauma.
Business Week writes the scariest thing I've ever read about the Bird Flu.
Fitz Examines Cheney's Role in Plamegate
In a Bloomberg news piece that's entertainingly titled Cheney May Be Entangled in CIA Leak Investigation, People Say (I love that "People Say" part...talk about your reportorial specificity), we're told …
Sojourners: Congress is ‘Morally Bankrupt'
Sojourners, an active Christian organization that supports a variety of social justice efforts, has announced a campaign to draw attention to the budget cutting that Congress is planning for October …
Bell Is Wrong Again
It's official. Jackson State football coach James Bell is an idiot. Throughout his reign of error, Bell has blamed members of the news media for his team's failures on the …
Sunday, October 16
[Talking Head] Let's try this…
Next Sunday, I'm going to try something new: a weekly series of sorts, tentatively called "Talking Head," where I'll go through my mailbag in public. Generally that's an invitation to …
NYTimes Op-Ed Spells Out Plame Game ‘Team'
In an Op-Ed for the Sunday New York Times, columnist Frank Rich has the best explanation I've seen of the White House Iraq Group (WHIG), the group of White House …
The Weekly Jerry Update Part Deux
So, this week Jerry thinks we should be able to hurt gay people and get away with it.
He is actively lobbying against a hate crime bill that would give homosexuals recourse if they are the victim of a crime related solely to their sexual orientation.
Saturday, October 15
Why I Don't Read Beliefnet (Much) Anymore
Beliefnet still has its moments, but mostly it alternates between schmaltzy and toxic.
Friday, October 14
Breaking Rank
Margaret Thatcher opposes the war in Iraq, and Miers can't count on her gender to win her support among feminists. It's a sad day for groupthink.
ARTICLE: Civil rights pioneer dead at 63
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Vivian Malone Jones, one of two black students whose effort to enroll at the University of Alabama led to George Wallace's infamous "stand in the schoolhouse …
ARTICLE: Fearless fighter for civil rights dead at 78
Political and social activist Cynthia DeLores Tucker, 78, died Oct. 12 of an undisclosed cause at the Suburban Woods Health and Rehabilitation Center in Norristown, Pa., leaving behind a legacy …
U.S. Bankruptcy AND Credit Card Rule Changes Coming
There's a rush of filings this week as the bankruptcy laws get considerably harsher next Monday, thanks to legislation passed last spring. The bill makes it more difficult for individuals …
Stunning Description of New Orleans in Salon
There's an amazing narrative description on New Orleans posted over at Salon. It's by a freelance writer, who went to see what had happened to his French Quarter home that …
Thursday, October 13
When Conservatives are Too Liberal
George W. Bush and Haley Barbour are facing the fight of their political careers right now, but their fiercest critics aren't on the left. They're on the right.
A little innuendo with your evening cocktail
Is it legal to go to bed at 6pm? Because the thought had crossed my mind.
But, before I fall into a world heady with regret and Cherry Coke, I'd like to leave you with this little bit of wisdom
Donna Featured on AAN Site
Everybody's favorite alt-weekly editor, featured on the AAN.org site: click me
Is anyone surprised?
Move on.org has called into question the man that would be responsible if the avian flu becomes a pandemic. It seems that, once again, Bush has appointed someone to a …
Wednesday, October 12
I'M FAT!!!!!
I had a doctor's visit recently, and I almost passed out when I saw the numbers on the scale. I gained 35 POUNDS in two years! Well...
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Thursday, Oct. 13
College football, Copiah-Lincoln at Hinds (7 p.m., Raymond): A pair of one-win teams hook up at Joe Renfroe.
[Gospel] Converging For A Blessing
Dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters can be overwhelming. The chilling effect can linger for months, maybe even years. It is for those reasons that some of Mississippi's top …
Born To Be A Thug
A couple weeks back, culture czar Bill Bennett said crime would go down if all black babies were aborted. A couple months back, a business publication editor in Brandon said …
Wanted: A Strong , Safe Jackson
The decision by Mayor Frank Melton and Chief Shirlene Anderson to eliminate the eight-member Crime Prevention Unit of the Jackson Police Department (along with approximately 10 other JPD positions) upset …
*Jackson Newbie: Myths Debunked
Downtown Jackson is full of crime, right?
Actually, no. Downtown Jackson is one of the safest areas of the city with some of the lowest crime rates. Of course, activity makes any area safer, so the more …
[New Releases] Ellen Allien "Thrills"
— Alex Slawson and Herman Snell
Ellen Allien — "Thrills" Berlin seems to be the new electronica hotspot, as several truly talented artists have emerged onto the worldwide underground stage. Among the most promising is Ellen …
[New Releases] Four Tet "Everything Ecstatic"
— Alex Slawson and Herman Snell
Four Tet — "Everything Ecstatic" Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) is truly a musical genius, given his ability to combine a wide variety of analog sounds (plucked banjo, xylophone, drum sets) …
Just For The Halibut
Every day on the way to and from school, I drive past the New Orleans Fish House on E. McDowell Road, just off I-55 South. Hardly a day has gone …
Jackie Bell
Jackie Bell, 43, steps out of a little red two-seater, and I'm jealous of her legs. I briefly recall my inferiority when Miss Bell called me on stage during a …
Driving While Young: Why The City's Curfew Isn't All That
When she got up the morning of July 10, 2003, Leslie Berryhill did not know she was going to face the "scariest thing" of her short life. Leslie, who was …
Pass/Fail: Student Drug Testing For JPS?
Only three weeks after his election, Mayor Frank Melton announced that he would like to see all students in Jackson Public Schools tested for drug use. The announcement came at …
House, Senate Switch Roles
The Mississippi Legislature ended the $330,000 special session this week around 10 p.m. Friday night with a final package of bills intended to help rebuild the Coast. Lawmakers managed to …
Danks, Danks Everywhere
The Jackson City Council voted last week to allow Mayor Frank Melton to hire attorney Dale Danks, who will help the city's shorthanded legal department clear its caseload. The council …
The Attic Is For Lovers
Tucked at the bottom of one of Vicksburg's steep hills, at the intersection of Washington and China and just a few blocks from the Mississippi River, is a right perfect …
High Anxiety
A recent Precinct 4 COPS meeting revealed anxiety over Mayor Melton's recent move to dissolve the Crime Prevention Unit. The unit, employing only one academy-graduated police officer, was recognized at …
[Stiggers] Hands Off My Grandbabies
"While locating my favorite weekly broadcast of The Rev. Cletus Car Sales program on the radio, I accidentally tuned in a talk radio show. A discussion about Social Security caught …
No. 4, October 13-19
<b><u>Young Creative Class Rising</b></u>
Thanks to the staff at the JFP for energizing the progressive, young adult Jackson population. I never realized until recently the positive impact an alternative newspaper could have on a …
Pleased to Meet You, Hope You Guess My Name
Oh, y'all have got to read this article. Especially you, Ali. Excerpt:
Real Refugees
Angelina Jolie makes me like her again with the statement "Nobody deserves an award for humanitarian aid, we should all just be doing it." in an interview with CNN.
Tuesday, October 11
Conversations with Carl Sagan
As many of you know, my first book with the University Press of Mississippi--Conversations with Carl Sagan--will be published in December. Each Conversations with... volume is made up of previously …
The Bestest Governor EVER!
Simply because they haven't got ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS LADY.
Now, I don't know if any of you have read the "mountains of newly released records" concerning Ms. Miers. But, if you haven't, let's just say "birthday cards" are considered …
GOP Using Katrina Aftermath to Gut Anti-Poverty Efforts
The New York Times is reporting that conservatives in Washington are reacting in a very cynical way to the poverty exposed to the world by Hurricane Katrina:
Monday, October 10
New Jens Lekman Out Now
Jens Lekman has again seen the light and plans 3 week nationwide tour of the United States. As if he didn't break enough hearts during his last tour of the …
Unsafe at Any Speed
A Zogby/MSNBC study has uncovered some pretty surprising stuff about American sexual mores.
Hell has frozen over…
I'm agreeing with Ann Coulter.
And for once they were not prepared to take Bush's word that it would all turn out O.K., that they should just trust him. Bush was showing "stunning arrogance," declared …
Football Post-Mortem
Here's a roundup of reaction to a weekend of bad Mississippi college football
Ole Miss: The Northeast Mississippi Journal's Parrish Alford wonders what Ole Miss' victory means. Doctor S knows: It means the Rebels aren't very good.
Herman's Picks
If you're a fan of roots rock you must go to Hal & Mal's Wednesday when Scott Miller & the Commonwealth return, 9 p.m. $5. If you're a fan of …
I can't take this.
I don't know if anyone has seen the videotape of the New Orleans police officers beating a 64 year old man in the street. This article speaks about the incident.
"Let Us Be Dissatisfied"
In other words, he was a real Christian.
No matter what pop culture tells us, we need to know that Martin Luther King Jr. fought for more than racial integration; he believed in an ideal of America without …
Sunday, October 9
Trying To Make It Right
The e-mail about the Jackson doctor came all the way from Canada. Hollis Brown, a singer/songwriter in Saskatchewan, wanted to know if an e-mail he had received, calling New Orleans …
The Weekly Jerry Update
This man has become my new love.
In this week's Falwell Confidential, Jerry ( and I sure hope he doesn't get upset with the familiarity) speaks to us about "dirty politics" and Delay's indictment.
Tell me it isn't true. Okay, I will. It isn't.
This morning I was playing on the "Focus on the Family" Website. I like to get on there and see what they are ANGRY about. (This also includes why I …
A Colorless World
I'm still steamed about Bill Bennett's idiotic comment, and his continuing failure to offer a credible apology for it. Yes, his political career is over; yes, his status as a …
Saturday, October 8
At OUToberfest Saturday: Bitch With A Capital B
Bitch performs Saturday night, Oct. 8, at Hal & Mal's, along with a host of other artists as part of OUToberfest.
Violent Crime Continues 30-Year Low
This story didn't get much attention when it broke a couple of weeks ago, so it's worth revisiting.
Friday, October 7
John Haught Dismantles Neo-Creationism
The Dover Area School District monkey trial just got a whole lot more interesting with the testimony of Georgetown University theologian John Haught.
FEMA To Cancel No-Bid Contracts
The front page of The Clarion-Ledger almost looked like a real newspaper today. The lead story is a combo wire/local effort about how FEMA is cancelling no-bid contracts. Of course, …
Mascot Mania
Bob Cook of flakmagazine (is he the next Bill Simmons?) weighs in on the insanity of the sports mascot debate. Naturally, Ole Miss is mentioned.
Thank You, Captain Obvious
And then uses innuendo and divisive statements to tell us.
In an op/ed piece in the CL Mr. Mitchell asks "Who are the poor?"
Thursday, October 6
The 10 Most Active Jackson Free Press Threads, Ever
Happy birthday, Todd! Thanks to you and Donna for getting this paper running. You have affected the culture of Jackson in more ways than anyone can know, I think.
I feel MUCH better now. Whew!
So, I was really upset about this Harriet Miers business until I read that Jerry Falwell is backing her one hundred percent.
We ain't done nothing wrong.
President Bush speaking at the National Endowment for Democracy
It ain't us they need to be worryin' bout…
Maybe Iran didn't HEAR the first time Israel decided they didn't need nuclear weapons.
Israel will blow them off the map if they don't stop effin' around.
Wednesday, October 5
Secularism is Good for the (National) Soul
A new study published in Creighton's Journal of Religion and Society provides strong evidence that high religiosity is not necessarily a good thing, at least on a large scale.
"For I Have Been Touched by His Noodly Appendage"
If we're going to teach Intelligent Design in public school biology classes, then clearly we need to include more than one theory of ID. I'm especially impressed with this counter-theory, …
What's good for the goose….
Who knew that Bush could piss off the Right just as much as the Left with one little Supreme Court Justice Nominee.
Will Jemison
Will Jemison, 24, is five steps ahead of his generation. Everything about him says professionalism and goal-oriented. He walks into the interview, and I can't believe that he's only 24. …
The Best In Sports In The Next 7 Days
College football, Coahoma at Hinds (7 p.m., Raymond): The Eagles are looking for their first win of the season. If they don't beat the Tigers, the Eagles have big problems.
Vampire Cowboys And Zombie Indians: A Review of Darkwatch
I'm surprised by "Darkwatch." I don't think you could blame me for being skeptical about a game that can't even decide what stereotype it wants to use, but after looking …
Bennett And His Black Boys
"If you wanted to reduce crime, you could—if that were your sole purpose—you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down." No, that …
Domestic Disturbance: A Review Of "A History Of Violence"
By turns tender and tragic, funny and frightening, David Cronenberg's masterful new thriller "A History of Violence" has emerged on the short list of 2005's most outstanding releases. A meditation …
[Kamikaze] God Is Smiling
It's a testament to the human spirit to see how Mississippians have responded in this time of crisis. Hurricane Katrina may have devastated property, homes and businesses, but it didn't …
[Stiggers] You're Doing A Heck Of A Job, Cletus
Dr. Peanut speaks to the G.S.T.E.M.A.'s (Ghetto Science Team's Emergency Management Agency) during their post-catastrophe planning session.
[Greggs] Like Bourbon For Chocolate
Last week, after spying the ever-growing acreage of my cat's butt, I begrudgingly headed to the store to buy her diet food for the first time. I felt badly about …
Catch That Northwestern Buzz
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Washington state and Oregon? Is it coffee? Depressing weather? Hippies? Grunge rock and flannel? For me, it's wine. …
*Jackson Newbie: Food FAQ
I'm craving butter beans and sweet potato casserole. What local restaurant serves really good home-cooked veggies?
Mayor Walks Out On Citizens
Community policing took a body blow last week when Mayor Frank Melton and Jackson Police Chief Shirlene Anderson—a man and a woman put there to be anti-crime crusaders—suddenly dumped the …
Ain't Too Proud To Beg
After days of behind-the-scenes struggle, the Legislature passed bills allowing casinos to build within 800 feet of the high-tide line during a special session called by Gov. Haley Barbour to …
Trapped In Left Field
The first week of September was a turning point for the Left Field Sports Grill, says President Dan Keith. Katrina blasted through the streets of Jackson, and the grill suffered …
Hurricanes 2, Eagles 0
The Southern Miss football team got screwed on, all in the name of the almighty TV dollar. In the biggest non-surprise of the season, Conference USA rescheduled the Golden Eagles' …
Out Of The Freezer, Back On The Ice
Doctor S sez: I like Brussels sprouts better than the NHL.
The NHL returns to the ice on Wednesday night after nearly two years of labor issues-related exile. Newsday's Johnette Howard sums up the situation nicely: "Hockey is sort of the …
Naked Truth
Speaking of sports crime, here's an item from the always-reliable badjocks.com: An unidentified junior at Bentonville High School in Arkansas was suspended for 10 days after he made a mad …
Tuesday, October 4
Sports Crime Update
Today's items on the sports crime blotter come from Romensko's The Obscure & Reading Room. It's definitely a must-read.
The Give-a-Damn Party
I used to assume that the religious right was only concerned about abortion and gay marriage, but one of the things that has crossed my mind over the past few …
Monday, October 3
The Bachelors
Before we despair over new Bush Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, let's bear three things in mind...
Citizens Protest Crime Firings Tuesday at City Council
(Update: Supporters of community policing are calling for Jacksonians to go to City Council meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday downtown at City Hall to call for the mayor and police …
Sunday, October 2
Hal & Mal's, Miller Lite and the JFP Present Katrina Jam
October 2nd, 2:00-10:00 p.m. at Hal & Mal's
In the restaurant, there will be a silent art auction, with various local Jackson artists donating pieces to be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to the Rebuild the Coast …
Saturday, October 1
Nappy Roots, Funk, Kamikaze at Farish Street Fest
The JFP is a sponsor of the Farish Street Fest This Weekend! Oct 1, Food, Fun and Entertainment for the entire family. See Terry Cummings, Kamikaze, Eddie Cotton, Nappy Roots, …
Where Eagles Dare
Hinds visits defending state and national juco football champion Pearl River on Saturday at 6 p.m. These two have played for the state title the last two seasons. Saturday's game …
Reaganite Says Aborting Black Babies Would Reduce Crime
Here's your stupid Republican quotation for the day, coming from Reagan's secretary of education:
