Jackson Free Press

As a young Jackson voter, I am mad at the black leadership that lets Frank Melton walk all over the city. Our leaders act like a bunch of scared punks, so I guess I have to come to the white newspaper to get a breath of fresh air. You provide an outlet for the truth. There must be much more investigation into and debate about the young man who was punched in the stomach and face while in handcuffs, as caught on tape by a WLBT helicopter.

To be honest, I don't like Frank Melton, but I wish I could speak with him one-on-one. I suggest that he hold a forum with the youth of Jackson to get at the real questions.
— Terence Williams, Jackson

Fool Me Twice
George Bush's America: Do something illegal. Classify it. File it under National Security. Refuse to give security clearance to anyone who may investigate.

If Congress passes something you don't like, just add a signing statement saying you are not going to follow the law. Leak what you feel helps your causes to the press and then prosecute any leakers who might leak something you don't like. Cherry-pick intelligence to fit the decisions that you have already made, and then state that the intelligence gatherers have made bad assumptions. Declare an endless war on a tactic rather than an actual opponent. Grant yourself the title of "War President," and with that designation, grant yourself the right to violate any law you want in fighting that war.

Make dissent anti-American. Hold people in jails without bring charges against them, allowing them representation or giving them a day in court. Torture the enemy and fly them off to secret prisons. Run up record deficits while giving the richest citizens tax breaks. Allow your oil buddies to fatten their wallets with record profits while you wage your war. Probe my private conversations, my e-mails and my home without probable cause while calling the Constitution a "quaint" document.

Then come on TV and tell me I need to make some sacrifices. Huh?
— Brian Essex, Jackson

Previous Comments

ID

72424

Comment

Frank Melton Terence Williams, I understand your concern about Frank Melton. I believe that all Jacksonians with any access to the media has concerns about our Mayor. However, let me offer you a bit of solace in saying that there are two sides to every story. I'll be the first to admit that I waver in my opinion of Frank. Simply because I feel like he genuinely thinks he's doing the best thing for the city. At the same time though, I am in my early 30's and I have never been as concerned about crime as I have since he took over the office. I mean, every time one turns around someone is getting shot in a car, or robbings someone, or rapping a child, or killing a son or daughter or mother or father. It's outrageous. I almost feel like Frank's spirit of "by any means necessary" is beginning to cloud over the city in the worse way. I don't think he takes into account that he has a level of power in this city that he just can't act like "I'm the man". No, you are OUR man. We elected him based on what we thought he'd bring to the city. Takes me back to a debate I had with a older, black gentleman before the election who asked me who I was supporting. Immediately I confessed that I was supporting Melton. My reason being that I felt the city needed new leadership. I felt we needed to give someone else a shot at making a difference in the city. I felt that Harvey Johnson was way to passive and just did not have enough guts to take the city where we all wanted to see it go. The gentleman told me that and I quote, "YALL ARE GONNA REGRET PUTTING THAT FOOL INTO OFFICE....HE'S A LOOSE CANNON JUST WAITING TO GO OFF". There is not a day that passes that I come onto this site and not remember that man's words. Yet and still, Terrance, there are 2 sides to every story. Please don't feel like you have to come to the "white" papers to learn the "truth". You can find truth with other's who are black. And the people here have sound minds about their opinion of Frank. They don't waver. I sense that you are trying to come to a conclusion of your own. Pleae by all means consider what the "white" papers have to say, but also, evaluate what people like you who have sound ideas and values have to say before you decide what to think about the mayor of this city. I still commend Frank for shaking things up. However, I am also concerned with the fact that he is NOT living up to what my personal expectations of him were when I placed my vote. Stay concerned about the city. We will definetely need positive people with youth and ability to make things happen in the city in the future. And if Frank stays in office, we will have a lot of rebuilding to do. Starting with the moral of city employees.

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-05-25T14:14:16-06:00