Jackson Free Press

I was sitting in the student center at Belhaven College Friday afternoon, participating in a media-ethics forum with several other media leaders from around town. The conversation was compelling, and there was a great deal of mea culpa (not to mention JFP back-patting, I'm happy to report) over how local media covered, or did not cover, Frank Melton's shenanigans during the campaign and in the early months of his tenure as mayor.

I was kind of proud of those guys. (The Clarion-Ledger wasn't at the panel.)

But then came a move I see often as next year's county elections draw nearer—a bitch slap at District Attorney Faye Peterson.

This one came from WLBT News Director Dennis Smith. He told the students that outtakes from their footage of Melton's indictment day showed a "gleeful" Peterson at what she had just done (along with Sheriff Malcolm McMillin and Attorney General Jim Hood, I might add). Why was the DA—whom he made sound like a silly schoolgirl—oh so giggly? She was furious, he said, because Melton had let some "kid" personally insult her at a press conference. Thus, she was an angry woman—and all of us know, wink, wink, that hell hath no fury like a dissed broad.

That's a useful narrative if you're one of the people who would rather see a white man who has never tried a case be elected district attorney over a tough, black female prosecutor from the inner city who doesn't give a damn about conventional power pockets in Jackson (whether the Capitol Street Gang or the Mill Street Posse). It serves one political purpose to cast the DA as an emotional woman who can't take a personal insult. Hell, maybe she was even PMS-ing the day of the indictments. You know how giddy that makes us girly-girls.

After Smith's comments, I pointed out that the "tarring and feathering of Faye Peterson" is a disturbing narrative being trotted out by folks who do not want to see her in power (whether because she is black, a woman, or because she won't avert her eyes as other D.A.s might).

The more accurate narrative, I said, is that she—like any self-respecting DA, regardless of gender or race—is tired of Melton endangering the lives of Jacksonians and of ruining criminal cases by tainting "star" witnesses. I then told them the rest of the story about Melton's assistance of the "kid" who insulted her—actually Christopher Walker, a convicted adult felon who recently violated parole—and why that help derailed several murder cases. In fact, this DA did the job she was elected to do by indicting Frank Melton, a fellow African American, for blatant law-breaking.

(Cheers, by the way, to the Northside Sun's Wyatt Emmerich, who spoke up for both the AG and the DA for bringing the charges; regardless of whether she was "gleeful," she was doing her job, he said.)

Lo and behold, the next morning, The Clarion-Ledger's editorial page violated Peterson in an editorial entitled: "Melton: Will DA Accept Another Plea Deal?" In the editorial itself, the all-male editorial board asked: "After District Attorney Faye Peterson and Attorney General Jim Hood accepted Melton's plea bargain on gun charges this week, can voters expect the same on the charges stemming from the duplex demolition incident?"

There are two glaring problems with this editorial. For one, it is factually inaccurate; this was not Peterson's case. The AG's office investigated and prosecuted it, and presented and accepted the plea bargain with Melton. After I read the editorial, I called Peterson and asked her pointblank if she was involved in this plea bargain. "No," was her answer. When they were discussing a plea Tuesday, she said, the AG's office called and told her about it. The deal fell through, but the next she heard, Melton had copped a plea on Wednesday.

It would be fair to say that Peterson was an interested bystander on last week's gun cases; her main event comes up with Melton's Ridgeway trial next year. What is not fair is the way the Ledger's edit-boys included her in this rant in order to castigate her, actually leaving the white, male AG out of the headline.

Second, that castigation itself was misguided, as Melton just copped a plea to three gun crimes, garnering three convictions and a year's probation. See jacksonfreepress.com for a discussion of that hideous editorial.

What's tragic to me is how Peterson is being used as a whipping girl for transparently political purposes because she is a woman, is black and seems determined to do no political cabal's bidding. That is not to say that she is perfect—but she should be criticized in a fair and accurate way, based on real facts.

Certainly, Melton and Walker's little striptease act in May was disgusting. They "talked up under a lady's dress tail," as she later put it in an interview with Adam Lynch, by trying to paint her as a hussy in order to discredit her and her decisions—and to deflect attention from Melton's flubs. This assault came when Melton should have been apologizing to the DA and the city for tainting murder cases by giving credit cards and cars to supposedly ironclad witnesses. Instead, he pulled a stunt as sexist and disgusting as any I've seen on a public stage by putting Walker in front of cameras to debase the top prosecutor in a way more fit for a trailer-park drama on daytime TV.

Peterson impressed me mightily in that interview. Through all those personal attacks, she stayed laser-focused on the law and her job, and the safety and rights of Jacksonians who could be hurt, or even killed, during Melton's nighttime "crime-fighting" joy rides. A weaker DA would have slunk away under Melton's smear campaign, afraid of what he might put someone up to saying about her next.

Instead, this DA did not blink. On Sept. 15, she walked out of the county courthouse, stared into TV cameras and announced five felony indictments of a mayor who has it in for her bad. That's a way different narrative than the chauvinistic one that Smith dismissively tossed off. As a woman and a Mississippian, I am proud of this DA's strength and focus.

Meantime, there is another black woman who is getting a free pass. As crime skyrockets, it's time to put Police Chief Shirlene Anderson in the hot spotlight. What is her crime-fighting plan? How is she going to keep Melton off the police beat? When is she going to start addressing public concerns on a regular basis?

Let's start shining the light where it belongs. And it's not in a trash bin.

Previous Comments

ID

73997

Comment

Oh poor Faye. I have no pity for her at all, she can barely indict anyone. Faye, Melton, Anderson and a host of judges in Jackson all equally contribute to the terrible statistics of murders and dope dealers walking free or never even getting indicted. They all deserve ridicule in the press, if anything is ever going to change.

Author

E

Date

2006-11-21T16:30:55-06:00

ID

73998

Comment

It's good to see that the narrative has shifted a bit from 2003, when it was all her fault (and Harvey Johnson's). However, this is too simplistic, E. I've started looking at the last district attorney's record in comparison, and let's just say this is much more interesting than the Faye-bashers try to pretend it is. You're going to have to do a lot better than mindless rhetoric these days, in other words.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T16:33:42-06:00

ID

73999

Comment

That is not mindless rhetoric and don't turn my comment around like I'm comparing her to past DAs. I am talking about her and the rest of the Keystone Cops running this city.

Author

E

Date

2006-11-21T16:35:08-06:00

ID

74000

Comment

That's mindless rhetoric, E. It's like saying everybody in government is crooked. What you, and others, who want to bash mindlessly need to do instead is actually offer solid evidence of such assertions. Part of the reason that we have so much creibility in this city when we criticize Frank Melton is that we put our money where our mouths are: We do the research, we report the facts. We don't just throw blind punches.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T16:37:39-06:00

ID

74001

Comment

Ok, specifics? Batman.

Author

E

Date

2006-11-21T16:38:53-06:00

ID

74002

Comment

Oh yea, most people in government are crooked.

Author

E

Date

2006-11-21T16:39:40-06:00

ID

74003

Comment

Also, I reserve the right to blindly throw punches and dislike DAs, mayors, judges and anyone else I feel is underhanded. I am not an investigative journalist, I am just a citizen.

Author

E

Date

2006-11-21T16:42:15-06:00

ID

74004

Comment

"Meantime, there is another black woman who is getting a free pass. As crime skyrockets, it’s time to put Police Chief Shirlene Anderson in the hot spotlight. What is her crime-fighting plan? How is she going to keep Melton off the police beat? When is she going to start addressing public concerns on a regular basis?" - Ladd AMEN! To be honest, I wish the whole editorial focused on this specific topid. If anyone in the city of Jackson can honestly say they feel safer under Melton and Anderson, please stand up (but please watch for flying bullets, law-breaking mayors, and crooks that might steal your chair from under you). I'm curious what the population stats are looking like these days? A year after purchasing a home, I'm thinking of selling and building my mod home on my plot in the outskirts of suburbia (a decade earlier than planned).

Author

kaust

Date

2006-11-21T16:53:49-06:00

ID

74005

Comment

Also, I reserve the right to blindly throw punches and dislike DAs, mayors, judges and anyone else I feel is underhanded. I am not an investigative journalist, I am just a citizen. I agree, E. I'm sick and tired of these damned librual journalist types constantly telling us that we have to have FACTS, and seek the TRUTH, and all that silliness about using REASON. Haw! You and me girlfrien'! We reserve the right to be WRONG...and prowduvit! ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2006-11-21T17:20:42-06:00

ID

74006

Comment

BATMAN!?! E, this proves my point. You really don't know what's going on in our criminal-justice system, do you? The main witness in the Donelson case could not go on the stand because of Melton's brand of "witness protection."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T17:43:09-06:00

ID

74007

Comment

Knol, don't worry—there is more to come about our esteemed police chief who no one holds accountable.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T17:43:54-06:00

ID

74008

Comment

Also, I reserve the right to blindly throw punches and dislike DAs, mayors, judges and anyone else I feel is underhanded. I am not an investigative journalist, I am just a citizen. E Hey, that's Pike's job! ;-) No doubt Knol. The steady decline of the City is going to drive away those that can afford to move; but, can't afford to move into one of the "protected" areas of Jackson. Why Anderson is getting a pass from the same media that would report if Chief Moore farted in public is atrocious! It is like 2004 and 2005 never happened, thus the void from the media that reported nothing about the growing ranks of the JPD and the steady downturn in crime. And, we never heard crap about the fire department before Melton so we don't exactly how screwed up Chandler may or may not have it!

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-11-21T17:48:37-06:00

ID

74009

Comment

I'm not sure where E got the idea that we think he doesn't have a right to make an a$$ out of himself. ;-) We also have the right to point out how silly he and others sound when they blindly throw hand grenades. And I agree: I don't get why The Clarion-Ledger, et al., are giving Anderson such a pass. What an insult to her not to hold her to the same standard as a man in that position. Of course, they would have to actually admit that they were *wrong* in their glowing endorsement of Melton. Their pitiful reporting to date has left them all twisted in knots trying to figure out how to save face, it seems.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T17:52:39-06:00

ID

74010

Comment

I blame Faye for what happened with the Batman case. The witness was HER withness and as the DA should have stepped up to the bar and told Melton to stay the hell out. A good DA would have known that, but she isn't. Once again this message board is just packed with your little fan club, ladd. Once again, its your way or the highway and if someone disagrees with you, the mob sways with you because everyone feels the need to kiss your a$$. Well I don't. I don't like Faye Peterson, I think she is ineffective and I CAN say that. I think she is a joke in the press and legal circles around town and hopefully, one day, she will be voted out of office and someone who truly cares about prosecuting criminals and actually getting indictments will emerge.

Author

E

Date

2006-11-21T18:48:40-06:00

ID

74011

Comment

E, how exactly could Peterson have prevented Melton from tainting Christopher Walker? Can you imagine anyone telling Melton he was screwing up the case? Or rather, can you imagine Melton listening to anyone? Besides, it isn't like Melton advertised what he was doing. It only came to light after the defense filed affidavits describing what Melton had done for Walker. At that point, it was too late to do anything but drop the case, since Walker was pretty much the sole witness. In other words, what you're saying doesn't make any sense. The Batman screwup is Melton's and Melton's alone. Don't throw tantrums about "the mob" when you can't even make a coherent argument about the example you chose.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-11-21T19:31:59-06:00

ID

74012

Comment

You can say what you like, but it'd be great if you had proof.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-11-21T19:35:48-06:00

ID

74013

Comment

So far, E seems to have a problem with me, Dr. S., and Faye Peterson. That isn't bad company. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-11-21T19:37:36-06:00

ID

74014

Comment

I don’t agree with all that “E” has stated, but I will lend some crendence to what he or she has said, given one only need look at all the crime that’s occurring as “proof” enough that the “ball” is being dropped! A more fitting debate is with whom does the “buck” stop?

Author

K RHODES

Date

2006-11-21T20:17:44-06:00

ID

74015

Comment

You'll never have justice as long as people seek revenge. Who got further with their goals; Dr King or Malcom X?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-11-21T21:06:24-06:00

ID

74016

Comment

Malcolm wasn't really seeking revenge, Iron. And, arguably, they got to about the same place; they were moving toward each other's view when they were assassinated. But I see your point. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T21:26:54-06:00

ID

74017

Comment

Brian makes a good point. Peterson didn't know all that time that Melton was helping Walker in all those ways. That came out right before the trial and f*cked the case. Coherent argument, indeed.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T21:31:15-06:00

ID

74018

Comment

I think ladd and everyone at the JFP is beautiful!!! E, If you can't beat em join em. That is your only option here at the "myway or highway".

Author

colby

Date

2006-11-27T11:08:48-06:00

ID

74019

Comment

colby, yes, the option is "joining" when it comes to discussing actual issues respectfully. All opinions are welcome, but simply trolling for a fight is not. We do not provide y'all a free forum to hurl personal insults. It is not our problem if y'all do not know the difference.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T11:30:50-06:00

ID

74020

Comment

Sorry guys. I’m with E on this one. I think that Team JFP knows very well that all opinions are not welcomed on this board.

Author

colby

Date

2006-11-27T11:48:20-06:00

ID

74021

Comment

Thank you Colby. I greatly appreciate at least one other person seeing that.

Author

E

Date

2006-11-27T11:57:26-06:00

ID

74022

Comment

Colby: It really is this simple... A. Join the topical conversation -- whatever the opinion (left, right, upside-down, stupid) -- and then be prepared to defend yourself. If that's how you approach it, you're more than welcome on the JFP site. B. Troll for a fight by insulting people personally and/or spewing overt hate speech and you're kicked off. Some folks can't handle "A." so they try "B." for a while and then either get kicked off or they skulk off and *pretend* they were kicked off because they couldn't hang. Which you gonna be?

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2006-11-27T12:02:17-06:00

ID

74023

Comment

Also, as this thread is about Faye Peterson -- the "topic" -- please do not post things that arent' related. If you want to talk about the JFP moderation policy, please start your own thread or add your two-cents to one in TrollBlog. I'll remove further posts on this thread (and probably these a bit later) that are off-topic. Please respect the topic enough to stay on it.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T12:17:29-06:00

ID

74024

Comment

itodd, when you said "be prepared to defend" did you mean to say "be prepared to agree" or you will get kicked off? I'm sorry, but if someone tells me that 5 lbs. is heavier than 10 lbs. and then has twenty people trying to sway me to believe it and I choose not to believe it, and then get kicked off of the site then, no, I dont want to hang. But I like you guys so I hope ya'll will still let me hang even if I dont agree with everything Team JFP says.

Author

colby

Date

2006-11-27T12:24:14-06:00

ID

74025

Comment

I'm sorry, but if someone tells me that 5 lbs. is heavier than 10 lbs. and then has twenty people trying to sway me to believe it and I choose not to believe it, and then get kicked off of the site then, no, I dont want to hang. This argument only works if people have been kicked off the site for choosing "not to believe" something that the majority seemed to. That doesn't happen -- the people who have been kicked off have experienced it for consistently going off topic, making their attacks personal or using hate speech. One person was kicked off for using the internal e-mail system to spam other users. Please note...many people who claim they were kicked off weren't...they just got their hat handed to them and went elsewhere to whine about it. But I like you guys so I hope ya'll will still let me hang even if I dont agree with everything Team JFP says. If you're interested in real dialog, we're right here. If you're just interested trying to drop in and score a few points on "Team JFP," then...well, good luck. ;-) (And, yes, after a few hours this should definitely be moved to trollblog so we can get on with the conversation.)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2006-11-27T12:36:33-06:00

ID

74026

Comment

Fair enough...

Author

colby

Date

2006-11-27T12:43:42-06:00

ID

74027

Comment

Getting back on subject.... It is past time for Shirlene Anderson to step up and do some police work. There has been much complaint lately about a lack of police officers. She needs to be more hands on and hit a few beats every now and then (without Melton and news coverage). Prosecuting criminals is a process. Everyone involved should be responsible. Clearly, Faye Peterson is NOT the only person responsible for not doing her job.

Author

Melishia

Date

2006-11-27T12:49:05-06:00

ID

74028

Comment

That requires her to have a boss that will let her do her job.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-11-27T13:10:24-06:00

ID

74029

Comment

Can someone please direct me to statistics regarding DA Peterson's conviction rate? I've talked about this on other forums but have never gotten a clear response.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-11-27T13:14:38-06:00

ID

74030

Comment

I'll be honest. I don't think there is a clear response available—for this D.A. or the last one. However, we're working on a detailed analysis that will include the D.A.'s office. I do know that many big convictions out of that office never make the local media. That may well have been true under Peters as well. But it certainly makes it disingenuous at best to blame that office, then or now, for all of the problems with crime. Again, though, the most outrageous thing I hear are people who blame her for not being able to prosecute Melton's MBN cases, considering what a mess they were.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T13:48:54-06:00

ID

74031

Comment

what do you think of Green recusing herself?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-11-27T14:24:43-06:00

ID

74032

Comment

I don't know, yet. Brian went to get the motion. We'd heard last week it was happening, but the document was not in the file as of last week to confirm it. I assume the Ledger got it from the file this a.m.; we hadn't had time to get down there to check again. We'll put the motion up as soon as we get it, so everyone can discuss the whole thing. From what the Ledger is saying online, it sounds a bit ominous, as if her family has been brought in in some way. I don't know why in heck they don't just post the whole document so people can see the whole context.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T14:30:55-06:00

ID

74033

Comment

King, why would judge Green do that? We need a controlling judge on the cases. That voir dire scheme might have worked except for judge Green. Shirlene is a quiet crime fighter. Her plans are clandestine and top secret! Once Frank's super-hero operation was brought to a halt, Frank and Shirlene surreptitiously went into plan B without alerting the public. If she and Frank told us the crime fighting plan the criminals would obtain it, study it, decipher it, and find ways to subvert or subjugate it. With the crime plan being slyly executed with perfection the criminal are at the mercy of it, and, unfortunately, so are we! Think about this: if the CIA told us their spying schemes would they be so successful at it? Frank and Shirlene know what they're doing? Hopefully, there will be somebody still living to see it fulfilled.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-11-27T14:50:15-06:00

ID

74034

Comment

Ahhhh, this seems familiar. So Donna before you withdraw the posts about the JFP CREW....let me add on a bit.... Firstly E, let me say that I completely empathize and frankly understand your opinion about this site. I somewhat share in it. I feel like I've been unjustly removed (or threatened with removal) when I didn't share in the norm of opinons on a topic or two. Donna and I have gone through many-a-verbal-battle. It's difficult for one thing because the people who read JFP and who blog here are "like thinkers". You, like me, may just be passing through to gain information. And thus, when you offer your opinon, it can very well be different from EVERYONE on here. I've been through that. I felt singled out. I felt like I was not as intelligent as the masses on this board. I felt really like Donna and her "peeps" treated me as if I was unworthy of participating in the dialoge. AND THUS.... I stuck with it. I openned my mind to their point of view. I welcomed it after a regular with what I consider to be a level head, posted back on my post to explain the difference/the gap, in what I was saying and what the rest of the posters were trying to relate (thanks RAY). Bottom line is...at the end of the day whether you are a journalist, a rapper, a teacher, or just a computer junky...it is unacceptable to come on this site and make brash statements on whelms. It just won't fly. We (now I consider myself a part of the JFP CREW) don't except you making defaming remarks, or shooting from the hip... you MUST be able to offer some fact in order to get a decent amount of understanding. If you are coming on here just to make your OPINION matter, then say it is your opinion. You don't have to like Faye. You don't have to hate Frank. You have every right to your opinion. Just like we have a right to ask you to tell us how you came up with your opinion. Feel me? So I don't consider myself to be a ladd a$$ kisser, but I can tell you that since 2004....I've learned alot from the folks on this board. From vocabulary to the inside scoop. So it is really not all bad. Now, I'll be back later to cover the actual topic.... :-)

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-11-27T14:55:24-06:00

ID

74035

Comment

I don't know why in heck they don't just post the whole document so people can see the whole context. You must be kidding, Donna. That'd be like telling the truth or something! Lord knows they can't do that right! It'd tarnish their image! :)

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2006-11-27T14:57:52-06:00

ID

74036

Comment

Contrary to the spewing negatives from E and iTodd, Faye Peterson is a very bright and tough DA. It is unfortunate that she has to fight the E & i personality types. I must call it personality types and not cognitive intelligence because the attacks are void of evidence and facts. You know, some people just don't like you because they really don't like themselves and if they were to do self inventory, their stock would be very very low. If E followed both local and national reporting he/she would know that just telling Melton to "back off" would not be that simple. Faye Peterson called, met, wrote letters to the AG asking for relief in Melton's actions with the Batman case. Knowing what she (FP) knew and when she knew it, the Batman case was destined for its outcome. My only advice/recommendation to the Peterson bashers is to just continue with this type of rhetoric and watch the City continue its decline - just as it did when Johnson was toppled for Melton. Some people are good at picking and promoting weak, unskilled, failures while talented, caring and just plain fair folks are kicked to the curve. Some folks just don't like people who are bright, well though of and successful. Prehaps this is why Donna Ladd keeps getting dumped on and accused of running a "Jim Jones" type operation. If you read the thread, most of the people who write are people who comment on issues with data that support. E and i sound like some of the crap I heard as a child. It was ok then and we learned better. My hope is the same for E & i. Think about it. Ask yourself what exactly is about Faye Peterson that supports your dislike of her. Then ask what is it about Sherline Anderson that allows you to ignore her incompetence and inability to even articulate her plans.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-11-27T15:05:08-06:00

ID

74037

Comment

Thanks, Queen. You know I love you too. I've learned a lot too from conversing back and forth. In my earlier life I was very opinionated and some other detestable things, but LW, Kate, Laurel, Pike, Donna, Queen, Kacy, Ali, Emily, Brian, Tom, Knol, Ironghost, todd, Ejeff and many more made my jagged edges smoother and gave me direction. Now, I'm every man and loved by nearly all despite the multiple roles I try to play here. However, I still haven't learned how to spell and make the subject and verbs have a good relationship. I blame Mrs. Johnson.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-11-27T15:12:36-06:00

ID

74038

Comment

E, you sound as though Melton is standing over you telling you what to say. It's time to put Melton away in the box labeled "Bad Ideas" and move on. It's amazing how people are still trying to justify Melton and critize the DA for doing what she was elected to do. She has NOT treated the mayor any different from anyone else. His own yearning and desire for publicity has made this what it is today. When it was brought out how Melton had tainted her big cases, no one had anything to say (I am speaking of you Meltonites) against his actions. He is learning a very hard lesson that the law applies to him just as everyone else. I applaude the DA for not backing down from the shenanigansof Danks also. He is the type of lawyer that believes that winning is everything, and damn the truth if it means that he will lose.

Author

lance

Date

2006-11-27T15:27:00-06:00

ID

74039

Comment

Pardon me iTodd, MY BAD. The person who joined E in this matter is "colby." My alzheimers is getting the best of me today.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-11-27T15:37:54-06:00

ID

74040

Comment

Now I see the clarion ledger is reporting judge Green has recused herself citing inmproper contact with her and her family or something like that. I can't wait to see what fool did this to a judge and family members. Where do we go from here?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-11-27T15:43:28-06:00

ID

74041

Comment

Damn, jess, I was really taking it on the chin there. Well this whole damn JFP Crew can kiss my ass. And don't forget it's MY SITE. I'll roll it up and take it home if I want to! ;-P

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2006-11-27T15:44:02-06:00

ID

74042

Comment

What fun posts while I was at Basil's. Some random responses: 1. Nice comments, Queen. The only thing I'd quibble with slightly is what people refer to as "opinion." As Todd said, a variety of opinions are always welcome; it's the delivery that gets people in trouble. Kind of like in school (whether elementary or graduate). It's one thing to state a differing opinion and then back it up. It's another altogether to just start yelling about how everyone who doesn't agree with you sucks. Ultimately, I think that's the point that Queen is making. 2. Queen, you can kiss my a$$ anytime—I mean that in a loving way, of course. ;-P 3. JustJess, I think you're mixing up the iTodd (also known as myTodd ) with, perhaps, colby. The iTodd isn't dumping on Peterson. 4. A "Jim Jones"-type operation!?! Who in heck said that? I don't believe in poison or mass suicide, I assure you. Life's too wonderful. 5. LW, Kate, Laurel, Pike, Donna, Queen, Kacy, Ali, Emily, Brian, Tom, Knol, Ironghost, todd, Ejeff and many more What's funny to me is that the members of the so-called "Team JFP" often disagree with each other. We just know how, and when to apologize, and don't get miffed and storm off when we're challenged. (OK, Ray, did once, but only temporarily. ) The point being, of course, that the people who complain the loudest (and falsely) that "everyone" here agrees with each other and against them are simply upset because such a forum exists where other ideas are put out there for everyone to discuss—and it's a place where people might ... wait for it ... DISAGREE with them. It is inevitable that a handful of such folks will pass through. At the AAN Web conference in SF, we even discussed how to deal with such whiny "trolls," who will derail conversation if you allow them to spray all over the site everytime they can't stand being disagreed with. Thus, Queen's point is ultimately right on—this is real conversation. Have an opinion, but know that it may well be challenged. If it is, don't start whining about how "everyone" is against you because of your "opinion." They're against you because you're trolling. Respond to the challenges with more real conversation, and your place here is secure. Start whining about how "everyone" is against po witta you, and you're history. What's funny is that three of the people I've had the most trouble with here are more "left" than I am. The truth is that I. don't. care. whether you agree with me or not; I care that you treat others respectfully and strive to understand the fine art of conversation. If you don't, don't let the screen door hit your butt on the way out. You're wasting your time here.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T15:45:18-06:00

ID

74043

Comment

And don't forget it's MY SITE. I'll roll it up and take it home if I want to! ;-P Oooo, I love it when the iTodd gets feisty. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T15:46:07-06:00

ID

74044

Comment

Meantime, we gotta look out or the trolls are gonna win this one. They would like nothing more than us getting derailed from the real topic of the smear campaign against the district attorney.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T15:47:08-06:00

ID

74045

Comment

I can't wait to see what fool did this to a judge and family members. Yeah. Well. Talk about talking up under a lady's dress tail, eh? I hope nobody was fool enough to threaten a judge. Where do we go from here? Can't we just flush the toilet and pretend the last year and a half didn't happen—kind of like Bobby Ewing waking up from his bad dream? Guess not, huh?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T15:48:48-06:00

ID

74046

Comment

Now I see the clarion ledger is reporting judge Green has recused herself citing inmproper contact with her and her family or something like that. I can't wait to see what fool did this to a judge and family members. <<<

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-11-27T15:54:48-06:00

ID

74047

Comment

Y'all, Brain has posted the actual motion. Please move the Green part of this chat over to that thread.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T16:01:01-06:00

ID

74048

Comment

Have an opinion, but know that it may well be challenged. If it is, don't start whining about how "everyone" is against you because of your "opinion." They're against you because you're trolling. Respond to the challenges with more real conversation, and your place here is secure. Start whining about how "everyone" is against po witta you, and you're history. <<<

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-11-27T16:01:28-06:00

ID

74049

Comment

Queen, I think I'm going to let you write the User's Agreement moving forward! I should be bowing at your throne and kissing your, er, big-a$$ queen ring. ;-) And I couldn't agree more: I hate empty rhetoric and "conventional wisdom" just based on rumor and innuendo and bad media coverage. We can do better.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T16:06:07-06:00

ID

74050

Comment

ladd, remember, Jim Jones brain-washed his followers before he had the kool aid party. E accused the group/team of blindly following. I speak of brain-washing as a type of death. No, I don't think that you would literally kill any of us. (smile). iTodd, we are coming upon the Holiday Season so lets have lips and mistletoe, not boots and a$$es. (smile - I'm laughing, loudly!!!! On a more serious note, I was suprised that Green didn't recuse at the very beginning. Green was a close friend of former Chief Robert Johnson and the rest is history.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-11-27T16:52:12-06:00

ID

74051

Comment

Ah, justjess, I see. Y'all better watch all that free wine we pour for you at the next Best of Jackson party. ;-D Re Robert Johnson: Didn't he and Melton have a huge falling-out during the campaign? I heard he stormed off the set, never to return, so to speak? Or, maybe that's what you're talking about.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T16:55:37-06:00

ID

74052

Comment

E and colby, y'all are entitled to your opinions but no one is required to agree with either of you, and many of the regulars here will take issue with certain opinions if they can’t be supported by facts, figures or logic. There is a site bias here, but that’s true of many discussion boards including others I post at besides this one. Understanding that, it’s up to you whether you wish to continue debating here, but I would suggest you refrain from making personal attacks or sweeping negative generalizations about other posters and their viewpoints, as that’s a good way to get your a$$ tossed out. I knew after lurking here for about a month that I disagree with the views of about 70% of the regulars here, but I try to keep my dissenting opinions civil and within the bounds of the User Agreement. It’s not always easy when you are passionate about certain issues, and it means recognizing and not taking the bait when certain folks come in trolling for a fight.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-11-27T17:15:39-06:00

ID

74053

Comment

ejeff, you are indeed a living example that different views, if not trolling, are tolerated here. I've disagreed with your butt many times. ;-) Thanks for adding your two cents.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T17:17:42-06:00

ID

74054

Comment

:-) Yes Donna....you've got me writing agreements and kissing buttocks today....whew! I don't know if I can handle it all.... ;-p And my ring could use a lil shine.... I am currently bling free.

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-11-27T17:36:18-06:00

ID

74055

Comment

"Bling free"—sounds like a sorry state, girlfriend. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-27T17:38:57-06:00

ID

74056

Comment

Not so much! :-)

Author

Queen601

Date

2006-11-28T12:21:44-06:00

ID

74057

Comment

Someone just pointed out another journalistic blooper in a Ledger story that Chris Joyner wrote over the weekend. Joyner reports comments by Mayor Frank Melton about the complicated criminal history of Marcell Martin, who was arrested again last week for aggravated assault. Joyner alludes to Melton's personal history with Martin, while giving few details. The story is a classic case of Melton trying to make it sound like no one but him can fight crime (and we all know all well put together his cases have turned out to be). But here is what is relevant for this thread: Joyner ends the news article by summarizing that Melton's comments denote that his "political feud" with District Attorney Faye Peterson "continues." Two problems: This is Melton's attempt to smear Peterson; she is not even quoted in the article. Joyner is buying directly into Melton's bald attempt to make it look like the prosecutor trying to stop his criminal activity is only doing it because of a "political feud"—not because it is her job. This narrative is very important to Melton, and The Clarion-Ledger ought to be smart enough not to fall prey to it. Secondly, this conclusion does not follow from Joyner's own article—which discusses more of Martin's criminal history during the time of District Attorney Ed Peters than it does during the current D.A.'s tenure. But, somehow, this ends up being solely about Melton's "political feud" with Peterson. What hideous journalism. Ledge: Get an ombudsman. You are putting out sloppy news stories every single day now. Please get a grip (or a good editor).

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-04T12:31:26-06:00

ID

74058

Comment

Link to Joyner's "political feud" story.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-04T12:32:08-06:00