Jackson Free Press

OK, Robert Smith told me repeatedly that he is not "Melton's candidate," but some overnight actions are not exactly helping convince me. This morning, we found an "Elect Robert Shuler Smith" flyer duct-taped to our JFP rack in front of Cups with red duct tape. This little action is suspiciously similar to flyers duct-taped to our racks and boxes the day after the Melton acquittal for the Ridgeway duplex massacre. That one read "The Bottom Line: NOT GUILTY!" and was taped on with purple duct tape. When the tape was removed, it ripped off lettering from our property.

Here we go again. Beyond juvenile and destructive, why is Robert Smith aligned with such people who play these kinds of games with other people's property? And the vindictive part against the JFP is pure Melton. I get more and more afraid as this day goes on about what lies ahead should he win.

Please, everyone, vote for Faye Peterson and against the forces that are working so hard to get Smith into office. Like the Melton election two years ago, this is a pivotal point in our history—and we have the chance to make a smarter choice this time.

Have we learned our lesson?

If you see one off these signs, please report it to the JFP and drop it at the office if you can, being careful not to get your fingerprints on the duct tape part. Someone needs to pay for the destruction. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Robert Smith out there putting letters back on our racks and boxes. He can certainly afford to pay people to.

Previous Commentsshow

What if it was someone else doing it to make you *think* it was Smith doing it?

LawClerk

Aug 28 2007

Figures he'd go the route of a Dot Benford! Ben and Larry granted him some equal time after David "blacks should be happy we brought them here as slaves" Sanders asked Smith be allowed to call in. So, does Smith endorse the writings of Mr. Sanders? For the record, of course they'd grant equal time - it was a stupid request on his part by framing it that way... but I digress. Larry and Ben asked him leading questions so he could try to debunk the "Melton's Man Myth" and to propagate many of the false statements he's made about Faye during the election. I guess the fact that most (if not all) of the accusations about Peterson have been proven to be lies doesn't matter to Ben and Larry - just like before... That's called "enabling!" Look at it this way, it is usually fun and games until one of the pledges dies from alcohol poisoning. Cheers!

pikersam

Aug 28 2007

I don't know whether Smith ordered it done, or not. I do know that it is one sign of who his support base is. It is the same M.O. as those "Bottom Line" signs the day after the acquittal. I'm more concerned about the man tricked into doing the TV ad for him, the one that ends with Ed Peters. That's some hubris there.

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

And, btw, if Smith isn't going to stand up against people doing ugly crap on his behalf, then he is not ready to be a public servant.

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

I just don't understand why Ben Allen would do such a thing, Pike. Larry figures.

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

Larry asked most of the questions, and Ben tried to middle himself in the end; but, why? What does he have to "middle on" anymore? He's a free man. The bumper music was for both Ben and Larry, so I don't think who asked the questions mattered. And, Ben added that he thought it was absurd when Purvis was labeled a Melton candidate. He based this on working with her as counsel for the Council. Take that statement however you like. But, he is for whoever wins.... If you listen to him, Ben is willing to let the City run like we are living on credit cards that we know we'll be able to pay off once that "bonus" comes through. In this case, the bonus is the billions of dollars in development that is coming downtown. Key word is "coming." I don't trust politicians who count their eggs before they hatch. Yet, only two - TWO - of the projects are even going forward as of right now - the KEH and Parkway's building. Ok, that's $100 million, only $900 million more to go! I am so glad the Council voted to look further into the Budget before we swap and borrow some more money. I think they should hold out until Melton and SORE are actually willing to make some cuts within their own offices.

pikersam

Aug 28 2007

That radio show always bring out the worst in Ben. It's too bad. He could be so much bigger. He knows the truth about Melton. Is he really not concerned about why Melton wants Smith there so badly!?! Come the hell on. And the part about Purvis? Was it also "absurd" that Parker-Weaver and Carolyn Redd were, apparently, helping run her campaign? Was it "absurd" that Melton told me to go to Purvis for the dirt on Peterson? Was it absurd to be concerned about what Ed Peters is up to in those two campaigns -- and why Smith signed on as her campaign manager and then resigned? It seems quite clear to me that Peters et al believed that the way for Melton to beat Peterson was to send it into a runoff. Purvis may well not have understood that that was the reason she got some of her support. And Smith may well not understand the machine behind his candidacy. However, being naive about the Melton apparatus is not something we can afford in a D.A. Vote, folks. So much is on the line that we can't even express it all.

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

I'm interested in seeing whose fingerprints are on there. Even moreso are the people the suspect surrounds him/herself with.

golden eagle

Aug 28 2007

If you listen to him, Ben is willing to let the City run like we are living on credit cards that we know we'll be able to pay off once that "bonus" comes through. In this case, the bonus is the billions of dollars in development that is coming downtown. Key word is "coming." It seems like that's how he tried to spin the budget deficit on 16 yesterday on his "Allen's Angle" segment.

golden eagle

Aug 28 2007

Figures he'd go the route of a Dot Benford! Speaking of Benford, did anyone see THIS last night? Yikes.

LatashaWillis

Aug 28 2007

The fact that she won't grant interviews is just as appalling as lying about Bennie Thompson's "consultation". How are we to know what she plans to do if she won't talk to people? I'm also reminded of what Othor Cain said on his blog: "I know her antics, her character, her stints, her mental state of mind on certain issues and with certain individuals." He endorsed Charles Stokes. He also linked a C-L article from August 24 that detailed her antics in a congressional race against Mike Espy and an altercation she had with Kenneth Stokes involving removing Clinton-Gore signs with Bush-Quayle signs. Given her antics, it's easy to why to vote for Stokes. BTW, isn't this about JFP racks being vandalized? Back to your regularly scheduled posting.

golden eagle

Aug 28 2007

It's already, Golden. I don't mind if this one talks about vandalism in various campaigns. It's on my personal blog, so I grant thee permission. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

I'm sure that Robert has no dealings with the vandalism. He didn't ask for Frank's support, frank is pushing is support on Robert because he doesn't like Faye. I told Robert that Frank is making him look bad in this race. Frank was the supporter of Michelle Purvis..... not Robert I know for a FACT!

filetmeow007

Aug 28 2007

If that is the case, filet, Smith should hold a press conference and come out strongly against the mayor's efforts. I mean, if he can't handle this now, I shudder to think how he'll deal with Melton later as D.A. Of course, Ed Peters is a Melton man, so that doesn't help your argument much. And if Smith doesn't know that, well.

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

One thing people will believe and steer toward negative, lies before they lean towards truth. Faye is so consistent in game playing and double crossing Robert why can't she could use this energy in her daily routine of trying to get these criminals locked up. LOL

filetmeow007

Aug 28 2007

Filet, please cut out the LOL if you're trying to have an intelligent conversation. Can you back up the "double crossing" accusation, or is that more rhetoric? And it sounds like Peterson is doing a much better job of locking up criminals than her predecessor, who happens to be Smith's primary endorser. (I assume he hasn't recanted his endorsement, too?)

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

Do you have proof that Ms. Peterson is behind these games against Mr. Smith?

golden eagle

Aug 28 2007

And what "lies," filet? If you're going to post this stuff, back it up. If not, move on.

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

While you are at it, filet, please list 3 cases Robert Smith has tried as a prosecutor (as he says that he has "prosecuted felonies") or list 3 cases that he prosecuted "at the jury level" in municipal court (as he said). We will be waiting on those answers as long as we wait on Mr. Smith's answer to the recant of the endorsement.

xxgreg

Aug 28 2007

Greg, when did he say he has "prosecuted felonies"? Are you sure he said that?

DonnaLadd

Aug 28 2007

Absolutely sure. Check the "debate" video from WAPT. He also said that he has prosecuted cases before a jury in municipal court. (Keep in mind that there is not a place for a jury to even SIT in municipal court.)

xxgreg

Aug 28 2007

I think the mayor just showed that Robert Smith is not his own man. It dancey, dance time at Melton's! *sorry for the repeat, we just can't get enough of this at the pike household :-)*

pikersam

Aug 28 2007

I think the mayor just showed that Robert Smith is not his own man. It's dancey, dance time at Melton's! *sorry for the repeat, we just can't get enough of this at the pike household :-)*

pikersam

Aug 28 2007

crud, double post and wrong thread.... supposed to be under "Concedes."

pikersam

Aug 28 2007

ladd, I undrstand you are upset about the vandals that messed up your racks, but don't jump the gun on this one and make a snap judgment. this is a classic case of possible "bait and switching". not to say it's Faye's people doing it, but it can looked at from a different angle to get your readers pissed at Smith to vote for Faye. jus saying. you should definitely have the tape fingerprinted by an outside agency to determine whose prints are on the tape. just make sure your people use latex gloves to peel it off... dirty politics....don'tcha hate it. stay focused on the best candidate's abilities to help th ecity, ladd. don't upchuck a bad vibe about this. it's not that seriou, although your property does need to be paid for and the culprits need to be caught and charged with vandalism. good luck.

laughter

Aug 29 2007

Laughter, I'll upchuck a vibe every time my racks are vandalized. Or stolen, as we have dealt with all the ones The Clarion-Ledger took and has never returned. As for Smith, I think there were much stronger reasons to be concerned, and I won't downplay the silliness of this episode because it is more minor than, say, putting a man in an ad under false pretenses, or pretending to be more distant from the mayor than he perhaps was. Thanks for the concern, though. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Aug 29 2007