Jackson Free Press

One wonders where The Clarion-Ledger edit-boyz came up with this lead to their editorial berating their mayor for doing, pretty much, exactly what he indicated he would do during the campaign:

While the first two years of Mayor Frank Melton's term in office have been, shall we say, problematic, he seems on the right track for the next two, with economic development, crime and education his priorities.

The problem, of course, is that their paper didn't listen to, or report, what he was really about. They do have gumption now, especially when they mention the part about the media not getting him arrested for the Ridgeway demolition. They sure didn't—being that the Jackson Free Press broke that story, and their metro editor declined to cover it when she heard about it, according to both sources on the story and frustrated reporters there.

And why the pass on Chief Anderson? Do they remember their belittlement and haranguing of Chief Robert Moore?

Oh, and it seems like their readers are catching on. Read the comments below this stellar editorial.

Previous Comments

ID

113401

Comment

Also, I wonder if we could ever find a Ledger editorial saying that Johnson was "on the right track" even after some of his largest victories? It strikes me that the part I quoted is nicer toward Melton—an abject failure as mayor, to put it kindly—than anything that paper ever said about Johnson, even as crime was falling, and he was piling one economic-development victory on top of another? Talk about hypocritical. I was at a 4th of July BBQ with a bunch of stalwart Jackson supporters, many of whom kept bringing up how much a part of our current problem The Clarion-Ledger has been. The public is really catching on. I still think they should apologize for their bad reporting and, seemingly, purposeful omissions, and try to start over with a clean slate. I just don't think they can build credibility back if they don't.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-06T21:25:27-06:00

ID

113402

Comment

It would not surprise me at all if a JFP message board or staff member wrote those comments on the C-L's site. But regardless of who wrote them, it is the truth.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-07-07T18:46:35-06:00

ID

113403

Comment

I figured it was Pikersam.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-07-07T19:29:07-06:00

ID

113404

Comment

Well, I certainly didn't write every one of the posts! I neither work for the JFP, nor am I trying to hide behind anything. Anywho... It is really getting old to see the Ledge continue to ignore facts, twist truth, and put complex issues into tasty little sound bites to fit their editorial agenda. This town has enough fluff between the numerous business rags, "Look I'm Rich" mag's, and kids-n-christians readers that we don't need it from our daily too! And, I read them all. How can you not tire of the antics going on in Jackson and Hinds Co., if you aren't tired of the Clarion Ledger? When their sports writers are putting out better articles on nose guards than the Metro desk does about Jackson, we are in trouble. It is time for a major shake-up at the top levels on Pearl St. And, I don't just mean the Mayor!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-07-07T21:00:28-06:00

ID

113405

Comment

Follks, to my knowledge, no one from the JFP is registered on the CL site. Most of my staff never looks at the forums there since they changed them over; I only look at "Storychat" comments under the stories. And I don't post on other blogs and forums. So it's certainly no one directly associated with the JFP. It probably is a reader -- because how else would they know that the Ledger didn't report that Melton was lying under oath before endorsing him!?! We're responsible for that going public. And Pike certainly is not associated with us. We like him, though. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-07T22:29:52-06:00

ID

113406

Comment

Aww.. thanks! Back at ya'! I just hope they are complementing me! I like goldeneagle and jeff. I learn from every person on here. Certainly isn't a law against blogging on other sites! Nor is there a law that says you must take your user name with you. In fact, you are foolish if you don't use different user names for all kinds of transactions and blogs. The key to your bank account may lie beneath that user name. I wish I had more time to chime in on other local blogs. But, even compared to many national blogs, the intellectual discourse that takes place here far out weighs other sites. Variety and style set the JFP apart too. It's no fun calling into radio shows or getting a ill recorded sound bite on the news when it is gone the next day or you are not 'def' with the spoken word. Here the history is there for anyone to see. Even when you are wrong, which happens! This is reality TV. This is sociology at work. Trust me, I'd love to get paid to comment on Pop Culture and politics. Even part-time! One day, I may even be cured of those pesky passives and the jaw flapping vernacular that I get stuck on. That said... "I'd hit it!" ;-)

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-07-08T00:02:35-06:00

ID

113407

Comment

I was somewhat joking, pikersam! I learn a lot from you too, as you have a pretty keen mind based on your comments here. I'm a frequent poster at the StoryChat and www.metrojackson.net message boards, and I saw recently where one cat calling him/herself "JZC" called out pikersam as though he had just posted on the C-L forum, which I thought made him/her look really silly. That's what I was vaguely referring to.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-07-09T10:58:34-06:00

ID

113408

Comment

Oh that guy... I think he likes me. In a funny kinda way! Thanks!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-07-09T12:51:34-06:00

ID

113409

Comment

Ladd, I think that you are correct in your assessment of the CL. This is Co-Dependency at its best and let us not forget the fact that melton is their "INNER CHILD." It's as if they (CL) have nursed him back to a respectable place in life and now he is ready to give Jackson the kind of leadership that it deserves. I won't happen. This is BS at its BEST. I can't think of one thing that melton has done that would indicate that he has made any improvements. He does not learn from history. Everything that he has been involved with he has minipulated, cheated, lied, twisted, torn-down, raided, falsefied, accused or discredited. This is what the man was: This is who the min IS: This is who he willalways be as long as he has this type of power and control in this City. It is interesting that he did not run for office in the State of Texas: He did not attempt to buy any television stations or other media. melton thinks that Mississippians are crazy, dumb, stupid and naive.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-07-09T13:27:00-06:00

ID

113410

Comment

I know who JZC is, jeff. He's a big-time JFP-hater, and has been hounding us, and embarassing himself, for years now. Ignore. melton thinks that Mississippians are crazy, dumb, stupid and naive. You're right. And, sadly, we've given him some evidence for thinking that. As has our corporate daily.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-09T13:36:24-06:00