Jackson Free Press

In an editorial today, we learn just what The Clarion-Ledger edit-boys really think of their readers, in and outside the city:

To the outsider, it may appear to all be a jumble of acronyms and projects: LeFleur Lakes, Airport Parkway, MDOT, etc. But to the Hinds, Rankin, Madison county area, and especially the city of Jackson, this smorgasbord of acronyms is serious business.

Who are the idiot "outsiders" they're writing to? Their readers in other parts of the state? And why would someone, from Jackson or not, be dumb enough not to understand the difference between a Lakes development project, a highway and a state Department of Transportation? Now, it's true that they have done a very poor job explaining the issues around LeFleur Lakes (remember the pro-pro columns on Two Lake?), but explaining away bad journalism by saying that people don't understand all the jumble of confusing words is a lowdown insult to readers. (And it's classic Clarion-Ledger.)

The edit-boyz are an embarrassment to this state.

Previous Comments

ID

113572

Comment

...and I agree. Shame on the CL.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-07-27T08:29:25-06:00

ID

113573

Comment

I did see that yesterday. I just didn't know what to make of it.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-07-27T09:38:18-06:00

ID

113574

Comment

Go girl! Mississippi political strategies seem to still go bak to the slavery days in ways smoke, mirrors, and ignorance of the true facts are always preferred to an enlightened public.. when you have a personal agenda you want to achieve.And You know by their pompous" buisness" standards; the public is too dumb to be taken" seriously".. Are you going to post radio show 7/27.

Author

gaylenregan

Date

2007-07-29T10:38:38-06:00

ID

113575

Comment

Yes on the radio show. Todd, apparently, uploaded the wrong one and has to go back to the station Monday to do it. We were half asleep Friday. ;-) Good show, though, I think. We'll post it at the top of the site when it's done.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-29T10:54:53-06:00

ID

113576

Comment

Giggle. Look at this excerpt from David Hampton's column today: And, yes, we have made endorsements we regret. Boy, have we! But, like voters, you make the best choice you can and hope for the best. Our only motivation is good government. Raise your hand if you believe him. We hear that the Ledge's primary motive is a solid 25-percent profit margin, no matter what. Also, here's a bit that points out the absurdity of media claims to "objectivity": It is objective information for voters to consider. You can also go to clarionledger.com for an expanded guide with questions and answers by the candidates on major issues. It's good information to help you make your voting decisions. The questions were developed by League of Women Voters members and myself. We offered all the candidates the opportunity to participate and only edited information for style and length. It's their message to the voters. OK, the very fact that they edited the information for "length" means it is not "objective." Every choice we make as journalists and editors is subjective. I really hate this defensive falsehood. Should we assume that they will post the full, unedited statements on their Web site for all to read? If not, why not?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-29T11:02:14-06:00

ID

113577

Comment

If Hampton happens to be talking about Melton as the "best choice" they could make at the time, then that is another absurdity. That had just as much information as we had -- in fact more, considering that they were wound up in that Meridian mess with him and their editors had to know, under Gannett regulations, that Melton was the source of the faulty memo to the them, even though he was telling a judge under oath that he wasn't the source. The "best choice"? Bullsh!t.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-29T11:04:18-06:00

ID

113578

Comment

Another typical day at the Ledge. Anyone feel like counting passives this morning? From today's editorial: Gang leaders and the severely mentally ill prisoners were ordered transferred to other institutions last week after one inmate was stabbed to death - about a week after a .380 caliber semi-auto pistol was discovered in a cell. Other handmade weapons were found after a search of the unit, Epps said. Among other changes at the notorious unit - home to death row and many of the state's most violent offenders - were continuing indefinite lockdown and suspending exercise periods and visitation, except for attorney-client consultations. They should give these papers to the schools. Seriously. They also endorsed McMillin today -- using the fact that Melton held a fund raiser for Tyrone Lewis as one reason. Anyone ever remember the Ledge reporting the fund raiser? You're welcome, Ledge. (It's also interesting that The Clarion-Ledger finally discovered Unit 32 after Brian's amazing Cedric piece last year. We're glad, of course.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-31T07:19:25-06:00