Jackson Free Press

On Sunday, The Clarion-Ledger endorsed Gov. Haley Barbour for governor (and his sure-to-be lapdog Phil Bryant, thus ensuring Barbour control of the Senate)—in the same issue that had one of those sticky ad stuck on top of the newspaper's flag on page 1. This violates years of accepted journalistic ethics that you don't put advertising on page 1 of a newspaper (sliding profits have a way of affecting ethical standards, however)—and especially not of a candidate that you then endorse inside! Then, inside, Perspective Editor Sid Salter tells us who's going to win Tuesday—Barbour and Bryant, of course—in an odd column that doesn't frame his column as guesses; nor does he say who he wants to win and why. Is he privy to polls he's not telling us about? Does he know something we don't? Why is he so confident? Salter:

Barbour, Bryant will win races on Tuesday

By Sid Salter
[e-mail missing]

In a campaign dominated by far more lukewarm heat than by bright light, incumbent Republican Gov. Haley Barbour will on Tuesday withstand a surprisingly focused challenge from Democratic contender John Arthur Eaves Jr. to win a second term. On a percentage basis, Barbour's win against Eaves should exceed his 2003 numbers against former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.

Despite what should be a double-digit margin of victory, the Barbour camp continues to run as if trailing by five points and is busily working the vaunted "72-hour plan" this weekend in hopes of driving a large Republican turnout to benefit down-ticket races.

Then on the page next to the endorsements of Barbour and Bryant, Editorial Director David Hampton does his timid dance about why they endorsed who they did (half Republicans, half Dems, he says). (I'd link, but the Ledger is still linking to his Oct. 28 column.)

These endorsements do present a question: Why did a paper that claims to be so non-partisan endorse Barbour and Bryant, who are sure to be a matched set? I can understanding not liking anybody at the top of the ticket, but to endorse the governor who is trying to control everything, and the man who can help him do it in the Senate, if nothing but partisan. Or dumb.

You decide.

Previous Comments

ID

115457

Comment

I think there will be an upset tomorrow with just the opposite happening. I predict a record african america turn out and a win for Eaves. Most Christians perceive this in their spirit that Eaves is the next Governor. At my church there is great excitment for Eaves and his faith walk.

Author

onetwog

Date

2007-11-05T11:07:29-06:00

ID

115458

Comment

I don't have faith in thinking that African-American voters will turn out in droves. If they did, there would be no way Republicans would have the control that they do have now.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-05T11:22:20-06:00

ID

115459

Comment

True, and the Republicans know it. I never predict the outcome of races—I don't understand people (especially journalists) who do. It's as if they think it's a game. Of course, they are trying to influence the races when they do (a la Salter yesterday). My believe is that you're honest that you're endorsing, or shut the hell up. Goes back to the problem with so-called "objective" media pretending they don't have a viewpoint rather than being honest that you have a formed a viewpoint based on solid and thorough research. The journalism-lite of today just skips over the research stage and right to putting opinions out that they are pretending are not opinions. But now I'm officially ranting—but it's my blog. So there. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T11:38:17-06:00

ID

115460

Comment

As a new low, There is a telephone call going out in Rankin county and others It starts with Benny Thompson "This is Benny Thompson and I endorse John Eaves. Remember to get out and vote" Then it cuts to a white woman's voice "Now you know you need to get out and vote Republican November 6" Race baiters!!! and on a Sunday

Author

AGamm627

Date

2007-11-05T12:26:22-06:00

ID

115461

Comment

That's amazing. Anyone have a recording of it? Apparently, the GOP machine has sent young people in from all over the country to canvas in the last 72 hours. Let us know if you encounter any. Ask them where they're from, where they work (I've heard some are on the federal payroll, but don't know for sure), where they go to school, etc. Of course, Democracy for America is also in the state campaigning for Gary Anderson. So the Repubs aren't the only ones bringing in the cavalry.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T12:32:49-06:00

ID

115462

Comment

Seriously, folks, set your tape recorders. My guess is more of those calls will go out tonight. Send us the audio if you get them.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T12:33:19-06:00

ID

115463

Comment

We got some ridiculous door hanger thingy the other day with pictures of all the GOP candidates, with the headline "The Conservative Corral" or something like that. Okay, maybe it wasn't "Corral" but it was definitely "Conservative." I was hoping for pizza coupons. *sigh*

Author

andi

Date

2007-11-05T13:12:26-06:00

ID

115464

Comment

The slickers fake calls might work against them because Congressman Thompson is a true friend of the working class. Turth be told the man has a lot of white associates and voters who support him and his efforts to represent all. His voting records and his representation of his District speaks for itself. Being the current Chair of the Homeland Security Committee gives him more opportunities to help his district and the state he love. The current Governor doesn't consider him nor Gene Taylor as a past of the State of Mississippi's current delegation. Mississippi can't move one step forward, until we stoping fighting each other. Can't we agree to disagree on things, and continue working collectively for the better good of Mississippi.

Author

onetwog

Date

2007-11-05T13:53:01-06:00

ID

115465

Comment

Golden Eagle that is the republican of yesterday, not today. Tomorrow is a new day with new players.

Author

onetwog

Date

2007-11-05T13:59:06-06:00

ID

115466

Comment

I got a phone call a little over an hour ago with a recorded message about voting for Rudy Warnock. It was the voice of a white woman who said she voted Republican all her life but was going to vote for Rudy. I hung up halfway through the call.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-05T14:19:55-06:00

ID

115467

Comment

Seriously, folks, set your tape recorders. My guess is more of those calls will go out tonight. Send us the audio if you get them. Is there a way to record calls that come through cell phones?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-05T14:23:03-06:00

ID

115468

Comment

if you can put your cell phone on speaker mode, you can tape record it that way. i've had to do that for interviews before! ;-) some phones have a "record" feature, but mine doesn't.

Author

andi

Date

2007-11-05T14:25:47-06:00

ID

115469

Comment

I don't think my phone has that feature. If I do get another one of those calls, though, I'll post it here.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-05T14:34:51-06:00

ID

115470

Comment

I ran home for lunch to find a Corey Wilson mailer in my box arguing how Cecil Brown was a liberal. One of the points they laid out was that Brown was "enthusiastically endorsed by the ultra-liberal Jackson Free Press".

Author

thabian

Date

2007-11-05T14:36:42-06:00

ID

115471

Comment

What a hoot. Get us a copy, please, or maybe there's one waiting in my mailbox! Did they mention, per chance, that we also endorsed John Reeves? Didn't think so. GOP schmucks.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T15:45:53-06:00

ID

115472

Comment

You can also go to Radio Shack and get a recorder thing that goes into your ear, and you can use it with any phone. $20, I think.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T15:47:19-06:00

ID

115473

Comment

Your best bet is to put your phone on speaker and record with a handheld. Only certain cell phones can use the attach recorder thing. I got that one Andi. I was blinded by the white faces! Wait, I better not say that. I'll be branded a LIBERAL. I honestly thought we were all secular progressives now.

Author

emilyb

Date

2007-11-05T16:49:13-06:00

ID

115474

Comment

The one you put in your ear is different, Emily. It just needs a microphone jack, I think. As for the doorknob thing, it's sad that all the candidates seem to think that Mississippi just wants a bunch of angry-looking white folks to represent us. Been there, done that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T16:52:08-06:00

ID

115475

Comment

I just heard gossip that the last poll had the governor's race within the margin of error, and basically a tie. Have NO idea, and have seen NO poll. It is going to be close folks. Get out and vote for whomever you support!!! GO DEMOCRATS!! STRAIGHT TICKET! (well maybe not Treasurer may have to abstain)

Author

AGamm627

Date

2007-11-05T17:03:29-06:00

ID

115476

Comment

I've heard that, too. It *could* make it all the more tragic that they're turning off people who would normally vote Democratic. I mean, there is something logical about Barbour automatically pulling a smaller percentage than last time (before one factors in Eaves' weaknesses), and he only won by 53 percent of the votes, folks. Pre-Katrina, and his public love affair with the tobacco industry on our watch. On the other hand, Dems may win based on the ugly rhetoric, and the clock goes backward. Careful what you wish for. Personally, I really want to see Cecil Brown and Jim Hood win. And Gary Anderson and Rickey Cole. I think those are the only races I have any passion left for—although I could be forgetting somebody. I doubt it, though. BTW, I've been really turned off by Rudy Warnock. I am belatedly endorsing Dick Hall if that means anything at this point. If we'd had time to do more research on that race in advance, we would have endorsed, but we didn't.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T17:13:25-06:00

ID

115477

Comment

I beg of all progressives. I know there is no truly progressive statewide candidate on all the issues. HOWEVER, Haley, Phil (probably), Delbert, Al, Lester, and Chaney would move Mississippi further away from education, teacher pay and social justice. I know many progressives are turned off by the conservative approach. PLEASE VOTE! PLEASE VOTE FOR EDUCATION! Hold your nose if you have to but VOTE. Any progressive that leaves races blanks has aided the extreme conservative side. PLEASE JOIN ME AND VOTE. VOTE FOR EDUCATION AGamm627

Author

AGamm627

Date

2007-11-05T18:06:46-06:00

ID

115478

Comment

The "close election" rumors always make the rounds shortly before an election, because most elections get closer right at the end. People like the underdog, and when the media anoint a candidate as the near-certain winner, folks look at the alternative. With the notable exceptions everyone knows about (Truman in particular), it's more of a mirage than anything else. Does it matter? Your vote is your own responsibility, to cast regardless of what you think the rest of the electorate is going to do. So I think one should vote as if you were the only voter, as if your vote alone determined the outcome.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-05T18:29:45-06:00

ID

115479

Comment

HOWEVER, Haley, Phil (probably), Delbert, Al, Lester, and Chaney would move Mississippi further away from education, teacher pay and social justice. Further than Democrats who will spew anti-immigrant rhetoric to get votes? I don't think so. I'm in this for the long haul, and I believe voting for candidates who say that stuff, of any party, is a vote to send us back to the past. You can't actually be *for* education when you're willing to run on this kind of platform. THEY should have thought harder about their choices. Don't come crying to us now. I personally am not going to vote for bigotry because someone dangles the education carrot on the other end. I'm a Mississippian who has been through a lot of pain in my hometown because people went along with ugly sh!t for too long. I'll fall on this sword because the alternative is too horrifying.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T18:39:16-06:00

ID

115480

Comment

I thought this was interesting...Cory Wilson, running against Cecil Brown for House District 66, ran this ad (or made a YouTube video? not clear if this was actually on TV) where he touts his conservative nature and takes shots at Brown for being "liberal." Late in the video, however, Wilson identifies himself as "progressive." Curious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVYGAn5Ddkw Clearly he's trying to stake out some ground between a tort-reform conservative and pro-education "progressive." I also find it interesting that he's not running on a bible-belt family values or other hot-button issues. No mention of abortion, immigration or gay issues on his site, as far as I can see. Just eco-devo (including Two Lakes...ugh), crime (OurFondren, inner-capped at all) and how liberal his opponent is. ;-) I disagree with his emphasis tort-reform damage caps, I think his argument on healthcare is simplistic at best and he's too focused on "changing House leadership" and getting rid of McCoy; I don't see where more yes-men for Barbour is a good idea. Barbour vetoed the grocery/cigarette tax swap, not McCoy. (Checks and balances are a good thing; for further reference, see Congress, U.S., 2001-2006.) But his campaign is...intriguing. No hot buttons beyond tort reform and he's self-identified as "progressive." What's he tryin' to pull? ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2007-11-05T18:46:52-06:00

ID

115481

Comment

I'm telling y'all. Watch the Repubs. They're going to steal the "progressive" mantle; they got nowhere else to go as all the all king's men go down.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T18:48:49-06:00

ID

115482

Comment

It's probably the SAME political consultants who told Blount to go native. They tell Wilson he needs to be a bit softer (compassionate conservative, anyone?) because the House district is mostly Belhaven and Fondren, and they tell Blount he needs to be more redneck to win over Byram. The only remedy to any of this nonsense is a free press and people willing to call bulshit when they see it.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-05T19:13:27-06:00

ID

115483

Comment

Todd, you see Cory's mailers? We got one in the mail... It states: "Ultra-liberal newspaper Jackson Free Press has 'enthusiastically endorsed' Cecil Brown."

Author

kaust

Date

2007-11-05T19:15:52-06:00

ID

115484

Comment

Todd, you see Cory's mailers? We got one in the mail... It states: "Ultra-liberal newspaper Jackson Free Press has 'enthusiastically endorsed' Cecil Brown." Yeah, we heard about it, although we haven't seen it yet. Might have been targeted to Fondren. (Or maybe they took us off the mailing list!) I guess it's interesting that the JFP is "ultra liberal" when we endorse his opponent and he's "progressive" in his YouTube. I wonder what the mailer would have said if we'd endorsed him? Libertarian-leaning independently owned Jackson Free Press endorses the Right Man for the Job? ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2007-11-05T19:25:58-06:00

ID

115485

Comment

BTW, I've been really turned off by Rudy Warnock. I am belatedly endorsing Dick Hall if that means anything at this point. I saw that commercial that mentioned the one company supposedly using illegal immigrants. After I heard that, I thought to myself, not again. I had planned on voting for Warnock, but I may now switch to Dick Hall. I really don't want to vote for Hall because he allowed taxpayer dollars to build that bridge in Madison that wasn't necessary. The bridge itself isn't the problem; the bricks are.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-05T20:17:52-06:00

ID

115486

Comment

I wonder what the mailer would have said if we'd endorsed him? Libertarian-leaning independently owned Jackson Free Press endorses the Right Man for the Job? ;-) Right. ;-) Just saw the flyer; it's quite the honor to be so prominent on there. Guess the Repubs can't say they don't pay attention to us, eh? If it weren't for Republican obsession with our paper, we'd probably be much smaller at this point! They could also have said "endorsed by the JFP: remember how they were right about Bush and Melton!?!" Tee, hee.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-05T22:12:50-06:00

ID

115487

Comment

Both Warnock and Hall have turned me off. I was planning on not voting in this contest, but might end up voting for Hall. With the soap opera atmosphere going on with MDOT, I would rather be for a constitutional amendment to disband the transportation commissioners and make the MDOT executive director a governor-appointed office.

Author

Ex

Date

2007-11-05T23:46:56-06:00

ID

115488

Comment

I'll be glad when this election is OVER! I'm seriously suffering from campaign fatigue.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-11-06T05:40:01-06:00

ID

115489

Comment

Why does Mississippi need three transportation commissioners? Look how much ground California and Texas cover and they both only have one.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-06T07:56:42-06:00

ID

115490

Comment

Sid Salter is paid rather nicely(I think) to presage Mississippi Politics. I dont think its a new thing for him to predict an election,and I recall him doing it before, and usually being pretty accurate. Certainly to predict that Eaves/Franks to be trounced there would be lots of evidence to forbode that happening, not the least is the leading liberal paper to refuse to endorse their bait and switch election tactics.

Author

Britt

Date

2007-11-06T08:41:56-06:00

ID

115491

Comment

Mississippi used to do fine with our current system, as it kept the Gov from controlling directly who'd get contracts. Now we have Butch(er) in the job, and he can't keep from messing things up.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-11-06T08:43:43-06:00

ID

115492

Comment

EVERY REPUBLICAN RUNNING IN MISSISSIPPI IS APART OF THE GOOD OLE BOY SYSTEM. THIS A RACIST STATE STILL.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-11-06T09:11:23-06:00

ID

115493

Comment

NewJackson, by that statement, you make it quite clear that it isn't the Good Ole Boys are the only racists. I get so sick and tired of hearing how all whites are racists or whatever. You can sugar coat it however you want and say that it wasn't meant for me and blah blah blah. You are right racism is a very big part of Mississippi culture, in the past and currently, BUT the one thing I really think you fail to notice is that racism is a two sided street and both parties (white and black) contribute to it. I can't tell you how many times I've been at Wal-Mart on 18 and been shoved, brushed passed, given looks, heard comments, etc. So if you want to end racism, end it yourself first and then work on the others because two wrongs do not make a right. Sorry to get off on such a tangent but I am just sick of it. I'm tired of hearing the retoric during this election, I'm tired of hearing it in regards to Melton, I'm just tired of it. For once I would like to hear something positive. On that note, Donna, please delete my account because, frankly, I'm just tired of it and will not be back. Good luck and good night.

Author

Simpleton

Date

2007-11-06T09:21:21-06:00

ID

115494

Comment

Racism is actually not a two-way street, Simpleton. Bigotry is, however. Racism isn't about feelings between two people, or from one person toward another group. In order to be racist, you have to have the power to contribute to the "-ism." So at this point in our society, it is indeed for non-whites to be "racist." However, in areas where non-whites become the dominant culture (which will the entire U.S. within decades), then they will have the capability to be "racist" as well. Which is one self-serving reason that white people ought to lay off the anti-immigrant crap. ;-) And the fear of real reverse-racism on whites will also help explain why so many are trying so hard to hold onto the white dominant culture to the point of losing all sense of logic and grasp on real facts. It's called fear of having the same sh!t done to you that your culture did to non-whites. That's a no-win game; the best approach is to focus on ridding our society of remaining racism; thus helping to prevent new forms from forming in the future as demographics shift. To do that, you have to at least make an effort to understand what racism is still there, and how it got there. To confuse this even further, btw, non-whites can be part of a racist system toward their own race if they go along with policies that systemically hurt a race of people. (See Melton file, and historic Uncle Tom-ism.) The point here is that, whatever you call it, it doesn't help society any to confuse the problem of people with the power to push systemic discrimination with people who are just mad at people of another race. They are *very* different things, and you solve them in different ways. (For one, for people such as yourself to try to develop any clear understanding of why people of color still complain about systemic racism, even as individual whites may treat them bettter one-on-one.) Also, to be factually accurate, NewJackson did not actually say that all whites are racist. He/she was talking about Republicans running in the state. And the truth is that the current Republican Party sold its soul to the racist devil a few decades back, so he, overall, is pretty accurate. However, now the state's Democrats are making a run at running to their Dixiecrat roots, so they're not acting any better. And even though not every Democrat is doing it, I don't see the party loudly trying to stop it, any more than good people in the GOP tried to stop the use of the southern strategy all these years to gain power.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T09:36:21-06:00

ID

115495

Comment

Don't leave Simpleton. You have done a wonderful job of discussing issues with great reason, passion and logic. Don't let a little turbulence get you down. Level heads will prevail here every time. We're not supposed to agree on everything because we have different socializations and walks of life. You're responsbile for only yourself and your children if any. Some people agree with NewJack and some people don't. Arguably there is truth and falsity in what he's saying. Hang around Simpleton. We need you and NewJack.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-06T09:36:45-06:00

ID

115496

Comment

To all that have already voted, what does the turnout look like? I voted at my precinct around 7:15-7:20 and I was #22.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-06T09:41:32-06:00

ID

115497

Comment

I know, Britt, that Salter predicts election. It's the way he wrote it that's weird.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T09:41:41-06:00

ID

115498

Comment

I don't think all the statewide Republicans are racists. Most of them are corporate whores, but that's a different point.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-06T09:42:22-06:00

ID

115499

Comment

I agree with Donna except the part where the present day Democrats are becoming like the Dixiecrats. I see her point but argue present day Democrats could never morph to such a demonic and savage level. Democrats have too many people with a conscious and and soul. Likewise, millions of present day Democrats have been wronged repeatedly based on racism and have vowed to not see it repeated against anyone with their help or aid. Neither the Dixiecrats or the present day majority republicans have any such history of suffering or fighting it. I further aver Democrats aren't taking the position on immigration based on racism, with maybe a few exceptions, and the overwhelming majority of the Democrats are not anti-immigration.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-06T09:50:51-06:00

ID

115500

Comment

Well, it's an interesting question when you really dig in. I certainly don't think they're all bigots. But if you go along with "racist" strategies and policies, as in voting for them and using them to get votes or enthusiastically support a party with racism as a core strategy, you're supporting the system. That means you're being racist. Now, as I said, this applies to the Democrats, too. The funny part is that, intellectually, you can be a bigot and not a racist, and a racist and not a bigot. Many people are both, of course. Most members of the majority culture have supported racist policies at one point of another—I have certainly, unintentionally—but the struggle has to be to become educated enough about the issues not to do that. And certainly not to intentionally set out to do it (say, to get votes) or to not turn our heads when people of whatever party act in racist ways. People don't like it when I try to introduce these concepts. But it won't help our society if we water down the word "racists" to the point that it is meaningless by missing it up with bigotry. It does help the racists, though, and we don't want to do that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T09:51:59-06:00

ID

115501

Comment

I voted around 7:35 and was #29, I think. I wrote in the BF for Governor -- I know we had a discussion here earlier about write-ins so I did that for two reasons: 1) because I don't like either candidate and 2) to see if it would actually let me write in a name. And maybe 3) The BF would make a splendid Governor and I would be a cool First Lady.

Author

andi

Date

2007-11-06T09:52:24-06:00

ID

115502

Comment

You could definitely be a cool first lady, andi.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T09:54:59-06:00

ID

115503

Comment

I agree with Ray Carter that the Mississippi Democrats aren't Dixiecrats - YET. But they didn't learn the right lesson from the 2006 elections. Southern Democrats can run as populists if they take up the fight for working class people. They do NOT have to be xenophobes or fundamentalists, although they do need to have a genuine love for our country and its history, and a genuine faith that guides their life. One prominent example of this is Jim Webb, Senator from Virginia. He is by no means perfect, but he is closer to an authentic Democrat than most of the folks running on the statewide ballot this year. I think he could have easily defeated any of the statewide Republicans, including the Governor, without resorting to anti-immigrant fearmongering or shrill fundamentalism.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-06T09:59:50-06:00

ID

115504

Comment

I further aver Democrats aren't taking the position on immigration based on racism, with maybe a few exceptions, and the overwhelming majority of the Democrats are not anti-immigration. Well, it's great that we're hearing from all of them so loudly right now, shouting down the anti-immigration rhetoric from their compatriots. The Democrats haven't fulled morphed back into the Dixiecrats, yet—but the good ones had better start speaking up, and they are going to have the Republicans' "southern strategy" problem where individual Republicans go around claiming not to to be racist while they allow, and even push, their party to pander to the racist vote. And I'm not going to personally give the Dems any more of a pass because they're Dems and supposedly more progressive than the radical right (that's a rumor, anyway) than I did Clinton when he seduced an intern on the taxpayers' watch, lied about it, trashed her publicly and then tried to obstruct justice. I wouldn't have stood for that had a Repub done it, why would I give Clinton a pass for it because he claims to be a progressive who respects women? We don't get anywhere by being hypocrites.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T10:00:05-06:00

ID

115505

Comment

I agree with *everything* you just said, Sherm.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T10:00:58-06:00

ID

115506

Comment

Thanks Donna! You could come hang out at the mansion anytime. :)

Author

andi

Date

2007-11-06T10:03:10-06:00

ID

115507

Comment

Well, Donna, we will never agree with Clinton who had consensual sex with a grown women in the Oval office, a place where countless murders and other evil acts have been discussed, created, santioned and ordered. Who know what other evil things have occurred there by republicans and Democrats. I won't try to give the ofiice or building any sacred holding, meaning, presence or prestige beyond what is real and necessary. To compare Clinton's acts, even if you deem them evil, to Bush's acts or to compare present day Democrats to the level of present day republicans won't work with me. I'm not blinded by either party either but I'm not giving republicans the pass, overlook, or forgiveness without consequence that they are so used to getting. I know the reason the get the pass too. But this is a discussion I will have at a later time. By the way, I voted for one republican this morning in Madsion county. He's my friend. He would help me if he could even if he had to do it quietly.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-06T10:17:21-06:00

ID

115508

Comment

I don't care what other "evil" things have happened there. I care that he didn't have enough decency or self-control to keep his shenanigans off company time, and what he did to a (barely) consensual intern after he had her do him under his desk as he did the nation's business and while his teenage daughter was elsewhere in the same building was the most horrifying part. I really don't want that family back in the White House. OK, maybe Chelsea some day. Note I'm not the one doing the comparing to Bush; you are. I am perfectly capable of looking at both of those situations with a critical eye — because I'm not a partisan beyond everything else.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T10:21:46-06:00

ID

115509

Comment

I care though. I want the real or whole picture. Monica is no victim here. Speaking of justice. Neither party wants justice. We will likely see soon what the republicans are willing to do to stop justice from coming their way. Thanks for giving me another chance to discuss Clinton, one of my heroes. I love his brillance and talents. He's not perfect. None of us are. Who can really blame him for trying to save his butt?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-06T10:27:30-06:00

ID

115510

Comment

Oh yeah. I'm partisan for good reasons, but votes for members of both parties.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-06T10:29:10-06:00

ID

115511

Comment

I disagree with you: Monica was a victim of a powerful man who took advantage of her, and one with a history of sexual harassment. And I can easily blame him for trying to save his butt by trashing her and lying to the country. I also blame him for opening the door for G.W. Bush. and the ridiculous morals crusade that they were able to hawk for a few years there. That got us into the Iraqi War, and so on. That said, we are off-thread, and I don't really have energy to fight the Clinton battle all over again. It was exhausting the first time I did it—with Democrats defending him all around. To be honest, that's when I started seeing that the Democratic Party wasn't everything it pretended to be. Since then, I've considered myself an Independent.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T10:39:01-06:00

ID

115512

Comment

I'm for saving comments about Clinton for next year's Presidential primary.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-06T10:42:07-06:00

ID

115513

Comment

Deal. It'll come way too soon enough.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T10:42:35-06:00

ID

115514

Comment

We got to the polls around 7:35. Living right next door to the polling place has its advantages. :) Hubby was #17 and I was #18. It's a great learning experience for the kiddos: he takes one, I take the other, and we let them watch us vote. They come up with some great questions.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-11-06T10:57:17-06:00

ID

115515

Comment

Andi Peterson?

Author

Droite

Date

2007-11-06T11:12:57-06:00

ID

115516

Comment

WOW. gotta say Donna (As i know we're going off topic) I have to agree with Ray. Monica was NO victim by far. Infact she was well aware of what she was doing. She, as have many women beame enamored with one of the greatesgt aphrodisiacs of all time..POWER. And what Bill(who is arguably the greatest president of modern times:-) did is NOTHIGN comapred to waht Bush did and is doing. The two just arent the same regardless. I know you choose to champion the woman as the victim in this particular scenario but she was a grown woman. And God knows THIS wont be popular but its a JOKE nonetheless. as Leader of the Free world, we need the man who has his finger on the button to be as stress-free as possible. LOL

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-11-06T11:34:20-06:00

ID

115517

Comment

droite-- you talkin' to me? no, sorry, that is not me.

Author

andi

Date

2007-11-06T11:38:35-06:00

ID

115518

Comment

We are off topic. If anyone wants to talk further about Clinton, please start a forum thread. As Sherm says, that'll all come around soon enough.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T11:43:21-06:00

ID

115519

Comment

Its funny to me that when i talk about the good ole boy system, or when i say republicans simpleton gets offended, i didn't know the good ole boys or republicans spoke for all white people. Simpleton you are a white mississippian i guess from your comment. I just want to know If the republicans and THE good ole boys don't speak for all of White Mississippi why do you and others on this site get offended when i mention the two. What you are doing is telling off on yourself, i didn't once in my previous post generalize all whites as racist i didn't even metion whites i mentioned two different groups of people and you jumped to their defense. Thanks.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-11-06T12:18:51-06:00

ID

115520

Comment

You make a good point. When you criticize the "good ole boys," I know you're not criticizing me even though I'm white. But many people take offense, thinking that you're saying that all whites are racist, but you're not. Of course, that creates a self-perpetuating problem—because we sound racist if we get all defensive about something you didn't say. It reminds of when I first moved back and learned that the word "Democrats" had become the new n-word for white people of various economic backgrounds here. Because they didn't know me, yet, several people assumed that this white girl of Neshoba County was in on the game and used the word on me. For instance, the guy who lived below my first office apartment here said to me that the realtor had shown another of the apartments. "To Democrats," he said, kinda whispering the Democrats part. I looked at him like he was crazy. "How did you know they were Democrats," I asked in bewilderment. He looked back at me in amazement. "They were, you know, Democrats," he whispered forcefully. Seeing that I still was befuddled, he stumbled, "You know, black people." Ironically, that realtor used the word in the same way not long after that. And I guarantee that both of these people would be completed outraged if anyone accused them of racism, or bigotry for that matter. The more things change.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T12:52:50-06:00

ID

115521

Comment

I tried, like andi, to write in another name for govenor and those ladies gave me all sorts of drama. I just didn't vote for govenor, saddly. Glad someone got to at least :) I in all honesty thought my bf would have made a better one then the two listed too. Oh well...

Author

Puck

Date

2007-11-06T14:20:17-06:00

ID

115522

Comment

I do hope these ladies who wanted to write in their significant others ALSO thought they themselves would have been suitable incumbents of the Governor's Office!

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-06T14:57:01-06:00

ID

115523

Comment

Well, I'm not exactly a lady, I just happen to have a BF - part of the reason I didn't vote for Eaves because of all that marriage is between a man and a woman crap... call me crazy but hadn't we already gone through that last year? I hate it when people use a statement like that to get votes.

Author

Puck

Date

2007-11-06T15:01:50-06:00

ID

115524

Comment

My bad big time, Puck . . . my abject apologies!

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-06T15:05:12-06:00

ID

115525

Comment

Not a problem!

Author

Puck

Date

2007-11-06T15:09:29-06:00

ID

115526

Comment

puck in jackson thanks for helping barbour ignore jackson for four more 4 years

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-11-06T16:18:09-06:00