Jackson Free Press

National Public Radio's "Bryant Park Project" interviewed JFP editor Donna Ladd this morning about the federal indictments of Frank Melton and his bodyguards and her past ride-alongs with him. Listen to the segment here.

Previous Comments

ID

132013

Comment

Good interview, Donna. Wish you had more time to talk.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-07-11T10:17:57-06:00

ID

132014

Comment

Thanks, L.W. It's definitely hard to explain the Melton story in eight minutes. ;-) I did it at 7 a.m., live. I was half asleep, but it went OK all things considered. Pardon the pun.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-07-11T10:19:24-06:00

ID

132018

Comment

I wish I had know. I usually don't wake up until 7am and even then, I'm listening to sports talk. I'll listen when I get home tonight since I can't listen to streaming audio at work.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-07-11T10:42:00-06:00

ID

132021

Comment

Melton said today that he did not go into the house, that he only watched the events through the window. He also implied that the damage was done by people in the neighborhood looking for their drug stashes. Could this possibly be true?

Author

renaehutch2008

Date

2008-07-11T12:13:37-06:00

ID

132023

Comment

Uhhh... no. I think there were way too many eye witnesses to the contrary of that, renae.

Author

andi

Date

2008-07-11T12:17:51-06:00

ID

132025

Comment

I just read that in the CL, as well, Renae - where is this information coming from? Was there a press release? Just curious. Interesting, though, it wouldn't be the first time he changed his toon on illegal activities that he's been a part of. Also, very good interview Donna.

Author

Puck

Date

2008-07-11T12:22:42-06:00

ID

132026

Comment

great, informative interview, on target with the truth!

Author

lanier77

Date

2008-07-11T12:54:57-06:00

ID

132027

Comment

I love Bryant Park Project. Does Jackson's NPR station carry it? The other NPR program I love is This American Life, but I don't think Jackson has that either (does it? I live elsewhere).

Author

emsy

Date

2008-07-11T13:37:23-06:00

ID

132029

Comment

This American Life comes on 3pm on Saturdays... Sometimes during the week.

Author

Puck

Date

2008-07-11T13:49:37-06:00

ID

132031

Comment

I don't know if Melton did go in the house. Witnesses said he broke out windows with the big stick first. I believe the boys with sledgehammers did the number on the house after they left and came back. But I don't have the files in front of me. Don't worry, though: we are going to revisit every detail, and probably some new ones, before it's over. I don't recall the defense making the argument during the first trial that other people in the n'hood broke up the house looking for their drugs. Seems like that would have come up then, huh? As for Bryant Park Project, Emsy, MPB doesn't carry it. We should lobby them to—especially considering that most people I know under 30 here seem to listen to the podcast. If you want younger listeners on public radio, it's the way to go. And they have a great blog/Web site. This American Life is on here on either Saturday or Sunday afternoon and maybe sometime during the week. Look it up for sure, but it is on here. Love it.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-07-11T13:51:22-06:00

ID

132034

Comment

Puck - oh good. I love that show and listen to it on my local NPR station (Fridays nights and Saturday mornings here). I just wasn't sure if they had it on Jackson's NPR station.

Author

emsy

Date

2008-07-11T20:07:33-06:00

ID

132036

Comment

Great interview, Donna. Like L.W., I wish there had been more time. But hey, an 8-minute interview ain't all bad, bejeezus!

Author

Kacy

Date

2008-07-11T21:37:38-06:00

ID

132037

Comment

I'm not much of a radio listener, but I think I could be persuaded by programs such as Bryant Park Project. Actually, I am not averse to radio, per se, it's just that, for me and my schedule/routine, the most opportune time to listen is when I'm in the car, except that I'd much rather spend that time thinking and mulling things over in my mind.

Author

Kacy

Date

2008-07-11T21:49:38-06:00

ID

132039

Comment

Good interview, Donna. I am so glad that the stuff about the mayor is getting national attention. I am proud of the JFP for staying on the case. I don't live in Jackson any more, but I love my hometown and don't think Melton is good for the city (much less his entourage of kids) at all.

Author

MissSue

Date

2008-07-12T11:54:18-06:00

ID

132043

Comment

I'm proud of the JFP, too. The ACLU gave the JFP its annual media award last night, and it would have been richly deserved based on the Melton coverage alone; the other investigative coverage the paper has done over the past few years, especially on the civil rights trials, immigration, and broader criminal justice issues, are icing on the cake. Donna also gave one hell of an acceptance speech. It would have been enough if the JFP had just been an entertainment weekly; God knows we needed a good one. But the investigative coverage is really defining its legacy. And it's nothing short of horrifying that so many people seem to be comfortable with giving the mayor the power to demolish any house he deems a "crack house," or giving the president the power to indefinitely detain any person he deems a "suspected terrorist," or giving the Department of Justice the power to selectively prosecute anybody they want. Maybe it's an echo of what we all feel as young children--total faith in omnipotent parents, parents we can always trust to do the right thing. But sooner or later it's time to grow up.

Author

Tom Head

Date

2008-07-12T17:24:15-06:00

ID

132444

Comment

DonnaLadd, Excellent job on the NPR interview - you were able to convey the insanity of Meltonian Jackson to faraway folks who only read spun headlines and think he's a misunderstood crusader and that anyone who disparages his methods are pro-crack house...

Author

Real Maxwell

Date

2008-07-25T22:02:18-06:00

ID

132482

Comment

Thanks, Maxwell. I'm just seeing this. I'm behind! Remember Geraldo coming down and presenting him as a hero. Or Brokaw, even? The national media want simplistic narratives about Mississippi, and will create them for us if we're not diligent.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-07-27T17:40:01-06:00

ID

132484

Comment

That Geraldo interview was so softball, it was more like a tee-ball interview. If Geraldo only really knew what was really going on.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-07-27T17:47:53-06:00