Jackson Free Press

Welcome to Fly: St. Paddy's edition. Here at the JFP we are big fans of the Sweet Potato Queens and didn't want to miss our chance to give a shout out to all things green, pink and over the top. But we also know that St. Paddy's weekend isn't just about The Queens, so we tried to find something for everyone. There are paper dolls for the young-at-heart, beer guides and hangover cures for the party-goers, recipes and decorating tips for party-throwers, and more. Hope you enjoy and as always, keep coming back for more DIY tips and creative guides to throwing a party! If you have DIY ideas, get in touch with me at [e-mail unavailable]

Snake Myths
DIY Crowns
St. Paddy's Style
Food, Food, Food
Irish Music
Cocktail Recipes and Hangover Remedies
Parade How-To and Schedule of Events
Last-Minute Tiaras

Previous Commentsshow

Dear Ms. Ladd, I frequently view your “progressive” (read: ultra-liberal) publication as I dine, lunch sandwich in hand, at my downtown desk. It is often entertaining and occasionally informative, though your bias is scarcely disguised. I noted an item of perhaps un-intended amusement which appeared in your issue of March 13-19 (Vol. 61, # 26). While your new assistant may indeed be “good at everything,” I would urge to remind there is a discrete difference between “discreet” and “discrete,” - as in your advice to St. Paddy’s day parade-goers who find themselves in need of a “discrete [sic] bush” (in order to relieve their discrete bodily functions). Hopefully the JFP will be able to exercise the proper amount of discretion in its word choices in the future. After all, one would expect such from the “Clarion Liar,” but not from the “progressive intelligentsia?” Your loyal opposing reader, Joseph W. Blackston, MD, JD

docj

Mar 13 2008

Isn't it spelled intelligent-see-ya ?

willdufauve

Mar 13 2008

Thanks, Doc! We'll fix spelling in the document; for the record, the copy editors and I didn't catch it, either. And as you know, even people who are good at everything make mistakes. And correct them. ;-) We always appreciate readers who point out our errors to us so please continue to let us know when you see them. I'll take it as a good sign that this is the first time you've alerted us to one. As for "scarcely disguised" bias, I will take that as a compliment, intended or not. I don't believe it is ethical for journalists to hide our biases and pretend that we're "objective" when that is not possible. Journalists who do that are lying to you through their teeth. However, we try to both formulate and back up our "bias" here with solid research, homework and good reporting. Because of that, I have been known to change a personal "bias" from time to time because I am always willing to consider new information regardless of partisanship, which I hate in all its forms, and whether it leans left or right. Oh, and I don't take "ultra-liberal" as an insult, even as I find it rather amusing, considering how badly I p!ss off our more liberal readers from time to time. I don't consider myself "liberal" by today's partisan, pop-culture definition, nor am I a Democrat. However, I do proudly consider myself a "liberal" by classical standards. "Progressive" is my preferred label, because you don't need to be partisan, a Democrat or any other easy label to be progressive-minded. In fact, at least several of my favorite progressives are registered Republicans. Go figger.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2008

Oh, thanks for reading! Conservatives make up a large portion of our loyal readership, and you're among good people.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2008

to see "progressive" and "republican" in the same sentence makes me think more of you than ever DL; having followed the JFP for some time now I always felt as an outsider looking in, hoping to learn something here and again and always leaving with another way to view this cynical place we live in. Hope the Doc will continue to participate and that "progressive" will be the next third party. God knows the battle we face now in the current system is hyper-frustrating and often ridiculous.

GradyGriffin

Mar 13 2008

Actually, Doc, I'm not sure where you're saying that word is spelled incorrectly. I don't see it above, and I have to admit to not having the entire issue memorized, as you seem to. ;-) Feel free to fill me on in link or page number.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2008

Donna, you can't see it online because I already changed it.

LatashaWillis

Mar 13 2008

Oh, Doc, if you find a spelling or major grammatical error online, feel free to email me at patriotictwist at gmail dot com.

LatashaWillis

Mar 13 2008

Thanks, Sweetie.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2008

EatOut, thanks for your comments. People new to the site will often leave a drive-by comment like that without really knowing what they're talking about. It's easy to stereotype, but it can be hard to back it up. To me, progressivism is, or should be, a big tent. It means, simply, people who want to work together toward progress, instead of divide and toss easy labels at people they don't agree with. But you know that. ;-) I'm also tickled at people who come here thinking I'm a Democrat, or easy on 'em. Ask them before you assume that.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2008

Yes it is very refreshing. Jackson is a better place with the Free Press and while I disagree with some things written, I do appreciate the sentiment. Mississippi, more than most places, can be insulated in that many people believe one thing and are not presented with opposing viewpoints. Education is key, and while the JFP is ultra-liberal for Mississippi, the state can use a dose of it. In moderation. ;)

QB

Mar 13 2008

Thanks, Harry. I consider that high praise coming from you. ;-) Funny thing was that I was considered a moderate at best in New York; some people thought I was right of center. It's all relative. I will say, I know a lot of people further to the left than Todd and me right here in Mississippi. We're a little too libertarian-leaning to fit today's pop-culture definition of "liberal." One reporter interviewing him recently looked a little like he thought he had dropped into a Bible study when I started telling him that I turned on Clinton after the Lewinsky scandal because if your family can't trust you, who can, blah, blah. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2008

Thanks not trying to do a "drive by" english lesson. Just wanted to have a little fun w/ you. I DO enjoy reading the JFP, and it DOES provide an alternative to the CL, which (believe me, I know) often gets its facts completely bass-ackward. I don't get to view the online version very often, or follow the blogs/comments but do pick up the print version. I love that you guys are tough on Melton (he deserves it completely, and probably more) but I think you are a little too soft on Jim Hood, Bennie Thompson, and some others who probably deserve more scrutiny. Remember, sunlight IS the best disinfectant. JB

docj

Mar 13 2008

PS, I"m not a conservative either, unless you count fiscal conservatives. I am a big-time First Amendment/Bill of Rights proponent. However, I DO happen to think that in order to claim your "Constitutional Rights" you should be an actual CITIZEN . . . ?? Just curious Donna, what was it that made you "turn on" Bill Clinton, was it that he lied to the country, lied to Hillary, or that he had "almost sex" with a White House intern? I figure what the President does with his private parts really isn't any of my bidness, so long as he isn't making the price of gas go to almost $4 a gallon . . . Thanks!

docj

Mar 13 2008

As abother who prefers to be called "progressive" rather than "liberal," I make the following distinction: A compassionate conservative recognizes that some people are just bound to lose out in the game called capitalism, but wants to soften the blow on the "losers" in the game, so that their suffering is minimized, but not so much that it threatens the continuing game. A liberal sees there are problems in the rules of the game and wants to give more help and support for the poorest and most oppressed, just so long as it doesn't cost the tenderhearted liberals anything significant. A progressive recognizes the limited size of the pot and is prepared to make personal sacrifices in privilege etc. in order to change the rules to make them fairer, so that each new player has more of a real chance to succeed on her own merits. Of course that's overly simplistic, but I like it.

footsy

Mar 13 2008