Jackson Free Press

In the latest in Jackson bashing news: I have a colleague who recently showed me the weekly newsletter from his apartment complex. While the actual complex will remain nameless, it IS, indeed, located in Ridgeland. Well, I thought you guys would get a kick out of something I read in said newsletter ... just as my colleague thought I would. My eyes almost popped out of my head like I was in a Looney Toons cartoon.

It seems that among other bullet "points of interest" that they wanted their tenants to know, they also advised their residents to be on the lookout because "Jackson" crime has spilled into Ridgeland! WTH!

I didn't get the memo but apparently crime has a name, and it is "Jackson!" There isn't "crime" in Ridgeland. Not in Madison proper. Their crime is simply the "Jackson" crime that creeps across county line and terrorizes the "safe" residents of their county. Slowly slithering back in its hole that is Hinds county once its evil deeds are done. C'MON! How long are we going to have to put up with this crap before we start lashing back?

Previous Commentsshow

kaze i agree we take and dont fire back, therefore we are defined as a city. The city needs to hire a pr firm to combat the character attacks that are hurting this city. I know personally of someone telling a guest at the king edward not to be caught across the tracks by Jsu and the person who said that just moved here,i wonder who told him that. its so much misinformation and lies going against jackson that we need to counter punch, we need to control the message,may sound like a political campaign but we need to fight back or we will lose the battle.

NewJackson

Jul 28 2010

I KNEW this was coming! But, I figured it would come from the likes of Mary Hawkins Butler. Truth is: Crime is probably more prevalent in Jackson. But, you can't automatically assume that any crime that takes place in the metro area is "Jackson" crime. In that case; any meth lab bust in MS is "Rankin County" crime & any white collar crimes are "Madison" crimes. Crime is crime! It doesn't have a specific face or name! It's WRONG regardless. But, if it happens in Ridgeland, it's Ridgeland's crime. I wouldn't be surprised if they ask JPD to handle any "Jackson" crime that happens in Madison County.

kinglewie

Jul 28 2010

No sir, youre absolutely right. "control the message" a tried and true PR strategy. And it wouldnt even be lying. It would be considering the facts. The numbers simply DO NOT make for a city with "rampant" out of control crime. I think sometimes folks expect Jackson to be Mayberry run by a sheriff and a bumbling deputy LOL. Unfortunately I think some of our officials are scared to rock the boat and challenge the propoganda publicly..calliing shenanigans when they see or hear it. They certainly arent playing nice. I wonder why WE are

Kamikaze

Jul 28 2010

I can't remember which day there was an article in the Clarion-Ledger regarding the recent crime in Ridgeland/Madison County, but I got a kick out of a comment they printed in the article. A lady said, "that's why I moved from Jackson to get away from the crime" I think it's sad, that people are s naive in regards to their surroundings. Crime is any and everywhere, I don't care where you live!? We are a moment away from being involved in a brutal work-place slaying, a woman being raped in a parking lot of a shopping center, a child is taken in broad day light from a PetSmart, or a stolen identity. Crime does not stay in one particular place or happen to a particular person just because of the color of someones skin? Crime is everywhere!

Duan C.

Jul 28 2010

And 'they' are the news outlets kaze

NewJackson

Jul 28 2010

Well this is certainly the ultimate in grandiosity!! You mean that with all of the reports of crystal meth rings, drug/alcohol arrest, incest, bulgaries here and there, acts of pedophilia, teachers alledegly having sex with underage kids, ect, that this area is claiming that their "spill over" is from Jackson????? I'm not believing that anyone would say such a thing. The message for ackson residents seems to be: Come, Spend your money and then get your butt out of our town before sundown.

justjess

Jul 28 2010

Ridgeland and Madison have lots of crime that goes unpublished, especially Madison. Ridgeland isn't as big a pretender as Madison is. I spent lots of time in both municipal courts years ago defending criminals in both cities. We did suspect that nearly all of it came from Jackson though! New Jack, please keep your crime in jackson because we're living right in Ridgeland and Madison.

Walt

Jul 28 2010

It's amazing how people build up a false sense of security in believing that crime stops at an imaginary line. The fact is that crime happens everywhere, even in the suburbs. They may not be as violent and they don't make the headlines. The robberies in Ridgeland and the incident at the Flowood Wal-Mart are prime examples of crime in the suburbs. I also hate how people on the Clarion-Ledger's website make it seem like Jackson is so rampant with crime that people are afraid to come out and that nothing can get down with controlling crime. Like whenever a story on downtown development is printed, people always want to bring up crime. Guess what? If they're afraid to go to downtown, then they don't have to go. They'll be plenty of people to take their places. In fact, I bet the same ones who decry downtown crime are the very ones you find on Bourbon Street on any given Friday or Saturday night.

golden eagle

Jul 28 2010

I'm brand new on this site and have been up for hours reading these stories and comments that follow them in complete facination. First of all I want to say that it's hard to navigate around it and separate todays events with 2 months ago. Having said that I don't know who Donna Ladd is but my opinion of her covers alot of territory. The Frank Melton reporting is absolutely unbelievable and I couldn't help but have a feeling of wanting it completed. Death generally doesn't need much help finishing something but based on reading all of that I couldn't help but think that Jackson fell victim to the single biggest con of all time. It seems that outside of being certifiably insane the man managed to conceal a secret of massive proportions from everyone. If there is any kind of followup I could read I'd really appreciate someone pointing it out to me. Then there's the incredibly self righteous and openly condecending attitudes on here towards anyone with an opinion that doesn't coninside with all things racial. I noticed when I signed up that the agreement said something along the lines of not telling someone how they think, yet one thread I read was the very definition of that by both Ms. Ladd and the other posters. Mine is only the opinion of one and that's how it read to me. I went back and reread a long thread to make sure I wasn't reading it wrong and even in doing that I may have missed something. The posts in question involved a white man who wasn't behind naming everything in Jackson after people because they were black. The replies or rather attacks that followed basically implied he spoke out of racist views. More important it read as though all white men who existed prior to now spent all of their time hating and hurting blacks. People spoke to this man as though he should be ashamed of his heritage which doesn't consist solely of atrocities to blacks. It's ok to learn from the past but the posters seemed to want to live in it. I'll keep my arguments to myself because I'm not going to debate people who immediately drop the racist label because it's the end all atomic bomb of debate. Also, there seems to be an anti Madison sentiment because the tax base was run out of Jackson by a city council who openly pushes victimization and blame. I live in Madison and it's a great city, end of story. I lived in Jackson for 22 years and it became a horror, first hand. My brother is a JPD officer so I can speak somewhat intelligently about the state of Jackson from an enforcement standpoint. I guess my main point here is while I agree and admire alot of the writing in this site, it also is possibly the most intolerant towards those who disagree outlet I've ever read. The people in Madison, the reporters at Fox, and all white men with an opinion are not collectively evil, racist, and untruthful things by default. Maybe some of you should stop and listen to others instead of thinking what you're going to say while they're trying to make their point.

Scott

Aug 2 2010

Scott!!!! I like you, because you came up here and you spoke wholeheartedly! I can't lie, I slowed down with posting up here on JFP, because it takes the administrator a minute to review my posts, so it seems kind of slow to me. But since you were being honest, I am going to be honest with you. Prior to the JFP (Jackson Free Press) a lot of us were posters on Clarion-Ledger.com and the battles some of us encountered on there were brutal and of course, 9 times out of 10, ended up being racially divided or liberals vs. conservatives, democrats, vs. republicans, jacksonians vs. rankin & madison county. I don't know who's to blame - but its a real issue and it's hard to ignore it. There was one thread on the metrocenter mall and I promise you, that thing went for two years strong! I think it ended at 10,000 posts!? lol!!!! 75% of the time, most of us do have the same sentiments in regards to topics, so I guess you can say this is the so-called "liberal" site in the metro area. But don't get it twisted, we don't agree all the time, I have debated pretty much all the women up here in regards to the feminists movement, and I have debated my own people (black) about whether the clerk at the BP on Northside drive, was justified in killing the guy that tried to steal a case of beer? Everything is not about just bashing the white man and ripping madison and rankin counties, there are real debates up here - you just have to be around to see them. Hope you stick around to give your perspective on things.

Duan C.

Aug 2 2010

Scott, welcome and thanks for the kind words in there. Donna hears frequently that people need "closure" on her Melton reporting. ;-) You said this: The replies or rather attacks that followed basically implied he spoke out of racist views. More important it read as though all white men who existed prior to now spent all of their time hating and hurting blacks. That's sort of the pinnacle of defensiveness over the issue; no one is saying that at the JFP, and even some readers who've perhaps said or believed something along those lines in the past (or thought it) have occasionally found that discussions like those we have here on the site help open their minds to other possibilities. But it is important, particularly in the state that brought us the Sovereignty Commission, an actual, state-run organization dedicated to white supremacy -- to realize that fewer than 40 years ago, the white population of this state was largely complicit (whether through malice or inaction or fear) in an important "-ism" that still have strains that run through society today. (Just witness the Breitbart blow-up in the past 10 days.) I find it interesting that you say Jackson became a "horror" and chalk it up to the city council running people out. I'd say there's more to it than that, including an alternative school system created in the build-up to 1970s desegregation of the public schools; there's also the Citizens Council's involvement in "urban renewal" of downtown in the 1960s and 70s, redlining of the 1970s and 80s and a variety of scandals and veins of corruption that have been a part of Jackson government for decades. And that's not to mention the documented "tipping point" that has occurred historically in "white" neighborhoods that have a certain number of minority families move in. Trying to close our eyes to that legacy -- which includes poverty in the city, loaning practices and even the exodus of wealth and development that you discuss when mentioning Madison -- is counter-productive. Indeed, I feel Jackson has seen a renaissance of progressive thought that is even now beginning to include some leaders from the suburbs who are recognizing that Jackson is the heart-and-soul of the metro, and as such it needs to develop, improve, and get its due in monies (and support, projects, leadership) from the region and state. If that attitude continues, I know I'll be those leaders' biggest champion. P.S. Not all the reporters on Fox are evil, but there's a demonstrable pattern of irresponsible journalism from the network that simply needs to be called for what it is.

Todd Stauffer

Aug 2 2010

Thanks Todd. I was about to address Scott's blog with many of the points that you made. I do hope that Scott can become a mirror for himself and began to see how he comes across to others who have had different experiences in life and whose opportunities have been and continue to be limited here in MS secondary to RACIST thoughts and actions. I attemped several times to blog on the CL's site, but, it became a nightmare!!!!! It is what it is. For Scott who was able to get the picture painted of frank melton, you should also know that the Clarion Ledger endorsed him and was very instrumental in defeating Johnson during that election period.

justjess

Aug 2 2010

There is an article in this week's JFP on the Opinion page called "Vigilant" by Dr. Rommel Banjamin, a retired Sociologist who graduated from Mississippi State. Scott, that article might give you some insight into a few people who have tried to make a difference. I think that Donna Ladd meets the mark for one who is always trying to move this City/State/Nation forward.

justjess

Aug 2 2010

I'll admit to not liking Madison. It's not because of the people who live there but because it's cookie-cutter, thanks to the mayor's quest to make it a perfect town--something that it or any other community will never be. Well, get some sidewalks and that may help the cause! We're also very defensive here about our city against those who choose to talk very negatively about us, so don't be put off too much if you see us striking back. BTW, Scott, you were pretty much on point about Melton (God rest his soul). We're still suffering the lingering affects of his administration.

golden eagle

Aug 2 2010

Bravo Scott! I see no need to site any references for you as I believe you have probably read enough to formulate your opinion. But I will say that you should probably do more investigation into the relationship between Madison and Jackson/Hinds County. Duan, my posts are often slow to appear as well. Wonder why that is!?!

Queen601

Aug 2 2010

Hey Queen, I feel ya sister! lol!!! The speed of everything now kills the ryhthm of the debate, but hey - at least we can both say we are not alone. lol!!! But Scott, you do have a legit beef - but its really not with the people up here. I think most of the posters shair a common bond and most of ties back to the cl.com days. The way you feel, is the way a lot of us felt with people bashing on Jackson, which the first thing people refer to is the crime. To me is nothing but a bunch of fear mongering. Scott I don't want you thinking that it's all about "bashing" white people, it's about bashing trifling people! You have a group of people that are frustrated with the status quo in the metro and want to see Jackson catch up with the rest of the deep south.

Duan C.

Aug 2 2010

Scott, thanks for your comments. As for Melton, I have more work to do and publish on that subject, so stay tuned. As for your generalization about me and others "telling people what to think," without specific threads referenced, there's not a whole lot I'm inclined to say about that. I do suggest that you read a bit deeper and with an open mind. People disagreeing with what some people say, and offering a citizens' factcheck to unfactual statements and unreliable links, is not the same as telling people how to think. But I suppose you could argue that anyone trying to debate their position is doing that, in which case it sounds like a straw-man argument. I'd rather talk about real issues. I do tend to find that some people come on here and react in the way that you are to the fact that we are atypical in that we don't let a small handful of people used to being the loudest shout everyone else down. We also do not allow blatant, trolling bigotry, and I deleted comments recently by one of our regular posters precisely because Queen pointed it out to me. We will allow people to make edgy comments on various sides of issue in order to provoke a good conversation, but if it gets ugly and hateful, we curtail those threads -- precisely because they have the effect of running off people who want to talk intelligently. I sure am not going to spend time reading or commenting on hateful sites, and I have enough respect for my readers of various political persuasions to know that they do not want that here. Oh, and I have deleted comments that spread these particular stereotypes: "The people in Madison, the reporters at Fox, and all white men with an opinion are not collectively evil, racist, and untruthful things by default." That is a bigoted statement, except the part about FOX -- the truth is that the network is not secret about its agenda. That does not mean they never have anyone on who is reasonable and educated on the issues, but it is not the network's priority. No real reading of our site could draw the conclusion that we would allow people to say such a thing, Scott, and you're saying that about people who post here, and myself as the editor and one of the moderators, is offensive in itself. Please do not again make false accusations like that one. You should also note that our Melton coverage and commentary was exactly what you are accusing us of not doing. When I started doing honest journalism about a black Democratic mayor, it was not popular among many people in this community, black and white, and it endangered our business. But we did the right thing anyway, and it has paid off both business-wise and credibility-wise. What you will not see me or many other people here do is defend *anyone*, regardless of ideology, political party or race, when they should be criticized. And that fact regularly ticks off people on the right and the left.

DonnaLadd

Aug 2 2010

By the way, I am not in a space where I have any particular beef with Madison or any of the suburbs. I don't like suburban lifestyles in general, so I wouldn't live there or commute back and forth. I will call out the stupid and ill-informed bashing of the city, as should we all. But these days, the coolest thing going in the state is Jackson and what is happening here. I no longer feel the need to even think much about us vs. the suburbs. Our bedroom communities are dependent on the strength and reputation of the city, and I think many people are realizing that. It's time to stop petty battles and look at the big picture of how to make the metro strong precisely because the city of Jackson has such a bright future.

DonnaLadd

Aug 2 2010

It simply does not make any sense to say that "Crime comes from Jackson" or "Crime comes from somewhere else" or anything that is implying that crime is going somewhere, from place to place. Crime does not move around, criminals may certainly move around, but crime itself cannot! Maybe they meant to say that "Criminals are coming from Jackson." But you see, people have been leaving Jackson for the suburbs for decades now, why complain about it now? Headline maybe should be "Suburbs experience pain of growth, decide they don't like it."

jrt

Aug 2 2010

Also, Scott, I just wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't say this. Anyone who has been posting on this site for any legnth of time and has been honest and truthful has gotten a "bashing". Why? Because fans of JFP are thinking people which leads us to be very opinionated; not easily influenced, but we do share a mutual respect. Therefore, during the times when I've been in the minority on certain viewpoints and people are getting on me, I bag up and try to open my mind to what actually being said. Sometimes we are offended by ideas because they aren't the same as what we've been taught or it's a different experience. It's during those times when we should re-evaluate ourselves and consider that maybe we don't know everything. Maybe there is another aspect to consider. That doesn't mean your mind will be changed (there have been many conversations that just end and nobody changes anybody's mind). However then, there are ones that leave some of us new and reborn and often teary. So, I say all that to say, your first impression of this site is cool. I was the same way the first time I came on here about something...I think at that time it was Women and the B-word or something - but anyway, stay here! Talk. Express your thoughts, just be prepared to be engaged - THOROUGHLY! LOL!!!

Queen601

Aug 2 2010

I wouldn't call it a "bashing," Queen -- at least most of the time; smile -- but otherwise I agree with you. I've learned so much about myself, others and ideas from people on this site, including you. We've tried to create a venue to challenge people, including ourselves, to think, and I'm proud that we've accomplished that. And jrt: It's always amazed me that people think they can run from crime. Then they take their tax money and resources and disperse it over new areas instead of fixing problems at the home base -- and then complain when problems inevitably follow them. Of course, the suburbs are just as dangerous, and probably more dangerous, than the city, especially when you factor in the dangers of commuting. Anyone see that study last week about kids being killed in car wrecks making the suburbs less safe than the city? It's all a red herring. But it's really sad when it takes on overtones (or undertones) of racism because "they" are following "us." Gross.

DonnaLadd

Aug 2 2010

Scott, I assume this is the long thread on naming you referred to above. Can you point out which parts offended you as a, presumably, white man, and then we can discuss? From a quick glance, it doesn't look like that thread was "a white man who wasn't behind naming everything in Jackson after people because they were black." It looks like the controversy happened because a white man criticized naming the airport after Medgar Evers. That's kinda different from your characterization, eh? This is far from "everything." In fact, I am on the record against the naming of a Jackson airport after Charles Tisdale -- precisely because he was racially divisive and annointed black people willing to work alongside white people (such as Mayor Johnson) as members of a "brown society" (which reminds me way too much of the Citizens Council's anti-integration rhetoric about our society become a "brown mass of "glop.") My position on this library naming drew some pretty bigoted remarks about me from Kenneth Stokes and others, but I don't care. I need to be morally consistent with my views. So to put it as kindly as I can, just because you read something incorrect into my and others' posts isn't a reflection on what we are doing here. It is a reflection on how you're choosing to read and edit it. With due respect. But I appreciate that you made the comment, as it gives us a chance to have this conversation yet again -- clearly, it is one that bears repeating, and this is a site and a paper dedicated to getting out underheard voices that have been ignored, ridiculed and stomped on for too long in this state. And we're well aware that people who don't want to hear opposing views to their long-held views about race, etc., are going to get prickly about it. It's part of it. I invite you to engage in conversation here, but without the inaccurate generalizations about my views and that of others. It just wastes all of our time to clear up those fallacies. Let's move forward.

DonnaLadd

Aug 2 2010

Scott, I don't have anything against the City of Madison. The little old, arrogant, uppity and good for nothing place has just as much right to exist as any other place. I'm from Ridgeland and as long as Madison remains far behind Ridgeland in every real or meaningful category I'm just fine. I graduated from high school in Madison and threw away my diploma so no one would ever know I was associated with the place in my darkest hour. I don't doubt Madison is just fine for you though. Welcome to our house, Scott. We disagree plenty over here, but carry on anyway. Jackson is a great city that is getting better daily. I would also say something good about the City of Madison but I don't know anything good about the place. A meeting with the Tea Party is taking place tonight in my old school gymnasium about hating on Latino immigrants. No such meeting would be allowed in Ridgeland.

Walt

Aug 2 2010

With that post, Walt, I'm suddenly reminded of all the Americans for the Preservation of the White Race (APWR) meetings that used to take place in city halls across Mississippi. Do we really have to go backward? People, speak out. This is real, and it is horrifying. And Bryant et al's efforts are going to reverse all the hard work at economic development so many have done in the state. Do you really expect to lure educated professionals to a place that would push for a law like this? Enough, for God's sake. Hasn't Mississippi been through enough? Haven't we learned anything? Our citizens needs to realize that they are being played for fools by politicians and bigots, and say, "no way" to all this bigotry against Hispanics. It's unbelievable.

DonnaLadd

Aug 2 2010

Am I the only person who is listening to the thundering silence from Scott??

justjess

Aug 3 2010

I just read an article over on CL and it was in regards to the recent home invasions and break-ins and some of the post made me think about the whole system down here. "Mississippi is a welfare state with a very established social caste system, which appears to have a lot of people comfortable with their supporting rolls to the whole charade, poor undereducated blacks, aristocratic socialites and dixie crats, and middle class blacks and whites toteting the line to see where the hell that fit in all this mess!? We have the highest standards in regards to attracting and retaining teachers in the nation, but yet pay the lowest wages in the country, students are dropping out at astronomical rates and for some reason no one can understand why? You have homeowners paying property taxes on homes and businesses and on the very vehicles they drive (personal property taxes), but we have one of the worst civic infrastructures in the country! But yet, no one understands where the money is going? There is no direction from the leadership in Mississippi, so how do you expect people to follow suit?" I thought that was an interesting point Sir Wonderful made on there.

Duan C.

Aug 3 2010

Those were some excellent points Duan. The problem is much more than just surface semantics woudl indicate. ..And Scott I cant really comment on most of your post but i will respond to the part that has to do specifically with this thread. Bottom Line. Whether we want to continue to hide our head in the sand and be made an easy mark. Madsion and Rankin ACTIVELY compete for Jxn business. and they ACTIVELY work to expedite our demise or at least cripple us enough to where we become a ghost town like say a Flint, MI. They use trumped up stats, fear mongering, and propoganda to lure people to their city. They steal our mainstays like the Ballet and Crossroads and we take it all the while our chamber smiles and pushes this phantom "metro" concept. They're not going to stop until we do something about it. Period. Until we start refuting and firing back it will continue. I read posts elsewhere where folks appalud MHB for not allowing apartments in madison(which I dont understand), about holding the anti-immigration rallys, about the "cookie cutter" world they are trying to create to shield them from "us". and we ALL know who the "us" is. But no one wants to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Jackson has become "too black" for some folks taste. The government is "too black" for some folks taste. IT just infuriates me and seeing this newsletter just sent me over the top.. "Jackson" crime? what does that even MEAN? Im blessed. I can afford to move my family anywhere. I could live in those same secluded hamelets that these folks run to. Madison is not "too expensive" for me as some madisonites may suggest to those of us who CHOOSE to stay. But they scoff in the face of the very luxury that WE(Jxn) afford them by being adjacent to the CAPITAL. If thats not biting the hand that feeds you I dont know what is. They need to be spanked! LOL

Kamikaze

Aug 3 2010

hey Kaze speaking of cookie cutter, how 'bout someone just killed 7 people in a work place shooting!? In of all places - Manchester, Connecticut! You can't run from crime! I said this in my original post, in this very same thread way back on July 28th! These are the very words I typed! "I think it's sad, that people are s naive in regards to their surroundings. Crime is any and everywhere, I don't care where you live!? We are a moment away from being involved in a brutal work-place slaying, a woman being raped in a parking lot of a shopping center, a child is taken in broad day light from a PetSmart, or a stolen identity." WE ARE ALL A MOMENT AWAY FROM A BEING INVOLVED IN A BRUTAL WORK-PLACE SLAYING! What just happened an hour ago, in a town as cookie-cutter as Manchester, Connecticut, is proof in the pudding!

Duan C.

Aug 3 2010

Authorities are looking for a dude who tried to get a Madison kid to come "get in the car" with him. This just happened this week sometime (if not yesterday). I'm not trying to go back and forth about who has more criminal activity between the two cities. However, this does simply point out that crime does not have a place of residence. Wherever people are, there will be crime. Fortunately for Madison, their media works with the authorities to keep their image clean-looking, or so it seems.

Queen601

Aug 3 2010

Wow, that's alot of comments. Let me first explain my absence since I hate that it looks like I "wrote and ran" so to speak. I've actually come back here a couple of times but I forgot my password believe it or not. I cannot imagine how much that admission will contribute to the credibility of anything else I have to say. I did want to respond to alot of this as soon as I finished reading it if this is still an active thread. Again, I'm new here so I'm still learning my way around. I actually was very excited to find this site because it was something different, I was just somewhat confused at the defensive nature of so many people to things that to me didn't warrent being offended by. As I was reading over the comments I noticed that Ms. Ladd mentioned being offended by something I wrote about FOX news and saying it was biggoted maybe? I don't know exactly what it was but I'm going to look at it and others before I reply on anything because I can see this group doesn't let too much slide. I don't know what my reply will be but I'm guessing to alot of you it'll be nothing short of a Christmas gift since I'll no doubt leave myself wide open.

Scott

Aug 3 2010

Let me begin by saying I forget when I comment on a site such as this one, that I'm talking to a group of people who do not know me personally and who's opinion of me will be forged from what I say. They do not have the benefit of already knowing who I am and therefore getting the point I was trying to make as opposed to being upset by the logistics leading up to it. I reread what I posted and it made me think I sounded very one dimensional (sp?). The person I spoke of that was being attacked may have a long standing history of racist rants or something similar that all of you are aware of but I'm not. Whoever mentioned this, do know that I read everything with an open mind as I did that. Again, most of you had the luxury of already knowing him which I don't just as you don't me. So if I was out of line it wasn't my intention at all. My intention was to say it seemed unfair to use the atrocities committed by a bunch of ignorant rednecks in the past as though he had something to do with that. Ms. Ladd, in the future, assuming I'm allowed to have one, I'll try to refrain from making comments like the one about Madison, FOX, etc. I just assumed that anyone would know that it was a general statement meant to establish a point and that I really didn't feel as though everyone on here thought that about every single person. You deemed it offensive. Then on the other hand you turned around and did the exact thing towards a network but threw in a quick disclaimer about sometimes they allow someone educated etc. etc. I'm not defending FOX, I don't know them and I cannot intelligently speak for the thoughts and motives for an entire news organization, neither can you, but you did. I have no doubt in my mind that you can defend that statement and prove to me that your doing that is ok because it's different, but that's not how it read. And that is pretty much the point I was making in my first comment, that others are categorized by their statements and dismissed unless it is accompanied by proof at which point then it's just dismissed period. I would think that anyone reading what I wrote would automatically assume I wasn't so closed minded as to think there was no gray. I think I have too many words here so I'm going to continue on another post.

Scott

Aug 3 2010

More than anything else I do want to establish that issues of race, in my opinion, are unwinnable on both sides. Like abortion it's just something that no one wants to give in on. More than that, to say you live in Mississippi and hate an entire race different than your own is incredibly shallow. All of us have friends, coworkers, even relatives of different races. So when a man says "I hate black people" or "I hate white people" does he or she throw that friend in the mix or is it just everyone else? People don't hate races they hate the idea of races. These statements are fueled by images of arrogant controlling fat ass men determined to make sure someone is kept in their places and totally unconcerned about the evils of their ancestors. On the other side they're fueled by images of "gangstas" roaming the city for the sole purpose of robbing, raping, and killing then being defended by so called "leaders" of their race who blame them for causing that person to rob them. I may sound like I'm off in outer space somewhere but I find that to be so ignorant, so simple, that were it not the most dangerous thing facing this country right now it would be hysterical. I point that out to show that accusing someone of being a racist to compound your argument is just plain stupid. The people that exist in a world of pure hatred towards another race are not intelligent enough to spend any time on a site such as this one. Whether I agree with it or not there are some extremely insightful people on here that I may not agree with, but they have the ability to make me see thier side of the argument. Ms. Ladd you would be one of those people. I may not agree with some things you say but I admire your ability to put them down on paper. And I also realize this is a pretty big site and you cannot be perfect on every comment you make. We're all human and we all have different opinions. I am a Christian but I am a non denominational Christian because I do not agree with everything any one religion preaches. Just as I am a republican but I do not agree with some of the GOP principles and tactics. But as an American I feel I am entitled to state my opinion just as others are entitled to reject it. I do not believe in attacking others for what they believe. People are individuals and all have lived a different experience in this world than me. For that reason it's pretty arrogant of me to try and tell them they should see it based on the way my life was. That, for those of you who don't know this already, works in reverse too. Once again if anyone's actually read this much I'm going to another post. Last one I promise.

Scott

Aug 3 2010

Last, I'm not sure anyone noticed but in my first comment I mentioned I lived in Jackson over 20 years so I'm not without an opinion on it. I mentioned the city council because from time to time I would watch them on public tv and it was a circus. People with money and the means to build businesses that employ people have enough problems on their hands without trying to convince trade from somewhere else when you have that kind of government. Jackson isn't the breeding ground for all crime but there really is alot of it. I'm sorry but that's something that cannot be overlooked. So you don't want to live in Madison because of the "cookie cutter" look? Don't. But don't be critical of me because I do. We all have the right to live where we won't and for me Madison was an extremely nice change. That doesn't mean I hate Jackson, it means I like Madison. The true irony of the close minded attitudes of those critical of Madison is this. You've probably figured out by now that I'm white. My neighbors on either side of me are black and my neighborhood includes numerous families that aren't white Christian. AND WE ALL GET ALONG! I may have mentioned this before but a few years ago at Halloween my wife and I took our two boys trick or treating which is a good way to see everyone who lives around you. It looked like America should look to me to see all these different people getting along and not eyeing each other suspiciously. I love the schools and I love how my children do not see things in black and white as we did. I love that both of my boys have black and white friends who come over, spend the night, and just generally get along. They fight like all young boys but it's not over color. So what's wrong with living somewhere like that? It's not perfect by any means but I like it. As for Madison and Rankin trying to get business out of Jackson, look up "capitalism" in the dictionary because I cannot even make myself address the bigotry or whatever the correct word would be there. Ms. Ladd, I do honestly respect your opinion although it does have a strong lean to it. I'm guessing you and I are about the same age so I understand where it comes from. We both saw things that are inconcievable to those who didn't. But all the things that made this state such a joke to the rest of the country already happened and we cannot change them. Everyone in this state is aware of the horrible things that went on within the government and the citizens living here for so long. We differ here but I see no point in continuing to keep these things in the forefront of other things that can be changed. It'd be different if it weren't public knowledge but it is. People say we can all make a difference and that's true but none of us can change the past. From their earliest years I taught my children to show the upmost respect to the older black people they encounter because these people earned it. And I'm very proud to say not only do they do it but they wanted to know why. I'll probably get attacked for that but that's just my way. I grew up in Crystal Springs in a paycheck to paycheck home and was blessed with a wonderful family. I did not grow up wealthy but even then I knew the way things were wasn't right. I was alive during that time so to think my remarks somehow make me that evil "racist" is to think I'm not very good at putting my thoughts down on paper which is very possible. Anyway, that's how I feel, c'mon and get me.

Scott

Aug 3 2010

I'm sorry but I had to add this. The Clarion Ledger is an absolute joke and has been for a long time now. I remember it endorsing Frank Melton and thinking how fooled they were. Him being appointed by Musgrove to head the Narcotics just blew my mind. The man was a mouth with a forum to express his impossible views and be critical of those who were living it and doing the best they could. Sure he told us all what we wanted to hear but even the dimmest of minds should have been able to realize the obvious baiting and ignorance of his views. The ole Clarion Ledger couldn't could they? And Ms. Ladd, seriously I wish you'd write a book because if the nation were to just read what you've already researched they'd have to have more. I mentioned it to several people most of which came back the next day in pure astonishment. I do want to know how that ends. Oh, the Clarion Ledger, it's pretty bad and from what I saw the last time I picked it up, it's about to be non existant. In talking to others about it the common denominator with everyone was how they beat the race thing to death. If you beat something too much it loses all meaning and they did that. Plus have you ever noticed these people cannot spell or even form complete sentences or is that just me?

Scott

Aug 3 2010

Scott, I assume this is the long thread on naming you referred to above. Can you point out which parts offended you as a, presumably, white man, and then we can discuss? Donna if I said something offended me as a white man it wasn't my intention. It didn't offend me as a white man in fact, it's pretty hard to honestly offend me period. The thread could have been about anything my point was the arguments against a poster seemed unfair regardless of what the post was about or what his opinions were. It had nothing to do with actual race and whatever I must have said about being the offended white man was a momentary lapse of reason

Scott

Aug 3 2010

I guess we should rename Kaze's article, THE RESURRECTION OF SCOTT. Lol! Scott, your initial blog had me running scared for a few seconds and to say that you got the attention of most of us who blog here, including the Editor-In-Chief, is an understatement! Now for the "resurrection" of Kaze: I saw him on TV last night. My complements to him for the wonderful interview he gave about Farish Street revitilization and Downtown Jackson. He got a chance to throw in the Madison Apt. complex issue relative to the title of his article. He made many good points and the host did a great job asking tough questions. This is what we need more of; people talking about the good things that are happening here and plans to make the future even bigger, brighter and better for those who live here; those who visit us and for people around the world who read about JACKSON.

justjess

Aug 4 2010

Oh my..I thought I was TAPING an episode of Direct Line that entire time LOL. I had no idea that it was actually airing. I called myself "waiting" to see when it would air LOL. ill have to get a clip

Kamikaze

Aug 4 2010

It's wonderful to enjoy a community of various kinds of people. I felt that, too, at the neighborhood picnic last night in Belhaven Heights where I live. But I don't believe that just because people are living out this dream, there are not still serious issues involved in how the media portray different communities or different ethnic groups. That's a reality that has changed some and can use even more clarity and fairness. Also, I saw The Karate Kid yesterday and I sat in there thinking, wow, this film has an African-American protagonist, a Chinese love interest, and another protagonist who is also Chinese. It was filmed entirely in China. Yes, it is a somewhat simplistic remake of a simplistic film. Yet I still felt proud that we've made that much progress to where this kind of film can be made - without having to have a white main character or white "Bridge" character.

Izzy

Aug 4 2010

Seems that Scott has some stuff bottled up. ;-) You're doing alright, Scott. I appreciate much of what you just said. You're trying. You're not one of the troll-fools, it seems. Carry on.

DonnaLadd

Aug 4 2010

Bottled up? No, I don't think so. I think I was just trying to address every single comment and still sound somewhat articulate. I'm pretty sure I had a point I just forget what it was.

Scott

Aug 4 2010

Teasing, Scott. Being teased in these parts is a sign of acceptance. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Aug 4 2010

....waiting.... maybe my post will show up tomorrow.

Queen601

Aug 4 2010

Queen: FYI, you're a full member. There's no moderation on your comments.

Todd Stauffer

Aug 4 2010

Well, what's happening to them..... Maybe it was too long or something...

Queen601

Aug 4 2010

Did you press "Enter"? ;-)

Todd Stauffer

Aug 4 2010

Accepted? I was aiming for the title of closed minded right winger in denial of his true feelings that he justifies with those pesky little facts

Scott

Aug 4 2010

LOL,Todd. maybe I didn't...that's too bad, it was some good stuff too. Ah well...

Queen601

Aug 4 2010

Nah, Scott, we already have Bubba for that. Except for the facts part. (smile) You do need to learn to use the return key, Scott. Those big blogs of text start to run together after a few lines.

DonnaLadd

Aug 4 2010

One other thing, Scott: It's not "defensive" to point out how people are being offensive (or heartless, or unfactual, etc.). It's just plain talk, and we haven't had enough of it in our state. Ever. As for changing the past, no, but we can change the lingering effects of it. We have the power, and we must use it. We can be a model of the country if we choose to. In many ways we are already, but people like Haley Barbour, Ronnie Musgrove, Phil Bryant and others purposefully send out the wrong message about us. It's tragic. And FOX is an offensive network, because they pander to hatefulness as an organization. That is just fact. Finally, I'm trying to write a book about Melton, Scott. There is so much more to be said. But life and my business and managing people and enforcing deadlines and trying to stay healthy keep slowing me down. But if I can get and keep things smoothly around here, I fully intend to finish that book. And I'll be happy to sign it for you. Yes, Musgrove was a fool for appointing Melton (and other things; I'm not a fan). But Melton was nothing if not a bipartisan con artist. He fooled all sorts of people, which is part of the mystery around him. After spending time with him, I grew to understand it somewhat, and find it tragic -- and it ties back to many of the things we've been talking about. And, yes, race is a part of it, but not the only part, and it's not simple. He is a very small part of his own story.

DonnaLadd

Aug 4 2010

Donna- I'm so hurt. I'm not close minded. :)

BubbaT

Aug 4 2010

The "Jackson crime" deal reminded me of the time when Michael Guest was running for DA of Madison/Rankin and in one of his radio ads, he used fighting Jackson crime as his platform to successfully win that office. I thought to myself, why does it have to be Jackson crime? As if all the crime that's occurring in the two counties is because of people from Jackson going there to commit it. Simply not true. Crime is crime, no matter where it is.

golden eagle

Aug 4 2010

I won't be sending anymore long letters. I guess I got carried away trying to address everything and point out that it's not possible for one side or the other to come to an agreement because everyone views everything differently based on their past and a past.(return key) My interest in Frank Melton goes back several years when he was just getting noticed for his "bottom line" crusades. I did alot of business with many people who claimed to know him or know of him well and they all had the same story. I found it particularly interesting that they were all without exception so "matter of fact" about it.

Scott

Aug 4 2010

And FOX is an offensive network, because they pander to hatefulness as an organization. That is just fact. When I make the general statement as I did earlier you called it a bigoted statement. but when you make a general statement then it's fact? I don't think FOX is offensive but you do so therefore you decide what's offensive and what's not for everyone else? So the free part of jfp applies only in terms of cost and not the right to disagree with you it would seem. With all due respect this site is just as much if not more offensive and biased to some than FOX is to you. Media bias is not limited to either one of you but it seems like you're a selective hypocrite to throw rocks at someone else's house just because their opinion differs from yours. Is this a journalistic site or a facebook site?

Scott

Aug 5 2010

No, I'm not being a hypocrite. It is very easy support that statement. If you like the kind of hate-spewing that FOX specializes in, you won't agree, obviously, so I see no need to bother to try to convince you. But you do know I'm talking about a *TV network* here, a large corporation, right, and not generalizing about a group of human beings, right? If you don't see the difference, I really can't help you. BTW, for the record, I find all cable news networks and most newscasts offensive in many ways, just none as bad as FOX because they make these decisions as a corporation to do what they do and divide people.

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

Scott - I hate your not seeing Ladd's point in regards to the point she made when she said "pander to hatefulness as an organization". To be considered a news organization, I think its fair to say - you should have people strictly reporting news and happenings, but when you have your anchors and field reporters - adding opinions and statements to a presidents administrations decisions, then it is showing a bias. When you look at Fox's political analysts, you can't honestly say they are non-biased? I think Juan Williams tries, but c'mon have you listened to Sean Hannity, Ann Coultre or Glenn Beck? Bill O'Reiley makes attempts to be hard nose with everyone, but he throws soft balls to those he shows favor for. So I don't think it's about political views, but more with the delivery of the news and what is allowed on a quote on quote, "fair and balanced" news network.

Duan C.

Aug 5 2010

Scoot: Also, in Donna's defense, she never called a statement of yours a bigoted statement. She was actually saying the exact opposite -- that when she had encountered such language as "all Madison people" are this or "all white people" are that then she takes it down. Oh, and I have deleted comments that spread these particular stereotypes: "The people in Madison, the reporters at Fox, and all white men with an opinion are not collectively evil, racist, and untruthful things by default." That is a bigoted statement, except the part about FOX -- the truth is that the network is not secret about its agenda. That does not mean they never have anyone on who is reasonable and educated on the issues, but it is not the network's priority. One of the *key* items in our agreement here is not to twist what someone says out of context or to "divine" someone's individual motives. Stick to facts and back up what you say. ... Now let's all get back on topic on this thread (Ridgeland, "Jackson crime".) If you'd like to continue this discussion, I'm starting a new forum entry -- and poll! -- called "Fox News' 50-State Southern Strategy" where I'd like to put some links. ;-)

Todd Stauffer

Aug 5 2010

My son and his family live in Madison. The kids in his neighborhood are in "Lockdown" mode and secondary to a pedophile combing their community trying to lure kids into his car. This should be a wake-up call! There aren't any safe- havens. People must stay vigilant, become your neighbor's keeper and teach your kids the old message that was given to us about "STRANGERS." The rule still applies. The Madison criminal activity secrets must stop! As your Town grows, so will everything else, including crime and criminals. You don't have to depend on Jackson to be your supplier: Most of your crime is home-grown.

justjess

Aug 5 2010

Ah, I was wondering where I called Scott bigoted. Thanks, Todd, for pointing out that he wasn't reading carefully (and perhaps reading in what he wanted me to be saying, which was the exact opposite of what I was saying). Some day, perhaps I'll publish the collection of deleted comments (and rejected columns) I have from both the right and the left that show that bigotry can flow all directions. Regardless of all that, facts are facts. We like them, we use them, and we let the chips falls where they may, left or right, based on them. Thus, the Melton coverage Scott liked and many others didn't. And at the risk of sounding immodest, we seldom are proved wrong. It may take a minute, but our research proves out. That's why the JFP is growing, not shrinking, as many of the people who don't like the facts we expose would like to see. Meantime, Scott, if you're going to hang here, slow down a bit and read more carefully, or you're going to be in a perpetual state of confusion. People who post here regularly don't tend to give anyone a break due to partisanship or fealty to either liberalism or conservatism, and we sure don't expose people of one party or another who do stuff wrong or lie just because we want to believe them. We try to think a bit harder than that kind of kneejerk defensiveness takes. And do our homework.

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

BTW, in more sheltered, gated kinds of communities, pedophila, domestic abuse and sexual assault tend to be the most covered-up crimes. It's the horrifying crimes people don't want to talk about.

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

Source for that last claim? Just curious.

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 5 2010

My filing cabinet. If you only knew how much research I've done on these topics ...

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

Gotta copy and paste that for the next time I'm questioned on a source...

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 5 2010

The difference, dude, is that it is very easy for anyone willing to do anything but troll to check out what I just said. And I also have a track record of being a researcher and investigative journalist who writes about issues like pedophilia, sexual assault and domestic abuse in great detail. I honestly have a file cabinet (or actually a book case lined with binders of research to be precise; I like to binderize) on these very topics. I'm not dipping into wingnut websites, and copying and pasting talking points that don't check out with primary sources, and then bailing on those arguments as soon as I get challenged with real information on them. As Todd reminded me yesterday, I should not feed trolls, and I stopped feeding you a long time ago. So do me a favor and make your next post on this thread on-topic and not some whine. K?

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

I've resisted the urge to chime in on this so far, but as a Ridgeland resident I feel like I should. I have no doubt that Ridgeland gets it's share of Jackson's criminal element crossing County Line Road. But I was told by a law enforcement type not too long ago that about 85% of Ridgeland's crime stems from just 2 or 3 particular apt. complexes. I tend to believe this, as I lived in one of the complexes about 5 years ago, and I could not move out fast enough. Having said that, it's not like there's some kind of Berlin Wall running the length of County Line Road, so you're gonna see some "migration" back and forth.

bill_jackson

Aug 5 2010

I don't doubt, either, that some crime that's committed in surrounding communities are committed by people from Jackson. But the perception that only or mainly Jacksonians are committing these crimes are way off-base. Personally, I don't care where the criminal comes from. A crime is a crime and whoever committed the crime should go to jail in the jurisdiction where the crime was committed. Also, as was pointed out earlier, when a community grows, so will its crime. While the suburbs may not have the levels of violent crime like Jackson or any other city does, it's also not a safe haven either.

golden eagle

Aug 5 2010

Here's a resource for the actually curious on domestic abuse in upper class and suburban neighborhoods: http://www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org/domestic-violence-suburbs.html Also, for people interested in books, this is supposed to be a good one on the topic: Not To People Like Us Hidden Abuse In Upscale Marriages Unfortunately it doesn't come up in a Lemuria search, but Square Books has it available for order.

Todd Stauffer

Aug 5 2010

Thanks for the links and the book recommendation, Todd. I'm still poking through the website, but off hand do you know if it compares the rates of incidence for the suburbs compared to the rest of the population? What I'm curious about particularly is how they gather information for unreported crimes and calculate those rates. The difference between the Square and Lemuria websites is simply that one uses an automatic BookSense format and the other doesn't. Advantages and disadvantages to both. But Lemuria can order that title just as easily, if one happens to be closer to Jackson than Oxford.

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 5 2010

These are crimes that happen across all communities. It's the *cover-up* I was addressing above. READ.

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

You read, Donna. I just asked about how they gather information on UNREPORTED crimes. It is exactly that issue of how many crimes are covered up and for how long that I am asking about. Even still, what if I WERE curious about the overall rates regardless of whether or not they were reported? Am I not allowed to be curious about that as well? Or is it out of bounds, simply because it wasn't the point of your comment?

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 5 2010

Feed the troll, twopence a bag.

Todd Stauffer

Aug 5 2010

Good point, Todd. Always a waste of good troll feed.

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

So all I have to do is ask an honest question about a topic that you raised to reduce the two of you to abandoning the topic and firing ad hominem attacks? Interesting.

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 5 2010

Dunno. Ask an "honest question" and see what happens. ... You're just reading to refute. Refutation after refutation. It's extremely tiresome. Make a point on topic and support it... or move on. For those curious about what I mean by "troll."

Todd Stauffer

Aug 5 2010

I asked a question about how they gathered the information. I'm curious about it. I don't doubt there are vast numbers of unreported crimes, but I'm curious about how one counts them. What exactly was I trying to refute with that question? Please, explain it to me.

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 5 2010

Who is "they"?

Todd Stauffer

Aug 5 2010

By "they", I just mean whoever is presenting the idea that these kinds of crimes are covered up at an unusually high rate in the suburbs. I follow the argument (and I can see the logic to it, and wouldn't be surprised at all if it were true), I am just curious about how one would research and gather supporting statistics for it.

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 5 2010

Ah. Well, it sounds like you should go to the source. Read that book. Seems like the best way to assuage your curiosity.

Todd Stauffer

Aug 5 2010

Todd, btw, those links you posted about domestic abuse in the suburbs gave me a great story idea. (And great troll link. You hadn't shown me that before. Right on.)

DonnaLadd

Aug 5 2010

Kaz should request data, crime stats, arrest reports, addresses. Do some math. Add it all up- then set the facts strait. As it is he doesn't know, any more than the apartment manager, where the majority of criminals operating in Madison reside. I think if this fail paper can waste it's time counting the black people at the Neshoba Co. Fair, then it could give us real, and accurate crime stats.- Before running around saying Jackson doesn't export crime. Cause it seems so logical that it would. People in affluent areas are often the victim of a criminal who drives in from another area. Why wouldn't a criminal from Jackson go prey on a city that has a higher per capita income? By the way, if you live in Belhaven- two guys in a blue LeBaron robbed us Wednesday evening with a sawed off... But who cares Kaz sais that it is normal for a city or size.

Mark Ellis

Aug 6 2010

BTW, they caught the would-be Madison child molester, and he is from Jackson.

bill_jackson

Aug 6 2010

Mark, your sarcasm aside, my point is that Crime does not have name, face, or "home". Common sense dictates that some of the perpetrators would be from Jackson simply because of its proximity to Ridgeland. but to label it as "Jackson" crime is a crock! Bottom Line. And the ridiuculous "we're rich in Madison so why wouldnt the poor people of Jackson want to come prey on us" line is golden! And Im sorry that you were robbed at gun point. Ive been violated as have numerous folks. I live in Fondren and it could have easily been me or mine that was face to face with that guy. Crime is random. Any of us could be victims at any moment. YES, even those in ridgeland and madison, especially with the growth they are experiencing(which is thanks to us btw) are just as prone to those random acts. Crime doesnt have boundaries. When you are a growing city you will have growing city problems. Wonder if the folks in Memphis, or Birmingham, or miami spend their time talking about crime as millions of folks continue to visit their cities. But hey, youre looking for that utopia of a "no crime" city Im sure. Good luck with that one.

Kamikaze

Aug 9 2010

"BTW, they caught the would-be Madison child molester, and he is from Jackson." - bill_jackson That assumes that they've caught the right suspect, which hopefully they have. That doesn't mean that such perverted animals aren't residing in Madison or Rankin County.

Jeff Lucas

Aug 9 2010

I think Kas, That this "Growing City" Stuff is just a way for you not to address the truth about what is going on here in Jackson. Answer a few questions if you don't mind. As you typically use the size as a reason to excuse violent city crime, and size can be measured, at what size does the city need to stop worrying about crime cause it's normal? Should a city forget about crime and talk about construction projects and sunsets once they are at 150,000 souls, or 250,000? Kas said: "And the ridiuculous "we're rich in Madison so why wouldnt the poor people of Jackson want to come prey on us" line is golden!" Seriously Kas, it's not ridiculous. Why wouldn't a criminal to prey on victims who are more complacent, less vigilant, and on average make more money? Only an ignorant criminal would go to Marion Dunbar and break in houses- there isn't too much wealth present, but plenty of people are out at three am. Many retired or unemployed people out there during the day too. If I went out to commit a crime I would be seen. On the other hand three am in Cypress Lake subdivision is a virtual ghost town. I could dance naked in the streets, juggling flaming batons and no one would notice for twenty or thirty minutes. So it's not a stretch to see why McMansions, who's owners sleep at normal hours and work all day could, in their vast numbers, be more attractive targets for crime than the few nice neighborhoods Jackson has.

Mark Ellis

Aug 10 2010

Kas wrote: " YES, even those in ridgeland and madison, especially with the growth they are experiencing(which is thanks to us btw) are just as prone to those random acts. Crime doesnt have boundaries." I think you could attribute Madison growing so big to white flight. So who is this "us" that deserves the credit? "Us", the apathetic who think crime is random therefore acceptable? How random is it, that one travels from a low income neighborhood to a higher income neighborhood to commit crimes? Sense it's a decision, it can hardly be called random. This brings me back to my original point- one you ignored earlier. Your arguments lack facts. You don't give facts about the crime you swear is normal, but you speak as an authority. Why don't you use your time and effort to combat crime, instead of using your voice to downplay it as random acts compatible with big city life. ( stop selling hot piss and calling it sweet milk) You could compile real crime stats. (I dare you) that would help. I doubt this paper would print it if you did. It wouldn't go with the Construction= good city vibe it's trying to create.

Mark Ellis

Aug 10 2010

@ Mark Ellis I sense a little hostility in your post!? But whether you can say a crime is random or not, solely relys on the relationship between the criminal and the victim? Can you honestly say that the iiot that robbed the two women at Buger King on Lake Harbour were classmates and they knew each other? I'm pretty sure if he did, he probably would have asked for a couple of dollars instead of taking the couple of dollars those young women had!? The crime that has happened, has been random, even the situation with Officer Agee and the idiot Smith, was in all honesty a random crime - because the guy was on his way to Hinds County CF and as events unfolded, you had a turn of events. But I think you are missing the bigger picture - no one up here is saying to ignore the crime, but quite of few of us are supportive of our city and you want to be critical for that? I have toned down my bashing of Madison and Rankin counties simply because people have a right to live where they want. But there are ill feelings towards citizens that stay in certain areas, i.e. Jackson vs. Madison & Rankin County. There is this messed up socio-economic structure or say caste system, and its just not racial anymore. Too add one thing, 'kaze is combating crime by simply investing in area's that a lot of people don't! He is helping to create opportunity for those who don't have any opportunities coming their way. Ecomomic empowerment is major player in combating crime. You need to look at your post again fella and do some serious thinking.

Duan C.

Aug 10 2010

Mark, Im not going to compile stats OR spend time trying to find numbers or figures to combat what amount to fear mongering. I dont need them to know that his town is not a "war zone" or "third world country" as a former mayoral candidate so eloquently put it. You feel that cities should no have crime. Fine! Your ideal situation is a crime free city or perhaps one where you have one committed once every 5 or 6 months. In that case I suggest you travel to a town where the population is in the teens. Otherwise, as you will see, Our outerlying bedroom communites, as they grow, will begin to see a spike in crime as well. But I suppose folks will just keep moving north until they wind up in Canada huh? LMAO. You'll never. repeat NEVER get away from it. You can quell it, stifle it, somewhat contain it, but you will NEVER extinguish it. THAT sir is a part of a much bigger problem that Im sure you wont care to tackle. This city hasnt FORGOT about crime. Who said that. Have the police left town? LOL We're just not letting it stop us from progressing. You DO realize that they both can be worked on at the same time right? We and many like us choose to push a positive Jackson. Highlight our strengths while working on our weaknesses. You instead wish to cut off your nose to spite your face. Which is indeed YOUR choice. But I personally no longer feed into it.

Kamikaze

Aug 10 2010

..Im sure Mark that if you continue to sell the "Move to Madison and you'll NEVER have a crime committed against you" drivel someone will buy it. Many have. Because we KNOW there is nooooooo crime in Madison right? Residents are soooo safe. No one can penetrate our wittle bubble and hurt us except maybe the wild reckless thugs that slink over into our city from Jackson. right? Your comments wreak of something I dont care to dredge up. But luckily for you the good, quiet, hard-working, law-abiding white folks who work all day and sleep at night moved away from JAckson just as it was taken over by the uncouth, wild, lazy, uncontrollable black folks. ..Id like to HOPE that thats not what you meant. but I can only infer from your comments thats that what you were "implying" If not, Im sure youll clarify.

Kamikaze

Aug 10 2010

What if you actually addressed what Mark is saying instead of just knocking down that straw man over and over again and trying to find racist undertones in his posts? He never said one could expect zero crime, in any city, nor did he suggest that all crime in Madison is committed by Jackson residents. He did say (by my reading) that we actually need to look at the crime statistics and figure out if Jackson is suffering from a higher crime rate than might be expected from its size, and that it's not uncommon for criminals to target more affluent areas.

Mark Geoffriau

Aug 10 2010

Oh.. and btw the "US" I referred to was the citizens of Jackson. The CITY of Jackson, whos growth has allowed the burbs to experience the VERY luxury that they so arrogantly tout as THIER achievement. If we (Jxn) disppear tomorrow Mark. The burbs will be gone the next day. Bottom Line. yeah..NOT building any NEW structures. NOT creating a liveable downtown, NOT creating an entertainment is SURELY the answer right? We absoulutely shouldnt try to do ANYTHING until we all can leave our doors unlocked at night.

Kamikaze

Aug 10 2010

Just because a city may have a crime problem doesn't mean it can't progress. Atlanta, at one time, was one of the most crime-ridden cities in America, but did that stop them from growing? No, it didn't. It's now one of the more robust cities in the country. Little Rock also has a crime problem, but they're on the upswing too. So, how is Jackson any different from Atlanta and Little Rock? How random is it, that one travels from a low income neighborhood to a higher income neighborhood to commit crimes? Sense it's a decision, it can hardly be called random. This brings me back to my original point- one you ignored earlier. Your arguments lack facts. Where are your facts that most crime that's committed in Madison is committed by Jacksonians? That's not to say that it doesn't happen, as there are exceptions to every situation. But you seem to put this out as a sort of fear-mongering.

golden eagle

Aug 10 2010

yeah..NOT building any NEW structures. NOT creating a liveable downtown, NOT creating an entertainment is SURELY the answer right? We absoulutely shouldnt try to do ANYTHING until we all can leave our doors unlocked at night. And if we did just that, then we wouldn't have any revenue to be able to fund a police department to fight crime. Sometimes, you have to put the cart before the horse.

golden eagle

Aug 10 2010

Its not even the cart before the horse GE its just running on parallel tracks. any great city must multi-task.

Kamikaze

Aug 10 2010

Silver Eagle Wrote: Where are your facts that most crime that's committed in Madison is committed by Jacksonians? I reread my statement. I did not say this My point was so obvious, as you in your statement, allowed room for mine and reinforced it. You said, "Not to say it doesn't happen" If it does then one chooses to drive there. They have chosen that place for a reason. Certainly you are not suggesting that while said criminal commits a crime, he is doing it with reckless abandon. And if chooses, then it is not random. So to dismiss any crime as such is silly. Unless you have proof otherwise.

Mark Ellis

Aug 10 2010

Folks, I've been otherwise occupied with the paper, so haven't been paying much attention here. But a warning: We do not allow trolling for a fight or snarky insults. If your comment isn't opened, you need to go back and recast it in order to stay on point and without personal aspersions. Otherwise, it won't be opened. If you don't know the difference between trolling and having a good if somewhat heated debate, spend some time at this link before posting.

DonnaLadd

Aug 10 2010

I'd also suggest that everyone proof your posts before hitting "send." Some of them contain so many errors that they are hard to read. Obviously, that doesn't lend credibility to your points. Case in point, Mark Ellis: That last post of yours doesn't make a kick of sense.

DonnaLadd

Aug 10 2010

I read your opine in the new edition Kas. Your assertion that someone equated Jackson to the Thunderdome/MadMax is laughable. It was never the case. Since you refuse to imagine that anyone could target suburban houses for crime, I present a famous Rapper/Actors lyrics. IceCube said: "You call me a Muslim, no I'm not a resident, still got my vote in Farrakhan for president, a white America, I'm tearing ya A new ass ho', who's the nigga with the new black Strolling to your suburb house and I douse with gas Now who's cleaning up trash?" Now that's clever hostility.

Mark Ellis

Aug 25 2010

Scott, I appreciate that someone noticed the attitude that was directed towards me for having a difference of opinion regarding the other thread! My statements and opinions were viewed by everyone on this site as racist, bigoted, illogical! The orignal post I left was in response to the streets, but others on here chose only to pinpoint a comment I made in reference to the airport. After that, I was labled!

js1976

Sep 1 2010

I can't help but come to the conclusion that Madison's current rise in crime that it attributes to Jackson can only be disected to mean (jxn)Black on (mad)White crime trend. Just because "white flight" might not be working as well as intended it's unfair to blame your community's problems on your neighbors. Perhaps the city of wealth and prestige should consider building a 40 ft. tall border fence. Or would that violate Madison's much coveted development covenants? Although the wall could be rendered less of an eyesore while adding even more security by erecting a moat complete with water lillies, park benches and a brick paved path and call it the Madison Castle Riverwalk. Raising and lowering the draw bridge during rush hour could pose a traffic problem, however traffic congestion should be nothing new for Madison residents.

HooYoo2say

Sep 4 2010