Jackson Free Press

Officials from Franklin, Tenn., a city Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler cited last week as a model for keeping outsiders from attending a Madison festival, claim their city has never followed such a practice.

In a Sept. 18 Madison County Herald article, Hawkins said the city was canceling its annual family fall festival, FreedomFest, because of its costs and the high number of non-Madison residents who have attended the event. She said the festival would return next year and may adopt Franklin, Tenn.'s, model of requiring attendees to present a pass proving they are city residents.

"A lot of people come from all over the metro area, and it's not that they're not welcome, but this is intended for Madison families," Hawkins Bulter told the Madison County Herald,

Milissa Reierson, communications manager for the city of Franklin, told the Jackson Free Press this week that the city does not require resident-only passes for any of its festivals. "I'm not sure where the mayor got this information, but we don't do anything like this," she said.

Hawkins Butler did not return calls.

Madison Chamber of Commerce President Donna Sims said the festival has little economic impact on the city. She said the city's festival budget of $30,000 for food and activities meant few people were spending money at local restaurants or shops. Sims added that Madison businesses also sponsored the event.

"Food and everything is free, and the city is funding it for the residents, and a lot of times I think they would run out of food," Sims said. "It was so well attended, which we love, but the taxpayers in Madison are paying for it. It just got to the point that people from all over--while we welcome them--were coming, and it wasn't feasible."

Hawkins Butler reportedly said she wants to see all the festival's events funded through local business sponsors going forward. In the past, the festival has featured pumpkin-carving contests, fireworks, hot-air balloon rides, music and bingo.

Jim Burt, chairman of WellsFest, a family festival in Jackson this weekend, said he has never heard of a city hosting a residents-only festival. While the city of Jackson does not finance WellsFest, Burt said he welcomes all families from the metro area and state.

"I have never heard of an exclusive festival just for the citizens of one city," Burt said. "I was kind of amazed that they were considering such a thing."

Previous Comments

ID

159978

Comment

They can have their snobby little Freedom Fest.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-09-24T13:23:05-06:00

ID

159980

Comment

I worked with a guy who lived in Gluckstadt that would take his grandchildren to the Madison festivals offering free food for the express purpose of getting them a hot dog and soft drink. That was one meal he did not have to buy and he freely admitted to such. The obvious solution is to charge for refreshments rather than give them away. The city could help defray costs and it would deter freeloaders. They have a year to plan and hopefully will arrive at some similar solution. Incidentally, I am a Madison resident, yet I have never attended FreedomFest. I do go to the 4th of July fireworks, but this year's 15 minute presentation was hardly worth arriving an hour early to get a parking spot and then battling the traffic for 45 minutes to make the 2 mile journey back home. I have decided to add 4th of July fireworks to my list of things I used to do.

Author

Jeffery R

Date

2010-09-24T14:04:22-06:00

ID

159981

Comment

Does it really matter? I don't even live in Madison but I pay high taxes in my town, and I would be very happy if we had a locally specific party that kept freeloaders out. That way I could enjoy what I PAID FOR. Go Madison! And if you as a citizen have a problem with this, go petition your mayor for a city-wide party. That way your city can foot the bill and become a city-wide free food pantry.

Author

jamscan

Date

2010-09-24T14:35:03-06:00

ID

159984

Comment

Madison doesn't seem to think the money is the issue. If it did, they would simply charge for admission and/or refreshments, as Jeffery R said. It seems more likely that Madison simply doesn't want any outsiders at its little shindig. That's up to Madison, I suppose, but it sure doesn't put out a welcome mat for those who might consider becoming part of the community. To the contrary, it puts out a great big "Keep Out" sign. Jamscan, your comments about freeloaders, etc. sure sound mean-spirited. In a time when lots of our neighbors are having a heck of a time making ends meet, what does it hurt to provide a free hot dog or two?

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2010-09-24T15:43:37-06:00

ID

159987

Comment

Sounds to me like a boycott of Madison businesses by their surrounding metro "outsiders" is in order. At a minimum the NAACP and elected officials representing the communities and cities surrounding Madison should raise an outcry. For the life of me I cannot understand why Jackson residents in particular shop in Madison when the leadership of that town has consistenly and continuously displayed their contempt for their non-resident neighbors. As Benjamin Mays, past president of Morehouse College in Atlanta said during segregation, and I paraphrase "I can understand compliance with discrimination when laws are established to relegate Blacks to a less than equal status in receiving public services, such as the laws against Blacks sitting in the front seats of public transportation. But I will never understand a person volunteering to submit to discrimination while trading with their money. If God himself was appearing at a theater that had a private policy of seating Blacks in certain areas, I would't attend. I refuse to volunteer myself for such treatment." Buy Jackson!

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2010-09-24T18:49:28-06:00

ID

159990

Comment

It feels like Mayor Mary is reinforcing Madison's reputation for exclusivity. Genius or snobbery?

Author

Krystal

Date

2010-09-25T08:37:58-06:00

ID

159991

Comment

Is anyone REALLY surprised? And believe. Its going to get worse and more blantant as they begin they're "we"re better than you" campaign. As we begin to to fight back against their propoganda, they too will begin to lash out at THEIR capital city. Look for the keywords..."Hard working people" = Madison. "Freeloaders" = Jackson. Like we have to drive to the suburbs for a damn hot dog and a coke. LMAO. Free food pantry? Cmon lol. You guys aren't even being creative anymore

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-09-25T09:15:40-06:00

ID

159992

Comment

Exclusivity has never appealed to me. I will certainly not put this event on my calendar for 2 reasons: I don't live there and I don't want to go the event. That about covers it. Snobbery, exclusivity, elitism, uppitiness (is that a word?) stink so bad, but mainly what they do is tighten a belt around the offender and squeeze the life out of him/her, who ends up falling over chocking to death from lack of air. Wonder if I did live in Madison and I died, if outsiders who wanted to come to my funeral would also be banned? Just a q. that popped into my head. Jackie Warren Tatum

Author

J.T.

Date

2010-09-25T12:18:52-06:00

ID

159994

Comment

We ought to be able to have a party in Madison without all the Jackson criminals coming to mess it up or break in our cars while we're dancing and having a good time. Do we interfere with Jacksonians as they commit numerous burglaries, homicides or thefts. Leave us alone and stay in Jackson. She did say Ridgelanders was welcome, didn't she?

Author

Walt

Date

2010-09-25T12:57:25-06:00

ID

159997

Comment

As a Jacksonian, here's my take on this situation: if Mayor Mary and her cronies want to play up the exclusivity card and tout that life is better in Madison, why should we get up in arms over this? Does it detract from the great things that are underway in Downtown Jackson, West Jackson, and Fondren? I seriously don't think so. All complaining does is make Jacksonians look jealous of suburbanite posturing. Don't let them drag us down and let's welcome Madisonites to Fondren After Five, Downtown at Dusk, and Blocktoberfest!

Author

Kevin Slark

Date

2010-09-25T13:28:54-06:00

ID

159998

Comment

Better watch it, Walt. People are going to think you're serious ;-)

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2010-09-25T13:37:35-06:00

ID

160000

Comment

What's so bad about this, too, is that Queen Mary lied about Franklin, TN having such a practice when they don't. Like Jeffrey and Ronni said, charge admission.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-09-25T15:40:48-06:00

ID

160001

Comment

I disagree, Kevin. People should *always* discuss discriminatory practices; our state has learned the hard lesson of not talking about these kinds of things. Also, golden, note that we do not know whether the mayor lied. It is always possible that she was misquoted by the Madison reporter, although I haven't seen a correction anyway. The mayor did not call Lacey back for comment. If she, in fact, said the Franklin, Tenn., thing, it is remarkable that the reporter didn't simply check it out. Journalism organizations are supposed to check the facts contained in quotes and then include that information as well if a public official says something misleading. Cheers to Lacey for taking the time to do the factcheck for them.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-25T18:28:12-06:00

ID

160003

Comment

I'll retract my statement about Hawkins-Butler's "lie" until it can be verified.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-09-25T23:00:29-06:00

ID

160004

Comment

Kevin, I don't think there's anything Jackson needs to be jealous of Madison about. You mentioned some of the events that go on here. Of course, all there is to do here is too numerous to name. But it's one thing for a governmental entity to send a message to outsiders not to come to their community to enjoy themselves.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-09-25T23:53:44-06:00

ID

160005

Comment

If and whenit gets to the point that a mayor believes he/she owns the public entity he/she is suppose to be representing, the matter exceeds snobbery. It is takeover of a public entity from the public and is dangerous and a palpable resistance is triggered in me. Jackie Warren Tatum

Author

J.T.

Date

2010-09-26T05:20:41-06:00

ID

160008

Comment

Ms.Mary that is so unfair of you to plan a resident only festival. What if Non-Madison Residents decide not to ever shop there would you like that, think not stop being so adamant and allow Non-Residents to attend. If I was in the Sipp would be in your town boycotting.

Author

yellowgirl

Date

2010-09-26T11:23:32-06:00

ID

160010

Comment

I'm just a little surprised by the blatantness of the exclusivity. In most places, when people want a private party, they organize it privately and hold it in some private venue, avoiding the controversy and attention. Of course, as has been hinted, the mayor may be doing this so blatantly just to whip up political support from exclusion-minded voters.

Author

Mark Michalovic

Date

2010-09-26T13:00:09-06:00

ID

160011

Comment

Freedom Fest? freedom from what? the chains that bind them to themselves? The residents are the ones that continue to vote for their esteemed mayor. Warning to all: don't drink any kool-aid if they offer it to you there in Madison!

Author

RobbieLu

Date

2010-09-26T20:02:27-06:00

ID

160012

Comment

just curious, but how did they come to the conclusion that they are being overrun by non-residents at the event? is there any evidence to even back that assertion up? what, did they look at license plates? or, is this just code for too many black people showing up? just wondering...

Author

eyerah

Date

2010-09-26T20:02:59-06:00

ID

160016

Comment

[quote]Sounds to me like a boycott of Madison businesses by their surrounding metro "outsiders" is in order.[/quote] You mean I have to do absolutely nothing to show my disapproval? That's my kind of protest... I'm pretty busy these days.

Author

Tre

Date

2010-09-27T08:12:25-06:00

ID

160017

Comment

For the record, I don't believe that boycotting the (local) businesses themselves makes sense if the mayor is putting this residents-only pledge out as her own political statement, which I have to believe she is doing. (Strikes me as her little version of the "southern strategy," but that is just my personal instinct.) Why not communicate directly to the mayor's office? Especially if you live in Madison?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-27T08:37:40-06:00

ID

160018

Comment

Hey Kevin I feel you on this one! Check it out folks - the citizens of Madison elected this lady to 6 terms as mayor and she is clear on her way to being like Richard Daley in Chicago, in regards to the number of terms she will probably serve. Anyhow, they elected this lady to represent them and their ideas. I am really beginning to get to the point where I really don't give a damn about this subject, because let's be honest - as long as your qoute on qoute "affluent" citizens keep creating these housing developments and sub-divisions, the economy and housing market in Jackson metro area - will maintain this "us vs. them" undertone to it. What makes it so sad, is that a good portion of the citizens of Jackson reinforce those beliefs by simply going to them (Madison and Rankin counties) and supporting their economy out there! Plain and simple. I have been the biggest proponet of "live jackson, buy jackson, be about jackson" and I have been shot down by blacks and whites on the issue. I am tired of defending this city. I am staying in my home and I will continue to do my part in regards to the great state of Jackson, Mississippi. But Kevin, I wholeheartedly feel you on this subject - what's the freakin' point of being upset over these folks being who they really and truly are!?

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-27T08:47:05-06:00

ID

160019

Comment

Duan because its WRONG simply put. Elitist and Seperatist in Tone. the easiest thing to do is just ignore it and give them the impression that we DONT care. That we BELIEVE the propoganda they try to saddle us with. Could it be that too many Black folks showed up last year. Could be. You know how we love free food especially hot dogs and cokes which is like a feast for our families. (I digress). An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere. Wonder what would happen if JPD began profiling Madison tags and we started checking IDs at the Bulldog or Red Hot and Jackson. or Blocktoberfest and excluded folks who were Jackson residents hmmm?

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-09-27T09:22:51-06:00

ID

160020

Comment

Frankly, I'm pleased as punch she showed her hand in this way. Now can we just move forward and support our own city? We don't need Madison, they need our disposable dollars. Let them finance their own renaissance.

Author

BuyJxn

Date

2010-09-27T09:38:35-06:00

ID

160021

Comment

'kaze Bruh, you know I feel you - but Bruh - I am tired, hold on wait, let me change that - I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED. It's just like you said, Is anyone REALLY surprised? Seriously, I wish I can give you politically correct analogy, but I am going to shoot from the hip on this one The only comparison I can think of right now is this - I feel like a doctor that just diagnosed someone with Psoriasis of the Liver, and I tell them because of the Psoriasis, you really honestly need to stop drinking alcohol - because if you don't we will need to remove some of your liver, if not all - please heed my warnings? Even after the warnings they still continue to drink the alcohol, even at the detrement of the very own life? You remember how me and you used to battle over at cl.com on the Metro thread? It was me and you versus the whole sh-bang and people would just harp about the crime in jackson, theres nothing in Jackson, I would never do this in Jackson, etc. etc. etc. To be honest with you 'kaze, me and my wife were talking there other day and I asked her - if I got a job offer somehwere else - would she be willing to leave Mississippi - and she's born and bread here, but she seen the frustration in my eye's and she said as long as its not too far from her folks. In other words she said she doesn't want to go all the way up north. 'kaze - me and you been chit chatting for a good minute back and forth on this website and the other website for years now. But I am tired man, honestly and seriously - the apathy of the people has worn me slap the freak out! When you look at our politicians, you look at our communities, our educational system, then you read about something like this in 2010? I am pretty sure someone can say and will say, "well, there are problems like this everywhere?" and my answer to them would be, well, its just too damn rampant here! 'kaze, your right - I am just sick and tired of seeing it and I had to get all that off my chest

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-27T09:57:15-06:00

ID

160022

Comment

I don't think it's just targeted at Jackson, let's not forget about Madison's bordering city of Canton that, God forbid, might infiltrate their ironically entitled "Freedom Fest."

Author

Holly Perkins

Date

2010-09-27T10:03:30-06:00

ID

160024

Comment

Wow. The JFP sure does hate the suburbs. I have no idea what the Mayors intentions were, but from what I read, it sounds like this event is funded by the city of Madison and is intended for it's residents (after all, it's their tax dollars paying for it). If a good percentage of the people showing up and eating the free food are from out of town, that's that much food that Madison residents are NOT getting. I look at it like this: a few years ago I lived in an apt. complex that would throw seasonal parties (Halloween, Christmas, etc) that would have free eats and drinks, but in order to get in, you had to show your ID, which they would check against their list of tenants. I asked about the ID policy and was told it was in place because of their experience from the freeloaders in the complex next to the one I lived in. This seems to me like the epitome of a tempest in a tea pot.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-27T11:57:33-06:00

ID

160025

Comment

Mayor Hawkins wants every building to look alike. She has accomplished that. I remember the difficult time I had trying to pick up a friend from Kentucky Fried Chicken. When I finally found it, I was told by an employee that Mayor Hawkins would not let them use the traditional colors or put the bucket on top of the building. LOL - Yet Serious. Mayor Hawkins wants all of her residents outside covering (skin) to look alike. She has accomplished that. Mayor Hawkins wants all of the money that people from Jackson and neighboring communities can spend in her TOWN - Just be gone by SUNDOWN. (She's not picky about the color of money - green is green. For those silly folks who don't understand the program and how to solve the problem - shame, shame. This one is a no-brainer. Madison could no survive without Jackson providing job opportunities for Madison residents and if Jckson folks didn't shop there, most markets would fail, not to mention what would happen to their tax base. Just saying.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-09-27T12:02:55-06:00

ID

160027

Comment

She does seem to have straight-ahead nouveau riche taste, justjess, no doubt. This whole story, and others coming out now, keeps making me think of the loaves-fishes Sunday School lesson, and wondering how so many people who call themselves Christian completely miss the biblical abundance point.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-27T12:15:40-06:00

ID

160029

Comment

The JFP does not "hate the suburbs," silly Bill, although we make no secret of preferring urban settings. Attacking the messenger here will get you nowhere; you will note that the story is about a suburban leader wanting to ban "outsiders"; it's not about the city trying to keep out suburbanites. There are good people living and running businesses in the suburbs; I seriously doubt that this mayor speaks for all of them. Exposing her plan (and what seems to be false statement about Tennessee) is a way to let those taxpayers know what it being done and said on their behalf. On the tax front, it seems true that the sales taxes from "outsiders" spending money at Madison businesses might be helping buy the hotdogs, no? (Not that it should matter.) Beyond that, your analogy is faulty. An apartment complex is not a public entity. They get to "discriminate"; it's a bit of a tougher situation when it comes to a city government. Besides, all they have to do is charge a small amount for the food costs, as other festivals do, and that excuse would be taken care of. That's very different from saying that only residents are allowed.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-27T12:25:44-06:00

ID

160030

Comment

perhaps the JFP might not hate the burbs, but a good number of the people that post here seem to. And I will agree that a private entity is freer to do something like that than a public one, I was just making an analogy. Everything that's done in the burbs is not an attempt to slight people of color. Yesterday when I was over in my ex's subdivision in Rankin I noticed the racial make-up was particularly diverse, so I guess the hand wringers can now begin to lament the "black flight" away from Jackson.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-27T12:38:49-06:00

ID

160031

Comment

Walt I will buy you a hot dog

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-09-27T12:52:08-06:00

ID

160032

Comment

even if you do live in Ridgeland. PS - some great friends of ours moved there. So we ate at Sweet Peppers with them. :-P

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-09-27T12:52:42-06:00

ID

160033

Comment

What does the FreedomFest have to do with Jesus feeding the multitude, Donna?

Author

Mark Geoffriau

Date

2010-09-27T13:20:35-06:00

ID

160035

Comment

Bill, there are plenty of suburbanites who despise Jackson, and there are people in Jackson who don't dig the burbs. All stipulated. But it is irrelevant to this discussion of the Madison mayor's plans and reference to Franklin, Tenn., even though you opened with it in your post, presumably to try to discredit some very good reporting by news editor Lacey McLaughlin (who used to report for a Madison paper until we hired her). Everything that's done in the burbs is not an attempt to slight people of color. Of course it isn't. No one said it is. This is one of several logical fallacies you've used in this thread. And I will agree that a private entity is freer to do something like that than a public one, I was just making an analogy. Right. And my point is that it is a false analogy (which is a logical fallacy). What does the FreedomFest have to do with Jesus feeding the multitude, Donna? Mark, I'll let you figure that one out for yourself. Hint.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-27T14:43:49-06:00

ID

160039

Comment

I don't read this article as being a suburbs bashing article, more of an information sharing journalism. this is news, and if you don't pay attention to the news, then you end up with a very dangerous situation on your hands. like history, we need to pay attention to what has happened before us and what has happened amongst us. I find it ironic that the mayor has named this freedom fest, when she is wanting to limit the freedom of a community. but, that's just me. I can't help but remember, each time I read an article on the mayor of madison, the very first day she walked into the state republican headquarters with her paperwork to file to run as a republican mayor. her skirt was inches below her panties, her high heels were bright cherry red and 6 inch fmps and her hair was bleached blond and down to below her waist. she looked more like a dancer for danny's than a mayoral candidate. we all laughed our selves silly after she left. the very thought that this woman would even consider running for any office, but most particularly mayor of madison. guess she showed us.

Author

ejackson

Date

2010-09-27T15:21:42-06:00

ID

160055

Comment

I have no idea what the Mayors intentions were, but from what I read, it sounds like this event is funded by the city of Madison and is intended for it's residents (after all, it's their tax dollars paying for it). If a good percentage of the people showing up and eating the free food are from out of town, that's that much food that Madison residents are NOT getting. But out-of-towners help finance Madison's coffers. Like others, including myself as well, have said earlier, charge admission if Hawkins-Butler is concerned about the festival's cost to the city. I think $5 (and perhaps, free admission for kids under a certain age) is a fair price.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-09-27T23:12:44-06:00

ID

160058

Comment

Methinks under that premise we should begin charging Madison residents when they enter Jackson on hwy 51(state street) which the city of Jackson maintains and OUR tax dollars pay for. By that thinking we should inly let Jackson taxpayers(whose dollars are spent) use hwy 51 in Jackson. My point is if you want to go there with the "madison taxpayers" dribble let's see how that would work if WE did it on any scale. There would be a huge void. Unbelieveably there are some that think Madison can survive without Jackson. Laughable.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-09-28T06:25:09-06:00

ID

160061

Comment

we should begin charging Madison residents when they enter Jackson on hwy 51(state street) which the city of Jackson maintains and OUR tax dollars pay for Yeah we debated that issue also, a "commuter tax", but of course - a few people thought, it would be considered as holding the citizens of Madison hostage and would be to the detrement of the city of Jackson. However, I like the way you think

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-28T07:09:32-06:00

ID

160063

Comment

Wonderful idea with the commuter tax, Kaze. Implement that, and watch the steady stream of businesses leaving Jackson become a torrent. Jackson would the Detroit of the South in short order.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-28T07:28:42-06:00

ID

160065

Comment

[quote]Mark, I'll let you figure that one out for yourself. Hint.[/quote] Donna, are you suggesting that non-Madison residents count as "migrants and refugees" that are mentioned in your newly-added link? I can't say I've ever thought of myself like that -- at least not with respect to the city I choose to live in. And, if non-Madison residents are "migrants and refugees", that the Madison city government has a Christian duty to feed them? I suppose it'd be a worthy thing to shift the purpose of the FreedomFest from providing a celebration for Madison residents to feeding the poor, but if that's the case, then they should probably be blocking Madison residents the FreedomSoupKitchen, right? At least, based on the per capita income information that Tom Head provided, I don't think the average Madison resident is in need of a free meal. On the other hand, simply providing food and drink was never the sole purpose when Jesus fed the multitude. As Jesus said himself afterward: [quote]"I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."[/quote] John 6:26-27 and then again later: [quote]Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.[/quote]John 6:35-40 So perhaps if we're really applying our Sunday School lessons, the Madison city government ought to use the FreedomFest to preach the Gospel in addition to feeding the hungry.

Author

Mark Geoffriau

Date

2010-09-28T07:42:52-06:00

ID

160068

Comment

Mark, you know as well as I do that a city government cannot constitutionally push one religion over another, and it would probably have a constitutional problem with locking out people from a public festival, especially when there is an easy solution: charge for your hotdogs, etc., and even let people bring a lunch if they can't afford it. Other than that, I have no interest in debating the Bible (or pretty much anything) with you, but I will say that you seem to have a very narrow, tailored reading of it. To each his own. Oh, and obviously, "providing food and drink" is not indicated anywhere as the sole purpose, and only a fool would make such an argument. The Bible is filled with messages of abundance, as well as exhortations against greed. If you do not agree, that is your choice, but I sure don't have to wallow around in that mud with you.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-28T07:56:59-06:00

ID

160069

Comment

and watch the steady stream of businesses leaving Jackson become a torrent @ 'kaze - see what I mean?

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-28T07:58:26-06:00

ID

160071

Comment

"her skirt was inches below her panties, her high heels were bright cherry red and 6 inch fmps and her hair was bleached blond and down to below her waist. she looked more like a dancer for danny's than a mayoral candidate." I thought people's personal appearance was not to be commented on here. I know that several years ago I had comments removed for statements far less critical than the above one. I guess the policy has changed.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-28T08:12:52-06:00

ID

160072

Comment

Bill, if you had comments removed about a person's appearance, I assure you that it was more salacious than a *description* that could be interpreted various ways. Personally, I read that one and thought, "Go, girl!" I also think Erin Brockovich is one cool and powerful woman and love the, er, mall-chick way she dresses. (I did remove a straight-on insult that commenter made of Hawkins Butler and didn't allow it in.) Personally, I don't judge the Madison mayor because the way she dresses, but I don't think a description of it, allowing others to judge for themselves, is beyond the pale. In stories, we describe people and their dress all the time. I talked about the holes in Melton's pockets, his suits, WLBT polo shirts, etc. I do hope you weren't part of the contingent coming on here anonymously a couple years back constantly talking about the size of women candidate's body parts, as if that had anything to do with their abilities. Those are the main comments about people's appearance that we've had to remove; they were vicious and very stupid.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-28T08:20:04-06:00

ID

160073

Comment

Bill, that policy doesn't apply to evil Republican women. This debate is getting carried away. So what if they want to have a community festival? I didn't even know it existed until now.

Author

kudzuking

Date

2010-09-28T08:24:54-06:00

ID

160074

Comment

Ironically, the comments of mine that got zapped were about the same mayor we are talking about here. Too funny.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-28T08:26:28-06:00

ID

160075

Comment

LOL!!!! You have to love this place You got Ladd vs. Mark Geoffriau on the bible Then you have the size of body parts, length of womens skirts, Izzy trying to buy Walt a hot dog, Frank Melton and the condition of his clothing, commuter tax, private entity vs. public entity, Walt holding it down for Ridgeland and last but not least, someone adding this little tidbit Madison is 92.5% white and has a median household income of $105,485 per year. Jackson is 73% black and has a median household income of $30,414 per year. All this in a thread about an exclusive festival for Madison residents only You gotta love the JFP Yes indeed!

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-28T08:33:41-06:00

ID

160076

Comment

It's really funny to me that you think this debate is getting "carried away." To me carried away would imply some form of radical social action or possibly hurling insults to one another about each other's moms or something. This is simply a conversation. That can be had with or without you. It's part of freedom, being able to speak, reason, dialog and debate. I didn't like the description of the mayor in her f-me pumps, but that is what shoes like that are often called. Many men and women like them a lot. I hate heels personally. As for the festival, it's insane to limit a festival to one city - it's really, really ridiculous. If you can't see why that is silly, then you are obviously afraid of the rest of the world. IMHO, of course.

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-09-28T08:34:33-06:00

ID

160078

Comment

You must have said something really awful about her, Bill. But don't repeat it. ;-) Duan, Mark and I clearly own different Bibles, so such a debate would be pointless. Thus, I'm not having it. I've made my point, and I suspect it's quite clear to people who don't constantly emit fear of "the other" or clutch their pocketbooks to their chest, fearing that someone might try to take their pennies. I live a different way: I believe in abundance. I believe in sharing when possible. I believe in hard work and being rewarded for it. I believe that living as unselfishly as possible brings great riches. And I see those kinds of messages throughout biblical and other spiritual texts. That's *all* I have to say on the topic. But I will share the Bible verse that is above my head on the wall in my office, as it is deeply imbedded in my belief system and helps guide my choices every day: "Be in solidarity with the poor." — Proverbs 14:31 Or a longer version: "Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him." Short. Sweet. To the point.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-28T08:46:39-06:00

ID

160079

Comment

I mean the whole idea of a festival typically is to draw people to a city, to share in the delights and hospitality of a city. People travel hundreds of miles at times to attend festivals like Jazz Fest, Austin City Limits, or the Baton Rouge music fest. It's just the idea of closed festival seems very strange to me. And Walt the hot dog offer still stands. But maybe you should do a veggie dog instead. ;-)

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-09-28T08:47:11-06:00

ID

160080

Comment

it is extremely ridiculous to have a residents only festival. a festival is an event to celebrate something and when city festivals the city is trying to bring in tourist dollars.

Author

ejackson

Date

2010-09-28T08:48:15-06:00

ID

160081

Comment

y'all can have all my hotdogs. those things are nasty.

Author

ejackson

Date

2010-09-28T08:50:08-06:00

ID

160084

Comment

I'm not gonna lie... We have four small children and about $1,000 a month grocery budget. If I hear about a festival giving out free hot dogs, I might have to check it out! We also know when every restaurant in town has a "kid's eat free" night. Does that make me a "freeloader?" "Hey, here is some free stuff. Take it." "No thanks, I'm not a freeloader."

Author

Tre

Date

2010-09-28T09:18:19-06:00

ID

160085

Comment

Izzy, I can see that it's silly. That was sort of my point. So is the extended debate, which I unwisely got involved in. As for being afraid of the rest of the world, what part am I supposed to be afraid of. I don't live in Madison and rarely have any reason or desire to be there. I do like their movie theater, but I'm usually too broke to go.

Author

kudzuking

Date

2010-09-28T09:24:02-06:00

ID

160086

Comment

"t is extremely ridiculous to have a residents only festival." Really? It's not that different from, say, a company party for employees. Or a frat/sorrority party. I get the impression from some of the comments here that there is a good bit of resentment toward the city of Madison. And no, I am not a resident, I choose to live in Ridgeland.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-28T09:27:29-06:00

ID

160087

Comment

"It's not that different from, say, a company party for employees. Or a frat/sorrority party. Bill I have to disagree with you on that one - that is where you have the argument public entity vs. private entity. I don't see the similarities between a city and a college greek organization and/or a private company? Even if the company is publicly traded?

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-28T09:55:12-06:00

ID

160089

Comment

Bill, you really don't get it, do you? It is *nothing* like a company party. A company is private. A city government is public. A private company does not use tax dollars to give parties. It is a completely faulty comparison.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-28T10:07:43-06:00

ID

160090

Comment

I don't know Bill. Folks are talking about all the "freeloaders" that are going to be making a bead for the free hot dogs and cokes. What about all those freeloaders from madison and ridgeland who use hwy51/state street that WE(Jackson taxpayers) pay to maintain. Its not a commuter tax it'll be a "freeloader" tax.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-09-28T10:13:19-06:00

ID

160096

Comment

yeah, I suppose that all the money I spend in Jackson on things like lunch, dinner, gas, etc. doesn't count for squat, Brad.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-28T11:01:59-06:00

ID

160097

Comment

EXACTLY Bill! As if folks from Jxn don't spend money in Madison doing the very same things but be told they're "freeloaders" clamoring for hot dogs and cokes. You just made my point. It funny how its ok for Madison to invoke elitism and keep folks out by providing events for its taxpayers but let Jackson talk about doing it...whther it be a commuter tax or otherwise and all hell breaks loose. So Jxn doesn't have the "right" to do it and Madison does? We're chasing out business and becoming a ghoost town but Madison is keeping out the "freeloaders" Hilarious how such words as "inclusion" "fair" "levelling the playing field" are sooooo scary to some folks. Then you see the words like "freeloaders", hard working citizens etc rear their heads. Anything that might give ALL our citizens black, white, poor, middle class, rich to share the same experience equally is quickly frowned upon by some

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2010-09-28T11:21:55-06:00

ID

160098

Comment

@ Bill - if you are doing all that, then you are the exception to the rule, because quite a few of my co-workers would rather bring lunch than to spend a dime in Jackson. Out of an office of 35 people only two of us live in Jackson, tallying the number to three people that live within Hinds county, with one person staying Byram. I have heard that from both sides of the ethnic aisle. I will commend you for not being like any of them and spending money in the city without any kind of prejudice.

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-28T11:22:36-06:00

ID

160101

Comment

What, exactly, is the problem with Madison wanting to do something for IT'S OWN CITIZENS? Jeesh, the group think at this place is frightening. I can assure you, if Jackson wanted to do something similar for it's residents, you would not hear such an uproar.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-28T11:38:30-06:00

ID

160102

Comment

Bill, this "group" did not make up the foundation on which the U.S. and our constitution are founded, although most of us support it. And that means that a city government cannot discriminate. It is frightening to me that you or any citizen do not understand the difference between "public" and "private" and how those play out in our country. And you are absolutely wrong about Jackson: If our city tried to do the same thing, we would be on them as well. (Note our Melton coverage.) Stop slinging arrow and discuss the issue. I'm tired of your insults of the whole group. Play nice or get lost.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-28T11:45:45-06:00

ID

160109

Comment

Kudzuking, I, too enjoy the Malco though I don't go often due to expensive movie tickets and the long drive out there.

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-09-28T12:14:52-06:00

ID

160121

Comment

Just finished the paper and reading back through today's threads. Random thoughts: I like Malco, too, but hate having to go behind Walmart to get there. And a Walmart is still a Walmart with a smaller sign. Duan is right: Many people in bedroom communities do not understand why they need to support the capital city. Fortunately, people in the Madison County chamber do. Some great people there these days. And younger people (Gen Y) tend to be much smarter about this than their elders. Public and private are different. Constitution doesn't apply to private. Does to public. Nuff said. There are a whole lot of what could be called F-me pumps walking around this office, as well as short skirts. I don't see that as an insult. I prefer veggie dogs, too. Hot dogs: Ew. Yes: Buy local first. To us, it's Jackson first and then local businesses in our bedroom communities. We love the work of Hederman Bros. in Ridgeland on printing BOOM. I think battles between city and suburbs are very 20th century. It's time to move on from having to make a choice. Support local throughout the metro, and call out idiotic exclusionary tactics every chance you get. Spread love, not hate. Help others: It's the surest route to happiness. Ignore idiots and fools, especially those too chickenshit to use their real names.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-28T18:04:34-06:00

ID

160122

Comment

i am only guessing here, but the people who are claiming that madison has the right to have it's own private festival with tax payer dollars are also people who will vote the tea party line and claim to be constitutionalists and sarah palin right to shoot my uzi sort of folk. just a guess. on my part only.

Author

ejackson

Date

2010-09-28T18:58:13-06:00

ID

160123

Comment

Wrong, wrong, & wrong, EJ. I'm a political moderate, I think the Tea Party folks are laughable (especially Palin), and, as Uzis are fully automatic, I don't really thing the general citizenry should have them. Some people are not so easily pigeon-holed.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-09-28T19:38:21-06:00

ID

160127

Comment

EJ- I think Madison or Jackson or any town should be able to have it own private festival. I don't care much for the Tea Party or Sara Palin. And it way's too expensive to own and shoot an full auto Uzi, but it's fun.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2010-09-29T11:17:09-06:00

ID

160128

Comment

@ Ladd "those too chickenshit to use their real names" Yes indeed! lol!!!!!

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-09-29T11:19:48-06:00

ID

160143

Comment

EJ- I think Madison or Jackson or any town should be able to have it own private festival. If private citizens are holding the party.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-09-29T21:28:25-06:00

ID

160161

Comment

what no one is getting here is that it is not ethical (and I assume probably not legal) to have an event that prevents a segment of society when tax dollars are being used

Author

ejackson

Date

2010-09-30T10:11:34-06:00

ID

160165

Comment

Speaking of red pumps and such, here's a provocative piece in The Nation: Sex and the GOP Women, by and large, are leery of the new right-wing female politicians, but men are far more receptive. Palin has a much larger gender gap than her ideological persuasion would predict: men are split 44 to 45 between those who hold favorable and unfavorable views of her; for women, the split is 35 to 58, according to a National Journal poll. Says Christie Whitman, "Palin appeals to more men than women. It was the white men in the party who put her on the ticket [in 2008], thinking that women who would have voted for Hillary would vote for her. That was dumb. They weren't going to buy into that." In a recent survey presenting respondents with a hypothetical matchup between Palin and Obama, Obama beat Palin by 13 points among women, but men preferred Palin by 2 points. In other words, if it were up to men, Palin might very well become president in 2012 (if it were up to white men, she'd be a shoo-in). No doubt the "babe factor" has something to do with it: Palin's sex appeal is a frequent topic of right-wing male talkers like Rush Limbaugh, and similar voices in Delaware waxed on about Christine O'Donnell being "easy on the eyes"; one even issued an "Alert" for the "Major Babe." The gambit resembles that of Fox News shows with predominantly male audiences that have featured a bevy of attractive right-wing females, boosting the careers of commentators like Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter. In Minnesota a Republican district office sparked an outcry in August when it posted a salacious video showing GOP politicians and pundits, including Palin and Coulter, in flattering poses set to "She's a Lady," followed by a montage of stern images of Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton set to "Who Let the Dogs Out?" More substantively, government-bashing, a favorite pastime of many ultraconservative female candidates, goes over much better with men than with women, who are more likely to support an active government role in the economy, education, healthcare and environmental protection. After all, women benefit more from government policies like childcare subsidies and family leave, and they are disproportionately reliant on Social Security to protect them from poverty in old age, so it is only logical that they look askance at politicians of either gender who make careers out of demonizing government.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-09-30T14:14:46-06:00

ID

160178

Comment

"In Minnesota a Republican district office sparked an outcry in August when it posted a salacious video showing GOP politicians and pundits, including Palin and Coulter, in flattering poses set to "She's a Lady," followed by a montage of stern images of Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton set to "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Wonder how they feel about Michele Marie Bachmann? No love for looney tunes?

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-10-01T08:14:37-06:00