Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Raids
The Cato Institute—made up of pesky libertarians who take on both "sides"—has released a report by Radley Bilko on the rise in popularity of paramilitary drug raises—and their dangers and …
Clarion-Ledger on the 'Saddened But Perhaps Wiser' Melton
The Clarion-Ledger editorial boys weigh in today with another brillliant screed about crime. The guys–who are now into community-style policing now that the mayor/chief who were into it, too, are …
Christian Science Monitor on Melton and Race
The Christian Science Monitor just ran a piece about Frank Melton called Mayor's tough tack on crime stirs up racial sensitivities:
Meeeeeeeetttt Mr. Deuce!
Here's our latest little rescue darling, Little Mister Deuce. He's staying in the office with us right now, home at night, and really needs a good home. He's loving, and …
Did Clarion-Ledger Columnist Plagiarize?
Update, Aug. 2, 2006—Today, The Clarion-Ledger published a statement (see below in Comments) saying that Courtney Taylor's work will no longer appear in the newspaper. We guess that answers the …
Ledge: Just Fill the Jails with Juveniles!
Anyone think The Clarion-Ledger has any friggin' clue about what causes crime? It's as if they refuse to read the vast piles of research about juvenile crime, instead focusing on …
ACLU to Challenge Mayor's Tactics in Town Hall Meeting - Aug. 1
Please join the ACLU of Mississippi, the Jackson Free Press, the Magnolia Bar Association, the NAACP and the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in a special town hall meeting to address …
Hello from Chi-town
So I'm up in Chicago right now teaching at the Academy for Alternative Journalism done at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. It's been fun and inspiring—10 students are …
Clarion-Ledger Asks, Answers, Whines Anyway
In one of those nonsensical editorials today we all know and dread—there they go sticking their finger in the wind again—The Clarion-Ledger asks: "Banyard: Why Does Justice Take So Long?" …
Who Is Michael (Larry) Chapman?
Or whatever his real name is. And why is Frank Melton stashing him in a motel?
Batman's Family: ‘Enough'
Albert "Batman" Donelson's family is suing Mayor Frank Melton, the Jackson Police Department, six "John Doe" police officers and the city of Jackson for negligence, civil assault, trespass, nuisance, infliction …
Why Tom Brokaw Was In Jackson — Airs Sunday, July 23
[verbatim from NBC] "TOM BROKAW REPORTS: SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL" TO AIR ON SUNDAY, JULY 23 AT 7 PM
New York, N.Y. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there were images that shocked America and the world. Not just the damage caused by the storm, but the sight …
JPD Under Fire In Abortion Clash
Jackson police stood with full riot gear in Smith Park downtown on July 15, ready to take on protesters in the country's abortion battle. Both sides were poised for battle …
All God's Kitties
OK, my heart is breaking a little. Miss Ali just picked up her brand-new little puffy black kitten—that Todd found in our backyard. This is the, let's see, ninth or …
Come On And Rescue Me ...
Driving to work this morning, I saw a handful of pro-birth protesters with huge magnified fetus signed, probably Photoshopped (their favorite tech invention), in front of UMC. It seems that …
Road to @#$%^&* Wellness
Well, it seems I'm on the road to wellness whether I like it or not. I've found a wonderful, wonderful integrative doctor, Dr. Joseph White (of the Optimum Health Institute …
Donna's Blog Gets a New Attitude
OK, all, I've decided to take my blog in a different direction. That is, I'm going to use it as more of a catch-all journal than a place to aggregate …
Clarion-Ledger Moves In; Indy Media Boxes/Racks Trashed
What citizens can do. June 20, 2006—A little while ago, calls started coming in from the reservoir area, telling us that our racks and boxes, and those of other members …
Melton's Message to Homeless
July 14, 2006—[verbatim] Jackson is a city of Grace and Benevolence where we treat all people with respect and dignity. Today, we are taking a new approach toward establishing a …
Isbister, Moyo, Others Kick Off ‘Freedom' Events at Hal & Mal's
Laurel Isbister will play Friday night as part of the local line up that kicks off the Mississippi NOW Reproductive Freedom Summer events going on in Jackson July 15-22. The …
‘How to Become a Real Conservative'
Intriguing letter today in The Clarion-Ledger. It starts:
Create fiscal insolvency, including irresponsible tax cuts, corporate giveaways and massive spending increases.
The Story Behind Clarion-Ledger's ‘ShopLocal'
The name is Orwellian, almost. Even as the Jackson Free Press and other local businesses believe that Jacksonians need to spend money with businesses actually owned locally, The Clarion-Ledger, an …
Melton Aiming at Gun Shows Again
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting today that Frank Melton is again trying to close down gun shows, as well as other guns shops. Could it be that this is the reason …
Clarion-Ledger: Wilcher Must Die
In an editorial today, The Clarion-Ledger explains its support of the death penalty and why it is good that the state is going to kill Bobby Glen Wilcher today:
The Medical Malpractice Myth Exposed ... Again
We dared to write about the complicated "Hoodwinked" myths that have sprung up around the issue of tort reform nearly three years ago, as propagated locally by The Clarion-Ledger's "jackpot …
About Time: Gitmo Prisoners Get Geneva Rights
AP is reporting that the Bush administration is finally allowing accused prisoners at Guantanamo Bay their rights under the Geneva Conventions:
Barbour Supports Civil Rights Museum
[The following letter is verbatim from Gov. Barbour to the Civil Rights Museum Federation Committee at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History]
Mentally Ill in County Jails
The Clarion-Ledger has an important story today about how mentally ill people who have not been charged with crimes are being held in the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond. …
Got Rights? The ACLU's Freedom Party – June 30
http://www.msaclu.org
Join the ACLU and the Jackson Free Press for a Freedom Party outside at 930 Blues Cafe on Friday, June 30, featuring performances by Willie King and other local artists. …
Madison County Journal Profiles Melton
Ooo, look at this. The Madison County Journal has a rather glowing profile of Melton this week. Some money quotes:
Donna Ladd and Cliff Cargill on Kim Wade Show TODAY
JFP editor Donna Ladd and NRA instructor Cliff Cargill join Kim Wade today at 5 p.m. on WJNT, 1180 AM, to discuss the "state of emergency," as well as the …
Is Melton Endangering Young People?
A major issue that has emerged in Mayor Frank Melton's determination to carry weapons anywhere he goes is whether or not he is endangering the lives of young people. He …
Clarion-Ledger Lifts Ladd Out of Context
It's remarkable, really, to see how other journalists (or editors) work. Chris Joyner and I had a good talk about public records yesterday—and I made it clear to him repeatedly …
JUST IN: Melton Set to Declare State of Emergency
The Jackson Free Press got a phone call today at 10:45 telling us that the mayor was gathering reporters at City Hall at 11 a.m. to address his "state of …
The Clarion-Ledger TDN Distribution Scheme Tracker
Click here for updates on Goliath's march and here for how to help.
Hello from Little Rock
All, I'm in Little Rock today at the national convention of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. Much of the talk here is about our battle with the Gannett Corp./Clarion-Ledger back …
Melton: Hood Is Wrong
Read PDFs of documents that Melton faxed to the JFP to prove that he can carry weapons places prohibited by state law. Click here for the PDFs.
Clarion-Ledger Features Casey Parks
The Clarion-Ledger did right by JFP contributing editor Casey Parks today in a delightful feature written by Gary Pettus. (Cheers, Gary. You make our profession proud.) And they flag the …
