Ellington

Michael Recio was big and hulking and provided decent cover for a reporter who wasn't used to walking up to people's homes unannounced in the middle of the night. I may have looked SWAT-chic, in the bulletproof vest the mayor loaned me, my black pants and those chocolate-brown Skechers I bought at Stein-Mart for just this occasion—but I still needed a bodyguard. And this one carried that long MP5 slung over his vest.

It was Chief Anderson's idea. At our first stop that night somewhere off Bailey Avenue, I followed as Melton and the bodyguards got off the Mobile Command Center. "Stay close to Recio," she told me, sounding reassuring like an aunt telling you what shade of lipstick you ought to wear to the prom. So I did.

During my first ride-along with Melton and his entourage, on April 2, 2006, the chief was with us on the RV for much of the night, although she'd occasionally get a call and have to go take care of some real police business instead of watching over a silly mayor and his two obedient bodyguards who were up to stuff that seemed trivial at best—an ego exercise for an attention-starved mayor at worst.

I kept wondering how she stayed awake for her day job, after trailing these guys several nights a week, presumably to keep them out of trouble. That night, and the next Sunday night, there were lots of jokes about the chief when she wasn't within earshot, usually started by Melton who liked to jokingly call her "mama" to the other cops. They'd snicker about how they couldn't get away with stuff because "mama" was there.

When we got back on the RV at Pops Around the Corner (after Melton had sung "On the Road Again" on the dance floor), Anderson sniffed a cup of juice I bought, making noise about how no one could bring alcohol on the MCC. It had never dawned on me to drink alcohol on, or before, a police outing.

Outside Birdland, as she stayed behind on the bus, Melton snickered with the manager of the club about how they couldn't have a drink because Shirlene was with them.

Meantime, from the moment I had arrived at Melton's home earlier that night for the ride-along, his breath had reeked of hard liquor and continued to through the evening. No one seemed concerned about his breath as I watched him fumble with gun belts and storm homes without notice.

Certainly, I did not hear the bodyguards question a single request Melton made. He would point, and they would jump. They slung on their submachine guns and went inside a home in the middle of the night, without a warrant, because a guy down the street told Melton that he had bought pot there. They breathlessly followed Melton off the bus every time he got a wild hair—I remember the MCC creeping slowly down Wood Street for no apparent reason with Melton and one of the bodyguards walking in front of it, while the other one drove, and I sat up front watching them walk tall past dark houses.

I felt like I had fallen asleep and awakened in the middle of a cop-drama dream where all that mattered was the thrill, the drama, the sheer fun of strapping on weapons and laughing and snickering and occasionally lecturing through Jackson under cover of night.

I wondered about the money being wasted as Melton, Anderson, Sandefer, Recio, Wright, I and my photographer went to visit a young man in University Medical Center. I remember Melton joking about the MCC getting about a mile per gallon as we used it as a joy-mobile around Jackson—driving down to Pops just so that he could ask the band to play a Willie Nelson tune for him, leaving a bizarre carbon footprint in our wake.

I don't remember these trained police officers ever questioning his tactics, his decisions to randomly search vehicles, his blocking traffic while he paraded along the middle stripes of the street with his pet dog Abby on a leash as my photographer took pictures of him, traffic on either side. I heard no concerns about legality or constitutionality of their actions, making it very easy for me to believe months later that he had ordered the bodyguards to destroy a Ridgeway Street duplex, and they complied.

I don't recall the officers questioning the safety of his strategies—when he beat on the door of Christopher Walker's mama's apartment with the butt of a long rifle, endangering the media he had called in to watch. Or when he left that rifle lying on a counter in the MCC when he wasn't using it.

Or when the three of them ran into that apartment, flashing their lights around the living room, as the tenants wiped sleep from their eyes and my photographer and I hid behind trees in case someone came out firing at the midnight intruders.

I remember being right behind Recio, who was behind Melton, with Wright covering our rear, as we walked through a crowded Birdland like proud peacocks that night—presumably showing the partiers who were the real bad asses in town.

Earlier that night, after a session of random street searches and orders for young men to pull their pants up on their asses and give their earrings back to their sisters, Melton had turned to me, snickering with childlike awe and delight. "Donna, you know what? I run Jackson." (More snickers.) "I do it in a weird way, but I run Jackson." He then turned back to the bodyguards flanking him and said, "We just stopped that car over there, didn't we?"

Business as usual.

Riding along with Melton and the gang was fun, and it was certainly eye-opening—but not so much about the rogue mayor himself. Sure, I saw enough to know that Melton was egotistical, had no idea how to police Jackson, was determined to do so anyway and liked to celebrate good times, come on.

But I knew all that already.

The most disturbing part was watching so-called police professionals show up for their jobs on behalf of the taxpayers and then let Melton do anything that crossed his mind, regardless of safety, intelligence or legality.

I suppose it's a good gig if you can get it. Talk big, say what people want to hear, and get elected mayor of a capital city; then use the city's police force and resources to help you target your enemies and build your ego.

But a police officer who doesn't bother to question a civilian's armed antics should be looking for other employment, certainly not promoted to a better-paying enabler position in line to take over the chief-enabler spot when she decides to grow a backbone.

Jackson, our problem just got bigger.

Previous Comments

ID

75437

Comment

God, I wish someone was videotaping all of this. I would watch this for hours.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-10-10T19:37:43-06:00

ID

75438

Comment

Wish I could have been a 'fly on the wall' a few times that night. What an adventure! The Made-for-TV-Movie will happen someday and the walk through Bird Land will be the big hype preview. Donna and Recio, white as Pillsbury Doughboys, standing out by the light of the Budweiser signs. Ain't Jackson fun nowadays?

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-10-10T20:17:46-06:00

ID

75439

Comment

Thanks for the recap, Donna. We need an occasional reminder in order to remind us to NEVER let this city get in a mess like this again.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-10-10T20:32:14-06:00

ID

75440

Comment

The funniest part is that I saw people I knew in Birdland who ran over to see what I was up to. I don't think Melton expected that. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-10T20:40:26-06:00

ID

75441

Comment

Donna, Please be careful. Remember the Margaret Barrett and Barbara Dunn odd daylight robberies. What can we do to help you?

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-11T04:58:25-06:00

ID

75442

Comment

Observer, I think the question is: What can everyone do to help the city right now? I urge everyone to stand tall for what is right and reach for the light. Together. There is power in numbers. Jackson has been infected with too much self-interest, apathy and fear, and that has gotten us where we are. Let's get past it.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-11T08:06:16-06:00

ID

75443

Comment

Amen Sista ! Watch our smoke !

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-11T08:59:02-06:00

ID

75444

Comment

Since Cliff has apparently retired, let me say Frank isn't like other mayors. He's out of the box. He goes where no mayor has gone before. Frank does runs Jackson. Maceo, Fred Wesley and the rest of the famous flames didn't always know what James Brown was going to do. Neither did Al Sharpton who carried James hair grease know what James was about to do. One thing they all knew, "it was going to be funky," and they couldn't wait to see it. More often than not, they all had "a funky good time." So did the travelling companions or guests because two things James Brown could do well was sang and dance. You couldn't look at it and not me excited. Soul Brotha Number One was the funk master. Frank Melton is James Brown in a mayor's personna. He struts like James Brown. He prefers to travel big and conspiciously but Judge Green stopped that. He has an entourage. He just might "hit it and quit it" anywhere and anytime - churches, clubs, colleges, the freeway, city hall, Carter's grove, the courthouse. "And it got to be funky." You can count on it being funky. Frank is one of the greatest shows on earth, and lots of people enjoy seeing it.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-11T11:59:01-06:00

ID

75445

Comment

Donna, didn't you and Brian kind of enjoy or at least feel excitement, amazement, surrealality or bewilderment while entouraging or travelling with James? I mean Frank. Inquiring minds want to know.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-11T12:12:38-06:00

ID

75446

Comment

Donna, the points you made in regards to the police officers not questioning Melton's tactics while he violated people's rights are one of the main reasons I don't feel bad for the JPD officers. I'm proud of the officers for standing up against something that is so obviously wrong, but where was this outrage when the citizens were being wronged? Now they feel their rights are being trampled on and it's a problem? Please...the citizens of Jackson have had our rights trampled on since this joke of an administration came in. On behalf of all the citizens of Jackson, we would like to tell the JPD officers WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-10-13T21:47:03-06:00

ID

75447

Comment

Hey, they were "had" by this con-artist too! It was like a Melton-Movement, a cult, a club, a jumping on the bandwagon for many people who now feel betrayed. Others don't want to admit that he was an idol with feet of clay and some are still just blinded. But the JPD is so vital to all of us and to the health of the city that we must just rally round them and hope wiser head will prevail.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-10-14T12:40:07-06:00

ID

75448

Comment

I will rally because I do realize that the police department is vital to our survival. I just wanted to point out the irony of the situation.

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-10-14T21:09:46-06:00

ID

75449

Comment

Okay, one note about an otherwise perfect story. As a former journalist married to a former photojournalist, I have to chide you for "my photographer." How everyone else in the report ranked a name except the lowly photographer, so accustomed to being introduced as "my photographer." Okay, now, I got that out of my system. Melton is an egomaniac. He was mean to camera crews who were covering his commandeering a gas station on High Street during Katrina. He doesn't observe any rules anywhere. I think it's asking a lot to have police officers embarrass him during this, his night of entertaining the media, of showing you how he runs Jackson, by pointing out what he's doing wrong. Come on. Has anyone seen Serpico? What happens to people who challenge such madmen? All I can say is I'm as white as white rice and I a bunch of northeast Jackson honkies have gotten exactly what they elected. A lot of hot air. Keep up the good reporting, Donna. Your interview with his "high"-ness in is bedroom was unbelievable. I'm serious. We're counting on you to keep exposing this. But please do be careful. Our city needs you and the Jackson Free Press and whatzhisname...your photographer.

Author

stern

Date

2007-10-14T21:55:05-06:00

ID

75450

Comment

A correction to my note above: in my haste, I accidently typed something and didn't erase. I want to make it clear I DID NOT VOTE FOR MELTON. I tried to warn everyone I knew that there was more to being mayor of Jackson than TALK. What's scary is that people in this city, and sadly, in this country either don't learn from their mistakes or don't want to admit them. They'll just fall for the rhetoric. Keep up the good work, JFP!

Author

stern

Date

2007-10-14T22:01:26-06:00

ID

75451

Comment

Our photographers aren't "lowly"; the ones (there were two and an illustrator/photographer who went on ride-alongs) involved in the story are among the best working in Mississippi, and we do everything we can to help further their careers. However, I don't believe either would prefer to be named in this particular column, and made my decisions on what I believed they would prefer. I don't really care if I'm criticized for doing that. Otherwise, thanks for the support. We're not going anywhere, and there is a large team of us involved in this story in one way or another, and they all deserve credit. At some point, I plan to make portions of the ride-along tapes public, including our conversation in his bedroom about his badges. It's pretty classic.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-14T22:10:14-06:00

ID

75452

Comment

In my opinion, worrying about Frank Melton is a waste of energy because he will not get re-elected..in fact, I seriously doubt that he will run again. Even though I'm sure the Danks, Ed Peters et.al. contingent would like to see him continure, Frankie is toast. However, whats to keep the Ms Mafia from fronting another such candidate? So, again in my opinion, the problem is not FrankMmelton,r ather the problem is an electorate of spectator citizens that are unable and unwilling to engage their elected officials on a consistent, organized, effective and non-confrontational manner. Harvey Johnson was a good mayor , but a lesser politician. Had there been a non-partisan, community based, non confrointational, community funded organization in place, we might have saved Mayor Johnson from himself. So let's stop wasting all of the energy in the bloggisphere and get with Wake up Jackson or some other organization and concentrate on setting up infrastructure to recruit and attract better candidates. In my opinion the challenge will be to get a good candidate willing to accept the mess Frank is leaving behind. If there is a positive and vocal organized, grass roots organization that will promote allowing Jackson to make investments in our infrastructure, public employees and citizens, we may be able to attact one of our existing and accomplished local leaders. JAckson is not a poor city. Jackson is a wealthy city.; however JAckson does have more than it's share of poor people. Poor people who have agreed to have their taxes raised to better the public schools, build the convention center and create more jail space. Jackson is; however, poor in leadership. Our proven leaders have all moved into the private sector, and in many cases the suburbs, taking their marbles with them. Let's organize and lure them back. Forget about Frank. Concentrate on the City Council ((where our next mayor may come from) by organizing, brainstorming, formulating and presenting a vison for Jackson..from the people. Not FABRIC, not a Contract With America..these were the products of politicians. Let's envision and make a dream come true. Enough with the moaning and groaning and knashing of teethe. The pity party is over. Watch for the announcement of the "Wake Up Jackson" organization For clarification, Wake Up Jackson is a 501(c)(4) and cannot make political endorsements. However, we can get behind anything that involves the improvement of our city. Of course, our core focus continues to be to educate the citizens of Jackson about their rights as citizens so that we do not have a repeat of what happened on Ridgeway by any current or future public official.

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-15T06:25:17-06:00

ID

75453

Comment

You inspire me, Casual Observer. I did register with Wake Up Jackson Friday night. Let's do it.

Author

stern

Date

2007-10-15T08:54:20-06:00

ID

75454

Comment

We can't forget about Melton, Observer. He's still in a position to do a lot of harm over the next almost two years. And I've said all along that the bigger issue is, and must be, an honest evaluation of the forces and bigotries that allowed such a person to gain that much power in the first place. If we don't fix what's underlying this, problems will continue. Melton is a huge warning sign. All that said, your other thoughts seem very good. Just don't make the mistake of thinking that one has to "forget about Frank" in order to do positive things for the city. Melton is, and must continue to be, Exhibit No. 1 of what happens when you buy into easy rhetoric and don't want to spend the time and money to fix underlying conditions causing the problems, rather than turning your head as a cowboy divides the young troubled people of Jackson into those who are "his" and those who aren't.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-15T09:37:48-06:00

ID

75455

Comment

Don't forget about Melton. Hmmmm...let me see. You can't impeach him..the law has no provision. You can't harass him out..conflict and confrontation seems to invigorate him. You can't get him committed...Dr Smith is probably just as good at diagnosing mental afflictions as he is as recognizing an old surgery scar. You can't get him on violating his parole, the Attorney general won't arrest him. You can't get him convicted on self confessed, unlawful demolition of private property...the Judge won't allow critical testimony or give the jury proper instruction on the law (until after the not guilty verdict is in --if you remember, and I paraphrase "Mr. Mayor you must follow the law" the judge said). You can't get him for bringing a weapon into the halls of congress..the Secret Service (or is it the FBI? no, the CIA?,no, the TSA?,no, the Department of Homeland Security? no, The Force?..take your pick) won't prosecute. You can't get him for carrying a weapon on a commercial airplane..the same suspects listed above refused to prosecute. You can't get him for impersonating a police officer...the Attorney General (DA?) won't prosecute him. You can't get him for violating state bid laws.. the City Council won't sue him as indivduals for his reckless behavior and violation of State law...which by the way they are still personally responsible for. You can't prosecute him for harboring a parol violator..the DA won't go for an indictment. You can't get him for carrying a loaded weapon in a school (a felony I might add)...the Attorney General won't allow an eyewitness to testify. You can't get him for civil damages for the self confessed destruction of private property...the private attorney representing the property owner has declined (so far)to file a suit. Don't worry, Dale Danks will file the suit at the appropriate time and the City (not Frank) will pay. You can't get hin for violating State residency requirements to vote or run for office in Hinds County, the Democratic Executive Committee passed on challenging his candidacy as a Democrat on the ballot. You can't get him for tampering with a witness in a criminal murder trial..because the DA (Federal Attorney, Attorney General?) declined to prosecute. You can't have enough signitures on a petition to convince him that the citizen's of Jackson are dis-satisfied...ask the Fire and Police Department union reps..if you don't talk to him one on one you are going over his head or using the media to improperly discredit him. You can't call him on the phone because he keeps changing his number. You can't reason with his City Attorney, Department Heads and Chief Operating Officer..they have been instructed not to talk to anyone. Now tell me again..exactly how are we to get Frank Melton out of office? Obviously Frankie knows something or someone(s) we don't know. Could it be the ex FBI State Director who now works for him? Could it be the majority of the State Supreme Court who refused to censure, punish, admonish or "witch slap" him when they had a chance? Could it be the best attorney this side of Johnny Cochran's grave,. Dale Danks? So, once again, convince me that the citizen's of Jackson as well as the whiners and pity party participants in this JFP blog can do anything to get rid of this man? Get rid of him Is all I ask. But if get6ting rid of him Is a task Forget him Move on Plan for the next administration. BUT IF YOU KNOW SOMETING I DON'T KNOW..TELL ME. PS: If you find any errors in anything I have cited below, I don't care. As Judge Judy says..the preponderance of the evidence is good enough for me. The evidence is overwhelming...even to the most casual observer.

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-15T15:38:33-06:00

ID

75456

Comment

So, once again, convince me that the citizen's of Jackson as well as the whiners and pity party participants in this JFP blog can do anything to get rid of this man? Well, some fine reporting has helped get his actions in front of a grand jury. Having a public conversation about a man whom people let get away with so much for so long is far from a "pity party." My only point to you is that we don't have to "forget" Melton (and more importantly the lessons of his ascentt) in order to do other positive things. In fact, we can't. Re-read my post for hints about what I actually said. It's not meant as a criticism of you, so please don't be defensive about it. The point is that we don't have to make a choice. And it is important to remember that it is not only his official actions as mayor that should concern us. That's certainly not my biggest concern. I'm most concerned about his halfway house and the effect that he has on the young people of Jackson, and that's an issue regardless of who the next mayor is, or when he leaves office. That issue has been ignored long enough in this city and state. BUT IF YOU KNOW SOMETING I DON'T KNOW..TELL ME. I'll tell you stuff I know when I can, as I've done for last two and a half years. ;-) BTW, the ex-FBI agent no longer works for him, but he did resign right after being asked to investigate him and the juvenile detention center scandal and then went to work as Melton's No. 2 at WLBT within weeks, making $140,000 a year, I believe.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-15T16:19:31-06:00

ID

75457

Comment

LADD, I agree, that we agree, to agree, that disagreement is disagreeable...but not a deal breaker! I luv ya lady! For the record, when I find that I will have to choose between bird-dogging Melton or working to create a grass roots funded and operated, non-partisan, non confrontational citizen lead advocacy group that can deal with Melton types or any future administration of any party.....I'm going to go with the advocates. As for Melton, I'll leave, that puppy to you and the bird dogs! Isn't this a wonderful country, We can choose as individuals how we address problems. I am almost ashamed to admit that the first and last thing I do on computer each day is to check the JFP website. Good reporting. Good English Good comments Good follow up Good People. You and your staff are certianly one of the treasures of this city and area. Keep Up The Excellent Work!!

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-15T16:36:08-06:00

ID

75458

Comment

I don't think anyone asked you to make a choice, Observer. We must all work hard to do all of these things, and keep attention focused on the rights of citizens that Melton's targets. I hate to think what would happen in the next two years if we all ignore him and focus on the next mayor! People (and especially media) ignored his foibles long enough, and that's how we get here. No more.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-15T16:40:29-06:00

ID

75459

Comment

Oh, and thanks for the kind words. Every one is appreciated. ;-D Folks, a wonderful quote turned up in a book I'm reading right now: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." – Ambrose Redmoon Cheers, all.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-15T16:41:34-06:00

ID

75460

Comment

Lady LADD, Au Contraire, I must decide..just as you decide, every day where to put your energy. You decided not to work for a publication owned by some one else. You decided not to ignore the internet. You decided to offer a free publication in lieu of another one. The unintended consequence of the personal and political freedom that we enjoy is the right to unlimited choice. The choice to waste time, talent and energy in unfocused and negative activity. Politicians have learned to promote and support ways to dilute and divert the attention of citizens to the real problems they face by allowing those irate and angry (think JPS bloggers) citizens to vent off steam and energy by chasing windmills. You know, marches, protests, sit-ins, focus groups, charrettes, task forces, conferences, community meetings, blogs, strings, ..all promoted, initiated, funded and administered by politicians for politicians. What worked in the beginning of the Civil Rights movement won't work anymore. Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago learned how to, and taught everyone else how to, diffuse the original Civil Rights tactics. Daley didn't confront Dr. King when King left Alabame (think Edmund Pettus Bridge..a civil rights victory)and came to Chicago. Daley didn't jail him or hose him or put the dogs on him. When King showed up in Chicago, Daley met him, fed him, showed him around town, agreed to work with him, appointed a committee to work with him and King got nothing and King left Chicago in frustration. Recent Example; The Bush Justice Department is actively prosecuting decades old Civil rights murders while ignoring the systematic, current and planned dis-enfranchisment of hundred of thousands of Black voters i.e. the Florida voter roll purge and the Ohio shortage of voting machines in Black (democratic Districts). Think Dibold electronic voting machines with no paper trail and the use of the security porous Windows 98-2000 operating systems. Give the citizens the bread and circus' of cold case files to divert their attention from the third consecutive, and electronic, theft of the Presidency. Recent Example: The Bush Terrorism Fear mongering that allows them to steal from the Federal Treasury in the name of both fighting terrorism and the private sector (Think BlackWater). Give the public the constant fear of red, yellow, orange and pink Terror alerts so they won't respond when it is reported that tons of billions of dollars of cash (taht's greenbacks) have been shipped to Iraq and ...lost? Our Example: The utilization of Frank Melton as Mayor to bankrupt the City of Jackson (now a majority Black and Democratic City), and thereby appoint an independent City Manger or Management Board, and consequently regionalize the City of Jackson, Water Purification Plant, Waste Water Treatment Plant, International Airport, Zoo, Arts Center, Ross Barnett Reservoir Water Rights, Convention Center, etc. I've lived throgh and seen this happen in New York City and Cleveland, Ohio. FRank could have been stopped and removed legally months ago, but the elected and appointed local, state and national agencies that are empowered to remove them have mysteriously refused to do so. I'm not saying that there was a conspiricy to get him elected, but as the Republican neo-con's said about 911, "lets brush off the plan we wrote and dreamed about years ago (take over Iraq and Iran and project AMerican Power) now that the perfect opportunity has presented itself". Ironically, Osama Bin Laden said the same thing about Bush invading Iraq...the Islamic extremeists dream was for the west to invade Islamic soil, therby eliminating all past inter-Islamic rivalries and project a united front against the infidel. Wow ..a two-fer one! all the way around! PART ONE OF TWO

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-15T17:53:33-06:00

ID

75461

Comment

PART TWO OF TWO As I was saying Ms LADD, Anyway, I am sure that based on Frank's administrations recent and consistent financil incompetence, you at the JFPcan probably predict (if you thinbk about and investigate it) that the City's last budget and current budgets, approved by City Council, are not balanced! In violation of State law! Times two! Add to that the growing spector of countless, and sadly, justifiable lawsuits against the City due to Frank's personal shennagans. Any day I expect the Council to ask for a state audit, a mistake in my opinion, and the state auditor will find the problems, the Governor will wring his hands and for the good of Jackson, and the State, he will appoint an independent manager to fix up the mess in Jackson. Just as in the Ayers Case solution, the remedy will be worse than the "partial" cure. By the way, I predict the same thing happening at Jackson State. The State taking over due to financial irregularities. Also, to support my self interest (not conspiricy..fooled) theory, guess who's been buying up all that propery around JSU, in advance of JSU purchasing that same or adjacent property for their ambitious expansion plan? You're the birddog..check it out. So as my business instincts and training have taught me, it is better to take a loss today and plan for the coming tomorrow, than to chase windmills today and run into a jet engine tomorrow. Hey, maybe having the State "privatize" Jackson is a good thing! Decisions, decisions, decisions....choices, choices, choices...the hobgoblin of little minds. Sorry LADD, you just gotta choose what hill you die on..of course my choice may not be the acceptable choice to anyone else! Hey why don't you do your thing, and I will do my thing and together we solve all of the problems...together? Wow...what a country!

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-15T17:54:58-06:00

ID

75462

Comment

Observer, at this point, I have no idea what you're talking about, or who you're arguing with so vehemently and with so many words. No one said you're not supposed to decide something for yourself. All I'm saying is that no one here needs to make a choice between focusing on the problems Melton is causing the city currently or on the future of Jackson, past Melton. That's a false dilemma. Otherwise, let it rest. I'm too busy to be teased into an argument with you or anyone else right now, especially over semantics. Cheers.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-15T19:41:12-06:00

ID

75463

Comment

Peace!

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-15T21:06:07-06:00

ID

75464

Comment

Quote of the day! "I have no intention of supporting the transfer of these monies," Barrett-Simon said. "I think (Melton's) protective services budget is completely out of line. Does he know something that we don't know? I don't have a bodyguard. Should I?" Bravo Madge, Bravo

Author

Simpleton

Date

2007-10-16T12:41:40-06:00