News

Here Comes Da Judge

Damn, it's time for more Morgan-Quitno rankings. The last time we got dinged, it was for being the 10th most dangerous city, based on 2001 crime statistics and released last fall (and reported by daily media this spring as if they had just come out). In this round, though, the Lawrence, Kan.-based book publishers have the state of Mississippi in its sights. (Didn't that town learn anything about needless agitating back in frontier times?) This hellhole of a state we live in, it seems, is the 14th most dangerous, our second-worst ranking ever. We were more dangerous in 1999 (13th) and hit our safety peak in 1994 (the first year of the rankings). And, after all, Vermont is the safest state, and we wouldn't want to rank anywhere near them wussy-butts, even if they do, too, appreciate the right to arm bears, er, bear arms.

Tyner Accuses Barbour of Gambling Ties

From a Tyner statement, quoted by the Magnolia Report: "'Somehow, Mr. Barbour believes it is morally sound to expand gambling nationwide, even within miles of our state's border, but we should give him a free pass if his efforts failed to expand gambling in Mississippi,' Tyner states while smiling and shaking his head in the negative. "I do not accept that proposition and I also question the integrity of his representation that he has not been paid to help get more gambling in Mississippi,' says Tyner."

How the Left Lost Teen Spirit

Read a Salon interview with Danny Goldberg, author of the book, ""Dispatches From the Culture Wars: How the Left Lost Teen Spirit." The reviewer writes: "As Goldberg points out -- and no other political pundit, to my knowledge, has noticed this -- in 1996, Bill Clinton beat Bob Dole by 19 points among voters under 24. In 2000, George W. Bush and Gore were dead even in that age group, a total of about 9 million votes. Restore even half of Clinton's '96 edge with youth, and the result of the election is clearly different, with or without the much-debated Nader factor." He adds: "But would it really be so daring for Democratic candidates to make it clear that they support free speech, and that what Americans want to watch and listen to is entirely their own business? Wouldn't it be OK for candidates to the left of Bush to admit that fact, and to point out that they represent a party that, at least historically, has stood alongside the civil rights movement, the abortion rights movement, the environmental movement and the lesbian and gay liberation struggle?"

Amy Tuck's $510,000 Question

Press statement from the Mississippi Democratic Party: Recent press accounts of $510,000.00 in "unexplained loans" to the Amy Tuck campaign raise serious questions that must be answered: 1) Does she still owe the debt? 2) Is she paying off the debt? 3) Has the debt already been paid off? 4) If there were personal loans made to her, who provided those personal loans? 5) What were the terms of any personal loan agreements? 6) If the loans were secured, who secured the loans? 7) Were there written or verbal promises or commitments made in exchange for the loans? 8) Did the bank give Tuck the same consideration that would have been given to an individual of comparable financial standing who was not a candidate for high public office? 9) Do the loans or the repayment of the loans involve anyone giving or donating $200.00 or more to Tuck or to her campaign? 10) Was the money loaned from Tuck's personal assets? If so, will those assets be publicly disclosed? 11) What does Tuck mean exactly when she says that she is "honoring financial commitments over time?" Does that mean quid pro quo arrangements or political paybacks? 12) Were any legislators, lobbyists, state or federal officials, or other prominent public figures involved in helping Tuck secure or pay these mysterious loans?

Chip Pickering Celebrates Medgar Evers

Press statement: Congressman Chip Pickering: CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MEDGAR EVERS ... House passes resolution commending the lives and accomplishments of Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers-Williams ... (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, the US House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 220, commending the lives and accomplishments of Medgar Evers and his widow Myrlie Evers-Williams. Discussion on the House Floor followed a special ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery. The resolution was sponsored by Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS, 2) and co-sponsored by Congressman Chip Pickering (R-MS, 3). A similar resolution passed the US Senate last week, sponsored by Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran (R) and co-sponsored by Senator Trent Lott (R-MS).

Myths of War

This reminds me of the "myths" story the JFP ran as the Iraqi war began:

Knight-Ridder reports on the factual misconceptions many Americans hold about the war: "A third of the American public believes U.S. forces found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, according to a recent poll, and 22 percent said Iraq actually used chemical or biological weapons. But no such weapons have been found, nor is there evidence they were used recently in Iraq. Before the war, half of those polled in a survey said Iraqis were among the 19 hijackers on Sept. 11, 2001. But most of them were from Saudi Arabia. None were Iraqis. How could so many people be so wrong about information that has dominated the news for nearly two years?"

Seeing the Light? Challenging ‘Compassionate Conservatism'

Ala. Gov. Riley is causing serious discussion and though by arguing that the Bible supports raising state taxes to care for the poor. He is arguing for--drum roll-- a progressive tax system. The New York Times reports: "If Governor Riley's tax plan becomes law — the voters still need to ratify it in September — it will be a major victory for poor people, a rare thing in the current political climate. But win or lose, Alabama's tax-reform crusade is posing a pointed question to the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family and other groups that seek to import Christian values into national policy: If Jesus were active in politics today, wouldn't he be lobbying for the poor? ... Alabama's tax system has long been brutally weighted against the least fortunate. The state income tax kicks in for families that earn as little a $4,600, when even Mississippi starts at over $19,000. Alabama also relies heavily on its sales tax, which runs as high as 11 percent and applies even to groceries and infant formula. The upshot is wildly regressive: Alabamians with incomes under $13,000 pay 10.9 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes, while those who make over $229,000 pay just 4.1 percent. ... Governor Riley's plan, which would bring in $1.2 billion in desperately needed revenue, takes aim at these inequalities. It would raise the income threshold at which families of four start paying taxes to more than $17,000. It would scrap the federal income tax deduction and increase exemptions for dependent children. And it would sharply roll back the current-use exemption, a change that could cost companies like Weyerhaeuser and Boise Cascade, which own hundreds of thousands of acres, millions in taxes. Governor Riley says that money is too tight to lift the sales tax on groceries this time, but that he intends to work for that later." For more info, see Riley's Web site. National Review fires back.

Mississippi Dems Uniting?

The Petal News reports: "Mississippi Democrats held their annual pep rally, the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in Jackson this past weekend. And Party Chairman Rickey Cole reported the largest turnout in recent years. It appears at this point that the party has survived the disruptive events of the past two years and is making a recovery."

Mr. Positive Headed into Second Divorce

I sure am glad I missed the days of Mr. Positive Mississippi into the governor's mansion, although it sure was entertaining enough from a distance. Why is it that people who like to talk about "family values" the most often seem to have the least?

‘An Old Washington Hand Goes Home to Mississippi'

David E. Rosenbaum writes in the New York Times today about Haley Barbour's return to Mississippi: "Mr. Barbour must overcome the charge that he has spent his career as a fixer. His law firm, Barbour Griffith & Rogers, ranked seventh among Washington firms in terms of lobbying revenues last year, according to a study by The National Journal, and Fortune listed the firm as No. 1 in terms of political influence."

‘The Young Hipublicans'

Read about young, hip Republicans on college campuses in the New York Times magazine—and the groups that are funding them: "As with college conservative movements in the past, the recent wave has been fueled and often financed by an array of conservative interest groups, of which there are, today, almost too many to keep straight: Young Americans for Freedom; Young America's Foundation; the Leadership Institute; the Collegiate Network; the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. These groups spend money in various ways to push a right-wing agenda on campuses: some make direct cash 'grants' to student groups to start and run conservative campus newspapers; others provide free training in 'conservative leadership,' often providing heavily subsidized travel to their 'publishing programs'; others provide help with the hefty speaking fees for celebrity right-wing speakers. Through these coordinated activities, these groups have embarked in the last three years on a concerted campus recruitment drive to turn temperamentally conservative youngsters into organized right-wing activists."

State Greens to Protest Cheney/Barbour Fundraiser

Members and friends of the Green Party of Mississippi will be out in force to protest at the June 9 fundraising luncheon for Haley Barbour's Republican gubernatorial campaign at the Gulf Coast Convention Center. Vice President Dick Cheney, former CEO of Halliburton, will be the main speaker.

Young Democrats Announce Monthly Meetings (Hinds)

The Young Democrats of Mississippi, Hinds County Chapter invites all interested people between the ages of 18 and 35 to attend its next monthly meeting on June 25, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. The meetings are held at the temporary Jackson City Hall located at 400 E. Silas Brown the last Wednesday of every month.

Democrats Getting Fired Up?

"We don't need another Republican Party!" Democrats declared at a Take Back America rally this. Read Salon's report.

Pat Fordice

Whereas, Pat Fordice is a good Southern lady. In the documentary "Belles and Whistles" screened at the 2002 Crossroads Film Festival, former first lady Fordice says

Tough Questions for Mitch Tyner

The uncut version.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mitch Tyner answers tough questions about his Davidian quest for the state's top office, if liberals can love God, and whether or not he's a closet Democrat.

M.U.G.A.B.E.E.

Carlton Turner leads me upstairs to the V.I.P. room of The Forum where he is the public relations director. His older (by 13 months) brother Maurice waits for the interview with his weathered and dented Bach Stradivarius in his lap. "I take it everywhere I go," Maurice says. Seated in three matching blood-red naugahide wing chairs, these beautiful men lead me on the long and winding road of their lives.

Radical Crime-Fighting: What is Community Policing?

Police Chief Robert Moore could be the only man in the city who knows what "community policing" really means—and just how hard it could be to implement in Jackson. Yet, he is a believer, talking about it constantly, telling media and residents that it's a different style of policing for Jackson, and one that can take some adjustment and time to implement. It's an integral part of his new five-point plan to fight crime here that he and the mayor announced to the City Council on April 22. Still, no one bites.

Janice Jordan

My mom and I are sitting on her balcony outside her apartment in Belhaven Heights. She's lounging in a plastic deck chair, wearing a white Mexican wedding dress and sipping a can of Miller Light out of a huggie. She's jangled and sparkly talking about her upcoming trip to (in a fake backwoods accent) "New Yoork City!?!," a place she's always dreamed of going. Her mother was a fashion buyer for the Emporium in the '50s and '60s and would make long excursions to the Big Apple on shopping expeditions for work. Mom has pined to make the trip ever since.

Knol Aust

Although Knol Aust, 27, has never met Lenny Kravitz, Queen Latifah, or Sting, he works side-by-side with them each day as each helps motivate young American voters. Aust, a Web designer who grew up in Raymond, is leading the way to raise awareness of the importance of voting by starting a Rock the Vote chapter in Jackson. "Young people are not always given a voice in politics," he said. "Sitting around without action will not promote or provoke change. It will take a unified movement and a strong system of support. Rock the Vote is completely non-partisan and believes that voting is one of the simplest actions a young American can do to make change."

CRIME: Playing the Numbers

The question of whether Jackson is "safe" has become about as polarizing as "Ford vs. Chevy" or "fats vs. carbohydrates." It depends on whom you ask. Crime is up 15 percent. Crime is down this month. Crime skyrocketed in February. Crime is way down over the last decade. We're drowning in crime. We're safer than ever. Just look at the numbers. It seems this spring has been open season on crime statistics. Everyone says the numbers don't say enough, even as they try to use the statistics to their advantage, whether to push an ideology, build a political campaign, raise ratings, sell newspapers, bash the city—and sometimes even to try to prevent crime. Which brings us to the central questions. One, is crime completely under control or out of control? Two, do the statistics matter?

Blame Game: Who's At Fault for the City's Crime?

Editor's Note: Links to all of the JFP's crime stories to date are archived below this story.

Ouida Couch

A menacing polar bear stalks two 5-year-old girls, doggedly chasing them through the backyard. The polar bear's name is King, Ouida Couch's 85-pound white German Shepherd, and this is their favorite game. Ouida is indomitable, delighting in the frolicsome chase. I'm the cowardly candy-ass shrieking atop the picnic table. Ouida and I are cracking ourselves up as we reminisce. We sit in her Belhaven home of 10 years with her wooly-headed American Eskimo, Mogi (with whom she plays a grown-up version of "polar bear") and Mogi's black cat, Mustang.

Navonda Moore

Sitting in McAllister's Deli, with her hair pulled back and up, ponytail style, her elbows on the table and chin resting comfortably on her hands, Navonda Moore looks like an average teenager. She is not. After moving to Mississippi from Kankkakee, Ill., at age 8, Moore later played basketball for Hardy Junior High and Murrah High School. "I always wanted to be around basketball," she says, "but I didn't play organized ball until I was in the 7th grade. I realized I had natural ability, and I wanted to use it." She has. At Murrah she was named All State, three-time Dandy Dozen senior forward, state tournament MVP, and as a senior, she will play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game March 22 in Alabama.

Elizabeth Robinson

Elizabeth Robinson did not take art classes while enrolled at the Mississippi University for Women. Until the school featured a 20-year retrospective of her work, she did not even know where the art department was located. In fact, glass sculpture wasn't located anywhere on her personal radar until, in 1980, she needed a job and went to work for Andy Young at the Pearl River Glass Studio, to help manage the place. "You couldn't work in that environment without developing a vocabulary for glass," says the auburn-haired glass artist and entrepreneur. And so, for the next 10 years, Robinson immersed herself in the world of glass, learning from Young and from Susan Ford, a local glassblower.

Jimmy King

We sit on the concrete steps that protrude out of the grass on an empty lot near the corner of Pearl and Minerva, I on a white handkerchief that Jimmy King has put down and he on the cold concrete. I've known King, whom I call Mr. Jimmy, for almost 10 years. He is the proprietor of the Subway Lounge, in the basement of the abandoned Summer's Hotel, which opened Dec. 16, 1966. He is also the elegant presence in the documentary "Last of the Mississippi Jukes," which just debuted on the Black STARZ network.

The Spiritual Politics of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King's birthday holiday made me think of the connection of religion with politics and the contradictions that so often result.

Sally Slavinski

Sally Slavinski, 36, slides into a chair in Hal & Mal's 30 minutes before we open. She apologizes for being late, explaining that she just ran 11 miles in training for the Mardi Gras half-marathon on Feb. 16. Dressed in a gray Berkeley zip-up sweatshirt over gray sweatpants with a New Zealand All Blacks rugby cap over her straw-blond hair, she opens a container of strawberry Dannon yogurt and sips from an Aquafina bottled water. It would take 20 pages to list all that she's done in her short life, starting with a childhood in Long Island, N.Y., a biology degree from Michigan State, working summers in Yellowstone, veterinary school, working with the Heifer Project in Uganda, practicing small-animal medicine in Ohio, working with the World Health Organization for three months in India, working in Martha's Vineyard and acquiring a degree in public health from Berkeley. But what does she do now?

JACKSONIAN: Ken Stiggers

"It's like a box of chocolates: You never know what you're gonna get," quotes Ken Stiggers, 41, of the City of Jackson's Public Education Government network studio (formerly officially called Public Access, and still referred to that way casually). He runs the local studio almost singlehandedly. "I wear 87 hats," he says with a deep Barry White-like "heh-heh-heh." Standing in the cramped base of operations of the studio, with videos lining the white concrete walls, he wears a black turtleneck sweater, dark jeans, brown leather shoes and a bomber jacket—a slick outfit that matches his build perfectly, if not his demeanor.

Jack Stevens

Jack Stevens greets me at the door of his Belhaven Heights triplex from the comfort of his wheelchair, a result of an unfortunate accident three years ago that keeps him for the most part immobile. A cloud of faded red hair surrounds his round bespectacled face. At 52 he's led an active, theatrical life in his hometown of Jackson. Growing up he attended "Power, Bailey and Murrah," and in his effervescent way, he makes them sound like the holy trinity of schools. He started acting while at Murrah and went on to graduate from Ole Miss in 1972 with a major in theater and a minor in English and history. He tried out for Yale's renowned theater department three times and was second alternate twice.

Ellington