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An Open Letter

Over the past months our city has gone through some drastic changes, from the death of our beloved and sometimes hated mayor Frank Melton to the inauguration of our new but old mayor Harvey Johnson. With Harvey Johnson being sworn into office, many citizens feel as if Jackson will get right back on track to greatness. But can Harvey Johnson bring greatness back to the city of Jackson?

When Goliath Stumbles

A couple of days ago I wrote a blog concerning just a few of the problems facing major daily newspapers these days, and why independent and alternative publications have considerably more room to grow than their much larger competitors. Ironically (tragically for some), the Clarion-Ledger ran an article (Clarion-Ledger cuts 20 positions) today concerning the elimination of 20 jobs and that it would be freezing "several open positions as part of Gannett Co. Inc.'s previously announced companywide reduction in force." Perhaps writers at the Clarion-Ledger should reconsider heavy coverage of dead celebrities and start contemplating the dying behemoths behind so-called "modern" print journalism.

Letting It All Out

Have you ever been completely consumed with something that you begin to obsess over it? Then the obsessing causes you to act out toward others ... and in turn you start doing all this pointless fussing? Well that's been me for the past couple of weeks.

Deleted Scenes and Death

Hello JFP readers, Katie Eubanks here. Editorial intern with a few "deleted scenes" to share from my internship experience. I know, I know: Deleted scenes aren't always the best part of a DVD. (If you've watched the ones from "Titanic," then you understand. Fortunately for the moviegoing masses, Kate and Leo's acting skills have seriously improved.)

Panther Mentality with a White Fist

I find myself agreeing with about 100% of what the original Black Panther Party stood for, after the black nationalist platform was abandon. Do not confuse this with the "New Black Panther Party" who advocates racism, anti-semitism and homophobia. I don't think that anyone would confuse the two since the NBPP is anti-white, and I am, well, white. They also have no direct association with the original party. I admire the BPP because they were not an organization who just complained about the problems they faced, they actually took action. I respect groups who walk the walk for a better society. I have always admired "radical" groups because of the passion and will to fight for everything they stand for knowing that there will be backlash. I love watching documentaries and reading about older radical groups. I get a sense of excitement and always want to watch or read more. Not just the BPP, but groups like the Revolutionary Youth Movement and Weather Underground. *Halt!* "Did he just say the Weather Underground?" Before you say to yourself, "there's a dirty commie," let me set the record straight and say I am not of such. I should actually do another post about the ignorance and fear of words that much of society has without knowing the meaning. Back to the topic. I do not completely disagree with these organizations politics. I actually agree with most, but I am more of a left-libertarian or libertarian-socialist. Do not be afraid! I am not a propaganda spitting device that is going to drown you with useless information. No, I am just informing you that I am not throwing these groups that I admire under the bus, but I know the readers of this will have the intelligence and acceptance to a new, or not so new, ideology :) . Basically, I should sum this whole post up to say... I should have lived in the 60s/70s *sigh*.

Requiem for the Dailies

At the outset of this summer, I had two interning possibilities before me. I could either take an Associated Press internship with a daily newspaper or I could take one here at the Jackson Free Press. Obviously I chose the latter, but it wasn't without heavy contemplation that I did. There were positive and negative aspects of both publications, and I listened to the counsel of family, professors and friends in the industry before making a decision. My family (and most of my friends) strongly advised me to take the AP internship, if not for the hefty stipend then for the practical, day-to-day experience of working in a bustling newsroom. But mostly for the cash. Despite the appeal of quick funds and a big name to pen on a resume, my journalism senses told me something was awry. This past semester I have been learning a lot about the death of the newspaper industry, and pondered just how practical it was to take an internship with a daily newspaper in today's economy. It seems like every other week there is another big name publication dying, yet the newspapers left alive aren't doing enough to change up how they provide information to their readers. Why was this?

Football Star Steve McNair Shot to Death

I am in complete shock. From WAPT:

Should the state of Rhode Island change its official name?

The official name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which gives the smallest state in the U.S. the longest name in the U.S. However, the state legislature may remove the Providence Plantations part because it could be a reminder of slavery. One of the legislators claims that the name had nothing to do with slavery, so changing the name isn't necessary:

Karl Malden, 1912-2009

"American Express Traveler's Checks. Don't leave home without them." The character actor known for this catchphrase as well as his role in movies such as "Pollyanna" and "A Streetcar Name Desire" passed away at the age of 97:

Home away from home

I have been coming to Jackson for about two years now, and I mean on a regular bases. In the last year I have only had one weekend away from here. Since my girlfriend and many of my friends live here, I make the hour and a half drive every friday from Monroe, Louisiana. I know Jackson almost as well as Monroe, and I never feel like I am away from home when I am here. I have grown to love my king size bed in the hotel I am staying at for the two months here. While my girlfriend did an internship at JFP, I became very interested in doing the same. I know many colleges require a person to do one for credit before you can graduate. Well, I have to do a practicum, have this many hours, blah blah blah. I decided to do this internship for the experience, and not for credit.

Impressionist Fred Travalena Loses Battle with Cancer

He was 66. From Yahoo News:

Michael Jackson Charity Scam Circulating Via Email

Donation Required If Possible.

I got this email in my spam folder, and I thought I'd give everyone a heads-up about this scam. If you get this in your inbox, delete it:

Billy Mays Dead at 50

OxiClean, Orange Glo, Mighty Mend-It... who do you think of when you hear the names of these products? A bearded guy with a loud voice named Billy Mays who sold everything from fabric glue to putty that you could make a coffee mug handle out of. The popular salesman's voice has been tragically silenced today. From Yahoo News:

Deaths of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon

May they all rest in peace. I will add links in a moment, but I wanted to get the news out first.

UPDATE 2: Here is more information about Michael Jackson:

Jubilee!JAM Photos Posted

Yes, it was a scorcher, and that seems to have affected attendance, but there were also some exceptional performances for those who braved the heat. Check out these wonderful photos by William Patrick Butler -- it looks like there's well over 200 of them. Enjoy!

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