Jackblog

Grisham in Jackson

Author John Grisham will be in town tomorrow night at a catfish dinner honoring former-Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.

Which Is Worse: the Race-Baiting or the Red-Baiting?

OK, you don't have to pick. Every trick-o'-the-hour the Republican Party is coming up with to try to turn the election is sleazy at this point. For instance, here's race-baiting in Wisconsin and here's more red-baiting nationally. American to McCain: If you want votes, you're going to have to stop waging bigoted attacks and tell the American people what is so great about you and Sarah Palin, and how you're going to help Main Street. You have not done that, yet, while you're bending over backward to defend George Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy. You're not fooling us.

Prayers for Jennifer Hudson

Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson, R.I.P.

Jennifer Hudson, former American Idol contestant and "Dreamgirls" star, is dealing with the murders of her mother and brother as well as the abduction of her 7-year-old nephew. I wouldn't wish what she is going through on my worst enemy. I can in no way say that I understand her situation since I've never through anything close to this, but my heart goes out to Hudson and her sister, Julia Balfour. I pray that they will find peace in their time of sadness, and I pray that little Julian King will be found safe and sound and returned to his mother.

CNN: Palin-the-‘Diva' Is ‘Going Rogue' on McCain

I don't want to say "I told you so," but Sarah Palin had drama queenor small-town "diva"written all over her since the day she was appointed. (The tanning bed in the governor's mansion was a very good clue.) But don't listen to me: Listen to John McCain's campaign staff, who are accusing her of being a "diva" and "going rogue" on the campaign. CNN is reporting:

TV Anchor Dies From Injuries After Attack

Anne Pressly was only 26. From CNN:

Who Authorized Palin's $150,000 Makeover?

According to Marc Ambinder at Time, John McCain's campaign folks are squirming and defensive, now that Politico has broken the news (wonder how much that red leather jacket cost?) that the campaign spent more than $150,000 on Sarah Palin's clothes, makeup and hairin a time when the country could be facing a depression. Even Republicans are disgusted, Ambinder says. And we can be pretty sure that trying to blame the "liberal media" won't work this time. (Betcha lot of those Saks and Bloomingdale designer duds are made in China, to boot.)

Poll Watchers Needed

Rosalind Rawls, executive director of the Mississippi Democratic Party has put out the call for volunteer poll watchers to help guarantee the rights of Mississippi voters on Election Day. I urge you to read on regardless of your party affiliation. Here's her e-mail:

Big AP Investigation Skewers Palin-the-"Reformer"

So much for all the mavericky "reformer" talk: the Associated Press is showing just how Gov. Sarah Palin has been bilking her own state for thousands of dollars. Lucky for Alaska that John McCain picked her; otherwise, they might not know just how un-reformish their governor really is. Gotta love the luxury hotel in New York for Bristol part. The long piece begins:

Yet Another Reason to Vote for Barack Obama

Do it for her:

Levi Stubbs (Four Tops), 1936-2008

Stubbs was 72. From AP:

Ohio Resident Hangs Obama in Effigy

Mike Lunsford says he did it because Obama is black, but he says it off-camera. I wonder why.

Help High School Journalism in Jackson

A high-school journalism revolution is coming in Jackson! Please click here to donate to the Jim Hill High School journalism program; they need $936 to buy basic supplies to get started. Also, please consider donating supplies (especially white paper, dry-erase markers and jump drives) to JAHSPA, the new Jackson Area High School Press Association. The Jackson Free Press is gathering the donations.

Ellington