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You're From the South?

A few nights ago, at a reading for the book "Other People's Property" (supposedly a book about being white and loving hip-hop), a guy said, "Violent rap doesn't exist anymore. (Pause) Well, except in the South where it's all just bling."

Neither Do I Condemn You

Some people give things up for Lent, then resume whatever they gave up on Easter. I can appreciate the self-discipline aspect of this, but this year I think what I need to give up--and try not to resume again on Easter--is my hatred and bitterness.

Teen Hosts Free Expression Expo Saturday in Florence

On Feb. 24, Florence High School senior Jason Wilson, 18, will host the Free Expression Exposition at Hemphill Park in Florence. The music and arts festival, which features eight bands for a general admission of only $2, will encourage audience participation in collective art and impromptu musical performance. Several bands will play at the festival, including Wilson's own band, The Reggae Tribute. The JFP talked to Wilson last week about why he decided to plan a large festival, as well as signed on as a sponsor to help promote his event.

Is Danks Unaware or Indifferent to the 1st Amendment?

In Dale Danks' letter telling Kim Wade to retract his petition for removal, Danks calls Wade's petition "Frivolous," harassing" and "vexatious". Danks' letter (PDF, 300KB) further (mis)characterizes Wade's petition as "without substantial justification, interposed for harassment," and having "no realistic hope for success."

PLEASE WATCH THIS CNN SPECIAL *TONIGHT* AT 8pm: HIP HOP: Art or Poison

CNN will examine the cultural value of Hip-Hop in an hour long special dubbed "Hip-Hop: Art or Poison?" tonight (Feb 21.)

ARTICLE: The Mental Health Parity Bill Finally Passes the First Hurdle

(verbatim from e-mail from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)

Guys, please do me a favor and click on the link in this article. Let our senators know that supporting this legislation is critical. The lives of many who suffer from mental illness depends on this.

A Special Reunion Weekend

This past summer, I met my older brother for the first time. He was the product of a previous relationship my dad had, and although I knew he existed, I did not know his name or anything.

Weight and Insurance

Almost every single Tuesday morning since July of last year, I've sat with a group of equally weight-challenged individuals at the Baptist Nutrition Center, talking mostly about how to make the food we're supposed to eat taste better. We also talk about our small triumphs—even one pound lost is cause for celebration—and our backsliding—the holidays were tough for many. We are each other's accountability in the program, even more so than the scales, and our personal cheerleading squad.

Confusion at Walter Reed

The Washington Post ran an amazing two-part series about the lack of follow-up care for soldiers returning from war to Walter Reed Hospital over the weekend. It's written by really a journalistic dream team of Dana Priest (She won the Pulitzer last year for her pieces on "black site" prisons) and Anne Hull (who, I think, is easily the best narrative writer in journalism. She's a magic worker, just truly astounding).

Subjective Truths

French author André Gide wrote: "Trust those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." I wrote the quote on a white sticky in magenta ink yesterday and attached it to my laptop… "doubt those who find it." After sitting in a hearing room for three days this past week listening to hours of testimony, it's apt. The law, I think, is all about finding the "truth," subjective as it usually is.

Is Bill O'Reilly In "Man-Love" With Ludacris…AGAIN!?

from sohh.com..Bill O'Reilly obsesses over Ludacris after Luda pokes fun at him at the Grammys

Bill O'Reilly stabs at Luda, claims "rap destroyed music." In case some of you missed it, Ludacris shouted out Bill O'Reilly and Oprah Winfrey when picking up two of his Grammys this past weekend. Good old Bill apparently didn't appreciate the love and took it as an opportunity to take more shots at the Ludameister. After reporting on Luda winning a Grammy for Best Rap Album, O'Reilly immediately questioned his win, pointing out lyrics from "Slap," a stand-out track on Release Therapy in which the ATL rapper mentions "slapping a nigga" and killing his boss. Ehhhhh, it was hypothetical, Bill. "Do you think there's a liberal, secular, progressive culture in the music industry that makes it easy for these people to prosper?" Bill asked Nathan Davis, a Philadelphia journalist. "These people?" "People don't understand a guy like Ludacris saying the N word 50 times in a song and saying he wants to kill his boss in the song," he continued. "They don't understand why that merits a Grammy award. Why does it?" Constipated-ass Williams also pleaded that the N word will be used as long as albums that feature it prominently get awarded.

JFP Writer in New "Chicken Soup" Book

... and it's breaking news over at The Clarion-Ledger. OK, maybe not the JFP part. ;-) Congrats, Tiffany! We're proud of you, girlfriend.

Hiding Love in Iraq

This story ran two years ago, but on Valentine's Day, with the war in Iraq and war over sexuality still both in heavy effect, I think it's relevant.

Does this Ledger Headline Fit the Story?

A reader just sent me this Clarion-Ledger link and headline. Consider whether y'all think the headline portrays what's in the story: "Man charged in slaying may be released if DA doesn't hurry." Now, here's the beginning of the story:

WLBT Gives Close-ups of Melton's Scars

In a TV segment that is drawing its 15 minutes of fame, Frank Melton invited WLBT cameras into his home to show his scars up close and personal to dispel "rumors" that he didn't actually have the operation he said he had. The question that remains for us is: Why didn't he simply release his medical records as many other public servants have done over the years? That would have seemed more tasteful than taking of his clothes on television.

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