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Is Our Entire System of Government in JXN/Hinds/MS/U.S. Corrupt? Or just Incompetent?

I dunno folks. Ive become preeety apathtic lately and indifference has crept in. I think that if we as good citizens are to actually get something accomplished we can pretty much NOT count on elected officials for the good example of leadership that we look to to guide us.

Apple Intros iPhone, Due in June

With Apple's stock shooting up nearly 10% during his keynote address at Macworld San Francisco this morning, Steve Jobs introduce the iPhone, an iPod/mobile phone hybrid that runs Mac OS X. The phone, which will be available exclusively from Cingular in June 2007, will cost $499 for a 4GB model and $599 for an 8GB model. Jobs -- in all of his "SteveNote" reality-distorting glory -- put the introduction of the iPhone on par with two other events in Apple history: the introduction of the Mac and the introduction of the iPod.

Juvenile Justice Group Applauds Edmonds Decision

Following is a verbatim release appauding the Mississippi Supreme Court's decision to order a new trial in the murder conviction of then-13-year-old Tyler Edmonds, accused of helping his half-sister pull the trigger to help kill her husband. Notice the part where the state medical examiner determined that two fingers pulled the trigger—although the murder rifle was never recovered. Hmmm.

Wired Bloggers Picking Apart Jackson Spycopter

After the JFP's Adam Lynch wrote the only article that actually raised questions about Jackson's new helicopter, apparently purchased by Jim Barksdale and flown by his business partner's son, Coyt Bailey, a Wired magazine blogger picked up our story. Now, the citizen journalists over there are picking it apart, raising some very intriguing questions. Be sure to note the FAA regulations that they're discussing. Please post any comments under Adam's original story so the Wired bloggers can see them, too.

Sweet Potato Queen's First Big Ass Novel Signing and Reading TODAY!

Jill signs at five, and she reads at 5:30.

Jill Conner Browne will kick off the Big Ass Bus Tour today with her first stop, of course, at Lemuria. This is the "Sweet Potato Queen's First Big-Ass Novel: Stuff We Didn't Actually Do, But Could Have and Might Still Yet" written with Karin Gillespie.

The Ugly Death of Saddam Hussein

The New York Times is editorializing today about the gruesome way that Saddam Hussein was executed—and what that means for both the U.S.' reputation and the Iraqi people:

Viva La Cell Phone Cameras!

The controversy surrounding the video of Saddam Hussein's hanging holds a lesson for us here in Jackson. You'll notice that while the civilized world is outraged by the way Hussein was hanged, Iraqi officials are more outraged that someone videoed the hanging and thereby exposed their cruel methods. They have vowed to find and prosecute the scoundrels who exposed them to the world! Governments simply hate transparency, for it leads to accountability.

Bad Deeds Unpunished

January 3, 2007 Hurricane Katrina brought out the best in many Americans, who braved treacherous conditions to help neighbors and who gave generously to help those in need. When it comes to some American companies, however, Hurricane Katrina set off a scramble after no-bid contracts that mirrors the corruption and greed surrounding contracts awarded for the Iraq War.

Bill Minor on the Willie Morris Library

I just ran into Mr. Minor's column about the Willie Morris library dedication. And I'm honored that he repeated what I told him at the dedication in it. The Jackson Free Press is also honored that Mr. Minor has offered us the use of his long-time desk in the media room in the Capitol this legislative session. We'll do our best to deserve to sit in it!

Are Americans "Spoiled Brats"?

Got this email from a colleague of mine yesterday and it presents an interesting argument. I don't agree with over half of it but I'd thought I'd present to the intellectual masses for discussion. Are Americans indeed spolied brats? And does the rest of the world truly perceive us a s such? Please Read and discuss. sho nuff!

Americans Want Higher Minimum Wage, Stem-Cell Research

The Associated Press is reporting that as Democrats take over Congress this week, a large majority of Americans are supporting the party's primary goals:

A ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission' for Mississippi?

What do y'all think?

Rev. Ross Olivier of Galloway mentioned an article written recently by my former professor and mentor Howard Ball about the need to establish a "Truth and Reconcolition Commission" here. I hadn't seen the piece; here it is. (And thanks to Dr. Ball for quoting me and the JFP in the piece.

Tom Head's New Year's Resolutions

1. Kick the Marlon Brando habit.

Most of us have them--and I spend way too much time on abstract stuff, and not enough time on community-building stuff, so here are mine...

He Who Laughs Last Thinks Slowest

I've been saving up for this one. One, Vanity Fair owes us an apology OR a rebuttal. Two, Christopher Hitchens's picture looks like a mustached woman waiting for her bread to rise. Now we know that there is nothing more insulting to a man than to allude him as a woman. That is why I feel comfortable calling this columnist a pussy. Here's why.

Nanny Hunt a ‘Slap' for African Americans

The New York Times has an interesting piece about the difficulties well-to-do African Americans can have getting quality child care in the U.S.:

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