Southern Tradition and Hypocrisy
The ruling class in the South doesn’t tolerate challenges to its rule well.
Vote Nov. 5 for McQuirter, Baker
In the contest for Hinds County District 2 supervisor, the Jackson Free Press endorses Darrel McQuirter—and for all the reasons we gave him our endorsement in the Democratic primary.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Bureaucratic Cash Grab'
One of the objections civil-rights leaders often raise about voter ID is the it is tantamount to an unconstitutional tax.
Milking Our Emotions
With all that is going on with the government lately, people on all sides of the political spectrum seem to be on edge. Nothing will make people emotional faster than cuts and government actions they can feel immediately.
Mississippi’s Flag: A Blow at Civilization
The state flag tells the world that Mississippi hasn’t changed.
Young People: Lift Your Voices
When the Pew Charitable Trusts released data on juvenile-detention rates across the country earlier this month, Mississippi had the third greatest percentage drop (77 percent) in young people committed to the juvenile- justice system.
Let’s All Start Living ‘The Laramie Project’
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, something happened at the University of Mississippi.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Access to care"
Gov. Phil Bryant's hypocrisy is hard to ignore in light of his rationale for detesting the federal Affordable Care Act.
A Spooky, Scary Legend
Mr. Announcer: "Welcome to the Halloween edition of 'All God's Churn Got Shoes,' the longest-running soap opera on Ghetto Science Television."
No Time to Fear
The grass isn’t greener, or safer, in another cow pasture or flood plain somebody wants to develop.
Save People, Not Just Boobies
Every October, almost every company in the country suddenly—and suspiciously—cares about the health of womenfolk and wants to stop breast cancer.
Stinker Quote of the Week: Meaningful
At this writing, 60 percent of Americans polled believe that the whole Congress should be sh*t canned. A small minority of radical right-wingers would rather devastate the world economy than give an inch, and no one has the will to stand up to them.
Strings in Schools is Worth Saving
It has become an all-too familiar tune: In the midst of shrinking budgets, creative services are first on the chopping block. In business organizations, that often means scaling back marketing and advertising budgets. For school districts, it's arts education.
Prayer, Hope and Questions
I don't think anyone wakes up in the morning telling themselves, "I am going to become a cause today." We are supposed to support causes, not be causes.
My Opening Farewell
After my many years with the JFP in numerous roles, the names and faces of all the dedicated souls who passed through the doors are too many to count or name here. My grateful thanks and warm wishes go to each of you for peace, happiness and success. Be kind to each other.
Shutdown: All Part of the Plan
The Republican members of the U.S. Congress, including the Mississippi coalition, are trying to blame the government shutdown on anyone but themselves.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Cooperation'
As Nunnelee's fellow Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have demonstrated over the past week, "cooperation" isn't the goal. Their actions, refusing to keep the federal government funded and running, amount to extortion.
Pimp Slapped and Car Jacked
Jojo: "The bad news is that some mean and callus politicians in Washington, D.C., will continue to pimp slap, car jack, hijack, beat down and humiliate the American people by shutting down the government."
Making it Happen
No matter how you want to be involved in the Jackson music scene and its various sub-scenes, a place for you exists.
Last of the Letter Writers
Sandy Margolis, the last of the letter writers, died at age 74 two years ago this September.
The Power We Consume
President Barack Obama's administration recently set tough emission standards for electric utility companies that still rely heavily on burning carbon-heavy fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Mad'
Steven Palazzo is one of the Republican congressional "leaders" responsible for the government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1 because lawmakers could not agree on funding to keep the government open.
Help When It’s Needed
Recently, fast-food workers across the country went on strike. They asked for something fairly simple: a living wage. Make no mistake: The multinational companies that employ these workers can afford to pay better. But many from the right-wing political sphere called striking workers greedy, lazy and un-American.
From Nothing to Something
When I moved back to Mississippi 12 years ago, it felt as if the majority of people I met, especially younger ones, constantly had one foot out the door in one way or the other.
You Can’t Eat That
Sometimes it seems like every diet on the planet makes you feel like you can’t have fun.
Cutting SNAP Cuts Lifelines
A few days ago, Mississippi's Republican congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of cutting the federal food-stamp program, aka the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to the tune of $40 billion over the next 10 years.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Repeal'
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature legislation, more than 30 times.
Be Aware, Remain Safe
"It looks like this world we live in has revealed itself in the forms of turmoil, hatred and insanity."