[Stiggers] You Lie!
Boneqweesha Jones: "Welcome to the motivational portion of Hair Did University's fall semester orientation. Our guest speaker is Smokey 'Robinson' McBride, representative of Ghetto Science Team District No. 1042 and 2/8."
[Balko] The Hunt for Criminality
Why it's important that prosecutors know when not to bring charges.
Council: Be Responsible
Over the last several weeks, we've watched several Jackson City Council members act irresponsiblyand probably for blatantly political purposes. This needs to end.
[Stiggers] White Backlash Blues
Boneqweesha Jones: "Welcome to Ghetto Science Television's special report titled 'What's Up with Operation White Backlash?'"
[Kamikaze] Don't Be A Jerk
We have become a society that applauds bad behavior. We have become a nation that shuns decorum and champions those who break rank with tact. We have become a country that no longer respects authority, title or office.
[Rejebian] Moving Forward
Raymond carries a bucket. Anyone who spends any time in downtown Jackson has seen him. Tall and lanky, he walks the streets with a perpetual offer to clean your car windshield or shine your wheels.
[Stauffer] A 21st Century Boom Town?
When we launched the Jackson Free Press seven years ago this week, it was with a cover story on Jackson's "creative class." Seven years later as the JFP rolls into Volume 8, I still hear from people surprised, amazed and (at least, more often than not) pleased to see the JFP is still kicking andin factgrowing.
[Balko] Drug Warriors Want Your Assets
The Supreme Court reviews Illinois' awful asset forfeiture law.
Spreading False Fears
Women are stupid. At least that's what the National Independent Women's Forum seems to believe. This week the Republican-leaning non-profit advocacy group aired a television ad with inaccurate information about health-care reform specifically targeting women.
Time To Talk Back
A remarkable thing has happened on the way to a national public dialogue about health reform: Bullies (many of them well-funded by industry groups) have taken over the conversation by yelling into microphones.
[Stiggers] Of Fear and Hope
Miss Doodle-Mae: "Looks like this summer is just another memory. And what a time it wasa period of anxiety, fear, hatred, and doubt mixed with hope, perseverance and patience.
[Balko] Don't Tase Me, Sis
"The Police Women of Broward County" takes reality cop TV to new depths.
Art is the Best Revenge
This past Saturday I gave a seminar on freelance writing, and a whole lot of creative people showed up.
It's the Presentation, Stupid!
Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill did an odd thing Monday, and it ended up backfiring on him because of the way he did it.
[Stiggers] Funky Vibes
Brotha Hustle: "Aunt Tee Tee and I are back on the scene with our refurbished mini-DVD camcorder, portable work light and high-powered parabolic boom mic.
[Hutchinson] The GOP's Birthers Con Game
Republicans have a nice little con game going with the birthers. Here's GOP Chairman Michael Steele speaking this summer: "The birthers are an unnecessary distraction."
[Kamikaze] Blindsided by the Sun
You'd think some newspaper editors would at least have taken the time to do a little more research.
[Balko] Lockerbie and Old Lace
What does a thumbprint at the scene of a Scottish spinster's murder have to do with the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103?
'Local' Means More than 'Locale'
In her Aug. 21 column, "How Locavores Brought On Local-Washing," Forbes magazine Deputy Editor Elisabeth Eaves takes umbrage with the story "A Local Lie" (link) published here and in a handful of other newsweeklies around the country.
Lose the Rhetoric on Health Care
When Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi's second congressional district hosted a town hall meeting on health-care reform Monday in Jackson, there were no angry mobs, protesters with guns or yelling matches such as those we've all watched on TV of late.
[Stiggers] Anger and Spite
Bone-Qweesha Jones: "In this summer's political climate, what's hotter than July? The answer is: August, baby! And the nation is sizzling in a debate over health-care reform.
[Lee] Remembering Kelly Pates
Last week, I received a Blackberry message from a good friend informing me of Kelly Pates' death. While I was immediately saddened to learn we had lost him so younghe was only in his mid 50sI also went back to the fall of 1997 when I first heard Kelly and his family perform.
Innocent Man Freed; Shabby Prosecutor Now a Judge
Bernard Baran served 22 years on dubious child molestation charges, yet the prosecutor who convicted him isn't even inconvenienced.
Transitions
When managing editor Maggie Neff walked into my office a couple months ago and closed the door, I sensed what was coming. She and husband J.P. were moving to Chattanooga at the end of the summer.
Ratepayers, Beware
The Mississippi Public Service Commission will begin the first round of hearings Oct. 5 to determine the feasibility of an expensive, new coal-burning plant in Kemper County.
[Stiggers] Packing Heat for Health Care
Nurse Tootie McBride: "Greetings counter protesters! We're gathered today to counteract the anti-health-reform folk who disturb the politicians at the town-hall meetings."
[Kamikaze] ‘Their America'
When faced with overwhelming adversity, you often discover what some people are made of. When under great duress from fear of the unknown, you can also find out what people really think or feel.
[Hutchinson] Obama's Death Threats
President Obama has gotten more death threats in a shorter period of time than any other president in U.S. history.
[Balko] Cross-Examining Forensics
The Supreme Court says that forensics analysts can be cross-examined ... for now.
[MHAP] Spread The Truth About Health Care Reform
The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program believes Americans deserve to know the truth about how health insurance reform helps them and their families.