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[Fly] Write A Cool Holiday Letter
You know those awful, boring, photocopied letters with hokey snowmen that fall out of your Christmas cards from friends and relatives each year? Yeah, those.
IN CONCERT: Dorothy Moore
Gospel Brunch Fundraiser
Grammy-nominated Jacksonian Dorothy Moore does gospel right Sunday at Schimmel's.
In a Sentimental Mood
It's Tuesday, and I'm sitting cross-legged on the floor in Baltimore's Southwest terminal after spending several days in Washington at an alternative-newspaper training conference. I love these gatherings: I teach, I learn, I build relationships—especially with the younger editors and writers who are the future of the news industry. Those guys seldom ask "why?!?" in a discussion about how to best use the Internet to communicate and interact with readers; they ask "how!?!"—big difference.
JFP PoliticsBlog Is Back! (Almost)
The JFP is re-launching our popular PoliticsBlog to track information about candidates our readers can vote for this year—from U.S. president to judicial races in Mississippi. Our news interns are currently assembling photos of candidates, putting together candidate questionnaires (can't wait to see Bush's answers) and preparing the site for re-launch by 2004 with new candidates. Meantime, you can click around the site, which still contains candidate information on last fall's candidates (including a very lengthy blog discussion about Haley Barbour!). And while you're in there, e-mail the interns at [e-mail missing] about what you'd like to see on the 2004 candidate blog—including specific questions you'd like to answered about the candidate. (We don't expect all the questionnaires to be returned — ;-) — but we will do research on your questions and post what we can find. You can also suggest links to information and the like. And, of course, we welcome your participation in the discussion.
Jackson High School Press Association Forming
Are you a Jackson-area high school journalism teacher or adviser (or want to be)? Are you a student leader at a high school publication? Are you trying to start a high school newspaper? The Jackson Free Press is joining forces with the Mass Communications Department at Jackson State University to form the Jackson Area High School Press Association (JAHSPA). All area high schools, public and private, are invited to participate in the effort, which will provide workshops, mentoring and other resources to student-run publications, in print and on the Web. Attend the first meeting Friday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. at JSU armed with your list of needs. Broad Street refreshments provided. RSVP to Dr. Sunny Smith at [e-mail missing] or JFP Editor Donna Ladd at [e-mail missing] for more information.
Capitol Games: Ayana's Guide
BARBOUR'S APPOINTMENTS
Following is the JFP's primer to need-to-know information about the Legislature and state government. We will be adding information as we go. Send suggested information to: [e-mail missing]
2004 PoliticsBlog Live!
Thanks to the hard work of reporter Ayana Taylor, our 2004 PoliticsBlog is live now. We are featuring information on candidates, as well as the issues discussions that are running in the paper between now and the election. We welcome your comments and links to further information you think would benefit voters—either under the candidate's blog or under the Issues links. We're still working out a few design kinks, so bear with us on those. But let us know any technical kinds that indicate that something isn't working right. Write: [e-mail missing] to report problems. Cheers, again, to Ayana.
[Just In] Barbour Starts ‘Rapid Response' Web Campaign
Today, Gov. Haley Barbour launched a Web site to get supporters to help him get what he wants out of the special session. The site lists e-mail addresses for letters to the editor (not of the JFP), talk show call-ins, etc., and asks people to c.c. "Bo Kabala ([e-mail missing]) on any letters to the editor!" Click on the link to view his media instructions. Following is the letter to friends posted on the site ...
Church vs. Cars
Belhaven residents are speaking out against First Presbyterian Church's proposed plan to close Pinehurst and Belhaven streets for 30 minutes twice a day to decrease traffic in its part of the 'hood. The mammoth church's idea is to close Belhaven Street from State to Jefferson, and Pinehurst Street from State to Hazel Street. This plan, if accepted by the city, would go into effect on March 17. No word on whether the church, fondly referred to as "First Pres," plans to ask its members to come to a complete stop at Stop signs along Jefferson Street as they vacate the neighborhood at noon on Sundays. Belhaven residents opposed to the closing can obtain a petition by calling 944-1390 or e-mailing [e-mail missing]
[Editor's Note] Young, Impressive, Ours
When freelance writer Greg Pigott turned in his write-up of Mark Scott of Callaway High School for this "Amazing Teens" issue, he wrote: "I wish I had more words to use--this kid was really amazing!"
Sh*t Anonymous Bloggers Say
You know it had to happen. They're too cowardly to put their real names to their angry posts. If you watch closely enough, you realize they must be using the Anonymous Blogger playbook.
Obama Lead Swells Since Election Night
He's now winning by 7 percent rather than the 5 percent on Election night:
Obama: 67,065,042 (52.7%, 365 EVs)McCain: 58,420,587 (45.9%, 162 EVs)
Wicker to Oppose $25 Billion Auto Bailout
[Verbatim] WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today made the following statement regarding the $25 billion bailout package for U.S. automakers scheduled for Senate consideration this week: "I opposed the $700 billion Wall Street bailout seven weeks ago in part because I didn't think it did anything to get to the root of the problem. Now, Senate Democrats want to tap into those funds to provide $25 billion to struggling U.S. automakers while ignoring the companies' competitiveness issues that have continually plagued them. The Big Three automakers were in financial trouble before our economy slowed down. To provide a $25 billion bailout for some companies isn't fair to taxpayers or the American businesses that have made smart decisions, nor is it good government policy.
Michelle Obama's Slavery Roots
A fascinating story in The Seattle Times starts out:
Dick Cheney, Former AG Gonzales Indicted in Texas
The Associated Press in Texas is reporting:
Wicker Applauds Veterans Travel Reimbursement Increase
[Verbatim] WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today applauded the decision by the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to increase the reimbursement rate for disabled veterans traveling to VA facilities to receive health care. Effective today, the rate was increased from 28.5 cents to 41.5 cents per mile. "This increase is a huge benefit to Mississippi's veterans, especially those in rural areas who travel many miles to reach VA facilities," Wicker said. "Increased energy costs and economic challenges have only added to the financial burden felt by many disabled veterans. This reimbursement increase should help alleviate that burden while helping ensure these veterans have access to the health care they deserve."
Al Franken Wins Senate Seat by 225 Votes
Politico is reporting that Al Franken has won the Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman.
What ‘08 Election Meant for Immigration Reform
[verbatim]In 2008 America's Voice (AV), a new communications campaign organization, was launched to harness the power of America's voices and American values to win common sense immigration reform. Working with pollsters Pete Brodnitz, Celinda Lake, David Mermin, and Sergio Bendixen as well as NDN, Hildebrand Tewes, and other leading experts, AV tracked the politics of immigration in the 2008 elections. Following are our top findings. For more, visit http://www.immigration08.com.
Rep. Childers Praises Efforts at PAYGO, Controlling Earmarks
[Verbatim from Childers] Washington, D.C. – Congressman Travis Childers (D-MS) today applauded the House and Senate's efforts to increase government fiscal responsibility and transparency. His praise came in response to new steps to cut earmarks and provide further disclosure, as well as improvements in pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules. "Congress' efforts to improve fiscal discipline and transparency are essential steps in the right direction towards reaching a more commonsense policy for government spending," said Congressman Childers. "I applaud both the House and Senate's efforts to make our government more accountable to the American people, especially during this time of economic crisis."