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Black College Women Take Aim at Rappers
AP reports: "Maybe it was the credit card that rap superstar Nelly swiped through a woman's backside in a recent video. Here at Spelman, the most famous black women's college in the country, a feud has erupted over images of women in rap videos, sparking a petition drive and phone campaigns.
Praise the Lord, and Pass the Grits, by Lynette Hanson
Feb. 26, 2004—Harmony can mean many things, not just musical ones, either. For instance, the harmony between grits—that wonderful Southern breakfast side dish—and other scrumptious morsels like hot buttered biscuits, fluffy scrambled eggs, and maybe some thick, barely browned potatoes can make one want to burst into song, harmonious or otherwise, at the perfect combination of tastes and textures.
Seeing the Light? Challenging ‘Compassionate Conservatism'
Ala. Gov. Riley is causing serious discussion and though by arguing that the Bible supports raising state taxes to care for the poor. He is arguing for--drum roll-- a progressive tax system. The New York Times reports: "If Governor Riley's tax plan becomes law — the voters still need to ratify it in September — it will be a major victory for poor people, a rare thing in the current political climate. But win or lose, Alabama's tax-reform crusade is posing a pointed question to the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family and other groups that seek to import Christian values into national policy: If Jesus were active in politics today, wouldn't he be lobbying for the poor? ... Alabama's tax system has long been brutally weighted against the least fortunate. The state income tax kicks in for families that earn as little a $4,600, when even Mississippi starts at over $19,000. Alabama also relies heavily on its sales tax, which runs as high as 11 percent and applies even to groceries and infant formula. The upshot is wildly regressive: Alabamians with incomes under $13,000 pay 10.9 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes, while those who make over $229,000 pay just 4.1 percent. ... Governor Riley's plan, which would bring in $1.2 billion in desperately needed revenue, takes aim at these inequalities. It would raise the income threshold at which families of four start paying taxes to more than $17,000. It would scrap the federal income tax deduction and increase exemptions for dependent children. And it would sharply roll back the current-use exemption, a change that could cost companies like Weyerhaeuser and Boise Cascade, which own hundreds of thousands of acres, millions in taxes. Governor Riley says that money is too tight to lift the sales tax on groceries this time, but that he intends to work for that later." For more info, see Riley's Web site. National Review fires back.
Wesley Clark for President?
Salon reports today: "On Wednesday Clark officially declared himself a Democrat, telling CNN that if he ran for president, he'd seek the Democratic nomination. 'It's a party that stands for internationalism. It's a party that stands for ordinary men and women,' Clark said. 'It's a party that stands for fair play and equity and justice and common sense and reasonable dialogue.' He told the network he hadn't made up his mind to run but added, 'I'm closer to working my way through it.'"
Amy Tuck Revives State Flag Issue
Whoa. How should we read this interesting turn of events? Does Ms. Tuck believe it will be politically expedient to have a rebel flag debate as part of her race against Ms. Blackmon? It seems rather desperate. One thing, though: This story is rather odd: Is she just answering a question about the flag? Or did she bring it up herself? It seems like an important piece of missing information.
Democrats Getting Fired Up?
"We don't need another Republican Party!" Democrats declared at a Take Back America rally this. Read Salon's report.
Braggin' in Brass, by JC Patterson
Hear, and dance to, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Friday night (Dec. 20) at George Street Grocery.
"How to Lose the Intelligent Vote, Part I"
Things are looking so positive in Mississippi. State Democrats chose the most qualified candidate for state treasurer regardless of race. Dialogue has started to happen about intelligent issues. There are signs that more progressive voters may turn out to the polls this November. Then: wha-powww, right in the kisser! Dear Gov. Musgrove: Your invitation to bring Alabama's "10 commendments" monument to the Capitol is a silly political ploy that may well lose you more votes than it gains (say, like this one). You are smart enough to know that the reason the First Amendment contains an anti-Establishment clause is in order that the Freedom of Religion can exist and be enforced. By pretending otherwise, and courting the vote of that conservative rural chick in Kemper County, you are insulting the intelligence and thumbing your nose at the support of many, many potential voters in Mississippi who understand that not allowing religious monuments in government spaces will help afford them their religious freedom. You are certainly doing *nothing* to help increase turnout among those who are so frustrated with the lack of a choice in political candidates. You don't play politics with the U.S. Constitution, not if you care about what's in it, or the people you serve. You should be ashamed. Furthermore, it's actions such as these that, in the long run, tarnish the reputation of our state and encourage our bright, young people to go live somewhere else where thinking and intelligence isn't ridiculed and mocked by our political candidates out to pander for some quick and easy votes. We deserve better. (I'm not even addressing Barbour's pander here; he's a member of the Grand Old Panderer party, so it's expected.)
Kamikaze: Left Behind, by Alphonso Mayfield
The term "kamikaze" is a well-known phrase used to identify Japanese pilots who flew suicide missions during World War II. However, the term has a much deeper significance with the translation of the "Divine Wind." The last translation is a remembrance of two seemingly divine storms that crushed the attempts of Kublai Khan to invade Japan in 1274 and served as inspiration for those famed pilots. So on the surface a kamikaze can mean many different things. Like the term, rapper Kamikaze, born Brad Franklin, is not what he appears on the surface.
Feeling the Indie Pulse, by Herman Snell
Those of us old enough to remember W.C. Don's, Midnight Sun, Inez's, The Mosquito and the University Pub recall these ground-breaking Jackson music establishments with a nostalgic sigh of passing. In Jackson over the years I've seen The Strokes, Smash Mouth, Unrest, Stereolab, The Flaming Lips, R.E.M., The B-52s, The Cult, Henry Rollins, Sebadoh, Social Distortion, Man Or Astroman, The Connells and thousands of amazing, virtually unknown indie talent. For the past several years, a lack of consistency and information, among other problems, has created a void in this once-thriving scene. International bands like American Analog Set, Of Montreal, The Field Mice and True Love Always played Martin's Lounge, and no one showed up. Crippled and unorganized, the masses of indie creed are beginning to feel for a pulse. The once-isolated efforts of a few frustrated individuals are now starting to band together to cross-promote and get the word out on what is happening. And that's a good thing.
Tough Questions for Mitch Tyner
The uncut version.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mitch Tyner answers tough questions about his Davidian quest for the state's top office, if liberals can love God, and whether or not he's a closet Democrat.