All results / Stories / Donna Ladd
Crossroads
It's three days until the election. (In my need to get it over with, I don't count the current day or Election Day. That makes it come sooner.) It is so stressful waiting to see which way America will turn on Nov. 4; will we choose hope and progress, or fear and regression? Will enough Americans buy Sarah Palin's hate-soaked tirades and give her the opportunity to further divide our nation, or John McCain the chance to fall apart on a national stage?
Help! Jackpedia Needs to Know About Jackson's Best Bargains!
In the JFP's continuing quest to honor local Jackson-area businesses, we are publishing the 2009 Jackpedia next week -- a guide to the coolest and most local businesses, artists, people, professionals, lawyers, doctors, services, musicians, you name it! And we need your help to know what we need to tell newcovers, college students and each other about. So, head to Jackpedia.com and post your favorite info about Jackson (and, yes, yourself; promote away!) on Jackson's local wiki encyclopedia. Note the questions on the front page that are there specially for this issue.
Poll: Obama Would Beat McCain; Hillary Would Tie
A Time magazine poll finds that, thanks to the independent vote, Barack Obama would beat John McCain head-to-head; Hillary Clinton would tie him. Per Time:
Minor: Haley Should Release Tax Returns
In Bill Minor's syndicated column this week, he argues that Gov. Haley Barbour should be more accountable to the public:
Join the JFP Tonight at Pi(e) Lounge
The JFP's monthly Lounge is tonight—Thursday, March 13—at Pi(e) Lounge, Sal & Mookie's new tres-chic cocktail spot. Please join us 6 to 9 p.m. for a specially designed "creative class" cocktail concocted in honor of the JFP (we haven't even tried it yet!), and free munchies. And if you haven't been to Pi(e), yet, now is your chance to visit the hottest little watering hole in town. Oh, and there are also tables out front for what looks to be a gorgeous night. Please join us!
Watch ‘Former' Lobbyist Barbour Pander for Big Energy
... and you wonder why Mississippi ratepayers are being asked to pay for a risky Entergy plant venture in advance, and whether it comes to fruition or not! Robert Novak writes in the Washington Post about vice presidential hopeful Pawlenty of Minnesota. But it's the part buried within that should interest Mississippians:
Our Anti-tax Governor Just Endorsed Online Sales Tax
I can't say I disagree with this: The Hill is reporting that Haley Barbour endorsed it in a letter to lawmakers today, urging them to close a loophole that lets online retailers forego sales taxes that are sorely needed at home (and hurts local businesses):
Do you know an amazing teen? Tell us for Young-Young Influentials!
Do you know an amazing high school aged student?
Someone who demonstrates characteristics of high personal character and integrity, perhaps using this strength of character to be resilient in the face of extenuating family circumstances, or in overcoming significant obstacles.
Help Youth Media Project! Here's PayPal link for Friendship Ball!
It's time for another huge party in downtown Jackson. And this time, you can help the Youth Media Project grow and bring kids from throughout the metro together in a positive way. Just click here to buy your ticket(s) for the Jackson 2000 Friendship Ball Saturday night, and every dime you pay goes to help the young people have a room to work in, get supplies, buy videotapes and other equipment, and even buy snacks for their after-school and Saturday meetings. Jackson 2000 chose the Youth Media Project one of three Friendship Ball receipt recipients this year, and they work in an office (previously donated) connected to the JFP. This is an incredible group of young people, and you can read more about them and their goals on their Web site here. The group is sponsored by the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, the Mississippi Youth Justice Project, the Jackson State Mass Communications Department and the Jackson Free Press.
Feds Say Country Club Employed Undocumented Workers
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that the feds are targeting the Country Club of Jackson for violating immigration law:
NYT: Mississippi Ruling a ‘Racial Split'?
The New York Times has a piece today called "In Mississippi, Ruling Is Seen as a Racial Split" (photograted by none other than one of the JFP's star photogs, Kate Medley):
Why Not Answer the Question, Mr. Agnew?
Clarion-Ledger Executive Editor Ronnie Agnew has a truly absurd column out today. Once he gets through the crap in the beginning about Jim Hood bothering to talk to them on President's Day (who cares?), Agnew reveals that Hood asked him if he's going to hire a Democratic columnist to balance his partisan Republican columnist Sid Salter. Agnew then goes into a diatribe whining about how various people question fairness, and how Salter is fair to Hood, blah, blah.
Best of Jackson is Drawing Near: Need Suggestions!
Folks, we will soon begin the competition for Best of Jackson 2008. This year, we are solicting reader suggestions for categories you'd like to see on the Best of Jackson ballot that we haven't had in the past.
Johnny Dupree's Win and ‘Redneck-Blackneck Politics of the Deep South'
In a new piece on Salon.com, writer Steve Kornacki argues that Democrats are pretty washed up in the Deep South, Johnny Dupree's historic victory notwithstanding. He writes:
They Got the Man They Wanted
Here's the Ledger edit-boyz' latest too-little-too-late whine about their mayor:
It is really hard to watch The Clarion-Ledger whine about Frank Melton. He is exactly the person they endorsed. His history showed that he was "rude" and "outrageous" and couldn't "stay on point." Where were they when it could have made a difference??? Sigh.
Bush Administration Should Come Clean
In the wake of the George Tenet explosion in Washington, The New York Times editorial board today calls for answers—honest ones—from the people who took the U.S. into a bad war with little regard for the truth, getting it or giving it:
Jackson Soldier Melvin Henley Jr. Killed in Iraq
He was killed in a "non-combat incident." Prayers to his loved ones.
Update: ‘Jena 6' Sentence Overturned
Update: Today a Louisiana appeals court overturned the conviction of Mychal Bell, one of the "Jena 6" who were facing severe charges for their end of a racially tinged feud at a school in Jena, La. Read more here. Maggie Burks of the Jackson Free Press has been covering the case since early August, when she went to Jena to cover Al Sharpton's visit there in support of the young men. Read her Aug. 8 story here. Read the Wikipedia entry on the case here
Gay Marriage Can't Change This ...
Associated Press reports:
The death of al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq came as more Americans than ever thought the war in Iraq was a mistake, according to AP-Ipsos polling.
Baggy pants are out! Men's butts are back!
At least so sez The New York Times. Can't say I mind this trend.