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Childers: Stimulus Must Help North Miss.
Dear Friends,
In an email released today, North Mississippi Congressman Travis Childers pledged to bring his district "its fair share of stimulus funds":
Wicker Battles Fairness Doctrine Bogeyman
Sen. Roger Wicker's office just released a statement trumpeting Wicker's defense of free speech against the dreaded Fairness Doctrine. The bogus threat of the Fairness Doctrine--an old FCC rule requiring broadcasters to give equal airtime to opposing political views--was a favorite Republican scare tactic during the campaign, and Wicker seems intent on continuing the fight against a rule nobody cares to reinstate.
Act Proposes Stimulus for Gulf Coast
Supporters of a large-scale civic works program for the Gulf Coast are calling U.S. Representatives today, asking them to include H.R. 4048, the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act, in an upcoming economic stimulus package. Mississippi Reps. Bennie Thompson and Gene Taylor are co-sponsors of the bill, which would employ 100,000 people in rebuilding Gulf Coast schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.
Obama's AG and the Drug War
The folks at Reason Magazine have pointed out that Obama's pick for Attorney General has held much harsher views on drug sentencing than the president-elect.
Obama Picks Ed. Secretary
So much for Ray Mabus or Ronnie Musgrove. Arne Duncan is the President-elect's pick for Secretary of Education. The choice makes sense, as Obama and Duncan were friends in Chicago. Duncan also played pro basketball in Australia for a bit, so he'll fit in well on Obama's "team of ballers."
Wicker on Roe v. Wade Anniversary
Sen. Roger Wicker released the following statement today:
WASHINGTON - On the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., reaffirmed his belief that no one should be denied the right to life. Wicker also thanked the participants in today's March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.
Wicker Reaching for Dem Coattails
You can tell Republicans have fallen on tough times when Roger Wicker tries to fool Hinds County voters into thinking he's a Democrat. The Musgrove campaign just sent out a link to this post from Marc Ambinder at The Atlantic.
DSCC Ad Attacks Wicker on Health Care, Wages
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is running a new ad that criticizes Roger Wicker for voting repeatedly against expanding children's health insurance, raising the minimum wage and increasing Medicare funding. An accompanying press release details the claims about Wicker's voting record.
Ole Miss, Warts and All
An article in today's New York Times deviates a bit from the standard narrative on Ole Miss and the debate. It provides some counterpoint to the several versions of "Look how far they've come!" I've seen in the mainstream media thus far, in the Washington Post (twice), the Wall Street Journal and on NPR.
What Are We Gonna Do With All This Stuff?
OXFORDYou're going to hear more from us tomorrow about the money Oxford stands to lose if the debate falls through. But it's also time to consider those purchases Ole Miss made that will quickly seem ridiculous without a presidential debate. We appreciate the hospitality, Ole Miss, but you might regret getting:
McCain's Debate Stunt Doesn't Impress
No one at an afternoon panel at Ole Miss' Overby Center was willing to stick up for John McCain's plan to ditch the debate. Former Gov. William Winter, Jackson City Council President Leslie McLemore and former Mississippi Republican Party chairman Clarke Reed were scheduled to discuss party realignment in the South, and they mostly stuck to that subject, except to express their disapproval of McCain's stunt.
James Meredith's Sister Speaks From Obama-Land
OXFORDA few hundred feet from the Square, three Obama t-shirt vendors have set up shop in the parking lot of Goolsby's Hair World. A banner proclaims this swath of concrete "Obama-Land." Business appears to be good. I didn't catch any signs of serious competition between them. There's an impressive diversity of shirts on sale--several referencing Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
Muslim McCain Supporters Take On Bigots
It's a relief to see at least one instance of McCain supporters confronting the anti-Muslim sentiment outside GOP rallies. Let's hope there's more of it.
Cancelled Event A Blow To Obama Fundraising
More on the cancelled Women for Obama-Biden Forum that Donna mentioned earlier today:
Politics Makes For Many Bedfellows
OXFORDAs the debate nears, our sleeping conditions are deteriorating. Last night Bryan and I both crashed at the house of a William Winter Institute employee. The scene this morning reminded me of the line in "The Godfather" about "going to the mattresses" when things get really serious:
Oxford Puts On Its Party Pants
OXFORDFor all the debate fever of the past week, Oxford's real transformation has taken place in the last 24 hours. The town felt fairly quiet yesterday morning, but by the afternoon, several impromptu Obama campaign apparel businesses had set up around the square, working out of air conditioning vans or on folding tables. Today, the square has reached another level. Even more patriotic bunting hangs outside the centrally-located shops. Lily's Gifts on the square has a sign asking if you're "Election Ready." Apparently we'll need drinking cups for the election. The mannequins in Kaleidoscope are sporting stars-and-stripes top hats along with their dresses. The Darfur protester carrying a Mississippi state flag--who's been sitting in front of the courthouse since I got here--has all the media attention he could want. There's a steady stream of foot and car traffic, including lots of children. Oxford schools aren't closed today, but it looks like some parents deem the debate a suitable educational alternative.
Reactions From The Square
OXFORDJudging from applause, the McCain supporters on the Square are still most excited about his running mate. McCain's biggest applause line by far was his Sarah Palin "maverick" shout-out.
Oxford Police Still Working Overtime
OXFORDI sat down with Oxford Police Chief Mike Martin this morning to talk about his preparations for the debate and how his officers have responded to uncertainty. He wouldn't say exactly how many additional officers he's put on duty, citing security concerns, but he confirmed that he has "a good many" officers working overtime.
Fletcher Cox Negotiates with Nature
Fletcher Cox is finishing a pair of doors when I visit his shop on a rainy Wednesday. They're the last in a set of 13 pairs that he's been commissioned to make for the new federal courthouse under construction in downtown Jackson.
Steven Wells Hicks: Writing For Sock Monkeys
Steven Wells Hicks was a creative advertising director for 35 years before becoming a novelist. Born in Omaha, Neb., Hicks has lived in Jackson since July, 1974 and calls himself a "southerner by choice."