Corps: Twin Lakes Plan ‘Economically Infeasible'
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting:
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.
James Ford Seale Wants Charges Thrown Out
Read the JFP's full Dee-Moore-Seale package.
Hood and Barbour Disagree Over State Farm
Today, Jim Hood sent out a statement asking the governor and insurance commissioner to follow Florida's lead and require State Farm and other insurance companies to continue writing policies in the state. In a response, the governor say no. Both statements are below verbatim. First, the AG's:
Auditors: Billions Squandered in Iraq
AP is reporting:
About $10 billion has been squandered by the U.S. government on Iraq reconstruction aid because of contractor overcharges and unsupported expenses, and federal investigators warned Thursday that significantly more taxpayer money is at risk. The three top auditors overseeing work in Iraq told a House committee their review of $57 billion in Iraq contracts found that Defense and State department officials condoned or allowed repeated work delays, bloated expenses and payments for shoddy work or work never done. More than one in six dollars charged by U.S. contractors were questionable or unsupported, nearly triple the amount of waste the Government Accountability Office estimated last fall.
JFP Writer in New "Chicken Soup" Book
... and it's breaking news over at The Clarion-Ledger. OK, maybe not the JFP part. ;-) Congrats, Tiffany! We're proud of you, girlfriend.
Archive of the JFP's Coverage of the Dee-Moore Case
Following are links to the Jackson Free Press' full, and ongoing, package of stories about 1960s Klan activity in the Natchez-Meadville-Roxie, Miss., area, starting with the award-winning investigative story by Donna Ladd and a team of young Mississippians, working with David Ridgen, a documentary filmmaker from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., to chronicle Thomas' Moore's 2005 return to Mississippi to seek justice for his brother's murder.
2007 Friendship Ball Honorees Announced
Jackson 2000, a racial reconcilation organization, has announced that the 2007 Friendship Ball honors are Harvey Johnson Jr. and Cora Norman. The Friendship Ball will be March 3 at Hal & Mal's. More details soon.
Senate Votes to Fully Fund Adequate Education
Verbatim from Nancy Loome of The Parents Campaign:
It is a great day for Mississippi children! This morning the full Senate passed, on a unanimous voice vote, a version of HB 238 that fully funds the MAEP! This is a major victory for Mississippi school children, and you made it happen! The calls, letters and e-mails from concerned citizens all across this state sent an undeniable message to legislators and other elected officials. You made it clear that Mississippians will stand for nothing less than a quality education for all our children!
Does this Ledger Headline Fit the Story?
A reader just sent me this Clarion-Ledger link and headline. Consider whether y'all think the headline portrays what's in the story: "Man charged in slaying may be released if DA doesn't hurry." Now, here's the beginning of the story:
WLBT Gives Close-ups of Melton's Scars
In a TV segment that is drawing its 15 minutes of fame, Frank Melton invited WLBT cameras into his home to show his scars up close and personal to dispel "rumors" that he didn't actually have the operation he said he had. The question that remains for us is: Why didn't he simply release his medical records as many other public servants have done over the years? That would have seemed more tasteful than taking of his clothes on television.
BREAKING: Melton, Bodyguards Back in Upper Level
Club-goers are reporting that Mayor Frank Melton, and an entourage including bodyguards, Dets. Michael Recio and Marcus Wright, arrived at the Upper Level nightclub in Jackson close to 2 a.m. todaySunday, Feb. 11. The mayor arrived in a black Chrysler, witnesses say, along with several JPD police cars. There are reports that Chief Shirlene Anderson was among the entourage, but her presence could not be confirmed Sunday.
Just in: City Attorney Charges ‘Threats'
<i>City Attorney and Staff Exited Executive Session at Mayor's Request
A statement just came from City Attorney Sarah O-Reilly Evans about the City Council meeting she and others walked out of yesterday, as reported by Adam Lynch yesterday. Verbatim:
Real Love Can Be Tough
Love is a funny thing. It too often earns its status as a four-letter word. It bites us in the ass. It keeps us awake and alive. It motivates us.
Trial Date Set for Melton, Bodyguards
The Associated Press is reporting that Frank Melton, Michael Recio and Marcus Wright are headed to trial on April 23 for the demolition of the Ridgeway Street duplex and instructing at least one minor to help with the crime. For background, see Adam Lynch's breaking Sept. 1 story here and news and blog updates on JFP's MeltonBlog .
More Prosecutions Possible in Neshoba Slayings?
We are transferring a posting from BenG (from the Hungry Blues blog) here in order to have a more substantive conversation about it and not take away from the Dee-Moore discussion where it was originally posted:
James Ford Seale: A Trail of Documents Tells the Story
James Ford Seale was walking tall and chewing on a cigar as he appeared before a subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities on Jan. 14, 1966, at 11:35 a.m. in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Dirty Tricks Against Obama ... Already
Per Joe Conason over at Salon, the right-wing machine is pulling some old dirty tricks out of its archive:
McGowan Against Eminent-Domain Limits
LeFleur Lakes developer John McGowan is coming out swinging against the limits to eminent domain to benefit private developers that is now before the Legislature. Head over to StateDesk for more details and to discuss this issue. (No registration required there.)
Why Does Dee-Moore Have to Be the ‘Last' Case?
It's odd how so much of the media want to quickly proclaim the Dee-Moore case the "last" of the "cold cases" from the 1960s likely to be prosecuted. I'm hearing this over and over again, even in some of the more intelligent commentary on outlets like NPR. Why is this? There are many cold cases, and if the evidence is there, or can be found, they should be prosecuted as well.
We're Sorry for the Murders of Dee and Moore
See full JFP Dee-Moore archive here.
When Thomas Moore came back to Mississippi in July 2005 looking for justice for the 1964 murders of his brother, Charles, and his friend, Henry Dee, he didn't know if he'd find it.
Bush Doesn't Mention Katrina Recovery
AP is reporting tonight that Bush did not mention Katrina recovery a single time in his "State of the Union" address. Maybe he just forgot. AP:
Bush to Go Domestic in ‘State of the Union'
President Bush must give a difficult "State of the Union" tonight to a nation that has turned against his policies. Please join us here at the JFP to blog it live. The New York Times is reporting:
Monticello Mayor Speaks Out Against ‘Two Lake'
In response to The Clarion-Ledger's huge package of stories last weekend overwhelmingly in favor of the LeFleur Lakes development plan (including an odd pro-pro pair of columns), Monticello Mayor Dave Nichols II wrote the paper in protest, bringing up a vital point too little discussed by the developers:
Touted Melton Attorney Wins Death-Row Case
Houston attorney Craig Washington, whom Frank Melton had said will defend him in his upcoming trial for destroying a Ridgeway Street duplex, has won in his effort back in Texas to keep client Tyrone Williams off death row. Williams, who was convicted on 58 counts of conspiracy, harboring and transporting immigrants, was responsible for the deadliest smuggling operation to date, back in 2003, when he abandoned his truck with over 70 immigrants on board. Nineteen of them suffocated in the back of his tractor-trailer in the sweltering heat. Washington withdrew from Melton's gun trials last fall, due to obligations back in Texas.
Attorney Chokwe Lumumba Re-instated
The Associated Press is reporting that the Mississippi Supreme Court has voted 8-1 to re-instate controversial attorney Chokwe Lumumba. Here's a JFP news story with relevant context, and an opinion piece against his disbarment.
Dems, Evangelicals Join Forces Against Global Warming
The new Democratic Congress is joining with the growing anti-global-warming evangelical movement to try to curb the dangers of global warming. Fortunately, denial is no longer the main strategy in Washington. The New York Times reports:
‘This Film Is Not Yet Rated' TONIGHT at Hal & Mal's
Head over to Hal & Mal's Red Room for the Crossroads Film Society presentation of "This Film is Not Yet Rated." This daring and funny documentary explores the mystery of the MPAA, a lobbying organization for the movie industry, and its hitherto unquestioned censoring process. 7 p.m., $7 ($5 for members). 601-510-9148 .
Only the Best Will Do
I grew up thinking I lived in the worst state in the country. I wasn't alone: I was surrounded by people with a collective inferiority complex—especially the ones who protested the most about what other people think of us, and how it doesn't matter.
Obama Is In the Race ... or Almost
He has launched his new presidential exploratory Web site, where you can read a transcript, or watch a video, of Obama explaining why he is (almost) in the race:
Blog/Read Verbatim ‘State of the State' at StateDesk
Right now, head over to StateDesk. We've just posted the full speech verbatim, so you can read along and comment as Gov. Barbour reads his speech. It's also live on MPB right now.
Bush's Version of Iraq Ignores Facts
Mark Seibel, the head of international coverage for McClatchy news service, published a detailed piece this weekend dissecting how the Bush administration—especially Bush, Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley—is playing fast and loose with the facts in their latest push to ramp up the war in Iraq:
Honoring Dr. King: Toward Justice in Mississippi
Jacksonian Martha Bergmark, who runs the Mississippi Center for Justice here, has an inspiring call to action (especially for social-justice attorneys) printed at MSNBC.com/Newsweek today, in honor of Dr. King's birthday today:
Stupid Quote o' The Day
Yes, it was uttered by President Bush while trying to defend his plan to ramp up forces in Iraq against bipartisan opposition—and it's a doozy, even for a man known for really stupid statements. As quoted by the Associated Press:
Just In: Rep. Leonard Morris of Batesville Dies
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that Rep. Leonard Morris has died:
ALERT: Prison Escapee May Be in Jackson
Terry S. Thomas, 50, was seen Thursday in downtown Jackson, the release said.
Per a release posted on The Clarion-Ledger's site:
Barbour's ‘State of the State' on MLK Birthday
Mississippi Public Broadcasting will air Gov. Haley Barbour's "State of the State" address on Monday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m. You can hear a live feed on MPB's Web site. The Jackson Free Press will be live-blogging the speech at our new statewide political newswire, StateDesk.
Bush Tax Cuts Make Richest Richer, Middle Class Poorer
Big surprise, but here's the evidence from the congressional budget office that Bush's tax cuts are hurting the middle class and increasing economic inequality in the country:
LeFleur Lakes Critic Tom Pullen on Radio JFP Friday
Tune into WLEZ, 103.7 FM, at noon Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, for Radio JFP, Jackson's news and entertainment variety hour. Joining host Todd Stauffer will be editors Donna Ladd and Brian Johnson to talk about the week's news, as well as Tom Pullen of the Pearl River Basin Coalition to talk about flood control, the need for green space for economic development, and why he opposes the LeFleur Lakes proposal. You'll also hear songs from musicians playing out in Jackson in the next week.
Probation Office: Melton Under Curfew, No Kid Contact
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that a probation official wrote a letter to Melton this week containing harsh warnings against violations of his bond:
StateDesk.com, Powered by the JFP, Debuts Today
OK, being that y'all blogheads deserve to be the first to know about our various online shenanigans, allow me to introduce you to the state's brand-new political wire, StateDesk.com. It's in beta stage, of course, and we're still getting its bells and whistles loaded up (lots of surprises ahead), but we've started linking the state's political headlines around the state and blogging on what's happening at the Legislature and in state political races.
LeFleur Lakes Developer Plans to Go Around Corps
The Northside Sun has two intriguing pieces this week for John McGowan's next plan on how to get his LeFleur Lakes development to move ahead, one a slight news piece about a positive (and unscientific) poll on his Web site, and more interesting, a publisher's note by Wyatt Emmerich. He says that McGowan now wants to go around the federal government—and is worried that the new bill to restrict eminent domain in the Legislature will hurt his chances:
Mississippi's Infant Mortality Rate Rises
WLOX in Biloxi is reporting:
Barbour to Make Anti-Crime Announcement Thursday
Update: Barbour's statement is posted verbatim over on StateDesk.
Young Dems Oppose Minimum-Wage Amendment
Breaking news over at StateDesk.
Loome: Big Rally for Education Thursday
[verbatim from Nancy Loome of The Parents Campaign] Things are really heating up at the Capitol, and pro-education legislators are looking to The Parents' Campaign network members (you!) to win full funding for our children! All eyes are now focused on next week's rally, and legislators have said that your attendance there will be the key to a full-funding victory. WE REALLY NEED YOU THERE NEXT THURSDAY!
My Kind Of Doctor
I am so not good at being sick.