Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Raids
The Cato Institute—made up of pesky libertarians who take on both "sides"—has released a report by Radley Bilko on the rise in popularity of paramilitary drug raises—and their dangers and abuses. Here's the executive summary:
Clarion-Ledger on the 'Saddened But Perhaps Wiser' Melton
The Clarion-Ledger editorial boys weigh in today with another brillliant screed about crime. The guys–who are now into community-style policing now that the mayor/chief who were into it, too, are gone–say that because crime is up dramatically under Melton, the "saddened but perhaps wiser" Melton is doing the right thing by calling a crime summit to talk about various ways to fight crime (presumably beyond endorsing and electing a wild, west mayor who promised to cure it in 90 days). And, warns the Ledger dudes, be sure to note who is not there because THEY CLEARLY DO NOT CARE ABOUT CRIME, the way the Ledge and all the rest of us, and the Ledge's edit-men, do:
Christian Science Monitor on Melton and Race
The Christian Science Monitor just ran a piece about Frank Melton called Mayor's tough tack on crime stirs up racial sensitivities:
Meeeeeeeetttt Mr. Deuce!
Here's our latest little rescue darling, Little Mister Deuce. He's staying in the office with us right now, home at night, and really needs a good home. He's loving, and playful and loves to cuddle! Get in touch with us, 601.362.6121 ext. 5 if you'd like to be considered as his new parent(s). You would be very lucky. He's wonderful!
[Editor's Note] On The Road Again
Cartoon: Brokaw Discovers Hip-Hop
Did Clarion-Ledger Columnist Plagiarize?
Update, Aug. 2, 2006—Today, The Clarion-Ledger published a statement (see below in Comments) saying that Courtney Taylor's work will no longer appear in the newspaper. We guess that answers the question posed by an astute reader on the Ledge forums accusing Taylor of plagiarizing a Southern Living article. The post starts:
Ledge: Just Fill the Jails with Juveniles!
Anyone think The Clarion-Ledger has any friggin' clue about what causes crime? It's as if they refuse to read the vast piles of research about juvenile crime, instead focusing on needing more jail space. It's true idiocy from the boys on that paper's editorial board, per usual.
ACLU to Challenge Mayor's Tactics in Town Hall Meeting - Aug. 1
Please join the ACLU of Mississippi, the Jackson Free Press, the Magnolia Bar Association, the NAACP and the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in a special town hall meeting to address the rights of citizens. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m. at Jasper and Associates Complex, located at 3365 Medgar Evers Blvd.
Hello from Chi-town
So I'm up in Chicago right now teaching at the Academy for Alternative Journalism done at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. It's been fun and inspiring—10 students are chosen every year for the workshop with the goal of increasing diversity in the alternative media by teaching them how to write alternative-style—meaning, for the most part, not like the daily newspaper. ;-) We teach heavy immersion reporting, narrative writing and in-depth research. I love it—it's definitely "being deliberate" about finding the right way to ensure that our industry covers all our communities in meaning ways.
Clarion-Ledger Asks, Answers, Whines Anyway
In one of those nonsensical editorials today we all know and dread—there they go sticking their finger in the wind again—The Clarion-Ledger asks: "Banyard: Why Does Justice Take So Long?" They are talking about the 13-year-old who killed the pizza delivery man, and now is going to prison for life without parole. He is 17 now. They then answer their own question of what it took for four years:
Who Is Michael (Larry) Chapman?
Or whatever his real name is. And why is Frank Melton stashing him in a motel?
Batman's Family: ‘Enough'
Albert "Batman" Donelson's family is suing Mayor Frank Melton, the Jackson Police Department, six "John Doe" police officers and the city of Jackson for negligence, civil assault, trespass, nuisance, infliction of emotional distress, libel, slander and breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment, according to a June 28, 2006, notice of claim filed by Attorney Dennis Sweet III.
How To Be Pro-Life
It was peaceful in Fondren this week, the "no public restrooms" signs gone from store windows, locals lunching outside Basil's without worrying about their children's growth being stunted by horrifying political photos.
Why Tom Brokaw Was In Jackson — Airs Sunday, July 23
[verbatim from NBC] "TOM BROKAW REPORTS: SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL" TO AIR ON SUNDAY, JULY 23 AT 7 PM
New York, N.Y. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there were images that shocked America and the world. Not just the damage caused by the storm, but the sight of people left behind: inner-city blacks stranded by poverty, neglect, and failure from above and below. It's been almost a year since the storm, but in black neighborhoods across America, the same desperate conditions still exist. In the upcoming "Tom Brokaw Reports: Separate and Unequal," Brokaw travels to 200 miles north of New Orleans to Jackson, Miss., for an in-depth report on race and poverty, airing on Sunday, July 23 at 7 PM/ET on NBC.
JPD Under Fire In Abortion Clash
Jackson police stood with full riot gear in Smith Park downtown on July 15, ready to take on protesters in the country's abortion battle. Both sides were poised for battle in the city with Mississippi's only remaining abortion clinic, months after the Legislature barely beat back an attempt to ban all abortions in the state of Mississippi.
Oktibbeha County Rejects Civil Rights Monument
Nice. From the Ledge:
All God's Kitties
OK, my heart is breaking a little. Miss Ali just picked up her brand-new little puffy black kitten—that Todd found in our backyard. This is the, let's see, ninth or 10th cat we've rescued in Jackson: Miss S, King Eddie, OC (Other Cat), Frodo, Jack the Cat, Maxie, a little orange thing/don't know his name, a little gray thing at Target that another woman took home, and now little Ernie, alternately known as "Crappy" and "Jesus" (in the Spanish pronunciation).
Come On And Rescue Me ...
Driving to work this morning, I saw a handful of pro-birth protesters with huge magnified fetus signed, probably Photoshopped (their favorite tech invention), in front of UMC. It seems that most of the traffic was ignoring them; it wasn't like they were met with a bunch of honks of support. I wanted to ask them what they were going to go to help "rescue" all the unwanted children and ensure they have adequate food and educations once they get our only abortion clinic closed and go on back wherever, but knew it wouldn't do any good with such zealots. I wonderfed if they had a permit to protest there; it seems they didn't and got arrested a short time later.
Road to @#$%^&* Wellness
Well, it seems I'm on the road to wellness whether I like it or not. I've found a wonderful, wonderful integrative doctor, Dr. Joseph White (of the Optimum Health Institute up near Tougaloo), who has helped me figure out why I've been tired so much (you know, the reasons beyond working 80 hours a week for four years now!). I'll spare you details, but let's say my system is out of balance, and it's making me miserable as a result. And I'm not facing anything life-threatening (thank God), but could be if I don't get my healthy lifestyle back in place.
Donna's Blog Gets a New Attitude
OK, all, I've decided to take my blog in a different direction. That is, I'm going to use it as more of a catch-all journal than a place to aggregate media stories. I stayed offline all weekend — heaven! — and I realized that there are so many little things I observe in this crazy, wonderful place called Jackson that I don't have a place to put.
Clarion-Ledger Moves In; Indy Media Boxes/Racks Trashed
What citizens can do. June 20, 2006—A little while ago, calls started coming in from the reservoir area, telling us that our racks and boxes, and those of other members of the Mississippi Independent Publishers Alliance, were lined up next to dumpsters at businesses near the reservoir. Todd just drove out there and, lo and behold, there all of us indies were—lined up next to the dumpsters at several locations, including the Conoco on Old Fannin Road (pictured, right) and the one on Lakeland Drive near Wal-Mart. Goliath is on the move. An Alliance member called Ronald Gooding at The Clarion-Ledger, the "Non-daily distribution manager," who said that his guys had been moving our boxes all day, but that he was unaware that any had been put by dumpsters. Interestingly, the eviction letter that TDN/Gannett/Clarion-Ledger sent us said that "the store owner/operator will remove them or have them removed" if we didn't agree to pay TDN to be in their boxes. I guess they changed their minds; not a single business has itself asked us to remove our boxes/racks. We're also hearing that Gannett is letting businesses out of contracts who ask to be—so there's the best reason yet to go visit businesses where the JFP and other free pubs are located. Ask them to keep supporting indy media, and not allow the Gannett Corp. to make us pay our competition for distribution in order for you to be able to pick us up in their businesses. Remember: You can help save independent media; see how here.
Melton's Message to Homeless
July 14, 2006—[verbatim] Jackson is a city of Grace and Benevolence where we treat all people with respect and dignity. Today, we are taking a new approach toward establishing a dialogue with Jackson's homeless population.
Isbister, Moyo, Others Kick Off ‘Freedom' Events at Hal & Mal's
Laurel Isbister will play Friday night as part of the local line up that kicks off the Mississippi NOW Reproductive Freedom Summer events going on in Jackson July 15-22. The opening party starts at 7 p.m. and goes to 10 p.m. in the big room in the back at Hal & Mal's. Laurel's set Friday starts at 8:30, and she'll be joined by percussionist Loye Ashton as well as spoken word diva Thabi Moyo. Thabi and Laurel have recently penned a new song together that they think you'll like.
‘How to Become a Real Conservative'
Intriguing letter today in The Clarion-Ledger. It starts:
Create fiscal insolvency, including irresponsible tax cuts, corporate giveaways and massive spending increases.
The Story Behind Clarion-Ledger's ‘ShopLocal'
The name is Orwellian, almost. Even as the Jackson Free Press and other local businesses believe that Jacksonians need to spend money with businesses actually owned locally, The Clarion-Ledger, an outlet of the Gannett Corp., promotes its own version of "ShopLocal" on its Web site and in its paper, heavily pushing the likes of Sam's and Home Depot—not exactly everyone's idea of "shopping local." The national newspaper trade magazine, Editor & Publisher, currently has a piece on the ShopLocal network, explaining how the "local" service works:
We Shall Overcome
There is a certain despair spreading among many Jacksonians. Some devoted citizens are even saying they might leave the city because of Mayor Melton's antics and poor leadership. One JFP blogger, "justjess," posted under Adam's last cover story about the administration's apparent lack of a plan for fighting crime: "I try very hard to keep the optimism of 'ladd' that 'the city can and will prosper despite this administration'; however, I have the concern of 'madd' that 'this city is not going to prosper under this administration.'"
Melton Aiming at Gun Shows Again
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting today that Frank Melton is again trying to close down gun shows, as well as other guns shops. Could it be that this is the reason he declared the "state of emergency"—so that he could eliminate gun sales in Jackson?
Clarion-Ledger: Wilcher Must Die
In an editorial today, The Clarion-Ledger explains its support of the death penalty and why it is good that the state is going to kill Bobby Glen Wilcher today:
The Medical Malpractice Myth Exposed ... Again
We dared to write about the complicated "Hoodwinked" myths that have sprung up around the issue of tort reform nearly three years ago, as propagated locally by The Clarion-Ledger's "jackpot justice" obsession. We told you then that their "research" was based more on rhetoric than fact. Here's a new piece in Slate that explores this myth:
About Time: Gitmo Prisoners Get Geneva Rights
AP is reporting that the Bush administration is finally allowing accused prisoners at Guantanamo Bay their rights under the Geneva Conventions:
Barbour Supports Civil Rights Museum
[The following letter is verbatim from Gov. Barbour to the Civil Rights Museum Federation Committee at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History]
Mentally Ill in County Jails
The Clarion-Ledger has an important story today about how mentally ill people who have not been charged with crimes are being held in the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond. (I'd tell you who wrote it, but there's no byline on the story as of this posting. Sorry.)
Got Rights? The ACLU's Freedom Party – June 30
http://www.msaclu.org
Join the ACLU and the Jackson Free Press for a Freedom Party outside at 930 Blues Cafe on Friday, June 30, featuring performances by Willie King and other local artists. Admission: $5 for ACLU members and board members: $10 for non-members; $15 for couples; students and volunteers get in free! Call 601.355.6464 for details. Starts at 5:30 p.m. Come visit the JFP table! Win "I Get It Once a Week" T-shirts! Register to vote! Come on out, y'all.
Madison County Journal Profiles Melton
Ooo, look at this. The Madison County Journal has a rather glowing profile of Melton this week. Some money quotes:
Clinton, Coulter and Me
Former President Bill Clinton was not the biggest draw for me this month at the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies' national convention in Little Rock. I don't dig liars. Personally, I was more excited about the luncheon the day before when my staff brought home six awards—including first-place honors in newswriting for reporter Adam Lynch.
Donna Ladd and Cliff Cargill on Kim Wade Show TODAY
JFP editor Donna Ladd and NRA instructor Cliff Cargill join Kim Wade today at 5 p.m. on WJNT, 1180 AM, to discuss the "state of emergency," as well as the safety of Frank Melton's gun-toting habits. Give a listen!
Is Melton Endangering Young People?
A major issue that has emerged in Mayor Frank Melton's determination to carry weapons anywhere he goes is whether or not he is endangering the lives of young people. He is arguing that he is under constant threat from drug dealers and gang members, and says that members of the Wood Street Players are out to kill him. Thus, he says, he needs to carry his guns to protect him and his entourage in the case of a shoot-out.
[Editor's Note] Mayoral Stunts Hurting Jackson
I'm mad. And I'm getting madder by the day at the joke that Mayor Frank Melton is making out of the city of Jackson, a city I love, a city so many are working to make into a world-class home and destination.
Clarion-Ledger Lifts Ladd Out of Context
It's remarkable, really, to see how other journalists (or editors) work. Chris Joyner and I had a good talk about public records yesterday—and I made it clear to him repeatedly that I had *two* concerns about The Clarion-Ledger's settlement with Melton: 1. That because it was public-records law, which must apply to everyone, that that be taken into consideration when an agreement was reached with one publication. We talked about the problems with this in some details. 2. That Melton's private attorney, Danks, should not be in the role of "overseeing" the public-records process in any way. We also talked in some detail about the reason the city has so many public-records requests—because they do not have good public information folks and that they tell media outlets to file a public-records request over the silliest little thing -- then it becomes a big drama for them.
JUST IN: Melton Set to Declare State of Emergency
The Jackson Free Press got a phone call today at 10:45 telling us that the mayor was gathering reporters at City Hall at 11 a.m. to address his "state of emergency" and youth curfew pledges from last week.
The Clarion-Ledger TDN Distribution Scheme Tracker
Click here for updates on Goliath's march and here for how to help.
Hello from Little Rock
All, I'm in Little Rock today at the national convention of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. Much of the talk here is about our battle with the Gannett Corp./Clarion-Ledger back in Jackson. The entire country is watching to see how it works it out—and watching in awe as the community gets behind local media and tells Goliath that they are squelching free enterprise with their tactic to take over our distribution. THANK YOU for all your phone calls, conversations with businesses, petitions, e-mail drives and so on. Please keep it up, and please reporting in about where you see the TDN boxes pop up, and whether or not local media are disappearing, yet. (Use this thread for that if you want.) I am in Little Rock, but there are things happening on our behalf back in Jackson as we face Goliath's June 19 eviction deadline. We need you. Thank you for everything.
Melton: Hood Is Wrong
Read PDFs of documents that Melton faxed to the JFP to prove that he can carry weapons places prohibited by state law. Click here for the PDFs.
Clarion-Ledger Features Casey Parks
The Clarion-Ledger did right by JFP contributing editor Casey Parks today in a delightful feature written by Gary Pettus. (Cheers, Gary. You make our profession proud.) And they flag the story on Page 1 with Casey's photo (taken in our newsroom). Thank you for a good piece, Ledge.