Donna Needs Bloggers' Help
All, today I've been preparing for a panel on "how blogging has changed my newspaper" that I'm sitting on at the AAN conference next week (right before the Bill Clinton keynote. Ha!). Anyway, it just dawned on me that I should ask all of you how you think the JFP blogs (which really is the whole site; we're unique in that way) make the JFP different from other newspapers. Help me prepare, peeps. You're all why we're up we're getting a Web site award, after all! And its payback time for this lovely free forum we give everyone who knows how to behave in mixed company. ;-)
Why White People Are Afraid
Robert Jensen, a UT journalism professor and the author of an intriguing new book, "The Heart of Whiteness," writes on Alternet about what he sees as white people's fears:
A Female President, Please
What a delicious post over on DailyKos by Georgia10 about Ann Kornblut's new book, "The Ascent of a Woman."
Ann Coulter Really Bears Her Fangs
It's truly hard to be uglier than this women. It's amazing to think that The Clarion-Ledger runs this idiot every week. First her indifference to actual facts to support her hate. Her love of McCarthyism. Now this:
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.
Adding Insult to National Guard Injury
This is simply awful, after everything they're going through already. Associated Press:
Batman v. Melton, et al?
Among all the possible violations of the law by Frank Melton that District Attorney Faye Peterson presented to the attorney general recently, the potential charge of filing a false arrest warrant against Albert "Batman" Donelson was the most serious. Why? Because it's a felony—and a felony conviction would get Melton removed from office.
Jim Hood: The JFP Interview
Photograph by Kate Medley
In recent weeks, Attorney General Jim Hood has become a reluctant participant, of sorts, in the drama that the Frank Melton administration presides over in Jackson. After District Attorney Faye Peterson sent him a laundry list of potential constitutional and criminal violations by the city's exuberant mayor, all eyes turned to Hood to see how he would respond, what he would do, if he would charge the mayor, if he could help calm him down at all.
Transcript of Jim Hood Remarks Re: Frank Melton
PDF of AG Jim Hood's Letter to Mayor Frank Melton
Frank Melton Is Not A Child
"I didn't shred the documents. I tore them up with my hands." Well, then. I guess we now know what the meaning of the word "shred" is.
NEW Online Petition: Support Local Media Now!
We have just posted an online petition where you can sign on—and choose to have an e-mail sent directly to the management of the Clarion-Ledger, telling them that you value independent media and do not appreciate how they have tried to control our distribution. Thanks for your support!
False Accusations Against JFP on SuperTalk
Todd Stauffer was on SuperTalk Mississippi (we're ashamed to say we don't know the frequency -- 97.3 FM, maybe?) at 8:05am on Tuesday to talk to Paul Gallo about the Clarion-Ledger's scheme to control free publications in the Metro. But instead of sticking to the non-partisan topic of free enterprise, Gallo kept trying to bait Todd into an argument about "liberals." Then Mike Lott, the legislator from Petal, called into falsely accuse the JFP of running a page 1 story about him, calling him a racist. When Todd said we didn't do that, Gallo said that, yes, indeed it was the Jackson Free Press. Then Donna Ladd called in to set the record straight, reportedly causing Gallo & Co. to launch into personal attacks against the JFP and its staff the next morning. The following thread contains more information on this little far-right temper tantrum.
The Soul of War
NPR's "Speaking of Faith" program this week features Iraq veteran and chaplain Major John Morris, "to explore how war challenges the human spirit and the core tenets of a life of faith. The War on Terror, he says, presents its own spiritual challenges. He is working to support the reintegration of National Guard and Reserve personnel, who are being mobilized for active duty at record levels in Afghanistan and Iraq."
The Granddaddy Scandal of Them All?
Get ready. This one's coming, and it's coming hard:
New York Times Honors JFP Editor
Jackson Free Press contributing editor Casey Parks got a delightful shock last week when New York Times columnist Nick Kristof called to offer her a coveted slot as his "traveling companion" on a 10-day trip to Africa—to New Guinea, Cameroon and the Central Africa Republic—this fall. Parks came out on top of 3,800 applications by other college and graduate-school students around the country.
Melton to Clarion-Ledger: ‘Go to Hell'
We see that Mr. Melton is back in town with a flourish. The Clarion-Ledger is reporting today:
New York Times Honors Casey Parks
The Jackson Free Press is proud to announce that our very dear assistant editor emeritus Casey Parks—who departed in December for graduate school at the University of Missouri—is the one student journalist in the country who has been selected to accompany Times columnist Nicholas Kristof to Africa this fall, to blog about her experiences and write pieces for the Times, and be covered by MTV along the way. This is a breathtaking honor for Casey, a Millsaps graduate who remains our contributing editor from afar and did so much to make the JFP what it is today. We salute Casey, whose application was chosen from 3,800. We are proud of you, Little Miss Ironfist. And thank you for representing Mississippi, and the South, in such a remarkable, dramatic way.
Clarion-Ledger Publisher Responds to Controversy
Clarion-Ledger Publisher John Newhouse has released the following statement to the media about their controversial plan to control free distribution outlets in and around Jackson: The Distribution Network of Central Mississippi (TDN) is a display and delivery network that has been established for the benefit of merchants and free publications in Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties. The growing number of free publications, not just here, but around the country, presents both opportunity and concern for all of us.
Silencing the Media, Hiding Crimes & Misdemeanors
A good story in USA Today about the "scorched-earth" assault on the media's ability to hold elected officials accountable:
Gannett v. Local Media; What You Can Do
Extra, extra! The JFP's Goliath Blog launches, as the independent media's battle against the Gannett Corp. is heating up. Jackson media are reporting and analyzing the scheme, and media consumers are weighing in to support local media. Read and view the link WLBT story and video. View results of WLBT poll here (as of May 20, running 76 percent against Gannett).
Bush Defends Vast Domestic Spying
George Bush is trying defend the vast spying on Americans that was revealed this year.
***Line-up for the JFP Chick Ball - TONIGHT, Red Room
The JFP announces our second annual Chick Ball, to take place at the Red Room in Hal & Mal's on Thursday, May 11, 2006, 6 p.m. To 1 a.m. The Chick Ball will feature music and performance by female musicians; an art auction of female artists, bellydancing, fashion and much more. Many local businesses are donating door prizes toward the cause. The event is 18 and up, and the cover charge is $5/$10 to qualify for door prize drawings through the night. 6:00 Cocktails and fellowship
The Mayor and His Star Witness
Video still courtesy of WAPT
Christopher "Smiley" Walker was re-arrested Monday by U.S. Marshals for failing a routine urinalysis drug test required by his probation officer. Six days earlier, he had sat beside Mayor Frank Melton in City Hall at the press conference held to lambaste District Attorney Faye Peterson.
Polls: Republicans Turning on Republicans
AP is reporting that 31 percent of conservatives want Republicans out of power:
Melton To Stop More Buses Today
Heads up, parents. The Clarion-Ledger is reporting:
Tragedy at Jackson State—May 4, 1970
It's never too late to remember.
Today is the 36th anniversary of the tragic shootings at Jackson State University, as well as Kent State University, where police killed students protesting. Take a few moments to read up on the history of this dark era of American history. Listen to a piece by NPR's Ed Gordon here. Read more on Kent State here. Read a new piece about "Kent State Conspiracies" here.
Frank Melton to Appear on Evers Show TONIGHT
Mayor Frank Melton is set to appear on the Charles Evers' radio show, "Let's Talk," on WMPR 90.1 FM, tonight (Wednesday, May 3) at 8 p.m.
Letter To A Young Mayor
First, allow me to thank you for giving me so much of your time over the last six weeks. Your frankness in our series of interviews seems to have captivated the city and started many conversations about the future of Jackson and how to get there.
[In Memory] Florence Mars, 1923-2006
I didn't know Florence Mars growing up in Neshoba County. She was from a different part of town—the side that had old money. I don't have memories of her walking around town in her floppy hat like Sen. Gloria Williamson describes, or driving her little bug around town as former Neshoba Democrat editor Stanley Dearman does. I don't remember seeing her at the Neshoba County Fair. I certainly had no reason to visit the stockyard that she owned, the one that white folks boycotted for awhile.
Rush Limbaugh Arrested on Drug Charges
WAPT is reporting that conservative talk darling Rush Limbaugh has been arrested:
Donna & Todd Present 'Southern Fried Karaoke'
Tonight. (Friday.) 9 p.m.-until. No cover. Hal & Mal's restaurant. Be there.
New Katrina Reports Rips Bush ... Again
Don't we know it. AP is reporting:
‘Batman' Speaks: The JFP Interview with Albert Donelson
The first time "Batman" called me, I had just arrived at Arts, Eats and Beats in Fondren. I ran into the stairwell so I could hear the soft-spoken man, 33, who was acquitted earlier this month of ordering the murder of Aaron Crockett in 2000. "This is Albert Donelson," said the man with whom Mayor Frank Melton admits to being obsessed, the man Melton believes is responsible for eight murders, the man who took up much of Melton's time when he was head of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. "I want to sit down with you and let you say what you want to say," I told him. "Come to my studio tonight. I'll call you at 8 p.m. and tell you how to get here," he answered.
Mayoral Staffers to Respond to Ladd, Stringfellow
Three members of the Melton adminstration will visit the Charles Evers show Wednesday, April 26, at 8 p.m. to response to a discussion last week with Donna Ladd of the Jackson Free Press and Eric Stringfellow of The Clarion-Ledger. The following release is verbatim from WMPR (90.1 FM):
Orley Hood Riffs on Mayor of ‘Over There'
One of our Rankin County readers just alerted us to this lovely piece of pontification in the Rankin Ledger, courtesy of one of the "journalists" who cooed over candidate Melton back when. Per Orley:
Melton Joins Other Mayors in Effort to Curb Guns
The New York Times is reporting on the meeting of 15 mayors, including Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, in New York to figure out how to curb the flow of guns in cities:
$11 Million Slated for Agencies, Bay St. Louis, Waveland
[Just in from Lott's office/vertim] WASHINGTON - Federal funding totaling more than $11 million is slated for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Waveland, Bay St. Louis and includes federal assistance for two Mississippi State Agencies, U.S. Senators Trent Lott and Thad Cochran said today. "Hurricane Katrina impacted virtually every Mississippian in some way," Senator Lott said. "In addition to hardest-hit communities like Bay St. Louis and Waveland, our state's vital government agencies are still recovering from Katrina's wrath as well, and this funding will ensure that important services are fully restored."
Is New Orleans Hip-Hop Getting Snubbed?
The New York Times writes today: