Europe vs. America
A provocative piece by Tony Judt in the New York Review of Books right now.
Transcript of ‘State of the Union' Address
George W. Bush last night:
We Got A New At-ti-tude
Cue the Patti LaBelle, baby. As we prepare our third Best of Jackson issue, it strikes me that Jacksonians are starting to take for granted the idea that "best" is a superlative term that applies to their city. We got a new attitude.
Bob Moses
Robert P. Moses, who turned 70 Sunday, is usually surrounded by young people, especially Lanier students and college-age mentors for the Algebra Project, which he runs from his classroom in Midtown.
You Are a Jacksonian If ...
1. You eat at Hal & Mal's more than once a month.
4. You shop at Video Library or Video Café before you go near Blockbuster.
The WORST of the New South
In the aftermath of the Edgar Ray Killen arrest, the tough-on-crime stalwarts at The Northside Sun fretted over whether the old Klansman can possibly get a fair trial in the state's current "political climate," and seemed very bothered that the climate is changing (presumably for the worse), thus allowing such belated arrests to occur.
* Corrections to Talk of Jackson *
The JFP's Talk of Jackson section has a couple really dumb errors this week. (As a result, two writers are currently hanging in the newsroom from their toenails. Don't tell anyone.) Here are the errors:
Take Me to Your Leader
Citizens of Jackson looking to strengthen their voices in the community are about to get the chance to learn how. The Pew Partnership of Civic Change, a civic research organization, has designed a program called LeadershipPlenty that helps to prepare citizens to address problems in their local communities and leadership challenges, including how to get people with different interests to work together. "Working together creatively and respectfully through honest acknowledgment of self-interests is a better strategy to address problems than an 'us' against 'them' approach," explains the project Web site.
Great Balls of Fire
Traffic was snarled for miles around the Fondren shopping area, on Old Canton Road, early Friday morning. As many drivers took detours on their way to work and school, those who worked in or near the area had to park and walk. The rumor went around that "Fondren is burning," but upon closer inspection, it turned out that one business—interior designers Cindy E. Walsh and Associates—had burned. The store was located right in the apex of the main Fondren shopping strip. Smoke from the fire damaged merchandise in Summerhouse and the two clothing stores, Soma and Swell, in the same strip.
First, Do No Harm: State Struggles With Record of Juvenile Injustice
At 17 years old, Tommy Croft has grown up faster than most youth his age in Mississippi. Croft conveys the pain and genuineness in his story about his dark past with his large brown, puppy-dog-sad eyes. Croft wears the same street clothes as many other African-American youth in this state do: an orange bandana and a backward orange-and-white baseball cap with an over-sized baseball jersey. The dark hair on his upper lip is just enough to make him look a few years older.
The Weak Shall Inherit The State
A coalition of children's advocates are declaring 2005 the "Year of the Child" in Mississippi. It's about damned time. It's way past the point that we Mississippians must start standing up for our weakest residents. Young people have rights. They have needs. They make mistakes. It's not all about them respecting us; it's about us treating them with dignity and compassion and understanding, helping them instead of inflicting further harm.
Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
When the message came Thursday that a grand jury in Neshoba County had indicted at least one conspirator in the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, I started screaming. Staffers bolted into my office to see what had happened to me. I could barely squeak out that the one thing I've wanted most in my adult life had come true. My hometown was facing its past that's not yet past.
Tsunami Benefit Raises $4,311
The JFP-Collective-Rock 93.9 benefit last night at the Red Room at Hal & Mal's has raised $4,311.50 for disaster relief! Hal & Mal's donated 10 percent of sales for the evening. The checks will be mailed to Oxfam late Friday. The event was a raging success. Thanks to the musicians, volunteers, local businesses, artists and all the Jacksonians, young and older, who turned out to make the event such a success. The music was hot, and the community spirit was even hotter. Most of all, we thank JFP intern Swetha Regunathan who spearheaded the event and designer Jakob Clark who made such amazing music come together on one stage for such an important cause in less than a week. Cheers to them, and to Jackson.
I Was a Teenage Curfew Violator
January 6, 2005—For the third time the Jackson City Council is considering implementing a youth curfew law. The recent curfew, which expired in August, affected kids under 18 who were driving, walking, riding or otherwise present, unsupervised, in the streets of Jackson without an adult guardian between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Trash Talk: Kim Wade Disses the JFP
"Last week the Jackson Free Press had an interesting article in there where the editor was lamenting the fact that 'hey, you know Lefties are religious, too,' and she was going on and on, and this is Donna Ladd was going on and on about how she was religious and how she respects Buddha and all these other folks, well that's fine and good—and we as Christians, we respect those other religions, too, that's how they were able to flourish here in America.
DIY: Daniel Johnson on Dreadlocks
Daniel Johnson's face is distinctive: eyes bold and blue, nose prominent. He sat across from me with a comfortable reception of each question, his hair down by his face, fine and straight. But, upon closer observation there are intricately matted groupings of hair mixed in with the fine strands. No warning, just growing a personality of their own.
Babes in Liquor-Land
Every day Poindexter Elementary students pass by Super Discount Wine and Liquor. This store poses an interesting dilemma for these under-age students because in the back there is a convenience store where many students go to purchase after-school snacks.
I Resolve, I Resolve, I Resolve
I just took a glorious week off. This hasn't happened to me much since we started the Free Press two and a half years ago. We managed to get away for a week in August to the Pacific Northwest—but, truth be known, I stayed on the laptop editing and perhaps even micromanaging a little from across the country as the home team put the paper out.
Hear No Truth: The 10 Most Censored Mississippi Stories
It's an open secret that here in the Jackson area and in the state at large we suffer from superficial, incomplete, unfactual and sometimes non-existent coverage of vital news stories. We all know this is true. But what we don't always know is the truth behind the sensationalist, corporate-biased headlines—the information that is important to you and me as citizens.
The Great American Experiment
Here's the column that drew the ire of Mr. Kim Wade, radio talk-show host, as reported in this week's issue.
Dazed and Content
I'm sitting here, dazed and content, in front of my eMac, trying to reflect on what 2004 has meant to me. We're about to send the last issue of the year to the printer—the one that is on the streets for two weeks in order to give us a few days to rest and rekindle for the new year. At 40 pages, it's one of our biggest issues, yet, and it's filled with profiles of creative and influential Jacksonians, stocking-stuffer ideas, cool fashion, a breathtaking JFP interview and wonderfully designed ads for local businesses. It's got breaking news, hip-hop gossip, pages and pages of entertainment listings and details on where to celebrate on New Year's Eve.
Happy Holidays from the Jackson Free Press
As we head into the holidays, please accept our sincere good wishes for the holiday. We hope everyone can relax with family and friends, and reflect on what is most meaningful in your lives. It's been a wonderful year, and we will return after the new year with many new surprises and even Version 3.0 of the JFP Web site early in the year. The office is officially closed between Christmas and New Year's Eve, and I will be out of the office, but if you need to reach someone about a story next week, please call Casey Parks at 362-6121, ext. 2, or Stephen Barnette and/or Jakob Clark about advertising and design issues at ext. 1, and leave a message so we can get back to you promptly.
[Breaking] $100,000 Reward Offered in Civil Rights Murders
You can still sign the JFP petition calling for the speedy prosecution of the murderers of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner. To date, we have collected nearly 700 names.
DLC: Do Democrats Love Corporations?
David J. Sirota writes in The Nation:
Looking out over Washington, DC, from his plush office, Al From is once again foaming at the mouth. The CEO of the corporate-sponsored Democratic Leadership Council and his wealthy cronies are in their regular postelection attack mode. Despite wins by economic populists in red states like Colorado and Montana this year, the DLC is claiming like a broken record that progressive policies are hurting the Democratic Party.
‘Tis Time to Think and Drive
The JFP is joining Budweiser to present Alert Cab to offer Jacksonians free rides home this New Year's if you've had too much to drink. Please take advanage of this program. Click here to see a list of Jackson bars and restaurants participating in Alert Cab on New Year's Eve (you can also clip out the ad from page 29 of the current JFP.) Be sure to get your free voucher from a bartender at one of the participating establishments. Be safe out there, y'all, you hear? Oh, and have a wonderful time.
Rumsfeld to Soldiers: Stop Your Whining
New York Times editorial today:
[Breaking] Judge Charles W. Pickering Retiring
[verbatim] Today, Charles W. Pickering, Sr. made the following statement:
"My nomination and permanent appointment to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has been pending before the full Senate for more than one year. The recess appointment given to me by President Bush on January 16, 2004 expires when Congress adjourns. Opposition by some Democratic senators prevented an up or down vote on my nomination. A minority of senators prevented the majority from confirming me to a permanent position on the Fifth Circuit. The actions of the minority leave me with no alternative than to retire as Congress adjourns.
From 2004: Chokwe Lumumba v. Mississippi Bar
Activist attorney Chokwe Lumumba, the founder of the New Afrikan People's Organization, is headed back to court this week to fight for his professional life. Again. The Mississippi Bar is arguing for the disbarment of the attorney, who is known for representing black men accused of violent crimes from 17-year-old South African Azikiwe Kambule to rapper Tupac Shakur to ex-police officer Eddie Myers who was found innocent of murder in October 2002.
Delta to Offer Direct Service Between Jxn and D.C.
[December 6, 2004/Verbatim from Sen. Lott] U.S. Senator Trent Lott, who chairs the U.S. Senate's Aviation Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Thad Cochran have voiced praise for today's decision by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) permitting Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) to establish direct nonstop passenger service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Jackson, Mississippi's Jackson International Airport. The move follows passage of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill which Senator Lott helped craft late last year, providing slots for additional flights between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and other select U.S. cities as determined by the USDOT.
Soldiers Challenge ‘Stop-Loss' Extensions
AP is reporting:
Eight soldiers are challenging the Army's policy requiring them to serve longer than the terms of their enlistment contracts. In a lawsuit being filed Monday in federal court, the soldiers are seeking a judge's order requiring the Army to immediately release them from service. "The Army made an agreement with me and I expected them to honor it," said David Qualls, one of the plaintiffs. He signed up in July 2003 for a one-year stint in the Arkansas National Guard but has been told he will remain on active duty in Iraq until next year.
City Makes Letter to Ledger Public
Letters to the Editor
This (so-far-unpublished) letter to the editor of The Clarion-Ledger about an Eric Stringfellow column came around this week in the mayor's weekly newsletter: [verbatim from here]The letter below is from the City of Jackson's Attorney, Terry Wallace. He wrote this letter to the editor of the Clarion Ledger in response to a column written by Eric Stringfellow. We thought we would share this because it contains information that you will never read in the paper or see on TV. November 30, 2004
Jane, You Ignorant Snit!
The other day, an e-mail popped up with the subject line, "tired of insults." I grimaced a bit and opened it. The correspondent first told me that she reads my paper most every week, and "I like the Free Press." But then she got to the point: "I wanted to let you know that you do have some conservative readers and I, for one, would like to read more articles by liberals that are not SO OFFENSIVE."
Hollywood on Trial
Danny Goldberg writes:
In a recent Los Angeles Times article Patrick Goldstein said "Hollywood took it on the chin" in the recent election. [...] Goldstein mentioned a handful of harsh references to President Bush made by assorted celebrities during the recent campaign (the same ones that Stephanie Mansfield of the right-wing Washington Times had cited a week before): Jennifer Aniston, the "Friends" actress who called Mr. Bush "a f--king idiot"; John Mellencamp, who described Mr. Bush as "a cheap thug"; and Cher, who called Bush "stupid and lazy." Then there was the Whoopi Goldberg joke, a pun based on the President's last name that she told at a Kerry fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall.
The Progressive Morality
Professor George Lakoff writes in The Nation:
Up In Smoke
A sure-to-be contentious campaign to raise Mississippi's cigarette tax kicked off Nov. 18 in the rotunda of the state Capitol. A coalition of about 40 county and state groups calling itself "Communities for a Clean Bill of Health" called for the state to "Buck the system" by supporting a $1-per-pack increase to raise $184 million to help pay for the state's Medicaid costs (which would become $550 million with the federal matching funds added in, they say).
White House, Congress Rolls Back Student Loans, Grants
New York Times is reporting:
Dust-Up on Floor of U.S. Senate Today
[Breaking] Apparently, it was just disocvered that Republicans snuck a provision into the 3,000-page budget bill that allows agents of congressional committees to have access to anybody's IRS records. They're fighting about it right now on C-SPAN II. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is yelling right now that they never "intend" to use the power. BIG FIGHT.
Imagining a Real Youth Movement
By Raj Jayadev writes for Wiretap about problems with the youth voting movement. "[A] movement is about creating choices. The gulf is about imagination. As Desmond Tutu said, it's not just about having a seat at the table, it's about setting the menu. If young people really did set the menu, I doubt they would be serving up the Democratic Party or John Kerry.
Could Upcoming Ohio Recount Change Outcome?
CNSNEWS.com is reporting:
Surreal Blog: Stories Too Incredible to Be False
So, I'll start with the story that inspired this Surreal Blog:
Listening to NPR this morning, I decided that we need a place on the JFP site to collect all these crazy stories coming (mostly) out of Washington these days. These are true news stories that seem too unbelievable to be true -- but they are. Feel free to add your own at will. Definitely include the link, and a couple sentences of explanation as need.
JFP Moving to Rankin County
Last night, as we toiled to get this issue out, Stephen interrupted some people breaking into one of our interns' cars. Fortunately, they didn't get away with much—they threw his backpack filled with school notes only useful to him into the bushes. But his window did get smashed, the police came, took fingerprints, and a bit of drama ensued. And he has a hassle to deal with today, and the emotions that go with being a victim of crime, any crime.
The Soul of An Elephant
"They will learn to conform to our agenda or they will be driven from our party"
Voting at Black Colleges Hit Record Levels
This year's surge in youth voting—51 percent of Americans 29 and under voted this year as opposed to 42 percent in 2000—was nowhere more apparent than on black college campuses, reports the Black College Wire:
You Own This Doghouse
However, if you're a Mississippian between the ages of 18 and 29, you are part of a powerful new voting constituency in the state—in this election, you turned out, and as a group, you made choices independent of the fogies in your lives. You thought independently and, according to CNN exit polls, you led the South and much of the U.S. in the percentage of you who voted for Kerry over Bush. Most of you also voted for the gay-marriage amendment.