Saturday, August 11, 2007

GREAT letter to the editor about Powe in Clarion-Ledger

"As the former publisher of RebelSports.net I've been as involved in Ole Miss athletics as one can be without drawing a paycheck from the University. Now that I'm on the outside, I'm so glad I'm no longer there. Watching the event unfold has been sickening and I'm thankful I'm not there to have to cover it as part of my job.
People have completely lost sight of what's important here.
It's a game, they are all games...played by young men
The sad truth is were the majority of 'fans' of Jerrell Powe to see him in a dark alley in Oxford, Waynesboro or Jackson they would put their hand on their wallet and move to the other side of the street. .........
So Jerrell Powe, in the last three years, has attended Waynesboro High School, Christ Missionary and Industrial College High School, and Hargrave Military Academy all the while taking classes via the Internet through BYU and a school called Penn Foster High School.
Five schools and he can't gain eligibility.
Why not champion a cause that makes sure it never happens again? Rather than holding Khayat accountable, what about the Mississippi public schools, his parents, his high school coach, or his guidance counselor? They're the ones who have truly failed Jerrell Powe. He was allowed to float by for 13 years without anyone so much as raising a finger to help his learning disability.
And the only reason we're aware of it is because of his abilities as a football player. How sad is that?
For every Powe there are 100 unnamed children who aren't in college now and working some minimum wage job because their education system failed them.............."

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070808/OPINION02/708080411/1309

Its nice to see someone take this approach. I think Powe has been failed by everyone in his life. His idiot mother told the Clarion-Ledger last year in a story that she was unaware that he didn't know how to read (He was diagnosed with dyslexia.). Yeah, I cannot imagine any halfway decent parent being ignorant of the fact that her 17-year old son could not read. Where has she been all these years? He was failed by the teachers who were passing him along and should have been screaming about his illiteracy.

Mr. Powe should go to a community college where he can improve his ability to read and write. At this point, the goal should be to help this kid become a functioning member of society who will have a decent chance of providing for himself instead of barely surviving as an illiterate adult. However, everyone seems to be more interested in his playing football than being able to actually survive in life.

3 comments:

Cliffnotes from the Classroom said...

When I first read this I was completely oblivious as to what had happened, but after reading your comment following the article, I now understand. All I can say is you're right. It is sad that, #1, this kid's mom didn't even know he had a reading problem. I'm sorry, but someone beside the school system was negligent here. Yes, schools are lacking quite considerably in adequately diagnosing and treating reading/learning disabilities, but some responsibility does have to fall back on the parents. The schools can only do so much. Had this mom refused help? Had help ever been offered? Overall, it is a sad situation, but there are many people to blame!

Kingfish said...

Thanks. Now that you are back in the classroom, can't wait for the war stories.

Cliffnotes from the Classroom said...

Don't worry; it's not going to take long!!! I can ASURE YOU!!!!



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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