Jackson Jambalaya

Is there such a thing as Bacterial Networking or Radio? Maybe then Cipro would do the trick.

Viral is contagious, so I guess that’s what the term really means. At my age I have a hard time keeping up with all the new techno-babble. I feel proud to be able to Google someone these days and to find out if they’ve made the news in recent years, such as my old roommate from the 80’s who had a cast of thousands as visitors in our apartment in NE Jackson. I often wonder if she’s now a grandmother……

Anyway, I digress. I’m thinking I need a viral blog with the ability to radiate across the area and network with others of my age group. But does “my age group” really participate in the internet “otherworld”?

Think how exciting it would be to find your first true love in a viral network, with the ability to see “now” and “then” photos. They DO say love is blind…………..

What if I could find that nasty cheerleader from high school who thought she was “all that” and see her now weigh 300 lbs? Now THAT is worth the time to get the word out to all of us waiting for our AARP membership offers during the next two or three years.

In the meantime, I guess I’ll be content learning about Facebook and MySpace. Hey – I must be somewhat cool, my boys’ friends have added ME as a friend! There’s hope for me yet.

P.S. The 30-year-old brother is NOTHING like his brother………………UGH. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, see previous posts.

If you want to be viral or network with me, email me: dwfinms@gmail.com

Previous posts:
From DWF to women raising boys
DWF was a cougar before cougar was cool
DWF Introduces Wacko Woman
DWF Wants To Know...
What Women REALLY Think
Election Notes from DWF
Dear DWF
On a date? Please try to relate.
Sunday Morning Coffee w/a Cougar
Packing for a Safari
A Caged Cougar? HA!
If Stella Can Ger Her Groove Back...

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A grand total of 48 people voted in the poll and believe it or not, some of them were even people that are not friends of mine. The results were not even close as Walker's Drive-In ran away with the voting. The results were:

Walkers: 12
Ticos, Shapley's, Keifer's, Cock of the Walk, & Char: 5
Amerigos: 4
Bravo & Little Tokyo: 2
Margaritas, Juleps, & Cinco De Mayo: 1
Fannin Mart & Bonsai: 0

I cast my vote for Tico's. Nothing like a 16 oz filet, creamed spinach, and an amaretto freeze at Ticos. Incidentally, my favorite place for lunch is either Little Tokyo or Hal and Mals.

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UPDATE: This should drive the point home even more. WLBT has a story about a woman who was stabbed repeatedly by her ex-husband. Needless to say, he didn't spend time in jail. He was sent to treatment ( Sound familiar?) and immediately attacked her again when he got out. The video is powerful: http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=7283403 Compare this story to the editorial below.


A pat on the head goes to the editorial page of The Clarion-Ledger. Like a little puppy dog, it tries to please but still fails to do so. However, one must admire its effort even when it can't get it right. What does one expect? Although they write about everything, they are experts on nothing.

In this case, the newspaper published an editorial calling attention to domestic violence in Mississippi. Nothing wrong with that as every decent person is against domestic violence. However, like so many other editorials, it is full of fluff as it shows an ignorance of the laws concerning domestic violence. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710280327

"victims of abuse aren't powerless in Mississippi and police and prosecutors have the tools to help prevent domestic violence and death."

Really? What exactly are those tools and how are they used?

"Attorney General Jim Hood told The Clarion-Ledger Editorial Board on Monday that Mississippi has a model law, passed in 1995, requiring an arrest as a 24-hour "cooling off" period when police are called. But too many cases fall through the cracks."

This part of the law is indeed necessary for the protection of spouses from domestic violence. However, the CL shows how clueless it is in the following passages:

"One of the difficulties, said Hood, is that protection orders should be made seamless between Justice Court and other courts and instantaneously available electronically, so that when called to a scene, police will have the information before them. Permanent protective orders should be made more easily available and less costly for victims to obtain...."

This is nothing but a display of ignorance. Does anyone really think that someone who has beaten to a pulp his wife and the mother of his kids is going to be concerned with what a scrap of paper says? The protective order is usually of NO protection to a victim of domestic violence. Suppose someone is hell-bent on hurting his wife. The protective order itself does nothing to stop him physically. If he decides to attack her, her only recourse is to somehow call the cops and hope they will come to her rescue. She has to contact the police afterwards, if she is able to do so, and file a complaint that he violated the order. How does this stop a thug from hurting his family? They play by the rules, he doesn't. They live in fear, he doesn't as the process still favors him if he decides to attack them. However, don't worry. Our Dudley Do-rights at the paper say phony protective orders help if they are cheaper. Yeah.

"Last fall, Hood created a Domestic Violence Division of his office funded by a two-year, $1.5 million grant through the U.S. Department of Justice. Part of its mission was to find loopholes in state law to address Mississippi's dismal record of violence."

This is welcome news. Heather Wagner of the A.G.'s office has worked very hard in prosecuting domestic violence cases and raising the awareness of domestic violence in Mississippi. Let us continue.

"The unit has also produced a booklet for police to carry with them that cites the laws and what to look for when called to a domestic disturbance. It spells out requirements such as "mandatory arrest with or without a warrant if probable cause exists."

How nice. A booklet. That is going to help out some women and children that have been beaten. Once again, it does not prevent domestic violence from occurring and is only reactive. You can also pass out all the booklets you want to cops and make them sit through seminars but until you start prosecuting some cops who fail to prosecute legitimate domestic violence complaints, it is hard to see how they will take it as seriously.

Now that I have bashed the editorial page, one may ask what suggestions would I make. Simple. Close a major loophole in the law.

Suppose the police are called to a home for a domestic violence complaint. A man has beaten his wife. Her face is bruised and bloody. Several small children are screaming, one of them shows a deep red mark across his little face. The police have their booklet. They follow the procedures. He is prosecuted by the D.A. THEN the judge follows state law and strikes a deal with his lawyer that if he completes an anger management class, the case is considered closed.

However, the Mississippi Code has a HUGE loophole for wife-beaters that was totally ignored by The Clarion-Ledger and Mr. Hood:

"Every conviction of domestic violence may require as a condition of any suspended sentence that the defendant participate in counseling or treatment to bring about the cessation of domestic abuse. The defendant may be required to pay all or part of the cost of the counseling or treatment, in the discretion of the court. " Section 97-3-7(6) of the Mississippi Code. http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/97/003/0007.htm

What that means in real life is that someone beats up his wife or kids and then escapes punishment as he typically has his lawyer strike a deal with the judge or prosecutor that gives him only a suspended sentence if he goes to a few counseling sessions and promises to do better. Thus the punishment for domestic violence all too often means that the wife-beater gets to lay on a couch, shed a few tears, get in touch with his feelings, and never goes to jail. Meanwhile, his family lives in terror as they wonder why they courts and police refuse to protect them.

I personally know of one case where the husband punched his wife with a closed fist in the face while she was pregnant and hit her a few more times. He was arrested and booked into the county jail. Then he was given a suspended sentence in exchange for going to see a few anger management classes. More proof that the domestic violence laws in Mississippi are a complete joke. However, never fear as at the editorial page of The Clarion-Ledger, all is right in the world as the cops have their little booklets and victims have their worthless protective orders even while they live in fear and wife-beaters laugh at the criminal justice system.

If the newspaper wants to do something truly constructive, it should push for a change in the law so slick lawyers, lazy judges, and worthless prosecutors can't strike a "deal" while victims fear for their lives. It should question the JPD in the Heather Spencer murder as to why they reduced the charges when he savagely beat her in June. It if it is actually serious about stopping domestic violence, it should put the spotlight on judges who let thugs off the hook by sending them to "counseling". It should invite complaints by women who have put their lives in further danger by filing charges only to see prosecutors deal away justice. It should push the legislature to change the counseling loopholes in the law. Until then, their editorial is just a feel-good piece of fluff. Its an insult to battered women and children everywhere.

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The Clarion-Ledger posted a letter last Saturday from former Rankin County Chancellor Roger Clapp. Once again the CL failed basic fact-checking. The letter was signed and printed:

"Roger Clifford Clapp
Mediator/arbitrator/counselor at law
Retired chancellor
Florence"

With all due respect (meant sincerely) to Judge Clapp but he is not a retired Chancellor. He was defeated in his re-election bid as Judge Zebert was his challenger. In fact, Zebert received close to 80% of the vote if I remember correctly, something that should have been easily found in the CL databases. Not so good, not so good.

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Get your vampire name: http://www.emmadavies.net/vampire/default.aspx?firstname=Nadwin&lastname=Forthewyn&mf=1&submit=Find+My+Vampire+Name#form

How in the hell am I "Hanzi Brown"?

What kind of name is that for a vampire?

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WARNING: NSFW (Very Adult Language)

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City makes a "dent" in unpaid fines.
"Since then, the city and county law enforcement have been working to make a dent in the $10 million worth of unpaid municipal fines. From Sept. 5 until Sept. 30, the city collected $282,166, and from Oct. 1 until Oct. 26 the city collected $268,483. " October 27, 2007 edition of The Clarion-Ledger.

A dent? you call 2.8% a dent? At this rate it should be oh, the year 2500 when they are finally caught up on fines. Kudos to the reporter for her um, accurate (not) description and the city for bragging about its 2.8% success rate.

Ruth's Chris coming back to Jackson
The restaurant will be at Renaissance at Colony Park on Highland Colony Parkway, which is under construction at the northwest corner of I-55 and Old Agency Road in Ridgeland. October 27, 2007 edition of The Clarion-Ledger.

Considering they pulled out of New Orleans when it was getting back on its feet after Katrina, I have no desire to eat there. Tico's is much better anyway.

CL Editorial Page finally coming around on Melton
"Melton's administration is a mess and continues to decline. All the public gets is rumors, closed-door meetings and arm flailing. What else could go wrong? We can only wait."
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071027/OPINION01/710270318/1008/OPINION

Not a bad summary for the idiots who say," get out of his way, he is trying to do something!"

Yes he is trying to do something. He is trying to bankrupt the city, ruin the police department, run off all qualified and experienced department heads and employees, while trying to protect thugs who live at his home (See Michael Taylor case).

Stadium finally gets around to adding security
Watt Whatley once again sets the standard for incompetence in Mississippi. One would think last year's fiasco involving the Colts-Saints game in which he embarrassed the state of Mississippi would have been enough of a kick in the pants for him. However, this idiot had no security for the office while they were counting money at the Battle of the Bands competition recently. Thieves stole $200,000 from the office while employees were counting money. There was no security. Hmmm....you have several hundred thousand dollars of cash in a bad part of town late at night and there is no security.

However, never fear. Witless Whatley says there will NOW be security: "Stadium manager Watt Whatley said an outside security firm has been hired and the Jackson Police Department has been asked for more officers to protect employees handling cash during and after events at the stadium." http://www.wapt.com/news/14431241/detail.html

It would have been nice several weeks ago BEFORE $200,000 was stolen. At the least you probably could have asked JPD officers who were at the event for protection while you counted the money. Good job Witless. Believe me, you continue to amaze the rest of us in ways only surpassed by Melton.

Award-winning JPD officer files complaint against Melton
Apparently Melton doesn't save his cursing for City Council members. He gives the business to cops as well. Last summer Melton used police cars to take young boys to his home ( How many boys who have stayed there have later gone to jail?). When a police officer was told to use his car to do so, Melton cussed him out when he questioned the order:
"In the complaint, the officer said he advised Wright that he would have to contact his supervisor first. He said when he got out of his patrol car to shake hands with then bodyguard Michael Recio, he heard Mayor Melton say to Marcus Wright,-quote-"Did you see that blank?" That blank rolled his eyes at me."
The officer asked Recio "is he talking to me?" he said the mayor then turned to Michael Recio and said, "Michael, come on, blank him. We got enough cars, F*** that MotherF*****; that F***** rolled his eyes at me." Names and identifying numbers on the copy of the report we received had been concealed. .."
http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=7273580

Once again, Melton shows he has no respect for anyone, especially police officers who put their lives on the line on a daily basis while he hides behind an entourage whining that people are out to get him. I've heard of Melton cussing out police officers like this before. Once again, Shirlene shows what she really is.

The noose tightens........Lawn Cleaning Crew scrutinized
"payments made by the city of Jackson to the Wood Street Cleaning and Lawn Service is the focus of a probe by the state auditor's office. .....
City administrator Rick Hill says the city made their first payment to Brunson's company in December of 2006, the same month he was convicted of armed robbery.
Authorities say Brunson didn't serve any time for that crime.
Then in April of 2007, authorities say Brunson was arrested for driving a carjacked vehicle while doing business for the city.
Officers say they found a lawn mower and weed killer in the 2001 Chevy Malibu.
Hill says the city made payments to Brunson's company one month after that incident.
The Wood Street Cleaning Service was comprised of known gang members from Wood Street. ...."
http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=7273078

By the way, Michael Taylor was arrested with Brunson in the armed robbery incident.

First question I have: Why didn't Brunson serve any time for armed robbery? Who was the judge? Was it a Muncipal Court judge appointed by Melton? Was it Yerger? Delaughter? Green? Who?

This whole lawn service crew has been a bad idea from start to finish. Its time for it to go. Additonal stories that provide some good information can be found at The Jackson Free Press:
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15280_0_27_0_C
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=12939_0_27_0_C%94
Contract proposal for the lawn service crew:
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/foi_pdfs/Lawn%20Crew.pdf

Last but not least.........the Cain report and Melton indictments?
http://www.othorcainreport.com/b2/?p=72
The rumors continue to FLY! Just Wednesday, I was told that Judge Wingate signed some documents related to some indictments against Frank Melton....

As I don't want to cross the line, I will reserve comment.....for now.

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How did he wind up as owner/part owner of WLBT? Was he fronting for a group when they were awarding a license? Exactly how did this deal go down? Thanks.

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Over at the Othor Cain Report, he has some interesting things to write about Frank Melton and the grand jury: http://www.othorcainreport.com/b2/?p=72

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DO YOU LOSE A TEN POINT LEAD WITH TWO MINUTES TO GO IN A FOOTBALL GAME?

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Yahoo News published a story written by a reporter in Jena whose wife is a teacher at Jena High School. Needless to say, it differs a great deal from other media reports, including a certain local publication which saw fit to send one of its reporters to cover the events in Jena.

"There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.
I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.........
The real story of Jena and the Jena 6 is quite different from what the national media presented. It's time to set the record straight.....
These are just 12 of many myths that are portrayed as fact in the media concerning the Jena cases. (A more thorough review of all events can be found at www.thejenatimes.net – click on Chronological Order of Events.) "
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20071024/cm_csm/yfranklin_1

Related posts on Jena 6:

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/10/nice-to-see-media-is-catching-up-with.html

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/10/beat-student-up-get-red-carpet.html

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/10/advocacy-journalism-or-worse.html

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-truth-here-thugs-or-theologians.html

If you want to have some real fun, compare these posts and the story above to the coverage by a certain local alternative weekly newspaper.

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Be glad Eddie Jordan is not the District Attorney of Hinds County. When he became D.A. in New Orleans, he fired all white employees and replaced them with black ones. They won a lawsuit filed against him for violating employment discrimination laws. They were awarded $3.7 million dollars. The problem is, there is literally no money to pay for it. They are serious about seizing money in payroll accounts as well as other assets of the D.A.'s office, which would cause it to collapse. The city council is stating that they don't have the money to bail him out and aren't going to give them the money due to his stupidity.

What should happen is Blanco and the legislature should bail out the D.A.'a office..... in return for Jordan's resignation.

http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/10/no_cash_for_das_debt_council_t.html

Here is an even better story about Jordan. Murder suspect who shot a cop fled to Jordan's house. It turns out that Jordan knew him and may have impeded the police. How Meltonesque of him:
http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/10/armed_robbery_suspect_fled_to.html

Damn. Gets even better still:
http://www.nola.com/abc26/video/?/abc26/video/content.ssf/1024cyndi10

Meanwhile, FOUR more people were murdered in New Orleans last night.

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Check out Eddie Jordan: http://blog.nola.com/updates/2007/10/jordan_no_needs_to_bail_out_da.html

He is about to get the District Attorney's office in New Orleans repo'ed.

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Terrorism expert Walid Phares writes that Bin Laden is highly displeased with Al Qaida's operations in Iraq (isn't that too bad?):

"Incredibly, the leader of al Qaeda said the “Mujahidins” in Iraq committed “mistakes.” This was the first time the man used these words in this context: self criticism. In fact he criticized the emirs for the recklessness of their Jihad in the land of the two rivers. If one reviews the public statements of Bin Laden, at least since 1996, this is the first time he has mentioned the Jihadists’ mistakes, not the errors by Muslim rulers in general. Now, these are his own fighters who are at fault.
I see this event as a summoning by the “Fuhrer” to his Generals after losing Libya, Stalingrad or Normandy. A possible analogy would be that the plan of the high commander was excellent, but the commanding officers messed it up. Indeed, since that speech delivered on February 11, 2003 - in which Osama asked his worldwide Jihadists to prepare for Iraq and form the expeditionary corps to fight the Kuffar (infidels) for Baghdad - the terrorist activities were scoring points there: instability, bloodshed, sectarian violence, further recruitment, and political chaos behind enemy lines, that is within the West, particularly in America.
But things began to change as the “generals” started to act as owners of the land. Again on al Jazeera (swiftly after the tape was released), another commentator, Abdelwahhab al Qassab, said the reason for the setback was the interference of al Qaeda (foreign fighters) in Iraqis’ daily lives. Qassab is right, I’d argue, the emirs went wild in Iraq with the Sunni population, particularly with the tribes. They went a la Khmer Rouge with traditional communities and even with local Islamists. On al Jazeera, other commentators said al Qaeda and its competitors committed the errors “of Algeria.” .......
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/terrorism.php?id=1385083

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Related article: http://www.theamericanprowler.com/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12204

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Last week I conducted a poll on this blog. The question asked, "Who would you support for Mayor of Jackson?" The choices were:
1. City Councilman Marshand Crisler
2. Attorney David Watkins, who represents the School Board and is heavily involved in several projects such as the restoration of the King Edward Hotel.
3. Current Mayor Frank Melton
4. Former Mayor Harvey Johnson
5. Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin
6. Tougaloo College President Beverly Hogan
7. Leroy Walker, former owner of Jackson-area McDonalds restaurants.

81 votes were cast. The results were:
1. Crisler: 11 votes (13%)
2. Watkins: 8 votes (7%)
3. Melton: 3 votes (3%)
4. McMillin: 13 votes (16%)
5. Johnson: 3 votes (3%)
6. Hogan: 1 vote (1%)
7. Walker: 43 votes (53%)

Is there something here that is undetected by the media? When the poll began, I thought that McMillin or Crisler would get the most votes. Mr. Walker's showing was very surprising to say the least. Mr. Walker at one point owned most of the McDonalds in the Jackson area and has been well-known in Jackson for years. After 4 years of the Melton mudpit, perhaps Jackson needs someone who is truly well-respected by the community, has a long record of community involvement (no keeping a primary residence in Texas for him), and is a true businessman (didn't get rich off of being the lucky dog when government licenses were awarded. He had to work his way up in the business world). Someone who is known for true achievement, not how well he can shoot his mouth off in front of a camera.

Given McMillin's popularity, I'm not surprised he came in second. Warning to Frank: anger Mac enough and he might just decide to run against you. He is quite capable of winning, especially since crime has sky-rocketed under your watch. Gee Tyrone, how would you like having Mac for a boss?

In my opinion, the two best qualified individuals came in last. Beverly Hogan, aunt of Crisler, is the current President of Tougaloo College. She served as the head of the Office of Federal and State Programs under Bill Allain, an agency that had a $500 million budget at the time. She then served on the Workers Compensation Board. If there is someone who really is highly qualified to be an administrator and understand how government works as well as being very much respected by her peers, it is Beverly Hogan. Her nephew can only dream of having her qualifications and resume.

David Watkins is probably my leading choice for mayor but unfortunately, that was not the choice of the voters. As school board attorney, he also has a very good understanding of how government works. He has a high level of expertise in the other major issue among voters: education. He has put his money where his mouth is and truly supported Jackson's growth by taking the lead role in several developments. One day soon there will be a beautiful King Edward taking its rightful place among the Jackson skyline. When that day comes, it will be because Jacksonians like David Watkins didn't merely gripe about the problems or how Jackson is declining but instead DID something about it.

Melton came in dead last as well, which is no surprise as more Jacksonians tire of his endless talk and growing signs of incompetence. Harvey, while a decent mayor, didn't do well as I think people are willing to thank him for his service but move on to the next chapter in Jackson's history.

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Planning a trip to New Orleans? Bookmark The Times-Picayune fall dining guide:
http://blog.nola.com/brettanderson/2007/10/the_timespicayunes_fall_dining.html#more

Click Here to Read More..

Aubie gets wet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88W0wZU9qKE
Youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIOYQjrZdp0
Final Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0RrW9yO_8U
It sucks..to be...the Auburn Tigers.....: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlYrZor_vAw
LSU Band coming down the hill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ivUoBP0MRA
More band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGQJmR_kf-o
Alma Mater: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyfgQpCIIg

Stats:
http://146.145.120.3/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=brtoday&page=cfoot/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=17085

The Times-Picayune:
Game coverage: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947679119780.xml&coll=1
Doucet story: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947627119780.xml&coll=1
Flynn story: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947607119780.xml&coll=1
Finney column: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947663119780.xml&coll=1
more coverage: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947687119780.xml&coll=1

Baton Rouge Advocate:
Game coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/10695906.html
more coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10697951.html
Stats: http://146.145.120.3/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=brtoday&page=cfoot/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=17085
Rabalais column: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10697951.html
Doucet story: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10698086.html
more coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10700196.html

LSUSports.net (Official LSU Website)
Game coverage (VERY THOROUGH!! See notes at end of story): http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1284824&DB_OEM_ID=5200
Photo gallery: http://www.lsusports.net/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=1284824&SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&PALBID=14113


Dandy Don's Website: http://www.dandydon.com/

And the Valley Shook (LSU Blog): http://www.andthevalleyshook.com/

Shreveport Times
Guilbeau column: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/SPORTS0202/71021003/1001/SPORTS
Photo gallery: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D9&Dato=20071021&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=710210807&Ref=PH


NATIONAL COVERAGE

ESPN:
Game coverage (AP): http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272930099
Photo gallery (AP): http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/photos?gameId=272930099
Drive chart: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=272930099
Play by play: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=272930099
Gutsy call: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=3072541

College Football News (CFN)
http://cfn.scout.com/2/557722.html
Analysis: http://cfn.scout.com/2/692941.html
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7353256
Analysis: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7357954
Sporting News
Lucky coach: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=292781
coverage: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=292778
CNN/SI
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/scoreboards/2007/10/20/35771_viewcast_recap.html Mandel: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2007/10/saturday-observations-part-iii_21.html
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-FBC-T25-Auburn-LSU.html?_r=1&ref=ncaafootball&oref=slogin
CBS Sportsline
http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAF_20071020_AUB@LSU
Dodd column: http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10422107
Rivals: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=729246


THE LOYAL OPPOSITION:

Montgomery Advertiser
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/NEWS/710210341/1001
Photo gallery: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DS&Date=20071021&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=710210801&Ref=PH&Profile=1001
Commentary: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/SPORTS/710210338/1001
Notes: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/SPORTS/710210340/1001

Al.com:
Commentary (Huntsville Times): http://blog.al.com/trackingtigers/2007/10/another_auburnlsu_classic.html
Notes: http://blog.al.com/trackingtigers/2007/10/lsu_30_auburn_24_notes_and_quo.html
Grade Auburn: http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/reportcard/
Photos: http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/bama/view_gallery.ata?g_id=4042

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I'm sitting here listening to Ed Bradley's Jazz Live from Lincoln Center - this show's feature is Duke Ellington - while I wait to head out to Tiger Stadium for a day of fun and see Auburn get its ass kicked tonight. Here we go.

Lil Michael Taylor will finally appear in court.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771019053
Justice does move slowly but eventually it does move. Taylor will finally start to face some justice. Thankfully, he is still in jail where he can not terrorize the rest of Jackson while on Melton's/Jackson's dime. The CL reported:
"A young ward of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton will appear in court in January to be arraigned on charges of armed carjacking and extortion. Court documents show Michael Taylor, 18, was indicted on the two felony charges by a grand jury in August. The charges stem from accusations in November that Taylor pointed a handgun at a woman and stole her silver 2001 Saturn at the intersection of Bailey Avenue and Maple Street. Investigators said Taylor later attempted to sell the car back to the woman.Taylor's address was listed on court papers as Melton's northeast Jackson home, but Taylor has been held in the Hinds County Detention Center since July." These charges are in addition to the armed robbery charges he faced earlier this year. For an earlier discussion of Taylor and Melton, see: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/07/meltons-protege-set-free-to-terrorize.html

Judge stands up to Melton's antics
Judge Breland Hilburn said enough is enough. Melton gave promotions to his bodyguards, including one Michael Recio to Assistant Chief, who just happens to be the son-in-law of former Chief and "consultant" to Melton and JPD Bracey Coleman while ignoring much more highly qualified police officers. Melton said earlier this week he had no use for tests for promotion. This follows Melton's pattern of hiring people who are grossly unqualified for jobs for which they are appointed. His typical response is they have a great attitude or some similar reason. Its never about how strong their resume is or how qualified they are.

Judge Hilburn said:
"The Civil Service Commission is going to make it very aware to management of the city of Jackson that the failure to recognize the protocol and rules of Civil Service no longer will be tolerated," said Breland Hilburn, a specially appointed Hinds County circuit judge and Civil Service Commission chairman. If rules continue to be broken, city administrators could "find themselves before the commission," he said. There are 15 "acting" lieutenants and sergeants within Jackson Police Department. All have received promotions without going through the regular competitive process. Those, plus recent promotions of Melton bodyguards Micheal Recio and Marcus Wright and others constitute "widespread disregard for the clear mandates for promotion," Hilburn said.
Melton's moves have garnered complaints in recent weeks from rank-and-file officers, who say the promotions are blatant examples of favoritism. Promotions are supposed to be based on "established qualifications, examinations, records of efficiency, character, conduct and seniority," according to Civil Service Rules for the city of Jackson....."
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/NEWS/710190379

Its nice to see someone with some balls when it comes to Melton. I'm sure Melton will call him corrupt.....or say he is not going to listen to some judge who has no clue what is going on in the city, and the idiot supporters will write in saying "let him do his job!" That is just it, he IS doing his job and its a total disaster.

Viagra makes you deaf?
WJTV reported: Popular impotence drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra will come with a new and serious warning.The FDA is calling for labels cautioning men about the risk of sudden hearing loss that may be associated with taking the drug. So far 29 cases have been reported all within two days of taking one of the drugs.
http://www.wjtv.com/gulfcoastwest/jtv/news.apx.-content-articles-JTV-2007-10-19-0010.html

This is a bad thing? Did they think this might be an intended benefit for the drug? Now you take the pill, do your thing, and don't have to hear her gripe about how she didn't get hers or you can just roll over and go straight to sleep without listening to her bitching about your going to sleep.

Meanwhile, Melton announces CRIME IS DOWN!
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15218_0_27_0_C

In a statement released this week, Melton states:
PROGRESS IN THE CITY OF JACKSON...
STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE
Mayor FrankE . Melton said he is pleased to announce that the City of Jackson presently has
several hundred million dollars in construction currently underway with more to come next
month. Cranes and bulldozers can be seen all over town. The Mayor also announced that crime is down and he gives credit to the efforts of the City's public safety officers.
Mayor Meltons adds there is still much work to be done especially in the following areas:
-Truancy, which leads to drop outs in our school system
-The illegal consumption and distribution of narcotics
-Weapons in the wrong hands and used to hurt human beings
He said these are the three critical issues that led to recent changes and more changes may be made in order to achieve the desired results and that is for everyone in the City of Jackson to feel.

This press release is so bad it almost doesn't deserve comment. Crime is down? Really? WHERE? It's also rather funny how crime skyrocketed almost immediately after he took office when it has been down nationwide. This press release could have been written by a high school student. What proof or evidence is there crime is down? No statistics are cited. One must wonder what the purpose of such a stupid press release is. Hmmm...I'm starting to wonder....maybe Melton really IS that stupid and we all have been assuming for years he had some brains. http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/foi_pdfs/Crimeisdown.pdf

Bible Thumpers' Favorite Prophet at it again....

Never mind how many times Hal Lindsay is wrong, THIS time he will get it right. In the 70's he used to say the United States was fading and that Russia and China would rule the world until the time of the anti-Christ. Then in the 80's he said demons would appear as aliens to us and the whole UFO thing was Satanic. Wikipedia has a pretty interesting and funny account of him and his writings. The fact is, they are usually wrong and his knowledge of prophecy and history is pretty bad.

This time, he is SURE that Bush and Condi discussing Israeli-Palestinian peace is the fulfillment of yet another Biblical prophecy, never mind he has missed on the other hundreds or thousands or so-called prophecieces he has claimed to divine. Enjoy: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58215

Meanwhile, D.A.-Elect Robert Smith is questioned

By the JFP for having, gasp, unresolved cases when he assumed office. There are only two types of lawyers that run for D.A.: prosecutors and defense attorneys. Defense attorneys become D.A.s all the time and most of them know how to wrap up their caseloads, and as they have to pass an ethics exam, are pretty familiar with conflicts of interest rules. The few lawyers which attempt to inject some reason into the discussion are subjected to some nastier treatment as they refuse to follow the party line. http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15211_0_67_0_C

Meanwhile, no mention is made of Faye Peterson dropping cases this week against three alleged killers and also a former JPD cop accused of sexual battery against a minor (separate cases) for lack of evidence. One can imagine the criticism made if it was Mr. Smith dropping these cases.

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Posted earlier this week was a picture and then a description of two members of the Jena 6 at the BET awards: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/10/beat-student-up-get-red-carpet.html

Well, the media is now catching on to the storyL:
http://www.kalb.com/index.php/news/article/2-jena-six-members-appear-at-bet-awards/961/

If this is not a perfect example of thug culture, it is hard to see what is.

More on the real history of the Jena 6 story:
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-truth-here-thugs-or-theologians.html

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Where neither love nor hatred is in the game, a woman's game is
mediocre.

The enormouse expectation in sexual love and the sense of shame in this expectation spoils all perspective for women from the start.

Our vanity is hardest to wond when our pride has just been wounded.

Man likes woman peaceful-but woman is essentially unpeaceful,
like a cat, however well she may have trained herself to seem peaceable.

In revenge and in love woman is more barbarous than man.

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.

Madness is rare in individuals-but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule.

Poets treat their experiences. shamelessly: they exploit them.

In men who are hard, intimacy involves shame- and is precious.

Talking much about oneself can be also be a means to conceal oneself. Not that you lied to me, but that I no longer believe you has shaken me.

All quotes from Chapter 4 of Beyond Good and Evil.

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You have heard or read about General Sanchez's speech in the media. As usual, the media only publicized the quotes that fit its agenda. This post will not make any comments one way or the other in regards to his speech as it quite clear that General Sanchez is quite capable of speaking for himself. Here is the speech:

"TODAY, I WILL ATTEMPT TO DO TWO THINGS - FIRST I WILL GIVE YOU MY ASSESSMENT OF THE MILITARY AND PRESS RELATIONSHIP AND THEN I WILL PROVIDE YOU SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR WAR EFFORT.......

GIVEN THE NEAR INSTANTANEOUS ABILITY TO REPORT ACTIONS ON THE GROUND, THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ACCURATELY AND TRUTHFULLY REPORT TAKES ON AN UNPRECEDENTED IMPORTANCE. THE SPECULATIVE AND OFTEN UNINFORMED INITIAL REPORTING THAT CHARACTERIZES OUR MEDIA APPEARS TO BE RAPIDLY BECOMING THE STANDARD OF THE INDUSTRY.......

AFTER MORE THAN FOUR YEARS OF FIGHTING, AMERICA CONTINUES ITS DESPERATE STRUGGLE IN IRAQ WITHOUT ANY CONCERTED EFFORT TO DEVISE A STRATEGY THAT WILL ACHIEVE "VICTORY" IN THAT WAR TORN COUNTRY OR IN THE GREATER CONFLICT AGAINST EXTREMISM. FROM A CATASTROPHICALLY FLAWED, UNREALISTICALLY OPTIMISTIC WAR PLAN TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S LATEST "SURGE" STRATEGY, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO EMPLOY AND SYNCHRONIZE ITS POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND MILITARY POWER........."

Read the rest of the speech at:
http://www.militaryreporters.org/sanchez_101207.html

Sadly enough, I was unable to find a video clip of the entire speech.

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http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=5729884

In this case the dude used his joint credit card (has a very hot fiance) by mistake and is now freaking out. hehe. Also look through read of thread for some interesting New Orleans stories.

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Heard a bit of gossip from some media friends in Lousiana about the Jena 6 and why Justin Barker might have been beaten by these "kids".

All I am going to say is when I was in high school, I knew better than to go tease a football player who got his ass kicked in a fight during the weekend about getting his ass kicked in said fight, especially when he had several of his buddies around him.

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This is one of my favorite bands. These guys play cello backed up by a metal band. Interesting concept. Their songs are all over Youtube.





Recommended albums: Apocalyptica, Reflections, Cult

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http://www.bossip.com/6939/random-ridiculousness-bet-hip-hop-awards/#more-6939

Look who showed up at the BET Hip Hop Awards for the red carpet treatment.
Anyone want to guess who these two guys are?

Answer: "Also participating in the BET HIP HOP AWARDS 2007 were two of the young men of the Jena 6, Carwin Jones and Bryant Purvis, who presented the Video of the Year award and thanked the hip hop community for its support." From PRNewswire.
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48735049_hip_hop_style_substance_and_swagger_bet_hip_hop_awards_2007

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Update: Today, The Jackson Free Press issued the following corrections:
"editor's note: The above story and "Sharpton Defends The 'Jena 6'" (Vol. 5, No. 47) have been corrected to remove the association of Justin Barker with the noose-hanging incident at Jena High School. Barker has been reported as a friend of the noose-hangers, whose names have not been disclosed, but not as a co-conspirator in the noose incident. This error was not intentional. xxx xxx and The Jackson Free Press apologize for the error. "
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15054_0_63_0_C

Credit is given where credit is due. At least the JFP corrected its errors, which is more than I can say for The Clarion-Ledger, which rarely corrects errors pointed out by bloggers or other media outlets.

Original post:

The Jackson Free Press published several stories covering the Jena 6 case in Jena, Louisiana. This is no surprise as the JFP has stated repeatedly it is committed to social justice and fighting racial discrimination in all forms, truly admirable and respectable goals.

However, in its coverage of the Jena 6, a reporter at the JFP, committed several egregious errors. In fact, they are so egregious they could be considered to be slander or libel.

In two stories, xxx xxx states Justin Barker, the White student who was beaten up by the Jena 6, was involved in the noose-hanging" incident three months earlier at the school. She writes: "Justin Barker and his friends at Jena High School were wrong to hang nooses from a tree under which black students had congregated the day before." ( "Let the Punishment Fit the Crime", October 3, 2007 )http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15054_0_63_0_C

On Dec. 4, 2006, the six black students attacked one of the white males involved with the noose hanging, Justin Barker, at school. He suffered a concussion and bruises, but later that same night, he went out to a social gathering. Meanwhile, the Jena Six went to jail and are facing the harshest sentences possible for the fight. ("Sharpton Defends the Jena 6", August 8, 2007) http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/print.php?id=14477_0_4_0

This is very sloppy reporting, so sloppy it could be considered libelous. There has been no suggestion in the media that the victim, Mr. Barker, was involved in the noose-hanging incident. In fact, several authorities and media sources have stated he was NOT involved in said incident.

The Town Talk, which covers the Alexandria, La region, stated:
"Barker wasn’t one of the three students disciplined for the noose incident, and he hasn’t been named in any of the fights in Jena leading up to the Dec. 4 incident."
http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS/70915030

Darryl Fears of The Washington Post, that bastion of right-wing conservatism and racism, wrote: "The victim in the beaten that resulted in the charges was said to have been one of the participants in hanging the nooses. That couldn't be verified."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/09/20/DI2007092000816.html?nav=ft_lol

Snopes also stated Mr. Barker was not involved in the noose incident. It quotes the District Attorney, Reed Walters: "The victim in this crime, who has all but been forgotten, was a young man named Justin Barker, who was not involved in the nooses incident three months earlier." http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/jena6.asp

These sources were found after googling "was Justin Barker involved with the noose incident?" It took less than ten minutes to find these passages. xxx cites no sources or evidence in support of her writing that Mr. Barker was involved with the noose incident. Only xxxx can say if this was intentional or merely sloppy reporting. However, when one engages in so-called advocacy journalism, just because a reporter wants something to be true does not mean it is.

Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines libel as: "a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression b (1): a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2): defamation of a person by written or representational means (3): the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures (4): the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel." However, the law in Mississippi is much more forgiving and allows for honest mistakes. See Section 95-1-5 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/95/001/0005.htm.

It is also interesting how xxx omits for the most part any mention of Mychel Bell's prior criminal history. See earlier post: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-truth-here-thugs-or-theologians.html. Mr Bell had numerous arrests for violent crimes and was convicted of at least one, which is why he was on probation in the first place. Snopes stated: "Prosecutors in his case revealed that Bell had been convicted as a juvenile for attacking someone a year prior to the Jena 6 assault, then committed three more crimes while on probation for that one, which meant the Jena 6 verdict marked his fifth conviction for violent crimes." (His criminal record is discussed in my post cited above in a news report from the Baton Rouge newspaper).

These earlier convictions and criminal history are why Mr. Bell's probation was revoked last week. To put it mildly, Mr. Bell is a thug who was also a star football player. He was given a free pass until he beat Justin Barker. Everyone is familiar with the double standard for jocks which occurs in too many schools. Compare his treatment to incidents at Brandon and Morton High Schools where football players who were arrested were suspended from the team after they were arrested the first time, not the second....or third....or fourth....or fifth.... you get the idea.

In another display of ignorance, Blogger L.W. writes on the JFP website: "He has to spend 18 months in a juvenile facility for violating his probation. However, the charges are old and weren't brought up until now..." . This statement is simply not true and is completely at odds with the facts. In fact, she quoted a column by Jason Whitlock where he disclosed Bell's December, 2005 conviction for battery, http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14950_0_27_0_C, so one fails to see how she can call these old charges with a straight face.

Earl Hutchison writes on the site as well: "The DA claims that several other scrapes with the law helped keep him there." http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14999_0_7_0_C Claims.....CLAIMS? There are no "claims" as you put it. Mr. Bell WAS arrested. He WAS convicted. He IS on probation. Even his own father admitted it to the Baton Rouge newspaper. One must wonder if this really is ignorance on display or just plain dishonesty.

One must ask why the writers over at the JFP so blatantly ignore the facts and information that basic research would provide. xxx is a good writer and it is clear she is passionate about several causes. It is nice to see young people take an interest in social justice while trying to improve our society. However, passion and a belief in one's cause is no excuse for sloppy journalism and getting the facts grossly wrong. In the age of the internet, these false statements about Mr. Barker can easily spread throughout the media. The fact they were printed by a weekly alternative newspaper is irrelevant in today's world of blogs, mobile news alerts, and websites. Since xxx wrote Mr. Barker was involved with the noose incident depsite all evidence to the contrary, it is a smear upon Mr. Barker, who was beaten to a pulp by the Jena 6 (Yes, he was at a school function that night, a function he attended with a beaten and swollen face according the The Times-Picayune.) .

On the pages and blogs of The Jackson Free Press, Ms. Ladd, the co-owner as well as a holder of a Master's Degree in Journalism from Columbia, wields her literary lead pipe against The Clarion-Ledger and other media outlets for sloppy journalism and violating the so-called best practices of journalism. (Make no mistake, they usually deserve it). However, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. If these false statements about Mr. Barker do not cross the line, it is hard to see what does. I care about social justice as I have a law degree and that means I don't like to see someone who was savagely beaten smeared for something he did not do, regardless of race. At the very least, xxx owes her readers a correction and Mr. Barker a public apology on the pages of The Jackson Free Press.


See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_journalism for a dicussion of advocacy journalism.

Note: Saw an interesting post by a blogger about this:
http://www.myurbanreport.com/?p=252#comment-1635

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This story is by Thomas Ricks, author of Fiasco ( highly recommended reading ):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/14/AR2007101401245_pf.html
"The U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating and perhaps irreversible blows to al-Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq....."

This is an interview with Ricks that was broadcast on NPR during the week of General Petraeus's testimony. He defends Petraeus and criticizes the Move-on.org idiots. Even when I disagree with him, he raises valid points and due to his fluency in the Iraq War and military issues such as counterinsurgency doctrine, he should be taken seriously.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14345112

Al Qaida's failure to build an Islamic state in Iraq:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/federation/feature/?id=110010704
"The latest chapter in al Qaeda's war manual in their war against the Iraqi people and the Coalition is this: raiding remote peaceful villages, burning down homes and slaughtering both man and beast. It's a campaign of self destruction. ...."

Record number of tips from Sunnis in Baghdad:
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2007/me_iraq_10_12.asp
Kingfish note: No surprise here. That is one of the benefits of following a good counter-insurgency doctrine as civilians will give more information to the military as they feel more secure.

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http://www.cajuncountrycorn.com/corn_maze_cajun_country_corn.htm

Gee, a haunted cornfield maze. You would think that with all these farmers here in Mississippi someone would've figured this one out. Guess its easier to gripe about needing more government subsidies than actually think of something that will make money.

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SafeCity's analysis of the FBI Crime Report as it relates to Jackson is out:
http://www.thesafecity.com/fbi_2006_report.htm

The actual data used:
http://www.thesafecity.com/oct07/Crime%20in%20Jackson%202006%20Report.pdf

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Michael Yon sends a dispatch from Iraq about our wounded soldiers and how they are treated. This is a very moving piece and worth taking some time to read. Its nice to see a writer who is focusing on the soldiers themselves and not what will grab the flashiest headlines or score the highest ratings.

Command Sergeant Major James Pippin realized they were in a “nearside ambush,” and ordered his driver to assault directly into the RPG and machine gun fire. Riding the offensive momentum, the American soldiers dismounted their Humvees, moving into the attack, disorganizing the ambushers. Pippin shot one in the face. Then a bullet found him.......

Pippin’s attack into the ambush had broken the enemy effort, but he was bleeding all over the Humvee.... Pippin was driven to one of the nearby “Combat Support Hospitals” (CSH)....

Soon after my embed with the 2-7 CAV ended, I made one other visit to a CSH. Among the many wounded was one soldier who had been terribly maimed by an IED during an ambush. It is hard to describe the extent of his injuries. These CSHs host a daily array of gunshot wounds of every description, traumatic amputations, and severe burns, but his wounds were horrible even by those standards. As blood soaked through his bandages, a pretty young nurse walked out into the hall and burst into tears. A doctor called the soldier’s father, and gravely related the truth: the staff would try to keep him alive until Germany, so his family could be there at the end....

The system for treating wounded soldiers and civilians is an example of the military at its best: the CSHs around Iraq, the “Mercy Flight” to Landstuhl, and then the Landstuhl staff itself, was among the best. It always amazes me that a soldier who is wounded in some strange Iraqi village in the morning, through a system of fast ground transport and aircraft, is in a top medical facility possibly before midnight on the same day. The first-class treatment and service for the patients, at every step of the way, has long been a source of both pride and controversy....

Read the rest of the dispatch at: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/under-distant-stars.htm

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The town of Covington, La actually has a fall art season:
"Exhibits in 33 galleries, shops, and restaurants in charming downtown Covington open tonight from 6 to 10. during Fall For Art, the kickoff of the 2007 north shore art season. Live entertainment by nine performers and bands round out this year's edition of the annual celebration.....
Columbia Street and Lee Lane will be closed to vehicles from 5 to 10 p.m. so art enthusiasts can stroll the streets or ride the City Tram, a golf cart that pulls a wagon to transport tired pedestrians, as they enjoy food, spirits and music along the streets and inside the galleries....."
http://blog.nola.com/living/2007/10/the_north_shore_kicks_off_its.html

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Jackson might lose over $1 million dollar in federal grants.
As if Jackson didn't have enough budget problems, it faces losing over $1 million in federal grant money if it doesn't hire more police officers. Under Melton's leadership, the JPD is down to 410 officers. JPD needs 450 officers to keep its grant and there are only 12 cadets in the current class at the police academy (Maybe we need to call THAT police academy. Just a thought.). Our fearless leader said he would replace the officers who complained about his running the police department with the cadets when they graduate. Yes dumbass, the crime rate has exploded under your administration, you promote your bodyguards over more qualified police officers, suspend testing for promotions, let the staff level fall to the point where you are going to lose over a million dollars and your response is to get rid of your veterans and replace them with rookies. You were right when you ran for office. You said you were going to use unorthodox tactics to fight crime.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/NEWS/710120371/1001/news

By the way, if you want to see some really bad writing, read the whole story. Where do these reporters go to school? Some of my favorite phrases in this story: "weeded out", "officials have approved taking several million out of reserve" (several million WHAT?), "recruit class", and "Cmdr." (First time that word is used, should be spelled out).

JSU Band gets to march after all.
So the whole fuss over so-called hazing (The media never did disclose what the so-called hazing was apart from what the administration said. So much for investigative reporting.) was that some of the students had to do push-ups and crunches? Heaven forbid some of these lard-asses should have to actually get in shape. When they run late or screw up, can't have accountability. I did quite a few push-ups in basic training and it didn't hurt me nor anyeone else at all.
Its just amazing that the whole fuss was over doing PUSH-UPS!
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/NEWS/710120376/1001/news

The Clarion-Ledger once again refuses to take a stand on Iraq.
How cowardly. It has repeatedly refrained from stating a position on our presence in Iraq. Instead it usually states its still controversial and then cites polls and uses Iraq as an attempt to promote its storychat instead of doing something useful. Today it meekly opines that the Democrats have failed to withdraw troops from Iraq. It ignores the issue of whether the surge has had any success or any other real discussion about the war in Iraq. After criticizing the discussion for not covering the real issues, the newspaper then ironically goes to merely citing polls about the war. So what is it Clarion-Ledger? What do you stand for?
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/OPINION01/710120324/1008/OPINION

Salter blasts Lester Spell over beef plant fiasco.
Lester Spell tries to avoid responsibility for the state losing over $50 million dollars on the beef plant by blaming Mississippi State (He must not need that vote.). Salter does a very good job of refuting Spell's feeble attempts to pin the blame elsewhere. Lester, you need to go. Along with the rest of the rascals who helped you in this venture but it starts with you.
http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs/ssalter/2007/10/lester-spell-beef-plant-failure-is.html

Mychal Bell of the Jena 6 back in jail.
Jena 6 thug Mychal Bell is back in jail again as his probation was revoked. Hmmm....you are on probation and are surprised that when you beat someone up and face criminal charges for doing so, your probation is revoked. The poster, L.W. claims these are old charges and uses Sharpton as an expert on how this is unjust. I will clarify this if you are not aware of some key facts. Mr. Bell has been arrested repeatedly for property crimes and battery. These are not old charges but have happened in the last two years. Its also funny how the same people who gnash their teeth over how Frank Melton was not punished for his probation violations excuse Bell's probation violations so easily. Did I mention Bell also had a prior conviction?
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15148_0_67_0_C

The truth is Bell is a thug and has gotten a free pass until he beat up Justin Barker because he was a star football player. At Brandon and other local schools recently, when players got in trouble with the law, the were immediately suspended from the team. At Jena, Bell was allowed to keep playing despite being arrested repeatedly. It should also be noted that Justin Barker, the victim, had nothing to do with the noose-hanging incident. See previous post: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-truth-here-thugs-or-theologians.html

Now, the weather is very nice today. How nice? Go to the state fair for lunch and find out!

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Here is a link on www.tigerdroppings.com discussing their antics:
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/MessageTopic.asp?p=5644158&Pg=1

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