Jackson Jambalaya

Some just can't help themselves as they eventually write what they really think.

In The Jackson Free Press's "Best of Issue", Governor Barbour ironically won the "Best Public Figure" award. Ironic as the weekly newspaper consistently bashes Governor Barbour. Adam Lynch could not resist the temptation, writing: "Barbour’s anti-regulation persona made him big business’ best friend, just as Mississippi’s anti-regulation background has helped make it the Mexico of the U.S., with new big manufacturers like Toyota moving in to make a profit. ..." http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=16056_0_9_0_C

Where does one start in criticizing such a statement? Since it is the JFP, where race is always an issue, this is a pretty racist statement as one must wonder what exactly Mr. Lynch means about Mexico, and thus Mexicans. Of course, one can not impute racism to the staff of the JFP as since it focuses on racial issues, it considers itself above such criticism.

One must also ask what Mr. Lynch exactly meant as referring to Mississippi as America's Mexico. Does he mean Mexico, and thus Mississippi, is poor, uneducated, and easily duped by its leaders? Does The Jackson Free Press belittle efforts made by Democrats and Republicans alike in trying to improve Mississippi by recruiting industry to our state? There is also the interesting part about Mr. Lynch saying that the manufacturers are coming to Mississippi for a profit. Since this is the state of Mississippi and not the People's Republic of Mississippi, Mr. Lynch, that means this is a free-market state, not one that subscribes to the principles of socialism you hold dearly. If companies lose money, they do not stay in business. Ask your editor and publisher about how important it is for a business to make a profit since you didn't learn that fundamental principle of economics, the dismal (and to a socialist, the non-existent) science.

Such a remark is bigoted, insulting, and condescending as it shows how when push comes to shove, the staff of the JFP truly do not respect Mississippians when they make choices that do not meet the approval of the JFP. In their minds, Mississippians are the great unwashed who need saving from themselves. Mexico of the U.S. indeed.