Friday, August 8, 2008

WAPT scrutinizes Roger Wicker Ad



WAPT scrutinized an ad by the Roger Wicker campaign: http://www.wapt.com/video/17125777/index.html

The report was a serious effort at determining how true the ad's claims were. Ms. West's reporting had some memorable moments. Props to her for nailing Mr. Wicker with that question about what was wrong with Mr. Musgrove's ethics. Mr. Wicker's confusion was priceless. However, there are still some parts of the story that need to be clarified.

The Wicker ad claims Ronnie Musgrove ran state government at a deficit. Technically, there was no deficit as the law requires the budget to operate in the black. However, since Ms. West is 25 or so and going to sorority rushes and swap nights when Musgrove was in office (I'm picking on her in good fun), I'll add a few facts to the story. ;-)

During Musgrove's term, the economy slowed down, causing tax revenue to decrease. Musgrove submitted a budget to the legislature every year that estimated tax revenue growth of around 1%. Unfortunately, the Governor's office is very weak as the legislature holds most of the power under the Constitution of Mississippi. During Musgrove's term, the legislature repeatedly steamrolled over him, ignoring his tax revenue estimates. The DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED legislature drove state finances into the ditch as it based ITS budget EVERY YEAR on a completely unrealistic tax revenue increase of 3-5%. The legislators would pat themselves on the back and go home, crowing about their balanced budget. At some point during the fiscal year when the projected revenues failed to materialize, Musgrove was then forced to make substantial cuts in the budgets of all state agencies (Musgrove should grow some backbone and point this out when challenged on the deficit issue).

So technically, there was no deficit on the budget presented to and signed by the Governor. In actuality, the state ran at a deficit throughout the entire year and Musgrove was forced to cut the budgets just to keep the state from shutting down. Musgrove did make some mistakes such as broadly expanding Medicaid, causing Medicaid to have a budget deficit of around $300 million, but most of the blame rests with the legislature, not Musgrove. Wicker's ad is true about the deficit but so is Musgrove's defense. That should've been pointed out to the audience.

As for the ethical claims, I'll go out on a limb here. There was this thing called the Beef Cattle Plant that went bust, costing the state $54 million. Some of the people involved made contributions to Musgrove if I remember correctly, thus providing the basis for such a claim in a political ad. No one in state government was ever held accountable for this fiasco. Attacking Musgrove on this issue, if that is indeed the basis for the attacks on his ethics, is indeed predictable but Wicker should have been much better prepared for this question and known what the hell his campaign was putting on the airwaves instead of looking as dumb as he did. His campaign will undoubtedly release information supporting the ad's claims about Musgrove's ethics.

Of course, if we want to really discuss Musgrove's ethics, one can always look at the case of the former female campaign worker who worked for his administration then for a business that had a contract tied to Nissan while he followed the tradition started by Fordice in divorcing his wife while Governor. However, while that is great for the chatter at the cocktail circuit of Char and Bravo!, it obviously has no place in a political campaign or on tv so nothing will be made of that.

Kudos to Megan West again for nailing Wicker with that question as reporters live for those moments and they are fun to see.

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Trollfest '09

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.


Note: Security provided by INS.

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.

Note: Security provided by INS
.