Jackson Jambalaya

In this Internet world of more information, more and more information and more and more and more information, one would think we would be a lot smarter on public policy issues.
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Wrong, wrong and more wrong.

Information glut has its downside. We're so overwhelmed it's hard to glean what we need to know. But the main problem is that so much of it is just downright junk.

The use of the different forms of media and communication has changed politics forever, and I think for the good. Campaign strategies are built around these tools.
Info manipulated

But there also is much room for mischief and it requires all of us to be more discerning. We especially must be more aware of sources of information. Beware of anonymous and special-interest-backed or partisan bloggers. Read, enjoy and take them with a grain of salt, or at least in context of what they are designed to promote.

The health care debate has been a well-financed war of words, with messages carefully planned and manipulated - by both sides. So far the opponents are winning hands down, not on the merits, but on galvanizing opposition among many middle-of-the-road voters who don't really know what to think.

The pervasiveness of misinformation that has come out has to be carefully orchestrated and promoted and it has affected the issue.

The "talking points" get communicated and bolstered by the lock-step chatter by partisan bloggers and the good soldiers on talk radio to the point that somehow partisan information morphs into "fact," no matter how outrageous.
E-mail campaigns

This comes from both sides of the partisan fence. But some of the misinformation against health care reform is laughable. Still, it gets traction.

I receive hundreds of e-mails daily with pass-along information, links and forwarded information. I think some folks must spend their days in front of a computer forwarding stuff. Some are funny. Some are mean. Some are just downright false. A quick fact check often reveals just how silly some of these things really are. I confronted one of the senders recently with the facts. The response was, "Well, it could be true."

Mainstream media have standards and much of this is designed to get around the media fact checks. So, watch your sources closely.

There is a famous old newspaper cliche of a grizzled old editor who tells a young reporter: "If your mother tells you she loves you, kid, check it out."

That especially goes if your mother sends you an e-mail with a link to a web site, three messages on Facebook and a tweet - check it out.

I think, it's my opinion. Oh shit. Did I just slander?

On a serious note, they both sound like they want to parent me. The tone of both sounds like they are a bit irrelevant and are trying, with every ounce of hubris, to bring some intellectual validity to their "tablogs".

They're right, though. You do have to be more of a discerning reader than ever. Blogs post unsubstantiated and unsourced information all the time.

And commenters should always be required to register before posting.

Registration is a stupid idea. Thanks for your input Donna.

Its people with your "holier than thou" attitude and your registration idea that create the hallway screaming match. Make your point and go to another posting or better yet, the JFP. I'm 8:04 am BTW

Also, the people who post here regularly can't be more than 25 or so people. Those people have adjusted to the anonymous posting, and rely on it to make comments that they normally wouldn't if their identity went along with those comments.

I think this blog has the potential to create valuable discussion about the Jackson community and how to improve it. I also think more people, who have worthwhile opinions, would comment on here if the anon option was removed.

See, you just won't let it go. Register and lets see you actually stand up for what you believe in. Identify yourself damn it.

Well, 8:04 (such a creative choice of handle), you've taken a hardline view on anonymous posting. What's the point in even talking to you anymore? Is there one?

8:04 again: Look registration fool, get an ID, then I will talk to you. I'm done with you. DNFTT

Being discerning goes unsaid.

The notion of being discerning, as used by the likes of Ladd and Hampton, actually demeans their own readership. Telling their readers to be more careful disrespects those same readers as if they somehow, and/or even suddenly, don't possess the ability to distinguish quality from junk.

Cautioning their readers to be discerning is arrogance from two people who are not specialists and/or subject matter experts in much of anything.

Dear Reader, without my (Ladd and Hampton's) precious and highly skilled guidance you will be unable to make good decisions on important matters nor be able to sift the truth from fiction out of the all the sources available to you in our world today.

They use the term in order to cast aspersions on their competition against whom they are losing market share and eyeballs. They can't compete and they both are losing their voices as readers consider other information from the myriad of sources available today.

If you'd like to blindly follow them then so be it. But please don't come around here to JJ and highlight to the readers here about the need to be discerning.

Also, the people who post here regularly can't be more than 25 or so people.

Yes, of course, you know that.

I think this blog has the potential to create valuable discussion about the Jackson community and how to improve it. I also think more people, who have worthwhile opinions, would comment on here if the anon option was removed.

I have a GREAT idea. Start your own blog and show us how a fucking professional does it right. Put up or shut up.

Oh, and don't forget to require registration!

As one who does not read Hampton or Ladd.......I feel so clean.

Anonymous people attacking anonymous people for being anonymous. Ok..

I don't see what the big deal would be for everyone to have to "log in" to comment actually. I know that's an unpopular opinion here, but, GAWD would it be easier to follow threads.

So like I said, what would be the big deal? You just give some fake name, not your freggin SS#, at least that would be YOUR fake handle every time and we could somewhat tell "who's" saying what. Again, just for referencing sake if nothing else.

And KF don't say meow again.

Clarion Ledger - I read the hHeadlines only, most articles under-reported, misspellings are rampant, atrocious grammar.

JFP - I think the only time I looked at it was to find out is at Hal & Mal's? I didn't even know that the JFP had articles, I thought it was a parody rag to advertise bars and bands.

I too feel clean...because, I read KINGFISH...bwhaahahehahaaaa

Thanks man!

And I'm working on an ID, someone recommended "Shill", I don't like it that much...

CL makes you register but that doesn't change what is said. People just give fake names.

"And commenters should always be required to register before posting."

So if you think that's such a great idea why don't you post it under your real name.

For about the last two weeks it seems this site has been deluged by trolls posting trite, name-calling crap anonymously.

Testing...1..2..3..Test...Test...Test...

I would like to formally announce my coming out of the anonymous closet...

And I got a theme song too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8nRL2bPCU

I was the one who definitely does not believe in registration!!! Or formerly known as 8:04 am...

Testing...1..2..3..Test...Test...Test...ooops, it might take me a while to learn how not to click the anonymous button...LOL

I would like to formally announce my coming out of the anonymous closet...

And I got a theme song too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8nRL2bPCU

I was the one who definitely does not believe in registration!!! Or formerly known as 8:04 am...

The biggest differance I have found between blogs and the written media is the word, It APPEARS

Without anonymous postings valuable information wouldn't be shared by those who have job or social concerns.

Trolls are a problem, misinformation is a problem and while I agree most of us are smart enough and responsible enough to check it out before forming an opinion, that's not always the case. Some well educated people I know are " birthers" as we human have a tendency to believe what we want to believe or just don't have the time to do more than rely on others.

I like how KF does it...monitoring what is posted in a responsible way and allowing debate on the validity or usefulness of information.

PS before a "birther" goes ballistic, I'm glad to see any evidence you have that the newspaper birth announcement from the complete newspaper the day of his birth was forged and hear an explanation why no one in either the Bush administration or RNC wouldn't act to prove forgery or tampering.

I think KF does a good job with trolls.....after suitable warnings, he just hands them their heads.

1. No registration will be required here. The whole concept of registration is rather stupid as there is no way to verify the identity of commentors. So we have some guy in his boxers registering under "Captain Kirk" instead of anonymous. Wow, that really cleaned things up or held him accountable, didn't it? Screen names or anonymous, it doesn't matter. What are we going to start doing, requiring people to provide their drivers license numbers to let them comment? please.

2. As for Hampton and Ladd, unlike them, I trust the readers and think you guys have some sense. You can judge the information for yourselves. Most of you are college-educated and know how to read an article or recognize something as bogus if it is or poorly researched. As many errors and sloppy reporting as those two publications have made, neither one of them has any room to talk about blogs. Now some of the blogs get pretty damn sloppy and cross waaaay over the line and I think one day they are going to pay for it when they start getting sued. There is a responsibility when you blog and when you start getting into the realm of slander and libel, some of these blogs are going to find out they can be held responsible.

In the end, what it comes down to is how credible and important is the information posted, not who wrote it. I don't care for Ms. Ladd but am I going to discount an article she wrote because she wrote it? Hell no as she has written some pretty good ones over the years. I don't think much of the business writers at the CL but I'm going to judge each article when I read it on its merits, not on who wrote it.

In my opinion, the author matters when you are trying to figure out if there is a slant to the article or if there are things that might have been conveniently left out.

3. Before Hampton starts talking about other blogs getting things wrong, he needs to worry about the CL first. I remember the CL referring to Robbie Bell as robbie spencer. Or publishing an article about the decline in real estate prices yet admitted no sales data was used. Or publishing a puff piece about the Irbys while ignoring two domestic violence arrests and an alienation of affection lawsuit, all of which were readily available either in their own databases or across the street at the courthouse. Or reporting Heather dropped the charges against George Bell, III when she never did. She only requested a dismissal and a simple domestic violence charge can be prosecuted without the victim's consent. Or reporting Karen Irby was charged with vehicular homicide when the reporter was told she was charged with "murder" and he assumed it was VH. You get the idea.

4. One thing about anonymous commenting also is there is good information published that wouldn't be otherwise. I've gotten quite a few such comments then found out later they were indeed true or got me looking in a different, but correct direction.

5. Some of this is just envy. they got left behind on Scruggs. On Heather Spencer the refused to report what was in the police reports because they were scared to give me or WLBT any credit whatsoever. On the bond swaps, it was completely over their heads and when I tried to get the CL interested in covering it, they declined. They don't post .pdf's, don't post copies of motions or other documents from ongoing trials or cases, file FOIA requests for the most part, nor get off of their butts and go to the courthouse often enough to look up information that would help them and then whine about blogs.

When they start acting like newspapers, then maybe they can start complaining about the competition.

In other words Hampton and Ladd, start treating your readers better and show them some respect by turning out a higher quality product and they will be reading your work, not the blogs.

Hey, its Kaptain Kangaroo, and I was taking stilettoGOP's recommendation to register to, at least, follow the conversation.

Yes, I'm still anonymous.

No, I'm not in my boxers, unfortunately, I must put on a suit (albeit an train uniform) to take on my day.

Frankly, for local news and engaging thought, this is really a great place for starters. I have appreciated the links to other blogs as well and found them engaging as well.

I agree with your assessment of the purpose of this blog and do commend you for taking the extra step by providing documentation that otherwise would be left in the darkness.

Keep up the good work! And let's find a little humor...laugh a little.

KK

KF I disagree with point #1.

Sometimes it's not about "verifying the identity of" anyone, my point is simply this- am I the only one tired of referring to people as "blank:o'clocks"? And as each minute passes since their last comment to another, we've lost the only way to keep up with what they were saying..? Crazy.

I know KF, you'd say 'start your own blog then, stiletto'. But was just saying..just my opinion..

I still, though, get a kick out of all the "STEP UP THEN MO-FO IDENTIFY YOURSELF!" comments posted by anonymous-es. That's good stuff.

Yes, KF does a kick-butt job in taming of trolls and such. Certainly agree with that.

Oh and good for you, Kaptain! Lol ;) and yeah, I'm semi "anonymous" too, I just at least wanted a link to email me because I do stand by everything I say, and welcome some "outside" arguments if need ever be. If you're not passionate enough to claim what you say, then why say it?

ibid, 11:01 am ;-)

7:50 AM is obviously a troll.

I was happy to find JJ because like Kingfish I was a part of the JFP blog and was banned for disagreeing with ole Ladd’s progressive, left-wing ideology.

Of course she accused me of being a troll and throwing around hate speech (if that’s what you call disagreeing) but I had to a sit through a BEST OF JACKSON celebration as she awarded herself MISSISSIPPI’S MOST INFLUENTIAL AUTHOR.

The woman just can’t help micromanaging what used to be a collective group of people who cared enough to comment on the happenings in Jackson.

If you don’t believe me go check out the JFP website and look at how Ladd HAS to comment after every freakin response on that darn website—I MEAN COME ON!

It reminds me of the now infamous Source Awards when Suge Knight called out Puff Daddy for being an executive producer who was “all up in the videos.”

Knight ended his comments with a challenge for rappers to “come over to Death Row.”

That’s essentially what I have done by reading this blog daily—I ‘came over’ to Jackson Jambalaya because the executive producer at the JFP blog won’t stay out of everyone’s affairs.

Why I like JJ.

1. Kingfish is not an anal control freaky editor. He has the fewest sacred cows of any blogger in Mississippi.

2. Kingfish doesn't repeatedly beat people with his agenda drum.

3. Kingfish is not rabidly partisan. He strikes me as conservative and independent first and foremost.

4. The posting community here tolerates a minimum of sermonizing. State your opinion however you like, for the most part, but spare us the sermons and admonitions.

This next one is real important.

5. Posters here are not told repeatedly that their sources are bad. The source is the source where the validity, bias and trustworthiness is left for the reader to decide.

You said it all KF.

I like having the time identification.

I very much enjoy GOP Stilletto but I'm not sure that those who may disagree with her politics will pay as much attention to some of her great observations as they might would if she were just a number.

Take the birth certificate debate somewhere else.

So if two unregistered posters fall in love, do they have anonymous sex?

Only if it isn't good.