Jackson Jambalaya

[If you're as sick of this subject--Maria Wyeth and the JFP--as I am (and you couldn't possibly be, since it has now surpassed the Continuing Saga of Britney Spears in things I never want to hear another word about), please skip the first three paragraphs. I mean, if a subject were the largest ball-bearing-producing city in the world, this subject would be, by this point, Dayton, Ohio.] See http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/11/paranoia-sets-in.html

Apparently Donna Ladd is one of the last people in Jackson to figure out that Maria Wyeth was me, but I must admit I find it mildly amusing to keep getting hammered on a site I am banned from posting to. For the record, I have never asked her paper for a favor; my publisher contacted the JFP when my third collection of poems, Dark Familiar, was published in 2006. (They also contacted the Clarion-Ledger and several other newspapers.) The book was well-reviewed by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, The Courier-Journal, and many, many literary magazines and online sites. The reading/ signing I did at Lemuria (despite the fact that the JFP got the time wrong in their article) was attended by a hundred and fifty people.

My private emails to Ms. Ladd, while critical in some respects of her newspaper, were conciliatory in tone, and I had hoped to resolve this, since I am in agreement with so many of the goals she has for Mississippi, and think a strong alternative weekly is essential to making Jackson a viable place to live. While I don't regret anything I posted (or attempted to post) to her website, I might handle it differently if I had it to do all over again, since my intention was not to hurt Ms. Ladd, which it appears that I have done. I was expressing what I thought, about the topic in question, and my feelings about the ways in which I thought the JFP had not served Jackson as well it could. I am sorry to have caused her pain and what appears to be lingering anger.

And that, I hope, is the last I have to say on the subject.

Kingfish has invited me to blog on his site, an invitation I have gratefully accepted. I am a poet; I've published three books and edited a couple of others; I love to teach, but I'm not an academic. Fortunately, institutions of higher learning in Mississippi are familiar with the notion of a writer-in-residence. I've spent much of my adult life involved in getting poetry into places where it usually isn't (public schools, correctional facilities, nursing homes, literacy programs). I'm passionately interested in politics, but have no--ZERO, ZILCH, NADA--interest in writing about politics, so I plan to write about books and other cultural and even non-cultural stuff that interests me. (Jackson seems to have the political waterfront well-covered; I'm going to meander over to some other subjects that seem undercovered.)

In the last few years, usenet has grown rather anemic because people--including many of my close online friends--have abandoned it in favor of what I call blogatory (see Dante reference below). So I guess it's inevitable that I would eventually succumb to the siren song of the internet's preferred method of expression--the dreaded blog.

I always have several books I'm reading concurrently; right now I'm reading Janet Evanovitch's Eleven on Top; Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain; and Zero: The Biography of A Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife. I just started the Evanovitch, so I don't know if the prevailing view that it's not quite as good as earlier books in the series is true, but she does manage to combine a certain manageable level of violence with hilarity in her books, which I find seductive.

Whenever something serious happens in my life, I turn to great literature--not surprising for a poet or a lover of poetry--and I've re-read most of Shakespeare and many books about Shakespeare (some of them silly, some way too academic, and some enlightening) in the last couple of years. This past August I decided I needed to read The Divine Comedy, which I had never read all of, and I chose the fairly new Allen Mandelbaum translation, which is superb. This reading of Dante has reshaped my ideas about my fourth book of poems, which I am working on now. Dante's not light reading, and I would advise you to have a Robert Parker or something else going on the side if you take it on.

I was never a good student; I'm by temperament an introvert and an autodidact. I think I almost flunked out of college one semester because I decided to read all of Andre Gide, the more obscure French symbolistes, and a lot of Thomas Mann.

This tendency accounts for huge voids in my education, such as virtually all of nineteenth-century British fiction. Not to mention math. A big reason for my choosing the college I did was that it didn't demand one take a math class in order to graduate. Probably the most famous college textbook on poetry asked me, many years ago, if they could use some lines from a poem of mine that dealt with something called the asymptotic limit, which I had read about in one of those science-for-dummies magazines. The poetry textbook then goes on to comment that I am one of the few poets with an understanding of higher math. Long, long, long before bawhahahahahaha became an expression, people close to me were screaming it when they realized that anyone believed I had any understanding of higher math. (I do have an uncanny ability to calculate what an extra 35 per cent off of a garment already marked down 75 per cent is: my math skills begin and end there.)

But I had never read The Magic Mountain and I can't remember why; maybe because it is Very Long and also because I didn't think a novel about a bunch of people with tuberculosis in a posh sanitorium in the Alps would be all that interesting. Turns out I was wrong: it's an incredibly interesting book and I'm finding it not only stimulating in a great-literature kind of way, but also relevant to things going on today (war and HIV, for two).

Oh, one more book I highly recommend. James Lee Burke, who started out as a literary writer and then evidently decided he didn't want to remain poor and unknown his entire life, has a crime series, which features a New Iberia cop named Dave Robicheaux. The latest is called The Tin Roof Blowdown, and while it's a crime novel--and plenty violent--it also contains some of the very best writing I've read about Katrina and that other, largely forgotten, tragedy, Hurricane Rita. Very few books leave me in tears, and certainly not crime novels, but I was weeping when I finished this one. You don't need to have read all the novels in this series to read this one (although I'd highly recommend the first one, Neon Rain, because it lets you know some essential things about the character, as well as the circumstances under which he found his beloved adopted daughter, Alafair. Neon Rain deals with immigration issues: consider yourself warned.) (If I believed in emoticons, which I emphatically do not, I would now put one of those smiley face things here.)

For the record, I also have a distinctly non-literary side, and can talk fairly obsessively about shoes; college basketball; Joni Mitchell; Stephen Sondheim; (some of) MTV's tackier reality shows; cats (we have four); midcentury furniture; Kentucky history; Will Farrell movies; and painting, especially abstract expressionism. I have an insatiable interest in conspiracy theories (JFK, UFOs, contrails, the sorts of things Art Bell used to discuss on his radio show), but don't believe them, i.e. I think Oswald was the long gunman.

I love McDades because they always keep two extra flats of Tab (yes, Tab, the diet drink in the pink can, and YES, they DO still make it) in the back. Therefore, if something happens in the distribution process, McDades will be able to satisfy the Jackson Tab Addicts, who are so not in a good mood when Tab is unavailable. My husband claims he'd rather handle a rabid wolverine than deal with me when we run out of Tab. McDades has prevented this unfortunate transformation from occuring the entire sixteen years we've lived in Jackson.

Kingfish note: Here is a link to one of Aleda's poems.
http://www.versedaily.org/2006/songabducted.shtml

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"Remember, all, that we have tightened up our entry policies a bit and are shying away from unknown Yahoo and Hotmail accounts due to past abuse. If you want to sign up under one of those accounts, you will need to get in touch with us directlly and verify your identity first..."
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15428_0_67_0_C#100857

Congratulations. You now have the most restrictive policy among all of the internet forums in Jackson. Once again, you prove yourself to be on the cutting edge.

However, explain how come you are now requiring some type of ID for your website while you oppose it in the voting booth, especially after you wrote the following statement: "And you should always worry about a politician who is trying to limit the number of people who can vote." http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15425_0_67_0_C#100840

Pot, meet kettle.

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"Principles have no real force except when one is well fed."

Mark Twain



Mark Twain

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Well, well, what exactly has happened to all the money donated for the defense of the Jena 6?

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Today marks the day two months ago that my world, as I knew it, changed forever and I lost my beautiful girl. It doesn't get any easier. My grief follows me and everywhere I go, festive decorations remind me of the upcoming holidays, Heather's favorite time of the year. But instead of shopping for her gifts, I'm shopping for something special to put on her grave. This shouldn't be. She should be here. Up until she was 25 years old when I still lived in Jackson, I would put out "Santa Claus" for her and her brother and fill their stockings. Not a lot, just some things they could wake up to...to keep the fun going and keep our tradition alive. I have videos of every year, getting up in the early morning hours and video-taping them as they walked into the living room, tree lit and Christmas music playing...seeing the sleepy smiles on their faces as they surveyed their gifts. But best of all were the hugs and kisses that we shared. My arms ache for a hug from her.

One of Heather's favorite holiday foods was deviled eggs. I have a photo of her from last year, at her grandmother's, stuffing eggs with a big smile on her face. Several of the eggs would disappear before they ever made it to the table! And gifts...she was such a great gift-giver, so thoughtful, a giver from the heart. After my move way up north, she always seemed to know exactly what I needed. A down stuffed jacket, a big fluffy robe that she said was 'the warmest robe you'll ever wear', and it is. And so many more things she knew were special to me.

I miss her. I miss everything about her. We all do. Not just at holiday time, but every minute of every day. I am thankful for the 28 years I had with her. She helped mold me as well as I did her, growing up together, mother and daughter, learning from each other. I am also thankful for my son, who inspires me and continues to make me proud. Never take what you have with your children for granted. Hug them, kiss them and tell them you love them, every day. Other than our hope of eternal life in Heaven, our children are the true gifts we are given on this earth.

posted by LHF.

additional post by LHF: Heather's Tree: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/11/heathers-tree.html

Kingfish note: LHF is the mother of Heather Spencer. Feel free to post comments. If you wish to contact her, please send me an email at kingfish1935@gmail.com and it will be forwarded to her. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

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(Lee Greenwood and the Golden Band from Tigerland honor the 232nd birthday of the United States Marine Corps at halftime.)

It was homecoming for the Tigers as they laid waste to Louisiana Tech, 58-10. However, Ohio State was upset by good ole Ron Zook. I knew he would do something right one day. Having said that, we got out of there with a win, no injuries and are ready to play Ole Miss. Here is a collection of the coverage from around the internet.

LSU Message Boards (FREE!)
Tiger Droppings: http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/
Tiger Forums: http://www.tigerforums.com/tigers-den/

Video:
Game: http://tigertorrents.blogspot.com/
Lee Greenwood for TAF: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhEqGRY70Pc
Lee Greenwood with Band at halftime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrEyHw34W8w
State Trooper fall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VblEh-4V2P4


LSUSports.net
Photo gallery: http://www.lsusports.net/PhotoAlbum.dbml?&PALBID=14727&DB_OEM_ID=5200&FLASH=YES
LSU ranked number 1 in BCS: http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1310013&DB_OEM_ID=5200
Miles briefs media:http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1310285&DB_OEM_ID=5200
Coverage: http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=1309763

Baton Rouge Advocate
Coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/11179531.html
Rabalais column: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/11179486.html
Stats: http://146.145.120.3/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=brtoday&page=cfoot/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=17086
Official breaks leg: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/11182481.html
More coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/11182486.html
even more coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/11179731.html
photo gallery: http://www.2theadvocate.com/multimedia/11181346.html

Times-Picayune
Kleinpeter: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/119476311218110.xml&coll=1
Coverage: http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2007/11/the_final_lsu_58_la_tech_10.html
Game blog: http://www.nola.com/lsu/
Photo Gallery: http://www.nola.com/lsu/gallery//gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/nola/view_gallery.ata?g_id=9303
Iraq Vet plays: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1194848932287400.xml&coll=1
Coverage: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/119476312818110.xml&coll=1
OSU loss benefits Tigers: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/119476354918110.xml&coll=1

Shreveport Times
Photo Gallery: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/BREAKINGNEWS/71111004/-1/FANPHOTOS
Guilbeau: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS0202/71111002/1001/SPORTS
Coverage: http://www.lsubeat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS0202/71111001
Dooley Story: http://www.lsubeat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS0202/711110334

And the Valley Shook (LSU Blog): http://www.andthevalleyshook.com/
Dandy Don: http://www.dandydon.com/
The Tiger Report: http://www.tigerreport.com/

ESPN:
LSU leads AP Rankings: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3105153
Game coverage: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273140099
Photo gallery: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/photos?gameId=273140099
Forde Column: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3096758&sportCat=ncf

NATIONAL COVERAGE
College Football News (Scout): http://cfn.scout.com/2/557722.html
Fox Sports: Dorsey No. 1 pick?: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20071109_Paul_Domowitch___Birds_wideouts_receiving_unfair_knocks.html
Sporting News: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=303573
CBS Sportsline:
Look at Dodd's poll: http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10467196
Omaha Herald (Pelini article): http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10181874

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OK. WARNING: VERY mature content. NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!! VERY crude language. However, its funny as hell. Did I mention that is her mother she is talking to? This is from the public access channel in Atlanta.



Don't say you weren't warned.

In the interests of equal time and balance, here is the rebuttal:

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Since AB asked in the comments section of the Terrorist Poetry post what they are teaching these children, I will help her out. A Saudi Cleric recently explained how to properly beat wives on tv to young Muslims:
Beating in the face is forbidden, even when it comes to animals. When a person is beating an animal... Even if you want your camel or donkey to start walking, you are not allowed to beat it in the face. If this is true for animals, it is all the more true when it comes to humans. So beatings should be light and not in the face....
"If you beat her with a toothpick, or if you beat her lightly with your hand, and so on, it is meant to convey: 'Woman, it has gone too far. I can't bear it anymore.' If he beats her, the beatings must be light and must not make her face ugly. He must beat her where it will not leave marks. He should not beat her on the hand... He should beat her in some places where it will not cause any damage. He should not beat her like he would beat an animal or a child - slapping them right and left. Unfortunately, many husbands beat their wives only when they get mad, and when they start beating, it as if they are punching a wall - they beat with their hands, right and left, and sometimes use their feet. Brother, it is a human being you are beating. This is forbidden. He must not do this."
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD175907

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Read the election night coverage that the media in Mississippi have censored and do not want you to read. Election night coverage that was too strong for The Clarion-Ledger, The Jackson Free Press, WAPT, WJTV, WLBT, and even the I-55 Kroger Morning Coffee Crew as well as the Ditty Wah Ditty: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/11/election-night-notes.html

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Latest news from the field in Iraq provided by Michael Yon, who has been embedded longer than any other reporter. He is a former Special Forces soldier who is indendent and provided the best coverage from Iraq. Here are two of his recent posts.

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No comment needed. Just read:
Its not as messy or hard as some may think,
Its all about the flow of the wrist.
Sharpen the knife to its maximum
And before you begin to cut the flesh
Tilt the fool's head to the left
Saw the knife back and forth
No doubt that the punk will twitch and scream
But ignore the donkey's ass
and continue to slice back and forth
You'll feel the knife hit the food and wind pipe
But don't stop
Continue with all your might
And now you should feel the knife vibrate
You can feel the warm heat being given off
But this is due to the friction being caused
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=492460&in_page_id=1770

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I was recently told by my 2 teenage sons, to stop buying them “whitey tighteys”, and to only purchase the more comfortable boxer briefs. I am so sad, as it’s the end of an era.

When they were little and wearing pull-ups, there was a nice little stash of “whitey-tighteys” just waiting for big boys ready to be potty trained and promoted to the next level of life. The day care repeatedly told us parents to send plenty of the white briefs and they would keep the boys in them during the day, which in turn would make them too proud to wet their big boy pants.

Now, alas, my football star and my soccer dude say they only want boxer briefs and a couple of pair of boxers to sleep in. “It’s more comfortable” under the various uniforms I’m told, so who am I to know any better? Is this what happens when young men have their own opinions and are trying to cut those apron strings? (Note: I have never worn an apron. Do not accuse me of being a cook).

Next I guess I will hear them say they want to go out and purchase all their own clothes. My job responsibilities at home sure are changing, and I’m not quite sure I like this demotion/promotion, however you look at it. The only other time I was this upset, was when I couldn’t shop at Gymboree and Gap Kid for them any more!

Oh well, life goes on, and I’m hearing the beginnings of “Mom, when can I drive to school?” I’ve decided to be just like them and have acquired selective hearing on THAT topic.

Send me email alerts when Wal Mart runs the next sale on boxer briefs……

Send me your underwear stories and more: dwfinms@gmail.com

For Other Posts by DWF, see right sidebar for links.

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Wikipedia states that Nocello is:
"is a walnut- and hazelnut-flavored liqueur from Italy. It is produced by the Toschi Vignola s.r.l. company of Savignano sul Panaro, Province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It is labeled "Imitation Liqueur" in the United States and is 24% alcohol by volume. The liqueur, which is colored with caramel, is sweet with a rounded and balanced walnut flavour with vanilla tones. Nocello is similar in taste to Frangelico. In 2004 Nocello was awarded a gold medal at the IWSC (UK) competition for nut liquors.

Try it with cappuccino or coffee and you will have a new addiction. It is also very good on the rocks as well. You may like cappuccino. You will love it after trying it with this. It is only $21 a bottle. Enjoy.

Note to Cups: If there are suddenly a stream of customers bringing brown package store bags with them, I claim full responsibility.

Read about the new Kat's Wine Cellar at: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/new-kats-wine-cellar-has-opened.html

We are having a discussion about after-dinner drinks on an LSU site: http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=5998063&pg=1#lp

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you probably are not that good.........................or you are very insecure.

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Last week, Chris Joyner of The Clarion-Ledger reported in his story (October 31, 2007) about Robbie Bell's indictment that "Spencer's family members have alleged that George Bell III beat her with a hammer in June. Mary Heather Spencer did not pursue charges in the case after Bell entered an out-of-state drug rehabilitation facility."

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http://www.websitevaluecalculator.com/

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Maria Wyeth has left Mississippi--her work here being done, her candidate successful, her obsession with seeing the Welty gardens fulfilled--and is headed back to her previous residence in Los Angeles, where she intends to spend, in her singularly disaffected way, much of her time driving her Corvette for hours on end on the LA freeways.

She has asked me to say goodbye for her. I don't for a minute think I can live up to the stir she has caused, but I shall try to keep up fighting the good fight and contribute regularly to this wonderful site in the very near future.

Maria Wyeth's BFF

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I just wanted to thank Jackson Jambalaya for posting the response I made yesterday on the Jackson Free Press website (it's in the section where Donna Ladd "un"-endorses a candidate for the state senate). While Ms. Ladd had responded at least twice to my original post on the website, she also banned me from replying, so I responded by using another account, which apparently, in her extremely limited understanding of the internet, makes me an"[expletive deleted] troll."

This was not my first experience (or that of others I have discovered) with The Jackson Free Press refusing to publish dissenting views; my impression is that Ms. Ladd is only comfortable publishing people who are in complete lockstep with her--or with sad, not terribly educated posters of whom even she, with her (and I am being generous here) competent writing skills, can make mincemeat of.

At any rate, I was somewhat surprised at how thin-skinned she is, and I do have some fear that her major organs may not be able to be contained by an epidermal layer that miniscule.

I find it highly unfortunate that the very people who are committed to the values she espouses for Jackson and Mississippi are not allowed to express themselves unless they are members of what is apparently "The Donna Cult." It's a sad thing for Jackson that our alternative paper is less open to challenging discourse than a Gannett newspaper.

So big thanks to Jackson Jambalaya for keeping free speech free, and not allowing someone who appears to be growing more meglomanical by the minute from silencing people who disagree with her.

--Maria Wyeth

Kingfish note: Thank you Maria. Here is the post mentioned: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/11/food-fight.html. This blog is all about free speech. The only time things get zapped is if someone slanders, incites to commit criminal acts, or is too vulgar. The Voltaire Society is alive and well on this site. Maria is a very talented writer who has won awards. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her writing.

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That was quick. Only 15 minutes into election night coverage and Governor Barbour is already declared the winner. One thinks of Tyson-Spinks after hearing the call by the AP. Was that even an election? Truth be told, Barbour should have crushed Eaves. Eaves was a very weak candidate. He offered few specific in-depth proposals. Instead of talking about how to make schools better or how he would bring economic growth to Mississippi, he instead talked about moneychangers in the temple, hoping the Bible Thumpers would turn out en masse for him. I'm not surprised. I remember a long time ago a friend of mine was in Eaves' law school class and actually said at the time he was a "dumbass".

Nice. It seems the election night parties are a little bit better than when the primaries took place. Parties are at the Marriott, Edison Walthall, Old Capital Inn, and other similar venues. No Corky's for this crowd. At least these candidates have parties where you actually have to know how to use silverware. Stephanie Bell-Flynt is at the Hopkins party. Hardly anyone is there. I wonder if I can go by and get free booze and food to take home. Meanwhile, Hood has a band cranking up. Nice to see someone in this berg knows how to have some fun. Barbour's looks pretty boring. Damn I miss Edwin Edwards on nights like this.

Great. The old white guys. I hate sounding like Donna Ladd but damn, WLBT is asking for it. We HAVE to have one Republican, one Democrat, and Bert Case. Both so-called analysts are very weak. Their personalities? Well, let's just say I prefer my oatmeal for breakfast only. I'm also insulted they think the audience is either Republican or Democrat. Once again, I would like to see analysts on these shows that are more diverse (but well-versed in Mississippi politics). Once again stealing a phrase from Donna Ladd, is the media here only capable of binary thinking when it come to covering elections? Once again I ask why we can't have forums made up of bloggers and a more diverse audience. A panel made up of Alan Lange, Donna Ladd, Othor Cain, and John Leek would have been very interesting and probably entertaining. However, the media would rather serve oatmeal to us. Thanks for nothing.

Damn. who is this reporter for WJTV at the Phil Bryant party? She's really cute. Yeah, its sexist but so what. Its my damn blog. Right now she is in the lead for best looking reporter tonight, with Stephanie Bell-Flynt in second but still on the lead lap. WJTV's Carol Carr is not bad but I still can't forget how Sheriff McMillin took her to school in an interview. Wait. Just saw Julie Straw for WLBT. She is now on the lead lap and has tied Emily. Damn. This could be tough picking a winner. Might just leave it at a tie.

Time to surf the web. Over at Y'allPolitics.com it's rather boring. Posters are merely quoting numbers and making rather mild comments. Probably getting close to bedtime for some of them. AP calls it for Bryant. No surprise there. He seemed to be the aggressor during most of the campaign. Facing Ross in the primary made him a stronger candidate. Franks was underfunded and well, seemed somewhat of a lightweight in comparison to Bryant.

Wow, Gloria Williamson is in a dogfight for her State Senate Seat. Don't anger the NRA in Mississippi. Cliff Cargill is doing carwheels right now.

Mike Chaney won the Insurance Commissioner's race. I did vote for him. I know Gary Anderson. Very nice guy and definitely has the smarts for such a job. However, Chaney's interview in The Jackson Free Press impressed me. He appeared to have a solid command of the facts and laws concerning the insurance industry in Mississippi. After Melton, I am looking at resume's MUCH more closely. Compared to Chaney, Anderson's resume' was rather weak. He had little, if any, expertise concerning insurance. With the problems concerning insurance in post-Katrina Mississippi, I'm not as forgiving for learning curves for rookies. I also voted for Sumrall over Pickering for the same reason: the resume. Mr. Sumrall had much experience as a CPA while Pickering's resume' was rather weak to say the least. Besides the name "Pickering" what exactly was his qualification for the office? As it is probable that Republicans will be in tighter control of state government, it's not a bad idea to have a Democrat or two in higher offices just to keep them honest if nothing else.

What is going on at the JFP site? They are still whining about so-called robocalls. We got a game on and they are yakking about robocalls. nice. Very few posters, which is somewhat of a surprise. Ms. Ladd has the right idea and has ordered a drink, which is exactly what I am doing right now. This Michelob Ultra is starting to look kind of weak, might have to upgrade to something stronger.

Bryant is giving his speech right now. Comes across as a leader. Just saw Jim Hood's speech. Nice job. Said the right things and showed a likeable but forceful personality.

Jerry Moore in lead for Hinds County Constable over the incumbent, Lloyd Paxton. His win is a textbook case in how to win an election. I know EXACTLY who he is as he was all over my neighborhood repeatedly. I saw him in Belhaven going door to door. NE Jackson. He pounded that pavement so much that some of the Yazoo Clay in the area shifted, bringing curses upon him from the pothole-fixing crew. Conversely, I still do not know who Paxton is. Jerry Moore also had the best-looking poll workers too. Please run for re-election.

Will this reporter for WJTV at the Barbour campaign quit saying "you know" after every sentence? Damn Haley, shut-up. That was a pretty good guitar player and I was enjoying his riffs. Having said that, Haley is his usual self. Professional. Practiced. Experienced. Amy Tuck is right next to him on the stage. We haven't heard the last of her. She surfed the Scruggs wave then the Barbour wave. She knows how to play. You are right Haley. Your sons DID marry over their heads. Barbour calls Lester Spell a "great teammate"? Please tell me you didn't say that. If there was ONE officeholder I wanted to see lose, it was Lester Spell. Congratulates Jim Hood on his victory. Very classy.

Uh-oh, we have a "I could'a been a contenda" candidate. Franks refuses to concede, says its too early. Franks told The Clarion-Ledger , “We may still be here into the night.” Ok, the fight is over. This isn't the Rumble in the Jungle and the rope-a-dope is not going to work. You lost. Concede.

10:17 PM. Checking results at the AP. Hoseman wins by over 100,000 votes. He raised more money than Smith and in addition to the cute ads, actually had some serious proposals for the Secretary of State's office such as business courts. Note to candidates: people DO pay attention to serious candidates, not just sound bites and attack ads. Of all the bloviating by the candidates, Mr. Hoseman was one of the few who did not pander or insult my intelligence with the same tired rhetoric.

Damn. Spell has 50% of the vote so far in the race for Agricultural Commissioner. Damn. What does it take for people to kick out an incumbent? Isn't his role in a $50 million disaster along with his refusal to take any blame enough? Hopefully he will get under 50%. If he does, it goes to the house and we get the steel cage-loser leaves town match. 70% of the votes are in. Maybe if he gets under 50% he will imitate Bob Odom and withdraw. What burned me up about him was that he refused to take any reponsibility at all for the beef plant fiasco and consistently blamed everyone else but him. At the very least he should have said he made a mistake, people tend to be forgiving when someone is candid about their flaws but Spell repeatedly spit in the faces of voters who were outraged by the whole debacle.

Wow. Who is the band playing at the Eaves campaign? Pretty good sound. They are praying? Haven't seen that at a campaign in a long time, if I ever have. Nice touch. Howard Ballou with a laptop in front of him? We have come a long way baby. At least they aren't using those virtual reality rooms that were so popular in the media during one presidential election.

Just tuned into WAPT's coverage. Very disappointing. While WLBT and WJTV provided election coverage at 9:00, WAPT waited until its usual 10:00 PM newscast to start its coverage. Once again we get Harvey Johnson and Matt Freideman for election analysis. Wow, at least Harvey and Matt are having a disgreement right now, better than I can say for the I-55 Kroger Morning Coffee Club over at WLBT. Why did you cut them off? We were actually getting a good exchange? yeesh, back to oatmeal.

Franks conceded. Franks blaming it on money. That is part of it but compare Bryant's speech to this interview with Franks. Bryant comes across as a leader. Franks doesn't. Anderson says Chaney "lied" in an interview. Sigh.

Wow! Barbour got 22% of the Black vote. That was unexpected. I wonder how certain "progressives" will explain that one. Some interesting comments on WJTV's website: http://www.wjtv.com/gulfcoastwest/jtv/campaign_2007/results.html . Here is a good one:
I can’t believe that the African American community in Mississippi are that uneducated, that they would not do research (read) on canidates before voting. Giving Barbour 22 percent of our votes thus far." Hehe. So if Blacks vote Republican, they are ignorant? Ok. Imagine if a White candidate said "I can't believe 88% of Blacks in Mississippi vote Democrat. Are they that uneducate?" Sometimes you have to love histrionics. Now WAPT is going back to its regular newscast? Nice to know it doesn't take elections seriously.

WHAT? Why is a Barbour ad bashing Eaves on at 10:52 PM AFTER the polls have closed? Yeesh. Its 11:00 and all of the stations are ending their coverage. Ridiculous. Statewide and county elections and they refuse to provide coverage past 11:00 PM. If you want to know why the internet is hurting traditional media, this is a perfect example.

Back to the JFP. Ladd writes that Barbour was spun into looking good after Katrina. Hmm ... Ms. Ladd, did you ever think that you had Nagin and Blanco made Barbour look very good during Katrina? Stating "if you loot we will shoot" was a striking contrast to Governor Blankstare and the Mayor of Chocolate City. All the barrels of ink spent in skewering Barbour does not overcome those images.

Marshall Ramsey has a funny election night blog: http://marshallramsey.blogspot.com/.

Well, I am done. Only interesting statewide race left is the one for Agricultural Commissioner. Hopefully it goes to the House of Representatives. The Republicans now hold the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Insurance Commissioner, Secretary of State, and State Auditor. The Democrats hold the office of Attorney General. The Barbour machine came to play and the results speak for themselves while the spinning has already started.

Laissez les bon temps roulez.

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"WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - The world's biggest bank, Citigroup, named former US Treasury chief Robert Rubin as its new chairman Sunday, replacing Charles Prince, who resigned after the bank's poor performance in the subprime mortgage crisis....

Like some of its rivals, Citigroup (nyse: C - news - people )'s balance sheet has been hit by losses from its exposure to mortgage-backed securities, which have been ravaged by the housing downturn...." http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2007/11/04/afx4298181.html

Citigroup is one of the world's largest corporations, so large that it is considered by many in the financial community to be almost too big to govern. The above passage from Forbes is a perfect example of what is wrong at Citigroup. Citigroup's staggering losses are due in large part to subprime mortgage-backed securities. Since Citigroup has been hammered by them, it is reasonable to ask how Citigroup has changed its exposure to subprime mortgages.

Citigroup has a mortgage wholesale division, Citimortgage, which is one of the top five wholesale lenders in the mortgage industry (It wholesales mortgages to mortgage brokers. In 2006 it merged its subprime division, Citifinancial, with is prime mortgage division, Citimortgage.). At the end of 2006 it was the tenth largest subprime lender in with $5 billion of originations in the fourth quarter (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/top-10-subprime-originators-slanted/story.aspx?guid={100602BA-13D5-4B8C-BEB6-D5547594D449}&siteid=yhoo&dist=yhoo). However, as leading subprime lenders have gone out of business or have curtailed operations, Citimortgage is probably one of the top six or seven subprime mortgage lenders.

Citimortgage issues a daily rate sheet to mortgage companies and other clients such as banks that originate mortgage loans. These rate sheets are market driven and sometimes change several times in a day (the 10 year treasury bond is usually a reliable indicator of how mortgage interest rates will fare). According to Citimortgage's rate sheets, Citimortgage offers a variety of mortgage programs for borrowers: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, and a program called "Expanded Lending." What exactly is "Expanded Lending"? Expanded Lending is the term Citimortgage uses for its subprime mortgage lending.

Some lenders still offer subprime mortgage lending programs but the programs are a shell of their former selves. There are very little, if any, "no down payment" programs for supbrime borrowers. ( In the past a borrower with a 580 or above credit score could get a mortgage without a down payment.) So-called Stated Income programs for subprime borrowers have gone the way of the dodo bird. One would expect Citimortgage to become more conservative in its subprime mortgage lending. However, a study of its rate sheets show it still offers programs currently considered to be very aggressive in the mortgage industry.

For starters, Citi offers a 100% loan-to-value mortgage for borrowers with a minimum 620 credit score. It also allows for cashout refinances (cashout refinances are generally considered to have a higher level of risk) at 100% LTV. There is no mortgage insurance for the program. If the borrower can not verify income based on pay stubs, tax returns, W-2's, and other similar verifications of income and employment, it allows the borrower to instead provide bank statements for an increase of .250 to the interest rate. Thus, the borrower is able to avoid long-established standards used for underwriting mortgages and protecting the lender from increased levels of risk.

Citi's aggressive subprime lending does not stop there, as it lends to borrowers with credit scores as low as 530, which is considered to be a poor credit score. A borrower with such a score can still get a mortgage from Citi if he only has 15% to put down on a house or if he has that much equity in the home. The bank statement option is still available to that borrower. Citi even offers an interest-only option to its borrowers, something that has been largely abandoned by many lenders in today's subprime climate. Citigroup has curtailed some of its lending practices recently (It quit approving 80/20 loans as well as dropping ARM programs for subprime borrowers. ). However, its subprime lending practices are probably the most aggressive in the industry.

The point of this bloviating is to ask what exactly is Citigroup's exposure to future subprime losses? If Citigroup is suffering from huge losses due to subprime mortgage-backed securities, then why is it the most aggressive subprime lender in the mortgage industry? One must wonder what Citi is thinking when it is offering subprime mortgages that require no down payment or mortgages to borrowers with low credit scores. Is Citi prepared to do what it takes to restore itself to profitability or is it merely rearranging the deck chairs as the ship sinks? What has probably happened is that Citigroup is so big that it is almost impossible for senior executives to know what is taking place at the lower levels as those at the boardroom level probably are not well-versed in the ways of mortgage lending. However, unless Mr. Rubin and other leaders of Citigroup pay more attention to its subprime mortgage lending, it can probably expect such losses to continue.

*Must cite JacksonJambalaya.com*

More coverage: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/11/05/bcnciti105.xml

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http://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/5448/#21406

"To be generous, it reeks of poor discretion on her part. But taken in context of almost three years of proclaimed journalist-lite jihad against Melton that includes loaded implicit and explicit statements about his sexuality, his marraige, his fatherhood, his sobriety, his sanity, his lawyers, his bodyguards, his sister-in-law, his relationship with Shirlene Anderson (and I could go on, but I am too tired), this starts to look like flat-out unbalanced behavior on her part...."

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15352_0_27_0_C

"Somebody just e-mailed that there is outrage in the wingnut-o-sphere that I published Melton's old phone number above—the one that he just changed, and no longer works.Eh?Can anyone explain the logic behind such outrage to me? Maybe I'm a bit dense today, but I'm feeling that this a victimless crime and that yuckville is getting a bit desperate to find something, anything to say on the Melton front. "

Food fight even on the JFP forums. This post will be zapped so I am copying it here:
Apparently the “free” in the Jackson Free Press has a kind of Orwellian meaning, since I was not allowed to post to the responses under my original email address. I have now registered under another account, which I’m sure will be banned forthwith, but I am Maria Wyeth who posted last week about the JFP’s “un”-endorsement of David Blount. I do find it _staggering_ that readers who disagree are not allowed to post to the JFP site.
At the moment, I think the “Jackson Press” would be a far more accurate name for this newspaper.Below is the response I was not allowed to post:Well, Ms. Ladd, I've been offline for a couple of days and have just seen your responses to my post. Donna Ladd wrote: I can hear it now: "You know David, if you'll go after Richard White for ;not sponsoring anti-immigration bills, all those Republicans in Byram who want a conservative will turn around and vote for you, man! We'll have 'em then! And don't worry about all them Belhaven types; they're going to vote for you regardless of what you say about immigrants."For someone who claims to be so sensitive about racism and classcism,you seem pretty contemptuous of people who live in Byram, and you're insulting _someone_ (your writing's not clear enough for me to figure out whom) with your phrase "them Belhaven types."
At any rate, your paper's editorial policies in regard to its endorsements seem spectacularly inconsistent (I'd go into detail but I fear it might evoke another fit of last minute hysteria from you, and you'd "un"-endorse some candidate this city desperately needs).
Unfortunately, consistency is not something I expect from the JPF any longer. It was an interesting (albeit shoestring, and therefore even more admirable), operation the first year or so, and I know that I, like many people, found it fun and exciting to read. That fun and excitement disappeared somewhere along the line, and I can't help but wonder if what _appears_ to be your increasing arrogance has something to do with the leaden quality of the JFP in the last couple of years.
Your continuously mentioning how you went off to the Big City and returned to Mississippi to help the rest of us _see the light_ grew tiresome a long time ago, and now it just seems sad: an empty rhetorical device you invoke in any given argument where you're unable to articulate your position on the actual issue in question.
Let me state this more clearly: I'm pretty sure every literate person in Jackson KNOWS you grew up in Neshoba County, went up north and got educated and enlightened. There are many people who grew up in the deep south, lived elsewhere, and chose to come back. Unlike you, we don't run around trumpeting that fact as if it makes us somehow singular, and smarter and more ethically impeccable than everyone else. Give it a rest, I beg you.
I'm sincerely glad you're working on helping to make Jackson a better place, but you'd be far more effective if you'd lose your salvific and often patronizing tone. Not to mention if you’d do a quick refresher course of what the meaning of a “free press” is in this country.
Once more, let me say that I've never found any candidate with whom I agree completely, including David Blount. But he is a deeply ethical man; he's committed to the issues that are most important to me; and I'm off to vote for him in the next hour.Maria Wyeth, one of "them Belhaven types"
Posted by: mwyeth on Nov 06, 07 11:01 am
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15342_0_67_0_C#100445

Damn. Let the melee commence. By the way, don't get too comfortable Clarion-Ledger, I have a special post just for you later this week.

Click Here to Read More..

Kingfish note: This post was made Saturday by Linda Francombe, the mother of Heather Spencer. Click on the link below to read it.

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/11/heathers-tree.html

Click Here to Read More..

Fumble Recovery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6WcTYY4zT8
Sack attack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6zIPEYErjg
Jackson INT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3LV51KQr6c
Crowd Stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ysh0BlH6zY


Tigerdroppings.com Comments:
Tailgating experiences: http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=5935218

LSU Reveille Multimedia coverage: http://media.www.lsureveille.com/media/storage/paper868/news/2007/11/05/Multimedia/Tigers.Have.Plenty.To.Fix.After.Thrilling.Victory.In.bama-3077882.shtml

Times-Picayune:
Peter Finney: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1194243872162520.xml&coll=1
Coverage: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1194243792162520.xml&coll=1
Photo Gallery: http://www.nola.com/lsu/gallery/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/nola/view_gallery.ata?g_id=9267

Baton Rouge Advocate
Rabalais Column: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/11002331.html
Dubois Column: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/11017751.html
Saban coverage:
http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/11002341.html
Coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/11002196.html
Coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/11002186.html
Multimedia: http://www.2theadvocate.com/multimedia/11002456.html

WAFB: http://www.wafb.com/Global/category.asp?C=4183&nav=menu57_4

ESPN:
Maisel: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=3093739
Flynn Story: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=3093757
AP: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273070333
Photo Gallery: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/photos?gameId=273070333
Forum: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/conversation?gameId=273070333

Dandy Don: http://www.dandydon.com/

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

LSUSports.net:
Photo Gallery: http://www.lsusports.net/PhotoAlbum.dbml?PALBID=14471&DB_OEM_ID=5200&PAGE_ID=&ZID=842021
Miles briefs media: http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1302577&DB_OEM_ID=5200
Game coverage: http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=1301962

Shreveport Times:
Guilbeau: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/SPORTS0402/711050302/1001/SPORTS
Photo Gallery: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D9&Dato=20071104&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=711040801&Ref=PH
More photos: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D9&Dato=20071104&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=711040801&Ref=PH
Coverage: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/SPORTS0202/71104021/1001/SPORTS
Coverage: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071104/SPORTS0202/711040325/1001/SPORTS


NATIONAL COVERAGE:

College Football News (Scout)
Zemek: http://cfn.scout.com/2/697751.html
Coverage: http://cfn.scout.com/2/557729.html
Fumble not legit: http://cfn.scout.com/2/698160.html
CBS Sportsline
Dodd Column: http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10450853
Video Highlights: http://www.sportsline.com/video/player?id=155591s&channel=cbssports
Sporting News: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=299838
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/sports/ncaafootball/04alabama.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin
Yahoo Sports
Wetzel Column: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=ArQoQGDUggmsx17HLzj60eUcvrYF?slug=dw-miles110307&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Chad Jones Story: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=734775

The Opposition:

BamaMag: http://alabama.scout.com/2/697757.html
Bama AP coverage: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=299767
Photo Gallery: http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/sportsphotos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/bama/view_gallery.ata?g_id=4129
Birmingham News: http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1194168490167570.xml&coll=2
Saban post-game comments: http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/kscarbinsky.ssf?/base/sports/1194254167250700.xml&coll=2
Finebaum: http://www.al.com/sports/press-register/pfinebaum.ssf?/base/sports/1194081463172900.xml&coll=3
Photo Gallery: http://tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65106
Huntsville Times: http://www.al.com/sports/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/sports/1194185987123680.xml&coll=1

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Watch this all the way through.

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This has been an emotional week for me and my family. I've been asked often "did you hear the good news about Robbie" and my response has been, none of this do I consider "good". All I can say is it brings me a little relief that some justice is being done on my beautiful daughter's behalf. Our family lives in torment day after day, thinking of the possibility that Heather lay there fighting for her life and no one would help her. While Robbie was protecting George, who was there to protect my daughter? As a mother, the pain and guilt lays heavy on my mind and will be with me the rest of my life. I have always been her protector and I couldn't do anything to save her. The daily talks we had regarding her life were ultimately her decision, but I ask myself, "could I have done more"? Heather had convinced me and her family that what George did to her in June was a "one and only" incident. She believed he would never intentionally hurt her, but now we know different. He just finished what he started.

The cemetary called today. Heather's memorial marker is in. They put a rush on it for me so it would be in by Thanksgiving, when I'll be back in town. It has the Tree of Life on it, Heather's favorite symbol. How do I go through this life now without her? Her love for family and her faith in God and His plan was strong. I'll end with a small excerpt from a personal letter she wrote to God a few months ago after the June attact. I consider it her legacy and it is a source of comfort to us:
..."Lord, lift me up where I belong...with you. Please keep my loved ones safe and prepare us for what paths lie ahead. Keep teaching me to use my talents for you, give me the words and insight to open people's eyes and hearts to you. Bless my family and anoint their heads with the oil of joy. Bless my friendships. Take me where you want me, make me, mold me, use me and conform me to your will. Lord thank you for revealing your truth to me. Your daughter, Heather."

Kingfish note: LHF, the author of this post, is the mother of Ms. Heather Spencer. Our hearts and prayers go out to her and her family. Feel free to comment. If you wish to email her, send me an email at kingfish1935@gmail.com and the request will be forwarded on to her.

Click Here to Read More..

Robbie Bell, mother of accused killer George Bell III, was arrested and indicted this week for the crime of Accessory After the Fact in the death of Mr. Bell's girlfriend, Heather Spencer. Although the grand jury indicted Ms. Bell three weeks ago, the indictment was not announced until this week. Ms. Bell turned herself in and was released on a $15,000 bond. Several new facts and allegations have come out this week. Members of the victim's family have stated that Ms. Spencer did not die when beaten by Mr. Bell, which would have been around 6 PM or so that evening but was probably alive until the morning hours, possibly even 6 or 7 AM. It has been established that Ms. Bell was in the house with her son most of the night. Thus, after Heather was raped and savagely beaten with a flashlight by her boyfriend, he and his mother were in the house all night while she slowly died, if the allegations about the time of death are to be believed. If such is the case, Ms. Bell deserves much worse than being charged with Accessory After the Fact. There are several questions that need to be asked in this case.

1. When will the District Attorney's Office release the results of the autopsy? At the very least it should discuss the results of the autopsy with Ms. Spencer's family. It is unconscionable that they are not even told at what time Heather died.

2. What time did Heather die? One hopes after her rape and beating, she died quickly. One shudders at the mere thought of her slowly dying during the night while George and his mother walked through the house all night. What kind of woman allows her son to muder someone and stays in the house with the dead or dying body all night?

3. Why did JPD reduce the charges Heather filed against George for her beating in June from Aggravated Assault to Simple Assault Domestic Violence? There has STILL been no explanation from JPD or the D.A.'s office for this action.

4. Is the JPD investigating whether Robbie helped George stay out of Mississippi until the charges from June were dropped? It is unbelieveable that Robbie had no idea George was at the treatment center in Tulsa. Who paid for the treatment? He was allowed to have a cell phone there since he was a business owner. Heather supposedly visited him several times. Robbie had a family get-together the day after he returned from the treatment center.

The point is, there was still an active warrant for George Bell, III. If Robbie knew where George was the entire time he was in treatment, did she break the law by helping him avoid arrest? If so, one must ask why she is not being prosecuted for helping her son.

5. Did Ms. Bell make any efforts to get Ms. Spencer to drop the charges against her son? Have the JPD obtained Ms. Spencer's bank statements to see if there were any large deposits after early June? Or Ms. Bell's for large unexplained withdrawals? Did Ms. Bell hire Heather? Was Ms. Spencer compensated at the time she tried to drop the charges against Mr. Bell?

6. Who are Ms. Bell's attorneys? It is my understanding that along with her defense attorney, Ms. Bell also has retained former District Attorney Ed Peters. Understandable as Judge James Bell is her former brother-in-law. If this is true, and I stand corrected if it is not and will say so in this post, what does this mean for the prosecution of the Bells? What is Mr. Peters' professional relationship with Ms. Bell and if there is one, should District Attorney-elect Robert Smith prosecute the case or recuse himself as he did recently with the Michael Taylor prosecution due to Mr. Peters involvement with his campaign and transition team?

7. WHY is the Spencer family complaining about a lack of communication from Faye Peterson's office? WLBT reported this week:
Dale Spencer of Florence says he was informed by the media on Tuesday, October 30 that the mother of his niece's accused killer had been indicted... a full three weeks ago. Spencer says the Hinds County District Attorney's office hasn't kept the family informed of anything.
"When you call in, all we were hearing was we can't disclose anything, we can't say anything," he says....
Heather's uncle says it's hard to separate fact from rumor. "I've heard that she was alive between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., when he beat her, all the way to 4 or 5 in the morning. Now new evidence is coming out that she may have been alive till 7 a.m.", he says. "That's why I wish the D.A., or I wish whoever is responsible for getting information to the family, would contact us."
Spokesmen for the Jackson Police, who are investigating the murder, and the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, say it's not unusual for an indictment to be served several weeks after the grand jury meets and makes its decision. That's just the grand jury process, they say. .."
http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=7293634

additional story: http://www.wjtv.com/gulfcoastwest/jtv/search.apx.-content-articles-JTV-2007-10-31-0014.html

If there is an example needed to show why Faye Peterson was thrown out of office, this is it. It is inexcusable that her office has not contacted the family to discuss the indictment with them. Its nice of JPD to tell the media what the normal process for releasing indictments is. It would have been even nicer if Faye Peterson had gotten off her fat ass ( I would say JPD but its hard for them to talk to the families of murder victims when they are being used as Melton's taxi service ) and had her office explain all of this to them. Instead they have to learn about it from the media. Oh I'm sure Faye Peterson will have a very nice excuse that covers all the bases and makes perfect sense. She is very articulate on tv and well-versed in making excuses. Be that as it may, there is no excuse for Ms. Peterson's neglect of the Spencer family.

Our hearts go out to the Spencer family as they deal with this tragedy. One hopes that the criminal justice system in Hinds County will get its act together and help them get the justice they deserve. One also hopes that the questions raised above are answered as well. Justice demands no less.

Copy of Indictment: http://media.mgnetwork.com/jtv/PDF/robbie_bell_indictment.pdf
Copy of Arrest Warrant: http://media.mgnetwork.com/jtv/PDF/robbie_bell_arrest_warrant.pdf

Related posts on the Heather Spencer murder:
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/jpd-and-heather-spencer.html
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/latest-news-on-heather-spencer-murder.html
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/help-spencer-family.html
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-do-you-say.html

Click Here to Read More..

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A Mr. Eric Hamer of Ridgeland wrote this letter to the editor in yesterday's Clarion-Ledger:
"Clarion-Ledger' partly to blame for JPD low morale
It is no wonder the Jackson Police Department's morale is low and going lower.
While there are many causes for it, one surely is this newspaper. All year, I have read about Jackson's crime rates climbing with no positive news in sight.
Now, in an article published on Oct. 17 ("Woman decries 911 response"), this paper raps JPD for falling arrest rates. Of course, in the same article, and for the first time all year, this paper slinks in the fact that most major crimes have seen a dramatic decrease from this time last year.
It seems to me that arrests would naturally fall when crime rates fall, but rather than paint this as a positive for the JPD, this paper works its magic and makes it a negative.
How about a piece (or maybe even a series) from you on the hundreds of dedicated officers who lay their lives on the line every day and actually helped to make significant reductions in crime this year? Wait, I must still be dreaming. I better go get another cup of coffee.
All sarcasm aside, as a downtown Jackson business owner, I really would like to see you take the initiative on this one.
Eric Hamer
Ridgeland"
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071031/OPINION02/710310326/1009

Who is Mr. Eric Hamer? Would he be the same Mr. Hamer of the law firm Danks, Miller, Hamer, & Cory that is listed in the yellow pages on S. Lamar Street in downtown Jackson? The yellow pages state: "AKA Ray Eric Atty, Ray Eric, Hamer Eric Atty, Hamer Eric, Danks Dale JR Atty"

Everyone is aware of the professional relationship between Mr. Hamer's firm and Mayor Melton as one of its partners, Dale Danks, has represented Mayor Melton for some time in his ongoing legal problems. It is rather misleading of Mr. Hamer (and as a lawyer he knows this very well) to write such a letter as a concerned citizen while hiding the fact that his firm is one of Melton's hired mouthpieces.

However Mr. Hamer, lets discuss your letter on the merits. It is your firm's client who has ruined the JPD. Morale is low for several reasons. Mr. Melton has allowed the number of police officer to drop to barely 400 officers. He micromanages the police. He has no formal or current law enforcement training. Where are his certifications? How old are they, if they do exist? He criticizes his own cops to the media (If you knew anything about leadership, and as a lawyer it is doubtful you do, you would know that one of the quickest ways to hurt morale is to slam your employees to the public).

Melton appoints severely unqualified people to run the police department. The current chief and newly appointed assistant chief have no experience whatsoever in their jobs. They were not appointed assistant chiefs or chiefs in Jackson or other jurisdictions. While Jackson crime has skyrocketed, the JPD has been their intern program.

Your firm's client runs the JPD, not the chief. Officers continue to leave. It is your firm's client that who tries to protect thugs like Michael Taylor while smearing his victim as adrug user when such has not been proven (I'm sure the DWF officer would have made an arrest for someone on a drug deal gone bad). It is your client who says he will fire veteran officers and replace them with recruits during the current crime epidemic. It is your firm's client who ties up police resources with his stupid pool parties and other so-called youth programs. Under your client's leadership, 20% of JPD are not even qualified with their firearms according to the newspaper. It is your firm's client that tried to overrule the Chief when she actually tried to discipline some officers who beat a suspect that was handcuffed and let them off the hook.

Your firm's client has made a mess of the city budget, depriving JPD of much-needed funds to hire personnel. It is Melton, not the newspaper, who fought releasing crime statistics and has blamed (without showing any proof) the crime statistics on Harvey Johnson, saying his administration lied about them. It is your client who attacked Sheriff McMillin in the media and tried to replace him with one of his lackeys while bringing into JPD people such as disgraced former chief Bracey Coleman who just happens to be the father-in-law of newly appointed Assistant Chief Michael Recio.

So for you to blame the newspaper for the morale in JPD is rather disingenuous to say the least as it is not the newspaper that caused these problems and it is not the newspaper that caused morale at JPD to suffer. It is not the newspaper that has engaged in blatant cronyism at the JPD, ignored promotion rules, allowed the number of cops to drop to dangerous levels, thus encouraging more overworked police officers to leave JPD. It is not the newspaper that created the conditions for police officers where it is clear to them they are going to be micromanaged, treated unfairly, and have no legitimate, fair chance at promotion. Any management guru would tell you that is a great recipe for hurting morale.

No one at The Clarion-Ledger has questioned the dedication of hundred os hard working Jackson police officers. It has reported on its success such as the arrest of the robbers who held up people in the I-55 corridor. However, maybe the reason it is reporting bad news about JPD is that well, there IS bad news about JPD. I realize you wish that all these crime victims who had complaints about JPD would go away but unfortunately, they do have a story to tell as well.

As for the so-called drop in crime, I'll spell it out for you. The crime rate has skyrocketed under Melton's leadership. If you compare it to recent months, it has dropped a little. If you compare it to the beginning of his administration, it is unacceptably high. No one on the street would agree with your conclusions that crime has improved. However, since you live in Ridgeland, that doesn't apply to you. If your house is flooded by 20 feet of water, just because it drops to 18 feet of water doesn't mean it is any better, especially when the flood was caused in large part by one individual whose negligence and incompetence caused the dam to break, resulting in the flood.
Being Melton's mouthpiece is one thing, hiding that fact while acting as a concerned "downtown business owner" is something else.

Welcome to the internet, Mr. Hamer. The days of writing misleading letters to the editor without scrutiny are gone along with pagers, cellphones in a bag, and pinning your girlfriend.

Click Here to Read More..

These two letters were in yesterday's Clarion-Ledger:

"I would like to respond to Wil Cunningham's ("Why doesn't Barbour have any real plans for Jackson, Oct. 24).
First, if I'm not mistaken, Haley Barbour is our governor. Frank Melton is the mayor of Jackson and most of the City Council is black. Do they have any real plans for Jackson? No, because all they do is argue among themselves and the mayor.
Maybe the Benedict Arnolds might think white politicians are right on some issues.
If you will notice, the city of Jackson is trying to balance the budget and can't because the tax base has left. Also, the city government is mostly black.
If the people of Jackson don't try to clean it up and find some leadership that is worthy of the positions, beloved Jackson - my home for the last 70 years - will become a slum.
Henry Whitfield
Byram"

"The Oct. 24 letter by Wil Cunningham of Jackson ("Why doesn't Barbour have any real plans for Jackson") chooses to ignore the concept of personal responsibility by the citizens of Jackson. After all, Jackson's population is approximately 70 percent black, with the public schools approaching 90 percent black enrollment.
To paraphrase JFK, "ask not what your state can do for you but what you can do for your city."
Robert Morris
Brookhaven"

Do these letters really need any comment as they tend to speak for themselves? A lot of mistakes and bad leadership happened under white leadership as well. The worst crime rates were under Kane Ditto's leadership. Superintendent of JPS Fortenberry did a great job of ruining the public school system. Then there were the black and white leaders who refused to give tax breaks to Northpark Mall, sending millions of dollars in tax revenue to Ridgeland. Believe it or not, many black people in Jackson such as Deuce McAllister, Marshand Crisler, Kim Wade, even Isaac Byrd, are putting their money in Jackson and trying to make it a better place. If there is bickering in Jackson, it's because a lunatic mayor is destroying Jackson and more people are now saying enough is enough. These two letters show the stupidity of the authors. Do me a favor. Stay out of Jackson. There are enough of us trying to make it a better place. We don't need your letters, money, or your help.

One last question. What did Mr. Whitfield mean by Benedict Arnolds?

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