Wednesday, April 15, 2009

ProJack JJ Special: Busting Ladd's Turnout Myth

Over the years Jackson has been treated to Donna Ladd's many election myths in the Jackson Free Press. Yesterday it was her oft-repeated myth that turnout was low when Harvey Johnson and Frank Melton squared off in the 2005 Democratic Primary. Here is what she wrote:

Ladd on 04/14/09 at 01:02 PM: Oh, and another thing about turnout and such: The last mayoral election saw low turnout in both primary and general—neither Melton or Johnson excited a remarkable number of people, truth be known.

Of course Ladd doesn't bother to provide any substantiation to buttress her turnout myth. Four years ago we got this hackneyed story from the JFP that tried to explain away the Melton victory as the result of a disinterested electorate.

That story included numerous inaccuracies. Here is one whopper:
Lynch, June 15, 2005: There were 30,128 votes cast in the June 7 general election. With there being 131,713 voters registered in Jackson, the election only stirred up about 22.8 percent of voters.

There is a big, big problem with that second sentence. You see, in 2005, there were not 131, 713 registered voters in Jackson. There.simply.were.not.

So where did that number come from? That number came from the US Census Bureau. The 2000 Census pegged Jackson's voting aged population (VAP), the number of Jacksonians aged 18 years and over, at exactly 131,713. But there is a huge difference between citizens who are old enough to vote and citizens who are actually registered to vote.
(Note: As of today, April 15, 2009, there are 106,825 Jacksonians registered to vote.)


When Ladd spouts this low turnout myth about Melton's 2005 victory, she conveniently omits exactly which elections in the past -- which historical elections -- she is using for her comparison.
Consider this table that compares 2005 to four other recent elections of specific importance within Jackson:


Click image to enlarge.


Without some past election against which to compare Melton's victory over Harvey Johnson there is scant evidence -- none really -- these past four years of mayoral-ineptitude-on-parade were the result of a low voter turnout.

YES, many registered voters stayed home and YES, the electoral process would benefit if more of those who are registered exercised their civic duty by voting. But NO, Frank Melton's 2005 primary win was NOT the result of an abnormally low voter turnout at the polls.

In closing I leave you with more of Ladd's words from yesterday:
Ladd on 04/14/09 at 01:02 PM: I predict a much better turnout this time, at least in the primary.

Oh yeah? Compared to what?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is very sad that too many people who read the JFP believe without questioning what gets written there.

TheQ said...

You can never be too skeptical when it comes to the Free Press. Their contortioning of the facts in the Minor case leave little doubt that they write to fit a preconceived story line.

Anonymous said...

The consistent practice of the Fondren Bugle is when they get it wrong, just revise, reject and have no recollection.

Don't blame you,
Don't blame me,
Blame that guy
Behind the tree.

Anonymous said...

Now comes another tall tales that Ladd made up out of thin air. She's scatted those low turnout dramatics to anyone who would listen. Another liberal journalist so sold on themselves and their agenda that they think they can authoritatively say anything that comes into their mind without getting caught.

Hookah said...

And she wonders why no serious individuals consider her rag as anything more than just a Weekly Reader for FONDRENALINS—you should see JFPs post on the Tea Party. It’s obvious commentary but listen to her rage as the spittle forms when ole Ladd defends her reporters yellow belly post as legitimate “fair and balanced” news (ha 2 the ha).

Donna Ladd is a Fraud said...

Ladd is a fraud.

Anonymous said...

It's called alternative journalism. She.makes.shit.up!



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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.


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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.

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