Sunday, October 7, 2018

Brookhaven Mayor: Apologies Won't "Suffice"

Brookhaven Mayor Joe Cox said thank you for the apology but that isn't good enough.  He wants some heads to roll* after what took place at the halftime show of the Brookhaven-Forest Hill game Friday night in Brookhaven.  He posted this message on Facebook:

Due to the inexcusable halftime performance by the Forest Hill Band at the Brookhaven High School home football game on October 5th, please allow me to reiterate my position.
- -

October 6, 2018

The halftime performance conducted by the Forest Hill Band at our Brookhaven High School home football game last night was inappropriate, irresponsible, and insensitive to say the least. It was a horrific display of disrespect demonstrated toward our local law enforcement, our students and families in attendance of the game, and all citizens of Brookhaven. It is disturbing that the Forest Hill routine has been performed previously with no repercussions to faculty members or administrators, especially given the fact weapons were involved. Even though the weapons were obviously toy guns, it is still a serious violation of school policy. This type of performance is inexcusable under any and all circumstances, especially within the school system, but also in light of our fallen heroes on September 29th who served the Brookhaven Police Department with great honor, Officer Zach Moak and Officer James White.

The fact that the Forest Hill High School Band had been practicing this routine for several weeks is of no consequence. Once again, let me be clear, the performance was inexcusable. It in no way sent the message of “put down the guns and pray” as many outside our community have attempted to depict through their individual loose interpretation of the "John Q" movie in order to justify the band's routine.

There is never a time or place to promote such violence toward members of law enforcement. The performance promoted a total lack of respect for local, state, and federal men and women who lay their lives on the line every day to serve and protect our citizens. It also perpetuated the desensitization of disrespect and violence toward authoritative figures and leaders in all areas—our classrooms, government, law enforcement, and all in between.


Jackson Mayor Lumumba stated the Forest Hill band director had been placed on administrative leave, and duly so. Though I appreciate the phone call from Mayor Lumumba, as well as public statements of apologies released by Mayor Lumumba and Jackson Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Errick Greene, that alone does not suffice.

I have been and will continue making various contacts, a few of which include Governor Phil Bryant, our local state legislators, Brookhaven School District, Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi High School Activities Association, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Jackson Public School District and Forest Hill High School, to ensure the matter is sufficiently addressed and fully investigated not only internally, but by a state level Select Committee or the appropriate state agencies. This is no longer simply a Jackson Public School District matter. There must be accountability and serious consequences for this demonstrated act of violence and blatant disregard for school policy. In addition, I am asking that all Forest Hill High School and Jackson Public School System staff, faculty, and administrators with prior knowledge and approval of this halftime routine be held accountable and terminated from employment, this routine be removed from the Forest Hill Band program, and that future Forest Hill Band routines be monitored and approved at the state level prior to each performance.

As a community and as parents, allow this to be a call to become more involved in purposefully instilling respect for one another, our governing laws, authoritative figures and all law enforcement in our own Brookhaven children. This begins by setting the right example as adults and parents through our words and actions, both at home and in public.

May God continue to bless Brookhaven, all members of law enforcement, and first responders.

We are Ole Brook. 
WAPT posted the complete video of the song in question.


*That was a rhetorical statement, not to be taken literally. 

73 comments:

Anonymous said...

This whole thing is ridiculous. Seriously. This is a high school band director being a wacko, as most high school band directors are. Fire him and move on. Or require approval for performances, whatever.

Btw, it’s art. Art can be political. Art can push boundaries. Even in high school.

To me, the “skit” is just completely odd. Music is mediocre. If I was in person, I would laugh it off...that was different but whatever.

This response is completely out of line. Oh, and because people think it matters. I’m a white male, super conservative, and am no fan of JPS.

Anonymous said...

Great statement by the Brookhaven Mayor, and I hope he gets good response from those he is contacting: The Governor, MDE, DPS, etc.

But I hope he doesn't hold his breath thinking he might get any kind of reasonable response from Mayor Lumumba or from JPS - to them, it fits the radical nation that CALumumba has been promoting since before he moved into his office on President Street. I imagine while he issues his "apologies" to the public in Brookhaven, he is congratulating his friends and supporters in the Forest Hills area for their 'continuing the fight' against white oppression.

Governor - its time for you to move in. You failed the state a year ago but decided to try to give your idea a chance. What are the results? Another year where JPS as a district is in the BOTTOM 10% of schools in the state. Actually, at the bottom, with only two other school districts rated as poorly. And now, we can see what kind of "education" is being provided in these schools - celebrating the killing of law enforcement officers. Wonder what wording goes with these kids acting out their "skit". Probably nothing that is repeatable in mixed company - except in their 'hood.

Anonymous said...


I just want the same standard applied as if the students had been white with Klan robes and nooses.

"What's good for the goose"...and all that stuff.


I can promise you, they are laughing about this at JPS.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the first poster. It's just art, so it's no big deal. Art can push boundaries. So let's get a school that is 99% white go perform at a predominately black school. The white band can wear Klan robes and burn a cross at halftime, because they've seen it in movies. It will just be laughed off and dismissed as art.

Anonymous said...

5:50 & 8:48

If were a private school or org, might buy what you are selling. But it’s a state school. Government speech isn’t art or free. So ...

Anonymous said...

Good letter, and I'm glad he's going to the state. You know JPS isn't going to do anything on its own.

Anonymous said...

Whatever happened to bands just playing music and gyrating at half time?

The incident was tone deaf on Forest Hills part, the band director should have known better.

Of course nothing will satisfy the people in Brookhaven.

This is Mississippi carrying on as if we are still in 1954.

This state is stuck on stupid.

Anonymous said...

Right on mayor. Roll some heads.

Anonymous said...

1. Apologize
2. Fire the band director
3. Investigate the use of fake guns on school property by students (all persons
authorizing use of these guns should be disciplined)
4. Apologize
5. All district halftime performances reviewed by district authority before
performance
6. Memo sent to all band directors regarding acceptable behavior with warning.
7. Apologize
8. Go to work.

Ole Brook by damn.

Anonymous said...

Checkout the Till exhibit at the Civil Rights Museum.

Rolling heads said...

This school is a national embarrassment for the entire state. The headmaster and band director must be fired immediately

Anonymous said...

Art? LAME.

Anonymous said...

three words:
Government Speech litigation.

Anonymous said...

Brookhaven is a majority black school. 60%

Anonymous said...

Who won the game? What colleges were there looking at the recruits? And, dammit, who the hell cares about the losers who couldn’t make the teams in the game, of the halftime show? WHY is this in any news? Have we become this soft and weak?

Folks, we live in a football state. All of this other nonsense ain’t newsworthy. The is football. If you don’t like it....get the hell out of this state!!!!!! Now!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Yall act so butt hurt over this. 'Roll some heads and get ppl fired' what is that really gonna do? At some point you have yo realize you cant please everybody. Damn it was a high school band depicting what they see in there community. At some point all you adults going to have yo put your adult drawers on and stop being so damn soft and insensitive. This is Mississippi act like you know what this state os founded on and about. So sick of you crybabies compmaining about every damn thing that dont go your way.

Anonymous said...

8:57, most art these days is government art. Not many artists survive without government support stipends any more.

Anonymous said...

As awful as this performance was, it is getting a little bit nauseating watching all of the politicians pile on. Never let a fire pass by without pouring gas on it.


Big talk from a bunch of blow hards that will accomplish nothing.

Anonymous said...

I might have missed it have they been doing this routine all year Back in My High school days (Many Many Years ago) we came up with a routine in the summer and used it all year with minor tweeks. But no reason to have this in the show even if this tragedy had occurred with the current climate between blacks and Police. I cannot come up with any way to rationalize this. You would have to be under a rock to not know what was happening in Brookhaven this week. watching the video the shock of the crowd was breathtaking. I feel so sorry for the family of friends of these policemen.

Anonymous said...

Everyone, especially politicians, seek to stay within today's insane rage-cycle. They deserve to be angry, but now it's becoming self-serving. Like good-ole-boys blowing up their Yeti coolers for attention.

Anonymous said...

This was an intentional assault on the law enforcement community. It doesn't matter that Brookhaven or Forest Hill are predominantly black. That's not the point. Nor is this art, to be excused with some silly notion of artistic license. Black face is art to - Would that poster excuse a comedy skit composed of white students in black face? Certainly not. But, but....it's art.

It's bullshit to post that anybody from any school in America has students appearing in Klan gear.

There is no such thing as 'a headmaster' at a public school and this has no relationship to the 'Till exhibit'.

The greater law enforcement community in this state (and elsewhere) are offended and concerned about this portrayal. That's enough for me. But, for those of you who celebrate the same thing that came from our prior president (who created Black Lives Matter)...go right ahead witcho bad selves and celebrate this crap.

Anonymous said...

what happened to the "zero" policy on guns on campus ?
I believe even having a fake gun will get you expelled!

Expel the participating students & fire the band directors

There have been numerous kids expelled for school
for having a "toy gun" with them

Anonymous said...

Austin Reed Edenfield, a student at Ole Miss was convicted in Federal Court for hanging a noose on the statue of Medger Evers. These students and factuality should receive the same. A hate crime is a hate crime no what your skin color is.

Anonymous said...

Good start 10:08 but not far enough:

Better Together JPS? Don't think so. Fire the band director and his/her principal. Suspend the students involved. Cancel all of that school's band activities for the remainder of the year.

JPS Superintendent Greene -- "Why aren't you stomping Private Pyle's guts out?" instead of putting out some sissy-arsed statement? HEADS SHOULD ROLL IMMEDIATELY.

Anonymous said...

Sure it is just art. And there is the issue of free speech. At least that's what the idiots that are condoning this display of stupidity are claiming.

Let's change the art a little. If the two girls in the front were kneeling; and their wooden guns were changed to a wooden manger; and the guys dressed in white in the back were carrying wrapped boxes adorned with ribbons; and the band was playing "Away in a Manger". Would that art get the same "it's art", "free speech" defense while the ACLU was filing it's lawsuit this Monday morning? Would all those defenders of JPS be interested in defending this 'art'?

We know not.

Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

It's getting to the point where the community of Brookhaven has to quit being so sensitive. That performance was bad timing but come on. Is this about Law Enforcement? Guns? What is the issue here to make people be *this* upset about it? This has received way too much attention. It was especially strange when Phil Bryant comments on it so quickly while he posts random videos of himself shooting large caliber guns on social media; or signing bills with pistols on his desk. What are we talking about here?

$DollarsJustSaying said...

I agree that someone if not many should be fired but in reality they will only get administrative leave (same ad paid vacation) and in a few days or weeks be back at that or another school. This is the reality of what passes for adult Supervision at this time andfandf place.

Anonymous said...

Theca, don't be obtuse. You seriously don't understand the difference between this incident and the Gov posting video of himself shooting? I mean...come on.

Kingfish said...

From a message board. Take it for what it's worth.

My sister in law is the cheerleader coach for Brookhaven High. They were at the house yesterday for my daughter's bday.

She said it was like no one in the stands believed what they were seeing. She walked over to the Forest Hill cheerleader coach and asked her "WTH? Do y'all not realize that 2 officers were shot here this week on top of why would you have guns, fake or not, in a HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL half time show?" Other coach answered that she didn't know about the officers shot (I call BS) and that serveral of the parents pulled their kids from the band last week when they got wind of the performance.

There is no way the principle of that school didn't know 1. about the performance, especially if kids were pulled from the band by their parents, and 2. about the officers shot in Brookhaven last week.
I have a feeling the principle is in hot water as well, as he should be.

Kingfish said...

Theca, screw you. That small town just lost two cops. They were known to a good portion of the community. Quit being so sensitive? A bunch of kids come to the football game a few days later and shoot cops at the halftime show, oh, it was only acting.

Tell you what, how about we come to a Provine High School game and re-enact Trayvon Martin getting shot during the band performance? You going to tell the people who get upset to quit being so sensitive?

I've got a better idea. How about a visiting band from Rankin County has a scene where a white man drives over a black man on his knees in a pick up truck? Let's tell the outraged black community that they are being too sensitive and see what happens? They would be too "sensitive" if they got mad, right?

Oh, and by the way, at least one family member was at the game and saw the performance. Said family member was pretty upset. Why don't you go tell her she was being too sensitive.

Anonymous said...

Brookhaven mayor needs to get over himself. State level monitoring of band performances? Come on. Everybody is so conservative until they want the strong arm of the state on their side.

Anonymous said...

Art? Laziness. Didn't require hours of marching to learn a formation and be a team player. Art? Some see it in garbage. Personally, I prefer art that edifies in some way. This had no redeeming value and had great potential to hate. Art? Get on that bandwagon when you have to pay to take a course. As long as we are paying for education K-12, then adapt to community standards.

Anonymous said...

Quite simply, this is political speech/art that the community doesn't like. And, it was terrible timing. And it's not appropriate for high school students. But, the only reason it is getting ANY attention is because of the murder of the officers. Let it go.

Btw, the only people that watch band performances are the parents of band members and the opposing band members. Nothing like being dramatic and making an issue out of nothing.

Also, it's a good thing the guy who killed the officer wasn't black because it would be another ridiculous thing for our media and community to run with. Because, apparently, in Mississippi, everything is about race.

Anonymous said...

Of course some parents pulled their kids from the band. They have sense! Those kids probably told their parents about it and they reacted like most of us would.


And to those who didn't-let's not judge them---who is going to write the recommendation to Hinds or Southern or JSU to get the band scholarship? The band director. The one who supervised the practice of the 'skit.' Many of the kids in the band know it's their only way to a college education so they are going to do what the band director says..no matter what. Many probably didn't tell their parents because they didn't want to put their own future at risk. Many of us would have done this very thing if band was our only way up in life..

Fire the band director and entire band staff. Was this skit done at other games? If so---questions about why a scene holding police at bay with weapons was allowed to be performed should be raised. It's not art--it's a simulation of terrorism. Is it art to do a skit of planes hitting the WTC in NYC?

Kingfish said...

True dat.

Remember, there are no bad soldiers, just bad leaders.

Anonymous said...

The band leader should be fired as well as the princepal . There should be no band for 5 years .

Anonymous said...

Also, it's a good thing the guy who killed the officer wasn't black because it would be another ridiculous thing for our media and community to run with.

Huh? Are you living in a hole in the ground?

Anonymous said...

Here's the problem with all you IDIOTS who suggest that we should just ignore this so-called "art": The REASON we have so much crime in our midst today is because our society was convinced to just IGNORE bad behavior...look the other way....etc. As a result, each successive generation gets further and further away from a basic understanding of how CIVILIZED societies work. We're slowly but surely turning back into a tribal world where every tribe is competing with every other tribe for "turf". If we don't start NOW resetting boundaries for what it ACCEPTABLE and what is NOT, there will be absolutely nothing left in another generation or two. Whether you believe the teachings of the BIBLE for religion's sake or not, the simple fact of the matter is that it outline EXACTLY how civilization rise - then FALL. And every fall, every single time, begins the same way and ends the same way. Even the dumbest of animals learns from its past mistakes and goes on to survive by not repeating those mistakes. Why in hell can't humans????

Anonymous said...

Yes, the half time choice was an extremely poor choice even if Brookhaven hadn't experienced such a horrendous tragedy.

The Brookhaven Mayor well knows that there is a process in place to fire teachers and hold all others involved that should be held accountable . And, he knows full that the Mayor of Jackson has made clear that this process has been triggered.

He also knows the process takes some time and is in place so people aren't unfairly dismissed.

The Mayor is either too upset to control his emotions or else is trying to make political hay out of the incident and as a result is flaming the fires of racial discord that have always burned hot enough in MS.

It would be better for all adults to seize this as a teaching moment for all our young people. That would include modeling that mature adults are in charge of their emotions and defining the words "patience" and " dignity" for our children.


Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

Kingfish, you know I would tell her to get over it. Those police officers that died, that's tragic. Horrible timing as well as I stated before. The mayor calling for the STATE to monitor a HIGH SCHOOL BAND is idiotic.

Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

Plus you know good and well Rankin County is afraid to come to any JPS game, let alone do something as stupid as that. It would be in the same boat. Sorry not sorry man.

Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

10:06AM

You've compared a High School band performance to Tribalism. Please stop watching the Jordan Petrerson videos.

Anonymous said...

Maybe I am just daft, but how can you tell the students were portraying police officers? I have watched the full video several times and they look to just be wearing band uniforms. Am I missing something?

Kingfish said...

Fats, you'd be amazed at how many people don't follow the news. I'm not surprised that some might not have known about the murder of the two police officers. I met people in Jackson when Frannie Fortner was killed who didn't even know anything about it. I mean didn't know what you were talking about when you mentioned it and they were college educated. The readers on this site probably tend to be college grads. There is a whole segment out there that doesn't watch the news nor is interested in the news - and its not just people who are considered to be "uneducated" or illiterate.

Anonymous said...

The band director should be fired. But, the Forest Hill band members are still kids and believe it or not, their lives are worth saving. Really. Some very responsible person(s) should make it a point to immediately visit Forest Hill High School, specifically their band, and make clear to them by
an intelligent presentation, why their band performance was so unacceptable and hurtful. These kids CAN learn just like anyone else when adults treat them like people, not animals to be put in a cage. I know this is not the narrative most Jackson outsiders want to hear, but they should try to understand that this could be a significant learning experience for kids who feel that a large part of society only wants to kick them in the butt and pack them off to prison rather than treat them like people. That would be a fitting tribute to the slain officers.

Kingfish said...

Now we're talking. I'm sure there are family members of cops who died in the line of duty (not these two) who would take the opportunity to talk to the band and tell them what that skit means to them.

Anonymous said...

Austin Reed Edenfield, a student at Ole Miss was convicted in Federal Court for hanging a noose on the statue of Medger Evers. These students and factuality should receive the same. A hate crime is a hate crime no what your skin color is

The above was stated by another poster. I don't know the student in question, nor do I care for Ole Miss. I also will in no way defend what the student did. However, you are correct. If white kids in the band put on blackface, they would probably face expulsion and a hate crime. What is good for the goose.........

Anonymous said...

Bare minimum, the band director and any other band staff members should be immediately terminated. Bare minimum. Frankly, I think the Principal of Jim Hilll should be fired too, along with any other staff member that was aware this performance would happen. Band should be suspended for the remainder of the school year, at a minimum remainder of the semester. Yeah, they are “just kids” but now is a good time to teach them that actions have consequences. Because statistically speaking, they’ve never learned that at home.

Anonymous said...

@Kingfish

I agree with Theca Jones regarding Phil Bryant chiming in on this matter, when he is constantly posing with pistols and firearms!? He is supposed to serve as Governor for people in Brookhaven and for the people in Forest Hills district.

No one in their right mind is saying what the kids from Forest Hill did at halftime was right. But the hypercritical response is starting to get out of control.

The Forest Hill and Brookhaven can sit down and iron this issue out, while the rest of us should be trying to de-escalate the matter.

Anonymous said...

Bands, as well as all public school sports and other extra-curricular competition activities are already 'overseen' from a 'state level'. The can shut down the band, they can end the football season, they can decide on game forfeitures, they can regulate who plays who and they can put a team (or band) on suspension for a period of time. The oversight comes from the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Google it and educate yourselves.

PS: I would like verification that parents had already pulled their kids from the band because of this skit. It's been posted several times. Where's the verification of that?

Anonymous said...

"Remember, there are no bad soldiers, just bad leaders."

Tell that to the soldiers who were court martialed for killing civilians in Vietnam.

Anonymous said...

10:28, yes The Mayor of Jackson has spoken and if he said he was "looking into it" and "would respond appropriately" - your mistake is in believing that this would happen sometime this year. Or sometime in this term of his administration, which only has two and a half more years.

Mayor Lumumba doesn't do anything in a reasonable time so don't go looking for anything out of him dealing with this crap from JPS.

Anonymous said...

Monitoring the Forest Hill band's programs "on a state level"?

I get that this performance was beyond the pale, but when you demand silly stuff like this, it's basically just internet outrage theater.

Just shut the band down for the rest of the year (at least for outside performances, maybe keep the class), fire the band director, and move on.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, but as a concerned Brookhaven citizen, can someone please point me in the direction of these videos/photos of Phil Bryant shooting or pointing a gun at cops/pictures of cops/actors dressed like cops??? No?? I didn't think so! This isn't about gun control, this is about a complete lack of common sense on the part of the band director.

A mass shooter killed a cop in Brookhaven earlier this year on the one-year anniversary of the death of the gorilla Harambe. Then a criminal committing criminal acts was too stupid to follow a traffic law as simple as PUTTING ON A SEAT BELT decided he was going to kill two hero cops just doing their jobs (their jobs being pulling over idiots too stupid to follow traffic laws), one of whom was trying to pull the other to safety as he bled to death under fire. To go to the town less than a week after this occurred and put on a badly choreographed joke of a halftime performance in front of the friends, family, and community of the killed officers was tacky and beyond idiotic. It wasn't art. If you want to see high school art, you can visit the Mississippi School of the Arts, located in Brookhaven, and see what that looks like, because this wasn't it. This was propaganda and has nothing to do with guns. Guns are awesome. I would never travel to Jackson without one!

Anonymous said...

Hey Theca, NW Rankin played Provine at Hughes Field last Friday night.
So much for your goofy argument that "Rankin County is afraid to come to any JPS game."

Has Theca ever made a reasonable post? I think not.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone expect more from Phil Bryant?

Anonymous said...

Amen 1:58. Enough piling on by people that have been stirring the race pot for years and years. Especially Phil Bryant.

Da Fat Man said...

@Kingfish "Tell you what, how about we come to a Provine High School game and re-enact Trayvon Martin getting shot during the band performance? You going to tell the people who get upset to quit being so sensitive?
I've got a better idea. How about a visiting band from Rankin County has a scene where a white man drives over a black man on his knees in a pick up truck? Let's tell the outraged black community that they are being too sensitive and see what happens? They would be too "sensitive" if they got mad, right?"

I normally don't get this angry when reading comments but I got to call BS on this one. Now what they did was insensitive and inappropriate but if you Kingfish truly believe that what they did was done with malicious intent then you are not the person I thought you were. If they had made this skit up and this was the first time they performed it then I would be lambasting them along with everybody else. But not only were they acting out scenes from a movie, they had been working on this since the summer. What's really funny is how people always comment that blacks should get over this or leave it the past or stop calling out racism on everything or in other words stop being SO SENSITIVE! Looks like the pot calling the kettle black. Prove me wrong so I can continue to believe you are the man I've come to know.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Theca Jones regarding Phil Bryant chiming in on this matter ...

Maybe you should lend a hand and listen to Melvin's podcasts. He could use another listener to go along with the other two that he currently has.

Anonymous said...

It was in poor taste. Everyone would agree with that. The problem is the band director has an agenda. Let's hear from the band director. I'm 99.9% sure he won't be able to come up with a reasonable answer. The problem is his excuse is he got this idea from a movie that is SIXTEEN years old. I wonder how many people that night made a connection with that movie? The agenda seems to be clear. It's not about shooting cops on it's own. It's about REVOLUTION. When the system fails you REVOLT. That's what the ding-a-ling band director was getting at.










Anonymous said...

Hey Fat Man. I can tell the difference is two police officers from Brookhaven were gunned down in the line of duty 6 days ago. It isn't something that happened prior to 1866. That is a huge difference.










Anonymous said...

Spell check people. I have never in my life seen such poor spelling by a large majority of people posting here.

This is a bad situation all around. The band performance was wrong and the Director should be fired for stupidity. This is not about what kids have seen in movies. It’s about a war on the police and a civil society.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Thought and Prayers instead of Apologies. That always seems to work.

Anonymous said...

I thought we just spent two weeks deciding that HS behavior didn't really matter. . .

Anonymous said...

One reason we should not wait to see what the mayor might do is that the mayor of Jackson, or any other town, has nothing to do with the local school district. He doesn't run it, can't sanction it, has no authority to fire or put any employee on probation and can't do anything else about this or any other school activity or behavior.

Anonymous said...

I approve of the photograph of The Gov's wife with the Ak-47 to blow someone away at their farm in Copiah County. What's not to like?

Da Fat Man said...

@4:42 I f you believe that all racist
Acts against blacks stopped occurring since 1866, then you are definitely part of the problem.

Waiting Patiently said...

I'm still waiting on verification of the claims that several parents had already pulled their kids out of this band because of this drill/display.

Anonymous said...

3:41: Where is your proof that 'they had been working on this since summer'(even though bands don't practice during summer)? It's been posted on social media that this is claimed to be from an almost twenty year old movie. Where's the logic in that decision. It's also been posted that the band director is an activist and trouble maker set on social disruption (revolution). It's also been claimed that routines like this develop over time and this was indeed the first time it was performed. We need to hear from a school official or band member to know the truth of that. But, your alternate claims don't make you right.

Also posted have been claims that several band parents removed their children-scholars from the band earlier because of this 'act'. Can anybody verify that?

While you're sitting in the bleachers condemning Kingfish, what proof do you have for the claims you make? Or are you just upset because of your racial views?

Anonymous said...

@8:29: Based on my personal experience, I know that bands DO practice during the summer. It's called "band camp" and lasts for 1-2 weeks. They learn the theme, music & marching sets for their halftime show. It's actually a common thing with high school bands. Same set-up happens now with my kids.

If this was the first time the routine was performed, well FHHS Band probably doesn't have band camp. I have no idea what this school's set up might be in this regard. Not teaching kids the halftime show during the summer would lead to this being the first time that a band would be able to perform the full show. It takes a lot of time to learn that stuff--too much time for after school practice.

For me, the movie as a theme for the halftime show is just an odd and inappropriate choice. Yes, somebody (parent, teacher, janitor, anybody) should have caught it earlier and asked them to omit the toy gun part. The fact that this wasn't caught beforehand does not require an indictment of JPS/FHHS for intentionally attempting to hurt those officers families, the Brookhaven community, and all of law enforcement. Huge leap. Administrative reprimands are sufficient. Then, we can focus our attention on ensuring justice is served in the trial of the individual actually accused of committing the crime.

Anonymous said...

So, 1:43...To recap: You're simply another apologist from the majority community.

Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

So we're still talking about this?

Anonymous said...

Despicable conduct.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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