Monday, May 24, 2021

Do as I Say.....

Grant Callen, the CEO of Empower Mississippi, lamented the cutthroat nature of today's politics on the pages of the Clarion-Ledger recently:

 

Whether you’re on the right or the left, I bet you’ll agree: politics has changed a lot recently — and not for the better.

I’ve been politically engaged since I was a kid, helping my dad put out campaign signs in rural Jones County. One of my earliest memories is watching George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis debate in 1988 who should succeed Ronald Reagan for the White House.

I’ve written op-eds, letters to the editor, and more than a few political posts on social media, so I’m not new to political discourse. But I have never experienced anything like the bitterness and vitriol I’ve witnessed this last year from those on both sides of the aisle.

Something has shifted in the way we engage politically in America. Our language is coarser, our attacks more personal. Every election cycle we are assured this is the most important election of our lifetime; our very lives depend on it. And as I watch people fight as though they are, indeed, defending their own lives, it seems that the messaging has worked.

In conversation after conversation, I hear friends demonize each other. It’s as if those we disagree with politically aren’t just wrong; they are evil, even malevolent.

That we have political disagreements isn’t a bad thing. In fact, I would argue the opposite. Disagreeing is as American as apple pie. From our founding, one of America’s strengths has been our diversity of thought, but the founders agreed on those first principles that truly matter for self-government. Baked into our founding documents are protections for people to disagree.

German theologian Rupertus Meldenius said: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” America seems to have gone wrong in mistaking essentials (must-haves) for non-essentials (nice-to-haves), and we’ve almost altogether thrown out the charity — arguably the most essential ingredient for meaningful discourse — and replaced it with contempt....

 Oh really? Hmm.... maybe we should go back in time, all the way back to..... 2019 when Empower Mississippi's PAC did its own bit of demonization in several legislative elections. Earlier post.

Jill Ford ran for Cory Wilson's vacant seat in Madison County.  The Ridgeland realtor is as conservative as they come. However, such didn't spare her from Empower's mailers lumping her with the Baba Yagas of the left or trying to falsely smear her as a criminal.



 

 



Mr. Callen said "attacks are more personal."  Is this what he meant? 

The anti-Trump stuff took place during the primary season.  Most of the Mississippi GOP establishment supported John Kasich.  However, once Trump secured the GOP nomination, she supported him as did most Mississippi Republicans.  No Rick Wilson was she.  

The corruption charges are bogus as well.  Ms. Ford's father went to prison after she testified against him.  However, the "personal" attack asked a fairly misleading question designed to slander and smear. The mailers are a stark contrast to this Callen statement:  "It’s as if those we disagree with politically aren’t just wrong; they are evil, even malevolent."  Indeed.  

Mr. Callen closes: 

 The solution isn’t a national kumbaya moment where everyone falls in line behind a party or an idea; it’s learning to disagree better, and still find unity around those first principles. The solution isn’t less debate; it’s more debate, but with respect and charity, without contempt. Rigorous debate makes our ideas better, it helps reveal our blind spots and fallacies, and it helps us better understand each other and ourselves.

State Representative Gene Newman (R- Trailer Park Land aka Pearl) might take issue with this statement.  The Empower PAC used these mailers against the Pearl bail bondsman in the 2019 race to replace Ray Rogers.




Wow.  What do bail bondsmen do? They assist suspects in exercising their constitutional right to post bail.  It is rather interesting Empower crucified Mr. Newman for working as a bail bondsman.  Interesting because Empower Mississippi has led the charge in putting convicts, not suspects, back on the street. Sentencing reform, justice reform, parole reform, fill in the blank reform, whatever you call it, Empower Mississippi wants to put more criminals back on the streets but woe to anyone such as Mr. Newman who dare to help someone who has not been convicted of a crime. 

Mr. Callen's sentiments are worthy of discussion and much needed in today's politics. Twitter mobs rampage online while social media injects more poison into our politics every year.  Mr. Callen rightly characterizes the demonization taking place in our culture today.   However, when push came to shove just two years ago, his team did the very thing he decries - and did it in spades.

 And that, my friends, is the bottom line.

Kingfish note:
There is one minor question about the Newman mailers that should be asked.  When was the last time a murder suspect got bond in Rankin County?


49 comments:

Anonymous said...

Grant Callen is the LAST person who needs to be making these claims! Hello pot, meet kettle!

Anonymous said...

Don’t forget Empower role in Desoto County a few years back. Was able to get rid of all the republicans up there and replace them with libertarians. Desoto used to be a powerhouse in the legislature, now they are reduced to begging other people to sponsor their bills cause no one like them. Empower, AFP and Mississippi Center for public policy are hated by the rank and file Republicans at the Capitol. Just this past year, their only water toter, Phil Gunn, mentioned these groups in a caucus meeting. He got booed. Gunn thinks these liberal libertarian groups are going to take him to the Gov mansion.

Kingfish said...

Given the incompetence of the Mississippi Legislature, that is not a bad thing.

As for Desoto, get over it. Maybe if Kuykendall and his puppets had not opposed any and all educational reforms, that wouldn't have happened. He got too big for his britches so tough luck.

Anonymous said...

Very, very well said KF!

Anonymous said...

Oh great

Another pissing match between "conservatives" and what it means to be a "real conservative"

Anonymous said...

Maybe it's time the voters of district 56 send Empower a message and send Gunn home. He has lost a good bit of trust this session thanks to Empower Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

Americans are like drug addicted prostitutes and our politicians are like abusive pimps.
And we collectively find our own way to cope with the fact that we never to anything to improve our lot, and in many cases even love the sadistic pimps.

The saddest part is that this addiction and abusive relationship was created by the usurious bankers that got this nation hooked on debt.

Anonymous said...

What has Grant accomplished in the real world that might qualify him to preach to us serfs?

Anonymous said...

The elected school Superintendent had nothing to do with the legislators getting beat in Desoto. It was the 50k plus each candidate got from EmpowerMS that did it. You could do that in just about in legislative race in Mississippi and beat all the incumbents.

Anonymous said...

Why not just name the people responsible for making the ads? It’s a handful of political ad agencies that put this stuff together. Name them.

Anonymous said...

Empower PAC is a progressive organization. I say hold them to their own rules as Alinsky once opined. Watch 'em squeal.

Anonymous said...

10:05 .... http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-mailed-fists-strike.html?m=1

Kingfish said...

10:05: I did, knucklehead. Why don't you read the actual post. The link to the earlier one is in there.

Anonymous said...

10:17 AM
I'm an idiot. I looked up the wrong Empower PAC.

Anonymous said...

Great article, KF! Amazing how short people's memories can be. Number 2 on my list would be a certain "Northside" newspaper publisher who recently wrote a column on the problem of people in the suburbs "writing off" Jackson as hopeless when it isn't. This same publisher (along with the late Frank Melton and the late ad guy Jim Dollarhide) were leaders of the Metropolitan Crime Commission back in the 1990's that did more than any other group to scare the hell out of anyone thinking of Jackson as a nice place to live. I would love to see some of those ads again.

Anonymous said...

Not exactly KF. Your reference to Kuykendall was true for the 2015 election. But the idiotic members that Empower recruited to run and got elected were so bad that Empower had to go recruit other libertarians to run against them. Granted, they are not as whacky, but they are still incompetent and inefficient legislators. No more value to them than to the Hinds County delegation of Democrats. Except, the HC delegation at least carries sway in their caucus.

Anonymous said...

A bit ironic he referenced the George H.W. Bush campaign, since it's mostly remembered for the Willie Horton TV ads.

Kingfish said...

Actually Gore

Grant Callen said...

A few thoughts, Kingfish, since you pondered the disconnect between my recent piece and Empower PAC’s 2019 campaign activities.

While Empower PAC did not send these mailers, we did support them with our resources, and I wish we hadn’t. The content of these mailers is not consistent with Empower Mississippi’s values or frankly, my values as a follower of Christ. So, you’re not wrong to point out the inconsistency.

Since 2019 however, we’ve made some significant changes in the way Empower approaches advocacy and political engagement. We took a hard look at the political climate and asked ourselves whether we were contributing to the problem or building solutions for Mississippians when the latter is our objective. Honestly, that’s why I wrote the piece, because we wanted to broadcast our commitment to changing the way we engage. We want to be a positive influence on the tone and tenor of political conversations. That has been our focus since 2019 and you can expect that from us going forward.

Anonymous said...

After being called out by KF for being a hypocrite, Mr. Callen appears to be attempting a version of "Homer Stokes: Friend of the Little Man" with his post at 2:53 PM.

Anonymous said...

@2:53 - when politicians start talking about their relationship with Christ to weasel out of their despicable behavior, voters should immediately know they are full of it. Grow a pair and apologize like a decent human being, forget about the religious pandering.

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm sold.

I'm convinced that these folks are out for good, for all of our citizens, not just the rich. They even, only if absolutely necessary, may raise taxes. On other people, of course.

And, if necessary, they'll "bury the hatchet" with opponents, during off season. In their back.

Now, in order to proclaim their Christian values, they quote 2 Koch Chapter 11, verse 2: "Pull thine self up by thine bootstraps, oh poor and oppressed, but ask not for boots."

Finally, let's all remember the Good Book (of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles-2010 version), which holds forth:

"Thou shalt split the middle class evenly, giving alms to the Rich, and to the Poor, evenly. The top most 1% shall receive 50% and the bottom 50% shall receive 1%, and what so ever is left shall be cast to the middle, sparingly, so that thou dost not spoil these children, and lead them into temptation."

The rest can be taken as carried interest, and we'll all be at the soup kitchen Saturday to "feed the poor" we've created. Just don't ask us to wear a mask or take a vaccine.

Anonymous said...

“ Something has shifted in the way we engage politically in America. Our language is coarser, our attacks more personal.”


Can a Trump supporter actually write that bs with a straight face? The last administration did more harm to our public schools than any in my short life and this clown cheered them on. From one Christian to another, duck you Grant. Not all Mississippians are as dumb as you think.

Anonymous said...

@4:13 PM - Amen and amen....

Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

The preception of Conservatism...

Anonymous said...

Melvin C. Robinson

The perception of having influence and the delusion of being an authority on anything at all.

Anonymous said...

Obviously, another Empower Clone, Jarrardo Gilbari wrote that for him. The give-away is the use of the word vitriol. It's Jarrardo's fave. All the libertarian-types are alike. They covet a gentler, kinder society. Sure they do.

Carte Royale said...

The world was a better place before these goofy money grubbers like Empower constantly stirring up shit and pretending to be world leaders in social structure and politics. Yet, they've all got wads of money to spend and throw at the wall, hoping to be perceived as relevant (Ah, the perception of relevance). Grown men used to go to the domino hall in their time, enjoy a frosty mug with the guys, come home and go to bed at a decent hour.

Anonymous said...

The "culture wars" that are spoken of on media and the www would be better described as the "war of the cults." And the cults on the right and the left are intent on painting themselves as sanctified and their opposition demonic. How can anyone with even an iota of objectivity not recognize just how the US is in decline while marginal hot button agenda constituencies are waving their banners foolishly celebrating their success.

When the dust settles we will be facing collapse of the equity markets led by Bitcoin and the bankruptcy of cities and states with Mississippi likely leading the pack to the bottom.

Kingfish said...

You peeps griping about Empower, MCPP, and other conservative organizations. Did you complain about Unions, NAACP, and other non-profits that made such activism their business? What about Moveon.org? Did you criticize them as well?

Anonymous said...

@ 7:12 - Yes. Have fought unions and union organizing for decades, the NAACP is a radical, racist organization and Moveon.org is totally un-American. These modern-day utopian-thought mini-cult-orgs are nothing more than pan-flashes and no different from TV evangelists.

What you call complaining and griping is actually expression of the rights to think and speak. You seem to have a problem when people other than yourself exercise the right.

Anonymous said...

Why does the Clarion-Ledger bother to print this clown? As bad as the Clarion-Ledger has sunk, one would expect them to have at least a modicum of standards.

Anonymous said...

Hypocrisy and moralizing aside, Callen’s article is really poorly written. C+ in a high school English class at best.

Anonymous said...


Do you people realize what this man has endured:

"I’ve written op-eds, letters to the editor, and more than a few political posts on social media, so I’m not new to political discourse."

He's the veritable Solzhenitsyn-cum-Churchill of MS! Think about this a minute - this brave man has written op-eds AND - not OR - AND letters to editors AND - not OR - AND posted on FaceTwitterGram! And on top of which, he isn't even new to discourse! Who among you lesser mortals would have the courage to post any of your thoughts to social medi...oh, yeah...

Every idiot in the US posts every thought that ever enters their head, from fish tacos to blueberry mojitoritas to racism to their expertise on virology. And as comes as no surprise to anyone with an objectivity level exceeding that of a 3 year old in the midst of a tantrum, it's all ill-informed gibberish and nonsense. As an aside, what stupid motherfucker puts tequila OR blueberries in a Goddamned mojito?! I wonder if he has ever thought about just getting a real job (I jest, of course).

We are fucked, so very, very, very fucked.

Anonymous said...

Raise your hand if you were impressed or comforted when Empower sent Latino a plane ticket back to Jacktown. The man was, thankfully, somewhere on the beltway-outskirts basking in irrelevance. When this guy guests on Supertalk, most are furiously poking at the radio dial searching for Sinatra or the paint-drying station. Anything but the pain caused by a voice that never shuts up yet never says anything.

bill said...

How do you elites - you know, those of you who are obviously much smarter and more capable of political thought than Grant, Gerard, or Russ - feel about what was written? It's easy to see how you feel about the person who wrote it, and his associates, but does that somehow make the column inaccurate or less valid? What he said is correct, and the whiners who attacked it are wrong.

At least Grant isn't afraid to put his opinion out there, and to admit when he's made a mistake. Mississippi could use a lot more people like these men, and those of you who anonymously criticize them are a bunch of cowards. Bill Billingsley

Anonymous said...

@3:36 - the source of information is important. In this case, the source is a massive hypocrite who wants to excuse his behavior with his religious participation. Did the author offer an apology to the many he wronged? If not, then why not? The kinds of people who gravitate towards political action committees and political think tanks are generally the scum of the earth who are selling out our country to make a buck. Don’t be so gullible and believe every word from politicians.

bill said...

Okay, 3:44, I'll bite. What in the column is inaccurate? What don't you agree with? People need to start paying more attention to the what than the who.

Anonymous said...

@8:51PM said “What you (KF) call complaining and griping is actually expression of the rights to think and speak. You seem to have a problem when people other than yourself exercise the right.”

Could not agree more 8:51PM. I swear, I love this site…and the work KF does…it is absolutely amazing. We talk regularly about how much time he must spend researching and putting out there what the lazy so-called journalists just won’t do in most cases.

But, the KF’s censorship is unbelievable…and bizarre, since posts that have absolutely nothing to do with being a racist or Nazi (that he’s stated in the past are the main reasons he censors) are censored.

What makes the KF’s censorship so bizarre is how unafraid he is to call out those that need calling out (Jackson’s Mayor, Grant Callen, etc.) but if he does not like your particular message…it’s not going to make it.

Anonymous said...

Bill said, "What in the column is inaccurate? What don't you agree with? People need to start paying more attention to the what than the who."

This may be the most naïve post on JJ in years. When someone has a long history of lies, deceit, and manipulation, "the who" is paramount. Any "facts" presented are to be questioned, and even if the facts are somehow accurate, they are likely to be packaged and manipulated to lead the reader to a false conclusion.

bill said...

Excellent non answer, 8:23.

Look, it's a fairly easy question. Just read the column and tell me what you agree with and what you don't. Quit worrying about who wrote it and look at the content.

Anonymous said...

Responding to Mr Callen’s comment:

First, it’s not owning up to it by saying “we didn’t send the mailers but we did support them with our resources.”

If I have my secretary mail something for me, I sent it. Own up to it.

Second, it’s interesting that you had such a change of heart only after those mailers backfired and your pro marijuana candidate got destroyed by Jill Ford despite the latter being vastly outspent by the former.

Change of heart- ha! More likely you realized the electorate rejected your toxic, personal politics and decided it would be more effective for you to take a softer, gentler approach to get your preferred candidates into office.

Empower Mississippi is one of the most toxic forces in our state right now. Take your outside anonymous corporate donors and go elsewhere. We need less crime in this state, Jackson in particular, yet you and your corporate cronies are hellbent on releasing as many convicts into our communities as possible.

Good day sir.

Kingfish said...

People in Pearl got really irate over it. They've known Newman for years and to get that crap in the mail, well, they knew it was bogus. The same thing happened in Madison County. Trashing people well-known in their communities is not exactly a good idea.

Anonymous said...

@kingfish I agree 100%!
Newman has a great reputation in Pearl and is a solid vote for the District. These idiots supported his opponent, who is bordering mental illness, just so they could control that vote. Their motto in the legislature is “ pass all of our great libertarian ideas , then during campaign season we ll pick you off!”

Anonymous said...

Ok Bill, I'll comment on the column itself, it's VERY accurate (BUT, I also agree 100% with everyone else about the author and his history). Politics has gotten way out of hand - absolutely no civil discourse. I'm all for a meeting of the minds, but that's not happening!

Anonymous said...

Go to www.propublica.org and do a search for the 990s of Empower Mississippi Foundation. Read them. Factor them into your decision-making about(and especially any donations to) these inter-related organizations and the largest beneficiary of them: Grant Callen.

bill said...

Thank you, 1:58, for confirming that you can agree with what's being said without necessarily endorsing the person saying it, although in this case I do both.

Anonymous said...

I speak for the majority when I say I endorse neither the author nor the substance of what he wrote

Kingfish said...

and the whiners who attacked it are wrong.

I'm whining, Bill? I'm pointing out a double standard and you know it.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

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
.