Jackson Jambalaya

Aubie gets wet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88W0wZU9qKE
Youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIOYQjrZdp0
Final Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0RrW9yO_8U
It sucks..to be...the Auburn Tigers.....: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlYrZor_vAw
LSU Band coming down the hill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ivUoBP0MRA
More band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGQJmR_kf-o
Alma Mater: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyfgQpCIIg

Stats:
http://146.145.120.3/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=brtoday&page=cfoot/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=17085

The Times-Picayune:
Game coverage: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947679119780.xml&coll=1
Doucet story: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947627119780.xml&coll=1
Flynn story: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947607119780.xml&coll=1
Finney column: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947663119780.xml&coll=1
more coverage: http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1192947687119780.xml&coll=1

Baton Rouge Advocate:
Game coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/10695906.html
more coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10697951.html
Stats: http://146.145.120.3/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=brtoday&page=cfoot/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=17085
Rabalais column: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10697951.html
Doucet story: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10698086.html
more coverage: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/10700196.html

LSUSports.net (Official LSU Website)
Game coverage (VERY THOROUGH!! See notes at end of story): http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1284824&DB_OEM_ID=5200
Photo gallery: http://www.lsusports.net/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=1284824&SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&PALBID=14113


Dandy Don's Website: http://www.dandydon.com/

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

Shreveport Times
Guilbeau column: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/SPORTS0202/71021003/1001/SPORTS
Photo gallery: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D9&Dato=20071021&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=710210807&Ref=PH


NATIONAL COVERAGE

ESPN:
Game coverage (AP): http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272930099
Photo gallery (AP): http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/photos?gameId=272930099
Drive chart: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=272930099
Play by play: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=272930099
Gutsy call: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=3072541

College Football News (CFN)
http://cfn.scout.com/2/557722.html
Analysis: http://cfn.scout.com/2/692941.html
Fox Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7353256
Analysis: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7357954
Sporting News
Lucky coach: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=292781
coverage: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=292778
CNN/SI
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/scoreboards/2007/10/20/35771_viewcast_recap.html Mandel: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2007/10/saturday-observations-part-iii_21.html
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-FBC-T25-Auburn-LSU.html?_r=1&ref=ncaafootball&oref=slogin
CBS Sportsline
http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAF_20071020_AUB@LSU
Dodd column: http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10422107
Rivals: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=729246


THE LOYAL OPPOSITION:

Montgomery Advertiser
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/NEWS/710210341/1001
Photo gallery: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DS&Date=20071021&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=710210801&Ref=PH&Profile=1001
Commentary: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/SPORTS/710210338/1001
Notes: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/SPORTS/710210340/1001

Al.com:
Commentary (Huntsville Times): http://blog.al.com/trackingtigers/2007/10/another_auburnlsu_classic.html
Notes: http://blog.al.com/trackingtigers/2007/10/lsu_30_auburn_24_notes_and_quo.html
Grade Auburn: http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/reportcard/
Photos: http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/bama/view_gallery.ata?g_id=4042

Click Here to Read More..

I'm sitting here listening to Ed Bradley's Jazz Live from Lincoln Center - this show's feature is Duke Ellington - while I wait to head out to Tiger Stadium for a day of fun and see Auburn get its ass kicked tonight. Here we go.

Lil Michael Taylor will finally appear in court.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771019053
Justice does move slowly but eventually it does move. Taylor will finally start to face some justice. Thankfully, he is still in jail where he can not terrorize the rest of Jackson while on Melton's/Jackson's dime. The CL reported:
"A young ward of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton will appear in court in January to be arraigned on charges of armed carjacking and extortion. Court documents show Michael Taylor, 18, was indicted on the two felony charges by a grand jury in August. The charges stem from accusations in November that Taylor pointed a handgun at a woman and stole her silver 2001 Saturn at the intersection of Bailey Avenue and Maple Street. Investigators said Taylor later attempted to sell the car back to the woman.Taylor's address was listed on court papers as Melton's northeast Jackson home, but Taylor has been held in the Hinds County Detention Center since July." These charges are in addition to the armed robbery charges he faced earlier this year. For an earlier discussion of Taylor and Melton, see: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/07/meltons-protege-set-free-to-terrorize.html

Judge stands up to Melton's antics
Judge Breland Hilburn said enough is enough. Melton gave promotions to his bodyguards, including one Michael Recio to Assistant Chief, who just happens to be the son-in-law of former Chief and "consultant" to Melton and JPD Bracey Coleman while ignoring much more highly qualified police officers. Melton said earlier this week he had no use for tests for promotion. This follows Melton's pattern of hiring people who are grossly unqualified for jobs for which they are appointed. His typical response is they have a great attitude or some similar reason. Its never about how strong their resume is or how qualified they are.

Judge Hilburn said:
"The Civil Service Commission is going to make it very aware to management of the city of Jackson that the failure to recognize the protocol and rules of Civil Service no longer will be tolerated," said Breland Hilburn, a specially appointed Hinds County circuit judge and Civil Service Commission chairman. If rules continue to be broken, city administrators could "find themselves before the commission," he said. There are 15 "acting" lieutenants and sergeants within Jackson Police Department. All have received promotions without going through the regular competitive process. Those, plus recent promotions of Melton bodyguards Micheal Recio and Marcus Wright and others constitute "widespread disregard for the clear mandates for promotion," Hilburn said.
Melton's moves have garnered complaints in recent weeks from rank-and-file officers, who say the promotions are blatant examples of favoritism. Promotions are supposed to be based on "established qualifications, examinations, records of efficiency, character, conduct and seniority," according to Civil Service Rules for the city of Jackson....."
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/NEWS/710190379

Its nice to see someone with some balls when it comes to Melton. I'm sure Melton will call him corrupt.....or say he is not going to listen to some judge who has no clue what is going on in the city, and the idiot supporters will write in saying "let him do his job!" That is just it, he IS doing his job and its a total disaster.

Viagra makes you deaf?
WJTV reported: Popular impotence drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra will come with a new and serious warning.The FDA is calling for labels cautioning men about the risk of sudden hearing loss that may be associated with taking the drug. So far 29 cases have been reported all within two days of taking one of the drugs.
http://www.wjtv.com/gulfcoastwest/jtv/news.apx.-content-articles-JTV-2007-10-19-0010.html

This is a bad thing? Did they think this might be an intended benefit for the drug? Now you take the pill, do your thing, and don't have to hear her gripe about how she didn't get hers or you can just roll over and go straight to sleep without listening to her bitching about your going to sleep.

Meanwhile, Melton announces CRIME IS DOWN!
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15218_0_27_0_C

In a statement released this week, Melton states:
PROGRESS IN THE CITY OF JACKSON...
STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE
Mayor FrankE . Melton said he is pleased to announce that the City of Jackson presently has
several hundred million dollars in construction currently underway with more to come next
month. Cranes and bulldozers can be seen all over town. The Mayor also announced that crime is down and he gives credit to the efforts of the City's public safety officers.
Mayor Meltons adds there is still much work to be done especially in the following areas:
-Truancy, which leads to drop outs in our school system
-The illegal consumption and distribution of narcotics
-Weapons in the wrong hands and used to hurt human beings
He said these are the three critical issues that led to recent changes and more changes may be made in order to achieve the desired results and that is for everyone in the City of Jackson to feel.

This press release is so bad it almost doesn't deserve comment. Crime is down? Really? WHERE? It's also rather funny how crime skyrocketed almost immediately after he took office when it has been down nationwide. This press release could have been written by a high school student. What proof or evidence is there crime is down? No statistics are cited. One must wonder what the purpose of such a stupid press release is. Hmmm...I'm starting to wonder....maybe Melton really IS that stupid and we all have been assuming for years he had some brains. http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/foi_pdfs/Crimeisdown.pdf

Bible Thumpers' Favorite Prophet at it again....

Never mind how many times Hal Lindsay is wrong, THIS time he will get it right. In the 70's he used to say the United States was fading and that Russia and China would rule the world until the time of the anti-Christ. Then in the 80's he said demons would appear as aliens to us and the whole UFO thing was Satanic. Wikipedia has a pretty interesting and funny account of him and his writings. The fact is, they are usually wrong and his knowledge of prophecy and history is pretty bad.

This time, he is SURE that Bush and Condi discussing Israeli-Palestinian peace is the fulfillment of yet another Biblical prophecy, never mind he has missed on the other hundreds or thousands or so-called prophecieces he has claimed to divine. Enjoy: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58215

Meanwhile, D.A.-Elect Robert Smith is questioned

By the JFP for having, gasp, unresolved cases when he assumed office. There are only two types of lawyers that run for D.A.: prosecutors and defense attorneys. Defense attorneys become D.A.s all the time and most of them know how to wrap up their caseloads, and as they have to pass an ethics exam, are pretty familiar with conflicts of interest rules. The few lawyers which attempt to inject some reason into the discussion are subjected to some nastier treatment as they refuse to follow the party line. http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15211_0_67_0_C

Meanwhile, no mention is made of Faye Peterson dropping cases this week against three alleged killers and also a former JPD cop accused of sexual battery against a minor (separate cases) for lack of evidence. One can imagine the criticism made if it was Mr. Smith dropping these cases.

Click Here to Read More..

Posted earlier this week was a picture and then a description of two members of the Jena 6 at the BET awards: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/10/beat-student-up-get-red-carpet.html

Well, the media is now catching on to the storyL:
http://www.kalb.com/index.php/news/article/2-jena-six-members-appear-at-bet-awards/961/

If this is not a perfect example of thug culture, it is hard to see what is.

More on the real history of the Jena 6 story:
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-truth-here-thugs-or-theologians.html

Click Here to Read More..

Where neither love nor hatred is in the game, a woman's game is
mediocre.

The enormouse expectation in sexual love and the sense of shame in this expectation spoils all perspective for women from the start.

Our vanity is hardest to wond when our pride has just been wounded.

Man likes woman peaceful-but woman is essentially unpeaceful,
like a cat, however well she may have trained herself to seem peaceable.

In revenge and in love woman is more barbarous than man.

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.

Madness is rare in individuals-but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule.

Poets treat their experiences. shamelessly: they exploit them.

In men who are hard, intimacy involves shame- and is precious.

Talking much about oneself can be also be a means to conceal oneself. Not that you lied to me, but that I no longer believe you has shaken me.

All quotes from Chapter 4 of Beyond Good and Evil.

Click Here to Read More..

You have heard or read about General Sanchez's speech in the media. As usual, the media only publicized the quotes that fit its agenda. This post will not make any comments one way or the other in regards to his speech as it quite clear that General Sanchez is quite capable of speaking for himself. Here is the speech:

"TODAY, I WILL ATTEMPT TO DO TWO THINGS - FIRST I WILL GIVE YOU MY ASSESSMENT OF THE MILITARY AND PRESS RELATIONSHIP AND THEN I WILL PROVIDE YOU SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR WAR EFFORT.......

GIVEN THE NEAR INSTANTANEOUS ABILITY TO REPORT ACTIONS ON THE GROUND, THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ACCURATELY AND TRUTHFULLY REPORT TAKES ON AN UNPRECEDENTED IMPORTANCE. THE SPECULATIVE AND OFTEN UNINFORMED INITIAL REPORTING THAT CHARACTERIZES OUR MEDIA APPEARS TO BE RAPIDLY BECOMING THE STANDARD OF THE INDUSTRY.......

AFTER MORE THAN FOUR YEARS OF FIGHTING, AMERICA CONTINUES ITS DESPERATE STRUGGLE IN IRAQ WITHOUT ANY CONCERTED EFFORT TO DEVISE A STRATEGY THAT WILL ACHIEVE "VICTORY" IN THAT WAR TORN COUNTRY OR IN THE GREATER CONFLICT AGAINST EXTREMISM. FROM A CATASTROPHICALLY FLAWED, UNREALISTICALLY OPTIMISTIC WAR PLAN TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S LATEST "SURGE" STRATEGY, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO EMPLOY AND SYNCHRONIZE ITS POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND MILITARY POWER........."

Read the rest of the speech at:
http://www.militaryreporters.org/sanchez_101207.html

Sadly enough, I was unable to find a video clip of the entire speech.

Click Here to Read More..

http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=5729884

In this case the dude used his joint credit card (has a very hot fiance) by mistake and is now freaking out. hehe. Also look through read of thread for some interesting New Orleans stories.

Click Here to Read More..

Heard a bit of gossip from some media friends in Lousiana about the Jena 6 and why Justin Barker might have been beaten by these "kids".

All I am going to say is when I was in high school, I knew better than to go tease a football player who got his ass kicked in a fight during the weekend about getting his ass kicked in said fight, especially when he had several of his buddies around him.

Click Here to Read More..

This is one of my favorite bands. These guys play cello backed up by a metal band. Interesting concept. Their songs are all over Youtube.





Recommended albums: Apocalyptica, Reflections, Cult

Click Here to Read More..

http://www.bossip.com/6939/random-ridiculousness-bet-hip-hop-awards/#more-6939

Look who showed up at the BET Hip Hop Awards for the red carpet treatment.
Anyone want to guess who these two guys are?

Answer: "Also participating in the BET HIP HOP AWARDS 2007 were two of the young men of the Jena 6, Carwin Jones and Bryant Purvis, who presented the Video of the Year award and thanked the hip hop community for its support." From PRNewswire.
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48735049_hip_hop_style_substance_and_swagger_bet_hip_hop_awards_2007

Click Here to Read More..

Update: Today, The Jackson Free Press issued the following corrections:
"editor's note: The above story and "Sharpton Defends The 'Jena 6'" (Vol. 5, No. 47) have been corrected to remove the association of Justin Barker with the noose-hanging incident at Jena High School. Barker has been reported as a friend of the noose-hangers, whose names have not been disclosed, but not as a co-conspirator in the noose incident. This error was not intentional. xxx xxx and The Jackson Free Press apologize for the error. "
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15054_0_63_0_C

Credit is given where credit is due. At least the JFP corrected its errors, which is more than I can say for The Clarion-Ledger, which rarely corrects errors pointed out by bloggers or other media outlets.

Original post:

The Jackson Free Press published several stories covering the Jena 6 case in Jena, Louisiana. This is no surprise as the JFP has stated repeatedly it is committed to social justice and fighting racial discrimination in all forms, truly admirable and respectable goals.

However, in its coverage of the Jena 6, a reporter at the JFP, committed several egregious errors. In fact, they are so egregious they could be considered to be slander or libel.

In two stories, xxx xxx states Justin Barker, the White student who was beaten up by the Jena 6, was involved in the noose-hanging" incident three months earlier at the school. She writes: "Justin Barker and his friends at Jena High School were wrong to hang nooses from a tree under which black students had congregated the day before." ( "Let the Punishment Fit the Crime", October 3, 2007 )http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15054_0_63_0_C

On Dec. 4, 2006, the six black students attacked one of the white males involved with the noose hanging, Justin Barker, at school. He suffered a concussion and bruises, but later that same night, he went out to a social gathering. Meanwhile, the Jena Six went to jail and are facing the harshest sentences possible for the fight. ("Sharpton Defends the Jena 6", August 8, 2007) http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/print.php?id=14477_0_4_0

This is very sloppy reporting, so sloppy it could be considered libelous. There has been no suggestion in the media that the victim, Mr. Barker, was involved in the noose-hanging incident. In fact, several authorities and media sources have stated he was NOT involved in said incident.

The Town Talk, which covers the Alexandria, La region, stated:
"Barker wasn’t one of the three students disciplined for the noose incident, and he hasn’t been named in any of the fights in Jena leading up to the Dec. 4 incident."
http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS/70915030

Darryl Fears of The Washington Post, that bastion of right-wing conservatism and racism, wrote: "The victim in the beaten that resulted in the charges was said to have been one of the participants in hanging the nooses. That couldn't be verified."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/09/20/DI2007092000816.html?nav=ft_lol

Snopes also stated Mr. Barker was not involved in the noose incident. It quotes the District Attorney, Reed Walters: "The victim in this crime, who has all but been forgotten, was a young man named Justin Barker, who was not involved in the nooses incident three months earlier." http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/jena6.asp

These sources were found after googling "was Justin Barker involved with the noose incident?" It took less than ten minutes to find these passages. xxx cites no sources or evidence in support of her writing that Mr. Barker was involved with the noose incident. Only xxxx can say if this was intentional or merely sloppy reporting. However, when one engages in so-called advocacy journalism, just because a reporter wants something to be true does not mean it is.

Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines libel as: "a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression b (1): a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2): defamation of a person by written or representational means (3): the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures (4): the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel." However, the law in Mississippi is much more forgiving and allows for honest mistakes. See Section 95-1-5 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/95/001/0005.htm.

It is also interesting how xxx omits for the most part any mention of Mychel Bell's prior criminal history. See earlier post: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-truth-here-thugs-or-theologians.html. Mr Bell had numerous arrests for violent crimes and was convicted of at least one, which is why he was on probation in the first place. Snopes stated: "Prosecutors in his case revealed that Bell had been convicted as a juvenile for attacking someone a year prior to the Jena 6 assault, then committed three more crimes while on probation for that one, which meant the Jena 6 verdict marked his fifth conviction for violent crimes." (His criminal record is discussed in my post cited above in a news report from the Baton Rouge newspaper).

These earlier convictions and criminal history are why Mr. Bell's probation was revoked last week. To put it mildly, Mr. Bell is a thug who was also a star football player. He was given a free pass until he beat Justin Barker. Everyone is familiar with the double standard for jocks which occurs in too many schools. Compare his treatment to incidents at Brandon and Morton High Schools where football players who were arrested were suspended from the team after they were arrested the first time, not the second....or third....or fourth....or fifth.... you get the idea.

In another display of ignorance, Blogger L.W. writes on the JFP website: "He has to spend 18 months in a juvenile facility for violating his probation. However, the charges are old and weren't brought up until now..." . This statement is simply not true and is completely at odds with the facts. In fact, she quoted a column by Jason Whitlock where he disclosed Bell's December, 2005 conviction for battery, http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14950_0_27_0_C, so one fails to see how she can call these old charges with a straight face.

Earl Hutchison writes on the site as well: "The DA claims that several other scrapes with the law helped keep him there." http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14999_0_7_0_C Claims.....CLAIMS? There are no "claims" as you put it. Mr. Bell WAS arrested. He WAS convicted. He IS on probation. Even his own father admitted it to the Baton Rouge newspaper. One must wonder if this really is ignorance on display or just plain dishonesty.

One must ask why the writers over at the JFP so blatantly ignore the facts and information that basic research would provide. xxx is a good writer and it is clear she is passionate about several causes. It is nice to see young people take an interest in social justice while trying to improve our society. However, passion and a belief in one's cause is no excuse for sloppy journalism and getting the facts grossly wrong. In the age of the internet, these false statements about Mr. Barker can easily spread throughout the media. The fact they were printed by a weekly alternative newspaper is irrelevant in today's world of blogs, mobile news alerts, and websites. Since xxx wrote Mr. Barker was involved with the noose incident depsite all evidence to the contrary, it is a smear upon Mr. Barker, who was beaten to a pulp by the Jena 6 (Yes, he was at a school function that night, a function he attended with a beaten and swollen face according the The Times-Picayune.) .

On the pages and blogs of The Jackson Free Press, Ms. Ladd, the co-owner as well as a holder of a Master's Degree in Journalism from Columbia, wields her literary lead pipe against The Clarion-Ledger and other media outlets for sloppy journalism and violating the so-called best practices of journalism. (Make no mistake, they usually deserve it). However, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. If these false statements about Mr. Barker do not cross the line, it is hard to see what does. I care about social justice as I have a law degree and that means I don't like to see someone who was savagely beaten smeared for something he did not do, regardless of race. At the very least, xxx owes her readers a correction and Mr. Barker a public apology on the pages of The Jackson Free Press.


See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_journalism for a dicussion of advocacy journalism.

Note: Saw an interesting post by a blogger about this:
http://www.myurbanreport.com/?p=252#comment-1635

Click Here to Read More..

This story is by Thomas Ricks, author of Fiasco ( highly recommended reading ):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/14/AR2007101401245_pf.html
"The U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating and perhaps irreversible blows to al-Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq....."

This is an interview with Ricks that was broadcast on NPR during the week of General Petraeus's testimony. He defends Petraeus and criticizes the Move-on.org idiots. Even when I disagree with him, he raises valid points and due to his fluency in the Iraq War and military issues such as counterinsurgency doctrine, he should be taken seriously.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14345112

Al Qaida's failure to build an Islamic state in Iraq:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/federation/feature/?id=110010704
"The latest chapter in al Qaeda's war manual in their war against the Iraqi people and the Coalition is this: raiding remote peaceful villages, burning down homes and slaughtering both man and beast. It's a campaign of self destruction. ...."

Record number of tips from Sunnis in Baghdad:
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2007/me_iraq_10_12.asp
Kingfish note: No surprise here. That is one of the benefits of following a good counter-insurgency doctrine as civilians will give more information to the military as they feel more secure.

Click Here to Read More..

http://www.cajuncountrycorn.com/corn_maze_cajun_country_corn.htm

Gee, a haunted cornfield maze. You would think that with all these farmers here in Mississippi someone would've figured this one out. Guess its easier to gripe about needing more government subsidies than actually think of something that will make money.

Click Here to Read More..

SafeCity's analysis of the FBI Crime Report as it relates to Jackson is out:
http://www.thesafecity.com/fbi_2006_report.htm

The actual data used:
http://www.thesafecity.com/oct07/Crime%20in%20Jackson%202006%20Report.pdf

Click Here to Read More..

Michael Yon sends a dispatch from Iraq about our wounded soldiers and how they are treated. This is a very moving piece and worth taking some time to read. Its nice to see a writer who is focusing on the soldiers themselves and not what will grab the flashiest headlines or score the highest ratings.

Command Sergeant Major James Pippin realized they were in a “nearside ambush,” and ordered his driver to assault directly into the RPG and machine gun fire. Riding the offensive momentum, the American soldiers dismounted their Humvees, moving into the attack, disorganizing the ambushers. Pippin shot one in the face. Then a bullet found him.......

Pippin’s attack into the ambush had broken the enemy effort, but he was bleeding all over the Humvee.... Pippin was driven to one of the nearby “Combat Support Hospitals” (CSH)....

Soon after my embed with the 2-7 CAV ended, I made one other visit to a CSH. Among the many wounded was one soldier who had been terribly maimed by an IED during an ambush. It is hard to describe the extent of his injuries. These CSHs host a daily array of gunshot wounds of every description, traumatic amputations, and severe burns, but his wounds were horrible even by those standards. As blood soaked through his bandages, a pretty young nurse walked out into the hall and burst into tears. A doctor called the soldier’s father, and gravely related the truth: the staff would try to keep him alive until Germany, so his family could be there at the end....

The system for treating wounded soldiers and civilians is an example of the military at its best: the CSHs around Iraq, the “Mercy Flight” to Landstuhl, and then the Landstuhl staff itself, was among the best. It always amazes me that a soldier who is wounded in some strange Iraqi village in the morning, through a system of fast ground transport and aircraft, is in a top medical facility possibly before midnight on the same day. The first-class treatment and service for the patients, at every step of the way, has long been a source of both pride and controversy....

Read the rest of the dispatch at: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/under-distant-stars.htm

Click Here to Read More..

The town of Covington, La actually has a fall art season:
"Exhibits in 33 galleries, shops, and restaurants in charming downtown Covington open tonight from 6 to 10. during Fall For Art, the kickoff of the 2007 north shore art season. Live entertainment by nine performers and bands round out this year's edition of the annual celebration.....
Columbia Street and Lee Lane will be closed to vehicles from 5 to 10 p.m. so art enthusiasts can stroll the streets or ride the City Tram, a golf cart that pulls a wagon to transport tired pedestrians, as they enjoy food, spirits and music along the streets and inside the galleries....."
http://blog.nola.com/living/2007/10/the_north_shore_kicks_off_its.html

Click Here to Read More..

Click Here to Read More..

Jackson might lose over $1 million dollar in federal grants.
As if Jackson didn't have enough budget problems, it faces losing over $1 million in federal grant money if it doesn't hire more police officers. Under Melton's leadership, the JPD is down to 410 officers. JPD needs 450 officers to keep its grant and there are only 12 cadets in the current class at the police academy (Maybe we need to call THAT police academy. Just a thought.). Our fearless leader said he would replace the officers who complained about his running the police department with the cadets when they graduate. Yes dumbass, the crime rate has exploded under your administration, you promote your bodyguards over more qualified police officers, suspend testing for promotions, let the staff level fall to the point where you are going to lose over a million dollars and your response is to get rid of your veterans and replace them with rookies. You were right when you ran for office. You said you were going to use unorthodox tactics to fight crime.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/NEWS/710120371/1001/news

By the way, if you want to see some really bad writing, read the whole story. Where do these reporters go to school? Some of my favorite phrases in this story: "weeded out", "officials have approved taking several million out of reserve" (several million WHAT?), "recruit class", and "Cmdr." (First time that word is used, should be spelled out).

JSU Band gets to march after all.
So the whole fuss over so-called hazing (The media never did disclose what the so-called hazing was apart from what the administration said. So much for investigative reporting.) was that some of the students had to do push-ups and crunches? Heaven forbid some of these lard-asses should have to actually get in shape. When they run late or screw up, can't have accountability. I did quite a few push-ups in basic training and it didn't hurt me nor anyeone else at all.
Its just amazing that the whole fuss was over doing PUSH-UPS!
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/NEWS/710120376/1001/news

The Clarion-Ledger once again refuses to take a stand on Iraq.
How cowardly. It has repeatedly refrained from stating a position on our presence in Iraq. Instead it usually states its still controversial and then cites polls and uses Iraq as an attempt to promote its storychat instead of doing something useful. Today it meekly opines that the Democrats have failed to withdraw troops from Iraq. It ignores the issue of whether the surge has had any success or any other real discussion about the war in Iraq. After criticizing the discussion for not covering the real issues, the newspaper then ironically goes to merely citing polls about the war. So what is it Clarion-Ledger? What do you stand for?
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/OPINION01/710120324/1008/OPINION

Salter blasts Lester Spell over beef plant fiasco.
Lester Spell tries to avoid responsibility for the state losing over $50 million dollars on the beef plant by blaming Mississippi State (He must not need that vote.). Salter does a very good job of refuting Spell's feeble attempts to pin the blame elsewhere. Lester, you need to go. Along with the rest of the rascals who helped you in this venture but it starts with you.
http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs/ssalter/2007/10/lester-spell-beef-plant-failure-is.html

Mychal Bell of the Jena 6 back in jail.
Jena 6 thug Mychal Bell is back in jail again as his probation was revoked. Hmmm....you are on probation and are surprised that when you beat someone up and face criminal charges for doing so, your probation is revoked. The poster, L.W. claims these are old charges and uses Sharpton as an expert on how this is unjust. I will clarify this if you are not aware of some key facts. Mr. Bell has been arrested repeatedly for property crimes and battery. These are not old charges but have happened in the last two years. Its also funny how the same people who gnash their teeth over how Frank Melton was not punished for his probation violations excuse Bell's probation violations so easily. Did I mention Bell also had a prior conviction?
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15148_0_67_0_C

The truth is Bell is a thug and has gotten a free pass until he beat up Justin Barker because he was a star football player. At Brandon and other local schools recently, when players got in trouble with the law, the were immediately suspended from the team. At Jena, Bell was allowed to keep playing despite being arrested repeatedly. It should also be noted that Justin Barker, the victim, had nothing to do with the noose-hanging incident. See previous post: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-truth-here-thugs-or-theologians.html

Now, the weather is very nice today. How nice? Go to the state fair for lunch and find out!

Click Here to Read More..

Here is a link on www.tigerdroppings.com discussing their antics:
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/MessageTopic.asp?p=5644158&Pg=1

Click Here to Read More..

One of the questions frequently asked about the Heather Spencer murder is why JPD reduced the charges against George Bell III after he savagely beat her in June, three months before he murdered her. In early June, Bell went to Spencer's house early in the morning and beat her head with a rubber mallet, while fracturing several bones. Ms. Spencer needed 57 staples in her head at UMC. The police reports are available online and list her injuries (kudos to the JFP for obtaining and publishing them. A flogging to The Clarion-Ledger for not doing the same), http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/print.php?id=14998_0_9_0. The reports appeared in a very well-written and thought provoking JFP story: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/print.php?id=14998_0_9_0

The police reports states she had 57 staples ( 3 rows), a finger splint, a spring wrap on her wrist, and that he tried to strangle her. Ms. Spencer also states in the report she had a fracture. The initial report was taken at the emergency room.

Since he used a rubber mallet, Mr. Bell was charged with Domestic Violence under Section 97-3-7 of the Mississippi Code. The charge is classified by JPD as Domestic Violence (Aggravated Assault), which is a felony.

It is at this point several questions about JPD's conduct are raised. The charge was reduced to Simple Domestic Violence, a misdemeanor, by Detective Daniels. This is the same Daniels who was assigned to be a bodyguard by Frank Melton for District Attorney-elect Robert Smith. This is also the same Daniels who is the investigating officer in the Elicia Hughes case ( Someone should look at the transcripts of the trial and read where Daniels interviewed Ms. Hughes. VERY interesting). He stated the reason was the assault was not life-threatening. Dear Officer Daniels: What if YOU were a small woman who was beaten repeatedly in the head with a rubber mallet, strangled, and had several bones fractured by a 230 lb man who can bench press 400 lbs? Would you think that is life-threatening?

The issue of whether the injuries were life-threatening should not have even been considered by Detective Daniels as Section 97-3-7 (2)of the Mississippi Code states: " A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he (a) attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury purposely, knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; or (b) attempts to cause or purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon or other means likely to produce death or serious bodily harm.."

The statute does not say that an injury or attack has to be life-threatening for a successful proection of Aggravated Assault. It says there only has to be an attempt. The case law on this statute also says that the issue of whether the mallet was a deadly weapon was a question of fact for the jury, meaning NOT the police officer.

His stating that the attack was not life-threatening boggles the mind and makes one think this is more than an error in judgement. However, since that is not really an issue in the charge of Aggravated Assault, it is pretty clear that Mr. Bell attempted to cause serious bodily injury to Ms. Spencer. I don't know what type of training Mr. Daniels has received, but broken bones, severe lacerations, and repeated heavy blows to the head would be proof of an attempt to cause serious bodily injury to most people. One must really wonder what was going through Mr. Daniels' mind when he reduced the charges. It makes one think he is incompetent....or something else.

I am going to muddy the waters even more. Law enforcement personnel have informed me the reason the charges were reduced to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge was it was the only charge JPD could pursue against Mr. Bell without Ms. Spencer's consent.

Under Section 99-3-7 (3) of the Mississippi Code (warrantless arrests): "Any law enforcement officer shall arrest a person with or without a warrant when he has probable cause to believe that the person has, within twenty-four (24) hours of such arrest, knowingly committed a misdemeanor which is an act of domestic violence...".

Since Ms. Spencer sought to drop the charges against Mr. Bell (which required her to go before a judge, she couldn't just drop the charges), the simple domestic violence was the only charge under the law that allowed the JPD to prosecute Mr. Bell without the consent of Ms. Spencer. See previous post, http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/jpd-and-heather-spencer.html, for discussion of the warrant against Mr. Bell and why he was not arrested after Ms. Spencer filed charges against him.

Frankly, this explanation of why the charges were reduced is plausible and casts the JPD in a different light as to why the charges against Mr. Bell were reduced. Strong statements have been made in local publications and internet forums accusing the Mr. Bell's family of having strong political connections, the JPD of being incompetent or corrupt, and as well as other similar accusations. If the charges were reduced in order to keep the prosecution against Mr. Bell alive, then such an action by JPD is indeed commendable.

The JPD's failure to comment much on this case has opened the door to much speculation. Many people question the handling of this case and Shirlene's department has done a very poor job of communicating information to the public in regards to this tragedy. Some of the local media have barely covered this story. One hopes the reasons why some local media have not published the police reports is not because the JFP scooped them and they have a corporate policy against crediting the JFP. The murder of a bright, young woman who had so much to live for should trump any media turf battles.

However, the question still remains, why did Detective Daniels reduce the Aggravated Assault charge and state he was doing so because her injuries were not life-threatening? What exactly was going on with this case back in June?

Click Here to Read More..

Talk'n Dirty

Add to My Profile | More Videos

warning: adult humor

Click Here to Read More..

I TOLD YOU!!! When the Kingfish is on his game, no one in the local media can beat him. Just a little over 12 hours ago I called attention to a Clarion-Ledger story written last week about the much-delayed Harbor Walk project. The post stated that despite all the recent coverage about its so-called start date being October 8, there was a sentence reporting that Bumbling Burwell was still in the final stages of securing financing. The post then pointed out that was not the same thing as having financing and the start of the project should not be celebrated just yet (and that the reporterette was sloppy in not asking for documentation of the financing.).

Well, what do you think is posted on the CL website but the following story:
Harbor Walk construction has been delayed, yet again.
Developer John Burwell, manager of Main Harbor Development, said last week that the company was in the final stages of securing a loan to begin Phase One and construction was to begin today. But today, construction crews were non-existent and Main Harbor was still without the loan.
“We’re working on it,” Burwell said. “They’re going to start (construction) this week.”....
Harbor Walk was first pitched in 2004, but funding and legal issues caused delays for three years.
Burwell’s company was sued by Jubilee Capital LLC, Main Harbor Inc. and North Harbor Inc. in May for allegedly defaulting on a $4.5 million a loan, according to Madison County Chancery Court records.
“There was a note that was due in July 2008,” Burwell said. “They tried to accelerate it, and they claimed a default, which we said didn’t occur.”
Main Harbor paid the parties the full $4.5 million out of court, according to records...."
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/NEWS/71008033

Sadly enough, this is what I expected. Bumbling Burwell changed his story several times, repeatedly stating there was financing for the project, then later said each time that the financing had not materialized. This latest so-called delay is more of the same. Although the story discusses the calling in of his $4.5 million loan by the creditors, no comment will be made on this matter as it pretty much speaks for itself. What is clear is that there is still no financing, the story constantly changes, and the only sound coming from Main Harbor is still that of the water silently lapping against the banks.

Click Here to Read More..

Well, well, give Bumbling Burwell credit. It looks like Harborwalk will finally take off. It was the subject of an earlier post, http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/06/harborwalk-follies.html, as Mr. Burwell had given a variety of reasons as to why construction had not started.

However, Mr. Burwell announced last week that construction will start TODAY! Yes, the blessed day is finally here. He says it will be a 4.5 million square foot developement, will take 12 years to complete, and consists of six phases (October 1, 2007 edition of The Clarion-Ledger, http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771003045). Very impressive and truly an accomplishment for the Jackson metro area when it is finished.

However, there is one small item in the story I wish to point out: We’re a little behind,” Burwell said. “But we are in the final process of securing a construction loan to start our first phase.”

Um, what exactly does he mean by the "final process" of securing financing? Its a shame the reporter did not ask this question (probably just got her cute little degree in journalism and didn't bother to actually learn anything in college) as it would have explained a great deal. The "final process" of securing financing means it is not a sure thing. He did not provide any documentation of financing. He has made similar claims before (see post linked above) about securing financing, failed to provide proof of financing, then lateradmitted it did not exist. If he has secured said financing, then great job for sticking with the project and overcoming all of these obstacles and I do mean that sincerely. However, based upon past history I'm not about to start popping champagne corks just yet.

Additional media coverage:
WAPT: http://www.wapt.com/news/14266195/detail.html

Click Here to Read More..

Marshall Ramsey has taken the day off so I am taking it upon myself to write a post reviewing the news today.

Employees caught stealing meters held without bond. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/NEWS/710060363/1001/news Apparently some Jackson employees decided to start up a public-private sector partnership, but this time without the approval of Frank Melton or Sarah Evans-O'Reilly. They stole water meters worth over $147,000 and sold them for scrap metal. Frank requested that their bonds be increased to a million dollars and the judge denied bond for them.

One must wonder why Frank is so anxious to keep these two employees from posting bond when he tried soooooo hard to keep his soljah, the young Michael Taylor who was accused of armed robber and carjacking, out of jail while he terrorized Jackson residents while on the city payroll.
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/07/meltons-protege-set-free-to-terrorize.html

The Clarion-Ledger Editorial Page for once gets it right: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/OPINION01/710060317/1008/OPINION in stating that Melton acted a fool in naming a bodyguard as assistant police chief. So after the newspaper publishes several stories (along with this blog) about the frustration crime victims have when dealing with JPD, Frank's idea of change is to appoint his bodyguard as assistant chief. He may not be qualified, he may not have ever been in administration before but damned if he doesn't look good with an HK MP-5 or busts his ass every time he fetches the mayor's slippers and newspaper. Its pretty sad when his own chief takes this kind of crap. If she had any amount of self-respect she would resign but she is either too stupid or weak to resign or else Frank has something on her.

Bear Bryant one time quit at the University of Maryland when the President fired one of his coaches without talking to him first. This was his first coaching job. Didn't matter, Bear was Bear and you were going to respect him. Apparently Shirlene really doesn't have any balls. Instead of standing up for herself and her department, she is perfectly willing to let someone with no law enforcement experience run her department for her. What a tool.

Meanwhile, The Jackson Free Press gives more coverage to Melton's promotion of his bodyguard to Assistant Police Chief:
"From Bodyguard to Big-time" reads the appropriate headline. http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15086_0_27_0_C

If you click on the link and read the comments, Former Chief Robert Johnson makes some GREAT comments:
"I am really troubled by this latest stunt by the Mayor. As a career law enforcement professional I spent more than three decades trying to help garner recognition for and promoting police work as a profession. Professionalism requires those who occupy a position have the requisite skills, ability, training and education necessary to perform the job. Melton's promotion of an inexperienced, unqualified patrol officer to second in command of the largest police department in the state is antithetical to this notion and has further eroded confidence in the leadership of the department. The ramifications of this move are probably more far reaching than many lay persons will understand, but none of them are good. It sends a clear message to every member of JPD, particularly those having aspirations for advancement, that it really is about "who you know, who you blow or who you can snow". The sad part is that the Mayor just doesn't get it."

You people that used to slam Harvey for firing Johnson and voted for Frank, how do you reconcile this with your love for Frank? I was just curious.

More local branches of banks are opening on Saturdays:
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/BIZ/710060344/1005/biz

Story on domestic violence in Jackson:
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14998_0_9_0_C

Very good story about the Doris Shavers and Heather Spencer cases. The police reports, previously unreported by local media, are included in this story. Just the reports alone are worth reading. The rest of the story is simply brilliant writing by Ms. Ladd and her staff.

Sports:
Mississippi State tries to rebound from its loss to Spurrier against UAB. State should win this one.

Ole Miss, that is, I meant to write 1-4 Ole Miss tries to achieve an actual win in a football game today. The target of this sortie will be Louisiana Tech, which gave Fresno State hell last week. The way Ole Miss is playing, I would say the game is even money.

Southern Miss played earlier in the week and lost to RICE. I hate to say it as I like Coach Bower, but the Eagles have definitely lost something over the last few years. I'm starting to think it was Nix's leaving for South Carolina. The defense is not as tough as it used to be. The offense is inconsistent and the team no longer seems to be mentally tough. Bower's loyalty should be rewarded, however, one wonders if it is past time for him to leave.

Reading the Jackson Advocate about its recent trip to Zimbabwe.
If you want to know why the Tisdales supported Melton, read this story. Ms. Tisdale thinks Mugabe, the Stalin wannabe, is a GREAT guy. No mention of famines caused by Mugabe, the lack of democracy or freedom in Zimbabwe, or Mugabe's brutality against his own people. Ms. Tisdale's foolishness reminds one of George Bernard Shaw's praising Stalin's forced collectivization that starved Russia and killed millions of people. Is it any wonder the JA supports Melton when they think a brutal tyrant who commits genocide is wonderful?
http://www.jacksonadvocate.com/ (click on the Zimbabwe link on the left)

Click Here to Read More..

Click Here to Read More..

So who dropped the ball? Faye? JPD? Or was the suspect related to Credell Calhoun?

"Prosecutor's Mistake Allows Suspect to Go Free"
"In the spring of 2007, he is believed to have killed a man in Jackson with his S.U.V. Now, James Randy Goss of Magee is free. Tuesday he was released from Hinds County jail on Judge William Barnett's orders. Goss was facing vehicular homicide charges in the death of Jeffrey Hobson on Galilee Street. Police say Goss was driving a Chevy Blazer on May 31st when he drove over Hobson. But prosecutors have missed a deadline to present the case to a grand jury. The next grand jury meets next week, so Goss could be re-arrested then. "
http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=7166089

Click Here to Read More..

See Comments at end of post.

How prescient this blog can be (especially after consuming massive quantities of melange). Yesterday I posted about JPD's failure to protect Belhaven from a local punk, http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/10/have-you-met-jason-no-rest-assured-half.html, and then The Clarion-Ledger publishes a story about the frustration crime victims experience when dealing with JPD. Today the newspaper reported a follow-up story after it was inundated with complaints from crime victims: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071004/NEWS/710040375/1001/news.

Some of my favorite passages (sarcasm fully intended):
The only contact I've had (with Jackson police) was from the responding officer who took the initial report, and that was on the 10th," Tate, 49, said. "I understand they have a heavy caseload and they're busy, but at the same time, I am taking steps to at least find out the status of my vehicle."
On Sept. 28, Tate's insurance company notified him his car had been recovered by JPD a few days earlier. Tate began calling the detective assigned to his case but has not received a return phone call. Tate also called the police impound lot but was told paperwork had not been turned in that would allow the officer to locate his vehicle. He still has not been able to look at his car.
Police Chief Shirlene Anderson said people may not get results right away from the impound lot because it is inundated with phone calls."
Good job Shirlene. Innocent people have their cars stolen, their cars are recovered, and yet you can only say tough luck, you don't know when they can get their cars back. I forgot, you are the government and we exist to serve you, not the other way around.

My favorite: "Mayor Frank Melton said he is aware of the myriad complaints and plans to make changes to the Police Department today. He would not say what those changes will be." How many times have I heard Melton say he had a plan, was going to make a change, etc. and yet has offered no specifics and later we find out little, if anything happened? Remember the video cameras? Maybe if Melton would hire a real police chief and quit trying to micromanage the JPD or worrying about how to keep Michael Taylor out of jail, Jacksonians would not be complaining as much about the JPD.

Here's a goodie: "Clarke, 50, said she had trouble getting JPD to return her calls and ended up doing her own investigating. She contacted her credit card company, which told her where and when the charges were made on her cards.
"I had to call the police chief's office to get the detective to return my call. He called me back immediately and reprimanded me and told me not to go above him," she said.
Clarke said when she told the detective what she had learned, the detective told her he had no interest in interviewing the gas stations' clerks or checking to see if the businesses had caught the thieves on surveillance tape. Her truck was recovered three weeks after it was stolen, but so far, no one has been charged with the crime, she said.
"I just decided not to deal with them anymore. I just left it at that because it was just obvious they weren't going to do anything," Clarke said. "It was just like they were victimizing me again."
JPD does not return phone calls to someone who has been robbed and seen her life turned upside down. She calls the police chief's office and gets chewed out by the detective. Hey Jackass, if you pulled that crap in the private sector you would be FIRED!!! You wouldn't have some union and the EEOC protecting your sorry ass. You would be told by your boss, which Shirlene should've done (but everyone else ignores her, why shouldn't you), to call the customer back, apologize, and be very nice and resolve the problem. I'll give you a clue, keep your police job because you will not make it in the private sector.

Finally, there is this gem:
Harvey and Sid Collins, brothers who own a playground-building contracting business, say they won't do business in Jackson anymore after thieves stole $6,000 in tools from a construction site at Medgar Evers Boulevard and Forest Avenue Extension in August.......
Collins said the property crimes detective refused to review the security tapes of a nearby convenience store because the severity of the crime was not worth possibly getting a court order. But the Collins brothers said the loss of the tools put them out of work for weeks while they raised the money to replace them.
Collins said he called and left messages with a number of people, including the mayor's action line.
"We were promised we would get calls back," he said. "No one called us back. We've already told (our clients) in Jackson, 'Don't call us to Jackson.'
Does this passage or the story need any additional commentary?

If you have similar stories, feel free to email them to this blog at kingfish1935@gmail.com. Too often crime victims are ignored by the authorities and media.

Related note: Chris Joyner published on his blog the crime stats for Mississippi cities:
http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs/firstamend/UCR4blog.xls

Click Here to Read More..

Click Here to Read More..

Have you met Jason? No? Rest assured, half the people in Belhaven have. Jason is a young, Black punk ( around 24, 5' 10", thin, goofy looking "fro", around 160 lbs ) that is becoming well known in the Belhaven area, specifically around the Fortification and North State Street area. Every business owner is familiar with Jason as he constantly panhandles customers. His favorite trick is to wait until someone is trapped in a drive-through line (especially McDonalds because that rail keeps one from pulling out or getting out of the car) and then he accosts the patrons for money. Every employee that works in the area for any length of time knows who Jason is when you ask about him.

One Sunday afternoon I saw a middle-aged woman pushing a stroller, accompanied by two small kids, back to Baptist Hospital. Sure enough, there was Jason accosting her for money. She was in no position to defend herself nor could she escape. It was obvious from her body language she was fearful. I stopped my car, got out, and made him leave. Sadly, this is normal behavior for him. Monday night I was in the drive-through at McDonalds and saw him once again pulling his crap. He crept up on the minivan in front of me (from the front), along with other vehicles, and sandwiched himself between the window (she was about to pay) and the building, trying to get money out of her. McDonald's did nothing and the employee just shook his head when I mentioned Jason.

He is banned from several area businesses. Kat's Wine Cellar has filed charges against him. The JPD will not pick him up. Yesterday morning, one of the employees at an area business told me he was passed out in the drive-through of the McDonalds, the JPD came, and would not take him in. It was rather infuriating as he is the subject of an arrest warrant yet JPD has done nothing.

What is even more outrageous is that Jason is suspected by many in the area for other activities. Jason served 5 years in Parchman for................BURGLARY!!! Since Jason has started panhandling and other forms of harassment against Belhaven residents, burglaries have increased in the area where I live. My neighbors live on Fortification Street. One night while at work, someone broke in to their house from the Fortification Street side (the front) by shattering a window, then took a dvd player along with video games and dvd's. He was really stupid because he ignored a laptop and other higher value items. He just wanted the toys. A few weeks before that, the neighbors across the street were the victims of an attempted break-in from the Fortification Street side of their house as well. A few nights later, someone tried to break into the house next door.

Needless to say, these incidents have changed things. My neighbors have now had to spend money on alarm systems. They live in fear somewhat. The people living in the house across the street were not home the night of the burglary attempt, as they were both working. However, "Sue's" mother was their watching their baby. Needless to say, she was terrified. They have since moved to Byram.

Jason is strongly suspected as being the burglar in these incidents since he served time for burglary and and these incidents began about the same time that he appeared in the area. They are in the same area he is known to frequent on a daily basis. It is stupid that someone would try to rob houses on such a busy street but Jason IS pretty stupid.

What is very outrageous is that JPD will DO NOTHING!!! He might have committed these burglaries, he might not have. However, there is no way to know if JPD will NOT PICK HIM UP, much less interrogate him. There are warrants for this punks arrest. Warrants ignored by JPD. The businesses that have tried to prosecute him are fed up as JPD has not assisted them and just chases him off when he is found. What does it take for them to do their jobs?

Meanwhile, there is a story in today's Clarion-Ledger about how crime victims are frustrated with JPD, http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS/710030373. One victim, Alicia Ashburn said, "Ashburn had a hard time ever getting answers, despite repeated calls to everyone from the precinct headquarters to the the mayor's office.
"It was like they were just bothered by me," she said."

I can assure you that is the attitude and reality, not perception, experienced by many people in Belhaven, as well as Jackson. JPD, get your heads out of your asses and start protecting us from these hoodlums.

note: Here is a previous post on this subject: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/07/our-resident-tourist-editor-of-jackson.html

Click Here to Read More..

Higher than the highest mountain, higher than the highest airplane, lies the realm of the aurora. Aurora rarely reach below 60 kilometers, and can range up to 1000 kilometers. Aurora light results from solar shockwave causing energetic electrons and protons to striking molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. Frequently, when viewed from space, a complete aurora will appear as a circle around one of the Earth's magnetic poles. The above digitally enhanced photograph was taken in 2005 January shows a spectacular aurora borealis above the frozen landscape of Bear Lake, Alaska, USA. The above image was voted Wikipedia Commons Picture of the Year for 2006.
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070409.html

Click Here to Read More..

Many of the readers are in sales or employ salesmen. Everyone would agree sales training is always needed but is something that tends to fall by the wayside in the daily routine. Here are some online sales training websites as well as some in business etiquette (yes, I can hear it now, Kingfish, YOU need to take every one of those you can. ;-) Probably right. ) Enjoy.

Tom Hopkins Sales Training Website. One of the leading and best known sales trainers nationwide. Many of his materials can be found for a lower price on Ebay.
http://www.tomhopkins.com/

Jeffery Gitomer Website. Leading sales consultant. Publishes a weekly online newsletter and is a nationally syndicated columnist. Always makes good points and his site has kernels of useful information and tips. http://www.gitomer.com/. He also has a sales training site, http://www.trainone.com/

The Etiquette Police. The website states "Etiquette 101 is a free online Etiquette Training Course to upgrade your social skills. This training program is designed to improve your etiquette IQ so you can put your best foot forward in varied business and social situations. In today's fast-paced environment, there is a need for an awareness of what is socially acceptable. When people come in contact with highly educated and cultivated men and women our opinions about them are mostly formed by their refined manners. This course is aimed to teach finer etiquette points through concise notes and quizzes. You will then be able to measure this added knowledge by taking an online Final Exam." It offers a quick online quiz for fun: http://www.etiquettepolice.com/onlinequiz.asp
Website: http://www.etiquettepolice.com/

Businesstrainingworks.com. Very thorough business etiquette training website.
http://www.businesstrainingworks.com/Directories/etiquette.html

Click Here to Read More..

Click Here to Read More..

When George Bell, III returned to Jackson, MS, there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest. How is someone who is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant able to get through Homeland Security and board a flight, even if the offense is a misdemeanor? Is this a flaw in our system?

Keep in mind the Son of Sam killer was discovered through the checking of parking tickets in the vicinity of the murders. Should there be an instant check for outstanding warrants when the no-fly list is accessed?

Coverage of Heather Spencer tragedy: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-do-you-say.html

Click Here to Read More..

They have great comment threads containg some thought-provoking and heart-wrenching stories.

Domestic Violence and Divorce in Mississippi:
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/domestic-violence-and-divorce-in.html

The JPD and Heather Spencer:
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/09/jpd-and-heather-spencer.html

Click Here to Read More..

I wrote this story a few years ago for Planet Weekly. Since it is now deceased, I don't think anyone will mind if I post it. There have been some minor changes. Clearchannel sold SFX Entertainment and just approved a takeover offer. The ratings are dated but you get the idea upon reading them. This story was written in 2000 and the practices used by Clearchannel are followed throughout the industry today.

Hugh Henderson, a local attorney who travels frequently, no longer listens to music on the radio. Mr. Henderson, who likes classic rock, instead listens to his extensive CD collection or talk radio.
"Z106 and similar stations are playing the same music no matter where I travel. I hear the same songs that Madison Avenue uses to sell me hamburgers, cars, and tacos," he says. In a stinging rebuke of the radio industry, he says, "Rock used to be dangerous, now even rebellion is packaged."
Mr. Henderson is not alone in his criticism of the radio industry, which has grown since Congress substantially de-regulated ownership of radio stations in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Prior to its passage, ownership of radio stations was limited to one station each on the FM and AM bands in each market. The new law eased these restrictions so that up to six (and even more depending on market share and FCC approval) stations in the Jackson area could have one owner with a limit of four on each band. The result has been much consolidation of ownership among local radio stations. The companies listed below now own 14 of 23 local commercial radio stations.

Clear Channel Communications: WMSI, WSTZ, WDBT, WJDX, WZRX,WQJQ
Inner City Communications: WJMI, WKXI(AM&FM), WOAD, WYJS
New South Communications:WYOY, WUSJ, WJKK

In the Jackson area, these companies have a total market share of 67% based upon Arbitron ratings. However, market share is even more lopsided in their favor when one examines the more popular and music- oriented FM radio stations. Of 16 local FM radio stations, 10 are owned by these three companies for a whopping 83% combined market share.
A good example of such consolidation is the path followed by Clear Channel Communications, which did not return phone calls seeking comment for this article. Clear Channel is the Goliath of the radio industry, owning almost 1200 radio stations nationwide (approximately 10% of U.S. radio stations) while earning 20% of industry revenue.
Clear Channel states that its mission is to "broadcast the best programming to the broadest possible audience providing the best value to its advertisers." (Clear Channel Web-site). It owns Premiere Radio Networks; the largest producer of syndicated radio programming with a stable of talent that includes Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and Jim Rome. Clear Channel also owns SFX Entertainment, the largest concert promoter (The upcoming 'N Sync concert in Jackson is one such promotion.), and owns 120 live entertainment venues nationwide. So confident is Clear Channel of its success that on its web-site it brags "If we have anything to say about it, newspapers will soon be useful only for training puppies."
However, Clear Channels behavior as the industry leader has sparked much controversy. In Orlando and Tampa, Clear Channel moved talk radio programs it produces such as The Rush Limbaugh Show from non-Clear Channel affiliate stations to those it owned. Local industry insiders say that such actions will become the norm, leaving non-Clear Channel affiliate stations to scramble for a decreasing amount of popular programming not produced by Clear Channel. Others fear that stations not owned by Clear Channel will become de facto Clear Channel affiliates because Clear Channel will own a majority of the programming available to them while competing with them.
One critic of this trend is Benji Kurtz, Operations Manager for WYOY (which is owned by New South Communications in Meridian) in Jackson. He said "The biggest beneficiary of the major consolidation is the shareholder. The victim (of this trend) is the listener because the quality of the programming plummets. Attention to the local listener flies out the window."
One development of these mergers has been the standardization of playlists. With companies such as Clear Channel and Infinity owning hundreds of radio stations nationwide, some functions such as programming have become more centralized. Consequently, local control of programming is being replaced in favor of a Brand Manager that is responsible for several stations or regions that have the same format such as Country or Classic Rock resulting in playlists that vary little from market to market.
The days of the DJ selecting his own playlist have gone the way of fifty-cent movies and cars with tail fins. At many of these stations, every minute that is broadcast is accounted for and scripted with little room for deviation leaving the DJ with little time for listener requests and Public Service Announcements. In many stations, CD's have been replaced by computerized databases, sharply limiting the music available to the DJ. Some stations even go so far as to hire firms that monitor broadcasts so as to ensure that the DJ follows the playlist. Even the DJ has become a casualty in this era of de-regulation. Radio stations such as Miss103, Beat95, and Z106 (all Clear Channel stations) are increasingly using DJ's that broadcast from other states (not to be confused with syndicated DJ's). Syndicated radio shows such as "Open House Party" and "The John Boy and Billy Show" are replacing local programming as well. One station manager speculated that local DJ's will eventually disappear, leaving a single DJ for one format broadcasting to several markets. Such programming leads listeners such as Brenda Bullard, a local insurance agent, to complain that on a recent drive to Texas, "There was a 'Beat' station (referring to Beat95) no matter where I was, playing the same songs."
Some also fear that individual stations may suffer as well. "Companies may focus on overall market share instead of individual stations. Consequently, the quality of that individual station may suffer." said Stan Carter, Operations Manager of WJNT.
De-regulation of radio has been deemed a failure by Dr. Robert McChesney (Robert McChesney.com), a Media Professor at the University of Illinois and author of the critically acclaimed book, Rich Media, Poor Democracy: Communication Politics in Dubious Times. He said substantial changes were made in telecommunications law in 1996 with little coverage by the media, leaving the public ill-informed on de-regulation. He said de-regulation has been great for Clear Channel, Infinity, and other major media corporations. "It gives them greater leverage with advertisers and record companies while enjoying lower costs. The advertisers like it (consolidation) because one customer offers them a variety of markets and formats. However, there has been no benefit to the consumer."
Paul Gallo, General Manager of WFMN, agreed that the airwaves are public property and agreed that they have been poorly managed. "Consolidation is one of the worst things to happen to radio if your goal is to serve the local area," said Mr. Gallo. He said that radio station are no longer required to serve the public by broadcasting PSA's. Prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a radio station was required to broadcast a minimum number of PSA's in order to retain its license.
Some change may be occurring in the near future. While some people think Internet radio will change the radio industry, Dr. McChesney said there is no evidence it will work. However, some experts predict the future to be dominated by satellite radio. Satellite radio provides over a hundred channels through a quarter-sized receiver for a small monthly fee. Each channel plays only one format such as Irish or Alternative. It is projected that satellite radio will see widespread use within a few years.
While de-regulation has substantially changed the landscape of radio, it is not clear what the future of radio will be. Some expect a backlash against consolidation will occur. Mr. Gallo said "We have to return to serving the needs of the local communities, which is not being done by music radio stations." Others predict that new technology will mitigate some of the changed caused by de-regulation. Regardless of what the future holds for radio, it is quite clear that the radio we grew up listening to is in the past along with our memories.

Click Here to Read More..