The Mississippi Economic Council’s “Hobnob Mississippi” swung from somber to humorous and back again as pundits, politicians and the Magnolia State’s business leaders came together for the annual event.
Friday, October 29, 2010
And why is the overpaid Madison County Lobbyist the one doing the talking?
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| Seale |
The State Auditor's office released their findings on Madison County road contracts involving county engineer Rudy Warnock. This came after some Madison City and County officials raised concerns about misuse of tax payer money.And, what exactly does Seale mean by "we"? Isn't that Johnson's other lap dog Eric Hamer's responsibility? Or, does Seale mean him, Johnson, Hamer and Rudy?
At the center of the State Auditor's report was Warnock and his contracts with Madison County since 2004. The State Auditor found the Board of Supervisors has poor oversight and monitoring of contracts allowing for the potential of double payments.
Attorney Steve Seale responded in a press conference, "They found no duplicative payments. They found no misuse of payments. They found no improper payments. They just said the potential existed."
The report demonstrates the contracts had missing information or confusing terms that seemed to protect the engineer and not the Madison County tax payers.
"We're going to look at everyone of those contracts again and make sure they are in the best interest, written in the best interest, of the county," said Seale. "Again, no harm has occurred to Madison County."
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wounded Madison soldier returns to Mississippi
More than 100 friends and well-wishers burst into cheers and applause today to welcome home wounded Army medic CJ Stewart of Madison.
Stewart, 21, is home on a 10-day pass from Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he’s been receiving care following injuries suffered in a rocket attack in Afghanistan in mid-June.
“It feels pretty good to be home, surreal,” said Stewart with a big smile on his face after arriving at the Jackson-Evers International Airport.
Stewart, who left for Afghanistan in May, said he was running to get his aid bag when an RPG blasted through a wall he was behind. So far, he has undergone 36 surgeries on his right arm and hand.
“The record (for surgeries) at Walter Reed is 88. I’m not trying to break that,” he said.
Stewart said that still having his arm and gaining feeling in his hands is “absolutely a miracle.”
Read More: CL
Stewart, 21, is home on a 10-day pass from Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he’s been receiving care following injuries suffered in a rocket attack in Afghanistan in mid-June.
“It feels pretty good to be home, surreal,” said Stewart with a big smile on his face after arriving at the Jackson-Evers International Airport.
Stewart, who left for Afghanistan in May, said he was running to get his aid bag when an RPG blasted through a wall he was behind. So far, he has undergone 36 surgeries on his right arm and hand.
“The record (for surgeries) at Walter Reed is 88. I’m not trying to break that,” he said.
Stewart said that still having his arm and gaining feeling in his hands is “absolutely a miracle.”
Read More: CL
Obama: More Aggressive Anti-Foreclosure Efforts Would Help People Who Don't Deserve It
Asked if his administration had done enough to stem the foreclosure crisis, Obama opted not to address foreclosure fraud scandal that has forced banks to temporarily halt home repossessions across the country. Instead, he claimed that the government's efforts had stabilized the housing market, and argued that the "biggest challenge" was to make sure speculators and deadbeats didn't take advantage of the government's help.
"The biggest challenge is how do you make sure that you are helping those who really deserve help and if they get some temporary help can get back on their feet, make their payments and move forward and stay in their home versus either people who are speculators, own second homes that they really couldn't afford because they'd gotten a subprime loan, and people who through no fault of their own just can't afford their house anymore because of the change in housing values or their incomes don't support it," Obama said during a roundtable discussion with a handful of progressive bloggers at the White House.
"And we're always trying to find that sweet spot to use as much of the money that we have available to us to help those who can be helped, without wasting that money on folks who don't deserve help," he continued. "And that's a tough balance to strike."
Homeowner advocates, members of Congress, and auditors of the administration's Home Affordable Modification Program have relentlessly criticized the Treasury Department for the program's shortcomings. President Obama said in early 2009 when he announced HAMP that it would help "as many as three to four million homeowners to modify the terms of their mortgages to avoid foreclosure."
While 640,300 homeowners are benefiting from reduced payments under HAMP, 728,686 people have been bounced from the program. Fewer than 500,000 are in active "permanent" five-year modifications. There is no shortage of stories from homeowners who say banks acted in bad faith by stretching out "trial" modifications that are supposed to last for only three months, then denying permanent modifications and leaving homeowners faced with imminent foreclosure -- and no shortage of class action lawsuits, either.
On Monday, a federal bailout watchdog reported that HAMP sometimes actually causes the foreclosures it's designed to prevent, as applicants "end up unnecessarily depleting their dwindling savings in an ultimately futile effort to obtain the sustainable relief promised by the program guidelines." It's an allegation that had already been made by homeowner advocates.
Obama is unfazed by all of that.
"The HAMP program has gotten a lot of criticism, but the fact of the matter is, is that you've got half a million people who have gone through permanent loan modifications that are saving 500 bucks a month," Obama said. "And I get letters every day from people whose homes were saved as a consequence of it."
One of the biggest changes to HAMP since it started last year has been the requirement that as of June, borrowers must prove their eligibility with documents like tax forms and pay stubs. The administration argues that many people were denied permanent modifications because they were put into trial plans before their ability to pay had been verified.
HP
JJ: Pickering Wimps Out
"Contracts are geared to protect engineer's interests instead of Madison County taxpayers."
The report goes on to list that the cozy relationship Mr. Warnock has with his enablers on the Madison County Board of Supervisors has, in fact, resulted in his interest coming before taxpayers. But, one has to wonder why the auditor didn't want to come to that conclusion.
View Report: HERE
Related Posts: MCH: State audit probing county contracts
JJ: Stacy Pickering: What the hell?
State Auditor's office sends a response team to Madison County to look at Warnock and Associates Contracts
Warnock tells WLBT he embraces audit, but will there be a full investigation?
Madison County Journal-Report questions engineering fees
Sentencing postponed for Howard Industries exec
 |
| Gonzalez |
Jose Humberto Gonzalez, the former personnel director of Howard Industries, was the only executive charged in relation to a massive federal raid in August 2008 that ended with the detention of nearly 600 illegal immigrants.
Gonzalez pleaded guilty Dec. 9, 2009, to conspiracy, admitting that he knowingly hired illegal immigrants at Howard Industries’ transformer plant in Laurel. He faces five years in prison. His sentencing was scheduled for Thursday, but U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett postponed it until Jan. 6.
The judge did not offer an explanation for the delay.
Gonzales was to be sentenced Aug. 30, but that, too, was postponed after prosecutors filed sealed motions in the case.
MBJ
Is Black Support for Obama Racist?
With poverty at an all-time high, daunting black unemployment levels and Obamacare threatening black babies, black support for Barack Obama remains surprisingly strong.
Why?
Blacks are not uniformly as radical as Obama. So why do 91 percent of blacks still support him when only 79 percent of his Democrat constituency does?
It’s a black thang.
Again, why?
Some say Obama’s support comes from “black solidarity” — that birds of a feather flock together. That is racist in itself. After all, imagine if white voters similarly lined up in “racial solidarity.” This is compounded by the facts.
Under George W. Bush, black unemployment was actually lower than during the Clinton years and much lower than the 16.3 percent it is today. Under Obama, black unemployment rose from 12.6 percent to 16.3 percent as of August 1, 2010.
Despite promoting black upward mobility, Bush only enjoyed a black approval rating in the low 30s at a similar time in his presidency. Bush also made historic cabinet-level appointments of blacks and dramatically increased funding to fight AIDS in Africa. Much to Kanye West’s chagrin, President Bush did care about black people.
Furthermore, after nearly two years of Obama’s reckless spending, 43.6 million Americans (one in seven) live in poverty — a 51-year high. Blacks, who account for only 13 percent of the population, make up 22.6 percent of those now receiving food stamp benefits.
And, after a promise there would be no federal abortion funding in Obamacare, tax dollars for abortions may be provided through high-risk insurance programs in Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Maryland.
Polling shows blacks are overwhelmingly pro-life. We undoubtedly want jobs and freedom from poverty. So why the blind loyalty to someone who hasn’t delivered?
When a constituency clearly provides loyal support, as blacks are to progressives, it begs to be taken for granted.
So is it any wonder that, after 50 years of conceding support to liberals and letting Uncle Sam be their “baby daddy,” we are mired in an anti-empowerment culture of dependency?
Liberals can argue racism causes black stagnation, but is a 70 percent illegitimacy rate among blacks (90 percent in some inner cities) due to racism or a lack of accountability and personal responsibility? It’s also a painful truth that blacks kill more blacks (by gun, unhealthy lifestyle and abortion) than racists could ever accomplish.
So-called “civil rights leaders,” pseudo-intellectuals and liberal lawmakers must know this, yet they insist on pretending racism is more responsible for sluggish black advancement than behavior they foster.
It’s time for a frank discussion about the folly of black Americans’ monolithic support of liberalism. When 91 percent of any racial group votes one way, it’s either out of racism or blind groupthink. Neither is good for America.
FJ
 |
| BY: Jerome Hudson |
Why?
Blacks are not uniformly as radical as Obama. So why do 91 percent of blacks still support him when only 79 percent of his Democrat constituency does?
It’s a black thang.
Again, why?
Some say Obama’s support comes from “black solidarity” — that birds of a feather flock together. That is racist in itself. After all, imagine if white voters similarly lined up in “racial solidarity.” This is compounded by the facts.
Under George W. Bush, black unemployment was actually lower than during the Clinton years and much lower than the 16.3 percent it is today. Under Obama, black unemployment rose from 12.6 percent to 16.3 percent as of August 1, 2010.
Despite promoting black upward mobility, Bush only enjoyed a black approval rating in the low 30s at a similar time in his presidency. Bush also made historic cabinet-level appointments of blacks and dramatically increased funding to fight AIDS in Africa. Much to Kanye West’s chagrin, President Bush did care about black people.
Furthermore, after nearly two years of Obama’s reckless spending, 43.6 million Americans (one in seven) live in poverty — a 51-year high. Blacks, who account for only 13 percent of the population, make up 22.6 percent of those now receiving food stamp benefits.
And, after a promise there would be no federal abortion funding in Obamacare, tax dollars for abortions may be provided through high-risk insurance programs in Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Maryland.
Polling shows blacks are overwhelmingly pro-life. We undoubtedly want jobs and freedom from poverty. So why the blind loyalty to someone who hasn’t delivered?
When a constituency clearly provides loyal support, as blacks are to progressives, it begs to be taken for granted.
So is it any wonder that, after 50 years of conceding support to liberals and letting Uncle Sam be their “baby daddy,” we are mired in an anti-empowerment culture of dependency?
Liberals can argue racism causes black stagnation, but is a 70 percent illegitimacy rate among blacks (90 percent in some inner cities) due to racism or a lack of accountability and personal responsibility? It’s also a painful truth that blacks kill more blacks (by gun, unhealthy lifestyle and abortion) than racists could ever accomplish.
So-called “civil rights leaders,” pseudo-intellectuals and liberal lawmakers must know this, yet they insist on pretending racism is more responsible for sluggish black advancement than behavior they foster.
It’s time for a frank discussion about the folly of black Americans’ monolithic support of liberalism. When 91 percent of any racial group votes one way, it’s either out of racism or blind groupthink. Neither is good for America.
FJ
Distrtict 3 Congressional Candidates make final push before Election Day (Video)
Volunteer Jim Nash is trying to figure out which people will be responsible for placing campaign signs around the area. He’s surrounded by boxes full of merchandise including bumper stickers, shirts, and posters.
Volunteer Thelma Kumar was placing Gill’s support signs all along Old Fannin Road in Flowood on Wednesday.
Volunteer Thelma Kumar was placing Gill’s support signs all along Old Fannin Road in Flowood on Wednesday.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Howland's decision to run for Madison Alderman changes dynamics of District 2 Supervisor race
But, there is more at play and Madison County residents should remain diligent.
Madison's John Howland has decided not to run for District 2 Supervisor and instead will seek to replace Lisa Clingman-Smith as Alderman at Large in Madison. Howland's decision opens up the possibility of a one-on-one showdown between current District 2 incumbent and Board President Tim Johnson and local businessman Billy Redd. Redd has indicated his intentions to run for the seat for several months. Johnson has sent mixed signals as to his exact intentions. He has said he will not run for re-election, but in recent months has indicated that he would.
During Johnson's tenure as President the Madison Board of Supervisors has seen much controversy. Johnson has dealt with the ire of citizens over millage increases, dealt with accusations of mismanagement over the approval of Engineer Rudy Warnock's subcontracting practices, taken heat for not maintaining a transparent road plan that has led to millions of misspent funds, and forcing votes on spending under new business without allowing for debate amongst other supervisors.
He and Board of Supervisor's Attorney Eric Hamer have also had some side issues over their involvement with FAIM, a bingo operation that was shut down by the Secretary of State's office for misuse of funds.
Adding to the controversy is a recently discussed option, apparently supported by Johnson, that Madison County will appoint a commission to deal with re-districting instead of contracting with the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD). As a member of CMPDD, Madison County has enjoyed the organizations expertise in Economic and Community Development, Loan Programs, Technical and Planning Assistance and Human Resources, as well as redistricting for years. CMPDD has over 100 staffers that assist Madison and other Central Mississippi counties every day on issues ranging from Workforce Coordination and Social Work to GIS and Demographics. They have a direct line of communication with Census officials.
The question raised is why Johnson would want to give the work of 100 experienced staffers to 4 or 5 inexperienced political appointees. The only answer can be gerrymandering. The general consensus among Madison County political watchers is that Johnson is attemtping to gerrymander districts to keep his allies in power. In this scenario, whether he wins or loses his position as District 2 Supervisor, Johnson still retains a position of power by holding sway over gerrymandered districts that helps elect those he wants elected. And, with the Board of Supes responsible for hiring a new County Administrator, Johnson's cabal could grab a foothold in Madison County Government that would take decades to recover from.
It is a good thing for Madison County citizens that Mr. Howland has decided to seek the position of Alderman at Large in the City of Madison. That will allow Mr. Redd a shot at taking out Johnson. But, citizens of Madison County would do well to keep their eyes affixed to what is going on in the meantime.
The discussion of whether to allow redistricting to be kept "in house" will center around two arguments: saving money and doing away with split districts. The latter is something the professionals at CMPDD can do much better than any few political appointees. The former is a smokescreen for the real motive to do away with oppostion on the board and pave the way for complete control of of the power levers in Madison County.
Madison's John Howland has decided not to run for District 2 Supervisor and instead will seek to replace Lisa Clingman-Smith as Alderman at Large in Madison. Howland's decision opens up the possibility of a one-on-one showdown between current District 2 incumbent and Board President Tim Johnson and local businessman Billy Redd. Redd has indicated his intentions to run for the seat for several months. Johnson has sent mixed signals as to his exact intentions. He has said he will not run for re-election, but in recent months has indicated that he would.
During Johnson's tenure as President the Madison Board of Supervisors has seen much controversy. Johnson has dealt with the ire of citizens over millage increases, dealt with accusations of mismanagement over the approval of Engineer Rudy Warnock's subcontracting practices, taken heat for not maintaining a transparent road plan that has led to millions of misspent funds, and forcing votes on spending under new business without allowing for debate amongst other supervisors.
He and Board of Supervisor's Attorney Eric Hamer have also had some side issues over their involvement with FAIM, a bingo operation that was shut down by the Secretary of State's office for misuse of funds.
Adding to the controversy is a recently discussed option, apparently supported by Johnson, that Madison County will appoint a commission to deal with re-districting instead of contracting with the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD). As a member of CMPDD, Madison County has enjoyed the organizations expertise in Economic and Community Development, Loan Programs, Technical and Planning Assistance and Human Resources, as well as redistricting for years. CMPDD has over 100 staffers that assist Madison and other Central Mississippi counties every day on issues ranging from Workforce Coordination and Social Work to GIS and Demographics. They have a direct line of communication with Census officials.
The question raised is why Johnson would want to give the work of 100 experienced staffers to 4 or 5 inexperienced political appointees. The only answer can be gerrymandering. The general consensus among Madison County political watchers is that Johnson is attemtping to gerrymander districts to keep his allies in power. In this scenario, whether he wins or loses his position as District 2 Supervisor, Johnson still retains a position of power by holding sway over gerrymandered districts that helps elect those he wants elected. And, with the Board of Supes responsible for hiring a new County Administrator, Johnson's cabal could grab a foothold in Madison County Government that would take decades to recover from.
It is a good thing for Madison County citizens that Mr. Howland has decided to seek the position of Alderman at Large in the City of Madison. That will allow Mr. Redd a shot at taking out Johnson. But, citizens of Madison County would do well to keep their eyes affixed to what is going on in the meantime.
The discussion of whether to allow redistricting to be kept "in house" will center around two arguments: saving money and doing away with split districts. The latter is something the professionals at CMPDD can do much better than any few political appointees. The former is a smokescreen for the real motive to do away with oppostion on the board and pave the way for complete control of of the power levers in Madison County.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
CL: Judge OKs Mississippi anti-abortion initiative for '11 ballots
Hinds County judge has ruled in favor of allowing an anti-abortion initiative on Mississippi’s 2011 ballot.
“(The initiative) has received more than the required amount of signatures to be placed on the ballot and the Constitution recognizes the right of citizens to amend their Constitution,” Judge Malcolm Harrison ruled in an order signed today.
The ballot initiative would allow voters to decide whether Mississippi’s Constitution should be amended to define life as beginning at conception.
Supporters of the “personhood” amendment gathered more than 106,000 signatures to get it on the ballot in 2011.
The lawsuit, filed by two Oxford women, had argued that the initiative process cannot be used to rewrite the state Bill of Rights — which they said the personhood amendment would do.
The case is expected to be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
CL
“(The initiative) has received more than the required amount of signatures to be placed on the ballot and the Constitution recognizes the right of citizens to amend their Constitution,” Judge Malcolm Harrison ruled in an order signed today.
The ballot initiative would allow voters to decide whether Mississippi’s Constitution should be amended to define life as beginning at conception.
Supporters of the “personhood” amendment gathered more than 106,000 signatures to get it on the ballot in 2011.
The lawsuit, filed by two Oxford women, had argued that the initiative process cannot be used to rewrite the state Bill of Rights — which they said the personhood amendment would do.
The case is expected to be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
CL
A Society of Beggars? Obama Battles Reagan
Obama or Reagan.
In the end, that's the choice.
As the country enters the final week of what may be the most important election in a lifetime, these two presidents and their starkly differing visions of America are at the center of what has become a political earthquake.
Barack Obama, of course, would seem to have the advantage. He is the flesh-and-blood sitting president of the moment, with actual, real-time command of the White House and all the accompanying assets that includes. Air Force One responds to his beck and call, along with the helicopters, shiny limousines, the staff and the entire executive branch of the United States government. Not to mention the total control his party has had over the House and Senate. The seal may have fallen off his podium the other week, but no matter. As he accurately pointed out, everyone does indeed know exactly who he is.
A bit late, some would say. Amid all the exuberance about electing a man because of his skin color was a deliberate refusal to understand that this particular man was a hard-core radical leftist. For some, the knowledge of just what then-Senator Obama intended to do if elected president was apparently hard to discern. For others, electing a man who had sat in the pews of Jeremiah Wright's church for twenty years and launched his first campaign from the living room of Weatherman terrorist Bill Ayers was an appallingly dangerous mistake.
What else, they now ask, could America possibly have expected?
The unexpected answer?
An infinitely better understanding of both Ronald Reagan and the conservative principles he championed. An understanding borne of new experience for this latest generation as it struggles to grasp the hard reality of what Reagan himself learned the hard way: if socialism, statism, and government planning had the necessary answers to America's problems, those problems would have been resolved long ago.
And Ronald Reagan, passed into death and history six years earlier, vanished from any active public life by Alzheimer's a full decade before that, would not be on the cusp of a mammoth centennial birthday celebration three months and four days from this election.
Obama and Reagan have become the face of each side's arguments in 2010, the personification of the now furious struggle between statism -- the supremacy of the state, as Mark Levin succinctly describes the goal of the left in Liberty and Tyranny -- and individual freedom and liberty.
The New York Times says that "Washington is on the brink of a substantial shift in the balance of power." Poll after poll after poll indicates the GOP is in some fashion on the edge of a tidal wave sweeping the country.
Which is to say Reagan is poised to beat Obama.
But if this turns out to be true -- if Republicans do in fact re-take the House and fire Nancy Pelosi, if they upend Harry Reid and begin flooding the Senate with conservatives -- why? Why will this have happened? And is that the end of this ferocious battle? Can we all just go home now?
The answers are as predictable as they were easy to reject by all manner of self-proclaimed political savants who really did think America had parted ways with both Reagan and conservatives.
Ronald Reagan saw America as a "shining city upon a hill." It was beyond foolish for Obama and Democrats to dismiss this as some sort of old news -- irrelevant, hokey, out of date. To dismiss Reagan and his vision is to totally misread America, its culture, and exactly how Americans see both their country and themselves. And more to the point, how Americans have seen themselves right from the moment the first Pilgrims stepped off the boat at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620.
Read More: AS
In the end, that's the choice.
As the country enters the final week of what may be the most important election in a lifetime, these two presidents and their starkly differing visions of America are at the center of what has become a political earthquake.
Barack Obama, of course, would seem to have the advantage. He is the flesh-and-blood sitting president of the moment, with actual, real-time command of the White House and all the accompanying assets that includes. Air Force One responds to his beck and call, along with the helicopters, shiny limousines, the staff and the entire executive branch of the United States government. Not to mention the total control his party has had over the House and Senate. The seal may have fallen off his podium the other week, but no matter. As he accurately pointed out, everyone does indeed know exactly who he is.
A bit late, some would say. Amid all the exuberance about electing a man because of his skin color was a deliberate refusal to understand that this particular man was a hard-core radical leftist. For some, the knowledge of just what then-Senator Obama intended to do if elected president was apparently hard to discern. For others, electing a man who had sat in the pews of Jeremiah Wright's church for twenty years and launched his first campaign from the living room of Weatherman terrorist Bill Ayers was an appallingly dangerous mistake.
What else, they now ask, could America possibly have expected?
The unexpected answer?
An infinitely better understanding of both Ronald Reagan and the conservative principles he championed. An understanding borne of new experience for this latest generation as it struggles to grasp the hard reality of what Reagan himself learned the hard way: if socialism, statism, and government planning had the necessary answers to America's problems, those problems would have been resolved long ago.
And Ronald Reagan, passed into death and history six years earlier, vanished from any active public life by Alzheimer's a full decade before that, would not be on the cusp of a mammoth centennial birthday celebration three months and four days from this election.
Obama and Reagan have become the face of each side's arguments in 2010, the personification of the now furious struggle between statism -- the supremacy of the state, as Mark Levin succinctly describes the goal of the left in Liberty and Tyranny -- and individual freedom and liberty.
The New York Times says that "Washington is on the brink of a substantial shift in the balance of power." Poll after poll after poll indicates the GOP is in some fashion on the edge of a tidal wave sweeping the country.
Which is to say Reagan is poised to beat Obama.
But if this turns out to be true -- if Republicans do in fact re-take the House and fire Nancy Pelosi, if they upend Harry Reid and begin flooding the Senate with conservatives -- why? Why will this have happened? And is that the end of this ferocious battle? Can we all just go home now?
The answers are as predictable as they were easy to reject by all manner of self-proclaimed political savants who really did think America had parted ways with both Reagan and conservatives.
Ronald Reagan saw America as a "shining city upon a hill." It was beyond foolish for Obama and Democrats to dismiss this as some sort of old news -- irrelevant, hokey, out of date. To dismiss Reagan and his vision is to totally misread America, its culture, and exactly how Americans see both their country and themselves. And more to the point, how Americans have seen themselves right from the moment the first Pilgrims stepped off the boat at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620.
Read More: AS
Congressman Harper only Mississippi Rep. to get perfect score from Center for Security Policy
Center issues Congressional Scorecard; Peace Through Strength Platform on national security
The Center for Security Policy released its ninth National Security Scorecard evaluating the performance of members of the 111th Congress on matters of great importance to the security interests of the United States. Congressman Gregg Harper was joined by 157 other Members of the House of Representatives and 32 Senators receiving a score of 100% qualifying them as "Champions of National Security".
In an effort to advance the debate on the nation's most vital national security issues, the Center also launched a pre-election campaign for midterm election candidates to embrace the "Peace Through Strength Platform," a ten-point program of national security priorities for America. The Center also premiered its new web ad on the Peace Through Strength Platform:
The Peace Through Strength Platform complements the 74-page National Security Scorecard as a way forward for candidates and elected officials. While the Scorecard looks back at decisive issues facing the last Congress, the Peace Through Strength Platform serves as guiding principles for the next Congress. To this end, the Center contacted candidates from both parties, including incumbents and challengers, to alert them to the score of each Member of Congress.
In assessing the record of the 111th Congress, the Center selected 12 roll call votes in the Senate and 8 roll call votes in the House of Representatives to show legislators' positions in key foreign, defense and intelligence matters of direct relevance to America's safety, sovereignty and freedoms. Roll call votes were selected on the basis of their utility in revealing substantive differences on significant security policy issues.
"The Center for Security Policy believes that the success of the American experiment fundamentally depends upon the quality of our representative government," Center President Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. said. "The public must be apprised of their representatives' legislative records."
The Center for Security Policy released its ninth National Security Scorecard evaluating the performance of members of the 111th Congress on matters of great importance to the security interests of the United States. Congressman Gregg Harper was joined by 157 other Members of the House of Representatives and 32 Senators receiving a score of 100% qualifying them as "Champions of National Security".
In an effort to advance the debate on the nation's most vital national security issues, the Center also launched a pre-election campaign for midterm election candidates to embrace the "Peace Through Strength Platform," a ten-point program of national security priorities for America. The Center also premiered its new web ad on the Peace Through Strength Platform:
The Peace Through Strength Platform complements the 74-page National Security Scorecard as a way forward for candidates and elected officials. While the Scorecard looks back at decisive issues facing the last Congress, the Peace Through Strength Platform serves as guiding principles for the next Congress. To this end, the Center contacted candidates from both parties, including incumbents and challengers, to alert them to the score of each Member of Congress.
In assessing the record of the 111th Congress, the Center selected 12 roll call votes in the Senate and 8 roll call votes in the House of Representatives to show legislators' positions in key foreign, defense and intelligence matters of direct relevance to America's safety, sovereignty and freedoms. Roll call votes were selected on the basis of their utility in revealing substantive differences on significant security policy issues.
"The Center for Security Policy believes that the success of the American experiment fundamentally depends upon the quality of our representative government," Center President Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. said. "The public must be apprised of their representatives' legislative records."
Gun dealers see buyer’s market in Miss.
Panic buying, which followed President Obama’s election and the Democratic Party’s majority in both the House and Senate, created a seller’s market for gun dealers and sporting goods stores in 2009.
The lingering effects of that run, based on an unwarranted fear of losing the right to bear arms, has created a buyer’s market in 2010.
“Totally flip-flopped,” said Van Allen, of Van’s Deer Processing and Sporting Goods in Brandon. “Consumers are now in the best position. There are deals on firearms and hunting accessories the likes of which we’ve never seen or dreamed could happen.
“Manufacturers based their 2010 production on 2009 sales, but they learned that the demand - the buying that followed the 2008 election - didn’t materialize again.”
Excess product - except rifle and pistol cartridges, which remain in short supply nationally - means better deals, like rebates, lower prices and store specials.
“Shotgun shells are no problem, but the cartridges in all calibers are tough to find,” Allen said. “I’m ordering everything I can knowing that I’ll be lucky if I get half of what I order.”
MBJ
The lingering effects of that run, based on an unwarranted fear of losing the right to bear arms, has created a buyer’s market in 2010.
“Totally flip-flopped,” said Van Allen, of Van’s Deer Processing and Sporting Goods in Brandon. “Consumers are now in the best position. There are deals on firearms and hunting accessories the likes of which we’ve never seen or dreamed could happen.
“Manufacturers based their 2010 production on 2009 sales, but they learned that the demand - the buying that followed the 2008 election - didn’t materialize again.”
Excess product - except rifle and pistol cartridges, which remain in short supply nationally - means better deals, like rebates, lower prices and store specials.
“Shotgun shells are no problem, but the cartridges in all calibers are tough to find,” Allen said. “I’m ordering everything I can knowing that I’ll be lucky if I get half of what I order.”
MBJ
Debt Has Increased $5 Trillion Since Speaker Pelosi Vowed, ‘No New Deficit Spending’
When Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gave her inaugural address as speaker of the House in 2007, she vowed there would be “no new deficit spending.” Since that day, the national debt has increased by $5 trillion, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
"After years of historic deficits, this 110th Congress will commit itself to a higher standard: Pay as you go, no new deficit spending,” Pelosi said in her speech from the speaker’s podium. “Our new America will provide unlimited opportunity for future generations, not burden them with mountains of debt."
Pelosi has served as speaker in the 110th and 111th Congresses.
At the close of business on Jan. 4, 2007, Pelosi’s first day as speaker, the national debt was $8,670,596,242,973.04 (8.67 trillion), according to the Bureau of the Public Debt, a division of the U.S. Treasury Department. At the close of business on Oct. 22, it stood at $13,667,983,325,978.31 (13.67 trillion), an increase of 4,997,387,083,005.27 (or approximately $5 trillion).
Pelosi, the 60th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has added more to the national debt than the first 57 House speakers combined.
Read More: CNS
"After years of historic deficits, this 110th Congress will commit itself to a higher standard: Pay as you go, no new deficit spending,” Pelosi said in her speech from the speaker’s podium. “Our new America will provide unlimited opportunity for future generations, not burden them with mountains of debt."
Pelosi has served as speaker in the 110th and 111th Congresses.
At the close of business on Jan. 4, 2007, Pelosi’s first day as speaker, the national debt was $8,670,596,242,973.04 (8.67 trillion), according to the Bureau of the Public Debt, a division of the U.S. Treasury Department. At the close of business on Oct. 22, it stood at $13,667,983,325,978.31 (13.67 trillion), an increase of 4,997,387,083,005.27 (or approximately $5 trillion).
Pelosi, the 60th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has added more to the national debt than the first 57 House speakers combined.
Read More: CNS
Initiative to target health care law
Drive's goal would be to make overhaul unconstitutional in Miss.
Building on three successful petition drives to let voters decide key conservative issues, some Republican lawmakers now want to use the state's ballot initiative process to take on the federal health care overhaul.
The latest initiative would amend the Mississippi Constitution to state "a law or rule shall not compel participation in any health care system or plan, nor impose any penalty for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage or for participating in any particular health care system or plan."
"We want to protect our citizens from un-Constitutional mandates from the federal government," said Rep. Alex Monsour, a Vicksburg Republican who is one of the petition sponsors.
House Public Health Committee Chairman Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, said he thinks those who support the health care initiative are "very misguided."
"I hope it falls flat on its face," he said.
Read More: CL
Building on three successful petition drives to let voters decide key conservative issues, some Republican lawmakers now want to use the state's ballot initiative process to take on the federal health care overhaul.
The latest initiative would amend the Mississippi Constitution to state "a law or rule shall not compel participation in any health care system or plan, nor impose any penalty for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage or for participating in any particular health care system or plan."
"We want to protect our citizens from un-Constitutional mandates from the federal government," said Rep. Alex Monsour, a Vicksburg Republican who is one of the petition sponsors.
House Public Health Committee Chairman Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, said he thinks those who support the health care initiative are "very misguided."
"I hope it falls flat on its face," he said.
Read More: CL
Sunday, October 24, 2010
GAO report: Border Patrol's hands tied by Interior, Agriculture rules
Several White House agencies charged with enforcing environmental laws are preventing thousands of Border Patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border from disrupting illicit trafficking operations, according to a study by the investigative arm of Congress.
The report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that about 15 percent of the 26 Border Patrol stations in the southwestern region say the Interior Department and the Agriculture Department have prevented them from catching illegal aliens coming over the border.
Nearly half of the thousands of miles of the U.S.’s border with Mexico – which saw about 556,000 people cross over it illegally last year – is federally maintained by the Interior Department and the Forest Service, which are charged with upholding the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Wilderness Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
Under federal law, before Border Patrol agents can build roads or establish surveillance posts on this land, they must first receive permission from the land managing agencies. This process can take months while the land management agencies conduct tests to ensure the environmental safety of the land and its species, the GAO report said, resulting in the souring of actionable intelligence with the ranks of the Border Patrol.
“These delays in gaining access have generally lessened agents’ ability to detect undocumented aliens in some areas, according to the patrol agents-in-charge,” the report states.
In Arizona, for example, Border Patrol agents said it took four months to obtain permission from the appropriate agencies to move a mobile surveillance system, leaving a 7-mile range of border unwatched over the course of those 16 weeks. By the time the agents received permission, the illegal traffic had shifted to other areas, the report stated.
In New Mexico, a Border Patrol agent told the GAO that it took agencies 8 months to conduct an historic property assessment in an area where the Border Patrol needed a road to be improved so they could move an underground sensor.
Read More: The Hill
The report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that about 15 percent of the 26 Border Patrol stations in the southwestern region say the Interior Department and the Agriculture Department have prevented them from catching illegal aliens coming over the border.
Nearly half of the thousands of miles of the U.S.’s border with Mexico – which saw about 556,000 people cross over it illegally last year – is federally maintained by the Interior Department and the Forest Service, which are charged with upholding the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Wilderness Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
Under federal law, before Border Patrol agents can build roads or establish surveillance posts on this land, they must first receive permission from the land managing agencies. This process can take months while the land management agencies conduct tests to ensure the environmental safety of the land and its species, the GAO report said, resulting in the souring of actionable intelligence with the ranks of the Border Patrol.
“These delays in gaining access have generally lessened agents’ ability to detect undocumented aliens in some areas, according to the patrol agents-in-charge,” the report states.
In Arizona, for example, Border Patrol agents said it took four months to obtain permission from the appropriate agencies to move a mobile surveillance system, leaving a 7-mile range of border unwatched over the course of those 16 weeks. By the time the agents received permission, the illegal traffic had shifted to other areas, the report stated.
In New Mexico, a Border Patrol agent told the GAO that it took agencies 8 months to conduct an historic property assessment in an area where the Border Patrol needed a road to be improved so they could move an underground sensor.
Read More: The Hill
Friday, October 22, 2010
Noonan: Tea Party to the Rescue How the GOP was saved from Bush and the establishment
By PEGGY NOONAN
Two central facts give shape to the historic 2010 election. The first is not understood by Republicans, and the second not admitted by Democrats.
The first: the tea party is not a "threat" to the Republican Party, the tea party saved the Republican Party. In a broad sense, the tea party rescued it from being the fat, unhappy, querulous creature it had become, a party that didn't remember anymore why it existed, or what its historical purpose was. The tea party, with its energy and earnestness, restored the GOP to itself.
In a practical sense, the tea party saved the Republican Party in this cycle by not going third-party. It could have. The broadly based, locally autonomous movement seems to have made a rolling decision, group by group, to take part in Republican primaries and back Republican hopefuls. (According to the Center for the Study of the American Electorate, four million more Republicans voted in primaries this year than Democrats, the GOP's highest such turnout since 1970. I wonder who those people were?)
Because of this, because they did not go third-party, Nov. 2 is not going to be a disaster for the Republicans, but a triumph.
The tea party did something the Republican establishment was incapable of doing: It got the party out from under George W. Bush. The tea party rejected his administration's spending, overreach and immigration proposals, among other items, and has become only too willing to say so.
And they not only freed the Washington establishment, they woke it up. That establishment, composed largely of 50- to 75-year-olds who came to Washington during the Reagan era in a great rush of idealism, in many cases stayed on, as they say, not to do good but to do well. They populated a conservative infrastructure that barely existed when Reagan was coming up: the think tanks and PR groups, the media outlets and governmental organizations. They did not do what conservatives are supposed to do, which is finish their patriotic work and go home, taking the knowledge and sophistication derived from Washington and applying it to local problems.
The GOP establishment stayed, and one way or another lived off government, breathed in its ways and came to know—learned all too well!—the limits of what is possible and passable. Part of the social and cultural reality behind the tea party-GOP establishment split has been the sheer fact that tea partiers live in non-D.C. America. The establishment came from America, but hasn't lived there in a long time.
I know and respect some of the establishmentarians, but after dinner, on the third glass of wine, when they get misty-eyed about Reagan and the old days, they are not, I think, weeping for him and what he did but for themselves and who they were. Back when they were new and believed in something.
Finally, the tea party stiffened the GOP's spine by forcing it to recognize what it had not actually noticed, that we are a nation in crisis. The tea party famously has no party chiefs and no conventions but it does have a theme—stop the spending, stop the sloth, incompetence and unneeded regulation—and has lent it to the GOP.
We may be witnessing a new political dynamism. The tea party's rise reflects anything but fatalism, and maybe even a new high-spiritedness. After all, they're only two years old and they just saved a political party and woke up an elephant.
The second fact of 2010 is understood by Republicans but not admitted by Democrats. It is that this is a fully nationalized election, and at its center it is about one thing: Barack Obama.
It is not, broadly, about the strengths or weaknesses of various local candidates, about constituent services or seniority, although these elements will be at play in some outcomes, Barney Frank's race likely being one. But it is significant that this year Mr. Frank is in the race of his life, and this week on TV he did not portray the finger-drumming smugness and impatience with your foolishness he usually displays on talk shows. He looked pale and mildly concussed, like someone who just found out that liberals die, too.
This election is about one man, Barack Obama, who fairly or not represents the following: the status quo, Washington, leftism, Nancy Pelosi, Fannie and Freddie, and deficits in trillions, not billions.
Everyone who votes is going to be pretty much voting yay or nay on all of that. And nothing can change that story line now.
Read More: WSJ
Two central facts give shape to the historic 2010 election. The first is not understood by Republicans, and the second not admitted by Democrats.
The first: the tea party is not a "threat" to the Republican Party, the tea party saved the Republican Party. In a broad sense, the tea party rescued it from being the fat, unhappy, querulous creature it had become, a party that didn't remember anymore why it existed, or what its historical purpose was. The tea party, with its energy and earnestness, restored the GOP to itself.
In a practical sense, the tea party saved the Republican Party in this cycle by not going third-party. It could have. The broadly based, locally autonomous movement seems to have made a rolling decision, group by group, to take part in Republican primaries and back Republican hopefuls. (According to the Center for the Study of the American Electorate, four million more Republicans voted in primaries this year than Democrats, the GOP's highest such turnout since 1970. I wonder who those people were?)
Because of this, because they did not go third-party, Nov. 2 is not going to be a disaster for the Republicans, but a triumph.
The tea party did something the Republican establishment was incapable of doing: It got the party out from under George W. Bush. The tea party rejected his administration's spending, overreach and immigration proposals, among other items, and has become only too willing to say so.
And they not only freed the Washington establishment, they woke it up. That establishment, composed largely of 50- to 75-year-olds who came to Washington during the Reagan era in a great rush of idealism, in many cases stayed on, as they say, not to do good but to do well. They populated a conservative infrastructure that barely existed when Reagan was coming up: the think tanks and PR groups, the media outlets and governmental organizations. They did not do what conservatives are supposed to do, which is finish their patriotic work and go home, taking the knowledge and sophistication derived from Washington and applying it to local problems.
The GOP establishment stayed, and one way or another lived off government, breathed in its ways and came to know—learned all too well!—the limits of what is possible and passable. Part of the social and cultural reality behind the tea party-GOP establishment split has been the sheer fact that tea partiers live in non-D.C. America. The establishment came from America, but hasn't lived there in a long time.
I know and respect some of the establishmentarians, but after dinner, on the third glass of wine, when they get misty-eyed about Reagan and the old days, they are not, I think, weeping for him and what he did but for themselves and who they were. Back when they were new and believed in something.
Finally, the tea party stiffened the GOP's spine by forcing it to recognize what it had not actually noticed, that we are a nation in crisis. The tea party famously has no party chiefs and no conventions but it does have a theme—stop the spending, stop the sloth, incompetence and unneeded regulation—and has lent it to the GOP.
We may be witnessing a new political dynamism. The tea party's rise reflects anything but fatalism, and maybe even a new high-spiritedness. After all, they're only two years old and they just saved a political party and woke up an elephant.
The second fact of 2010 is understood by Republicans but not admitted by Democrats. It is that this is a fully nationalized election, and at its center it is about one thing: Barack Obama.
It is not, broadly, about the strengths or weaknesses of various local candidates, about constituent services or seniority, although these elements will be at play in some outcomes, Barney Frank's race likely being one. But it is significant that this year Mr. Frank is in the race of his life, and this week on TV he did not portray the finger-drumming smugness and impatience with your foolishness he usually displays on talk shows. He looked pale and mildly concussed, like someone who just found out that liberals die, too.
This election is about one man, Barack Obama, who fairly or not represents the following: the status quo, Washington, leftism, Nancy Pelosi, Fannie and Freddie, and deficits in trillions, not billions.
Everyone who votes is going to be pretty much voting yay or nay on all of that. And nothing can change that story line now.
Read More: WSJ
Thursday, October 21, 2010
NPR fires Williams over Muslim fears
Late last night, NPR fired senior news analyst Juan Williams. On Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor,” where he also contributes, there was a discussion about something that had happened on “The View” the previous week. Apparently Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar flipped out when guest O’Reilly said that “Muslims” had perpetrated the terrorist attacks on 9/11. They walked off the set in disgust.
So O’Reilly asks his panel about it and well, Williams’ comments didn’t sit well with NPR. The early reports of this news story are likely to be straight news. Here’s Brian Stelter at The New York Times:
Speaking of reality, Williams did not get in trouble for attempting to tie Timothy McVeigh’s irreligious terrorism to Christianity. In fact, NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik tweeted:
Anyway, what do you think we’ll see in next-day stories? I assume most newsrooms have their series of Muslim response stories lined up already.
What else? A newsroom-wide polygraph to ensure that newsrooms are free of anyone who worries about Muslim terrorism on planes? A look at some of the hate speech that NPR approves of? An honest discussion of the role religion plays in Muslim terrorism? A collection of denunciations of Williams? A discussion of whether NPR’s status as a taxpayer-funded entity plays a role in Williams’ firing? A discussion of when it’s inappropriate to reveal fears? Somehow I think we might see a few “history of bias against Muslim”-type stories. All I hope for is a solid fashion-based discussion of “Muslim garb.” Well, that and a good treatment of stigma and its use and overuse in reining in bigotry.
The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg weighed in with a look at recent firings of journalists Helen Thomas and CNN’s Octavia Nasr. He wonders if media outlets aren’t getting too touchy in some cases.
No, not Helen’s. He says it appears that Williams was fired for no particularly good reason. He looks at the reality of travel-related violence committed or attempted by Muslim men in recent years. He points out, however, that the terrorists aren’t known for dressing in “Muslim garb.”
These last two statements seem to be a good avenue for further discussion in a news story. Why don’t you throw out your story suggestions. What are the important religion angles to include in this story? Extra points for how to make those “Muslim response to Williams” stories less predictable.
GR
So O’Reilly asks his panel about it and well, Williams’ comments didn’t sit well with NPR. The early reports of this news story are likely to be straight news. Here’s Brian Stelter at The New York Times:
The move came after Mr. Williams, who is also a Fox News political analyst, appeared on the “The O’Reilly Factor” on Monday. On the show, the host, Bill O’Reilly, asked him to respond to the notion that the United States was facing a “Muslim dilemma.” Mr. O’Reilly said, “The cold truth is that in the world today jihad, aided and abetted by some Muslim nations, is the biggest threat on the planet.”The write-up is great and even includes a bit of analysis, although perhaps Williams’ statement about addressing reality should also have been mentioned:
Mr. Williams said he concurred with Mr. O’Reilly.
He continued: “I mean, look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”
Mr. Williams also made reference to the Pakistani immigrant who pleaded guilty this month to trying to plant a car bomb in Times Square. “He said the war with Muslims, America’s war is just beginning, first drop of blood. I don’t think there’s any way to get away from these facts,” Mr. Williams said.
NPR said in its statement that the remarks “were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.”
I think, look, political correctness can lead to some kind of paralysis where you don’t address reality.Certainly NPR hadn’t been happy with him for a while, reprimanding him, as The Times notes, for mentioning his actual title (senior news analyst, NPR) outside of NPR. This may have been the excuse they needed to get rid of him.
Speaking of reality, Williams did not get in trouble for attempting to tie Timothy McVeigh’s irreligious terrorism to Christianity. In fact, NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik tweeted:
Williams also warned Fox host Bill O’Reilly agst blaming all Muslims for “extremists,” saying Christians shouldn’t be blamed for Tim McVeighIt is true that Christians shouldn’t be blamed for McVeigh. Mostly that’s because McVeigh didn’t consider himself a Christian — self-identifying instead as agnostic. It’s a common error, but an error none-the-less. Apparently Folkenflik and many other media bigwigs, such as Newsweek editor Jon Meacham, are unaware of this basic fact. In fact, NPR’s Michel Martin was the last big media type to tar Christians with the Timothy McVeigh terrorism. Perhaps when NPR does its next round of sensitivity training, the network’s leaders might encourage their journalists to get their facts straight on that one.
Anyway, what do you think we’ll see in next-day stories? I assume most newsrooms have their series of Muslim response stories lined up already.
What else? A newsroom-wide polygraph to ensure that newsrooms are free of anyone who worries about Muslim terrorism on planes? A look at some of the hate speech that NPR approves of? An honest discussion of the role religion plays in Muslim terrorism? A collection of denunciations of Williams? A discussion of whether NPR’s status as a taxpayer-funded entity plays a role in Williams’ firing? A discussion of when it’s inappropriate to reveal fears? Somehow I think we might see a few “history of bias against Muslim”-type stories. All I hope for is a solid fashion-based discussion of “Muslim garb.” Well, that and a good treatment of stigma and its use and overuse in reining in bigotry.
The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg weighed in with a look at recent firings of journalists Helen Thomas and CNN’s Octavia Nasr. He wonders if media outlets aren’t getting too touchy in some cases.
No, not Helen’s. He says it appears that Williams was fired for no particularly good reason. He looks at the reality of travel-related violence committed or attempted by Muslim men in recent years. He points out, however, that the terrorists aren’t known for dressing in “Muslim garb.”
These last two statements seem to be a good avenue for further discussion in a news story. Why don’t you throw out your story suggestions. What are the important religion angles to include in this story? Extra points for how to make those “Muslim response to Williams” stories less predictable.
GR
Lucy’s Revenge Closes in on $10K, Breaks 300 Miles in Alzheimer’s Fundraising Effort
Mississippi Paddler asks East Mississippi health care officials and residents for help.
Flora, MS. October 19, 2010—Keith Plunkett, Mississippi paddler and organizer of Lucy’s Revenge, has paddled over 300 miles in the yearlong effort to raise money for and awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease on Mississippi waterways. Joining a group of eight other kayakers on October 16, Plunkett launched from Bell Fontaine Point in Ocean Springs in route across the Mississippi Sound to Horn Island. Plunkett says he was driven to paddle a few extra miles while out on the island in order to be sure he met the 300-mile mark by the time the group may landfall to end the trip.
“South Coast Paddling Company and Mississippi Gulf Coast residents have been a huge help to the project on the coast and I wanted to be sure and hit this milestone there,” said Plunkett. “The Horn Island trip was a South Coast Paddling sponsored trip, so they did all the planning. I hadn’t mapped it before hand, and I wanted to be sure I got the mileage in.”
With that worry in mind, Plunkett awoke on the west end of Horn Island on Sunday morning and decided to put in a few extra miles before joining back up with the group. Paddling south of the island to Buoy 1 at Dog Keys Pass, he added an extra 6.6 miles, and had some unexpected but welcome company on the way back to the island.
“The first buoy is a little over 3 miles south of the island out into the open Gulf,” said Plunkett. “It was a little nerve wracking to look back and see Horn Island as a little speck behind me. I felt pretty small and vulnerable out there. But on the way back I got an escort from about 8 to 10 bottlenose dolphin, and that helped calm my nerves. They are beautiful animals.”
When Plunkett landed again at Bell Fontaine Point on Sunday afternoon he had logged another 29.5 miles bringing his totals for the project to 305.8.
The Flora resident began kayaking just over a year ago and says he wasn’t around the water much as a child, but is growing more confident in his paddling ability every day.
“In mid-July I thought I had reached the far reaches of my distance for a weekend paddling trip when Sharon and I floated a 45 mile trip on the Wolf River. Less than two months later we kayaked over 86 miles from Shubuta to Leaksville on the Chickasawhay River. About a week ago, I paddled in the Ninth Annual Phatwater Challenge on the Mississippi River. On that trip I managed to paddle nearly the same mileage that had taken me a full three days only three months earlier, and I did it in less than 6 hours. My ability and confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.”
Plunkett kicked off a yearlong effort to paddle over 600 miles of Mississippi waterways in July on the Gulf Coast. A goal he says he now expects to exceed by the projects end date in June 2011. He began focusing on waterways in the East Mississippi Region in September, but due to drought conditions and interest from other parts of the state he’s not done as much in the area as hoped.
“East Mississippi has many of the jewels of our state’s paddling waterways,” he said. “I really need some more help from East Mississippi, and some sponsors to step forward. This disease knows no boundaries. I know there are people and caregivers there that need the support, and I want to be there.”
So far, Plunkett has been on the coastal waterways of Old Fort Bayou, Davis Bayou, Wolf River, Escatawpa River and the Pascagoula River. He has paddled sections of the Pearl River, Strong River and Mississippi River. He and wife Sharon also completed an 86-mile trip on the Chickasawhay River in East Mississippi on Labor Day Weekend. Plunkett has raised $8,600 for the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association since July while paddling through 14 Mississippi counties.
Stories, videos, and photos are posted to the website, http://www.lucysrevenge.com/ . General Donations and Sponsorship Opportunities links on the website connect donors directly to the Alzheimer’s Association website.
The project is named in memory of Plunkett’s Grandmother, Lucy Plunkett, who suffered from Alzheimer’s before succumbing to the disease in 1993. The matriarch of the Plunkett family reared six children, and oversaw the upbringing of 9 grandchildren. She was a housewife and an active member of her church and the rural community of Little Yazoo in Yazoo County.
Flora, MS. October 19, 2010—Keith Plunkett, Mississippi paddler and organizer of Lucy’s Revenge, has paddled over 300 miles in the yearlong effort to raise money for and awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease on Mississippi waterways. Joining a group of eight other kayakers on October 16, Plunkett launched from Bell Fontaine Point in Ocean Springs in route across the Mississippi Sound to Horn Island. Plunkett says he was driven to paddle a few extra miles while out on the island in order to be sure he met the 300-mile mark by the time the group may landfall to end the trip.
“South Coast Paddling Company and Mississippi Gulf Coast residents have been a huge help to the project on the coast and I wanted to be sure and hit this milestone there,” said Plunkett. “The Horn Island trip was a South Coast Paddling sponsored trip, so they did all the planning. I hadn’t mapped it before hand, and I wanted to be sure I got the mileage in.”
With that worry in mind, Plunkett awoke on the west end of Horn Island on Sunday morning and decided to put in a few extra miles before joining back up with the group. Paddling south of the island to Buoy 1 at Dog Keys Pass, he added an extra 6.6 miles, and had some unexpected but welcome company on the way back to the island.
“The first buoy is a little over 3 miles south of the island out into the open Gulf,” said Plunkett. “It was a little nerve wracking to look back and see Horn Island as a little speck behind me. I felt pretty small and vulnerable out there. But on the way back I got an escort from about 8 to 10 bottlenose dolphin, and that helped calm my nerves. They are beautiful animals.”
When Plunkett landed again at Bell Fontaine Point on Sunday afternoon he had logged another 29.5 miles bringing his totals for the project to 305.8.
The Flora resident began kayaking just over a year ago and says he wasn’t around the water much as a child, but is growing more confident in his paddling ability every day.
“In mid-July I thought I had reached the far reaches of my distance for a weekend paddling trip when Sharon and I floated a 45 mile trip on the Wolf River. Less than two months later we kayaked over 86 miles from Shubuta to Leaksville on the Chickasawhay River. About a week ago, I paddled in the Ninth Annual Phatwater Challenge on the Mississippi River. On that trip I managed to paddle nearly the same mileage that had taken me a full three days only three months earlier, and I did it in less than 6 hours. My ability and confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.”
Plunkett kicked off a yearlong effort to paddle over 600 miles of Mississippi waterways in July on the Gulf Coast. A goal he says he now expects to exceed by the projects end date in June 2011. He began focusing on waterways in the East Mississippi Region in September, but due to drought conditions and interest from other parts of the state he’s not done as much in the area as hoped.
“East Mississippi has many of the jewels of our state’s paddling waterways,” he said. “I really need some more help from East Mississippi, and some sponsors to step forward. This disease knows no boundaries. I know there are people and caregivers there that need the support, and I want to be there.”
So far, Plunkett has been on the coastal waterways of Old Fort Bayou, Davis Bayou, Wolf River, Escatawpa River and the Pascagoula River. He has paddled sections of the Pearl River, Strong River and Mississippi River. He and wife Sharon also completed an 86-mile trip on the Chickasawhay River in East Mississippi on Labor Day Weekend. Plunkett has raised $8,600 for the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association since July while paddling through 14 Mississippi counties.
Stories, videos, and photos are posted to the website, http://www.lucysrevenge.com/ . General Donations and Sponsorship Opportunities links on the website connect donors directly to the Alzheimer’s Association website.
The project is named in memory of Plunkett’s Grandmother, Lucy Plunkett, who suffered from Alzheimer’s before succumbing to the disease in 1993. The matriarch of the Plunkett family reared six children, and oversaw the upbringing of 9 grandchildren. She was a housewife and an active member of her church and the rural community of Little Yazoo in Yazoo County.
Alderman-at-large resigns from Madison board
Madison Alderman-at-large Lisa Clingan-Smith has resigned after 17 years in her elected position.
Clingan-Smith submitted her resignation to Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler and the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday. Clingan-Smith is starting work Nov. 1 with the Mississippi Public Service Commission in a federally funded position.
Under the federal Hatch Act, Clingan-Smith said she can not serve in her elected capacity while on the federal payroll as a special staff chief for the PSC.
“Had it not been for her strong convictions and dedication and love for community, always voting for the people, we wouldn’t see the Madison we have today,” Butler said in saluting Clingan-Smith, the longest serving member of the current board.
“I thank her for her courageous 17 years of service,” the mayor said.
Read More: MCH
Clingan-Smith submitted her resignation to Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler and the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday. Clingan-Smith is starting work Nov. 1 with the Mississippi Public Service Commission in a federally funded position.
Under the federal Hatch Act, Clingan-Smith said she can not serve in her elected capacity while on the federal payroll as a special staff chief for the PSC.
“Had it not been for her strong convictions and dedication and love for community, always voting for the people, we wouldn’t see the Madison we have today,” Butler said in saluting Clingan-Smith, the longest serving member of the current board.
“I thank her for her courageous 17 years of service,” the mayor said.
Read More: MCH
What is Madison County trying to buy from Lobbyist Seale?
Madison County Supervisors underhandedness reached another milestone on Monday morning. In a 4-1 vote the Supes decided to give more taxpayer money to lobbyist Steve Seale. Like so many of the county engineering projects approved at the meetings, the issue was not on Monday's board agenda and no details were available on a proposed contract or Seale's performance objectives.
Seale will now receive an additional $2500 per month to lobby at the State level to add to the $75,000 a year he already skims and scams from county taxpayers with Board President Tim Johnson's help. Much like Johnson's engineering buddy Rudy Warnock, Seale doesn't have to provide a plan or proof that what he is doing is getting results for Madison County.
In fact, Seale publicly berated Congressman Gregg Harper's stance on no new earmarks during a Supervisor's meeting just a few months ago. How effective can he be lobbying if he publicly bites that hand? At the least, Seale's public temperament is unprofessional. At the worst, it is costing the Madison County taxpayer; both in the salary he takes home, and in the reputation he gives the county with such ill-advised tirades.
It is important to remember the following words when dealing with federal officials:
Steve Seale, that's who. In a extremely long comment posted on the Madison County Journal website right after he had another temper tantrum lashing out at Supervisor DI Smith during a board meeting in January:
There is also the recent very public argument Seale tried to start with Tom Dawson, co-author of Kings of Tort with blogger Alan Lange, during a Stennis Institute luncheon earlier in the year over whether Dawson was unethically cashing in on the Scruggs case by writing the book. The Stennis Lucheon, for those who are unaware, is a monthly meeting of political figures AND the MEDIA. The fact that Seale would jump so quickly to show how offended he was in front of a statewide media shows a real lack of judgement.
But, so do statements like this:
You would think that with a salary in excess of $45K, our Supervisors could manage to do the lobbying themselves. When you add in the Madison County Foundation, MCEDA, and the Madison County Business League, why the hell are we paying anybody, especially someone as unstable as Seale, to lobby for Madison County?
Here's a few articles that ran on the move to pay Seale more money:
MBJ
CL
CL
Seale will now receive an additional $2500 per month to lobby at the State level to add to the $75,000 a year he already skims and scams from county taxpayers with Board President Tim Johnson's help. Much like Johnson's engineering buddy Rudy Warnock, Seale doesn't have to provide a plan or proof that what he is doing is getting results for Madison County.
In fact, Seale publicly berated Congressman Gregg Harper's stance on no new earmarks during a Supervisor's meeting just a few months ago. How effective can he be lobbying if he publicly bites that hand? At the least, Seale's public temperament is unprofessional. At the worst, it is costing the Madison County taxpayer; both in the salary he takes home, and in the reputation he gives the county with such ill-advised tirades.
It is important to remember the following words when dealing with federal officials:
"Our Congressional delegation is very sensitive to the level of support (or opposition) offered by public officials and the community."That is a very good statement. Who made it?
Steve Seale, that's who. In a extremely long comment posted on the Madison County Journal website right after he had another temper tantrum lashing out at Supervisor DI Smith during a board meeting in January:
A lobbyist for the Board of Supervisors publicly berated District 3 Supervisor D.I. Smith on Monday over Madison County's lobbying strategy.You see, Mr. Seale is unstable both in public AND on the internet.
The lobbyist, C. Stevens Seale, had given the Board of Supervisors a year-end update, touting $4.5 million in federal funds earmarked for three Madison County projects, when he began berating Smith as he tried to comment.
Following a nearly 15 minute report, Smith tried to make a comment about Lake Harbour Drive, but was interrupted and harsly scolded by Seale.
"I know exactly what you're trying to do Supervisor Smith," Seale said. "And I'll say publicly I'm offended by the fact you did that."
Seale said he felt Smith was questioning his role in obtaining the funds when other county agencies like the Madison County Foundation and municipalities like the city of Ridgeland had also worked to lobby for the same projects.
There is also the recent very public argument Seale tried to start with Tom Dawson, co-author of Kings of Tort with blogger Alan Lange, during a Stennis Institute luncheon earlier in the year over whether Dawson was unethically cashing in on the Scruggs case by writing the book. The Stennis Lucheon, for those who are unaware, is a monthly meeting of political figures AND the MEDIA. The fact that Seale would jump so quickly to show how offended he was in front of a statewide media shows a real lack of judgement.
But, so do statements like this:
"I think the Legislature needs to look at Madison County as a whole instead of us being split among four Senate districts," he said. "We're hoping the Legislature can create one Senate district and more House districts so we're not split with 20 percent (of a legislator's district) here and there."The Legislature will be working on redistricting in 2011. But, why would the county want to pay a lobbyist who supports diluting our voters representation in the State Senate? Could it be added job security for someone? Right now, Madison County residents have four Senators. That's four votes, four advocates. Working to trade that strength into a weakness is either boneheaded, or an attempt at something worse.
You would think that with a salary in excess of $45K, our Supervisors could manage to do the lobbying themselves. When you add in the Madison County Foundation, MCEDA, and the Madison County Business League, why the hell are we paying anybody, especially someone as unstable as Seale, to lobby for Madison County?
Here's a few articles that ran on the move to pay Seale more money:
Madison Co. lobbyist paid $75K annually to lobby Washington
Madison County has expanded the duties of its lobbyist to include presenting local issues to the Mississippi Legislature.
The Clarion-Ledger reports that the board of supervisors voted 4-1 Monday for a six-month contract for Jackson lawyer Steve Seale to push for local issues before state officials. He has been paid $75,000 annually to lobby in Washington, D.C.
Seale, a former member of the state Senate, will get $2,500 a month to lobby the Legislature.
Board President Tim Johnson, also a former state senator, says Seale will be Madison County’s “eyes and ears” at the state Capitol on a variety of county-related issues and also legislative redistricting.
MBJ
Madison Co. expands lobbyist's job
October 19, 2010
Madison County has hired its federal lobbyist to advocate for its interests at the Mississippi Legislature.
The board agreed to a six-month contract for Jackson lawyer Steve Seale to push for local issues before state officials. On a 4-1 vote Monday, the board voted to pay Seale a monthly retaining fee of $2,500 for in-state lobbying efforts. He is paid $75,000 annually to lobby in Washington, D.C.
"I know there will be people asking why spend that money, but we think it's money well spent if it protects Madison County when issues come up at the state Legislature," board President Tim Johnson said.
Seale will operate as Madison County's "eyes and ears" at the state Capitol, Johnson said, on a variety of county-related issues but especially with legislative redistricting.
"I think the Legislature needs to look at Madison County as a whole instead of us being split among four Senate districts," he said. "We're hoping the Legislature can create one Senate district and more House districts so we're not split with 20 percent (of a legislator's district) here and there."
Currently, Madison County is divided among four Senate districts and eight House districts. The Legislature is charged with redistricting legislative boundaries next spring.
Seale told the board he can look out for the county's interests in several areas that will be issues in the Legislature -budget, eminent domain and infrastructure.
Board attorney Eric Hamer said the supervisors needed a new contract with Seale because state lobbying efforts are outside the scope of his yearly, federal lobbying contract. "He has helped us on several state issues that he hasn't been compensated for," Hamer said.
Supervisor D.I. Smith said he voted against the six-month contract for Seale because the issue was not on Monday's board agenda and no details were available on a proposed contract or Seale's performance objectives.
CL
Lobbyists: Who represents whom?
October 21, 2010
The Madison County Board of Supervisors has hired one of its lobbyists - it has two - to expand his duties to advocate the county's interests in the Legislature. The county pays lobbyist Steve Seale $75,000 to handle federal lobbying. He will now be paid a monthly retaining fee of $2,500 for the added state duties.
Seale, an attorney and former state senator, is a good lobbyist. This is not to criticize him. He will represent the county well.
However, elected officials should not have to hire lobbyists to lobby other elected officials. Where are Madison legislators? Why do they need "lobbying?"
Many other counties and cities hire lobbyists. It is all the new craze. But it is a waste of money.
Voters might want to ask Madison supervisors why they can't seem to find the state Capitol. A hint: It's that big domed building in Jackson where all the lobbyists hang out.
CL
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Religion in Politics, stupidly
Some atheists, such as Richard Dawkins, believe that religious education is a form of child abuse. It should be considered perfectly appropriate to ask an atheist candidate whether he agrees with this blatantly intolerant position. Various religious groups, meanwhile, encourage their members to believe things that might clash with the requirements of holding high office. Mormons teach that the head of their church is a prophet of God and his mouthpiece on earth. A large portion of evangelical Protestants affirm biblical inerrancy and reject science as a method for determining the truth about the natural world. Many Pentecostals believe that God is directing world history toward an apocalyptic cataclysm in the Middle East.
All of this is supposed to be off-limits to public scrutiny? Why? Because we want our leaders to conceal their most deeply held and potentially dangerous views? Or is it that we fear that our nominally religious politicians will be forced to admit that their garish displays of public religiosity are a pious sham—a put-on designed to appeal to simple-minded voters who care more about cultural signaling than evaluating the details of competing public policy proposals?
Read more: The Economist
All of this is supposed to be off-limits to public scrutiny? Why? Because we want our leaders to conceal their most deeply held and potentially dangerous views? Or is it that we fear that our nominally religious politicians will be forced to admit that their garish displays of public religiosity are a pious sham—a put-on designed to appeal to simple-minded voters who care more about cultural signaling than evaluating the details of competing public policy proposals?
Read more: The Economist
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
CL: Alabama sending man back to Mississippi to face charges in slaying
Mississippi will get the first chance to convict killing spree suspect James Cobb Hutto, according to Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith.
Smith said officials in Alabama, where Hutto has been held since his Sept. 17 arrest near Auburn, have agreed to transfer the 39-year-old former mixed martial arts fighter to Mississippi for prosecution by Nov. 4.
Hutto, a Jasper, Ala., resident, is accused of the Sept. 13 slaying of 81-year-old Ethel Simpson of Clinton. In Alabama, Hutto being held on a murder charge for the death of his great-aunt Virginia Rardon two days later. He also faces an assault charge for allegedly attacking Mark Ambers Cox, 56, of Opelika, on Sept. 17.
CL
Related Posts: Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender
A Sad Ending To The Story
Smith said officials in Alabama, where Hutto has been held since his Sept. 17 arrest near Auburn, have agreed to transfer the 39-year-old former mixed martial arts fighter to Mississippi for prosecution by Nov. 4.
Hutto, a Jasper, Ala., resident, is accused of the Sept. 13 slaying of 81-year-old Ethel Simpson of Clinton. In Alabama, Hutto being held on a murder charge for the death of his great-aunt Virginia Rardon two days later. He also faces an assault charge for allegedly attacking Mark Ambers Cox, 56, of Opelika, on Sept. 17.
CL
Related Posts: Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender
A Sad Ending To The Story
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Harper supports new COLA formula for Seniors, rejects pay raise for himself.
“I am excited about working with Members of Congress to enact this important legislation that will have a positive impact on Mississippi’s seniors,” said Harper, a freshman Republican who represents Mississippi’s Third Congressional District. “This formula would better measure seniors’ expenses, most of which are living on a fixed income and battling this economic downturn.”
The current index that is used by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). For the second year in a row, this index has not increased over the 2008 level, which is the last year seniors received a COLA increase.
The “CPI for Seniors Act” was introduced by Representative John Duncan Jr. of Tennessee and would establish a new Consumer Price Index for Seniors (CPI-S) so that annual Social Security COLAs can be more fairly determined. This legislation would direct the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to finally determine a new CPI-S formula for seniors that more accurately reflects the costs incurred by older Americans, specifically individuals in the United States who are 62 years of age or older.
Many seniors have complained that Members of Congress received a pay raise for 2010 and 2011 while their benefits remained the same. Although the Employment Cost Index (ECI) – the formula used for Congressional pay adjustments – calculated a total three percent increase for 2010 and 2011, Congress denied the additional pay with Harper voting for no increase in his pay in both years.
“With nearly one in 10 Mississippians out of a job and seniors being denied a COLA, it would be completely inappropriate and irrational for me to accept a pay raise,” added Harper. “Congress should not delay consideration of this legislation that will provide more precise payments to our senior citizens.”
H.R. 5305 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions on June 29, 2010.
Deadline for Madison town square extended
The city, along with the Madison Square Redevelopment Authority (MSRA), recently extended the deadline for proposals for the highly anticipated project to January 18.
Alan Hoops, director of Community Development, said the original deadline was in August. “We had at least two interested developers who wanted more time,” he said.
While construction might not begin as soon as city officials had hoped, extending the deadline has had at least one benefit. Since making the decision, other builders have also shown interest in the project.
“We’ve sent out requests for proposals to at least two or three developers. One of them is in south Florida and the other is from Arkansas,” Hoops said. “There is a company that advertises projects like this for developers and we were picked up.” The city didn’t pay for the advertising and Hoops couldn’t think of the name of the company during the interview.
He said the number of developers showing interest in the square is about what city leaders expected.
Contractors can make proposals to lease the property or buy the property from the city. Ideally, Hoops would like to see a developer chosen who already has tenants lined up to move in as soon as buildings go up.
The square will sit on approximately 17 acres bordered by U.S. 51, Madison Avenue, Main Street and Magnolia Street
Read more: NS
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Obama and the Black Farmer: Something for Nothing.
President Barack Obama is requesting $1.15 billion from Congress—to add to a $100-million earmark he pushed through Congress in 2008 when he was a senator—to create a $1.25 billion federal fund to settle discrimination claims by what the Justice Department says is 66,000 African Americans who “farmed or attempted to farm” and were allegedly the victims of discrimination committed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during the period from Jan. 1, 1981 to Dec. 31, 1996.
During that 16-year period, however, the number of African American farm operators in the United States peaked at 33,000 in 1982, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 1992, says the Census Bureau, the number of African American farmers had fallen as low as 19,000. (There were 2.24 million total farmers in the United States in 1982 and 1.93 million in 1992.)
A "farm operator," according to the Census, is "a person who operates a farm, either doing the work or making day-to-day decisions." Farm operators include both individuals who own farms and who rent them.
Read More: Obama Wants $1.25 B to Compensate up to 66,000 African American Farmers for USDA Discrimination in 1981-96; Census Says African American Farmers Peaked at 33,000 in Those Years
2 arrested in child-porn case
A mother and son were arrested on child pornography charges Tuesday.
Keyes Pierce, 28, was charged with four counts of possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $1 million, or $250,000 per count, by Municipal Judge Dale Danks Jr.
Pierce's mother, Lisa Louise Pierce, 52, who lives in Florence, was charged with one count of accessory after the fact of possession of child pornography. Her bond was set at $50,000.
Both were being held at the Madison County Detention Center in Canton.
They were arrested after Madison police and members of the state attorney general's Internet Crimes Against Children unit served a search warrant at 388 Sundial Road in an investigation of alleged possession of child pornography.
CL
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| Keyes Pierce |
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| Lisa Pierce |
Both were being held at the Madison County Detention Center in Canton.
They were arrested after Madison police and members of the state attorney general's Internet Crimes Against Children unit served a search warrant at 388 Sundial Road in an investigation of alleged possession of child pornography.
CL
Canton Flea Market Today
If you have business in Canton today, reschedule.
The Flea Market will be from 8-5. Held on the second Thursday in May and October, it began in 1965 as an art show on the grounds of the Courthouse. It now takes up several streets, and attracts many thousands of visitors.
AP: 700 MS homes in foreclosure in 3rd quarter
Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac said that although foreclosure action picked up overall, there was a slight decline from August to September.
RealtyTrac said that in addition to the repossession of 727 homes, another 705 property owners received a notice of a pending foreclosure sale during the July-through-September period.
One in every 885 homes received some sort of foreclosure-related notice during the third quarter. Mississippi ranked 46th nationally in the rate of foreclosure actions, RealtyTrac said.
Third-quarter foreclosure filings in Mississippi increased 40.1 percent from the second quarter of 2010, but decreased 35.5 percent from the third quarter of 2009.
RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio said he expects to see a dip in lender repossessions in the fourth quarter, not because of an improving economy, but because some major lenders have stopped foreclosures amid questions about documentation.
On Wednesday, officials in 50 states and the District of Columbia launched a joint investigation into allegations that mortgage companies mishandled documents and broke laws in foreclosing on hundreds of thousands of homeowners.
The states’ attorneys general and bank regulators will examine whether mortgage company employees made false statements or prepared documents improperly. Employees of four large lenders have acknowledged in depositions that they signed off on foreclosure documents without reading them.
RealtyTrac said the Mississippi foreclosure rate dropped 10.9 percent from August and 63.3 percent from September 2009. Last month, there were 260 homes repossessed, while 264 were set for auction by lenders.
Those actions affected one in every 2,418 Mississippi homes, ranking the state 45th in the United States.
RealtyTrac reported that 930,437 properties in the United States were hit by a third-quarter foreclosure action, affecting one in every 139 homes. Nationally, 288,345 properties were repossessed.
The highest foreclosure rates in the third quarter were recorded in Nevada, Arizona, Florida, California, Idaho, Utah, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois and Hawaii.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
CL: Ex-Canton official avoids jail time for animal cruelty
Judge fines Alonzo Esco, orders community service
Former Canton animal control officer Alonzo Esco will get no jail time for two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and dumping.
Justice Court Judge Tommy Faulkner ordered Esco on Wednesday afternoon to perform 120 hours of community service with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.
Esco has 30 days to pay a $500 fine for each count and $320 in court costs.
Faulkner suspended the 120 days in jail that Esco could have served.
With two defense attorneys, Esco gave no comments and asked no questions during the sentencing. Faulkner accepted a handwritten statement that he expected from Esco 59 days ago.
“Mr. Esco has had a lot on his plate this year and he’s glad to have this chapter behind him,” said Esco’s attorney, Trey O’Cain.
Esco is suspected of shooting more than 100 animals and dumping the carcases in a Canton creek and possibly other sites.
Read More: CL
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| Alonzo Esco |
Justice Court Judge Tommy Faulkner ordered Esco on Wednesday afternoon to perform 120 hours of community service with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.
Esco has 30 days to pay a $500 fine for each count and $320 in court costs.
Faulkner suspended the 120 days in jail that Esco could have served.
With two defense attorneys, Esco gave no comments and asked no questions during the sentencing. Faulkner accepted a handwritten statement that he expected from Esco 59 days ago.
“Mr. Esco has had a lot on his plate this year and he’s glad to have this chapter behind him,” said Esco’s attorney, Trey O’Cain.
Esco is suspected of shooting more than 100 animals and dumping the carcases in a Canton creek and possibly other sites.
Read More: CL
Mitchell stretches to connect dots and Holland cries, "That's Not Fair!!"
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| Jerry Mitchell |
Mitchell also writes how the the show removal drew criticism and "sparked creation of a Facebook Fan page." I checked the Facebook Fan page. As of the time I write this it has 820 "Likes". That's hardly a massive outcry from a statewide audience. My own personal friend group is over 1,000 and I don't have a radio show, nor have I "sparked" anything.
Dr. Lewis' decision to remove the show was a bad move. I occasionally listen to Fresh Air, and I do find it entertaining. But, Mitchell's story is making a mountain out of a mole hill. It's only when you read on that you find out why.
Barbour! As in Governor Haley Barbour.
On Tuesday, MPB officials acknowledged another programming decision that has raised concerns over fairness. They acknowledged their satellite feed of the Republican Gov. Haley Barbour's State of the State address in January did not to include the Democratic response. They would not comment further. Television stations around the state typically use those speeches to prepare their stories.
On Jan. 15, MPB sent out a news release for satellite coordinates for television stations to be able to pick up the State of the State speech. There is no mention of the Democratic response, which aired live on MPB but was not carried on the satellite feed.
Rep. Steve Holland
"That doesn't sound like that's being fair, but the governor has done a magnificent job of running the executive branch with an iron fist," said state Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville. "All hail, President Barbour."Turns out the Guv's State of the State Speech was underwritten by a sponsor, and the Democrat's apparently couldn't find someone to pay for the response time.
"My guess is that if the Democrat response had been sponsored, MPB would have put that on the satellite feed as well," said Governor Barbour Spokesman Dan Turner.Mitchell's stories are less about what he writes and more about what he conveniently leaves out in order to make his point. How many television stations from around the state watched it on MPB and didn't actually need the satellite feed? The Democrat response did air on the MPB channels, just not on the feed. And, how many stations actually had a crew a the capitol? How many stations know a Democrat they can immediately call for follow up questions? Mitchell makes it sound as if those poor souls at televison stations across the state don't know how to pick up a phone. And, he does all this by playing up a slight connection, and downplaying numerous other points that nullify his argument.
"Virtually every entity receiving any significant state funding has been forced to make changes in the way they have operated in years past," Turner said.
He's merely looking to play up the "evil" Governor Barbour/Republican angle, and will make whatever stretch he can to do it.
MCH: Funding request may get OK in '11
Madison County has denied Canton's request for a 76 percent increase in firefighting funds, but the county's interest could reignite early in 2011.
"I don't have a problem reimbursing them, but I don't have the numbers right now to justify it," county fire coordinator Mack Pigg said.
Calling the handling of calls in the county a financial burden, Canton officials asked the Board of Supervisors last week to increase the financial assistance the city receives from $17,000 to $30,000 annually. The city's year-to-year agreement with the county to assist with calls ended Sept. 30.
The supervisors, at Pigg's recommendation, agreed to extend the contract, now in its third year, but at the current $17,000 level, for now.
"We don't have the money to guarantee" the higher pay, Pigg said.
The county pays Canton, Flora and its five volunteer departments contracted amounts from fire insurance rebate funds and uses the rest of the money for major fire safety expenses throughout the county. Last year, the county received $124,000 in fire insurance rebates. Madison and Ridgeland have mutual aid agreements with the county but receive no money.
"I don't want to cost Canton any money, but I don't want to pull any numbers from the air," Pigg said. "We don't want them to be operating in a deficit."
Pigg said he needs to determine how much insurance rebate money the county will get in 2011 before Canton can get an increase. The rebate, issued through the Mississippi Department of Insurance, is based on population, Pigg said. Once census data is received early next year, the amount of the county's rebate will be known, he said.
"I don't want to commit to Canton, not knowing any figures now," Pigg said. "We want to show justification on how much this is costing the city of Canton."
Canton Mayor Richard Truly told the supervisors the city would appreciate consideration of the higher fees "because of increased medical calls and increased fuel and equipment costs."
Read More: MCH
"I don't have a problem reimbursing them, but I don't have the numbers right now to justify it," county fire coordinator Mack Pigg said.
Calling the handling of calls in the county a financial burden, Canton officials asked the Board of Supervisors last week to increase the financial assistance the city receives from $17,000 to $30,000 annually. The city's year-to-year agreement with the county to assist with calls ended Sept. 30.
The supervisors, at Pigg's recommendation, agreed to extend the contract, now in its third year, but at the current $17,000 level, for now.
"We don't have the money to guarantee" the higher pay, Pigg said.
The county pays Canton, Flora and its five volunteer departments contracted amounts from fire insurance rebate funds and uses the rest of the money for major fire safety expenses throughout the county. Last year, the county received $124,000 in fire insurance rebates. Madison and Ridgeland have mutual aid agreements with the county but receive no money.
"I don't want to cost Canton any money, but I don't want to pull any numbers from the air," Pigg said. "We don't want them to be operating in a deficit."
Pigg said he needs to determine how much insurance rebate money the county will get in 2011 before Canton can get an increase. The rebate, issued through the Mississippi Department of Insurance, is based on population, Pigg said. Once census data is received early next year, the amount of the county's rebate will be known, he said.
"I don't want to commit to Canton, not knowing any figures now," Pigg said. "We want to show justification on how much this is costing the city of Canton."
Canton Mayor Richard Truly told the supervisors the city would appreciate consideration of the higher fees "because of increased medical calls and increased fuel and equipment costs."
Read More: MCH
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Teen charged in wreck that killed MRA teacher out on bond
Ethan Vansice, the 19-year-old indicted on a manslaughter charge in the death of a Madison-Ridgeland Academy teacher, is out on bond after turning himself in Monday at the Hinds County Sheriff's Department.
Bond for Vansice already had been set last week at $100,000.
"He came in shortly before 10 a.m," Lt. Jeffery Scott, spokesman for the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, said.
On Sept. 28, a Hinds County grand jury indicted Vansice in the Aug. 17 death of Leigh Anne Ward, 35, of Jackson.
The indictment states, "Ethan Vansice ... did unlawfully and feloniously, without authority of law, kill and slay Leigh A. Ward, a human being, by culpable negligence in the operation of an automobile."
On Monday, a woman who answered the phone at Vansice's north Jackson home and identified herself as his grandmother said she had "no comment."
Vansice is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Read more: CL
Bond for Vansice already had been set last week at $100,000.
"He came in shortly before 10 a.m," Lt. Jeffery Scott, spokesman for the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, said.
On Sept. 28, a Hinds County grand jury indicted Vansice in the Aug. 17 death of Leigh Anne Ward, 35, of Jackson.
The indictment states, "Ethan Vansice ... did unlawfully and feloniously, without authority of law, kill and slay Leigh A. Ward, a human being, by culpable negligence in the operation of an automobile."
On Monday, a woman who answered the phone at Vansice's north Jackson home and identified herself as his grandmother said she had "no comment."
Vansice is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Read more: CL
No Cost of living Increase in Social Security Payments for 2011
As if voters don't have enough to be angry about this election year, the government is expected to announce this week that more than 58 million Social Security recipients will go through another year without an increase in their monthly benefits.
It would mark only the second year without an increase since automatic adjustments for inflation were adopted in 1975. The first year was this year.
"If you're the ruling party, this is not the sort of thing you want to have happening two weeks before an election," said Andrew Biggs, a former deputy commissioner at the Social Security Administration and now a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
"It's not the congressional Democrats' fault, but that's the way politics works," Mr. Biggs said. "A lot of people will feel hostile about it."
The cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, are automatically set each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress in the 1970s. Based on inflation so far this year, the trustees who oversee Social Security project there will be no COLA for 2011.
The projection will be made official on Friday, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases inflation estimates for September. The timing couldn't be worse for Democrats as they approach an election in which they are in danger of losing their House majority, and possibly their Senate majority as well.
Last Friday, the same bureau delivered another painful blow to Democrats: The United States lost 95,000 jobs in September, and unemployment remained stubbornly stuck at 9.6 percent.
Democrats have been working hard to make Social Security an election-year issue, running political ads and holding press conferences to accuse Republicans of plotting to privatize the national retirement program.
This week's announcement about Social Security benefits raises more immediate concerns for older Americans whose savings and home values still haven't recovered from the financial collapse. Many haven't had a raise since January 2009, and they won't be getting one until at least January 2012.
"While people aren't getting COLAs, they certainly feel like they're falling further and further behind, particularly in this economy," said David Certner, AARP's legislative policy director. "People are very reliant on Social Security as a major portion of their income, and quite frankly, they have counted on the COLA over the years."
Social Security was the primary source of income for 64 percent of retirees who got benefits in 2008, according to the Social Security Administration. A third relied on Social Security for at least 90 percent of their income.
A little more than 58.7 million people receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income. The average Social Security benefit is about $1,072 a month.
Social Security recipients got a one-time bonus payment of $250 in the spring of 2009 as part of the government's massive economic recovery package. President Obama lobbied for another one last fall when it became clear seniors wouldn't get an increase in monthly benefit payments in 2010.
Congress took up the issue, but a proposal by Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, died when 12 Democrats and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut independent, joined Senate Republicans to block it. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, Maine Republican, was the only GOP senator to support the second bonus payment.
Mr. Sanders said he expects older voters to be angry when they learn there will be no increase for the second straight year.
"I do think there's going to be political fallout," Mr. Sanders said. "Many seniors who are spending a lot of money on health care and prescription drugs really are going to find it hard to believe that there has been no inflationary costs to their purchasing needs."
Federal law requires the Social Security Administration to base annual payment increases on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which measures inflation. Officials compare inflation in the third quarter of each year — the months of July, August and September — with the same months in the previous year.
If inflation increases from year to year, Social Security recipients automatically get higher payments, starting in January. If inflation is negative, the payments stay unchanged.
Social Security payments increased by 5.8 percent in 2009, the largest increase in 27 years, after energy prices spiked in 2008.
But energy prices quickly dropped. For example, average gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon in the summer of 2008. But by January 2009, they had fallen below $2. Today, the national average is roughly $2.70 a gallon.
As a result, Social Security recipients got an increase in 2009 that was far larger than actual inflation. However, they won't get another increase until inflation exceeds the level measured in 2008. The Social Security trustees project that will happen next year, resulting in a small increase in benefits for 2012.
Social Security spokesman Mark Lassiter said the agency has no leeway to increase payments if the inflation measurement doesn't call for it.
Rep. Earl Pomeroy, North Dakota Democrat, who is chairman of the Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, has introduced a new bill to provide $250 payments to seniors if there is no increase in Social Security. Maybe, he said, there will be more of an appetite in Congress to pass it after lawmakers hear from voters in November.
"Costs of living are inevitably going up, regardless of what that formula says," Mr. Pomeroy said. "Seniors in particular have items such as uncovered drug costs, medical costs, utility increases, and they're on fixed incomes."
Washington Times
It would mark only the second year without an increase since automatic adjustments for inflation were adopted in 1975. The first year was this year.
"If you're the ruling party, this is not the sort of thing you want to have happening two weeks before an election," said Andrew Biggs, a former deputy commissioner at the Social Security Administration and now a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
"It's not the congressional Democrats' fault, but that's the way politics works," Mr. Biggs said. "A lot of people will feel hostile about it."
The cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, are automatically set each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress in the 1970s. Based on inflation so far this year, the trustees who oversee Social Security project there will be no COLA for 2011.
The projection will be made official on Friday, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases inflation estimates for September. The timing couldn't be worse for Democrats as they approach an election in which they are in danger of losing their House majority, and possibly their Senate majority as well.
Last Friday, the same bureau delivered another painful blow to Democrats: The United States lost 95,000 jobs in September, and unemployment remained stubbornly stuck at 9.6 percent.
Democrats have been working hard to make Social Security an election-year issue, running political ads and holding press conferences to accuse Republicans of plotting to privatize the national retirement program.
This week's announcement about Social Security benefits raises more immediate concerns for older Americans whose savings and home values still haven't recovered from the financial collapse. Many haven't had a raise since January 2009, and they won't be getting one until at least January 2012.
"While people aren't getting COLAs, they certainly feel like they're falling further and further behind, particularly in this economy," said David Certner, AARP's legislative policy director. "People are very reliant on Social Security as a major portion of their income, and quite frankly, they have counted on the COLA over the years."
Social Security was the primary source of income for 64 percent of retirees who got benefits in 2008, according to the Social Security Administration. A third relied on Social Security for at least 90 percent of their income.
A little more than 58.7 million people receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income. The average Social Security benefit is about $1,072 a month.
Social Security recipients got a one-time bonus payment of $250 in the spring of 2009 as part of the government's massive economic recovery package. President Obama lobbied for another one last fall when it became clear seniors wouldn't get an increase in monthly benefit payments in 2010.
Congress took up the issue, but a proposal by Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, died when 12 Democrats and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut independent, joined Senate Republicans to block it. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, Maine Republican, was the only GOP senator to support the second bonus payment.
Mr. Sanders said he expects older voters to be angry when they learn there will be no increase for the second straight year.
"I do think there's going to be political fallout," Mr. Sanders said. "Many seniors who are spending a lot of money on health care and prescription drugs really are going to find it hard to believe that there has been no inflationary costs to their purchasing needs."
Federal law requires the Social Security Administration to base annual payment increases on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which measures inflation. Officials compare inflation in the third quarter of each year — the months of July, August and September — with the same months in the previous year.
If inflation increases from year to year, Social Security recipients automatically get higher payments, starting in January. If inflation is negative, the payments stay unchanged.
Social Security payments increased by 5.8 percent in 2009, the largest increase in 27 years, after energy prices spiked in 2008.
But energy prices quickly dropped. For example, average gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon in the summer of 2008. But by January 2009, they had fallen below $2. Today, the national average is roughly $2.70 a gallon.
As a result, Social Security recipients got an increase in 2009 that was far larger than actual inflation. However, they won't get another increase until inflation exceeds the level measured in 2008. The Social Security trustees project that will happen next year, resulting in a small increase in benefits for 2012.
Social Security spokesman Mark Lassiter said the agency has no leeway to increase payments if the inflation measurement doesn't call for it.
Rep. Earl Pomeroy, North Dakota Democrat, who is chairman of the Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, has introduced a new bill to provide $250 payments to seniors if there is no increase in Social Security. Maybe, he said, there will be more of an appetite in Congress to pass it after lawmakers hear from voters in November.
"Costs of living are inevitably going up, regardless of what that formula says," Mr. Pomeroy said. "Seniors in particular have items such as uncovered drug costs, medical costs, utility increases, and they're on fixed incomes."
Washington Times
Friday, October 8, 2010
Citizens coming together for another attempt at change on West Madison Utility Board
Last month, residents who rely on West Madison Utility to provide water and sewer went as many as 16 days with neither. But, as most residents know, this is nothing new.
Over the years, attempts have been made. Local contractors and residents have tried to get involved to fix the problems. But, the West Madison Board has resisted. When confronted with the fact that they haven't been doing their job at board meetings, they simply go into executive session, and have even called the cops on residents who refused to leave.
As a result of the newest issues, citizens are again coming together to confront the board and find solutions to the decades old problem. But, after the latest meeting, it would seem that the board is still very defensive. A group of 35 plus in attendance on October 4 got to see the secretary of West Madison Utility verbally threaten one resident. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the secretary challenged her to fight.
"She told me that we could go outside and pretty much she was saying we could fight," said the unnamed meeting attendee.
Promises of no disconnections for the month of September were not kept, reconnection fees were charged, and some residents still saw bills in excess of $100 despite receiving no service from September 14 through September 30.
The citizens group has formed a committee and hired a lawyer. They plan to meet with Supervisor Karl Banks on Tuesday and ask for assistance moving forward. However, Banks has never been very helpful with this situation in the past, even going so far as to blame residents. Banks has used the problem to his political advantage over the past 25 years, but done little to help.
Residents are working with Rural Development hoping to have West Madison audited. Currently, rural water associations are only required to submit an annual "self-audit" to the State Auditor's office for review. That lack of oversight into the business practices of rural water associations invites mismanagement and misuse.
Questions have arisen regarding the award of a $400,000 grant many months ago to the utility that has never materialized. Some residents suggest it is sitting in a bank account unused. Others say misused.
Then there is the old story of the West Madison Director years ago who left town following the award of a grant, moving to Arkansas. The grant money supposedly disappeard with her. But, due to her connections with both Supervisor Karl Banks and Congressman Bennie Thompson she nor the money were heard from again.
Whether some of these stories are true or not remains to be seen. But, their is almost always a hint of truth, even in a lie. The fact that it is believable shows how far we have come, and how low West Madison Utility has fallen. If some of the mismanagement rumors turn out to be true there is further to fall yet.
If there is a silver lining, it is that the crisis has brought together the community like never before.
Said one, "Blacks and whites are pulling together and working hard to ensure that we no longer have to live with these injustices."
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. at the Kearney Park Community Center. For more information, or to be added to the agenda call 601.879.9718. The next meeting is November 1.
Related Posts: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Madison Co. residents without water get relief
West Madison Utilities/Kearney Park
Over the years, attempts have been made. Local contractors and residents have tried to get involved to fix the problems. But, the West Madison Board has resisted. When confronted with the fact that they haven't been doing their job at board meetings, they simply go into executive session, and have even called the cops on residents who refused to leave.
As a result of the newest issues, citizens are again coming together to confront the board and find solutions to the decades old problem. But, after the latest meeting, it would seem that the board is still very defensive. A group of 35 plus in attendance on October 4 got to see the secretary of West Madison Utility verbally threaten one resident. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the secretary challenged her to fight.
"She told me that we could go outside and pretty much she was saying we could fight," said the unnamed meeting attendee.
Promises of no disconnections for the month of September were not kept, reconnection fees were charged, and some residents still saw bills in excess of $100 despite receiving no service from September 14 through September 30.
The citizens group has formed a committee and hired a lawyer. They plan to meet with Supervisor Karl Banks on Tuesday and ask for assistance moving forward. However, Banks has never been very helpful with this situation in the past, even going so far as to blame residents. Banks has used the problem to his political advantage over the past 25 years, but done little to help.
Residents are working with Rural Development hoping to have West Madison audited. Currently, rural water associations are only required to submit an annual "self-audit" to the State Auditor's office for review. That lack of oversight into the business practices of rural water associations invites mismanagement and misuse.
Questions have arisen regarding the award of a $400,000 grant many months ago to the utility that has never materialized. Some residents suggest it is sitting in a bank account unused. Others say misused.
Then there is the old story of the West Madison Director years ago who left town following the award of a grant, moving to Arkansas. The grant money supposedly disappeard with her. But, due to her connections with both Supervisor Karl Banks and Congressman Bennie Thompson she nor the money were heard from again.
Whether some of these stories are true or not remains to be seen. But, their is almost always a hint of truth, even in a lie. The fact that it is believable shows how far we have come, and how low West Madison Utility has fallen. If some of the mismanagement rumors turn out to be true there is further to fall yet.
If there is a silver lining, it is that the crisis has brought together the community like never before.
Said one, "Blacks and whites are pulling together and working hard to ensure that we no longer have to live with these injustices."
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. at the Kearney Park Community Center. For more information, or to be added to the agenda call 601.879.9718. The next meeting is November 1.
Related Posts: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Madison Co. residents without water get relief
West Madison Utilities/Kearney Park
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