You're From the South?A few nights ago, at a reading for the book "Other People's Property" (supposedly a book about being white and loving hip-hop), a guy said, "Violent rap doesn't exist anymore. (Pause) Well, except in the South where it's all just …
Neither Do I Condemn YouSome people give things up for Lent, then resume whatever they gave up on Easter. I can appreciate the self-discipline aspect of this, but this year I think what I need to give up--and try not to resume again on …
Teen Hosts Free Expression Expo Saturday in FlorenceOn Feb. 24, Florence High School senior Jason Wilson, 18, will host the Free Expression Exposition at Hemphill Park in Florence. The music and arts festival, which features eight bands for a general admission of only $2, will encourage audience …
Is Danks Unaware or Indifferent to the 1st Amendment?In Dale Danks' letter telling Kim Wade to retract his petition for removal, Danks calls Wade's petition "Frivolous," harassing" and "vexatious". Danks' letter (PDF, 300KB) further (mis)characterizes Wade's petition as "without substantial justification, interposed for harassment," and having "no realistic …
A Special Reunion WeekendThis past summer, I met my older brother for the first time. He was the product of a previous relationship my dad had, and although I knew he existed, I did not know his name or anything.
Weight and InsuranceAlmost every single Tuesday morning since July of last year, I've sat with a group of equally weight-challenged individuals at the Baptist Nutrition Center, talking mostly about how to make the food we're supposed to eat taste better. We also …
Confusion at Walter ReedThe Washington Post ran an amazing two-part series about the lack of follow-up care for soldiers returning from war to Walter Reed Hospital over the weekend. It's written by really a journalistic dream team of Dana Priest (She won the …
Subjective TruthsFrench author André Gide wrote: "Trust those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." I wrote the quote on a white sticky in magenta ink yesterday and attached it to my laptop… "doubt those who find it." …
Is Bill O'Reilly In "Man-Love" With Ludacris…AGAIN!?Bill O'Reilly stabs at Luda, claims "rap destroyed music." In case some of you missed it, Ludacris shouted out Bill O'Reilly and Oprah Winfrey when picking up two of his Grammys this past weekend. Good old Bill apparently didn't appreciate …
JFP Writer in New "Chicken Soup" Book... and it's breaking news over at The Clarion-Ledger. OK, maybe not the JFP part. ;-) Congrats, Tiffany! We're proud of you, girlfriend.
Hiding Love in IraqThis story ran two years ago, but on Valentine's Day, with the war in Iraq and war over sexuality still both in heavy effect, I think it's relevant.
Does this Ledger Headline Fit the Story?A reader just sent me this Clarion-Ledger link and headline. Consider whether y'all think the headline portrays what's in the story: <b>"Man charged in slaying may be released if DA doesn't hurry."</b> Now, here's the beginning of the story:
WLBT Gives Close-ups of Melton's ScarsIn a TV segment that is drawing its 15 minutes of fame, Frank Melton invited WLBT cameras into his home to show his scars up close and personal to dispel "rumors" that he didn't actually have the operation he said …