[Greggs] I Am MississippiI love this place. This state, I mean. I love the fact my neighbors showed up the day after Katrina with chainsaws in hand because they noticed a tree blocking my car in the driveway. I love my mamaw, and …
[Stiggers] Scary NationI'm Boneqweesha Jones on the scene at Jo-Jo's Discount Dollar Store during his Scary Nation: Trick or Treat Halloween Costume Sale. He has an interesting selection of spooky/non-traditional costumes at discount prices.
Born To Be A ThugA couple weeks back, culture czar Bill Bennett said crime would go down if all black babies were aborted. A couple months back, a business publication editor in Brandon said that the inner city is breeding young criminals. A couple …
Wanted: A Strong , Safe JacksonThe decision by Mayor Frank Melton and Chief Shirlene Anderson to eliminate the eight-member Crime Prevention Unit of the Jackson Police Department (along with approximately 10 other JPD positions) upset many Jacksonians. The crime prevention specialists in Precinct 4 were …
[Stiggers] Hands Off My Grandbabies"While locating my favorite weekly broadcast of The Rev. Cletus Car Sales program on the radio, I accidentally tuned in a talk radio show. A discussion about Social Security caught my attention —since I'm a senior citizen with grandbabies and …
Bennett And His Black Boys"If you wanted to reduce crime, you could—if that were your sole purpose—you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down." No, that quote did not loom anonymously on some racist Web site, …
[Kamikaze] God Is SmilingIt's a testament to the human spirit to see how Mississippians have responded in this time of crisis. Hurricane Katrina may have devastated property, homes and businesses, but it didn't crush hope. Out of the rubble that is now the …
[Greggs] Like Bourbon For ChocolateLast week, after spying the ever-growing acreage of my cat's butt, I begrudgingly headed to the store to buy her diet food for the first time. I felt badly about it. Mainly because I would think one of the perks …
[Hutchinson] The Real Reasons New Orleans Is So PoorA year ago Total Community Action, an anti-poverty activist group in New Orleans, issued a devastating whitepaper that warned that poverty in the city had reached epidemic proportions. This was not another anti-establishment grouse by a fringe group of activists. …
This Is My FaultSince Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and thrust her spotlight on the abhorrent conditions of the poorest Americans, I have been pondering poverty. First, I got angry.
[Morris] The Mule PackerBeing married to Willie Morris was never dull. I never knew who might turn up at our house. One day he announced, "An old friend from California is coming to Jackson for the wedding of someone who goes on his …
[Fleming] Learn From Our MistakesIn sports, it is all about follow-through. Whether it is a pitching motion in baseball or a swing motion in golf, if you don't follow through, you lose power. The same can apply to government.
[Stiggers] Help Is On The Way!It's time for "Rescue 911 is a Joke" with Flava-Flav: "Yeah boyeeeee! Check out this phone call between Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans and Sis Ernestine, the Emergency Operator."
[Kamikaze] The Beat Goes OnI have been busy planning the Music To Heal Mississippi Benefit (which was a huge success, thanks) and recording a new album. But I'm back this week and talking directly to music lovers of all ages and colors who always …
Haley Barbour's Katrina Special-Session Speech[verbatim transcription]September 27, 2005—Thank you. Governor Tuck, Speaker McCoy, ladies and gentlemen of the Legislature*. Fellow Mississippians.
[Lott] The Good, the Bad and the BeautifulMississippians should be proud of the way we've met Hurricane Katrina's challenges. Since Katrina, we've seen just about everything this world can offer – a lot of good things, some downright bad sights and some very beautiful people.
[Fleming] On Earth, As In HeavenHurricane Katrina was truly an act of God. God in His own way reveals things to us and forces us to act upon them no matter how reluctant we are. A reporter from the Chicago Tribune nailed it on the …
[Stiggers] To Whom It May ConcernDear F.E.M.A.: This is Brotha Hustle applying for a job with your organization. I figure if Mr. Brown can get a job with ya, so can I. Please check out my resume!
[Greggs] Finding My MannersEmotions are interesting things. Because I am a therapist and ultimately a huge nerd, I spend at least three hours a day explicating mine. Due to this, if you cut in front of me in line, I will tell you …
Letters No. 1, September 22-28In George Bush's televised prime-time speech to the nation revealing his plan to move forward after Katrina, he dropped this little bomb: "It is now clear that a challenge on this scale requires greater federal authority and a broader role …
[Lott] Worst of Times; Best of TimesThree weeks after America's worst storm directly hit Mississippi, the Katrina recovery effort has miles to go, but we are making progress. As we recover, we must continue addressing immediate needs while formulating mid and long-term strategies to deal, not …
[Chick] Your Racism Is Not WantedI don't know about y'all, but the Monkey and I were needing some Jesus real bad this last week, so we got ourselves to church even though I was very uncertain about the message we might receive. Chalk it up …
Focus On The ‘Mayor Stuff'It wasn't until Friday, five days after Katrina had blown through Jackson, that a visibly uncomfortable Mayor Melton fielded questions about city response from what was a visibly frustrated, angry even, Jackson City Council.
[Tisserand] City of The Dead"I can't go back there," says my wife, Tami, talking on the cell phone. We're driving from Carencro into Lafayette to find an insurance office and check out the food stamp line.
[Stiggers] Save Money With Pass-N-GasThe following is an unpaid testimonial for the GST and LMHFD National Bank's Pass-N-Gas discount and roadside assistance card.
[Greggs] The Storm of the CenturyThis is the first time I've written since The Storm of the Century hit the Coast. This has bothered me more than not sleeping in my own bed, as writing is my own form of sustenance. I've been a "displaced …
[Johnson] An Imperfect StormI'm sitting in my modest but comfortable Fondren home on a Saturday night, nursing a summer cold. My power is finally back on; my AC, television and Internet are working, and my car even has some gas! My wife and …
The Hope Sleeps TonightWhat a week of pure, unadulterated emotion. As we put out this issue—the first one with power and resources and staff fully restored—I am spent due to what I've seen, read and experienced in the last week.