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Still There in the Morning

The primaries are almost here, and too many young hipsters in the 18-29 age bracket couldn't be further away from knowing what it means for Mississippi, and moreover, themselves. It always shocks me when someone tells me that they will not vote in an election, especially on the state and local levels. What is always more unsettling, however, is the reasoning behind this genius idea. I have compiled a short list of my favorite responses, all of which should evoke guilt and shame.

'Obamacare' Still Might Not Cover Many Working Mississippians

Many working parents are below the federal poverty line but don't qualify for Medicaid, a decades-old state-federal insurance program. That's especially true in states where conservative governors say they'll reject the Medicaid expansion under Obama's health law.

Hood: In the end in Jackson, ‘fresh' wore out ‘stale'

So, "Frank" it is. Not "Mr. Mayor." Not "Mr. Melton." Just "Frank."

Orley Hood at the Ledger writes:

Are The Olympics Doomed?

The Summer Olympics officially begin Friday in China. What could possibly go wrong?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Stop Glamorizing the Cruelty of Racist Ancestors

"The Legislature put up this flag as a stated symbol of white supremacy in 1894 as all those hideous soldier statues were popping up with their sappy remembrances, and it can take this putridly racist flag down in 2020."

Ending Viral Violence: Strong Arms of Jackson Holds Rally Against Gun Crime

"The lesson is to make a better decision with your life because when you involve yourself in gun violence, either you shoot somebody, you kill somebody, you are also making a major decision with your life, the outcomes of your life as well as you could be taking somebody's life," Strong Arms of Jackson Co-Director Terun Moore said.

Billions Proposed for New Border Security. Where Would the Money Go?

Federal spending on border security is at an all-time high and it would get even higher under the Gang of Eight's new plan.

U.S. Citing Security to Censor More Public Records

The U.S. government censored or withheld more files that the public requested last year more often than at any time since President Barack Obama took office.

From Veteran to Councilman

De'Keither Stamps has worn many hats: farmer, Marine, Army patrolman, veteran's advocate and public speaker. This summer, he hopes to add Ward 4 Jackson city councilman to that list.

Over the Fiscal Cliff: Soft or Hard Landing?

Efforts to save the nation from going over a year-end "fiscal cliff" were in disarray as lawmakers fled the Capitol for their Christmas break. "God only knows" how a deal can be reached now, House Speaker John Boehner declared.

Expanding Jackson Music, Together

When musician Cody Cox sought to release Goodman County's last album in 2005, he wanted it to be legitimate. A friend had given him the nickname of Elegant Trainwreck, and Cox used the name as somewhat of a label or brand for the work he was producing.

Take That, Joe Lieberman

After all the talk-show babble of the last couple days about Howard Dean being such a "far-left" candidate, it's a relief to see a New York Times story today that actually explores his hard-to-define independence—which may well be drawing much of his surge of support: "But in Vermont, whose political center of gravity lands left of the nation's, one of the secrets to Dr. Dean's success was keeping the most liberal politicians in check. Over 11 years, he restrained spending growth to turn a large budget deficit into a surplus, cut taxes, forced many on welfare to go to work, abandoned a sweeping approach to health-care reform in favor of more incremental measures, antagonized environmentalists, won the top rating from the National Rifle Association and consistently embraced business interests."

Crossroads' Tax Return Shows Big Donors, but Doesn't Name Them

Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies is in the crosshairs of campaign finance watchdogs, who have criticized social welfare nonprofits for exploiting loopholes in tax and election rules to be able to pour millions from undisclosed donors into campaigns.

Josh Paige

Josh Paige doesn't have to look far for inspiration for his poetry, or his lyrics.

Back to the Battlefield

For years, the Battlefield Park neighborhood, cupped between Gallatin Street, U.S. 80 and Terry Road, has been a high-traffic territory for illicit drug activity and prostitution. Many local residents look upon the frenetic crime with embarrassment. "I've been living here all my life. We own too much property around here, so I couldn't just sell it, but I've watched this place go down," said one resident, who asked that his name be withheld for fear of retribution. "My family's been here for more than 100 years, and it's been getting worse. I've shot at people breaking into my house while I'm in it."

BREAKING: House Speaker on GOP Hit List

The House Republican Conference officially declared war on House Speaker Billy McCoy today. The conference agreed this afternoon that GOP members will vote together as a group to elect a new House speaker to replace McCoy, D-Rienzi, at the next legislative session in 2008. "We're going to have a new speaker next January, and it's not going to be Billy McCoy," said Assistant Republican Leader Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, in a Republican Party press release. "… He cannot be re-elected Speaker without Republican votes, and it is clear he will have none."

Country Changed Me, by Lynette Hanson

Luther Wade Lackey just doesn't look like what he is. I mean, he's a black man who writes, plays and sings country music. And it's not that pop country music, either. It's your daddy's country—all about heaven, love gone wrong, bars, dogs, jails and NASCAR's departed hero, Dale Earnhardt. Lackey, a 35-year-old husband and father of three daughters, works a factory job to pay the bills. His heart, though, belongs to country.

The Big, Bad Booger Bear That Is Blogging

Is Melton Endangering Young People?

A major issue that has emerged in Mayor Frank Melton's determination to carry weapons anywhere he goes is whether or not he is endangering the lives of young people. He is arguing that he is under constant threat from drug dealers and gang members, and says that members of the Wood Street Players are out to kill him. Thus, he says, he needs to carry his guns to protect him and his entourage in the case of a shoot-out.

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