After watching last night's debacle, let's bring Ms. Raddatz back and never, ever hear from Candace Crowley again.

The persons currently in elected office ran under then-approved districting plans. The NAACP's request for pre-election relief fell prior to the mandated timeline for redistricting in 2012. The new plans passed both the Mississippi House and Senate and were approved by the current administration's Department of Justice. Sounds like the NAACP is already hedging their bets over the upcoming election.

Ms. Ladd, I assume that your last comment was directed at me, though it may well have been directed at bubbat. Let's just say that my logic (probably not the correct description - let's say my moral stance is situation-dependent). Regarding parents with no record of irresponsible behavior, as long as fraud exists and we are unable to distinguish between those capable and incapable, then I am for subjecting everyone to the same onerous requirements, be it child care agencies or gun purchasing. As the article states, this is a pilot program and, apparently, participation has been mandated by the DHS with funds allocated as such. My guess is that participation is, therefore, voluntary on behalf of the child care agencies. But, the program appears to offer the potential to decrease fraud and it would be in the agencies' best interest to participate.

*Jane Boykin, with Delta Licensed Providers, noted at a public hearing held yesterday at Mississippi Public Broadcasting auditorium in Jackson that many providers are African American and lack bank accounts.
"That is totally discriminatory on its face and in practice," Boykin said of the requirements.*
I'm not sure what being black has anything to do with lacking a back account. Were I to place my child in such a facility, I would be concerned about the potential for fraud and abuse. Similarly with the requirement for a landline for communication purposes. Makes sense.

Ms. Ladd, I'm all for it! Fingerprint me (oops, too late...already in database) and regulate the hell out of gun ownership. And woe betide those for whom are not registered (20 years minimum) and make it as onerous as all hell to legally obtain a firearm. But, for those of us who jumped through the hoops and are responsible...back off.

But if it prevents one, just one, case of kidnapping or child abuse or fraud it will have been entirely worth it.

Nice thing about this, everyone has an opinion. Unfortunately, a lot of people are going to have their minds made up by these debates. The President's performance last night was decidedly un-Presidential, as well. If he wants to capture those, he is going to have to be better prepared.

"But Mitt Romney's biggest faux pas was showing us exactly who he was and what kind of president he would make. And that guy won't get my vote."

Barack Obama's biggest faux pas was showing us exactly who he is and what kind of president he has made. And that guy won't get my vote.

"Kohsin-Kintigh said minors have the right to be out anytime of night, just like adults do."
"...but so they could find alternative solutions to youth being on the street with nothing to do at night."
"...opening activity centers to give all children a fun, safe place to go at night."

It's called home, people. You know, where your bed is and a table/chair so that you can sit your a** down and study and make something of yourself.

We were just one of the last states to join the end of segregation. It happened. The playing field is level if not tilted the other way in some regards. I agree with meredithetc in that the battle for equal education continues, but the opportunities for achievement of education is now equal.

Meh...

I happily admit that my personal rights supersede your wishes for our rights. And, as those rights are constitutionally guaranteed, then all the better. And, if someone dies as a result of the use of my firearm, then they deserved it and I will take my day in court - again, constitutional guarantees. The government has seen fit not to allow us to have fully automatic weapons - no argument here. What, exactly, would you like to see happen? Would you prefer that American citizens give up all of their firearms? As M_Riddell pointed out above, people have been killing people in evolutionarily ingenious ways throughout history. What is more troublesome is the subpopulation of humans with such careless respect for others' personal rights, and I am tired of the pandering to the least common denominator in our society.