@js1976

"They should have just left the laws alone!"

Be very careful of what you ask for; You just might get it.

What is evident here is the need to change the law. Seemingly, the only place that a gun can be openly carried will be the middle of the street. This will be reminiscent of the Wild Wild West. Since MS has its version or "Stand Your Groung", these death cases could be easily and quickly settled.

@jeff26
"This is the right decision.".....

I am in total agreement. We have had far too many executions in this country that were later proved to be of innocent men and more specificially, black men.

I'm sure that U.S Attorney General, Eric Holder, will welcome Gov. Bryant's fight. The Gov. can not continue to display behaviors that represent issues of the intent to suppress voter participation; yet, he thinks that he can win a case to keep the state in its present preclearance position.

If Gov. Bryant wants to keep MS out of trouble with the Feds, he should do everything in his power to follow the law.

What positive ideas does he have for his Administration?

@ Ronni Mott

"The Center for Disease Control estimates the number of American men, women and children -dead due to gun violence in the past seven months is ner 20,000."

Is Mississippi factored out in these statistics? I would like to know how MS ranks among other States of similar size and population/capital. I am in total agreement that we are facing a terrible dilimma and also one that MUST be addressed. If the rate of gun deaths does not decrease, humans will become as extinct as the dodo bird.

The RNA has an unbelievable hold on too many politicians. It will only change when members of their family or a child is killed in a gun related incident.

@johngomezo4

"The project was then turned over to the Johnson administration, and the design and scope of the project changed to what it is today."

It is so sad that Former Mayor Johnson could not continue his work with the group in seeing this project to completion and eventual fruition. This thought comes in the light of our present Mayor's "luke-warm" interest and his stated concern that he does not have the faith in the project that Johnson had.

I'm sure that the City's match would have totaled the requested match; however, we must all recall and remember the state of the City during that period of post Melton Financial Distruction.

Congratulations and my wish for continued success of the John Gomez Downtown Jackson Partners! $8.5 million represents a lot of hard work and well thoughout efforts.

I don't know how I missed this one. I agree in total that the problem with Republicans is their **"Mean Spirit".** To expand on that thought, it is also their mean spirit that is directed towards President Obama. How can anyone forget their strategy, during and post election of this President: we will make him fail! In spite of all of the negative behavior, President Obama continues to stay focused and he has been able to do many things with the majority of Americans serving as the WIND beneath his wings.

It doesn't matter or Republicans have not thought about the fact that many food businesses will see a sharp reduction in sales and with that comes employee layoffs. I gluess the unspoken message to these businesses is to hold on for three years and we will make you whole again.

@Duan

Thanks for your comments. You are among the few who respond to these types of issues. I think that some blacks do not want to be preceived as taking a stand against a person because they are black: Remember that "Dirty Linen" should not be aired in public. LOL!

On a more serious note, if we are to avoid the financial mess that the cities of Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago and others are either in or headed for, we must stay focused on what really matters. The Co-Dependency of the racial makeup of this city is evident. It is only when this fact is realized by people on both sides of the isle. Businesses depend on PEOPLE to support them: PEOPLE depend on businesses to support them- both directly and indirectly, i.e., producing a sustainable tax base.

Isn't it interesting that it is not the entire state of Michigan, Ohio or Illinois? It is the inner cities as you cited: Detroit and Cleveland. All hands are needed on Jackson's deck and any foolish idea of becoming "ALL" of anything is asinine.

I think that DeLeo, author of this blog, is correct in the assessment of Mayor Lamumba's Veta.

If the black community thought for one second that he was not a believer in Jesus Christ and the Resurrection, he would not have polled 85% of the vote. The reason that Lee's message was not accepted, in my opinion, was because people did not and do not believe it.

There were people at his swearing in who made comments about Mayor Lumumba not saying the Pledge to the US Flag or avoiding it at all cost.

I don't know - Just saying what has been said.

interesting; however, this question of "Why Are White People Afraid of Chockwe Lumumba" ignores the values, thoughts and feelings of the citizenry of Jackson, collectively: Asians, Hispanics, Blacks and other ethnicities; Seemingly, some elements of Lumumba's ideology do not fit within the legal and customary parameters of the office that he is the incumbent of.
Many Whites gambled on Jonathan Lee and LOST! The race was thought to be between Johnson and Lee. Lee was not vetted. Whites tossed large sums of money into his campaign. A Caucasain friend admits that this was an error and that "Cooley" marketed Lee as "the best thing since bubble gum". She also said that Johnson was smart and a "very honest man", but, the white business establishment wanted him out because his principles of "by the rules only" was seen as his telling them "what to do, when to do it".

Lumumba and Melton used different strategies; however, both appealed to the "grass root" voter by presenting an unregulated, unbridaled approach. Lumumba presented empowerment for those who needed avenues to present their grievencies. Both men used non-traditional approaches for uplifting the powerless: The goal was the same. Johnson was defeated.
Johnson presented a methodical approach aimed at the general population to include all races to improve the quality of life and enhance the infrastructure of the city. Revitalization and making life more appealing to the next generation was at the top of his list. Grant writing, a great relationship with Washington, the tremendous regard and respect from other mayors throughout the country were some of his priceless attributes. He worked to establish a lasting revitalization effort rather than a total focus on instantaneous solutions in response to urban problems that required long term planning. This did not endear him to blacks who needed to be able to "reach out and touch" him and whites who expected their views to be given top priority. These are products of coustom and tradition.

When asked, "What was your problem with Johnson or what did you ask him to do - that he could have done but didn't?", the answer was "He doesn't even live in Jackson - He has a house in Madison" or "He didn't fix the streets." Isn't it strange that every since the white couple "stole" asphalt from the city and filled some potholes and left a "ZORRO" message on the streets, potholes have become a moot issue?

One must be able to do very critical thinking and to be a part of the culture to fully understand the political relationships between blacks, whites and others in the "Deep South" and more specifically, Mississippi. Far too many blacks operate from the "Grass Roots" of Chicken Little - The Sky is Falling, while many whites operate from the Three Little Pigs. Both groups are capable, at any given political cycle, of becoming the WOLF. Always remember that the WOLF can be UGLY!

If this State has 1.2 million dollars for a "Finger Scanners" , the money could be better spent for reducing the waiting list for parents who are trying to get their children into a child care program. These funds could also be used to address issues to better the quality of life for this population.

Is anyone aware of any situation that would encourage or merit the use of such a sophisticated system?

Today, I heard on a radio talk show, that Former Gov. Barber and Gov. Bryant are supporters of this intevention for DHS and that they are also supporters of the Zerox Corporation. I hope that there aren't any of these hands in the cookie jar.