Monday, June 4, 2007

Today's Jousts with Writers in Clarion-Ledger's Op-Ed Pages

In reading Sunday's Perspective section in the newspaper, some thoughts came to mind.

This letter to the editor took the prize for most ignorant, even though I agreed with its sentiments about Carter being a bad President.

Jimmy Carter started the rise of global terrorism through his bumbling ineptitude concerning foreign affairs. The only person ever heard to herald him was the great waffler himself, Clinton - Bill, not Hillary.
Lest we forget, Clinton's intelligence apparatus was still in place to lead us into Iraq. This is the same body that knew we were about to take a hit, later to be referred to as 9-11, and did nothing about it. When will we stop turning to failed politicians for leadership?

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/OPINION02/706030315/1009

Um, really? I seem to remember this massacre at the 1972 Olympics carried out by Arab terrorists against Israeli athletes? Or the Red Brigades in Germany and IRA in Northern Ireland that were funded by the Soviets and received training in other countries. Then there was the Raid on Entebbe and numerous other incidents by the PLO and their allies. All of this before President Carter's term.

Then there was the claim about Clinton and Iraq. If he wants to argue that Clinton could've bagged Osama and chose not to do so, that is one thing; there is ample evidence to support that claim. It is true that Clinton had a very relaxed approach to national security and intelligence gathering. However, there is no credible evidence for the claim that his administration "knew" we were about to take a hit. If anything his administration's actions (Jamie Gorelick's memo putting up a wall between intelligence and law enforcement) made sure that no one could connect the dots quickly and really "know" what was coming.

Carter was a horrible president but this letter-writer doesn't even do basic fact-checking.

Then there is this one:
I don't recall Carter getting the U.S. into an uncalled-for war. It was George W. Bush and his henchmen who concocted lies of weapons of mass destruction as a ruse to start a war with Iraq to seek revenge for Saddam Hussein's attempted assassination of his father, George Herbert Walker Bush.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/OPINION02/706030309/1009

First of all, this doofus fails to realize that when what Saddam attempted to do regarding assassinating Bush the Elder IS an act of war. He trots out the "Bush lied about WMD's" theme which is a total lie (See my link to the right to the CIA report in 2000 on Saddam and WMD's.). As for his claim about Carter not getting us into war, well, that was part of Carter's problem. He refused to stand up to the Iranians when they took the hostages (which was carried out by the radicals as they feared correctly at the time that the new government and the US were normalizing relations, there was a reason Bahktiar was run out of the country after leading it.) and handed control of the government over to the Islamic Radicals. Thus paving the way for the creation of Hezbollah (nearly 300 dead marines), the rise of Iranian-backed terrorism, and the attempts by the Mullah's to create a nuclear weapon. Not to mention the national humiliation of the US by the Iranians while Jimmy told people to wear sweaters and told us we had it too good.

Then back to our fearless leader, the mayor who wants to be a police chief so badly.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/OPINION02/706030307/1009

It turns out that our JPD does not check for fingerprints in all too many property crimes. Surprise, property crimes have skyrocketed. I wonder how many more thieves would be nailed if this simple task of police work was adopted. Of course, its not glamorous nor makes headlines like going after so called drug kingpins does or declaring a state of emergency (then going off on vacation during the supposed emergency) but it DOES reduce the crime rate much more than one act of grandstanding for the cameras.

Last but not least, there is this gem of a column by Lynn Evans, our town idiot. Actually, in the past she listed her employment as a professional grant writer (read that to mean professional beggar). You know the type, has nice academic credentials, claims to be more compassionate and enlightened than the rest of us, yet typically ignores basic facts and history when she spouts opinions as a columnist in the CL. In this one she whines about Barbour destroying the system of checks and balances.

"This governor may not have changed the state constitution to increase the powers of his office, but he used party affiliation to dismantle the separation of powers and its checks and balances. Barbour's plan, of course, is to increase the number of Republicans in both the state House and Senate in the upcoming elections and thereby further increase his ability to control legislative action.
Hopefully, Mississippi voters will remember the consequences of consolidating too much power in the administrative branch of government. It makes public accountability more difficult. It cripples our system of checks and balances. It puts too much power in the hands of the chief executive with too little checks on that power."


Really Ms. Evans? I don't remember you whining when the Democrats ran the legislature and ran roughshod over the governor for decades. I don't seem to remember you complaining when they ruined the state finances when Musgrove was in office. You remember how Musgrove would base his budget on a revenue estimate that was usually accurate while the legislature would conjure up rosy projections out of thin air then 6 months later would have to slash everyone's budget because they ignore reality, don't you? You remember the $50 million beef plant fiasco they cooked up, along with Lester Spell's support, that blew up in our faces and ignored your precious system of checks and balances don't you? Or the legislature constantly conducting agency hearings and telling department heads how to run their departments? Or when legislators could and DID sit on boards and agencies? Or having a lieutenant governor who IS in the executive branch and yet STILL runs the state senate?

In fact Ms Evans, the only reason I can understand as a basis for your incessant whining is that you don't like Republicans (which any reader of your columns knows) and are hysterical because for once there is a governor who plays the political game as well as the Democrats in the legislature and beats them at it. Considering how the legislature ruined the budget during the Musgrove administration and that this state was governed by total one party rule for over a century (the result of which saw Mississippi ranked in last or near-last place in most categories regarding business, education, income, and other meaninful indicaters of a state's well-being and progress) your hypocrisy becomes all too apparent. However, when a governor simply builds a legislative coalition through constitutional means and achieves his agenda, you falsely claim about the system of checks and balances being violated when you know this is not true.

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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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