Saturday, January 12, 2008

Review of the News Today

House No. 2 leader gives up extra salary from duty
Today's Clarion-Ledger reports:
"J.P. Compretta, second-in-command in the Mississippi House, said Friday he will no longer accept the additional $3,300 a month he's received since health problems sidelined Speaker Billy McCoy in 2004.
The House management committee approved a pay raise for Compretta, the speaker pro tempore, after McCoy suffered a stroke that year. McCoy returned to work in 2005.
Compretta, D-Bay St. Louis, took over McCoy's duties while he was ill. ...

Compretta was the top earner last year in the House. He totaled $95,501 in salary and travel expenses, more than $3,000 above the pay of McCoy, D-Rienzi. Compretta's earnings included mileage and travel expenses." http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080112/NEWS010504/801120345/1001/news

One more public official with his snout in the public trough. Billy McCoy has been back on the job for quite some time. He was healthy enough to run a re-election campaign as well as assume full duties as Speaker of the House for more than a year. This was nothing more than a chance for McCoy to give a payoff to one of his buddies. Interesting how the payments stop after McCoy stops his payments only after he narrowly kept the Speakership this week.

By the way, over at a certain alternative weekly newspaper that publicly backstabbed their endorsed candidate, State Representative John Reeves, because he would not support McCoy, there has not once been any mention of McCoy arranging his friend to receive the speaker's pay for over two years.

Geaux Peggy Geaux
Well well, the Hinds County potentate wannabe and fossil extraordinaire, Doug Anderson, still thinks Hinds County Board of Supervisors President Peggy Hobson-Calhoun is crazy. hehe.

"Anderson recently called Calhoun "crazy" in an interview with The Clarion-Ledger.
He and Calhoun have been on the board together since 1993 and often have butted heads and disagreed on many issues, including whether the county needs to spend $2.8 million on a maximum security pod at the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond. Calhoun is for the project.
Calhoun chalks the disagreements up to conflicting "leadership styles."
"He has always tried to defame or discredit me," Calhoun said. She says she's a strong woman and Anderson feels threatened by that.
"Doug likes power and to me some people see power as controlling others," she said.
Anderson said he has not changed his opinion and does not regret calling her crazy.
He would not comment when asked if he thinks Calhoun will make a good board president.
"It is my belief that any politician who votes against the best interests of their constituents has to be crazy," he said. He didn't offer specifics but intimated that he was talking about Calhoun." http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080112/NEWS/801120337/1001/news


There is nothing like watching a punch-drunk angry has been fighter who can't handle losing. In this case, Anderson is just throwing his usual tantrum when he can't get his way. He is so in love with himself that he thinks a WOMAN who dares to stand up to him, beats him, and then puts a stop to some of his crazy government projects is crazy (remember the deal involving the garage and his former son-in-law? Or buying the Mississippi Valley Title Insurance building but having no clue as to what to do with it?). Doug Anderson's legacy is a Hinds County that is bankrupt and can barely meet payroll. Now that Doug Anderson no longer has his enablers on the Board to protect him, he is acting like a typical junkie when forced to deal with reality. Geaux Peggy Geaux.

Grand Jury Probing Scruggs Case
Now the investigation has spread into Hinds County as "One of the cases apparently being looked into by federal authorities is a 1994 lawsuit in which two of Scruggs? former associates, attorneys Alwyn Luckey and William Roberts Wilson Jr., sued Scruggs for a bigger cut of millions of dollars that the attorneys had won in asbestos litigation.Hinds County Circuit Clerk Barbara Dunn said Thursday that the 1994 file was not available because federal investigators took all 7,001 documents related to the case earlier this week.The judge who presided over the 1994 case was Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter" http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080111/NEWS/80111006

As an expert told me yesterday, the feds copy documents when its cooperation, when they seize documents, that is not a good thing. As I am not familiar with how investigations work, feel free to comment on this development in the comments section.

One man gets it on Mississippi Public Radio
A Mr. Thom Eason writes a letter to The Clarion-Ledger pummeling the bad decisions made by Executive Director Marie Antoon for eviscerating the programming at MPB Radio. He writes:
"Goodbye, Mississippi Public Broadcasting-Radio.
First, Gene Edwards came in and managed to run off all the best on-air talent. I am growing weary of hearing Mr. Edwards' discussions of anal polyps and body hair removal on the weekends, most definitely.
Now that all the good talent has gone, they have been replaced with people who excel in pronouncing words and names improperly, reading news and weather with great pauses and - best of all - who do not monitor the on-air feed to enjoy their broadcasts of music and news on top of each other. "Unprofessional" is a very kind description.
Now I read that Marie Antoon, executive director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, wants to get rid of all that icky music and those great National Public Radio shows and replace them with talk radio ("MPB-Radio talks up changes," Jan. 8).....

But for Antoon to tout the new HD feed by claiming "when they hear the signal and the content, I believe they're going to be very pleased" is disturbing to me. I can only imagine how great it will be to hear the untrained readers and two or three simultaneous feeds in crystal-clear HD." http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080112/OPINION02/801120302/1009

Read the comments in the reader's reaction section as there are some good ones. I recently wrote about the changes at MPB Radio in "Mississippi Public Radio...Falling, Falling, Fallen":
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2008/01/mississippi-public-radio-falling.html.

More Stokes Bafoonery
One thing you can count on is that if you wait long enough, Kenneth Stokes will provide some comic relief. In this case he "wants to propose an ordinance requiring mandatory security guards at convenience stores in Ward 3." http://www.wapt.com/news/15033990/detail.html

First of all, no such ordinance can probably be written that applies this action to just ward 3. Second, its yet one more example of Jackson government imposing yet another burden on business owners, thus making it more expensive to operate in Jackson. The profits derived from operating a convenience store are not great and many of them are not owned by national corporations but are mom and pops that have to watch every penny. Obviously they are hurt by crime but if it was worth it, they would have already hired security guards. What Stokes proposes would probably force some out of business. Good job Stokes. Your idea is a perfect example of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. By the way Mr. Stokes, have you given any thought how you will replace their sales tax revenue after they close because they can't afford to hire security guards?

It is ironic that Mr. Stokes is now focused on fighting crime. Ironic as he once owned some crackhouses. Ironic because in a previous administration, the JPD actually focused on crime in his area. His response was to raise hell and charge that the JPD were not harassing people in Eastover as they were in his ward. So much for taking Stokes seriously on fighting crime as he couldn't care less about it unless it means a headline for him. The most dangerous place in Jackson is anywhere between Kenneth Stokes and a camera. The sooner this buffoon goes, the better off all Jacksonians will be.

Lee Vance: Leader for the JPD
Maggie Burkes writes a good story about Assistant Police Chief Lee Vance, http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=15943_0_10_0_C. After Jackson has suffered from a crime epidemic and turmoil in the JPD, its nice to see coverage like this given to someone who is trying to make Jackson a better place.

Enjoy the weekend.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Excellent synopsis of current events.

Stokes is ridiculous. Unbelievable that he is still being re-elected. Seems as though he is taking a page from Melton. Remember when he was trying to post SWAT members at banks???? Haha...

I think the FBI investigation is awesome. I can't wait to hear more about it.



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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
.