http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/jfp.php/opinion/ en dustin@jacksonfreepress.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-08T23:32:06+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/aloha_jackson_02082012/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/aloha_jackson_02082012/#When:23:32:06Z When we boarded our plane in Dallas bound to Honolulu in January, I'd had only had two hours' sleep. Inevitably, I tossed and turned in anticipation of getting up at 4 a.m.--and then traveling for more than 12 hours. So when I saw the large man I would have to share my other armrest with, I grimaced.by Donna Ladd, Editor-in-Chief Feb. 8, 2012 When we boarded our plane in Dallas bound to Honolulu in January, I'd had only had two hours' sleep. Inevitably, I tossed and turned in anticipation of getting up at 4 a.m.--and then traveling for more than 12 hours. So when I saw the large man I would have to share my other armrest with, I grimaced. 2012-02-08T23:32:06+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/editorial_stop_the_injustice_of_justice_020812/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/editorial_stop_the_injustice_of_justice_020812/#When:22:54:20Z Nothing brings the inequality and foibles of our justice system into stark relief like an upcoming execution. As lawyers battle over last-minute efforts to save a human life, it's impossible not to weigh one man's sentence of death against others who receive lesser sentences—or even pardons—for equivalent crimes.February 8, 2012 Nothing brings the inequality and foibles of our justice system into stark relief like an upcoming execution. As lawyers battle over last-minute efforts to save a human life, it's impossible not to weigh one man's sentence of death against others who receive lesser sentences—or even pardons—for equivalent crimes. civilrights, Crime, Justice, State, editorial 2012-02-08T22:54:20+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/stiggers_in_return_for_a_dollar_020812/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/stiggers_in_return_for_a_dollar_020812/#When:22:50:34Z Welcome, fellow hustlers, to the first Compensatory Investment Request Support Group Meeting of 2012. I look forward to a great year for our group. The purpose of the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group is to provide a forum for new and established street entrepreneurs.by Ken Stiggers February 8, 2012 Brother Hustle: "Welcome, fellow hustlers, to the first Compensatory Investment Request Support Group Meeting of 2012. I look forward to a great year for our group. Since the coming of the Great Recession, the rise of the Occupy Movement and Mitt Romney's comment regarding not being worried about the poor, more people have joined the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group. Last year, when homes were foreclosed on and food supplies ran out, many of the new poor (aka middle class) attended our meetings. Then came droves of laid-off workers who joined our group to express their frustrations. And today the unemployed, underemployed and part-time deejays have joined our support group. Issues, stiggers 2012-02-08T22:50:34+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/outlaw_a_more_perfect_union_020812/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/outlaw_a_more_perfect_union_020812/#When:22:48:19Z Change will come—even in the state that seems slowest to change.by Eddie Outlaw February 8, 2012 Knee-deep in coiffing clients for the holiday season, I was snatched from my robotic motions of cutting hair by a little good news. A client, Michelle Dawson, informed me that the Mississippi Youth State Legislature passed a bill last year recognizing same-sex unions from other states. I was already sitting, as is my habit while cutting hair (it staves off varicose veins), so I poked my head around hers and glared like a lemur, "Ma'am?!" I implored. civilrights, Guest Op 2012-02-08T22:48:19+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/choosing_the_light_02012012/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/choosing_the_light_02012012/#When:00:40:16Z In my line of work, people like to talk trash about you. And there's really something about a woman speaking her mind that just hacks off a lot of men, and some women. And Lord help me if I dare tell them they can't do the nasty all over the Jackson Free Press website (inevitably using a cowardly fake name). They go off and start websites, and blogs, and Facebook pages to mete out their revenge. We're used to it by now.by Donna Ladd, Editor-in-Chief Feb. 1, 2012 In my line of work, people like to talk trash about you. And there's really something about a woman speaking her mind that just hacks off a lot of men, and some women. And Lord help me if I dare tell them they can't do the nasty all over the Jackson Free Press website (inevitably using a cowardly fake name). They go off and start websites, and blogs, and Facebook pages to mete out their revenge. We're used to it by now. 2012-02-02T00:40:16+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/editorial_change_felony_voting_laws_for_all_020112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/editorial_change_felony_voting_laws_for_all_020112/#When:23:43:46Z Here's what continues to get us about former Gov. Haley Barbour's excuses for all those pardons. He keeps saying that he is a Christian and, thus, is concerned about the trustys and others whom he believes served enough time and now should be able to go vote and hunt and get professional licenses and the like. Our question to Barbour is: Where were you all these years?February 1, 2012 Here's what continues to get us about former Gov. Haley Barbour's excuses for all those pardons. He keeps saying that he is a Christian and, thus, is concerned about the trustys and others whom he believes served enough time and now should be able to go vote and hunt and get professional licenses and the like. Our question to Barbour is: Where were you all these years? Barbour, Crime, Justice, editorial 2012-02-01T23:43:46+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/stiggers_love_and_black_history_0201121/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/stiggers_love_and_black_history_0201121/#When:23:40:32Z Jojo wants to give his customers the gift of history to instill in them the ability to learn and think critically during the 'Tribute to Carter G. Woodson and Pre-Valentine Day Sale.' Therefore, Jojo will stock his store with plenty of black history books.by Ken Stiggers February 1, 2012 Miss Doodle Mae: "The staff of Jojo's Discount Dollar Store had a very informative and inspiring meeting this morning on the first day of Black History Month. Jojo recalled his boyhood experience when Black History Month was Negro History Week. He told us about Miss Lilly Mae Sweet, his fifth-grade music teacher, and her special way she taught her students black history. What he remembered the most about Miss Lilly Mae Sweet was how she made sure that during Negro History Week her students understood and memorized the lyrics to James Weldon Johnson's 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' and Nina Simone's 'Young, Gifted and Black.' Her purpose was to instill pride and dignity in Jojo and his classmates. Jojo continued Miss Lilly Mae Sweet's annual tradition by providing the staff and me copies of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' and 'Young, Gifted and Black.' Issues, stiggers 2012-02-01T23:40:32+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/kamikaze_im_no_token_020112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/kamikaze_im_no_token_020112/#When:23:34:59Z I attended the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership annual luncheon last week. It's one of those affairs where the city's power players share a meal and listen to a speaker talk about how to move our city forward.by Kamikaze February 1, 2012 I attended the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership annual luncheon last week. It's one of those affairs where the city's power players share a meal and listen to a speaker talk about how to move our city forward. Usually, it's someone from outside the city, charging a lot of money to tell us things that we've known for years. Still, a lot of business gets handled at these gatherings. If I want to stay informed they're necessary. City/County, kaze 2012-02-01T23:34:59+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/queen_walking_in_dignity_020112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/queen_walking_in_dignity_020112/#When:23:19:14Z When my father named me, he spoke my destiny into existence. The name is taken from the Nigerian Yoruba tribe. Funmi means to help people, and Folayan means to walk in dignity. Some may disagree, but this is the meaning my daddy intended: to help people walk with dignity.by Funmi Folayan Franklin, aka Queen February 1, 2012 When my father named me, he spoke my destiny into existence. The name is taken from the Nigerian Yoruba tribe. Funmi means to help people, and Folayan means to walk in dignity. Some may disagree, but this is the meaning my daddy intended: to help people walk with dignity. Chick, development, queen 2012-02-01T23:19:14+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/publishers_note_celebrating_the_best_01252012/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/publishers_note_celebrating_the_best_01252012/#When:22:58:40Z Welcome to our tenth annual "Best of Jackson" edition, celebrating the best that Jackson and its surrounding communities have to offer in terms of people, places, services and products. (And, yes, lots of food and drink.)by Todd Stauffer, Publisher Jan. 25, 2012 Welcome to our tenth annual "Best of Jackson" edition, celebrating the best that Jackson and its surrounding communities have to offer in terms of people, places, services and products. (And, yes, lots of food and drink.) Best of Jackson 2012-01-25T22:58:40+00:00