Fondren Corner Fund Raiser for Melton - Tuesday

Open Letter to Donna Ladd:

Donna:

I wanted to take time to thank you yet again for including me in the fine company of Warren Speed, Wilson Carroll and Stuart Irby. Again, I think you owe them an apology, but I appreciate the thought ;-)

One thing very much puzzles me. As you know, on Thursday March 3, 2005, we both along with thousands of other Jacksonians received copies of an email from democratsforharvey@yahoo.com spreading the word about the fundraiser we had last evening (which was just a fabulous event by the way with a couple of hundred folks from all across Jackson). However, he was not doing that as a community service, but as a pathetic attempt to drive a wedge into Jackson along racial, political and class lines. This is absolutely an abhorrent use of the basest of gutter politics and you are playing right into his hands ñ even in consideration of the fact that it was an ìanonymousî source.

Hereís my issue. You have mentioned this fundraiser every chance you get including here , here , here , here , and here in the one-time context of mentioning Johnsonís supporters as well.

Knowing you to be particularly sensitive to issues regarding race, hereís my question. Why are you willingly use your publication to support the ìplumberísî ends to further divide Jackson along racial and party lines? I mean, there are a half dozen fundraisers a day going on to support the all of the mayoral candidates right now, and yet for some reason, you have honed in on this one. And if that werenít bad enough, you went a step further and did it again in the story about the morning fundraiser held at Bravo! where you gleefully pointed out the attendants ìall of whom were whiteî. And you have done it in such as way as the ìplumberî would have wanted which is to pillory the participants with the clear innuendo that rich white folks are bent on using Melton as some sort of stooge or pawn with the clear intention of saying to the black community that (wink wink) ìMeltonís not your guyî. Being from Philadelphia, I would have thought you had learned better.

In my very humble opinion, you are (potentially unwittingly) promoting this message of racial and political divisiveness and I think that is unfortunate to say the least. My God's honest opinion is that I think more highly of you than that.

My hope is that in four weeks this will all be over and that a Democratic nominee and in eight weeks a candidate will be elected with a majority support from black and white, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican. I think I would like to live in THAT city.

With warmest personal regards, I am,

Very Truly Yours
Alan Lange

P.S. Have a nice day.

Letís try those links again.

here, here , here , here, and here .

Sorry, but it's a different system than what I am used to.

So, they attack like dogs on one day targeting the mayorís wife, his daughter and local business leaders, and now try to take the high road. But, not without trying to take pop shots at the only paper actually giving both sides of the issues. Alan can try to hide behind "being the peace keeper or nice guy;" but as long as he supports the same people that are spewing filth about people other then the Mayor, he is as cheap and low as all the rest of em'! The worst thing is they think they are above all of this because Melton is black too. So, it sooths their conscience that they arenít backing Whitlow or anyone else. Hypocrisy at it's worst.

So, they attack like dogs on one day targeting the mayorís wife, his daughter and local business leaders, and now try to take the high road.

Not so fast, tortoise (ha ha). Them ain't me. If you have something specific about me, let it fly. In fact, on the CL board, I specifically have asked the forumadmin to remove a picture of Ms. Johnson. I worked in her building and think she is an absolutely super lady. I wouldn't stoop so low as to attack their family. That is what is wrong with this contest as it is.

Again, nice try.

I don't see you asking for other posts to be deleted either, so quit acting so high and mighty. Are you not a melton supporter? Did you not host the fundraiser last night? Are you not running a biased site against the mayor? "Them" is you and every Melton supporter out there. Remember a lot of other posters like to say, "The buck stops on the mayor's desk." So, the buck on the vile spew from your mouths rest on the lap of Melton. Let's see him put a stop to the misinformation your guys are putting out there in the blog sphere, on the radio and in print. We don't need you to come to Melton's defense. Remember he can take care of his own business, so Melton where's it at?

In case you missed what a Melton offical said on Kim Wades show here is an earlier post:

"Well, I was just listening to Kim Wade's show on 1180AM, and they were weighing in on the Melton residency issue. One of the last calls was somebody named Mark Higginbothem (??) who said he was with the Melton campaign. I know the last name is right; but, may of missed his first name. He brushed aside the residency issue by claiming it was a last ditch effort by the Mayor's campaign. Typical stuff....

But, then he went "Bagdad Bob" on the audience and started claiming; I'm paraphrasing here, ìwe have polling 'fig - Urs' that show Melton with a THREE DIGIT LEAD!" Then he added that if the Mayor wants to start talking houses, it needs to be pointed out that his daughter "is much too young, 'economically' to be owning the house she is in out in Madison," and that he got for her.

I don't listen to Kim Wade too much but this was surreal how he just launched into this bizarre diatribe about the Mayor's daughter! And, the 100% lead in the polls is the BEST LINE YET! Someone needs to get a hold of the tape from the show and double check what I posted. Donít know much about the Mayorís daughter; but, I think the Melton campaign has sunk to a new low to be jumping on the Mayorís daughter like that. Definitely, this is a need to know more topic!
Posted by: tortoise on Apr 05, 05 | 6:25 pm

expect that stuff from kim wade. he's CRAZY. his show is hilarious, in a very depressing way.

No, it was Melton's campaign official that was saying this stuff about the mayor's daughter and the 100% lead, not Kim Wade. Kim may not state all the facts; but, he is not a pop-shot artist. That was all Melton and that guy Higginbothim (sp?). Embarrasing to Jackson if you ask me.

And embarrasing for Melton! Why the Johnson campaign doesn't use his own words against him is beyond me?

"And embarrasing for Melton! Why the Johnson campaign doesn't use his own words against him is beyond me?" ...because they were not "his own words".... Who's words are they? Anyone can call in to a radio talk show, claim to be someone they are not, and speak lots of jibberish.... Maybe it was an upset Walter Slone, Sr.????? I think you should conduct voice analysis on the tape and get a court order for the phone records before you make the "official" proclamation that it was actually a Melton official.

He said his name was Mark Higginbotham with the Melton campaign. Read all the posts before you spout off. Remember, the buck stops on Melton's desk, so he is directly responsible for anything his campaign staff/volunteers say! At least, we should use that logic since it is good enough for the Mayor and what his people say.

Sounds like you are trying to defend the indefensible. More reactionary, embarrassing actions from the Melton side. Can't shuffle this one under the rug. The man, I don't care who he is, called out the Mayor's daughter. Hey, at least his daughter lives in MS. We don't get to hear about Melton's family because they don't live here; but, it is just hearsay if one of your own attacks the Mayor's daughter! (insert shock and awe face here)

Alan, it's precious and rather ballsy that you're now bringing your attacks and innuendo about me, my newspaper and my business to my own Web site. I simply am not going to get into a drawn-out pissing contest with you beyond this response. You are an avowed Melton supporter who has posted a site to apparently, give ANONYMOUS (for the most part), Melton supporters a forum on which to bash anybody who even expresses the slight hesitation about a single thing Melton says, or who says one slightly positive thing about the mayor.

I must say, you have some cohonas to come on my site to announce that I should apologize to Mssrs. Carroll, Irby and Speed because we say that they are "prominent Republicans" who hosted the event last night that you call so lovely. I didn't criticize them for doing it, but it is NEWS when big Republicans host an event for a Democrat. Man bites dog, and all that. Why would I apologize to them? The only one I've been critical of is Wilson, and that is because he is spreading such "execrable" (and false) stuff about me on your Web site. And as the publisher of that site, you're not trying to rein any of it in. So just what does how many children I (don't) have have to do with the mayor's campaign, Alan? Maybe you can remind me, Mr. Pillar of Ethics and Fairness and King of the Blog Conspiracy Busters.

You are allowing slander and libel on your site, and heavily implying some mighty false stuff yourself. You are trying to paint my newspaper as an arm of the mayor's campaign -- because, apparently, we dare to follow up on accusations that Mr. Melton and other supporters make about the mayor, and vice versa. (Right now, there are a lot more flowing one way than the other.) It's a trash site, Alan, and it's all yours. Go have fun on it. But stop telling and implying lies about me and my business. Really, Alan. It's cheap, and it's making you look really shabby these days. Or, to use your word, like a plumber...

Speaking of plumbers, I don't even understand why you and Wilson are so bent up about the "plumbers" who sent the draft invitation to your event to other people using an anonymous (Yahoo?) account. You haven't said anything in it was false. And you're sitting there running a site where you don't require people to register and allow them to post the most awful things about other people (and candidates) ANONYMOUSLY. WTF, Alan? Can you not see what a hypocrite you're being here? I got several e-mails about your party -- and some from people you know very well -- and I don't even know that one of them came from that address, although I remember getting something from a different anonymous account.

The point is: what is the point? It would be an issue worth getting bent about if someone were using anonymity to spread FALSE info, as is being done on your Web site. But, as it is, you and Wilson look like two little boys playing a silly spy game. And if the mayor's campaign is up to something nefarious, they're probably delighted that Woodward & Bernstein Jrs. are so focused on something so trivial. Watching you guys play reporter must be as funny as it would to watch me attempt to try a case: I wouldn't know where to begin. Real investigations of real issues take time, Alan.

It's so X-Files over there: You guys seem bent on finding a vast left-wing conspiracy against y'all everywhere you look (or, I suspect, using that conspiracy FUD to try to keep people from asking actual questions about your candidate).

In addition to the plumber "investigation," you have the friggin' hilarious expose about how the JFP's Elections Blog banner ad (appears often at the top of the site, to those who don't know) is designed with photo placement and colors and all to subliminally benefit the mayor -- even implying that someone did it for us because it's so well done (my intern did it). Let's see, what other conspiracy is there? The polling firm that you apparently didn't bother to identify yourself and ask for the owner when you started making calls over there to "out" them. Oh yes, that list of questions you posted yesterday about our Melton/homestead story, implying that someone gave us that tape, yada, yada. Just HOW did we have SUCH a TAPE??? Alan Langggggeeeee DEMANDS to KNOW.

Well, Alan, it's called journalism. We started covering the mayor's race in early February. I sent my reporter to cover that March 9 Democratic commission because I heard the candidates would be there. He taped it, as he usually does. However, there wasn't really anything to report, as Melton said he filed homestead in Jackson, and the deadline wasn't until April 1. You tried to imply something about how we knew in advance, although YOU didn't know. HOW could THAT be, conspiracy hunters???. Uh, we're a newspaper, and the Laveree woman sent us a press release Monday afternoon -- which we posted immediately on the site! So much for secrets, Dude. And it came from her personal e-mail account, so I don't think she's one of the elusive plumbers y'all are so hot on the trail of. When Adam then covered the event Monday, he realized that he had a tape of the original Melton statement on March 9. That was journalistic luck, and it happens when you cover as many events as we do.

Anyway, I am wasting my time here responding to such crap, and I'm offended that you're coming on my company's Web site and trying to drag our reputation through the mud as you're doing with your bolded statement above. Be on alert here: You are going too far, Alan, in your zealous attempt to support your candidate at any cost. And you are making a fool of yourself in public. That's your prerogative, but I encourage you to do that without slandering me, my employees, or my business while you're doing it. I suggest you figure out the difference between "opinion" and malicious spreading of falsehoods, and fast.

Now, we're done here, Alan. If you want to keep up your smear campaign, please return to your own Web site to do it. Really.

Wow....Tortoise, you really are slow. Think about what you are saying.... The point is you can't attribute the comments to the Melton campain. It was a caller that identified himself as being with the Melton campaign. How does anyone know that he was with the Melton campaign? The Slone reference was probably over your head too.... As for inserting a shock and awe face, here's one for you... I'm not a Melton supporter! How about that!

"you really are slow"

Come on, all. This isn't Alan Lange's site, jarisc. Please try to keep the tone more civil. The point is, someone identified himself as a Melton campaign person and said those things. We need to ask Mr. Higginbotham if he said those things and, if not, if he's concerned that someone is parading as him. It's also possible that the Wade folks confirmed his identity. I don't how Talk Radio covers their butts that way, but we in print have to identify people before printing letters and such.

Hmmm.... Donna - Read the post again. I think he is saying you should apologize to the others for associating him with them.... Why are you on the defensive with this guy? I don't think there's much to his letter. I would have to say I whole heartedly agree that we should hope for an election that leads us to a mayor elected by the majority regardless of race, political affiliation, or socio-economic status....

Why don't you ask rather than guess.

Jarisc, I'm defensive because Alan is spreading so much trash about my newspaper and trying to hurt my business and my professional reputation because, presumably, I dare to question his candidate for mayor. That's serious. I've been ignoring the garbage on his site for the most part, but when he comes here making these types of accusations, he's going a bit far.

I still don't understand what you're saying about the apology. I'm lost in your pronouns. If I follow you, why would Lange think his name shouldn't be associated with those other men? They all hosted the party for Melton. Why would anyone be ashamed of that? I didn't get one e-mail from a Johnson supporter complaining after I posted the list of who hosted his Unviersity Club fund raiser. Why all the paranoia?

Of course we all want a candidate elected by as many different people as possible, and someone who is honest and has specific plans for the city. There is nothing wrong, and everything right, about using the weeks up to the campaign to flesh out what candidate that is. The irony is, what I'm hearing on the streets is that people are switching their votes based on Lange et al.'s smear campaigns. And that may well not be fair to Melton. I really hope he's payiing attention to what is being done on his behalf to divide this city. As I've said before, my best dealings with the Melton campaign have been directly with Mr. Melton. I haven't even reported how it's gone with a lot of the other people associated with the campaign, yet, hoping that it will get better over there. (Jeff Good is a pointed exception; he's been very gracious and as helpful as he could be, considering the disarray of the campaign to date).

I didn't say we're not going to ask, jarisc. I need to hear the tape first, though, to know for sure what I'm asking about.

jarisc, I agree that we hope the campaigns leads to the best Mayor we can elect. But, unless you are coming to this late, you should know one of the mantras from the Melton supporters is that, "the buck stops with Harvey Johnson," as long as it is something bad. Doesn't matter if it is crime, business or houses getting flooded, if it is negative it is Harvey's fault.

Stay with me now. So, since the Mayor is the final go to guy for any criticism about the city, the same should hold true for Melton and any statements coming from his camp. If it wasn't Mr. Higginbotham, why hasn't Melton fired off a press release denouncing these actions. I'm just asking, just like in a majority of my posts about the election. However, that radio show was OTC, and I had to bring it to the boards - fact checked or not! The truth is 3 women were attacked by either the Melton campaign or those who support him yesterday. I'm sorry you see this as a non-issue, I don't!

Now you brought up a good point since you are not a Melton supporter. I am not going to ask who you are voting for; but, I think your input as to how you see the three candidates at this point would be interesting.

The irony is, what I'm hearing on the streets is that people are switching their votes based on Lange et al.'s smear campaigns.

I'm hearing that the residency challenge has changed minds in the black community from Johnson over to Melton. But that anecdote, like yours, is all speculation.

Of course it's anecdotal. I wouldn't argue otherwise. Most of the folks I'm talking about are white, live in North Jackson, and know Lange and Wilson. So maybe yours and mine all cancel each other out. ;-)

tortoise brings up an interesting point. A major meme for Melton and Whitlow in this campaign is "leadership." They are campaigning against Johnson as someone who can't assemble a good team and then, presumably, keep a tight leash on them. Thus, how the opposing campaigns are managed by Melton is a vital point in this race. It's hard to imagine any mayor running a whole city in a more impressive "leadership" way than they can run their campaigns.

This is a real question that we need to keep an eye out. What are the people around the candidates like? Are they organized? Approachable? Do they get along with each other and the public and the media? Do they take responsibility, and right wrongs, that are done on behalf of the candidate?

And I agree with tortoise: If someone representing the Melton campaign did NOT say the things attributed to him on air, they should put out a statement disavowing the comments that the campaign supposedly made. Same with any other lies told on their behalf by Melton campaign folks

I would say that's Leadership 101.

May not belong on this thread, but I think I'm leaning towards voting for Annell Smith. Between the candidates themselves, the nya-nyaing of their supporters, and all the campaign media-crity, I'm thinking a protest vote is really the only solution in the Democratic primary.

OK
Go ahead.
...wail away...

I like Ladd's 3-Peat post (3 in a row). Can we get a Fact Checker to find out how many times a day this happens. It seems 60% are from her. And only 55% of those discuss race. OCD

Hi Donna.

I know I swore this site off, but you are consistently accusing me of being a liar, so I need to set the record straight. On another site I wrote a piece describing a smear campaign being run by Johnson operatives. You then ran an article quoting Melton denying certain nasty rumors being spread about him, which gave you the opportunity to introduce those rumors into public discourse "through the back door." I think that's unethical, and noted in a follow-up post that no other media has been willing to mention these rumors. I referred to JPF as "execrable," which is obviously my opinion based on a long line of interaction with you. I also said that you had gone from being Johnson's lap dog to being his attack dog, which are also pretty clearly matters of opinion. You are not, in reality, a dog.

Nevertheless, based on that, you have accused me of being a liar. Maybe you have some other specific examples and if so, I'm sure you'll point them out. However, it is not a "lie" to refer to JPF as "execrable," or to you as a "lap dog" or an "attack dog." Those are my opinions based on your history of defending the Johnson administration which, by definition, cannot constitute lies. I may be wrong, but that does not make me a liar. On the other hand, to the extent you accuse me (or anyone else) of lying and actively trying to destroy you or your execrable paper, that is a false statement of fact which could, indeed, constitute libel.

The pot is calling the kettle black. Now, let's see how many more nasty names you can call me. Try to be creative and avoid "fool," "jerk," "dishonest," "cowardly," "extreme," or "Mr. Non-D.A." since you've already gone there.

BTW, I appreciate the attention you've been lavishing on Jacksonsnextmayor.com. It's really a rather minor diversion for us but if it gets your dander up (which it obviously does) then it's worth the time.

Ciao,

Wilson

Hello. Me again. Donna- Sorry my writing style has confused you. Let's see if this makes sense. I think the apology line from Alan was intended to be humorous.... He is saying you should apologize to the others who are great people for associating his name with theirs. Quite funny actually....

As for my vote. I really don't know. I have told myself I would sit back and soak it all in before making a decision. I have been reading the posts here for a while, but decided to jump in because I think it needs to be pointed out that everyone posting is putting their ego into the message and not the issues.....

I am not a Harvey fan. I have been the victim of crime on several occasions and don't really see any progress in the overall picture for the city's problem. Stats are stats. Give me a copy and I can bend them to look better or worse. The numbers say crime is down. Unfortunately, crime in regards to me iw way up.... I do giggle everytime I see Marshal Ramsey's cartoons about election man... It does appear he "turns it on" at election time.

As for Melton, he seems like a good guy. I haven't seen a lot of specifics on his programs, but being in a management role I can understand why he focuses on bigger picture items..... so pro and con... I do like the fact that he is a pretty good business man. The residency thing irks me though. Then again, maybe its a good thing he's paying more in taxes LOL!!!!

Rick Whitlow.... I like this guy. He seems to be laying low letting the other two duke it out until the primary is over. Probably a good idea. My biggest concern with Rick is experience. If we didn't have a crime problem, a dwindling tax base and a severe image problem Rick could probably handle the gig.... Again, I like this guy, but I don't think he's got the real world experience to get things done.

So....I guess I'll sit around watching, reading, and listening for the next couple of weeks trying to distinguish between issues and egos....not only betrween the candidates, but their supporters too.

Now let me chime in on the whole idea of putting out a statement that your supporters didn't say something.... Sounds like a Stokes thing to me... Let's keep the attention on the candidates and important stuff....

Wilson. One last time, then please just go live your life in peace and harmony with my blessings and good tidings.

In repeating a bit of what you've said about me of late, you are even now stating a falsehood: You are stating as fact what my motive was when I wrote the story about Melton speaking to the ladies. You are declaring that I seized the "opportunity to introduce those rumors into public discourse 'through the back door.'" That's a heavy charge to make of a profesional journalist.

Those are your words right above, and they're false and I'd argue malicious, and you twisted what I wrote to get there. I have already responded to this on the anti-mayor site where you originally posted it, and pointed out to you that I reported Melton not only denying the rumors, but telling people what they were as I sat in front of him and took notes while wearing a nametag provided by his press woman, Carolyn Redd. There was nothing nefarious here: Mr. Melton clearly wanted to have this discourse in public, presumably to get his side out there. I assume that's why he provided details on what the rumors were.

I am a journalist, and I did what journalists do: reported what the candidate said, and his response to untruths that he believes are being spread about him that he identified as an issue. I'm not sure how to be more fair than that. I also told you over there that Mr. Melton talked to me about the rumors in some detail afterward, pulling me aside and bringing it up himself.

Now, even having heard the truth about this already, still you ignore what I've told you and try to impugn my character and my integrity at every turn. And you state as fact right here what my motive was. Where is the fairness or honesty in that, Wilson?

You are right that I returned too many zings your way: I've allowed you and Mr. Lange a bit too much leeway to push my buttons by peppering me and my staff with charges of being "unethical" and so on in order to build your case that my motive is "defending the Johnson administration." (Again, this is patently false.) I will allow others to consider for themselves what the motive of the two of you -- both fund raising hosts for Mr. Melton -- might be in doing that.

However, out of fairness to Mr. Melton, I will say again for the record that I have encountered nothing like this from him and, unlike you, I am not going to impugn his character by saying that he knows or approves of everything his supporters do on his behalf.

Now, I am done with this conversation with you, Wilson, and I'm not going to continue running smart people off my site by allowing it to drop to these depths by trying to respond further to your taunts; zing matches don't make anyone look good. So this is my notice that any further comments such as these will be deleted without notice. The Lange/Carroll chapter is officially closed on the JFP site. You can continue the saga on your site if you must.

Donna= spirited, opinionated, fun person with a great wit and love for her country.

Wilson=spirited, opinionated, fun person with a great wit and love for his country.

You two are among my favorite jousters, but in the interest of peace , love and the American way, please make up and go to lunch....I am buying. You are two great Americans that need to get together and get along. [no I am NOT entering this as a s/a....just too much energy from two opposite opinions that have gotten personal...peace!]

Thanks, Ben. I actually don't think you're being a s/a (this time). <grin> I'm with you completely; I want this to end. I don't think that needs to result in lunch anytime soon, mind you, but I am sick of this narrative. It's such a waste of time and energy. And I apologize to other readers who've sat through it. I should have never defended myself, I realize, but it's too late to take that back.

The end.

Donna, it isn't over yet, sweetie.

As a professional graphic designer, I have to say this about the banner thing that was brought up on JacksonsNextMayor.com and trickled into this site. I registered here just to say this one thing:

THE JFP BANNER WITH THE JACKSON MAYORAL CANDIDATES IS BIASED.

And it doesn't take some complicated, convoluted justification to see that. Johnson is the only one with an attractive picture selected, he is bigger than the others, and is in the foreground. That is all.

Either your intern has yet to grow into his/her position and doesn't understand the principles of design that make it obvious who the favorite of the banner is, or is really good at taking direction.

Actually, punkin', the mayor is blue. No one looks good blue. I promise.

LOL.

Tortoise: rolls eyes and smiles, then laughs at the above poster

Oops missed by one! Meant for Jgbjr! ;-)

I'll try again, by begging you to answer questions directly. Please, share your superior insight into your intern's creative process.

What was the reasoning for making two candidates smaller, and placing them in the background?

How did Johnson manage to have a smiling image selected while the other two ended up with awkward expressions?

And by the way, I didn't even comment on the color of the images. And I won't. It's not significant. Just a bad design choice.

And it doesn't take some complicated, convoluted justification to see that. Johnson is the only one with an attractive picture selected, he is bigger than the others, and is in the foreground. That is all.

I won't speak for the designer's intent nor the intent of the JFP (if there was specific intent).

First, you must have some strong eyes or be on a resolution of 800x600 (and frankly I do not know ONE SINGLE DESIGNER that uses that resolution because it limits available space for graphic applications and the space for actual design work).

From what I can see of the monochromatic, mayoral candidates, that is hardly the BEST pic of Johnson.

I'll also say that, as a designer, you should know you are limited by what materials you can use due to copyright issues. These may be the best pics available to the designer that aren't standard, ho-hum press photos that EVERY site has and uses. Originality in design is often sought...

Maybe those were the only ones that were able to be downsized to a 468x60 banner and still retain details? I'm just speculating but, from experience with banner ads, it's rather difficult to downsize an image to those specs and still have much quality left in the overall image unless it's flawless and/or taken/scanned at a very high resolution. Still, you need a decent photo with proper lighting to downsize to that level and still make out distinguishing details.

Now, as for overall sizes of each candidate... I agree it as a relevant topic. Still, I disagree with you not only because your motive seems transparent but I have my own interpretation...

Harvey Johnson is defending his position of 8 years. He DESERVES rank in the design and holds POWER at the moment. An effective design would relay that. The banner does.

As a design, I also feel Johnson should be front and center with challengers to the side. It makes sense... I especially agree with the placement of one to each side since he is being challenged from both a Republican and Democrat (both sides). Their positions reflect polarity and the use of the same color group them as Johnson's opponents and make them stand apart from the mayor (as they should).

The color BLUE can be said to represent his stable, undefeated position over the last 8 years. Blue does reflect STABILITY and FAITH in theory.

I also see a bigger color scheme: RED WHITE AND BLUE... Get it? Politics... The great U.S. of A. You know the colors we see EVERY election?

The colors used for the challengers could, in theory, reflect LOVE, PASSION, anger, or hate... Republicans were never mentioned in my design classes other than when funds for the Arts were being cut. ;-)

I'm sure as a designer you know that NO ONE will interpret a design the same. Hell, most don't interpret a design how it was intended or they tack on their own personal emotions and experience. People will disagree on a color's meaning and on position and size of objects regardless of the rules that are applied or ignored.

And is that a mob of people in the background? Their dark in color. Is the designer trying to say only black people matter? Oh, wait, and the city is grey and further behind the candidates... That must mean you think the city is not as important as Melton, Johnson and Whitlow! Shame!

How did Johnson manage to have a smiling image selected while the other two ended up with awkward expressions?

I assume you've gone and bombed the C-L forums regarding their treatment of both candidates in this article?

Or this one of Melton?

I'm just curious how serious you are about how you feel a media outlet's photo should represent him in every single photo opp and every single pulbication? Should I be expecting your letter to the editors of the C-L this week or next?

JD -
i dont know the process of the design, but i imagine his being in the center and slightly bigger, if the intern was even so calculated as to do anything, has more to do with him being the incumbent than anything.

Yeah?! Well... where's Annell Smith in the banner? Talk about BIAS!
LOL

Who's Annell Smith? ;-)

As for me, I'd never even noticed the ad, because my eyes are trained to glaze over all online advertising. And I spend alot of time on this site.

Having now looked at it, I must say, wow, you're really reaching. Johnson looks like he's got a big ole wad of tobacco or hamster treats or something in his cheeks. The other two actually look pretty normal to me.

If that's "proof" then these people must be the same ones who were so certain they had proof of WMD in Iraq. And maybe this is the type of "proof" that they have that JPD is "fudging crime statistics." As in, they're really making stuff up out of thin air.

actually, jd, did you notice that "truth" and "not rhetoric" are in red? does that signal an unconcious connection between them? i think you're really just pulling at strings, man.

You ought to see what we wrote on the candidate's shirts underneath their jackets. We're nothing if not brilliant.

8-P

Alright folks, don't accuse me of "reaching" or "stretching" on the banner thing. Don't put words in my mouth.

I said: "And by the way, I didn't even comment on the color of the images. And I won't. It's not significant."

Knol Aust fired back (in no particular order): "Their dark in color. Is the designer trying to say only black people matter? Oh, wait, and the city is grey and further behind the candidates... That must mean you think the city is not as important as Melton, Johnson and Whitlow!"

[--woah, back the train up, are you a moron?]

and this: "the use of the same color group them as Johnson's opponents and make them stand apart from the mayor"

[--I think you are on to something here]

and this: "The colors used for the challengers could, in theory, reflect LOVE, PASSION, anger, or hate"

[--so obviously we agree that the colors are not what we're arguing about]

and this: "People will disagree on a color's meaning"

[--and people will disagree on anything else they feel like]

and this: "monochromatic"

[--I don't understand why they couldn't be in full color; was JFP trying to save money on printing costs?]

oh, and this from casey: "truth" and "not rhetoric" are in red? does that signal an unconcious connection between them?"

[--that doesn't even make sense]

And I emphasize again, the colors don't bother me. So don't attack me for making unfounded leaps in logic. And don't act like I brought color into this.

Neither does the writing underneath the shirts bother me, Donna. Which is just another example of dodging the questions while all your buds pat you on the back for being so witty.

I didn't ask for wit. I asked for justification. Proof.

I guess I was wrong to assume the Free Press would offer any of that. Unless you need time to prepare a real response to the questions I asked, as opposed to the questions raised by your followers.

And back to Knol: the images on the C-L site are headshots, not logos supposed to brand an unbiased forum. There is a difference between being creative and being effective.

It seems you all think I am worried about how Melton looks. I am more concerned about how JFP looks. And JFP looks like it has a favorite. Does JFP have a favorite candidate?

I haven't said there was ill-intent on the intern's behalf. All I am saying is that more care should have been taken in the way the JFP presented its forum on the election. If, that is, it wants to look unbiased. Does JFP want to look unbiased in its election coverage?

There has got to be a banner out there that would please everyone. Why not have your intern take another shot at it? And while you are at it, since I am addressing you with my questions, try and maybe respond with something other than hollow, meaningless punchlines. So forget the questions I asked on earlier posts. If it is possible that the JFP is communicating with a less than clear graphic message, why don't you correct it?

The point of communication is not to be understood but to do everything possible to keep from being misunderstood.

Now I realize it's hard to keep from ticking some people off when you are talking politics, and you will always tick someone off, but you have got a much greater responsibility to the community of Jackson than you are giving yourself credit for. Don't relinquish that higher duty to ignorance or time constraints. That's just morally wrong.

I'll put my questions here at the end again, so you don't accidentally scan over them:

1) To Knol: are you a moron?
2) Was JFP trying to save money on printing costs by making the candidates monochromatic?
3) Does the JFP have a favorite candidate?
4) Does JFP want to look unbiased in its election coverage?
5) Why don't you have your intern take another shot at the banner?
6) If it is possible that the JFP is communicating with a less than clear graphic message, why don't you correct it?

Donna, I'm calling you out, so please respond. Ciao!

JDG wrote:

"since I am addressing you with my questions, try and maybe respond with something other than hollow, meaningless punchlines."

But, it is a hollow, meaningless claim about the banner. It's a non-issue! That's why it is sooo funny to see people get upset and demand answers about a silly banner. Let's talk about the issues!

One of the main issues of this election (as showcased by Ladd) is who is supporting who. So it's relevant.

I think you have to be a paranoid nutcase to find any "message" of "support" in a banner ad where Johnson looks like a blue squirrel.

JD, drinking this early is not healthy... I'm speaking as a JFP reader and someone that knows many of the interns and writers for the publication. The buck certainly does not stop with me on JFP-related issues.

You said:

I didn't ask for wit. I asked for justification. Proof.

WHAT PROOF can Donna or her designer provide you?

You also said:

There has got to be a banner out there that would please everyone.

Thank you sir, may I please have another? Are you serious? NOTHING PLEASES EVERYONE. DESIGN 101. I shouldn't have to school you on that. The jacksonsnextmayor crew WOULD find something wrong with EVERY banner unless it specifically had Johnson tarred and feathered... Tell me otherwise and you'll only bring humor to my day.

If it is possible that the JFP is communicating with a less than clear graphic message, why don't you correct it?

The only people that have mentioned this and tried to sway perception involving the graphic (yes that's possible) are coming from MELTON FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS. If it quacks like a political game, it may just be.

Am I a moron? You would certainly like to be arguing with someone that has a mental capacity of an 8 year old... You do know that word is now deemed offensive by most that have studied psychology or have a mentally disabled child? But you don't care about how others perceive you, right? Just how the JFP looks? Right?

I'd say you are already admitting and showing your own brutishness and lack of respect for others (including children I know and interact with) by taking it to a personal level... And I give you credit... You certainly tried dodging that TOC agreement by phrasing an attack as a question.

Was JFP trying to save money on printing costs by making the candidates monochromatic?

I think the designer was trying to create a "look" or theme that FIT THE OVERALL DESIGN AESTHETIC OF THE PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLICATION. Simple speculation but hard to argue it. You're digging too hard and one of the only people making these observations (minus 5 others that have their heads in each others bums on another domain that salivate like Pavlovian puppies anytime they can sling a barb at Donna or me or anyone else they THINK is a liberal, pinko, whiney, commie as they give their Republican dollars to the Democrats).

Why don't you have your intern take another shot at the banner?

Wouldn't that be an admission of guilt? That's like saying I, as a gay man, should change (and stay with me... I've heard this one before) because the MAJORITY disagrees with who I am (regardless of what I feel on the inside and out). I'm not changinig for anyone because of what THEY THINK and I certainly don't see why a design should be changed to HUMOR 4-7 people out of the thousands of readers that have made NO complaint of bias.

Still, you why don't YOU design one since you are a graphic designer and SO WORRIED about how the JFP looks. I'd like to see how you show Harvey as the current mayor defending his position and Whitlow and Melton as challengers WITHOUT BEING BORING... AND PLEASE, keep it within the design aesthetic (young, hip online and print, and still serious) of the JFP. I would bet cash SOMEONE could pick it to the point of finding bias. I'm ready to see how you'd do it. Seriously... I'm not trying to pick a fight. I'm curious exactly how you, a professional graphic designer, would design the ad and keep it 100% bias-free when it comes to interpretation and perception of an individual.

There has got to be a banner out there that would please everyone. Why not have your intern take another shot at it? And while you are at it, since I am addressing you with my questions, try and maybe respond with something other than hollow, meaningless punchlines. So forget the questions I asked on earlier posts. If it is possible that the JFP is communicating with a less than clear graphic message, why don't you correct it?

JDG, I think Donna has responded with quips because it's an impossible situation, and it's absurd. To me, it looks like skullduggery at best and tin-foil-hat stuff at worst. People have spent way more time discussion the design of the banner than the designer did designing it. I think that's the point we're trying to make.

And, as Knol notes it is, of course, impossible to do anything that would please everyone. Witness the almost universal disdain that people have for Muzak. If you don't like it, fine. Noted. But I'm afraid the nefarious motivation is not yet proven out in your assertions.

But I'll do this -- if you'll put into one sentence the problem you have with the banner, I'll attempt to answer it. (I'm not a graphic designer and I didn't supervise the creation of the banner, but I'm willing to speak to it as a principal.)

And, if you design one that looks really good, I'll pay you $10 for it and we'll put it into rotation. But I have the last word on whether it's up to par -- the process would not be democratic. :-)

Kate: I think you have to be a paranoid nutcase to find any "message" of "support" in a banner ad where Johnson looks like a blue squirrel."

We had a red,white and blue flag at least a decade before Revolutionary France had their blue, white, and red one!!! That proves they planned to mock us and snub us from the beginning -- ever sense Louis XVI's head starting rolling!!!!!!!!!!!

Since this thread was about the party the other night, where is the news from it? No press releases from the Melton camp about the party and the issues he spoke about? I believed it was described as a good event by a host; but, that is it. Just wondering if we will get an idea of what he spoke about?

JD, I have to say this while I have moment.

I CAN see how YOU and OTHERS can interpret other meanings in the overall design of the banner. Interpretation is first based on experience of the viewer, mood of the viewer upon viewing the piece, and also any actual leanings.

This is one of the reasons I like art, music and design so much. I like that I can hear a song or look at a design and feel one way and someone my same age and background can experience something completely different because of one important detail such as political leaning, religious background, color-blindness and more...

So, I can and do see what you see and won't argue that SOME could perceive it the way you mention. I can also see how others can see it for how I feel it was intended -- The mayor front and center defending his position from two like-minded opponents in a patriotic color scheme.

I'd love to see the actual designer provide their statement of intent just to clarify all of this. And, JD, I'd still love to see how you'd treat the banner... Seriously. This was one of my favorite aspects of design classes -- the ability to have a common task and the myriad of outcomes that all say the same thing or similar things but can be perceived by the audience in different manners.

You are officially not a moron, Knol. Wasn't aware of the association with mental disabilities. Working on banner as we speak. I'll send it to Donna to post for viewing.

JDG: Just a warning, we won't be able to post or use anything if do not have assignable rights/permissions for the images. FYI.

Also, I'd like you to answer this that I posted previously: if you'll put into one sentence the problem you have with the banner, I'll attempt to answer it.

How about one and a half sentences? Technically it's one sentence, but it took a dash to do it.

There is too much intentional distinction between Harvey Johnson and his challengers, including color, size, image selection and placement -- one or two of those would be acceptable, but not all four, which suggest either a clear motive or total lack of thoughtfulness in the design's purpose.

My banner design is in Donna Ladd's inbox.

And another thing....todds, you said:

"And, as Knol notes it is, of course, impossible to do anything that would please everyone."

After I said: "I realize it's hard to keep from ticking some people off when you are talking politics, and you will always tick someone off"

I said it before any of you did. Quit attacking me like I'm the dadgummed devil or something. Maybe the problem is people aren't actually reading the words on the screen.

JD, you also said:

There has got to be a banner out there that would please everyone.

Remember?

There is too much intentional distinction between Harvey Johnson and his challengers, including color, size, image selection and placement -- one or two of those would be acceptable, but not all four, which suggest either a clear motive or total lack of thoughtfulness in the design's purpose.

Thanks for answering my question. My response is this -- I respect your point of view, but I disagree. The banner, as designed, suggests exactly what's going on -- an incumbant, two-term mayor, being challenged for his seat. It also incorporates the city skyline, a group of people...I like it. I like the activity, I like the action, and I like that it's not PR stills, that it has layers of art and photo work. You yourself seem to be going back and forth on the color issue -- I like the colors instead of just plain-jane photos -- looks more "alty" to me.

I'm sorry you see bias in it, and I respect your right to say it, but you can't demand it. It's not a fact, it's your opinion. And I can't prove a negative, so you'll have to take my word for it.

As for your complaint about being attacked, this is the relevant quote:

There has got to be a banner out there that would please everyone.

That, at least, is what I was responding to.

OK, it's also been brought to my attention that -- for a variety of reasons -- it was totally inappropriate for me to make the now infamous "$10 challenge." I retract it. I hadn't had enough coffee and I was being something of a jackass.

There is a process by which art and copy are appropriately submitted to the JFP for publication, and responding to the crackpot publisher's caffeine-challenged blogging is not one of them. It is also, incidentally, a process over which I have less control than I sometimes feel it's my right to assert. :-)

The banner ad is going to stay as is; we're not looking to replace it.

You're not gonna add Annell?!?
*grumble&harumph*

Oh my.... I just noticed that Melton is on the "far right" side of the candidates in the banner.... Is this another subliminal message?

This is getting too funny. The banner looks cheap and cheasy anyway, and that's my bottom line!!!

LMAO!!!