DOWNTOWN DRAMA

Well if you have not noticed, there has been an ongoing battle about the Downtown Jackson area via one new blogsite entitled DOWNTOWN JACKSON TRASH. This blog has seemingly had the equivalent to the "Crank That Soulja Boy" movement with an onslaught of hits and comments about some pretty obvious topics. Even going as far as branding people as "ATTENTION JUNKIES". But I would like to jump into this mix and get some non emotional comments about the Downtown Jackson area. Please leave all of the extra Black and White comments off of it. I just want an open floor debate with grown adults. Let's keep the gloves on people. IF you need more info on what is going on. Click the following links.

www.http://downtownjacksontrash.blogspot.com/
www.Kingfisth Blog- Basically a report of whats going on in DJT's blog

Voter ID-A little issue with a BIG following

Happy Halloween to all of you. As we enjoy the last day of this month, I would like to first of all say thanks to those of you who have chosen to click and follow and read my blog. I am a little guy with a big heart and it feels good to know that someone actually takes the time to read my feelings.


This week, I put on my crash helmet and dive head in to one of the biggest issues to hit our state since Prop 26. Its Initiative 27. Voter ID! Are you FOR or AGAINST this is my question. Me personally, I am FOR it. I do not see what the big deal is. Now granted saying that I am for it means that I am for everything that is in the current bill but let's stop right there. I have an issue with some of the language in it. To put it in simpler terms. I am FOR the idea of voter ID.


Here is the ballpark idea of initiative 27: Initiative #27 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to require voters to submit a government issued photo identification before being allowed to vote; provides that any voter lacking government issued photo identification may obtain photo identification without charge from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety; and exempts certain residents of state-licensed care facilities and religious objectors from being required to show photo identification in order to vote.-Wikipedia


OK! There is some of the language. But to go along with this there has been a hurricane of debate that follows the issue like bees to honey. For the record, I am an African American male in a Republican state. I have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the history of my state and my people and where we have come as well as where we can go. But the return of "Jim Crow" to Mississippi is not something I truly worry about. If this proves to be so, it will be because people do not get off their hind ends and get involved in the political world as well as their own personal lives. This is SERIOUS! I for one am sick of people saying that its intimidating to those of us with color. I AM NOT. I know I am one person, and the amount of elders here in our state lived through a lot of rough times where this was proven to be true. But I for one, at this time in my life, am willing to stand up and fight anyone who tells me NO I CANNOT because I am not of a certain caliber. 


Let's simplify this. Here is a list of things: 
1. Driver's license
2. Buy alcohol
3. Buy cigarettes
4. Apply for welfare
5. Apply for food stamps
6. Cash a check
7. Purchase a firearm
8. Make any large credit card purchase
9. Open a bank account
10. Rent an apartment
11. Be admitted to a hospital
12. Get a marriage license 
13. Get into a club
14. When you get ticketed by a police officer


Now that is a nice list. So tell me why people feel that VOTING, and showing your ID to vote, is this huge deal. We as people use our identifications for a number of things, and why should voting be any different. I am not Republican, but I do see where this can cut down on a lot of FRAUD that does happen here in our great state. I do not sympathize nor do I understand how an adult, can walk this earth, work, put food on the table, and have a social life as well as be socially conscience but NOT, have identification. It bothers me that some of us are stuck in a certain point and feel that everything in the area of legislation and enforcing laws, is to keep us as black Americans under rule. I do not feel intimidation. I do on the other hand understand and empathize with the elders of this great state. Thank you for paving the way and you SHOULD BE given a pass on voter ID. To the rest of us who are all of able mind and body and have a huge sense of self concience. Get up! Get out! AND DO WHATEVER YOU CAN to further yourself. Just because your carded to vote, is not the end of the world. It will just be the 15th bullet point on the list of things that you DO need an ID for. We should be more worried about slowing down voter fraud on BOTH parties and getting a better turn out in the Black community for our elected officials instead of this petty issue. And trust me, the younger generation will not weigh the possibility of them voting on, do they have an ID or not. It will be already understood that this is one thing that you should have. Just like your college ID, work ID, and more. But that's just my opinion. Let me know how you feel.  

Get the MONEY out of CONGRESS

It's Time to GET MONEY OUT of politics

Bailouts. War. Unemployment. Our government is bought, and we’re angry. Now, we’re turning our anger into positive action. By signing this petition, you are joining our campaign to get money out of politics. Our politicians won’t do this. But we will. We will become an unrelenting, massive organized wave advocating a Constitutional amendment to get money out of politics.

We are using our ability to influence media outlets as a platform to force this issue to the center of the 2012 elections.  We are using The Dylan Ratigan Show to build this digital wave, so join us.  As the petition grows, the wave grows. Email, Facebook, Tweet — GET MONEY OUT. 

From our former Washington Lobbyist, Jimmy Williams, here is a DRAFT of our Constitutional Amendment for public debate this fall:

"No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U. S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office."

Here is Lawrence Lessig's DRAFT of the amendment. As always we would likeyour comments for debate.

"No non-citizen shall contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office. United States citizens shall be free to contribute no more than the equivalent of $100 to any federal candidate during any election cycle. Notwithstanding the limits construed to be part of the First Amendment, Congress shall have the power to limit, but not ban, independent political expenditures, so long as such limits are content and viewpoint neutral. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office."

To double your impact, send GetMoneyOut.com to one other person.

Conman walking the streets of Jackson....BEWARE!

Via Jackson Jambalaya- Local attorney Jane Tucker sent me this report she wrote on her experience with Jackson's criminal justice system after a con man ripped off several car dealers last week. Enjoy.
DEMARIO WALKER NUTJOB FELON web-2

 

Standing up for JACKSON!

From the CLARION LEDGER-Gov. Haley Barbour is pushing for the Department of Revenue to relocate from Clinton to the Landmark Center in downtown Jackson.

In a letter sent to lawmakers recently, Barbour said the location would save money and help support the capital city.

"Recent statistics show that Jackson's vacancy rate is approximately 27 percent - a figure too large to ignore," he wrote. "Leasing the Landmark Center will be an economic boost to Jackson by keeping the building on the city's tax rolls, as well as supporting growth in downtown business activities."

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. supports the relocation, which could bring hundreds of state employees to downtown. As a former member of the agency once called the state Tax Commission, he said, "I know how important it is to have DOR services in the downtown area."

Now when I first read this, I thought to myself, how awkward. Furthermore I read the fact that really was beyond my reach. 27% vacant. WOW! I mean how is the BOLD, NEW, CITY surviving this. I cannot understand. But, through hell or high water, we are still a city that is on the rebound. There is still much to be done, but we are far from where we used to be. For those of us who chose to stay the course of this war to save our city, it has been a long one. Filled with empty promises, bad politics, evil politicians, and even an arrogant city council that felt it was ok to issue a $50 reconnect fee for water. Sidebar-I'm still rather PISSED about that one. 

For the most part, we have been making strides. Downtown is thriving again. Businesses are returning on both the corporate and the business side. Facelifts are being initiated for a lot of the infrastructure, and even the museums are throwing on a little paint and spicing up the decour. Our city, which was down on its last leg at one point with a vacating citizen count and businesses to match, has seen its worst day. Boarded up businesses that vacate an area several months after opening, dilapidated housing that stretched on for blocks and blocks; these are the grounds of abandonment that the city faced. Due mostly to rising taxes, high crime rate and poor job opportunities. When it comes to the story of those who have been there, and done that, our city has a HUGE trophy for playing an award winning role. I urge those who have been here and moved on to the outskirt counties of Madison and Rankin, to always look back and do not be afraid to come and pay us a visit sometime. If you see fit, maybe even come shop here and spend a little of your hard earned money. Lol! 

Although we have a rather stripped down shopping and entertainment complex, we still make strides with what is left standing. Those keystones alone are enough, in my opinion, to rebuild our once great city back to its former light. Keep this in mind always. What once was great, will be great once again. HISTORY PROVES THIS!

Mississippi Burning-The REAL coverage

Killing caught on video

Mississippi hate crime?

Months ago, In our great state we had a sad case of racial hate come about. An altercation which left one man dead, and a few teens in jail. Sad, yes, but a thing of the norm here in Mississippi, NO! So let me give you the actual answer to the tuff question of is Mississippi still burning. NO SIR! We are thriving. We live like we always have amidst the larger states, wondering will anyone ever take us as serious as we take ourselves. In this case of the racial renagade vs the black man, I honestly feel like it was the worst thing that could happen at the worst time for us. 

The teen, Deryl Dedmond is accused of killing a black man by brutally beating him and running over him with a vehicle. All caught on tape by a hotel in which the victim, James Anderson was run over after being viciously beaten by a gang of teens from 2 counties over. Brandon, Ms is where the teens where from. After a long night of partying and drinking, the then high school seniors felt like they needed to find some "Niggers to fuck with!" Shortly after the teens embarked up the city of Jackson, because thats where the blacks live so to say, and commenced to attack Mr. Anderson. Beating him viciously and that ended when Dedmond hit him with his truck when leaving.


Dedmond, has had a history of issues with people of other races. He does not hide it nor do his friends. Even going as far as to make posts on facebook and threaten other teens for being "Black Lovers" is a thing of the norm for him. Brandon is a majoritiy white city. But its african american population is growing. It is a thriving city with great things going like less crime, good schools,  and more safety. Something ALL citizens look at as a staple when finding somewhere to live. This is a common thing throughout the nation. Minorities will move to somewhere they can feel safe in order to give their child a better outlook on life and a better education to ready them for the world. So I applaud this nationwide. BUT, 

Cleaning up.......but where do we start.

Its obvious that the phrase, "Clean up your own backyard before you take care of someone else's", has taken an exit in the past 8 to 10 years. The days of Amercia taking care of Americans are all but gone. Today what you have now is a mirror image of what socialism can be if we do not take back what is rightfully ours. Although the form of social entitlements, TARRP, bail-outs, and blown budgets are all common issues, they are the main ones that are holding our nation hostage. In my opinion, the 3 areas that we can start at are simple. Tax code, federal pay cuts, and immigration. These are an odd 3. I agree. But it is these 3 in my opinion that are causing the most disruption in our current system.

Tax Code Remodeling

The current tax code today can be explained in one word. CONFUSION! How can anyone, let alone working citizens, keep up with the onslaught of wording that this document contains. Why are we living with this infectious code. The time for reform of this is NOW! How can someone who lives unemployed and puts nothing into the federal income tax system, receive income tax back. The system of checks and balances with the code, along with the IRS over watch is pitiful. Red flags on little guys, while the line crosser next door banks it up every year with every allotment possible. Who do we have to blame for this. The administration? No! This has been an issue long before President Barak Obama took office. But we were not this bad off as a nation then, as we are now. Unemployment is the talk of the town and people living in these towns only want one thing. The foot off their back and a chance to grow and get back to where they once were.

Federal Pay Cuts

This issue lies deep within me. Simply because if you are a PUBLIC official, and you are elected to an office by the taxpayers, how can you decide when its time for YOU to get a pay raise. Shouldn't that be left up to us. I mean we did elect you to the position. Do professional athletes tell owners how much they want to make or do they collectively bargain to an agreement? Why are we allowing this. While some are attacking wall street, and attacking an administration, WE should all be targeting and attacking these individuals we play. Our STAR athlete's in congress and our local government. This is truly a debacle. And at the end of the day, which city is growing the most jobs? The one with the host of high paid officials. Thats the equivalent to drilling for oil and selling it right out of your backyard, regardless of what the baseline price is. Letting this continue is like telling a child, "Hey, I know your cheating on your tests, but you gotta stop!" Do you honestly think without some sort of act of agression from us, that this will cease. No! And YES I said AGRESSION. We as citizens have been too dormant to what has been going on right in front of our eyes. But can you blame us. Not really. Simply because we have enough problems living our lives and making ends meet in one way or another. And for some of us that's by working multiple jobs. When the time comes, I would like to see an operation "CUT PAY" initiated into Washington. Because if they cannot perform the job, they most definitely don't need more money to make life a little easier on their living. I mean look at the other side of the equation. Some of us have REAL issues that it takes a pay day loan to solve. If you put that shoe on the suits in Washington, I feel a lot would change, including how politicians vote.

Immigration

If you see something, SAY SOMETHING! Unless of course its dealing with illegal immigrants in your area soaking up jobs that you would do for more pay. In the past year, I have seen it all in regards to how our federal government likes to rule. State's literally have no power to make rules in their own house. This is rediculous. The day a state get sued by the federal government for taking a stance on what they would like in their state is something I thought I would never see. But Arizona made a believer out of me. They tell you as citizens, to get up and get out and vote. IF you want a change in the state or city that you live in. GET OUT AND VOTE. But if daddy FED doesn't like it, he will see fit that it gets changed ASAP!

I am all for immigration. As an African Amercian, I know for a fact that our presence in this great nation came by import from a land we called our home by force. But now we have the exact opposite. People leaving the nation they live in, to occupy ours, but still send finances back to their nation and loved ones to see them grow. It bothers me. Simply because if you want to be HERE and be apart of whats going on. There is a right way to do it. Jumping a fence and just occupying a city is not the way. And that used to not be a problem. Until now. The numbers are dumbfounding. To the point that African Americans are no longer the minority in this nation. Its weird. Meanwhile, I am seeing more spanish and more issues with people not being able to speak the language that our nation is based on. Its a double sided sword. On one hand you have people who are losing socially because they want to be here, but they go about it the wrong way. Then you have people who are watching jobs leave their home cities and states, simply because they can get away with paying someone less in another country. Furthermore, they can just hire someone and not document it and pay them whatever they feel like it. The immigration issue is a heavy one. And the states have to stand up and take control of it on their on. The federal government is not going to help. They only want the voting bodies present at election time, so why would they. Look at it for what it is. If your area is getting ready to elect someone to a new chair, make sure its someone that wants to solve this issue, not continue it.

In closing, the fabric that built our great nation, the blood sweat and tears from every man woman and child that walked a street or dirt roaod, is not dead. It is simply at a state of paralysis. We are shocked at what we are seeing and going through, and do not know which serpeant head to attack first. I urge you people, do not give up the fight. This nation WILL be great once agian. But for the moment, we must deal with the issues that are right in front of us, that are causing the biggest problems.

Just my opinion.