If you’re looking for the Jim Hood articles just referred to on the Kim Wade Show, click here to read Donna Ladd’s interview with Jim Hood, and read Adam Lynch’s story, “Hood Threatens Melton.”
Previous Comments
If any of you missed the story on WLBT about the fires at abandoned houses today take a look at their site later to see if they have the video up. Truly scary.
#123950 | Author: Rob | Date: Sep 22 2006
Agreed. What the holy hell is up with that?
#123951 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Sep 22 2006
WLBT has the story and video up now: “There were five house fires Thursday in Jackson, the day after a city councilman, Kenneth Stokes, said publicly we need to get rid of crack houses even if they have to be burned.”
#123952 | Author: Rob | Date: Sep 22 2006
Well, incitement to arson has to be a crime. It’s not just yelling fire in a crowded theater, it’s encouraging people to burn down the theater. Totally irresponsible.
#123953 | Author: lucdix | Date: Sep 22 2006
That’s how urban renewal works in Jackson. Someplace needs to go? It burns, gets blamed on “homeless” and no one cares further.
#123954 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Sep 22 2006
I expected Stokes to modify his rhetoric after the fires, but in the WLBT piece he says, “I think some people would listen. I don’t know about this particular situation because it’s near the train tracks and other things, and they whole area was abandoned. Some people will listen because they are sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Those are astonishingly reckless words for a city official. Is he trying to be the new Melton?
#123955 | Author: Brent Cox | Date: Sep 22 2006
Stokes has always been that mouthy. He’s got his ward cowed, however.
#123956 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Sep 22 2006
Stokes is emboldened by his 3-man voting bloc on the City Council and the criticism of Frank “Scarface” Melton’s recent strongarm tactics. He has been a silent supporter of the vigilante philosophy of Melton, and now that Melton appears to be on the ropes Kenny has finally stepped off the sidelines and to enter the fray and let his true alliances be known. Apparently he agrees that committing criminal acts to get rid of criminals and blight in the inner city is just a necessary evil. Getting rid of Melton will take some of the wind out of Stokes.
#123957 | Author: Jeff Lucas | Date: Sep 22 2006
Not much wind, he’s got so much and been spewing this mess for so long…
#123958 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Sep 22 2006
I find Mr. Stokes’ comments remarkable, particularly the statement quoted by Brent. Mr. Stokes acknowledges that his remarks might have caused “some people” to burn these houses down, and he is perfectly fine with that. Or at least, it’s hard to read his comment any other way. Hopefully he will clarify his position shortly, but are we really to the point where city officials are openly encouraging citizens to break the law? With arson?
#123959 | Author: Brian C Johnson | Date: Sep 22 2006
Will the A.G. hold Der Burgermeister the mayor accountable to the law should he violate the terms of his bond by, for example, driving the Mobile Command Unit? Melton is determined to give the middle finger Sieg Heil to anyone who tells him he must obey the law. I don’t know Hood. Will he hold Melton accountable to the law?
#123960 | Author: Brent Cox | Date: Sep 24 2006
burning houses is ok, burning crosses is not. got it.
#123961 | Author: Kingfish | Date: Sep 24 2006
Recent Immigration Stories
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
