Well this is exciting! Or stupid.

Below are my thoughts on this evening's election returns. In reverse chronological order.

Oh. By the way. This was the first election where we had to show ID. :-) Guess what? I have a state issued ID which I showed to the little ladies. They commented on the spelling of my first name. No one said word boo about the fact that I have a license to carry a conceal fire arm.

12:11 Huh? He didn't win. Aren't you following along? There's going to be a run off and Tom Carey doesn't get to play. 

12:10 This just in on my email

Tea Party Express, the nation's largest Tea Party political action committee, congratulates State Senator Chris McDaniel for winning the U.S. Senate primary against 47-year incumbent Thad Cochran.

11:54 Okay-- so after we got done laughing... we wondered, "Who is this Thomas Carey guy?" 

11:51 Guess the folks in Covington Co. woke up.

11:16 Election fraud is an interesting thought. Not like it hasn't happened here in Mississippi before. One could cross-reference the Y'All Politics summary of endorsements coming out of these two counties as a start. 

"home in bed" Well-- I wouldn't put that past her, but.... [Sorry-- didn't get the time stamp on that. From legalinsurrection.com]

11:05 Why are there no results from Holmes and Covington Counties? "Election fraud?" Mr. Big Food asks. If you don't know the Mississippi landscape, you may not understand that question. 

11:00 Fascinating. All of a sudden everyone in the national punditry is an expert on Mississippi voting rules. Run-off? 

10:43 95.4% reporting. 1400 votes. 

10:30 Still waiting on Holmes and Covington. Claiborne went for Thad, 161 to 112. Now about a 1300 vote lead. 

10:22 I've been taking a few hand written notes as I'm watching. Fewer than 2000 votes separate them and two large counties have yet to report: Holmes and Covington. 91.9% of precincts have reported. 

10:15 Ponotoc County went for Thad-- but only by 150 votes. He's about 3000 behind now. 

9:59 Here I am sitting in front of my computer looking at the Clarion Ledger "live" election results. I flip to another screen, come back and what do you know? McDaniel takes the lead.

RINOs of America UNTIE | UPDATE!

Okay. That's a joke. I think the original T-shirt read, "Bad spellers of America Untie."

From Y'all Politics:

One endorsement is usually not enough to move the needle in a campaign. However, when taken in totality, endorsements often provide a very clear picture of where the battle lines are drawn in a contested race. There is no clearer example of that than the race between Thad Cochran and Chris McDaniel.

It goes on to list the endorsements the two clowns candidates running for the United States Senate-- you know, that great deliberative body-- have garnered. 

Cochran has the NRA. McDaniel has Gun Owners of America. 'Nuff said. But if you need a good laugh this morning, go check out both lists. 

UPDATE:
Aggie comments:

I'm writing in my dog.

OH MY GOODNESS!!

I got a personal phone call from Sarah Palin today! No S&^%!! Sarah P@Lin call3d m3 t0d@y!!!!!

~~

The phone has been ringing off the hook this weekend.

"Hey! I'm Some State Senator you've never heard of from Winona! I am proud to be a member of Mississippi Conservatives-- a group of Cochran ass ki88ers that sprang into existence about 36 hours ago. ... "

Every single person who is making fun of this Senate primary race is right to do so. This is Mississippi politics at its finest.

Laugh Out Loud.

My nickers are in a knot right now.

I'm inclined to agree with Mr. Big Food on this one. This sucks. This is the real Mississippi and company is due to arrive later today. And then there's the conference at Ole Miss. And the reception at the Farm. 

And we have no water.

So there you go. You go vote for Thad on account of all he's done for you. You go. 

Restore Or Replace?

January 17, 2013

Things move pretty fast here in rural north central Mississippi. Just 446 days after the Courthouse burned, the citizens of my little county are voting-- in a non-binding referendum-- on whether to restore or to replace the crappy old Courthouse.

We've been debating this-- and by "we" I mean the county supervisors and other officials, the mayor of the little village which is the county seat (who just happens to be an architect specializing in old building restoration), Mr. & Mrs. County citizen, and folks who haven't lived here in a coon's age but just happen to have been born here-- for over a year. These discussions (along with my Books Bygone column) have kept the weekly county newspaper in business! Some fellow even wrote poems about the Courthouse that appeared in the newspaper. And a coalition of citizens had machine-made signs made up supporting restoration!

We also are being sued by the company that insured the courthouse. And almost lost our opportunity at a half-million dollar grant for restoration. 

Diddle daddle.

The Supes (as we call our supervisors) finally decided to put the question to the People. 

Today Mr. Big Food and I voted. O'course, we couldn't vote where we usually do because our polling place burned down. I was #56 to vote in our precinct. 

This is such a BIG DEAL the mainstream media out of Tupelo even sent a reporter to cover the event!

I might be on television!!!

Mississippians, this is embarrassing.

Up at Breitbart.com just now

I don't think we need a constitutional amendment limiting the number of terms a representative can "serve." I think we can take matters into our own hands on June 24, 2014. Save the date. 

Related. 
And more.

Thad in Yesterday's News

at NRO's The Corner, yesterday

You don't say. 

So this is not about Cochran vs. McDaniel or about the TEA party. This is about an old man who needs to retire. 

To not "know a lot about" the TEA party in the 4th most conservative state in the Union is... . Well. It's laughable.

Ice Cubes in H-E-Double-Toothpicks

The chances of this passing both Mississippi houses, and being signed into law by the governor are slim.

That said, I have a proposal. Let's pass a law mandating the publication of the names, addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, birth dates, social security numbers, arrest records, marital status, number and names of children and grandchildren, elementary, middle, high school and college transcripts, dental records, and most ever unflattering bathing suit photograph of every single state representative who proposes something truly stupid.

I'll start with Omeria.

Here's her facebook page. Please note that her favorite athlete is Michael Vick. As Rocky would say, "RRRRRRRUUUUUUFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF."

Here she is on Project Vote Smart-- which apparently the folks in District 80 did not do. Husband's name is Charles.

She has lived in Laurel, MS, Jackson, MS, Natchez, MS, and Midland, MI.

Here we go...

 So there you go. Let her know what you think of her stupid little proposal.

BOOKS: "A Nobler and Fuller Life"

One of the most important services the school can render the child is to bring him in touch with the world of books. In these the great minds of the past have expressed the insight into life which they possessed, and have done so in such as way that the manner of expression is almost as priceless a heritage as the insight itself. Great book stir the reader to a nobler and fuller life. They are the means by which society hands down to future generations whatever of good it has discovered or proved. ... The better class of reading books is no longer made up of information lessons on every conceivable topic, but of selections from the realm of pure literature.

[My emphasis. Literary Readings: An Introduction to the Study of Literature. Charles Madison Curry. Rand, McNally & Company, Chicago. 1903.]

And with that, I present to you-- without comment-- the 2011 Summer Reading List from Jackson, Mississippi public schools. (2013's general list for grades 6-12 was the same.) I've added original publication dates (in pink).

By the way-- there's an OPPOSE COMMON CORE RALLY at the Capitol in Jackson on January 7 from 8:30am - 10:30am.

Time to go, Thad

Senators John Barasso of Wyoming, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Thad Cochran of Mississippi declined to say how they would be voting. 

Via a blurb at NRO's The Corner regarding the Ryan-Murry budget deal.

I have little doubt that Cochran declined because his office is still tabulating the wishes of those he represents. Stop laughing. I'm talking about his corporate sponsors, not the citizens of Mississippi.

Forever Encouraged

Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government, the preservation of liberty, and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged in this state.

Mississippi Constitution, 1817, Art. VI, Sec. 16

from Chapter 13, "Education in Mississippi from Statehood to the Civil War," in A History of Mississippi Volume I (Richard Aubrey McLemore, ed., University & College Press of Mississippi, Jackson, 1973, p. 352).

Five Teasers

1. Mr. Big Food's participation in the GOOD IDEAS forum on liberal gun ownership went well. As it was scheduled for 1:30 central time, and at the time we were making our way back to the Farm from the coast, Mr. Big Food chose an outdoor location from which to participate. 

Civil Rights

2. Daughter C, who had been minding the Farm during our absence, was hard at work during our absence. 

Real Big Food!

3. I have work to do.

Cataloging the 10 pounds of crappy old books I crammed in a 5 pound bag.

4. The garden continued to produce in my absence. Daughter C was otherwise engaged. So I harvested some beans this afternoon. As I type, Mr. Big Food is in the new & improved kitchen turning beans into a little side dish to go with our chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. I think bacon is involved.

5. What a great Anniversary Fishing Trip we had! We're thinking about dragging the whole family down to the Gulf next fall.

Even those danged old dawgs.

Stay tuned!

You have 10 minutes, Mississippi!

Daughter C sent me a link to an article with some photos of crappy old stuff -- no, "crappy old stuff" is reserved for stuff I like. There was nothing to like about what was pictured. The article, by one Brian Galindo, begins:

Last week, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4(b) of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a key provision in the law that mandated nine states with a history of racial discrimination, mostly in the South, to get federal permission before they could change their voter laws. 

True enough. These are statements of facts, and last week's news. Tying these statements to photographs or scans of the literacy test-- which had to be completed perfectly within 10 minutes-- given to Blacks in Louisiana in the early 1960s implies that... what? The Supreme Court erred because nothing has changed in the South since the 1960s and Black Americans here don't or can't vote? That may be true. It may be false. But you know what, Brian Galindo? There is a way to actually find out which it is!

And so, I shall.

Let us ask, "Nationally, and for each state, what percentage of Black Americans voted in the 2012 election?" Call me silly, but I think this might be a pretty good indicator of whether or not the South needs to be babysat by the Feds when it comes to "voter laws."

Fortunately, The United States Census Bureau collects such data and makes it available on the World Wide Web for all to see. (I'm looking at you, Brian.) The data, in the form of MSExcel spreadsheets are here: Table 4b. Reported Voting and Registration by Sex, Race and Hispanic Origin, for States: November 2012

Nationally, 62.0% of Black Americans voted in the 2012 election-- so that's the average for the country. (FYI, I'm reporting data from the category "Black alone" meaning these are American who self-describe as only Black, contrasted with "Black alone or in combination" which would include mixed-race Blacks.)


Top & bottom states below the fold. 

What a mistake! UPDATED

I have the television set on and I just heard that the residents of the greater Boston area are "waking up today... ."

It's freaking 11:00 eastern time in Boston. Waking up? Lazy bums.

In Mississippi news, you may recall that an Elvis impersonator sent our junior US Senator a nasty little letter recently. As it turns out, the two are acquainted.

“I have indeed met the gentleman before,” Wicker said in a statement to The Clarion-Ledger on Thursday. “He’s an entertainer. He’s an Elvis impersonator. He entertained at a party my wife and I helped give for a young couple that were getting married.”

Now, I ask you, who but a Mississippian would refer to a guy who sent you poison as a "gentleman?"  

UPDATE: Here's the link. 

Dear Staffer Who Crafted This Email

response to what must have been a flood of emails chastising Senator Wicker for voting to allow S.649-- the "deeply flawed legislation" titled "Safe Schools Act"-- to move forward,

[Page break b/c my first response is not for children's eyes.]

Documenting the Insanity.

From my Congressman.

Dear Friends,

This week, the House passed a bill that cuts $85 billion, delays implementation of Obamacare, and keeps the government funded through the end of the fiscal year. This is a victory for limited government, but there is much work left to do.

The good news is since Republicans took control of the House, we have cut discretionary spending 10%. The bad news is in those same years, mandatory spending has increased 11%. This is like a family cutting down on going out to eat, but spending even more on car payments and a second mortgage. Even if you are cutting from one area, spending is still going up overall.

Mandatory spending occurs automatically and is two thirds of the budget. It includes Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and welfare programs such as food stamps. Many of these programs are vital to ensuring a safety net for the most vulnerable members of our society, and retirees have paid taxes their entire working lives with the understanding they would receive a certain level of benefits in retirement. However, these programs are growing at an unsustainable rate and, without reform, will bankrupt us. A bankrupt government is not in a good position to help anybody.

Our attention will now turn to the 2014 budget and what we can do to achieve the same success with mandatory spending that we have begun to achieve on the discretionary side. You and I know the budget needs to be balanced and taxes should not be raised in order to do so. The only way to get from the mess we are in now to a balanced budget is addressing mandatory spending.

Stay in touch and God bless,

[my emphasis]

Here is how often we go out to eat..












Sigh. My congressman is a nice enough guy but he ain't no libertarian.

PSA for Mississippians: Two gun-related bills signed

via Y'all Politics:

From the Governor's Press Release

Gov. Phil Bryant today signed into law two measures to protect gun owner rights. House Bill 485, which takes effect immediately, protects personal information collected from applicants for concealed carry permits. House Bill 2, effective July 1, clarifies the legal definition of carrying a concealed weapon.

“In January, I called on House and Senate leaders to take swift action to protect gun owners and the right to arms, and today I am signing two very important gun rights measures into law,” Gov. Bryant said.

House Bill 485, sponsored by Representative Mark Baker (R-Brandon), removes personal information collected from applicants for concealed carry permits from public record requirements. Applicant and permit holder information is still available if ordered by a court.

More below.

PSA for Mississippi Readers/Citizens | UPDATED with Link to Bill's Full Text

Regarding MS House Bill HB485 to exempt weapon permit information, i.e. to not see Concealed Permit Holders'  names and addresses published in the paper.

Here's the email I just received (8:35pm Monday) from Elaine Vechorik. I'll update with more links.

Please share this!

The battle is not over.

 This just means the bill survived to come out of committee for a full house vote.

NOW is the time to contact your representative and ask him to vote YES on HB 485 Description: MS Public Records Act; exempt weapon permit information.


Newspaper article: http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/01/mississippi_house_committee_ok.html

From Will Longwitz
Protect gun owner privacy - call the House Tuesday.

Rep. Mark Baker's conceal carry privacy bill passed through committee today. It keeps the media from getting your conceal carry information and printing it.

Tuesday is the full House vote. I wrote the Senate version, but I am throwing my full support to Rep. Baker's bill, HB485. There is no time to lose. A Tupelo newspaper has requested all the records of every conceal-carry license holder in Lee County. We must act now. Your information could be next. Nobody has a right to your conceal-carry information but you!

Email your Representatives and call the Capitol tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at 601-359-3770. Tell them to support conceal carry privacy. Support HB485.

UPDATE:

Here's the key bit:

HOUSE BILL NO.  485

     AN ACT TO CREATE SECTION 25-61-11.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF
1972, TO EXEMPT INFORMATION REGARDING PERSONS WITH A WEAPON PERMIT
FROM THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT OF 1983; TO AMEND SECTION
45-9-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; AND FOR RELATED
PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 25-61-11.1, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     25-61-11.1.  The name, home address, any telephone number or
other private information of any person who possesses a weapon 
permit issued under Section 45-9-101 or Section 97-37-7 shall be 
exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.

The full text is here. Take note of this:

316. 330  (18) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require
     
317. 331  or allow the registration, documentation or providing of serial
     
318. 332  numbers with regard to any stun gun or firearm. Further, nothing
     
319. 333  in this section shall be construed to allow the open and
     
320. 334  unconcealed carrying of any stun gun or a deadly weapon as
     
321. 335  described in Section 97-37-1, Mississippi Code of 1972.
     

If you've never read state legislation pertaining to concealed carry, I encourage you to do so. You may be surprised how regulated the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is!

Saturday in Mississippi Part 1: 2nd Amendment Rally

We had an overnight guest who I am pleased to say made his bed in the new & improved guest room after a walk around the property and a hearty breakfast of juice, coffee, biscuits & sausage gravy. After breakfast our guest departed for Nashville, and we made our way to the Capital of the Sovereign State of Mississippi.

Hard to believe, but we'd never been to the capital grounds before.

"Dedicated to you, a free citizen in a free land"

Opportunity seized.

While we did not, technically speaking, exercise our 2nd Amendment right at the rally-- as we were on the grounds of the capital guns stayed in the truck-- we did exercise our 1st Amendment rights to peaceably assemble and petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Wish I'd thought of that. Just because the gun is in the truck doesn't mean the holster has to be.

The Governor spoke. 

I think I forgot to mention that Walker-- the 14 your old neighbor kid-- showed up at the door the other day with his single-shot .223 asking if he could go into the woods and sit in his deer stand and try his luck. 

Guns Made America Great!

"... some things are worth fighting for... "

You can just imagine how the Chick-fl-A business is playing out in a state with a lot of churches. Via  Y'all Politics, here's Ron Williams', Libertarian candidate for US House District 4, take on the matter:

Let me make it clear, the CEO is being punished by government officials because he exercised his First Amendment right of free speech. The Constitution is very clear. When government restricts and punishes the people for exercising their First Amendment rights, then we are to default to the Second Amendment (right to keep and bear arms). These two mayors need to be introduced to the Second Amendment ASAP.

He later clarified:

I don't want anybody to go shoot anybody, but I want people to understand what a slippery slope we can be on and what the purpose of the Second Amendment is.

From the Sun Herald story:

Williams said his letter was meant to remind people that "some things are worth fighting for, if they cannot be remedied by any other measure."