The Sins of The Father

No hand can make the clock strike for me the hours that are passed.

-Lord Byron

As the James Ford Seale trial gears up with jury selection, a local media outlet, The Jackson Free Press has been reporting pretty hard core on this Civil Rights era murder case. I am grateful that charges have been brought in this case and I agree that murder should never have a statute of limitations, but I have a problem with the soap box tactics of the JFP in polarizing this issue into "your either with us, or against us." Through this case, the JFP and specifically, Donna Ladd, have found another reason to indict everyone in this state, young and old, as long as they are white, as being culpable in the murders of black victims of racially based Civil Rights era killings. The JFP and Donna Ladd have found it appropriate to advocate for the white citizens of this state to apologize for lynchings, murders, and racially based hate from the past. If people wish to apologize for these types of actions, perhaps people who were there or committed the acts, I say go for it. If someone feels that much guilt that they need to confess, apologize or repair damage they feel responsible for, take the first step and do it. However, and this is a big however, I feel no responsibility for what happened to black victims of racially charged murders or violence during an era, time, period, and place that I did not exist. Make no mistake, I feel very sorry for the families who lost people to senseless violence, I feel sorry for the millions of black people who had to ride at the back of the bus or who could not even eat at a diner with white people. I feel sorry for the fact that a great leader like Dr. Martin Luther King was gunned down by a coward, as was Medgar Evers. Mississippi and the United States lost great minds when these two leaders were murdered. However, I was not responsibly for what happened in any of these cases. I owe no one, any kind of responsibility except for what I do in my life. My family was in this state before statehood and fought on the side of the Confederacy and I do no apologize for this, because I had no hand in those decisions. Very possibly, many of my ancestors in this state, were racists, ignorant, and advocated for Jim Crow laws. I do not apologize for this, because this was not my doing. Many people who might read this, might say, "well, he is just a goddamn racist." No I am not. I don't apologize for the past, because its not my life and if I make a disingenuous apology for those things, I might as well apologize for the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, apologize for Cortez's massacre of the Aztecs and apologize for any other travesty committed against another people. I work very hard in my life to make friends from all walks of life. I count myself very lucky to have black friends, white friends and a best friend from the former Yugoslavia. I apologize for my life and my transgressions, but I will never take blame for what others have wrought. The JFP and Donna Ladd have decided to indict everyone who happens to be white in this state for the crimes of the past. Get the killers, get the conspirators, but I will never allow myself to be lumped into their category. Euripides once said, "the gods visit the sins of the father upon the son." Well, this country was founded on the antithesis of the this Greek maxim. The founders of this country understood that passing the crimes and debts of the father to the son was against justice and righteousness. I agree. I am responsible for myself and no other and I take great pride in that and will not ever apologize for crimes or attitudes that are not my own. So to the JFP and Donna Ladd I am proud of your reporting and helping bring about justice in an old Civil Rights era crime, but never, ever, ever think that you can push me into the category of being a complacent white person who is guilty by association. I push back.

Newspeak

In this little hamlet that I reside there are newspapers. Big surprise, huh? Well the two more predominant newspapers here are the Clarion Ledger and The Jackson Free Press. The Ledger is a fairly old, established Mississippi newspaper and The Jackson Free Press is a relatively new, alternative newspaper. For whatever reason, The Jackson Free Press continuously rails against the Ledger. A possible cause could be that the parent company of The Ledger, Gannet Corporation, has attempted to edge out the Free Press through some rather shady business practices. In response, the Free Press is constantly on the offensive against anything The Ledger does.


Recently, I was hanging out at one of my usual haunts, downing a few beers and discussing the situation with a, lets say, "executive" with The Ledger. I inquired to this person about why the Free Press despises The Ledger so much. The "executive" responded with, "You know, I really don't know. No one really noticed their little paper until they started whining about everything." I asked the "executive" about the business practices, but this person claimed no knowledge of that.


After a while we started discussing what the problems are with both papers. The Ledger is outdated. Their features revolve around knitting and have no concept of how to use the internet. The Free Press is self-righteous and more than not, prefers to make the news instead of report it. In the end, both papers are sub-par with sub-par editors. I have decided not to take a side in their little war, but sit back and watch them both look like fools. Don't get me wrong, though. I think both papers have many good reporters, I think the problem starts at the top of both of them.


The worst problem about these papers is the polarization that goes on with each. On one side you have the liberal camp, the Free Press, and the other, the established conservative camp, The Ledger. Both sides intensely look down at one another as being stupid. This is indicative about our culture today. Everything descends to polarization because people like the editors and people in charge at each of these media outlets push their agendas as the "right" one. With blogging and internet posting engaging the public on each of these media's websites, people become involve and fall in line behind their leaders. They cease to think for themselves, but merely rely on what is told to them through these media websites.

The Future

Its such a nice day I decided to sit out on my balcony at my apartment. Its almost a perfect 71 degrees with a slight breeze. This week has been an unending, escalating horror story of stress in my life and today I had to realize that I can't keep worrying about everything. There is so much other shit to worry about instead of papers, exams, bar applications and other frivolous shyte. I'm sick to death of the bullshit my professors keep churning out about getting everything done on time. I'm so tired of these arbitrary deadlines. I just can't take anymore of this crap seriously. I took 3 years out of my life to stay in school and finish an advanced degree. Now at the end, instead of a congratulations and a high paying job, I get informed that the market is too saturated and a "good luck" with a kick on the ass. Gee, thanks. Just from estimating, I'd say

that about 25% of my class have jobs lined up for after school.

You know, I should probably use this for a basis of a writing career. Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, throughout his career, was searching for "The Death of The American Dream." That was his generation, so could my mission be to search for my generation's Dream? What would my generation's Dream be? I have mulled over this idea a few times. Maybe instead of a rebellion against establishment, maybe my generation is meant to "re-establish." Found the new cornerstone of society in a better image than something flighty like the hippies and less centralized like the early Gen Xers. I guess I'm a Gen Xer, but I don't feel like it. Gen X has always been marked with cynicism and critical thought. These ideas, though, are the afterthought of a previous generation feeling guilty about their own past and passed on to their children. Why the fuck should my generation be bound by these rules?

This post is pretty rambling because I just can't get this generational thing out of my mind.

I've seen some of the future leaders of my generation and I have to say that I don't trust the bulk of those fuckers. A bunch of over achieving, soulless, soccer moms and future politicos.

Future Writers:
1) Fratire Male Writers
2) Self-Deprecating Oversexualized Women
3) Ph.D.s in Pop Culture
4) Sport Statiticians
5) Musicologists with advanced work in Hip-Hop as a literary form

Future Politicians:
1) Standard White Republicans
2) Housewife "I'm still 'down' with my kids' Politico
3) Retrocrats that only talk about Reagan and Goldwater

Future Business Leaders:
1) Socially Awkward Nerd that invented the next Internet
2) Face Guys
3) Soccer Mom/Attorney/Soulless Bitch
4) Publishers and Editors of Independent Press magazines and newspapers

Media Pushes Agenda: Film at Eleven

So I went and watched Karaoke yesterday. One of the local self righteous media outlets hosted Karaoke with the majority of people singing coming from the staff of this media outlet. To say it was bad is putting it lightly. And not bad in a funny way, but more like bad in a sad way. Wow. I am really downing on them. I guess lately I have just been so pissed at their publication due to their agenda. What the fuck happened with the media world, where everyone has to have an agenda? Recently this media publication had a lead story on a local plaintiff's attorney who is running for governor. On the interior of the story the headline read: "Jesus rode a donkey." Jesus Christ, if that isn't a bias, one sided endorsement of a candidate, I don't know what is. Also, this plaintiff's attorney and Jesus have some SERIOUS disparities when it comes to character. LOL. Anywho, I'm just sick to death of media and local media for that matter, pushing a specific agenda based on their view of the world. Either make the news or report it, you stupid fucks, make a goddamn choice.

The Music Post

Ok, kids, I had to take a break from blogging. This shit can get exhausting. Plus, I've been addicted to watching MSNBC lately, with the Anna Nicole hearing. Wow. Its worse than a circus, but I guess we needed some new courtroom action to watch. This post, however, is not about Vickie Lynn or Britney or any other celebrity trash. I have been very reluctant to do this post, but I felt that if I started writing, I couldn't stop. But here goes anyway.

Today, on the Jackson Free Press' website, one of their columnists wrote an article about music and what she likes. I agree with her sentiments about not understanding new music too well, at least the poppy shit that permeates the airwaves, but she listed her top albums. Now, I can't do that because I would have to work out like a top 100 just to be fair, so I guess I'll post my top ten songs I'm listening to right now in my life. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have alot of hot air blowing when I talk about music and they also know its not a very good idea to get into a conversation about music with me because I just ramble and vent and talk about how I'm right. Maybe posting these songs on here will limit me, or maybe I'll still be typing by tomorrow morning. Who knows, but here goes:

10) "Volare" by Dean Martin.

When you think about great Mob movies, you have to think about Dean Martin and this song. His voice was like Anisette, and I can just picture myself sitting at a table in a New York lounge listening to this crooner sing thing song with a glass in his hand. I can't help myself for loving great Mob movies and singers like Martin. On top of everything, I'm a huge rat pack fan, so for my money, this song is the tops.

9) "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel.

Once again, my visions of New York and great song about a great city. I've never been to the place myself, but if I ever go, I plan on listening to this one the whole way there. For me, this song embodies Joel's entire body of work of representing the soul of a place, much in the same way Bon Jovi and The Boss represent New Jersey to me, or John Lee Hooker represents The Delta or Dr. John represents New Orleans. I associate places and things with songs and Billy Joel is New York to me.

8) "Its Not Going to Stop" by Aimee Mann.

Aimee Mann has been bumming around forever, but where I picture her music the most is from the movie "Magnolia." Wes Anderson, the film maker who made "Magnolia" possible said in an interview that he scripted and organized the movie around Aimee Mann's music. In the movie, this song is featured prominently during a break in the action where all the actors sing along to the song, separated in different scenes. I feel like I do that in my life. Her voice is very soulful and meaningful.

7) "Grits Ain't Groceries" by Little Milton.

A different flavor of blues, more picked up and with a kind of Chicago feel. Little Milton's driving lyrics and colorful descriptions on add to this song. Chess records was a warehouse of great talent, but Little Milton is my quintessential juke joint saturday night guy. When I listen to this, I feel like I'm up at the 930 and the place is fucking jumpin'. Listen to this song once, and you won't be able to get it out of your head.

6) "Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel.

Together or alone, both of these guys are incredible. This song is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to great writing and truly meaningful lyrics. "And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made." For the rest of time, that lyric will be meaningful. I really think most of my songs that I love come from the writing more than anything.

5) "Don't Let Me Down" by The Beatles.

There is so much to write about The Beatles, but this song just feels like the song that best personifies the band itself. All around, the album "Let it Be" is a beautiful creation, but this song, with its lack of polish and its almost sing-songy quality makes it seem more real. We all want to believe that our favorite band is true to the music and this song always restores my faith. Sure, lots of other Beatles songs are more experimental or truer to rock and roll standards, but this song, for me, is the best example of who The Beatles were.

4) "Ho Cakes" by MOFRO.

MOFRO is more like just one guy, but their root style rock has such a down home feel, it gives me faith in the future of music. As you can tell from my list, I'm not much on the newer stuff, but if you want good new music, that is affordable to see, go to Hal and Mals when MOFRO makes it back to Jacktown and get in the front row. Its bluesy, its country, its gospel and its rock and roll. Get on board this freedom train!

3) "Levon" by Elton John.

Now I know Elton John didn't write these lyrics and well, they are hard to understand or put in context, but for some reason, John makes it work. "He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day when the New York Times said God is dead and the war has begun." Its like poetry as opposed to telling a real story or a real situation. It just feels right and I guess thats what great music should be. More than anything it should just feel right.

2) "Sunday Kind of Love" by Etta James.

This is a great lady. Her range, her tones and just the way she makes you think of a lazy sunday with a beautiful woman. Jesus. When I want to feel good and relax, no one, and I mean no one, can touch Ms. James. I'm a huge Ella Fitzgerald fan and I'm a big Billie Holiday fan and I love Ms. Aretha Franklin, but gimme Etta when I need a pick me up. This song should come with a warning, though; you'll get drunk off this music.

1) "Colours" by Donovan.

Now, this is my number 1 right now, and that will probably change in a few months, but rest assuredly, this song will remain in my top 10 for a long time. I have made a life mission of rediscovering lost music and artists that maybe didn't get the praise they deserved in life. Donovan was one of those cats who hung around with everyone who was anyone in Britain during the 60s and 70s. He was friends with The Beatles, The Yardbirds and supposedly introduced Jimmy Page to John Paul Jones and kicked off Zeppelin. True or not, his music resonated through the rest of the British invasion the way Gram Parsons resonated through the West Coast rock scene in bands such as The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. Donovan's songs are hippy, new age, old school and just light. I believe he will be hailed as one of the pillars of a great generation of music and just as influential as Bob Dylan. Plenty of people will say that is crap, but fuck 'em. This song is the kind of song you could sing to your child.


So there you go, dear reader. My top ten for the brief moment. I'll probably be singing the praises of another band or singer/songwriter tomorrow, but all 10 of these songs are winners and you can't go wrong with any of them.

The Jackson Free Press Awards

Recently, the Jackson Free Press announced its "Best of Jackson Awards" and many of my favorites won first place. Best Wok, the best place for Chinese food in Jackson, Fenians took just about every bar award and Toni and Dave picked up sexiest bartender and best bartender, respectively. I am very happy that fellow Jacksonians have recognized the best of the best around here, but of course, I have a bone to pick with the Jackson Free Press. Colonel Reb won "Best Mascot" and instantly, JFP gets on the defensive. Dr. S, the seldom heard from and pretty mundane "sports writer" and I say that with heavy quotes, attributed Colonel Reb's success at winning "Best Mascot" to the fact that either 1) Richard Barret, the locally known white supremacist and supporter of segregationist ideas must have hacked the voting or, 2) JFP readers have a "sick sense of humor." Could a third option be that Jackson has plenty of Ole Miss fans? Ole Miss and its fans have gone round and round about Colonel Reb with no decent results, save for just getting rid of Colonel Reb at games. Ole Miss still markets Colonel Reb on merchandise and fans still appreciate Colonel Reb representing the school. I have plenty of issues about what exactly Ole Miss wants to stand for, however I have to believe that the reason Colonel Reb was voted "Best Mascot" has nothing to do with 1) a racist 'hacking' the Jackson Free Press voting server, or 2) the Jackson Free Press readers just wanting to mess with the voting. The real reason Colonel Reb won is because Ole Miss fans love Ole Miss, come hell or highwater. The Jackson Free Press just needs to suck it up and realize that not every Ole Miss fan is a rabid racist by supporting Colonel Reb.