Family Of Slain Player Speaks Out

As reported in the Sun-Herald:

The family of George County High School football star Billey Joe Johnson Jr. say they are conducting their own investigation into the 17-year-old’s Dec. 8 shooting death after a traffic stop.

Annette Johnson said she would not accept the results of a grand jury report, which said that Johnson likely died of an accidental shooting.

The family said they plan to go to the state capital next week to see if anything could be done there to ensure that Johnson’s death was thoroughly investigated.

In addition, they plan to seek help from the governor, and if that doesn’t result in any assistance, they plan to take their case to Washington, D.C.

George County sheriff’s Deputy Joe Sullivan pulled Johnson over the morning of his death. The deputy said he was standing at his patrol car when he suddenly heard breaking glass and a gunshot and saw Johnson on the ground with his shotgun on top of him.

George County Sheriff Garry Welford initially said that it appeared Johnson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, something Johnson’s family disputed. At the time of his death, Johnson was looking forward to collegiate football at Auburn University. He got a scholarship from Auburn and other universities, but told his mother he planned to play college football at Auburn for a year or so before trying to get into professional football.

Johnson’s mother said she will not rest until the truth about her son’s death is known. She believes someone other than her son is responsible for his death.

Barbour And The Obama-Bucks

As you have heard…several Southern governors are considering not accepting some or all of the new stimulus money. In these critical times why would anyone even consider such a proposal?

Glad you asked.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, attacked the Obama stimulus plan on Saturday by saying, “It’s filled with social policy and costs too much. You could create just as many jobs for about half as much money.”

That is right, “It is full of social policy” and we in Mississippi realize that has NO place in state government, at least in Mississippi.  Mississippi is for business not for its people.

Personally, I would not want Barbour to break a fine tradition in the state of totally ignoring the plight of its people, by accepting money that would improve their lives, at least for awhile.  I mean in a state that treats its workers with respect and compassion, why would it need any help from Washington?  (I case you missed it…that was total sarcasm)

The really sad part of this saga is that the voter in Mississippi does this to themselves…they continue to elect lying moron after lying moron…and then they bitch loudly when their lives go to hell…..maybe they should spend more time in school so they could read a newspaper and then they may be  wise enough to make an accurate decision in the elections……Just a thought.

Harrison County Does It Again!

There have been some major drug and prostitution busts in South MS lately…..just recently Gulfport arrested some hookers ages 36-54….that should clean up the streets.

Now Harrison County has join into the fray of cleaning up the streets of elderly drug pushers.

A Long Beach woman has been accused of distributing marijuana and of having methadone without a prescription, authorities said.

Deputies assigned to the narcotics unit of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department arrested Linda Joyce Malley Bourgeois at her Long Beach home. Sheriff Melvin Brisolara said his agency had “received numerous tips and complaints about illegal drug activity at the residence.”

Bourgeois, 56, lives on Tucker Road.

Officers searched her home Tuesday and allegedly found about 10 ounces of marijuana and numerous methadone pills hidden in her residence, Brisolara said.

Methadone is the generic name for a type of drugs prescribed for pain management and to help recovering drug addicts deal with withdrawals.

Narcotics officers said they also found scales hidden on Bourgeois’ property. Officers said they believe the scales were used to weigh marijuana.

Bourgeois is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of methadone.

Please sleep well tonite knowing that the streets will be safe from geriatric drug dealers and hookers.

Do You Have Twins?

If so, is this legislation needed?  Oh sorry, that would be the proposed bill HB 1191.  This bill proposes that the parents have the option to keep their twins in the same classes or change it, for that matter, the same or different schools.  Have you parents of twins been concerned about this sort of thing?  Does the state need revision of the Code to cover this?

In case there is any confusion on what the act would say.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE PARENTS OF TWINS OR HIGHER ORDER MULTIPLES TO REQUEST THAT THE CHILDREN BE ASSIGNED TO THE SAME CLASSROOM OR SEPARATE CLASSROOMS IN THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Is this something that is really needed to be covered by the legislature when the economy is tanking around out ears?  They cannot find enough money to fund the needed programs the state has now, but they want to waste time and energy on crap like this.

Watch Videos For Good Health

I know I bitch about the MS legislature and its wate of time and money.  I continue to monitor the bills as they are put forth for consideration….to be honest some are very good and deserve more scrutiny and then there are the ones that should be left in the toilet.  HB 800 is one such thing.

It seems the guys and gals in Jackson think that veiwing a video is the way to reduce obesity, acquire good eating habits and a vast knowledge of nutrition.  This sounds like a cop out to me….no need to address the real causes and effects, just force them to watch a video.

HB 800 states:

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO PREPARE A VIDEO FOR PRESENTATION IN THE OFFICES IN WHICH PERSONS APPLY FOR OR RECEIVE TANF BENEFITS, FOOD STAMPS, FOOD THROUGH THE WIC PROGRAM, AND MEDICAID ASSISTANCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE VIDEO SHALL PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT PROPER NUTRITION, HEALTHY EATING HABITS, PREVENTION AND REDUCING OBESITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAST-FEEDING INFANTS; TO PROVIDE THAT APPLICANTS FOR AND RECIPIENTS OF THOSE BENEFITS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO VIEW THE VIDEO IN THE OFFICE OF THE AGENCY BEFORE THEY MAY RECEIVE THE BENEFITS FROM THE AGENCY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

No one wants to tackle the real culprit which is poverty and the price of goods they need to eat healthy….let me see…healthy foods are usually more expensive than “junk food” and when they have to make their dollars stretch…where would you think they would spend the money?

Stimulus For The MS Gulf Coast

A measure Coast leaders want to prop up the wind pool insurance program with an extra $20 million became a little more likely when President Barack Obama signed a large federal stimulus bill this week, as it may have eased some apprehensions in the fiscally-conservative Mississippi Senate about spending the money.

After Hurricane Katrina, lawmakers set aside $80 million for the program, $20 million of which had already been set aside this year. But late last month, members of the Gulf Coast Business Council petitioned the government for an additional $60 million, $20 million in additional money next year, for a total of $40 million, to help offset rate increases.

But some feared the extra funds were a long shot and some even worried that the funds that already were set aside could be cut because of the tight state budget, which has prompted cuts in some agencies.

If the stim plan helps the economy of the Coast in this time of falling markets then the one thing to remember are those that voted against the help for the Coast….I have heard that both sides of the stim argument that neither had read the massive document before they voted….something to think about.

The Rest Of The Sex Story

A recently fired teacher is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old female student at the teacher’s Ocean Springs home in November, said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd.

Deputies arrested Steven Seth Tadlock, 25, on Friday, charging him with sexual battery. Tadlock had been terminated a week earlier from his teaching position in Bay St. Louis.

Tadlock is the second Coast teacher within a week to be charged with a sex crime alleged to involve a student.

Byrd said Tadlock allegedly had sex with a student at the latter’s residence in Highland Park, a mobile home complex on Gibson Road.

Byrd said he expected Tadlock to remain in custody without bond over the weekend pending an initial court appearance. Later Friday, he learned Tadlock was released from jail after Jackson County Judge Larry T. Wilson set bond at $10,000.

Bay-Waveland Schools Superintendent Kim Stasny this week released a written statement saying Tadlock was terminated Feb. 13 “for violation of school policies.”

School board Attorney Ronnie Artigues confirmed a similar complaint against Tadlock and a different student had been investigated the previous school year but he said the allegations were unfounded.

Bay St. Louis police announced Thursday they had concluded an investigation of Tadlock’s alleged inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl and found no evidence of a criminal act in their jurisdiction.

Byrd said he could neither confirm nor deny the girl in the Jackson County case is the same student referred to in the recent investigation by Bay St. Louis police.

Byrd said the charge meets the criteria for sexual battery.

“Rape isn’t what’s alleged,” Byrd said.

The legal age for consent to sex in Mississippi is 16. However, state law makes it illegal for a person in a position of trust or authority to engage in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 18.

State’s Slice Of Stim Pie

Mississippi stands to receive $2.26 billion from the economic stimulus package signed into law Tuesday by President Barack Obama.

The White House estimates that the $787 billion package, designed to create or save 3.5 million jobs nationwide, will save or bring to Mississippi 30,000 jobs, 7,500 of them in the southern part.

On the national level, jobs created will be in industries from clean energy to health care, with over 90 percent in the private sector, according to a study by two national economic advisers.

But the package is still getting mixed reviews in Mississippi, with only two of the state’s congressional delegation voting for it.

A spokesman for Gov. Haley Barbour said Tuesday evening the governor’s staff was going through the hundreds of pages of the law “looking at each segment to make a conscious decision whether it’s best for Mississippi.”

“For instance, unemployment,” said Dan Turner. “We believe it will require Mississippi to provide unemployment for people who won’t accept full-time employment.”

“When you look at the amount of money that could be used to offset the cuts in Medicaid, education and public safety … it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Flaggs said. “It is the best thing that I have been able to witness from the federal government coming down to the state government in my 22 years of service in the Legislature.”

Mississippi’s unemployment rate was 8 percent in December. Lawmakers are expected to work until late March or early April on the state budget for the coming fiscal year.

Hopefully Mississippi will not be as stupid as Louisiana and turn down the stimulus cash.

More Teacher/Student Sex?

An unnamed teacher has been dismissed from the Bay-Waveland School District for policy violations that were not publicly specified.

The teacher and school involved were not identified by the Superintendent of Education, but the Sun Herald has learned the case involves a teacher at Bay High School and allegations of questionable activities with a student.

Superintendent of Education Kim Stasny said in a statement that the administration is cooperating with a police investigation in the matter. Stasny was out of town at a conference and could not be reached by the Sun Herald for further comment.

School Board Attorney Ronnie Artigues confirmed the dismissal, and that the teacher had been employed at Bay High. Similar allegations involving the same teacher had arisen last school year, he said. “There was in the past a rumor that a similar thing was going on, not with this student but another,” he said. “That was thoroughly investigated, and there was absolutely nothing to it.” In the current case, “The school district is cooperating with the police department in that investigation,” Stasny’s statement said. Information on the teacher’s name or sex was withheld.

Assault On The Workers

Do you know what the “Employees Free Choice Act” is?  It is a bill in the US Congress which basically states that workers have the right to employees have the right to join, form or assist labor organizations to provide for injunctions for unfair labor practices.  Does that sound like something that would be objectionable?  Well, it is….and especially in Mississippi a right to work state that gets constipation every time the word union is mentioned.

They are so afraid of unions, by they I mean the paid for politicians in the state legislature, that they have gone so far as to offer a bill to order the Mississippi representation in Washington to vote against it.

That bill is SC 550 which states:

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO OPPOSE PASSAGE OF THE FEDERAL “EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT”

Has anyone in Jackson actually asked any worker in the state of Mississippi what they think of the idea of the Free Choice Act?  I do not think so.  Business in the state does not want it, so they pay these a/holes in Jackson to oppose it…and like good little puppies they do what they are told.

When…just when will the workers in Mississippi wake up and realize that the state is NOT on their side…that the state does all it can to keep them at the bottom of the economic ladder….the Mississippi worker deserves better from their politicians….it is beyiond time to throw these a/holes back into the sewers they crawled out of and start with the governor and go through the entire list…..start over could be no worse than it is now.