It’s that time of year when we tell you the top stories of the year but this time I want to hear what you think were the big stories in the Mid-South in 2007 and why. I have a list but I’m going to wait to see what you say!!
Bring it on.
Archive for December, 2007
Last night a DeSoto County Sheriff’s Deputy was shot twice while on duty, he simply walked up to a car and someone shot him. Luckily the deputy is OK and has been released from the hospital. A few weeks ago i blogged a trial for a man who helped shoot and kill a TN state trooper, a young man with a wife who was just doing his job. Then there are the times where cops are doing their job yet they’re continually questioned about they handled a situation, Monday morning quarterbacked, if you will. Sometimes officers make mistakes but more often than not they’re doing their job and trying to go home at the end of a shift. It’s not just local, look at border patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean. Two men who tried to stop a repeat illegal alien drug smuggler and ended up in prison.
I really have to wonder why anyone would want to be in law enforcement these days. I know most feel a commitment to keeping the peace and maybe a few like the power. But I wonder if it’s worth it?
Your thoughts??
I don’t want this to get into a whole race thing but I do want to know what you think about the Kwanzaa celebration being allowed last night. As you likely know, Henri Brooks planned a Kwanzaa celebration to be held inside Shelby County Commission chambers last night. Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas objected because there is some religious basis to the event. Thomas said he no problem with Kwanzaa but with the fact that he was not allowed to hold a Christmas party on county property due to its religious roots. Thomas filed a lawsuit to get the celebration stopped but lost. The judge decided there was no basis to stop Brooks and the party went on.
I’m wondering what your take is on the whole situation. I know Chris Thomas and he is a a level headed guy who doesn’t take lawsuits lightly. AS you know, many people believe there should be a separation of church and state. There are others who believe the Constitution means political leaders should not establish one religion that everyone must follow but that there is room for religion.
I got lucky this year because I really don’t have anything to return from Christmas day. I really didn’t ask for much which could have meant some questionable gifts. At most, I have two shirt which I may exchange. It’s very annoying to me that sizes vary so much from designer to designer, add that to the fact that I’ve been losing weight and I never know if something is going to fit. I got a couple of gift cards which I don’t mind getting but don’t like to give. I feel gift cards are really impersonal unless they’re one of several gifts from someone. I’d rather get a gift I have to return or exchange because then I know the person put some thought into it. I did get an FM adapter for my iPod which I plan to put to good use at the gym, also got a new web cam and a book called “Marley & Me.” My son was adorable and had a great time.
So, that’s me, what about you?
What did you get and what will your return/exchange?
Last year we heard a lot about the “War on Christmas” both in local news and national coverage. Stores like Target, Wal-Mart and others dropped Christmas from promotions and replaced it with the more PC “Happy Holidays.” Some businesses even banned employees from uttering “Merry Christmas” in fear someone might be offended. A local church was told they could not put a nativity scene in the Bartlett library, even though it was to be in an area designated for public announcements. The library, under order of the mayor, allowed the display after Bill O’Reilly and local media picked up the story. Several retailers promised to add “Merry Christmas” back into their advertising and it is there this year. It seemed all was quiet until an ad by Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was refused and criticized because some think a bookcase in the background looks like a cross and because Huckabee makes religious references. Then there’s the “Downtown Holiday Parade” and the “Holiday Tree” in-front of FedExForum. Now I ask you, what other holiday uses a tree at this time of year??? A school system in Michigan banned the words, Christmas, Christ, Nativity and even Santa.
This is supposedly so no one could possibly be offended but who’s complaining? I know Jewish people who thinks it’s all a joke, in-fact they celebrate Christmas, just the Santa version. I think most people don’t mind adding “Happy Holidays” but they do object to getting rid of “Merry Christmas.” Retailers aren’t afraid to take your Christmas money but they won’t use the word. A Collierville store is fighting back, as they did last year, by offering a discount to people who say “Merry Christmas.” The store even passes out buttons urging people to use the phrase.
Now there’s the controversy in Shelby County government because Commissioner Henri Brooks sent out an email about an on county property Kwanzaa celebration. Probate Court clerk Chris Thomas wrote back saying the celebration should not be allowed because Kwanzaa is religious based. Thomas’ point is that Christmas, Hanukkah and other religious celebrations are not allowed. According to the official Kwanzaa site, it does have some religious basis, “a time of special reverence for the creator and creation in thanks and respect for the blessings, bountifulness and beauty of creation.” Kwanzaa was created by a black nationalist and separatist. Thomas says he has nothing against Kwanzaa but his concern is over equality.
What do you think about all this???
Arkansas’ Supreme Court will take about 40 minutes of its time on January 24, 2008 to hear both sides and couldmake a decision regarding a special grand jury in the Farrow case. A judge in Crittenden County ordered a special grand jury be impaneled but special prosecutors asked the court to stop it because they said the judge acted improperly. Then two West Memphis men asked the court to step in. Both sides will get twenty minutes to plead their case.
Thoughts? Dare I ask?????
Jack He and his wife and their supporters are asking people to donate to a fund so they can return to China with their children. The He’s have become well know due to the custody battle over their daughter, Anna Mae. The He’s and Jack and Louise Baker fought for several years over the child. The Baker’s say the He’s left Anna Mae with them as an infant because they couldn’t afford to care for her. The Baker’s contend the He’s abandoned Anna and the fight began. In the end, the He’s were given custody of Anna Mae after having her almost seven years. Jack (not his real name) He and his wife were in the U.S. from China on a student Visa which expired years ago. The He’s now must return to China and have been asking for financial help. My understanding is it will cost about $10,000 to get the family back to China and have some starting money. So far, the He’s have raised almost half that amount.
Just wondering if you’re happy this story may soon die or maybe you disagree with how the case ended. Would you donate to the He fund?
Your comments may be used on News Channel 3 or wreg.com
13
Dec
steroids and baseball
It’s a who’s who list of baseball but one that no one wants to be on. This list is the culmination of a 20 month investigation into steroid abuse. Read about it HERE. Names like Clemmins and Dykstra are right there in black and white. I know a lot of people, while not surprised, are saddened by the report. What do you think?
Here’s a list of the names including some that spent time right here in Memphis.
Chad Allen - former Redbird
Rick Ankiel - former Redbird
Mike Bell - former Redbird
Gary Bennett
Larry Bigbie - former Redbird
Ricky Bones
Kevin Brown
Ken Caminiti
Mark Carreon
Jason Christiansen - former Redbird
Howie Clark
Roger Clemens
Paxton Crawford
Jack Cust
Brendan Donnelly
Chris Donnels
Lenny Dykstra
Matt Franco
Eric Gagne
Jason Grimsley
Matt Herges
Phil Hiatt - former Memphis Chick
Paul Lo Duca
Ryan Franklin - former Memphis Chick
Glenallen Hill
Jerry Hairston
Darren Holmes - former Redbird
Todd Hundley
David Justice
Chuck Knoblauch
Tim Laker
Mike Lansing
Exavier “Nook” Logan
Josias Manzanillo - former Memphis Chick
Cody McKay - former Redbird
Kent Mercker
Bart Miadich
Hal Morris
Denny Neagle
Rafael Palmeiro
Jim Parque
Andy Pettitte
Luis Perez
Adam Piatt
Todd Pratt
Stephen Randolph
Adam Riggs - former Redbird
Brian Roberts
F.P. Santangelo
David Segui
Mike Stanton
Ricky Stone - former Redbird
Miguel Tejada
Derrick Turnbow
Mo Vaughn
Ron Villone
Fernando Vina - former Redbird
Rondell White
Jeff Williams
Todd Williams
Kevin Young
Gregg Zaun
11
Dec
lunch break
After affirming numerous pictures, the TBI agent has left the stand and the judge has declared a lunch break.
An interesting note when it comes to the prosecutors, two of three (Walt Freeland and Mike Dunavant) also took part in the Mary Winkler trial.
TBI agent Mike Frizzell is being asked questions by assistant prosecutor Walt Freeland. Freeland shows the agent a flashlight and is told that is the flashlight that belonged to trooper Jenks and that Garcia and Gauna reportedly took from the murder scene.
A still picture from a Wal-Mart security camera is now being projected onto the wall. The agent says the picture shows a car driven by G & G entering the parking lot. The next picture shows the car parking with the next showing a man in a hooded sweatshirt entering the Wal-Mart. The agent say the same man entered the Exxon station in Brownsville earlier.
This is all being done because a clerk at the Exxon identified Garcia and Gauna having been in the convenience store in the same clothes as the person entering the Wal-Mart.
We’re told the man in Wal-Mart bought Armor All wipes. These wipes are said to have been used to clean trooper Jenks blood off the car driven by Garcia and Gauna.
11
Dec
slow process
Basically, the prosecution is entering a series of still from video cameras into evidence. The Wal-Mart employee is here to establish the pictures are real and a chain of custody, meaning who exactly had access to them.
The prosecutor is done and now Massey is reviewing the pictures before deciding whether to ask any questions.
Massey asks no questions just makes a statement, “230 cameras in a Wal-Mart?”
The TBI agent has left the stand.
Jason Haynes has been called to the stand by the prosecutors. This man works Wal-Mart as a security specialist. He use to work for at the Wal-Mart in Brownsville, TN watching cameras and reviewing recorded video. Hanes says he was called in the night of the shooting to help police review security cameras showing Garcia and Gauna inside the store. Interesting side note, he says there are more than 200!! security cameras in the Brownsville Wal-Mart. Wow.
