022112 Corinth E-Edition by Daily Corinthian

Tuesday Feb. 21,

2012

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Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 44

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• Corinth, Mississippi • 14 pages • 1 section

Man shot after forcing into home BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

An Iuka man remains hospitalized following after an early morning shooting in Clear Creek. The Alcorn County Sheriff’s

Office received a call at 4:19 a.m. Sunday about a shooting at the residence of Hannah Mills on County Road 324. Bradley Bocephus Mills, 23, of Iuka, was transported to Magno-

lia Regional Health Center and treated for a gunshot wound, according to Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Tommy Hopkins. Bradley Mills — described as Hannah Mills’ estranged husband

— had forced his way into the manufactured residence where he was shot by an unnamed subject, the chief investigator said. After a successful surgery Sunday, Bradley Mills is in stable

Two drivers hurt in CR 352 wreck

condition and recovering at Magnolia Regional Health Center. No charges were filed. More information will be released as the investigation continues, Hopkins said.

Officer injured in crash BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Staff photo by Reece Terry

A tow truck operator prepares to remove one of two heavily damaged vehicles after a Monday wreck on Alcorn County Road 352.

Alcorn residents hospitalized after crash BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

Two Alcorn County residents were hospitalized following a collision in the Glen community. Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office received the call about a crash

on County Road 352 at 3:29 p.m. on Monday. According to investigating officers, the tan Ford Mustang driven southbound by George D. Harville II, 21, of Glen, collided head-on with a dark blue

Nissan Altima driven by Alison N. Wadkins, 19, of Iuka. Both drivers were injured. Wadkins was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Harville was transported via ambulance to Mag-

nolia Regional Health Center. Judging from the tire marks on the road, it appeared the Mustang was traveling on the wrong side of the road at the time of the accident, said Deputy Caleb Marolt, one of the investigating officers.

TISHOMINGO — A Tishomingo police officer was seriously injured in a highway crash Saturday. According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Officer Timothy W. Williamson, 47, of Iuka, is in serious condition with nonlife-threatening injuries at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis. He was initially taken by air ambulance to North Mississippi Medical Center and later transferred to the MED. The crash happened about 8:45 p.m. as Williamson, who was on patrol, was westbound on Mississippi Highway 30 near Mississippi Highway 25 in a 2006 Crown Victoria when an eastbound 2008 Nissan Altima crossed into the westbound lane and collided with the patrol car. Joseph H. Kain, 21, of Burnsville, was the driver of the Altima. He was also taken by air to NMMC-Tupelo with serious but nonlife-threatening injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt. The police officer was buckled and was removed from the vehicle by extrication. MHP is investigating whether alcohol contributed to the crash.

106-year-old Alcorn man, Earskin Evetts, passes away BY MARK BOEHLER editor@dailycorinthian.com

The man believed to be Alcorn County’s oldest resident who loved hats, flowers and giving hugs has passed away.

Funeral services for 106-yearold Earskin Evetts will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in McMillian Funeral Home chapel in Booneville. Survivors include a rare five generations and he was pre-

ceded in death by 10 siblings. The Mississippi Care Center resident in Corinth died Monday. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Evetts captured newspaper

headlines when he celebrated his 106th birthday Jan. 9 this year. Born Jan. 9, 1906, Evetts grew up on a farm in Rienzi. As a young adult he worked the land to put food on the table

just as he had growing up, his daughter, 78-year-old Rienzi resident Vera Ruiz, told the Daily Corinthian in January Please see EVETTS | 2

Corinth sales tax collections rise BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Corinth’s share of sales tax collections rose slightly this month as the fiscal year nears the midpoint. The city received $542,836.64 in the mid-February deposit, an increase of 3 percent, or about $16,000, from the same month a year earlier. Two years ago, the month’s total was $556,037.77. February usually brings the largest monthly total of the year, as its deposit reflects sales activity during the December Christmas shopping rush. The increase was enough to take the year-to-date total from a slight loss to a slight gain in year-to-year comparisons, with $2.27 million, an increase of three-tenths of a percentage point. The statewide trend was slightly positive. Collections across Mississippi totaled $37.98 million, rising

1 percent from a year earlier. Among 11 area municipalities, five posted gains and six had decreases. The 2 percent tourism tax managed a slim increase of about four-tenths of a percentage point as it generated $79,798.85. Overall, its growth continues to outpace that of sales tax, with a yearto-date haul of $419,063.30, up 3.6 percent. Other mid-February sales tax diversions to municipalities from the region: Booneville — $162,842.34 (-2%); Burnsville — $12,569.12 (-2%); Farmington — $4,215.90 (-22%); Glen — $1,648.60 (-21%); Iuka — $64,871.41 (-1%); Kossuth — $4,111.16 (+11%); Rienzi — $2,895.58 (-14%); Ripley — $115,555.91 (+3%); Tupelo — $1,898,407.49 (+3%); Walnut — $17,485.25 (+2%). Sales tax figures are from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Staff photo by H. Lee Smith II

Celebration time Biggersville High School fans packed the bleachers Friday night as the Lions advanced in the North Half Tournament. BHS then won the championship on its home floor Saturday. The 1A Biggersville boys play in the MHSAA State Tournament at 2:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Durant. A victory would send the Lions to the 1A state championship game at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 2. The Corinth High School boys took home the 4A North Half Tournament title Saturday. The Warriors open play in the MHSAA State Tournament at 2:30 p.m. Monday vs. Bay High School. A victory would send the Warriors to the 4A state championship game at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2. Other area teams earning berths in the state tourney include New Site girls, Walnut girls and Baldwyn boys in 2A; and Booneville boys, Belmont girls and Ripley girls in 3A.

Index Classified...... 12 Kids Page ...... 11 Comics...... 10 Wisdom........ 7

Weather........5 Obituaries........ 3 Opinion........4 Sports........8

On this day in history 150 years ago Confederate forces are victorious in the Battle of Valverde in New Mexico Territory and troops press on toward Albuquerque. By Tom Parsons, NPS Ranger

Local/Region

2 • Daily Corinthian

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Photos by Kim Jobe / Corinth School District

LINK art project Corinth High School art students and Corinth Elementary School third-graders teamed up recently to begin an art project. The elementary students were bused to the high school, one class at a time, where they were met by CHS Art Teacher Lynn Haynie and her students. While there, each elementary student was assisted by a high school student to create a small bowl from circles of clay. The younger students were able to pick out various stamps to decorate their bowls and make them uniquely their own. After allowing them to dry, Haynie and her students have fired the bowls in the high school’s kiln. The third-graders will eventually be able to paint them using a glaze and then the bowls will be fired again to give them a ceramic finish. The entire project is administered locally by LINK (Lead Inspire Nurture Kids) in an effort to bring more art activities into the schools in the Corinth and Alcorn districts. According to LINK President Laura Gilham, art teachers and local artists are recruited to work for at least one class period with the third-grade students at each of the six elementary schools on a visual arts project of some type. The project is part of LINK’s Arts Infusion program called “A Celebration of the Visual Arts,” and commonly referred to as the Artists in the Schools program.

Three arrested in multiple slayings in Memphis Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis police say they

have arrested three suspects in a killing spree that lasted two months and left

Turn from Evil Many are aware of the crimes and destruction that goes on in our town – communities – state and in all parts of the world. As the population grows – 7 billion plus, so does the wickedness grow. As we read our Bible, we learn about such in the past. It is not a pretty picture. All kinds of wickedness is practiced openly. Many have lost the awareness of evil...just do not care. Such does not make it right. We must look at all kinds of evil through the eyes of God – the Bible. Study – learn – obey to please God and to save our soul. The wise will take note and turn away from wickedness and to turn to God in obedience to His will. How would you describe our world today? How would God look upon our community and all other parts of the World? We must allow God to identify and describe sin and its consequence. We must not approve the things that God condemns. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous – but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” - I Peter 3:12. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation – trials – and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished” - II Peter 2:9. Righteous exhaults a person – community or nation. Why should anyone want to turn from the Lord’s ways? Sin is a reproach – disgrace to all. We can learn from the Old Testament, valuable lessons. The nation of Israel had turned away from God. The priest, spiritual leader. Turned away from God. How sad! The many religious leaders turn people away from God. How sad! Please read your Bible then you will know. The Lord sent Hosea to identify the way – word – of His people and issued a call to genuine repentance. “Hear the word of God, ye children of Israel; for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and committing adultry, they break out and blood toucheth blood – violence prevails” - Hosea 4:1-1. Why would Israel want to live in such a way-ward-way? The reason is: “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge; because thou has rejected knowledge – reverance – respect for God and His word – I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” - Hosea 4:6. That is God’s word.

Northside Church of Christ 3127 Harper Road - Corinth, MS - 286-6256

four people dead. Another suspect is being sought. The victims included a former Memphis police officer and an oil refinery worker. Those arrested include Michael Dean, 24, Ashley Carver, 22, and Lewis Gibson, 21. All three were in custody Sunday on charges of first-degree murder and police said more charges were expected.

Online records for the Shelby County Detention Center did not list an attorney for any of the suspects. Police said they were questioning Dean about the slaying of former Memphis officer Charles Jones when he told them details of the other killings. “The suspects have proven that they are dangerous and reckless and have no regard for human life,”

car, the driver sped off. Police were able to determine that the car the suspects were in, a 2002 Lexus, belonged to a former officer named Charles Jones, whose burned body was found Friday in Jackson. Jackson police identified the driver as 18-yearold Demetreous Santiago and issued a warrant for his arrest.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

before her father’s birthday celebration. Evetts later moved to Kenosha, Wis., where he worked as a janitor in two hospitals before his retirement. After retiring, he moved back to Rienzi, where he resumed work-

ing with the soil as he had so many years before. Evetts loved working with flowers, noted his daughter. Evetts’ love for flowers — and hats — is wellknown to his caretakers at the Mississippi Care Center, which has been his home since July 18, 2006. “He’s wonderful. He’s the sweetest, cutest little thing, and he always wears a hat,” Lacy Taylor, the unit manager for Evetts’ hall at the Care

Center, told the Daily Corinthian before the birthday celebration. “He loves unique hats. You do not see him when he does not have a hat on.” Workers at the facility called Evetts “Pop.” In addition to his daughter, survivors include a son, Cecil Evetts of Russellville, Ala., eight grandchildren, 19 greatgrandchildren, 27 greatgreat grandchildren and a great-great-great grandchild.

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Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said Sunday. “I am relieved ... no longer a threat to the citizens of Memphis.” Details in the case began to unravel when an officer made a traffic stop on Thursday and identified Dean as a passenger in the vehicle. When the officer went back to his cruiser to run further checks on Dean and the

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Local/Region

3 • Daily Corinthian

School honors longtime basketball scorekeeper get my approval, but Chris is a good man and I appreciated him coming to talk to me.” The present McNairy County Mayor, Ashe said he could not estimate how many games he has worked over his 54 years as scorekeeper. He remembers one stretch before school consolidation that he worked four straight weeks of county, district and regional tournaments. While he has seen many good players during his tenure, he says McNairy Central’s Neal Walker and Marilyn Gilchrist were the two best players he saw play in the Roundhouse. Walker and Gilchrist are still the school’s alltime leading scorers. The most memorable moment for him came when his daughter Cynthia Ashe Droke sank two free throws with three seconds left to help MCHS beat county rival Adamsville. “Coach Jerry Lott had suspended two players for that game and Cynthia came through to hit the game-winning free throws,” Ashe said. A pair of region tournament games sticks out as the most memorable for Ashe. The Lady Bobcats defeated North Side in a six-overtime marathon in 1983, and the Bobcats beat Chester County in a three-overtime thriller in 1996. Ashe laughed and said he had one disagreement with a referee over the years when the official called a foul on a player that was not in the game. “I told him the player was sitting on the bench and could not have fouled, but he would not change his call,” said Ashe. “The bad thing is it was her fourth foul of the game!” McNairy Central gave Ashe a plaque and a $200 gift certificate to show their appreciation for all of his years of dedicated service to the school’s basketball teams.

BY JEFF YORK For the Daily Corinthian

SELMER, Tenn. — A labor of love and dedication to West Tennessee high school basketball for over half a decade was the reason that McNairy Central High School recently honored Wilburn Gene Ashe. Ashe retired last year after serving 54 years as official scorekeeper for McNairy Central and the now defunct Selmer High School. Ashe began his career as a fixture at the scorer’s table when he became a teacher at Selmer High in 1957. He laughed and said his pay for that night was getting in the game free. While he did get paid $15 a game during the last few years at McNairy Central, Ashe does not remember when he started getting paid for his work. He will never pay to get in any future MCHS athletic event as a token of appreciation for his service to the school, according to MCHS Athletic Director Danny Day. “Wilburn Gene was very good at his job and I never had to worry about our scorekeeper,” said Day. “He had the respect of the officials and other coaches. He is my friend and has been very good to McNairy Central.” Ashe made the decision last year to give up the duties of being the team’s scorekeeper at home games. He was replaced by Chris Whitten. “I still enjoyed doing it, but I just felt it was time to let one of the younger people do it,” said Ashe. “I told Coach Day that I thought Chris would be a good one to do it. I did not want it to get to a point where someone would say ‘get that old man out of here!’” Ashe said it meant a lot to him when Whitten came to him to make sure he wanted to retire before he would take the job. “He did not have to

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Deaths Annetta Davis IUKA — Annetta Davis, 93, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Tishomingo Manor. All other arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Patterson Memorial Chapel.

Gertrude Humphrey BOONEVILLE — Gertrude Humphrey, 98, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Ripley. All other arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Patterson Memorial Chapel.

Vance Shumpert BOONEVILLE — Vance Shumpert died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Booneville. All other arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Patterson Memorial Chapel.

Earskin Evetts Funeral services for Earskin Evetts, 106, of Corinth, are set for 1 p.m. Wednesday at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Sardis Cemetery. Mr. Evetts died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at Mississippi Care Center. Born Jan. 9, 1906, he was a member of Love Joy Baptist Church. He was a retired custodian from Kenosha Memorial Hospital in Kenosha, Wi. He also enjoyed raising flowers. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Geneva Irene Burcham Evetts; his parents, G.W. and Lou Vee Smith Evetts; four sisters; and six brothers. Survivors include a daughter, Vera Jean Ruiz of Rienzi; a son, Cecil (Ruth) Evetts of Russellville, Al.; eight grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 27 great-great grandchildren; and one great-great-great grandchild. Bro. C.D. Edge will officiate. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Condolences can be left at www. mcmillanfuneralhome.com

Z. Gertrude O. Knight ASHLAND — Funeral services for

Gene Doyle MICHIGAN CITY — Funeral services for Gene Doyle, 70, are set for 3 p.m. today at Canaan Baptist Church near Michigan City with burial in Canaan Cemetery. Mr. Doyle died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Magnolia Regional Health Center. He worked as a truck driver for APAC Asphalt and Concrete and was Doyle also a farmer. He was a member of Canaan Baptist Church. He lived his entire live in Benton County. He graduated from Ashland High School in 1959 and was also a graduate of Northeast

Z. Gertrude O. Knight, 74, formerly of Glen, are set for 2 p.m. today at Corinthian Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Mrs. Knight died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Ashland Health and Rehab. Born Dec. 8, 1938, she was retired from ITT and a member of Jacinto Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Knight; a son, Tommy Knight; her parents, Tilman and Nora Fowler Malone; a brother, Elton Malone; and two grandchildren, Joseph Burns and baby brother. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Johnson of Booneville; and a son, Johnny Dale Knight of Corinth. Bro. Warren Jones will officiate. Visitation is 1 p.m. until service time today.

Wanda Lynn Jones Miller Funeral services for Wanda Lynn Jones Miller, 43, of Corinth, are set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with burial in Antioch Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery. Miss Miller died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. Born Feb. 26, 1968, she was a homemaker and of the Holiness faith. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Johnny and Lucille James; and her paternal grandparents, J.D. and Madie Jones. Survivors include her mother, Judy James Jones of Corinth; her father, Billy Wayne Jones of Corinth; a half brother, Justin Jones; and several aunts, uncles and other relatives. Minister Susan Barnett will officiate. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. tonight and from noon until service time Wednesday. Condolences can be left at www. magnoliafuneralhome.net

Dora Morris IUKA — Funeral services for Dora Morris, 86, are set for 1 p.m. today at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Morris died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. She was a member Mississippi Junior College. He enjoyed gardening and his horses and mules. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Thomas Doyle and Velma Kimery Doyle. Survivors include his wife, Jane Doyle, whom he married Dec. 29, 1979; two daughters, Kim Huddleston and husband Mike of Walnut, and Alicia P. Doyle of Walnut; a son, Joey Doyle and wife Karen of Corinth; a step-daughter, Rita Crowell of Michigan City; four step-sons, Lane Crowell and wife Jennice of Muscle Shoals, Al., Zane Crowell of Cherokee, Al., Shon Crowell of Prattville, Al., and Franklin Crowell and wife Leah of Cherokee, Al.; a sister, Carolyn Goddard and husband Edwin of Michigan City; a brother, Thomas Doyle of Ashland; step-mother; Cleo Doyle Snellings of Saulsbury, Tenn.; two

of Iuka United Methodist Church and was formerly on the board of the Friends of the Iuka Public Library. She was preceded in death by her husband, Forest Morris; her parents, Frank and Maggie Plemons; two brothers, Jack and Bill Plemons; two sisters, Mildred Hastings and Margaret Bordnet; and a granddaughter, Farrah O’Toole. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Jones (Connie Ray) of Iuka; a son, Willard Morris of Iuka; a sister, Grace Phillips of Elkin, W.V.; five grandchildren, Michael Jones (Renea), Amy Moore (Ed); Tammy Rone (Michael), Sabrina Austin (Chris), and John Morris; 15 great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. Rev. Jon Kaufman will officiate. Visitation is 11 a.m. until service today at the funeral home.

James Asbin ‘Buck’ Pruitt BIGGERSVILLE — Funeral services for James Asbin “Buck” Pruitt, 84, are set for noon Wednesday at Oak Grove CME with burial in Rienzi Cemetery. Mr. Pruitt died Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at Magnolia Regional Health Center. Born September 3, 1927, he was a farmer and also worked for the Third District Supervisor. He was a member of Danville CMC Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Essie B. Pruitt; two sisters, Emma Moore and Essie Fitzpatrick; and a brother, Frank Pruitt. Pruitt Survivors include his wife, Irene Pruitt; six children, Helen Leatherwood (Jessie), Larry Stafford (Carolyn), Barbara Patterson (Rufus), Bennie Davis (Bonnie), Judy Carpenter (Dwight), and Cynthia Pruitt all of Rienzi; a sister, Rosie Lee Walker of Orlando, Fl.; 15 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Rev. Kenneth Miller will officiate. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. tonight at Patterson Memorial Chapel. step-brothers, Henry Leath and wife Sally of Germantown, Tenn., and Glen Leath and wife Ava of Saulsbury, Tenn.; his father-inlaw, Perry Murphy of Cherokee, Al.; 17 grandchildren, Hunter Doyle, Taylor Doyle, Paige Doyle, Luke Brawdway, Ally Huddleston, Lee Daniel Robinson, Amber Deaton, Tyler Crowell, Zane Crowell, Caleb Crowell, Brittany Crowell, Hillary Crowell, Colton Crowell, Casey Crowell, Paul Lyles, Joshua Harvey, and Elizabeth Harvey; and a great grandchild, Carson Deaton. Paul Adams will officiate. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until service time today at the church. The family requests memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society. Shackelford Funeral Directors of Bolivar is in charge of arrangements.

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www.dailycorinthian.com

Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

Mark Boehler, editor

4 • Tuesday, February 12, 2012

Corinth, Miss.

No quick fixes to our economy JACKSON — Stick around the Mississippi Capitol for a while, listen to a few briefings about finances, education levels and health statistics, and see if you can maintain a sunny, optimistic outlook about Emily the state’s economic future. Wagster It’s not easy. Pettus Mississippi has long been one of the poorest states in the Capitol Dome union. Barring some miraculously good luck for this state, or a horrible turn of events for others, it’s hard to see the day when Mississippi will sit atop many favorable national rankings. “Throughout entire decade through the 2000s, the economy really struggled,” state economist Darrin Webb told lawmakers in January. “We think this has to do with our lower human capital. We have less educated people than other states, we have less healthy people than other states, we have a very high rate of unwed motherhood. We think all that plays a role in this.” He’s not the only one who’s noticed these things, of course. Many of the issues are linked inextricably with poverty in a chicken-and-egg sort of way. Which came first? It’s hard to tell. Politicians have been saying for generations that they want to improve Mississippi’s education levels. While school officials point out that Mississippi’s standardized test scores have improved in many areas, so have the scores for many other states. Mississippi is chasing a moving target. The state Department of Health and the Mississippi State Medical Association issued a report in mid-January showing that the state ranks at or near the top of lists for bad health indicators — infant mortality, high blood pressure, tobacco use and obesity. High blood pressure, illnesses from smoking and side effects of obesity can be expensive to treat, and they can hamper people’s productivity. Before ending his second term as governor in January, Republican Haley Barbour said he thinks the high rate of out-of-wedlock births is the state’s single biggest challenge, because children born in such circumstances often are more likely to live in poverty and are more likely to drop out of school. Republican Phil Bryant, who became governor Jan. 10, has asked the state Department of Human Services and the state Health Department to come up with suggestions to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate. They’re scheduled to report to him by the final week of February. During the economic briefing in January, Webb said Mississippi has a higher-thanaverage dependence on government transfer payments as a source of income. The transfers are government payments to individuals through Social Security, disability, welfare or unemployment. The 2010 statistics: ■ In the U.S., 64.8 percent of income was derived from earnings; 16.8 percent came from dividends, interest and rent; and 18.5 percent came from transfer payments. ■ In the Southeast, 64.7 percent of income was from earnings; 16.1 percent came from dividends, interest and rent; and 19.1 percent came from transfer payments. ■ In Mississippi, 60.8 percent of income was from earnings; 13.1 percent came from dividends, interest and rent; and 26.1 percent came from transfer payments. In early February, state Treasurer Lynn Fitch told the House Ways and Means Committee that Mississippi is well below its constitutional debt limit, and it has a record of consistently making its monthly debt payments on time. It also has a strong bond rating. Committee Chairman Jeff Smith, R-Columbus, asked Fitch what Mississippi could do to improve to its bond rating, which would reduce the long-term cost of borrowing money. Fitch said that might be difficult because ratings agencies don’t like to see a high poverty rate. “They consider our low education level, too,” Fitch said, because that can affect the state’s overall earnings potential.

Prayer for today Amazing, loving Father, you are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. You have suffered immensely for our sake. We accept your love and offer ourselves to be transformed by it. In Christ’s name. Amen.

A verse to share As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Reece Terry publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com

Current events mix politics, religion powder keg — the deMost of us have cision by the Obama been given the sage administration to deadvice by our elders clare contraception that there are two coverage from health topics of discussion insurance providers that friends had best could not be denied avoid — religion and Marty employees of entities politics. That might be good advice for Wiseman owned by religious denominations. writers of public polStennis The Obama deciicy columns as well. Institute sion weighed heavily Nevertheless, events on Catholic organiand campaign strategies over the last few weeks zations such as hospitals have combined to make it due to that denomination’s impossible to avoid these belief interference with two subjects. More impor- the natural reproductive tantly, in the current envi- process is a sin. If these ronment one can hardly be disagreements had been discussed without the other. confined to the sorting out It seems in spite of every of religious interpretations effort to avoid discussing then calm may have been them, the topics of religion quickly restored. Alas, in this the season of and politics currently on display by those seeking the politics and political oppopresidential nomination of sition strategies, workable the Republican Party and solutions were not in the even the incumbent Demo- cards. Many have theorized cratic president himself are with the current noticeable improvement in the econon a collision course. The parade of events link- omy Republicans needed ing public policy to religious to open up a second major belief began with the action front in their “war” against by the Ninth Circuit Court the Obama administration. of Appeals overturning Cal- The obvious area for them ifornia’s initiative prohibit- to pursue is the territory ing gay marriage. Next was occupied by the “values votthe move, which was later ers.” During the 2004 reretracted, by the Susan G. election campaign bid of his Komen Foundation to elim- boss, President George W. inate all of its funding for Bush, Republican political Planned Parenthood due to guru Karl Rove realized the the latter organization’s in- worthwhile nature of marclusion of abortions in their shaling this group that is comprised largely of Chrisarray of available services. That was followed by the tian Evangelicals. This time, however, event that lit the fuse on the

things have become decidedly more complicated. Instead of being one large group, persons claiming personal religious motivation in choosing a favorite candidate can be roughly divided into three subgroups. These are the Catholics (the nation’s largest denomination), the traditional Protestant denominations and the increasingly independent Evangelicals that were identified earlier by Rove. Would that the growing religious debate would be as simple as pegging the position of these groups. The issues that are being focused upon are largely related to women’s health issues. That has energized female voters across all three religious categories. The effort by GOP candidates to outdo one another in moving to the right on the political spectrum has served to turn up the temperature. Catholic Rick Santorum, who is breathing down the neck of presumed frontrunner and Mormon devotee Mitt Romney, has come under particular scrutiny. Numerous past statements in which he has voiced opposition to birth control in any form have come to light. Furthermore, in a recent speech, Santorum expressed opposition to insurance coverage for sonograms during prenatal care. His reasoning was these procedures created the ra-

tionale for abortions when problems were detected. Perhaps a bigger question than even the outcome of the 2012 elections is this: “What will be the status of the church once the smoke clears?” No battle of this magnitude is ever fought without winners and losers. The Hartford Theological Seminary has conducted the Faith Community Today Survey series of America’s Congregations. This survey series was conducted over the decade culminating in 2010. Among the problems discovered in the surveys were, “a steep drop in financial health, continuing high levels of conflicts, aging memberships, fewer persons in the pews and decreasing spiritual vitality.” Will the church’s increasingly fragile state enable it to survive if it becomes intertwined in the political process? The advice of our elders appears to have an abundance of merit. Not only do religion and politics represent difficult topics but, when mixed in the same high stakes contest the combination is absolutely volatile. Dr. W. Marty Wiseman is professor of political science and director of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government, Mississippi State University. His email address is marty@sig. msstate.edu.

The new blacklist of the ‘Thought Police’ mosexual acts to be My days as a politi“unnatural and imcal analyst at MSNBC moral.” have come to an end. On Nov. 2, Abe After 10 years, I am Foxman of the Antideparting, after an inDefamation League, cessant clamor from has sought to the left that to permit Patrick who have me censored for me continued access to the microphones Buchanan 22 years, piled on. “Buchanan has of MSNBC would be Columnist shown himself, time an outrage against and again, to be a decency. The calls for my firing began almost im- racist and an anti-Semite,” mediately with the Oct. 18 said Foxman. Buchanan publication of “Suicide of a “bemoans the destruction Superpower: Will America of white Christian America” and says America’s shrinkSurvive to 2025?” A group called Color of ing Jewish population is Change, whose mission due to the “collective decistatement says that it “exists sion of Jews themselves.” Well, yes, I do bemoan to strengthen Black America’s political voice,” claimed what Newsweek’s 2009 covthat my book espouses a er called “The Decline and “white supremacist ideol- Fall of Christian America” ogy.” Color of Change took and editor Jon Meacham particular umbrage at the described as “The End of title of Chapter 4, “The End Christian America.” After all, I am a Christian. of White America.” And what else explains Media Matters parroted the party line: He has blas- the shrinkage of the U.S. Jewish population by 6 phemed! A Human Rights Cam- percent in the 1990s and paign that bills itself as its projected decline by anAmerica’s leading voice for other 50 percent by 2050, if lesbians, bisexuals, gays not the “collective decision and transgendered people of Jews themselves?” Let error be tolerated, said that Buchanan’s “extremist ideas are incredibly said Thomas Jefferson, “so harmful to millions of LBGT long as reason is left free to combat it.” What Foxman people around the world.” Their rage was triggered and ADL are about in deby a remark to NPR’s Diane manding that my voice be Rehm — that I believe ho- silenced is, in the Jefferso-

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nian sense, intrinsically unAmerican. Consider what it is these people are saying. They are saying that a respected publisher colluded with me to produce a racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic book, and CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, Fox Business News and the 150 radio shows on which I appeared failed to detect its evil and helped to promote a moral atrocity. If my book is racist and anti-Semitic, how did Sean Hannity, Erin Burnett, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Megyn Kelly, Lou Dobbs and Ralph Nader miss that? How did Charles Payne, African-American host on Fox radio, who has interviewed me three times, fail to detect its racism? How did Michael Medved miss its anti-Semitism? Documented in the 488 pages and 1,500 footnotes of “Suicide of a Superpower” is my thesis that America is Balkanizing, breaking down along the lines of religion, race, ethnicity, culture and ideology, and that Western peoples are facing demographic death by century’s end. Are such subjects taboo? Are they unfit for national debate? So it would seem. MSNBC President Phil Griffin told reporters, “I don’t

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think the ideas that (Buchanan) put forth (in his book) are appropriate for the national dialogue, much less on MSNBC.” In the 10 years I have been at MSNBC, the network has taken heat for what I have written, and faithfully honored our contract. Yet my four-months’ absence from MSNBC and now my departure represent an undeniable victory for the blacklisters. The modus operandi of these thought police at Color of Change and ADL is to brand as racists and anti-Semites any writer who dares to venture outside the narrow corral in which they seek to confine debate. All the while prattling about their love of dissent and devotion to the First Amendment, they seek systematically to silence and censor dissent. I know these blacklisters. They operate behind closed doors, with phone calls, mailed threats and offthe-record meetings. They work in the dark because, as Al Smith said, nothing un-American can live in the sunlight. Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of “Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?”

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Daily Corinthian • Tuesday, February 21, 2012 • 5

State Politicians pay to get secrets on BY BILLY WATKINS The Clarion-Ledger

JACKSON — Matt Eichelberger, a 34-yearold attorney, has lived next door to Michael Rejebian in Jackson for four years. “We hang out some, but I never really knew what he did for a living,” Eichelberger says. “About all I could tell you about Michael is that he likes tequila.” The secret is out. Rejebian, 53, and Alan Huffman, 56, of Bolton are the authors of the new book “We’re With Nobody,” which details their 18-year journey in the world of opposition research — being hired by a political candidate to uncover true secrets the opposition would desperately like to keep buried. “Two guys traveling the country in a rented Hyundai,” Huffman laughs. “That’s us.” They will sign copies of their book at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Lemuria Books in Jackson.

“It was kind of shocking when I found out what Michael does,” Eichelberger says. “I didn’t even know he was interested in politics. But he’s good at what he does. I’ll call him now when I’m working on a case and say ‘I need to find this, tell me where to look.’ And he knows exactly where to go.” Huffman and Rejebian have worked for more than 100 politicians — none of them, or their opponents, named in the book. “We didn’t want to do a ‘tell all’ but rather a ‘tell how’ book,” Rejebian says. And they’re comfortable having their cover blown. “I guess some might call it a calculated risk to do this,” Huffman says. “But let’s face it, we’re really not famous. Just because we’re going to be on The Daily Show and even if our book does well, it’s not like everybody in courthouses across America are going to recognize us. Truth is, most people know what’s

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happening when strangers walk in and say ‘I’d like to see the tax records for so-and-so for the past 15 years.’ Nearly every candidate has opposition research done now.” They worked together as reporters at The ClarionLedger during the 1980s. “That was our training ground for what we do now,” Huffman says. “Things that it would take most people a month to find, we can do it in a day. What we’re doing now is really not much different than being a reporter. Instead of shipping your information, or story, to an editor, we ship it to a campaign and don’t get a byline.” Scott Boyd, editor and publisher of The Beacon in Macon, worked with Huffman and Rejebian at The Clarion-Ledger. “I’ve always admired their passion for seeking out the truth,” Boyd says. “And the book is great — how they do it, why they do it and all the characters

they have encountered along the way.” They don’t view themselves as “dirt diggers.” “If people are going to pass laws that affect our country and states, then people deserve to know the truth about who they really are,” Huffman says. “We aren’t going to make anything up. So we say all the time, ‘If you’ve got nothing to hide, then you have no reason to fear us, because all we’re looking for is documented truth.’ “We’re not going to go into, say, the fact that a politician’s wife has been in recovery for alcoholism — unless that candidate is running on a platform that directly relates to that. I don’t think we do much more than what most high school football coaches do every week, and that is scout the opponent.” The book title comes from a line they have uttered hundreds of times. “Whenever you go into a courthouse and ask for

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“If people are going to pass laws that affect our country and states, then people deserve to know the truth about who they really are.” Alan Huffman information on someone, it’s almost inevitable the person behind the counter is going to say ‘Now ... who are you with?’ And we always say ‘We’re with nobody,’ “ Huffman says. “I’ve actually pointed at Michael on a few occasions and said ‘I’m with him.’ They usually just kind of stand there for a second, then go get the records we are looking for.” They continue to be amazed at what people will share with them. “I had the ex-wife of a candidate tell me that he hit her in an airport,” Rejebian says. “Well, we can’t just take her word for it. So I called security at that airport and asked the guy who answered if there

had been a report filed on the incident. He called me back about an hour later and said, ‘Yeah, there is a report on this.’ It doesn’t always happen that easily, but you just don’t know what people will reveal unless you ask.” Rejebian, a divorced father of two children, says their research method begins on the Internet. “It’s notoriously unreliable, but it’s a starting point,” Rejebian says. “Then we go to where the candidate lives. We go to the courthouse and check every document possible. We check campaign contributions, their personal voting record, we check to see if they voted because I think that tells the public a lot.

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6 • Tuesday, February 21, 2012 • Daily Corinthian

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