022612 Corinth E-Edition by Daily Corinthian

Meet Your Local Business Owners

Welcome To Corinth Meet Your Local Business Owners

Special section inside today

Inside today: Over $100 worth of coupon savings www.dailycorinthian.com

Sunday Feb. 26, 2012 $1.50

Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 49

• Corinth, Mississippi •

Mostly sunny Today

Tonight

16 pages • Two sections

4 mail processing centers to close BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Four mail processing centers in the state are set to close. The U.S. Postal Service says processing services in Tupelo, Grenada, Gulfport and Hattiesburg will be transferred to other facilities with three of the four moved to sites out of state.

“This is one part of the recovery plan put in place by the Postal Service,” said Doug Kyle, spokesman for the Mississippi Postal Service District. “There are a number of things in play that end up to a comprehensive plan.” The Postal Service also announced that three Tennessee centers (Jackson, Chattanooga,

Hospital donates to wall project BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com

A large donation from Magnolia Regional Health Center has boosted continuing efforts to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Corinth for a second visit. The three-fifths scale replica of the original Vietnam Memorial in Washington is scheduled to arrive in Corinth on June 20 and will be on display at North Corinth Baptist Church from June 21 through 24. MRHC recently donated $2,500 to the effort to bring the wall to Corinth. Tom

and Johnson City) are in line for closure. No specific dates were announced for any of the closings. No closing or consolidation will take place before May 15. If action is taken, the Tupelo and Jackson, Tn. services will both be transferred to Memphis, Tenn.; mail processing

operations in Grenada will move to Jackson; and all mail processing operations in Gulfport and Hattiesburg will move to Mobile, Ala. The proposed changes wouldn’t impact the time of mail delivery to areas currently served by the processing centers that could be closed, Kyle said.

Chief Operating Officer Megan Brennan says consolidating postal operations is necessary to keep the Postal Service afloat. Moves were made following a study started five months ago by the Postal Service to examine mail processing at some MissisPlease see CENTERS | 2A

A Taste of the Wild

Chartres, chairman of Veterans and Family Honors Inc, the non-profit organization formed to bring the wall back to Corinth said they need to raise $15,000 to do everything they need to do to bring the wall in. He said the hospital’s donation is the largest single donation received so far and leaders are extremely grateful to the hospital and to everyone who has contributed to the project. The wall last came to Corinth on Labor Day weekPlease see VIETNAM | 2A

Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith

Sandy Mitchell, district clerk for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alcorn County, prepares sample plates for Tuesday night’s Wildlife Tasting Supper.

Annual Wildlife Tasting Supper offers food, fun and fellowship BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

File photo

Visitors search for names and pay their respects at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall during the wall’s visit to the area on Labor Day weekend 2010. Approximately 11,000 people saw the memorial during that visit and planning and fundraising efforts are currently underway to bring to the wall back to Corinth this summer.

In addition to the chance to sample some of the area’s best wildlife dishes, the 2012 Wildlife Tasting Supper — coming Tuesday night to the Crossroads Arena — is an opportunity for fun and fellowship. Local wildlife cooking enthusiasts are working through the weekend to produce the winning dish for the 27th annual

event’s much-anticipated Dish Contest, said Sandy Mitchell, district clerk for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alcorn County. “That’s a big thing,” Mitchell said. “Everybody wants to win. A lot of hard work and preparation happens over the weekend.” The Wildlife Tasting Supper features a Dish Contest that promises cash prizes for

the best cooks in a wide range of wildlife categories: Antlered (deer, elk, moose, etc.); Land Critter (rabbit, bear, opossum, raccoon, etc.); Water Critter (beaver, fish, turtle, alligator, etc.); Feathered (quail, duck, dove, goose, pheasant, etc.) and Desserts (muscadine cobbler, blackberry pie, etc.). In the Hunting Club category, all local Please see DINNER | 2A

Tuskegee Airman highlights Black History Month commemoration BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith

Tuskegee Airmen aerial photographer Roy Robinson attended Saturday’s Black History Month activities at the Corinth Black History Museum.

Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......3B TV......6A Wisdom......1B

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

A local hero attended a day of activities celebrating Black History Month at the Corinth Black History Museum on Saturday. Roy Allen “Bo Peep” Robinson, 89, a veteran who served with the famed Tuskegee Airmen, attended the event which was held to showcase the talents of a pair of black artists. Robinson worked as an aerial photographer for the Tuskegee Airmen — the name given to the 477th Bombardment Group and the 332nd Fighter Group during World War II. They were the first African-American military aviators in the history of the United States armed forces. As aerial photographer for the 477th Bombardment

Group, Robinson would lie in the bottom of planes flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II and take photos of areas to be bombed. Later, he would accompany the pilots again on the bombing missions. He is a resident of the Mississippi Care Center nursing home in Corinth. Saturday’s event provided a forum for the talents of two black artists from around the region, Brian D. Crockett and Victoria Cummings Bobo. Crockett, a 39-year-old New Albany-based artist, displayed a series of stark, black and white paintings of bluesmen — Little Walter, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Pinetop Perkins, MudPlease see HISTORY | 2A

On this day in history 150 years ago President Lincoln signs the Loan and Treasury Bill sent to him by Congress which authorizes for the first time the issuance of official, national United States paper currency. Prior to this, the only official national money had been coin, usually gold or silver.

Local

2A • Daily Corinthian

Sunday, February 26, 2012

VIETNAM: Visit will begin with ceremony on June 22 CONTINUED FROM 1A

end of 2010. Chartres said they saw approximately 11,000 people visit the wall during its first visit, with veterans and families coming from throughout the region to view the display and pay their respects. They are anticipating around 8,000 visitors during this year’s display. The chairman said it’s an incredibly moving thing for veterans and all those touched by the war to view the wall. The moving wall creates an opportunity for people to

experience the memorial who may not ever have the chance to travel to Washington. This year’s visit will begin with opening ceremonies on Friday, June 22, led by Brig Gen. Bill Huff. Bro. Bill Wages of North Corinth Baptist Church will lead a prayer, and VFW State Commander David B. Mason will serve as the featured speaker. The ceremonies will also include patriotic music. Bad Bob will also make a return appearance, performing his moving Missing Man tribute program honoring those who did

not return from combat. Fundraising efforts are continuing and several upcoming events are planned, including an auction set for March 31 at the American Legion Building being organized by JC and Carlene Parker. More details about that event will be announced soon. Donations to the project can be mailed to Veterans and Family Honors Inc, 107 N. 4th St., Booneville, MS 38829. For more information on how to get involved and assist with the effort, call Chartres at 662-2840739.

DINNER: Wildlife culinary experts return each year CONTINUED FROM 1A Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith

Artist and poet Victoria Cummings Bobo performs her “Tribute to a Black Female Gospel Singer” at the Corinth Black History Museum on Saturday.

HISTORY: ‘I enjoyed it more than ... any exhibit’ CONTINUED FROM 1A

dy Waters and George “Harmonica” Smith. He said his greatest experience with the arts was during a stint teaching his artistic skills to youngsters in New Albany. What struck him most was the unfaltering attention and honesty his artwork prompted from the class. “I enjoyed it more than selling art or any exhibit — that was super-cool,” Crockett said. He currently has exhibits of his artwork on

display in New Albany and Atlanta, Ga., in addition to the local exhibits. Bobo is an artist and poet. The Black History Museum currently contains one of her paintings and a sculpture of “Adam and Eve.” Over a bluesy, gospel-tinged backing track with swirling organ notes, Bobo recited “Tribute to a Black Female Gospel Singer,” a selection from her spoken-word album “The Color of Diversity.” She spoke warmly about her feelings re-

garding the opportunity to perform at Corinth’s Black History Museum. “I love it,” she said. “I dared to dream — and a dream has come true for me.” Bobo has been writing poems since she was 12 years old. She is the author of several volumes of poetry and numerous plays. Where does she find her inspiration? “The Good Lord and His creations,” she replied. “How can you not feel energized to see the beauty of nature?”

CENTERS: December moratorium was designed to allow Congress sufficient time to enact legislation CONTINUED FROM 1A

sippi District facilities. In December 2011, the Postal Service agreed to impose a moratorium on closing or consolidating post offices and mail processing facilities prior to May 15, 2012, to give Congress and the Administration the opportunity to enact an al-

ternative plan This delay was designed to allow Congress sufficient time to enact comprehensive postal legislation. In the meantime, the Postal Service continued all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities, including public notifications, public input meetings and consideration

of public comments. Implementation of this consolidation is contingent upon the outcome of pending rule making for a proposal to revise existing service standards. Since 2006, the Postal Service says it has experienced a 25 percent decline in first-class mail. The Associated Press contributed to this article.

All Stadium Seating Birthday Parties Online Tickets Sunday, Feb. 26th

TRANSFORMERS: DARKDEEDS OF THE MOON TYLER PERRY’S GOOD (PG13) 1:30(non 4:35 3-D) 7:30 (PG13) No pass 12:00, 6:50, 7:30, 10:05 ACT OF12:50, VALOR3:20, (R)4:10, 1:15 4:20 7:20 No pass THEGONE GREEN(PG13) LANTERN (PG13) 1:05(non 4:103D)7:05 No pass- 10:00 TEACHER (R) - (NON 1:20,3-D)4:20, GHOST RIDBAD ER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE (PG13)7:35, 1:10 4:159:40 7:10 No pass MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS 2:40,No4:55 THIS MEANS WAR (PG13)(PG) 1:25- 12:20, 4:30 7:20 pass HORRIBLE BOSSES (R) - 1:25, 4:30, 7:25, 9:45 JOURNEY 2 (NON 3D) (PG) 1:05 4:10 7:05 LARRY CROWNE (PG13) - 12:10, 2:30, 4:50, 7:20, 9:40 SAFE HOUSE (R) 1:30 4:35 7:25 SUPER 8 (PG13) - 7:20, 9:50 THE VOW (PG13) 1:20 4:20 7:15 ZOOKEEPER (PG) - 1:10, 4:15, 7:00, 9:20 CHRONICLE (PG13) 1:15 4:15 7:15 CARS 2 (non 3-D) (G) - 12:15, 1:00, 3:00, 4:00, 6:45, 7:20, 9:15 THEMONTE WOMAN IN BLACK (PG13) CARLO (PG) - 1:05, 4:05, 1:25 7:05,4:25 9:307:30

dailycorinthian.com

hunting clubs are asked to compete against each other in preparing a large quantity dish. Because of shortages in previous years’ events, participants are encouraged to bring a dish. Many wildlife culinary experts return year after year to treat the gathering to a taste of their muchadmired dishes, Mitchell said. Local veterinarian Dr. Jim Jackson “can cook anything and wrap it in bacon — and it wins.” Alcorn County Circuit Clerk Joe Caldwell is working up an anticipated batch of Tennessee River catfish. “His wife is also a wonderful cook,” Mitchell said. “The whole family is. Those Caldwells can cook!” Those who attend can expect duck gumbo, wild turkey kabobs, hospitality pie and much more. Mitchell emphasized that you don’t have to be a hunter or fisherman to contribute to the Wildlife Tasting Supper. Many people cook storebought shrimp or catfish, and some cooks get their game from a friend or family member who does hunt. The point is that everyone is welcome. “I don’t want anybody to feel like they can’t be a part of it,” Mitchell said. Hot dogs and barbecue will be available for anyone who prefers not to eat wildlife. The Wildlife Tasting Supper began in the late ’80s. About 75 people attended the first event. Since then it has grown every year. Over 600 people attended last year’s Wildlife Tasting Supper — and the food is only one of the reasons for the event’s amazing increase in popularity. “It’s a big social event now,” Mitchell explained.

No more ups and downs? You can avoid the stock market’s instability as you build your financial future. Let your Modern Woodmen representative show you how a fixed annuity can help smooth the way. Modern Woodmen of America offers financial products and fraternal benefits. Call today to learn more.

602 S. Cass St. • Corinth, MS 38834

662-287-2323 Jonathan Marsh, FIC* A name* Agent 710 Cruise St, a address Suite 102 c state city, Corinth MS 38834 662-287-4756 662-665-7904 p phone Jonathan.Marsh@mwarep.org

M Woodmen email Modern

Steven Eaton, Agent name*

Financial Representative address 710 Cruise St, city, state Suite 102 Corinth phone MS 38834 662-415-9427 662-287-0113 Modern Woodmen email steven.eaton@mwarep.org

modern-woodmen.org MAR0408 AR0408

*Registered representative. Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America, 1701 1st Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201, 309-558-3100. Member: FINRA, SIPC.

P.O. Box 1800 Corinth, MS 38835

15 00 PIZZA $ 10

2 MEDIUM

PIZZAS Anyway You

Want for Just

1 LARGE

Anyway You Want for Just

Home Delivery 1 year - - - - - - - $139.80 6 months - - - - - - $71.40 3 months - - - - - - $35.85

Mail Rates 1 year - - - - - - - -$195.00 6 months - - - - - - $98.70 $97.50 3 months - - - - - - $49.35 $48.75

A taste from the supper Country Fried Quail

Ingredients ■6

quail, split lengthwise cups of buttermilk ■ 2 cups flour ■ 1 tablespoon salt ■ 2 teaspoon black pepper ■ 1⁄8 teaspoon red pepper ■ canola oil ■ 1.5

Gravy ■ 1⁄4

cup flour ■ 2 cups milk ■ salt and pepper to taste ■ pan drippings from quail Place quail and buttermilk in bowl or Ziploc bag overnight. Combine flour, salt and peppers in paper sack. Add quail, two pieces at a time and shake until coated. Heat oil to 350 degrees in large skillet. Lay quail pieces in hot oil carefully. Cook five minutes and turn. Cook five minutes or until second side is browned. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel-lined platter. You can make gravy by pouring off all but 1⁄4 cup of oil in skillet. Sprinkle 1⁄4 cup flour into hot oil and scrape up browned bits in bottom of skillet. Stir constantly until caramel in color. Add 2 cups of milk and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir until gravy thickens to desired consistency. Serve gravy over quail or over hot biscuits on the side. Serves 3 to 4. — Sandy Mitchell “There’s no set program. Fellowship is the only thing we concentrate on. You’ll see people telling hunting stories, hear people talking about fishing, what they caught, the deer that got away. It’s a really good thing for the community to get together and fellowship. Once you get there it makes all the hard work worthwhile.” There will be several exhibits, from antique tractors to off-road vehicles to homemade knives. A variety of door prizes will be given away during the evening. Two guns will be raffled off at the end of the Supper — and adult model (Mossberg .535 with wood stock) and a youth model (Harrington & Richardson .243 with wood stock and scope). The guns were provided by the Corinth and Alcorn County Bank Association. Another item up for raffle will be a utility trailer that was built by VoTech students to help raise money for Alcorn County 4-H Club events and activities.

An event on this scale requires many people working behind the scenes, Mitchell said. “We have lots of support in the city and county, lots of individuals and businesses,” she said. “As hard as times are, we are very fortunate. We couldn’t have it if it wasn’t for these businesses and individuals in the community.” Organizers encourage those who plan to attend to take advantage of the special “dish for admission” system. One wildlife dish will get one person in free. Otherwise, admission is $8 for adults and $5 for youth under 12. The doors open and registration begins for the Dish Contest at 5 p.m. The Supper will begin at 6 p.m. Organizers wish to thank the Crossroads Arena staff and all of the volunteers that help to make the event possible. For more information contact Sandy Mitchell at 662-287-7223 (ext. 3) or Patrick Poindexter at 662-286-7755.

LOCAL TV VIEWING AND NO MONTHLY BILLS 100 Mile Channel Master Antenna System ________________ The best for long range reception

HOLDER’S Business #662-415-9354 Home #662-287-2717

1914 Polk St. (old Hwy. 45 N.) • Corinth, MS

To start your home delivered subscription: Call 287-6111 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For your convenience try our ofﬁce pay plans.

Miss your paper? To report a problem or delivery change call the circulation department at 287-6111. Late, wet or missing newspaper complaints should be made before 10 a.m. to ensure redelivery to immediate Corinth area. All other areas will be delivered the next day.

USPS 142-560 The Daily Corinthian is published daily Tuesday through Sunday by PMG, LLC. at 1607 South Harper Road, Corinth, Miss.Periodicals postage paid at Corinth, MS 38834

Postmaster: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, MS 38835

Local

3A • Daily Corinthian

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Deaths Tab Shiota GLEN — Tab Shiota died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Cutshall Funeral Home of Glen.

Diane Stutts

Photos by Kim Jobe/Corinth School District

Art Smart Second-graders at Corinth Elementary School painted snowmen recently during their session of Art Smart. The program, sponsored by the school’s PTO, allows all students at the school to be exposed to art elements through hands-on art projects. Parent volunteers visit the school on Fridays to conduct the art activities.

Funeral services for Diane Ellen Gagnon Stutts, 67, of Corinth, are set for 11 a.m. Monday at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with burial at Hinkle Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Stutts died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at her home. Born April 10, 1944, she was a homemaker. She was of the Catholic faith. She was preceded in death by her father, Barnaba Edward Gagnon; her mother, Aline Lareau Gagnon; and a step-son, William Jerome Stutts. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, James Olen “Bud” Stutts of Corinth; a daughter, Maryanne Lewerenz Lewis (Mark) of Grayslake Ill.; a son, Steven John Stutts Lewerenz of Waco, Texas; three stepsons, James Lee Stutts of Corinth, Joseph Wayne Stutts (Anna) of Swansboro, N.C., and Marvin John Stutts (Bonita) of Fort Worth, Texas; two step-daughters, Judy Ann Stutts Howells of McHenry, Ill., and Glinda Sue Stutts Parker (C.J.) of Waynesboro, Tenn.; 23 grandchildren; three brothers, Harold Joe Gagnon (Anita) of Greensboro, N.C., Donald Lee Gagnon (Gail) of McHenry, Ill., and Francis Albert Gagnon of Gilman, Ill.; two sisters, Norma Louise Gagnon Madlen (Rex) of Oblong, Ill., and Marie Elaine Gagnon Gilsmer (George) of Corinth; other relatives and a host of friends. Bro. Mike Johnson and Judy Howells will officiate. Visitation is today from 5 until 8 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. until service time. Everything will be at the funeral home.

Mike Leatherwood IUKA — Funeral services for Michael Leatherwood, 64, are set for 3 p.m. today at Poplar Springs Freewill Baptist Church with burial at Poplar Springs Cemetery. Mr. Leatherwood died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was a member of Poplar Springs Freewill Baptist Church and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He was formerly

DID YOU KNOW...

Say “Goodbye” to Painful, Numb Feet!

Phone: 662-415-3460

Confidential • Affordable Christian Based • Conveniently Located

James Bennett Apothecary for Free Blood Pressure Screenings!!

Alcorn Rehab Services, Inc.

662-284-4656

2049 Shiloh Road - Corinth, MS

1708 Shiloh Road • Corinth, MS

Beside Pizza Hut Hut Beside Pizza 662-279-2123 Open Mon - Sat

Open - Sat 9 amMon to 6 pm 9 am to 6 pm

Funeral services for Billy Joe Shelton, 62, of Corinth, are set for 2 p.m. Monday at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. Mr. Shelton died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Magnolia Regional Health Center. Born Oct. 16, 1949, he was disabled. He was a member of Oakland Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Shelton; and his mother, Maxine Howard Shelton. Survivors include a son, Matthew Shelton of Corinth; one grandchild; a sister, Becky Tilley of Corinth; a brother, Tommy Shelton (Sherry) of Burnsville); several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Dr. Randy Bostick will officiate. Visitation is Monday from 11 a.m. until service time.

Stop by

We make house calls. Transportation available. PT does not have to be pain and torture. Physical Therapy - the way it was meant to be at

Constitution Drive Drive Constitution Iuka, MS

Billy Joe Shelton

High Blood Pressure Increases YOUR Risk for Heart Disease!!

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Counseling for: Individuals • Couples • Families Teens • Children

IUKA — Funeral services for Leon Lomenick, 72, are set for 2 p.m. today at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka with burial at Snowdown Cemetery. Mr. Lomenick died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was a lifelong member of Snowdown United Methodist Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He also served in the National Guard. He was a professional musician. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Lomenick; his mother, Mae Carr Wallace; a brother, Buddy Lomenick; and a sister, Eloise Jeffords. Survivors include a son, Richie Lomenick (Dee Dee) of Saltillo; three daughters, Debra Crabb (Quincy) of Iuka, Shonda Leggett (Charlie) of Iuka, and Tonya Turner (Robert) of Kossuth; a sister, Annette Malito of Florence, Ala.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Bro. Jimmy Daniel will officiate.

That 1/3 of Deaths are from Heart Disease??

Licensed Professional Counselor 102 A N. Cass St. • Corinth, MS 38834

Leon Lomenick

DID YOU KNOW ...

You have a choice who you select as your physical therapist

Jo Ann Wilbanks

employed as Plant Manager at Procter and Gamble in Memphis, Tenn., and as a Department Manager at Alliance Compressors in Natchitoches, La. He was preceded in death by his mother, Juanita Clark Leatherwood. Survivors include his wife, Linda Leatherwood of Iuka; two sons, Steven Leatherwood and Jeff Leatherwood, both of Iuka; his father, Chuck Leatherwood of Iuka; and three sisters, Ann Miller of Iuka, Lisa Leatherwood of Iuka, and Kay Leatherwood of Jacksonville, Fla. Bro. Russell Clouse and Bro. Malcolm Garrett will officiate. Visitation will continue at the church until service time on Sunday. Cutshall Funeral Home - Iuka is in charge of arrangements.

Wingback Recliner $150

Save up to 90% off MSRP

Liquidation Macy’s, Walmart, Walmart,Meijer, Meijer, Liquidation from from Macy’s, Gander CVS GanderMountain, Mountain, Amazon Amazon && CVS • Apparels for New men & women • Health & Beauty This Week • Perfumes • Apparels for men & women •• Toys Health & Beauty • Perfumes Toys •• Electronics • Housewares • Work Shoes • Electronics • Small• Small appliances • Purses appliances • Purses comforters •• Groceries • Beddings • Ride&for Kids Groceries • Fishing Rods Fishing Reels • Fishing equipment •• Jewelries OTC medicine & more!!!!!! Furnitures & more •• Furnitures • OTC•medicine

We accept all major credit cards - We will accept EBT cards soon!!!

Casabella

Clearance Center Corinth, MS • 662-665-9965 • Located Behind Casabella Furniture

Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm Sat 10am-7pm • Sun 1-6pm Financing Available Up To 12 Months Interest Free

www.dailycorinthian.com

Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

Mark Boehler, editor

4A • Sunday, February 26, 2012

Corinth, Miss.

No blame for high gas prices Gasoline prices are rising rapidly and drivers are getting mad. We always get mad when gas prices cramp our driving lifestyles. But this time around something is missing. Have you noticed the lack of blame from the mainstream media? In 2008, coincidentally another presidential election year, gas prices rose precipitously and the mainstream media carried stories daily blaming Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney. After all, both men were “Big Danny Oil” men. In a CNN interview on July Gardner 17, 2008, Nancy Pelosi said, Columnist “The price of oil is at the doorstep — $4 plus per gallon for oil, is attributed to two oil men in the White House.” I believe she meant to say, “$4 plus per gallon for gasoline,” but you get the point. In one of the Democrat’s weekly radio addresses in 2008 Sen. Frank Lautenberg (DNJ) gave the following remarks: “When President Bush took office, gas prices were less than half of what they are today — and oil was less than one-third. Then, seven years ago, President Bush and Vice President Cheney secretly invited executives from the big oil and big energy companies to the White House to write our national energy policy.” Blame Bush, blah, blah, blah. In the summer of 2008 then-candidate Barack Obama gave a stump speech on energy at a gas station in Indiana in which he said as president, “We’ll also take steps to reduce the price of oil and increase transparency in how prices are set so we can insure energy companies aren’t bending the rules.” All of the steps Mr. Obama has taken to-date have apparently not worked. That may not be transparent, but it’s surely clear enough to those of us pumping our own gas. After the 2010 BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the Obama administration imposed a moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman knocked down that moratorium June 22, 2010, only to have the Obama administration reinstate the moratorium …voluntarily lifting it the following October. However, the administration has still maintained a virtual moratorium by slowing the permit process dramatically. President Obama’s energy policy of limiting domestic oil exploration and development in favor of pouring billions of dollars down the drains of failed green energy companies like Solyndra and Ener1 is certainly one major factor raising the price of gasoline, though you wouldn’t know that from the mainstream media. And, the Keystone Pipeline project is no longer in the news. In fact, the mainstream media have not even recognized the impact high gas prices are having on inflation. “The economy is improving.” “We’re moving in the right direction.” Really? Maybe in Washington or in the rarefied ivory towers where only elite progressives dwell! Down here on planet earth we’re paying an arm and a leg to fill up our tanks and groceries aren’t so cheap either. The mainstream media has been reluctant to lay the blame for anything at the door of this White House, and I’d bet they’ll blame everybody except Mr. Obama for rising gas prices when people really start looking for somebody to blame. After all, we’re in a presidential election year, and ideology and politics drives the mainstream media to favor progressive candidates in all their “news” stories. Meanwhile the rest of us will just have to bear our fair share of sacrifices at the pump. (Daniel L. Gardner is a former resident of Corinth who now lives in Starkville. He may be contacted at Daniel@DanLGardner.com.)

Prayer for today God of all creation, fill us every day with a sense of wonder in the natural world and joy in leading a Christ-filled life. Amen.

A verse to share The Lord will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge. — Psalm 91:4 (NRSV)

Sound Off Policy Sound Offs need to be submitted with a name, address, contact phone number and if possible, e-mail address, for author verification. The author’s name and city of residence will be published with the Sound Off. Sound Offs will only be accepted from those who wish to have their names published with their opinion. All other Letter to the Editor rules apply for Sound Offs, including the 300-word limit.

Reece Terry publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com

The tax collection struggle STARKVILLE — er system — the one Since 2009, Missisthat collects over 70 percent of the state’s sippi government General Fund revhas struggled with enue and processes the means and the the collection and remethods to bring the imbursement of over state’s tax collection processes and mech- Sid Salter $1 billion back to anisms into the modColumnist county and municipal governments — ern era. In effect, that was poised to crash. means to optimize the state’s ability to collect Morgan told lawmakers all the legal tax revenue that the question wasn’t “if” due from the taxpayers who the system crashed, just of owe it and to close the gap “when” the crash would ocbetween the taxpayers who cur. The old computer softare meeting their obligations and those who are not. ware system at the DeBack in 2009, the alarms partment of Revenue was began sounding in earnest implemented over 35 years at the old State Tax Com- ago in 1974. Morgan told mission — now called the Bryant and McCoy in 2009 state Department of Rev- that the tax revenue collecenue after a reorganization tion and processing com— over a very real and im- puter software was “bromediate threat to govern- ken” and “on life support.” ment at all levels in MissisIn that same 2009 letsippi. In a letter that year to ter, Morgan told lawmakers then-Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant that Mississippi’s antiquatand then-House Speaker ed computer system was, in Billy McCoy, Department fact, leaving vital state revof Revenue Chairman Ed enues that should be colMorgan raised what he lected on the table at a time called “the nightmare sce- when the state could least afford not to collect every nario.” Morgan told the legis- penny. lative leadership that the “In 1974, when this softstate’s antiquated comput- ware was implemented,

an agency of about 1,000 employees collected $400 million in revenues,” wrote Morgan. “In Fiscal Year 2008, we collected $7.1 billion with fewer than 700 employees using the same software. You can only handle so much volume before the levee breaks.” The Legislature responded positively and decisively with $35 million to replace the aging computer system. But lawmakers didn’t address the concurrent request that Morgan made for additional Department of Revenue agents and analysts to take the new wealth of computer data and convert it into closing the “tax gap” between the tax revenue owed under the existing tax structure and the actual amount collected. Both former Gov. Haley Barbour and current Gov. Phil Bryant have asked lawmakers for an additional $4.5 to $5 million for the Department of Revenue to fund additional personnel to beef up tax collection efforts and close the “tax gap.” But in this era of tight state budgets, those requests were cut during the

legislative process. Morgan said this week that with an additional $5 million for personnel, he believed his agency over an 18-month period could collect at least an additional $25 million and realistically as much as $52 million with no new taxes levied — just a stronger effort by the state with more trained personnel to collect the existing taxes due. With new Republican leadership in the Senate and House, the political survival of any “new tax” effort is expected to be nil. But it would seem that funding an effort to make a fair, full and comprehensive collection of the existing tax structure from all taxpayers would be an easy sell. Unfortunately for those diligently paying the taxes they owe, Morgan said the “accounts receivable” of uncollected taxes from the “tax gap” is growing faster than the ability of the Department of Revenue to collect those taxes. (Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist. Contact him at 601-507-8004 or sidsalter@sidsalter.com.)

Is censorship the new pluralism? the group’s right to Pat Buchanan express itself. might have seen the Today, is censorend of the line comship the new pluraling at MSNBC when ism? last month network Actor Ben Jones, president Phil Griffin who starred as “Cootcommented on his Cal er” on the television latest book, “Suicide Thomas show “The Dukes of of a Superpower,” by Hazzard,” wrote to saying, “I don’t think Columnist tell me about a decithe ideas that (Busion by NASCAR to chanan) put forth are appropriate for the national ban the car known as the dialogue, much less on MS- “General Lee” from appearing at the Sprint Cup series NBC.” When Buchanan was let race at Phoenix next month. go recently after 10 years as The image of the Confedera commentator on the net- ate flag on the car’s roof, work, no one was surprised. said NASCAR spokesman I don’t agree with some David Higdon, “...is not of Buchanan’s ideas, es- something that should play pecially regarding Jews, an official role in our sport his questioning of whether as we continue to reach out World War II had to hap- to new fans and make NASpen or whether the United CAR more inclusive.” Jones said in a recent States should be involved militarily in the Middle statement, “At a time when East, but he has every right tens of millions of Amerito his ideas, as we all have cans are honoring their the right to our own. It’s Union and Confederate ancestors during this Sesquicalled free speech. The approach to free centennial of the Civil War, speech should be like the NASCAR has chosen to disone taken by the ACLU in honor those Southerners 1977 when neo-Nazis made who fought and died in that plans to march through the terrible conflict by caving to Jewish suburb of Skokie, ‘political correctness’ and Ill. While deploring their the uninformed concerns views, the ACLU defended of corporate sponsors.

Beth Cossitt

Mark Boehler

business manager bcossitt@dailycorinthian.com

editor editor@dailycorinthian.com

Willie Walker

L.W. Hodges

circulation manager circdirector@dailycorinthian.com

press foreman

“This is also an extraordinary insult to rural Southerners, who are NASCAR’s oldest and most fervent fan base, and it sends a message against inclusion and against the need for diversity.” Is conformity the new diversity? Jones is not only an actor, but a former Democratic member of Congress from Georgia and a strong civil rights proponent. When the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the burning of the American flag as free speech, while the free exercise of religion is being curtailed at many levels, is this not censoring a particular category of expression? Censorship is also moving beyond its classic definition into a new and even more dangerous area. As The Daily Caller, a 24-hour news site founded by conservative pundit Tucker Carlson and former Cheney aide Neil Patel, has reported, a liberal group known as Media Matters has not only fed talking points to some reporters and opinion columnists, it has been campaigning to get people fired when they

World Wide Web: www.dailycorinthian.com To Sound Off: E-mail: email: news@dailycorinthian.com news@dailycorinthian.com advertising@dailycorinthian. Circulation 287-6111 com Classified Adv. 287-6147 Classad@dailycorinthian.com

hold ideas with which the left disagrees. According to the Caller, Media Matters hired people to investigate the lives of Fox News employees and compiled an “enemies list.” Media Matters didn’t respond directly to the charges; its founder, David Brock, instead pointed to Reuters’ criticism of the Caller’s “bad journalism” and “lame propaganda” as the reason for Media Matters’ silence. These and many other attempts to suppress speech and force people into a universal and “acceptable” belief system harm freedom. Suppressing speech changes not a single mind. The freedom to debate ideas and present arguments in support of a position is what separates the United States from most other nations. Do we want to become like countries that have the equivalent of “thought police,” smothering speech and penalizing anyone who refuses to toe the party line? Should I be prevented from asking this question? (Readers may e-mail Cal Thomas at tmseditors@tribune.com.)

How to reach us -- extensions:

Newsroom.....................317 Circulation....................301 Advertising...................339 Classifieds....................302 Bookkeeping.................333

Editorials represent the voice of the Daily Corinthian. Editorial columns, letters to the editor and other articles that appear on this page represent the opinions of the writers and the Daily Corinthian may or may not agree.

Daily Corinthian • Sunday, February 26, 2012 • 5A

State House committee passes immigration bill BY JEFF AMY Associated Press

JACKSON — Efforts to step up enforcement against illegal immigrants moved forward Friday in the Mississippi House with a bill modeled on Alabama’s crackdown, though its sponsor says his bill doesn’t include the parts that have been tied up in federal court challenges. The House Judiciary B Committee voted 15-6 to pass House Bill 488, which now goes to the House Education Committee. It would then go to the full chamber. The bill’s sponsor, Judiciary B Committee

Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, said the Mississippi bill should stand up to legal scrutiny. Alabama’s law is considered one of the toughest state laws against illegal immigrants. Mississippi has a relatively small illegal immigrant population, although it appears to have grown in recent years. The Pew Hispanic Center estimated that in 2010, the state had about 45,000 illegal immigrants out of nearly 3 million total residents. The bill is supported by Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican who has been campaigning against il-

legal immigration since his days as state auditor. Proponents say the state spends more money providing services to immigrants than it reaps in taxes, and claim that illegal immigrants, if they leave, will vacate jobs that unemployed citizens can take. They say the bill is about legal compliance and that they welcome legal immigrants. “I believe that every person in Mississippi, whether they are here illegally or not, is a child of God,” Gipson said. “We’re not trying to hurt anyone. We’re not trying to starve anyone.”

Opponents dispute those claims, emphasizing that Mississippi doesn’t need to summon any ghosts of its racist past. “It is still about ethnic cleansing,” said Bill Chandler, executive director of the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance. “It is still talking about driving people out of Mississippi.” The new version of the bill removed an attempt to create a new crime of failing to carry immigration papers. That provision had led some opponents to nickname the measure the “papers, please” bill. Under the

change, a police officer could only check someone’s immigration status if the officer had pulled the person over for some other reason. “The reason it was removed is not because it’s a bad idea, necessarily,” Gipson said. “The reason it has been removed is it has been enjoined by a federal court in Alabama.” The bill still says law enforcement officials should check for immigration status when “a reasonable suspicion exists” that a person is in the country illegally. The measure bars police from considering race, color

or national origin when making that decision, although opponents still fear racial profiling. The new version also adds an exception if a person is “an international business executive of an international corporation authorized to transact business in the state.” In the months after the Alabama law was enacted, police there arrested a Japanese man on assignment at the state’s Honda factory and a German man who worked for the state’s Mercedes-Benz plant, spurring widespread concern that the law would scare off foreign investors.

Troopers claim racial discrimination in discipline Associated Press

JACKSON — Seven Mississippi Highway Patrol officers suspended for allegedly cheating on promotion tests have alleged in a federal lawsuit that they were told they had to be punished because most of them were white. The Clarion-Ledger reports that the troopers are seeking to lift their suspensions, return back pay and restore their titles, positions and privileges. Last fall, the Department of Public Safety disciplined 14 troopers for allegedly accessing or sharing questions on promotions tests. Four retired and 10 others received 30-day suspensions without pay as well

as demotions. In addition, none of the punished troopers would be eligible for promotions for three years. Asked about the allegations, Jon Kalahar, DPS spokesman, said he could not comment because of the litigation. The lawsuit alleges Col. Donnell Berry, commander of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, told troopers they were being punished because disciplining “Caucasians was necessary as evidence to refute any charge of racial discrimination by African American state troopers.” The troopers also are appealing their suspensions to the state Personnel Board.

In documents filed with the Personnel Board, Berry wrote that the patrol had revamped its merit promotion system “to eliminate extraneous advantages not available to all individuals participating in the testing.” Last August, patrol officials discovered a “potential breach of the new merit promotion testing system,” Berry wrote. In their federal lawsuit, the seven troopers allege that all plaintiffs had used a file of actual questions in past tests and other study questions “with full knowledge of (Public Safety officials) ... and its administrative decision makers that such questions had been openly utilized by state troopers

studying for promotion examinations since 1997.” The lawsuit alleges the normal practice was “to circulate study questions

troopers could utilize in preparing for examinations.” The troopers contend the majority of the “new”

questions that troopers received were in study materials they already had — and in fact, the answers were wrong.

Total Vein Care of Mississippi

joining expertise to offer “Total Vein Care” and better serve all your treatment needs.

Frank Nichols, M.D., and Angel Rodriguez, M.D.

1-866-MS 4 VEIN - 1-866-674-8346 Hours by Appointment

6A â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday, February 26, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ Daily Corinthian

SUNDAY EVENING C A WPTY ^ ^ WREG # # QVC $ . WCBI

WMC

% %

WLMT & > WBBJ _ _ WTVA ) ) WKNO * WGN-A + ( WMAE , , WHBQ ` ` WPXX / WPIX

MAX

0 3

SHOW 2 HBO

4 1

MTV

5 2

ESPN

7 ?

SPIKE 8 5 USA

: 8

NICK

; C

DISC

< D

A&E

FSSO

? 4

BET

@ F

H&G

C H

E! HIST

D E B

ESPN2 F @ TLC G FOOD H INSP I LIFE

J =

TBN

AMC

N 0

FAM

O <

TCM

TNT

Q A

TBS

R *

GAME TOON TVLD SPEED

S T U K Z

Ă&#x2020; ;

OUT VS OWN FOXN APL

Ă&#x2DC; â&#x2C6;&#x17E; Âą â&#x2030;¤ â&#x2030;Ľ

HALL

â&#x2C6;&#x201A; G

DISN

â&#x20AC;&#x153; L

SYFY

7 PM