Daily Corinthian e-edition 12-13-11 by Daily Corinthian

Tuesday Dec. 13,

2011

50 cents

Daily Corinthian Vol. 115, No. 296

2011 Christmas Basket Fund ‘ A Community Tradition’

Basket fund tops $22,000

‘Tis the season for giving as donations continue to arrive for the 16th Annual Corinth Rotary Club / Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund. A $25,000 fundraising goal has been set so 1,100 food baskets could be given to local families on Saturday, Dec. 10. So far $22,680 has been raised. Food baskets were given away based upon the faith the goal will be attained this year. Donations include $200 from Sam and Barbara Tull; $100 from Harvey Meeks in memory of Billie Meeks, Thomas B. Meeks and Mavis Martin; $100 from Dale and Ann Walker in memory of Nelda McCrary, Wade Bronson, “The Please see BASKET | 3

Partly sunny Today

Tonight

• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One Section

Salmonella count rises 39 confirmed cases reported

“At this point, I can tell you there is no ongoing risk to the public.” Liz Sharlot

Communications Director Mississippi State Department of Health

Staff reports

The Mississippi State Department of Health says there is now no reason to worry about eating at Corinth restaurants. “At this point, I can tell you there is no ongoing risk to the public, ” said Liz Sharlot, communications director for the department, late Monday afternoon. That is based on the state department of health ’s investigation of salmonella cases in the city.

However, the number of conrmed salmonella cases in the city has risen. Magnolia Regional Health Center on Monday said it has now treated a total of 39 patients that were conrmed to have salmonella. The number stood at 29 on Friday afternoon. Last week, the state department

of health said its investigation began after it was informed that several patients had sought treatment for gastrointestinal illnesses at the Magnolia Regional Health Center Emergency Room. The investigation focused on patient interviews and collecting food samples. Specic restaurants involved in the inquiry have not been identi-

ed. Don Julio Mexican Restaurant closed last week with a note taped to the front door stating the restaurant ’s management decided to close for the safety of its customers due to reports of contaminated vegetables it had received from suppliers. The restaurant had been inspected by health ofcials, the note explained, and no evidence of contamination was found. Although the restaurant was not ordered to close, it would remain inoperative to await test results. The restaurant remained closed Monday.

Holiday mailing deadline nears BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Christmas mailing deadlines are getting close, but there ’s still time to beat the peak rush. Corinth Postmaster Kevin Byers said the post ofce has already seen lots of Christmas mailing, but he ’s expecting Tuesday and Wednesday next week to be the busiest days. The postal service will deliver an estimated 16.5 billion cards, packages and letters during the holiday season. The busiest day for mailing Christmas cards is expected to be next Tuesday, according to the postal service.

The key deadlines coming up are this Thursday for Parcel Post, the least expensive option; Tuesday, Dec. 20, for First Class Mail; and Wednesday, Dec. 21, for Priority Mail. “The Express Mail deadline will be on Friday, the 23rd, ” said Byers. “Probably anything sent after the 21st needs to be sent Express Mail. ” Free shipping boxes are available. “We have three sizes of the Priority at-rate boxes available, ” said Byers. “They are very popular. You can stuff them full up to 70 pounds. ” As always, he said, the best

advice is to mail early. The deadline for military mail to overseas bases was this past Saturday. For packaging, the postal service wants clear and complete addresses to help ensure delivery. “One of the best things people can do is to also put the address somewhere inside the package, ” said Byers. With the address of the sender and recipient inside, it can still be delivered if something happens to the package while on its way. Bubble wrap, tape and other supplies are available at the

post ofce. The postal service recommends against reusing mailing boxes. It also suggests removing batteries from toys and electronics and including them separately wrapped in the box; allowing space for cushioning; stufng glass and fragile items such as vases; and separately wrapping the glass from picture frames. And, although the Christmas mailing deadlines will have passed, the post ofce will be open from 9 a.m. until noon on Christmas Eve for anyone who needs to do any postal business.

Sec. of state office plans 2 meetings BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

Photos courtesy of Jeff Allen

Parade Watching 3-year-old Jake Wilbanks gets comfortable while watching entries in the annual Rienzi Christmas Parade roll through downtown on Sunday afternoon. The parade had several entries with ole Santa Claus himself making an appearance.

The Secretary of State ’s Ofce needs help from the customers of two area cemeteries currently in receivership. Representatives from the Secretary of State ’s Ofce will be in Corinth on Thursday, Dec. 15, and Friday, Dec. 16, to meet with customers of Forrest Memorial Park of Corinth and Oaklawn Memorial Park of Booneville. The meetings will serve two purposes — to answer Forrest and Oaklawn customers ’ questions and gather information regarding grave and cemetery merchandise purchases. “This information is needed to verify cemetery records, ” wrote Assistant Secretary of State Dave Scott, in a letter to Forrest Memorial and Oaklawn customers. “An accurate, updated database helps build economic value for the cemetery and ensures that cemetery operations going forward are seamless. ” Staff members from the Secretary of State ’s Ofce will hold both days of meetings at the Alcorn County Justice Center at 2837 South Harper Road. They are asking customers of the two cemeteries who have purchased grave spaces and cemetery pre-need merchandise to bring copies of their contracts, interment deeds, payment histories (including canceled checks) Please see MEETINGS | 2

One of Alcorn County’s oldest churches gets marker BY ANGELA STOREY astorey@dailycorinthian.com

One of the oldest churches in Alcorn County now has a marker designating its historical signicance to the community.

New Hope Presbyterian Church at Biggersville recently obtained an historical marker from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The church was organized on

May 26, 1838, and has been in continuous service since that time. The church could possibly be the oldest church in the county and if not is believed to be in the

Index Stocks........7 Classified......14 Comics...... 11 Wisdom...... 10

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

top ve. “It is certainly one of the oldest churches in Alcorn County, ” said Sam Kemp, an elder in the church. Members of the church have

been working with the Department of Archives and History for over a year to obtain the marker. “Evelyn Farrior, an elPlease see MARKER | 2

On this day in history 150 years ago Dec. 13 — Confederate troops led by Colonel Edward Johnson, repulsed an attack by a Union force under the command of General Robert Milroy at the Battle of Allegheny Mountain in western Virginia.

2 • Daily Corinthian

Local/Region

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

2011 Rienzi Christmas parade

Zoey Bain (left) and Caige England look to collect candy at the parade.

Anna Marie Greenlee waves to someone in the Rienzi Christmas parade.

Jesse Stutts (left) and his mom, Meg, enjoy the parade along with pet Snoopy.

2-year-old Kayson Bordelon came to the parade in style.

Some of the church members taking part in the ceremony were (from left) Keith Nichols, Bill Farriore, Evelyn Farriore, Don Br awner and Sam Kemp.

MARKER: Monument erected one month ago CONTINUED FROM 1

der in the church, worked closely with the people in Jackson to come up with the wording,” he said. The marker reads: New Hope Presbyterian Church was organized in 1838 when six members began meeting in a school house near Troy, later renamed Danville. Rev. James B. Stafford served as the first pastor of the church from 1838 to 1854. The first sanctuary was a log cabin-style structure with a stack chimney and fireplace.

P.O. Box 1800 Corinth, MS 38835

The second sanctuary, a frame building located near the cemetery, would remain in use until 1912 when a new building was constructed. The cemetery was established ca. 1839. The historical marker was erected by the Mississippi Department of Transportation about a month ago. “We’re just very pleased with the way it looks,” Kemp said. “It’s very visible in front of the church.” While the original building started out as a

log cabin-style structure, there have been additions and renovations over the 173 years the church has been in operation. Today, in 2011, the white frame building is described by members as “a little country church” still playing a vital role in the community. The pastor is Nicholas B. Phillips. There are about 60 members in the congregation. New Hope Presbyterian Church is located on CR 513 about 1⁄4 mile west of Highway 45 in Biggersville.

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

MEETINGS: Representatives on hand this week CONTINUED FROM 1

and any other cemetery documents to leave with the staff. “Our Office understands that consumers might not have complete documentation of their purchases and payment history,” Scott explained. “However, you are asked to bring any documentation you may have.” Scott emphasized the need for customers to make copies of their documentation in advance, as a copier will not be available at the location. If cemetery customers have already mailed copies of this information to the Secretary of State’s Office, it is not necessary to come at the assigned time, but customers are encouraged to attend if they have any questions for the staff. To reduce the time spent waiting during the information gathering process, the Secretary of State’s Office is requesting that cemetery customers come during the following times, ordered

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

alphabetically according to last name: Thursday, Dec. 15 — A-C (8 to 10 a.m.); D-F (10 a.m. to noon); G-I (noon to 2 p.m.); J-M (2 to 6 p.m.) Friday, Dec. 16 — N-P (8 to 10 a.m.); Q-S (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.); T-V (1 to 3 p.m.); W-Z (3 to 6 p.m.) Cemetery customers who cannot attend during their specified time may come at any time that is convenient during the two scheduled days. Customers who cannot attend on either day can call the Regulation and Enforcement Division of the Office of the Secretary of State at 601-3599055 for instructions.

Background On Nov. 21, 2011, Judge John Hatcher placed Corinth’s Forrest Memorial Park and Booneville’s Oaklawn Memorial Park into receivership at the request of Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. Receivership is a court

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.

action that places property under the control of a receiver, a person appointed by a court to manage the property pending the outcome of a legal proceeding. The Order of Receivership named retired Chancery Court Judge John C. Ross Jr. as receiver. “Mr. Ross will be working in close coordination with the Secretary of State’s Office as we operate the cemeteries during the receivership,” Scott explained. A full description of the details that led to this action can be found in the court’s order of receivership. To view the document, go to the secretary of state’s website at www.sos.ms.gov and click on “Cemetery Receivership” under the “Explore SOS.MS.GOV” heading near the bottom of the page. For more information contact the Regulation and Enforcement Division of the Office of the Secretary of State by calling 601-359-9055.

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/State

3 • Daily Corinthian

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Barbour: Look at new ways to improve education BY JEFF AMY Associated Press

JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour said Thursday he wants Mississippians to look at new approaches to improve education, including more opportunities for job training instead of bachelor’s degrees and the involvement of churches to help prevent struggling students from dropping out of high school. Other ideas include cutting tax funds to intercollegiate athletics, shortening paths to college degrees and pushing schools to spend reserves to cut state budget demands. The suggestions came in the second in a series of three farewell speeches that Barbour is giving at the end of his eight years in office. At the Governor’s Workforce Conference, Barbour urged listeners to look for solutions beyond increasing funding to government. Much of the conference was devoted to reviewing

changes that Barbour has made to worker training during his eight years “We thought this would be a great time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished,” said Les Range, executive director of the Department of Employment Security. Barbour, though, said it’s not time to rest. “I have tried very hard to improve state and federal support for workforce training because I think it’s very important,” the Republican said. “I’m proud of the progress, but we’ve got a lot to do.” He said that it was important to “de-stigmatize” job training as a choice for graduating high school students. “University is not for everybody,” Barbour said. “Our economy needs more workers with high skills than we need people with university degrees.” Barbour said there was a danger that Mississippi won’t produce enough qualified workers to remain attractive to em-

ployers. “If we don’t get everybody involved, we’re not going to have enough workers to continue our growth,” he said. The state is trying to expand dual enrollment, the practice of allowing high school students to enroll in college and earn credit both toward a high school diploma and a college degree. Though he said all students need a good K-12 academic foundation, Barbour said the state is asking for a federal waiver to allow short-term job training programs to count toward high school credit. Barbour broadened his focus beyond worker training. Repeating a call he made Wednesday in Tupelo, he called on the state to cut births to unwed mothers in half within five years. He said he met with a group of ministers Thursday, urging them to organize a program where congregants seek out nonmembers to help parents and encour-

age students to complete high school. “Let’s get our churches more involved in education,” said Barbour, adding that he hoped a pilot program would start this summer. “I suggest to you that the vast majority of failing students are first being failed at home.” Continuing to predict “a constrained fiscal time,” he called on schools and colleges at all levels to reduce spending by combining administrative operations. He called for a reduction of state tax dollars going toward intercollegiate athletic teams at community colleges or universities, with the goal of eliminating such funding. “Fans, alumni and students need to pay for athletics, not taxpayers,” Barbour said. And he said K-12 districts, community colleges and universities should spend down their own reserve funds to reduce state budget pressure. He also asked universities to

develop alternatives to a four-year degree, cutting costs to students and time in school. “A four-year degree is unnecessary to certify to employers that a student is ready to work,” Barbour said. “There’s got to be a lower-cost alternative in our future.” One alternative to a bachelor’s degree would be other kinds of credentials that an employer would recognize. Range said Mississippi would like to invest more in credentialing, but it’s expensive. The state has already rolled out a workforce readiness certificate provided by testing agency ACT, but Range said credentials need to get more support from employers. “We’re hoping businesses will see the value,” he said. Emily DeRocco, president of the Manufacturing Institute, called on the state to widen opportunities for nationally recognized training certificates.

Longtime investigator appointed police chief BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com

Michael Ramey’s title got one word shorter last week as Booneville aldermen voted to name him full-time police chief for the city after serving as interim police chief for the past three months. The veteran law enforcement officer and longtime head of the police department’s Criminal Investigation Division was appointed the city’s top law enforcement officer on a 4-1 vote of the board, with Alderman-At-Large Harold Eaton casting the lone dissenting vote. Ramey has served as interim police chief since being appointed Sept. 1 to fill the position left vacant with the firing of chief Steve Bingham, who had served since 2009. Bingham was fired by the board in a special session on Aug. 31. Specific reasons for the firing have not been disclosed by city officials due to privacy laws regarding personnel matters. The new chief pledged to continue the work already

under way at the department to improve the safety of the citizens of Booneville and make sure people know they can trust their police Ramey department. He said he’s grateful for the trust and support shown to him by the board and the citizens of Booneville and promised he won’t let them down. “We’ll continue to do what we’ve been doing. We want to make sure the citizens are safe,” he said. Ramey said key focuses will be on combating drugs and crime throughout the city and building relationships with the community. “If there’s anything the police department or I can do to help in any way, all they need to do is call us,” he said.

Deaths Gladys A. Smith

Funeral services for Gladys A. Smith, 88, of Corinth, are set for 2 p.m. Wednesday. Mrs. Smith died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Magnolia Regional Health Care Center. Visitation is 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday. All other arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by McPeters Funeral Directors.

A total of 13 applications were received for the police chief post, but Ramey was the only local candidate. Alderman Eaton raised a concern about how the new chief will balance his time between Booneville and his role as town marshal for the town of Marietta. The alderman emphasized the police chief’s role is a 24-hour, seven-daya-week job and said he’s been asked by citizens what will happen if Ramey is out on a call in Marietta and something happens in Booneville. The chief responded that Booneville will continue to be his priority and he will always respond immediately to any call in the city over a call in Marietta. “That’s what I’ve done for 23 years,” he said. Ward 3 Alderman Mark McCoy expressed support for Ramey, noting he refused to vote for previous chief candidates because they weren’t local residents. He said he has seen the difference in morale

in the police department since Ramey has served as interim chief and said he has proven himself during two stints as interim chief to be a capable leader able to deal with problems at the department and make it a better agency. “He hasn’t let us down so far,” said McCoy. “He cleaned up all the messes the other two left.” Ramey also previously served as interim police chief in 2009 between the departure of former chief Tim Fortenberrry and Bingham’s appointment. The new chief has served as head of the police department’s Criminal Investigation Division for 10 years. He began his career with the department in 1990 and served for two years before moving to the Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department in 1996. He returned to Booneville PD in 1996 where he has served since that time.

www.gotfreckles.com 1501 Hwy 72 Corinth (662) 415-3632 Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-5:30pm

CONTINUED FROM 1

Northcutts” and Dennis Skinner; $500 from the Alcorn Central High School Senior Beta Club; $50 from MHV Lunch Bunch in honor of Martha Kimbrough, a fine example of the Alcorn County Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers; $25 from Linda Eubanks in memory of Keith Turner and Chris Stevens; $100 from Jewell and Charles Bain in memory of Marvin and Ilene Bain and Victor and Edna Robinson; $100 from SouthBank; $100 from Edna B. Miller in memory of R.H. “Bob” Miller; $100 from Mason St. Luke Church; $100 from Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Harrison in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Dalton Choate; $10 anonymous gift; $25 from Thomas and Louise Fowler in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnny Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fowler and Michael Shane Fowler. Donations are a perfect time to make a tribute to a loved one. Contributions to the Christmas Basket Fund can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special person or persons. The tribute will be published in the Daily Corinthian. Donations can be brought by the newspaper office or mailed to: Daily Corinthian, Attn.:Christmas Basket Fund, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, MS 38835.

NEW YEAR’SDARK EVEOF(PG13) 4:05 7:00 pass) TRANSFORMERS: THE MOON (non(no3-D) (PG13) 12:00, 3:20, 6:50,(no7:30, THE12:50, SITTER (R)4:10, 4:25 7:20 pass)10:05 THE GREEN LANTERN(NON (non 3D) (PG13) 10:007:15 ARTHUR CHRISTMAS 3-D) (PG)- 4:20 BAD - 1:20, 9:40 THETEACHER MUPPETS(R)(PG) 4:304:20, 7:057:35, (no pass) MR. POPPER’S PENGUINSDAWN (PG) - 12:20, 2:40, 4:55 TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING PT. 1 (PG13) 4:35 7:25 HORRIBLE - 1:25, HAPPY FEETBOSSES TWO (R) (NON 3-D)4:30, (PG)7:25, 4:059:45 7:00 LARRY CROWNE (PG13)JILL - 12:10, JACK AND (PG)2:30, 4:154:50, 7:107:20, 9:40 SUPERHEIST 8 (PG13) - 7:20,4:10 9:50 7:30 TOWER (PG13) ZOOKEEPER (PG) - (NON 1:10, 4:15, PUSS IN BOOTS 3-D)7:00, (PG)9:20 4:00 3-D)4:00, (R) 6:45, 7:25 7:20, 9:15 CARS 2 (nonIMMORTALS 3-D) (G) - 12:15,(NON 1:00, 3:00, FOOTLOOSE 4:15 7:15 MONTE CARLO (PG) -(PG13) 1:05, 4:05, 7:05, 9:30

Merry Christmas

Girl & Doll Boutique

American Girl Doll!

BASKET: Food given

All Stadium Seating Birthday Parties Online Tickets Tuesday, December 13 - Thursday, December 15

Funky Freckles Everything for your

She said that a survey by her group shows 600,000 factory jobs are unfilled because manufacturers now need higher-skilled workers to compete worldwide. “This has added a creativity and critical-thinking aspect to manufacturing jobs,” said DeRocco, who leads the group associated with the National Association of Manufacturers. “Not surprisingly, about this time, manufacturers began reporting what they called a skills gap.” She also urged companies to start demanding that new workers have these credentials, saying such demand will induce schools to offer them and students to enroll. She said a pool of credentialed workers would be an advantage for states seeking new industry. “No manufacturer is going to invest hundreds of millions of dollars unless they can be confident that the workforce is going to be there.”

from

McCarty Pottery • Jack Black • Thymes Frasier Fir • Kitzi Jewelry • Lilly Pullitzer Jonathan Adler • Art by Susan • Baby Gifts Collegiate • Love & Toast • Ornaments Stocking Stuﬀers • French Bull Gooseberry Frozen Yogurt • Gift Cards

Pharmacy • Gifts • Frozen Yogurt 286-MEDS (6337) Mon-Sat 8-6 1425 S. Harper Rd. • Corinth, MS

PINE MOUNTAIN TREE FARM Choose and cut your own Christmas Tree. Open weekends from Thanksgiving until Christmas Afternoons from 3:00pm-5:00pm by appointment

Call 286-8157 or 643-3902

Hwy. 2 West just past Kossuth turn right on road 600, go 5 miles, turn right on road 608, go a half mile to the Farm. POTTED TREES - 15 GALLON POTS Fraser Fir (Northern Trees) Arriving Around November 21st

Engaging Design Everlasting Quality Unparalleled Value

Christmas Bells Are Ringing... We have the cash for your Christmas needs!

See Us for All of Your Wedding Jewelry Needs

See or call Deborah or Lynn

engagement rings • wedding bands • bridal jewelry

For your Christmas loan! Home Improvement - Consolidate Bills - Automobiles New Furniture - Vacation - Holiday Needs Home Equity Loans Up to $25,000.00

Third Union Finance “Your Hometown Lender” NMLS#223962

1013 Hwy. 72E Corinth, MS 38834 662-286-8421 • 866-815-8421

662-287-3606 www.annsofcorinth.com

1808 E. Shiloh Rd., Corinth, MS

Cornerstone Jewelry 401 Cruise Street • Corinth, MS (662) 415-2377

www.dailycorinthian.com

Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

Mark Boehler, editor

4A • Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Corinth, Miss.

Guest Views

Gingrich surges on campaign trail BY DICK MORRIS AND EILEEN MCGANN Columnists

He doesn’t have the money. He doesn’t have the organization. But boy, does Newt Gingrich have a breadth, depth and intensity of support out there. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this since I watched Barack Obama take the Democratic Party by storm in 2008. But Gingrich is no Obama. He is far from a flash in the pan and about as much the opposite of an empty slogan or sound bite as you can get. He is an intensely creative man with key insights and a very keen, sharp mind. He knows the issues backwards and forwards and knows their history as well. In a larger sense, we are blessed as a party to have a choice between two such highly qualified and able candidates as Gingrich and Mitt Romney. Why the enthusiasm for Gingrich? His intellect and creativity are driving his candidacy. When Ron Paul cited our arrest and conviction of Timothy McVeigh as a success in the fight against terror, and Gingrich came back at him and pointed out that McVeigh succeeded in killing more than a hundred Americans, it was one of the great moments in political debate. When Gingrich was asked what he would recommend to replace Obamacare and he spoke of the fundamental importance of brain science and its potential to leapfrog our medical capabilities far ahead, it was a brilliant, creative moment. And when Gingrich defined the ground rules on which he would insist for remaining in Afghanistan — hot pursuit, no sanctuaries and no aggressive attacking, even with civilian casualties, he was saying what most of us are feeling. Romney has certain key advantages. He runs better than Gingrich among women; a Fox News poll has Gingrich beating Romney among men by six points and losing among women by four. Romney is perceived as more electable by Republican voters. He is cool and balanced in debate. And polling also shows that voters trust him more to solve our economic problems. But there is a passion behind Gingrich, the white-hot intensity of a crusade. And that kind of support can go a long way toward compensating for a lack of money or organization. And Gingrich bests Romney in the competition for three key segments of the Republican electorate. Social conservatives and evangelicals distrust Romney for his prior support of abortion — a legitimate beef. And, disgustingly, they are turned off by his religion. Tea Party voters are fiercely opposed to Obamacare and are very distrustful of Romney for passing his version of the program in Massachusetts. They see Romney as representative of Wall Street and big business. They embraced Herman Cain because he was the candidate of small business and now turn to Gingrich for similar reasons. National security conservatives know of Gingrich’s long and deep interest in protecting America’s strength and trust him to keep the military strong. They worry that support for defense spending is an acquired taste for Romney, but it’s part of Newt’s essence. And finally, Gingrich has his timing just right. He didn’t surge in July, as Michele Bachmann did. He didn’t surge in August, as Rick Perry did. Nor in October, as Cain did. He is surging in late November and early December, just as Iowa’s caucuses approach on Jan. 3. This contest will go the distance and probably not be over until Super Tuesday in early March. Republican Party rules require proportional representation in delegate selection in the early going and then require winnertake-all primaries down the road. These rules assure that there will not be a quick nomination, but there will not be a long, drawn-out, draining battle all spring. And either man can win. (Dick Morris, former advisor to the Clinton administration, is a commentor and author of “Rewriting History.” He is also a columnist for the New York Post and The Hill. His wife, Eileen McGann is an attorney and consultant.)

Prayer for today Heavenly father, thank you for your Holy Spirit who comforts us. Help us always to know who we are because of your love for us. In Jesus’ mightly name. Amen

A verse to share “And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” -Matthew 2:9

Reece Terry publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com

Under the Capitol Dome

Where does all the money go? BY JACK ELLIOTT JR. Associated Press

JACKSON — Where does the money go? That’s the most recent question from the Mississippi Supreme Court in the legal dispute over fees paid to private attorneys hired by the attorney general to handle lawsuits for the state. In orders issued in August, the Supreme Court asked attorneys for state Auditor Stacey Pickering and Attorney General Jim Hood to interpret a constitutional provision that requires funds to be paid into the “proper treasury.” That appears to mean that the Supreme Court will decide two things — whether fees paid to private lawyers are public money and if, as public funds, they should go into the state general fund or some other account to be passed on to the lawyers. Pickering contends that rather than directly paying outside counsel retained by the AG’s office, the attorney general should request an appropriation for the fees. A Hinds County judge in 2010 ruled the $14 million in fees paid to two attorneys

for handling a state lawsuit against telecommunications giant MCI was properly handled. Another Hinds County judge ruled the same again in 2010 involving $10 million in fees paid to lawyers for handling a state lawsuit against computer software manufacturer Microsoft. Hood and the attorneys involved in the cases contend the fees are the property of the lawyers not the state. But Pickering has contended the fees paid to attorneys are public funds, should be placed in the state’s general fund and then appropriated by the Legislature. Hood has said that paying the private attorneys is part of the settlement of the lawsuit and should not be counted as part of the money the state receives. Hood has said he enters into such contracts with private attorneys when his office does not have the expertise, resources or manpower to pursue a case. Pickering is not challenging Hood’s right to hire outside legal help. He wants the lawyers to submit a bill, or voucher, to the Legisla-

ture and let the Legislature pay them. In arguments in the Microsoft case before the Supreme Court in August, justices questioned where was the proper place for the lawyers’ fees should be deposited until paid to the attorneys. “The state of Mississippi should collect all the money and then disperse the money to the attorneys. We can’t have Microsoft appropriating public money to anybody by the state. All of the recovered money is public money. It must all go to the state,” said attorney Arthur Jernigan Jr., who represented Pickering. Assistant Attorney General Harold Pizzetta told the justices the term “proper treasury’ is subject to interpretation. Pizzetta said the attorney general has a trust account — like most law firms — into which the office receives proceeds from litigation. When the attorney general hires outside attorneys, Pizzetta said they become like assistant attorney generals and whose work under guidance of the attorney general. In the Microsoft case,

Pizzetta said attorney fees were paid into the trust account of the outside counsel which the attorney general believed was the “proper treasury.” “If you collect these attorney fees ... it makes perfect sense to say that the proper treasury is to go into their trust account,” Pizzetta said. If the attorney fees had come to the attorney general’s trust account, Pizzetta said the AG would have then have cut a check to the lawyers. Microsoft is not a party to Pickering’s lawsuit. Microsoft reached a $100 million settlement with the state in 2009 in a software lawsuit. In the MCI case, Hood sought to recoup unpaid taxes and interest stemming from the collapse of Clintonbased WorldCom, which emerged from bankruptcy as MCI. In 2005, MCI agreed to pay the state $100 million and hand over real estate valued at several million. Jack Elliott Jr. is an Associated Press writer based in Jackson.

It’s a particularly tough time for Jews to blame Israel for In a season in anti-Semitism when which there is very he spoke recently at little “peace on Earth” an event hosted by and even less “good the European Jewwill towards men,” ish Union. According it is a particularly to The Weekly Stantough time for Jews, Cal dard, Gutman said, who may be finding Thomas “A distinction should it more and more difbe made between ficult to tell who their Columnist traditional anti-Semreal friends are. itism, which should Defense Secretary be condemned and Leon Panetta fired an unusually harsh salvo Muslim hatred for Jews, which stems from the ongoacross the Israelis bow. In a speech at a Brookings ing conflict between Israel Institution forum, he urged and the Palestinians.” If Gutman had studied Israel to get to the “d--n table” for peace talks. It must history, he would know that have escaped Panetta’s no- Muslim hatred of Jews pretice that the Palestinians are dates by many centuries Isthe ones refusing to come to rael’s 1948 rebirth as a Jewthe “d--n table” unless their ish state. Secretary of State Hillary unacceptable demands are met. These include, depend- Clinton took her own jabs at ing on the day, the cessation Israel. She was quoted in the of construction projects, even on pre-1967 Israeli English edition of the Arab land, the so-called “right publication, Al-Arabiya, as of return” of “Palestinian saying she fears for the furefugees,” a concession by ture of democracy in Israel Israel to re-draw its borders and the rights of women. to 1967 lines — though such Why? Because of a newsborders would be complete- paper story that told of ly indefensible against an patterns in certain small inevitable attack -- and the Orthodox Israeli neighborre-division of Jerusalem, hoods where women are rewhich Israel rightly sees as quired to be separate from its capital. Meanwhile, the men in certain situations, Palestinian side concedes such as when taking public almost nothing and fulfills transportation. In case Secretary Clinnone of its promises. Neither is it held accountable ton hasn’t noticed, gender segregation has long been for its behavior. Next, we heard from practiced in religiously conHoward Gutman, the U.S. servative Muslim societies. ambassador to Belgium. In Events surrounding the the ultimate case of blaming so-called “Arab Spring” do the victim, Gutman seemed not encourage confidence

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

that women will have more rights and freedom under emerging regimes than they have had under previous dictatorships. But it is not only Jews who are being singled out for verbal abuse and physical attacks. In last month’s Smithsonian magazine, there was a revealing story by Joshua Hammer about the stepped-up attacks by Egyptian Muslims against Coptic Christians, who trace their lineage to the time of Christ. In fact, notes Hammer, attacks against Coptic churches and individual Christians have increased since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was deposed. Radical Muslims have little regard for other religious viewpoints. Arab-Israeli relations, or U.S.-Arab relations for that matter, are not likely to improve if the Muslim Brotherhood takes power in the coming election, though you won’t be able to convince the U.S. State Department of that. In a November address to the Atlantic Council, William Taylor, the State Department’s special coordinator for Middle East transitions pronounced, “What we need to do is judge people and parties and movements on what they do, not what they’re called.” Really? The Muslim Brotherhood’s motto is “Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Qur’an is

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

our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.” Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel, grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood. Is that good enough to conclude for everyone, except Taylor, that the Muslim Brotherhood plans to behave very badly toward Israel? No intelligent person who has observed the media attacks against Israel (not to mention the many wars, countless terrorist incidents and continuing threats directed at Israel’s destruction) can credibly conclude that Israel’s enemies are merely hyperbolic. Despite all the agreements, goodwill gestures and disproportionate prisoner exchanges in which Israel has released hundreds of alleged terrorists in exchange for a single captured Israeli soldier or civilian, there are people who continue to advance the fiction that only Israel stands in the way of peace. It’s past time to stop taking potshots at Israel and start directing “fire” at the prime suspects behind continuing war and turmoil in the region. Direct all mail for columnist Cal Thomas to: Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y. 14207. Readers may also 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 • Tuesday, December 13, 2011 • 5

State Enhanced sex ed may cut teen pregnancy BY JEFF AMY Associated Press

JACKSON — Health advocates are urging Mississippi school districts to adopt enhanced sex education classes, saying they would cut teen pregnancy rates and the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases. In a conference Thursday, they said a new state law allowing “abstinenceplus” education gives schools a chance to present more information and use programs that have been proven to work. Advocates urged school dis-

tricts to move beyond just telling students not to have sex. They said that despite sometimes vocal opposition, a poll shows that most Mississippi parents support education beyond the abstinence-only approach that had been the state’s policy. Though Mississippi’s teen pregnancy rate has fallen in recent years, it remains well above the national average. And Mississippi ranks high for most types of sexually transmitted diseases, with young people often the dominant

group getting infected. Under a law passed last year, every school district in the state has to choose a sex education curriculum to be implemented by next fall, deciding between abstinence-only or abstinence-plus approaches. Either way, the bill requires parental consent before students take part, as well as abstinence instruction and single-gender sex education classes. A poll this fall of 3,600 parents with children in Mississippi public schools shows that 92 percent

support sex education in schools, as long as it’s ageappropriate. It even shows that more than 70 percent of parents support a demonstration of how to use a condom, something specifically banned by the new law. That shows that school officials shouldn’t be influenced by opponents to adopt abstinence-only approaches, said Jamie Bardwell, director of programs for the Women’s Fund of Mississippi. “The people who scream

the loudest do not represent the majority of parents,” she said. Proponents of abstinence-plus say that teaching kids only to refrain from sex doesn’t work. “A lot of these programs have been proven ineffective,” said Sanford Johnson of Mississippi First, which supports abstinence plus. The state Board of Education has to approve all sex education lesson plans. The state Health Department is seeking the nod

for six abstinence-plus lesson plans, each with six to 12 lessons. Because the health department has won federal funding to help implement the plans, most districts that choose them could get free teacher training and classroom materials. Johnson said Mississippi First is lobbying for adoption of one of the Health Department curricula in 17 counties where data show severe problems with teen pregnancy and sexual disease.

During the Holiday Season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible, and, in this spirit,

Brawner, Vanstory, and Company, P.A. cordially invites you to a

Holiday Open House Thursday, December 15, 2011 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. 515 E. Waldron Street Corinth, Mississippi

6 â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, December 13, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ Daily Corinthian

TUESDAY 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 : 8

USA NICK

; C

DISC

< D >

A&E FSSO

? 4

BET

@ F

H&G

C H D

E! HIST

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; ;

FX 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

DECEMBER 13, 2011