A "Bumpy" Ride!

(Will Obama recover?) I hate to say it, but NO. I could have dealt with the preacher issue alone, but when Obama added the thoughtless comment about "typical white people," he lost my vote.

I had looked froward to supporting him. If that comment slipped out as easily as it did while he was campaigning and supposedly choosing his words carefully, how much more of his feelings would have emerged later in office?

I'm not voting for Hillary---her motives are somewhat self-focused---so it looks like McCain in '08. I hope the Democrats are pleased with themselves.

Another reader comments:
Yep, Obama just keeps digging the hole deeper. He is such a disappointment. I think most of America has realized his judgment skills are seriously lacking. What kind of man would expose his daughters to the likes of "Rev" Wright??

Obama may be down, but he is far from out! Luckily, Reverend Wright has been put out to pasture where he can do no more harm; however, Obama's "typical white person" comment was certainly prejudicial and a poor choice of words. Both of these issues will continue to haunt Obama's campaign.

There are many miles to go before the election and all candidates are being scrutinized like no other time in history. We seem to dismiss sexual scandals as par for the course... the newly appointed governor of New York proudly revealed in his second press conference that both he and his wife had participated in numerous extra-martial affairs while he served as lieutenant governor. Perhaps being both black and legally blind offer some special dispensation?

Presidents (and candidates) are human beings subject to all of the foibles and sins of their past. Lest we forget, Bill Clinton not only disgraced the office of Presidency, but was publicly impeached for his "sins" and poor judgement. Many consider breaches of personal trust and honesty to reveal much about a person's worthiness for public office. A man (or woman) who will lie to his/her spouse and family would not hesitate to lie to his country to protect himself.

Richard Nixon was the quintessential liar. He lied to everyone, about everything and when caught by the public in a lie, he lied his way out of it. Nixon will be recorded in history as one of our greatest Presidents!

My best advice to the American public is to "buckle your seat belts; it's going to be a bumpy ride" to the White House!

Forthright

"Wright" and Wrong!

Fed up with the Obama nightmare...

The media nor anyone else chose Obama's church and pastor for himself and his family. HE DID. Obama has been a faithful member of this "church" (and I use that term lightly to describe the maniacal definite non-Christian behavior) for at least 20 years. There is no way on God's green earth Obama didn't know what was being preached.

ABC news bought many sermons, they all contain racist remarks that damn America. We are not talking about a preacher who is having a bad Sunday. So, rd, go ahead and down play the entire fiasco. There is no way I would ever put my trust in a political candidate who openly and independently supported this organization and leader full of hate for our United States. And, laugh if you like at Joel Osteen. He's not my pick either, but at least he does not proclaim, "God Damn America" from the pulpit.

So don't blame the media, don't blame anyone but Obama for choosing to be a sheep in this lunatic's pasture. It is hard to believe that all of a sudden he wishes to "distance" himself from this pastor...I mean he has been his spiritual advisor for two decades and is a part of his official campaign? Hopefully this will be a sign for Americans to wake up and see past the white veneer and the eloquently delivered motivational speeches.

And all I have to say is GOD BLESS AMERICA.

As the saying goes, "we can't choose our parents"... but we can choose our pastors. Most who have heard the sound bites from Reverend Wright's sermons would agree that this man is a bit over the top. What concerns me is why would Obama, an intelligent man with a firm grasp of the English language, tolerate such blatant racism, hatred and bigotry from his "spiritual" leader of 20 years?

Wright's sermons aren't the equivalent of a Trent Lott, "Whoops" ...they are cold and calculated words from an ignorant hate monger. Obviously, Obama does not control what his long time friend and pastor espouses from the pulpit, but why should he tolerate or excuse such outrageous racism in the name of religion?

I am not ready to write off Obama as our next President, but I think his campaign was seriously damaged by his association with Reverend Wright. True, Obama is an eloquent speaker and his views on racial equality were quite ground-breaking in his speech on Monday; however, there is no justification for ignorance and hatred being spewed by anyone, regardless of his race or "association" with God.

Senator Obama has the potential to become a true leader in the campaign for racial equality in our country, but he will never succeed until he distances himself from those continue to preach separatism and hate.

Forthright

Just Plain..."Duh?"

With Eliot Spitzer's career and reputation sizzling on the grill, at least nine other rich -- and likely powerful -- men have already begun to sweat. The federal complaint that describes the sexual and financial history of Client 9, otherwise known as Spitzer, also gives tantalizing details about the nine other men caught in the same net.

Spitzer, who may have spent as much as $80,000 on the call girls according to some accounts, announced his resignation today.

Judging by the complaint, each of the clients were wealthy, traveled a great deal, liked to meet the women while on the road and were willing to pay a lot of money for time with a beautiful woman. While the complaint does not identify the men or their professions, it has to be giving a great deal of heartburn as the prostitution case makes its way through the legal process and the media pry out details.

The court papers provide an inside view of the exclusive world of the Emperors Club, its customers and its employees. One man asked that a woman be flown from Los Angeles to Chicago for an evening, while another requested one of the high-priced prostitutes to be flown from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

One apparently lusty client had the Emperors pimps scrambling Feb. 2 because he was looking for "three girls, possibly four, for four hours each." Those guys were cheapskates, however, compared with Client 7, who was quoted a price of $25,000 to have a woman join him in Vienna.

Client 7 "has enough credit that they can take their time this evening and tomorrow morning," wrote one of the Emperors Club's pimps, who was caught by the feds text messaging another club manager. "She ... doesn't necessarily have to race out @ 9 a.m." Aveline, who made the Vienna rendezvous, was one of more than 50 women whom the club allegedly had available to its high rollers in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris and London.

Hooking was often a sideline for the women and they sometimes asked for shorter assignments because they were answering casting calls the next day. One griped that she wasn't being paid enough. "This is the kind of money I make very easily in photo shoots," she complained in an e-mail to the club's managers. The men who hired the women were generally wowed. Client 4 told the agency he was delighted with his last two dates. "Two A+s in a row ... I don't know where you get these young ladies."

It is hard to believe that anyone could be so stupid. Spitzer is a brilliant attorney who has spent his life prosecuting people for the same types of crimes and has authored several articles on how these crimes can be easily detected. What hypocrisy... what nerve... what a "schmuck"!

This "public servant" ought to be tried on every single count including the Mann Act, for which HE convicted numerous wrong-doer. I am sure that when the full "role" is called, there will be many more elected officials who believe that they are "above" the law.

The truth is that "prostitution" and "politics" are pretty much the same concept in our country today. Both deal in lies, deceit, illicit behavior, cover-ups and the exchange of "favors". Spitzer not only violated his public (and private) trust, but did so with our money! We will have allowed a great travesty of justice if this man is permitted to quietly disappear into the footnotes of corrupt politicians.

And what about Spitzer's wife... Silda. In standing by her man, she evokes an even more frightening concept of blatant stupidity. Have we grown so accustomed to this gross indifference for corrupt politicians, that we expect everyone to be cleansed by a public apology? If I were Silda Spitzer, the only public appearance the Governor would have made today would have been telecast from an ICU bed in Albany!

THIS is what is wrong in America! The norm is for politicians to be liars, cheats and thieves. If you are "caught", you simply wave good-bye to the suckers who supported you, retire to the talk show circuit and hope for a Hollywood mini-series on your life!

Spitzer needs to stay on the "spit" until he is fully roasted!

Forthright

From Mania to Marx

Anonymous posts:

This article is the perfect opposite to the Clinton/Dick Morris -FoxNews.com

I totally agree with this fella!

OBAMA MANIA
Ken Blackwell - Columnist for the New York Sun

It's an amazing time to be alive in America . We're in a year of firsts in this presidential election: the first viable woman candidate; the first viable African-American candidate; and, a candidate who is the first front running freedom fighter over 70. The next president of America will be a first. We won't truly be in an election of firsts, however, until we judge every candidate by where they stand. We won't arrive where we should be until we no longer talk about skin color or gender.

Now that Barack Obama steps to the front of the Democratic field, we need to stop talking about his race, and start talking about his policies and his politics. The reality is this: Though the Democrats will not have a nominee until August, unless Hillary Clinton drops out, Mr. Obama is now the frontrunner, and its time America takes a closer and deeper look at him.

Some pundits are calling him the next John F. Kennedy. He's not. He's the next George McGovern. And it's time people learned the facts. Because the truth is that Mr. Obama is the single most liberal senator in the entire U.S. Senate. He is more liberal than Ted Kennedy, Bernie Sanders, or Mrs. Clinton. Never in my life have I seen a presidential frontrunner whose rhetoric is so far removed from his record. Walter Mondale promised to raise our taxes, and he lost. George McGovern promised military weakness, and he lost. Michael Dukakis promised a liberal domestic agenda, and he lost.

Yet Mr. Obama is promising all those things, and he's not behind in the polls. Why? Because the press has dealt with him as if he were in a beauty pageant. Mr. Obama talks about getting past party, getting past red and blue, to lead the United States of America .

But let's look at the more defined strokes of who he is underneath this superficial "beauty." Start with national security, since the president's most important duties are as commander-in-chief. Over the summer, Mr. Obama talked about invading Pakistan, a nation armed with nuclear weapons; meeting without preconditions with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who vows to destroy Israel and create another Holocaust; and Kim Jong II, who is murdering and starving his people, but emphasized that the nuclear option was off the table against terrorists - something no president has ever taken off the table since we created nuclear weapons in the 1940s. Even Democrats who have worked in national security condemned all of those remarks.

Mr. Obama is a foreign-policy novice who would put our national security at risk. Next, consider economic policy. For all its faults, our health care system is the strongest in the world. And free trade agreements, created by Bill Clinton as well as President Bush, have made more goods more affordable so that even people of modest means can live a life that no one imagined a generation ago.

Yet Mr. Obama promises to raise taxes on "the rich." How to fix Social Security? Raise taxes. How to fix Medicare? Raise taxes. Prescription drugs? Raise taxes. Free college? Raise taxes. Socialize medicine? Raise taxes. His solution to everything is to have government take it over. Big Brother on steroids, funded by your paycheck. Finally, look at the social issues. Mr. Obama had the audacity to open a stadium rally by saying, "All praise and glory to God!" but says that Christian leaders speaking for life and marriage have "hijacked" - hijacked - Christianity.

He is pro-partial birth abortion, and promises to appoint Supreme Court justices who will rule any restriction on it unconstitutional. He espouses the abortion views of Margaret Sanger, one of the early advocates of racial cleansing. His spiritual leaders endorse homosexual marriage, and he is moving in that direction. In Illinois , he refused to vote against a statewide ban - ban - on all handguns in the state.

These are radical left, Hollywood , and San Francisco values, not Middle America values. The real Mr. Obama is an easy target for the general election. Mrs. Clinton is a far tougher opponent. But Mr. Obama could win if people don't start looking behind his veneer and flowery speeches. His vision of "bringing America together" means saying that those who disagree with his agenda for America are hijackers or warmongers. Uniting the country means adopting his liberal agenda and abandoning any conflicting beliefs.

But right now everyone is talking about how eloquent of a speaker he is and - yes - they're talking about his race. Those should never be the factors on which we base our choice for president. Mr. Obama's radical agenda sets him far outside the American mainstream, to the left of Mrs. Clinton. It's time to talk about the real Barack Obama. In an election of firsts, let's first make sure we elect the person who is qualified to be our president in a nuclear age during a global civilization war.

I must agree that we are suffering from a bit of "Obama mania". I think that everyone is so tired of George W. that we are being persuaded by the "anything but Bush" mentality. McCain's biggest obstacle will be Bush's personal endorsement. There are very few died in the wool, partisan voters left in this country. I view Americans as more "intelligent" voters today who look beyond party rhetoric to the character and personal views of the candidates.

Let's face it...we are headed for a major recession. Six hundred dollar checks mailed in May will barely offset the "price at the pump" for most of us, let alone stimulate an economy which has hit all time lows. The "sub-prime" mortgage scams were another failed attempt to stimulate our economy by asking Americans to once again, roll the dice. Well, they did and 95% lost.

No candidate wants to address the real problems with our economy... graft, corruption, kick-backs, political perks and secret deals. No one can survive in DC unless they play the game. What game you ask? Go rent "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and study it. Fifty years ago it was considered entertainment. Today, it should be considered a "documentary film in the reality category". Today, the only difference is that the little man can never win against the political machinery that exists.

Karl Marx once noted in his writings that, "No democracy has ever survived throughout all of history, because a true democracy will feed upon itself, until it is completely consumed by the freedoms on which it is based."

Think about it.

Forthright

A Daunting Task!

Present at the event said...

I attended the Delta Economic Development Center's meeting tonight, there was an excellent turn out of members. Good news and renewed hope was heard during the evening through the new goals and economical plans of CEO Ed Johnson's for the Delta.

He has a lot of work ahead of him bringing hope back to this community, so far he appears to be the man for the job. Time will tell. He has some great ideas for the delta area and economy. I think the main thing is the community has to have open minds and be willing to work together to turn things around quickly.

Our City, Economic and County leaders have to get over themselves (and their own self-importance) and start working together for the common good of the community, not just the city, but the county, the delta. The main thing is the "follow through", a lot of balls are dropped in the community leaders' offices, because those who should be taking care of business at home are too busy following their own political or financial agenda at the expense of the region. Never being available, forever traveling for self promotion, ignoring the public needs, ignoring the needs of their own employees/staff in getting things done, forgetting promises made, all those things are major obstacles to a better Greenville.

Our leaders HAVE to be accountable, accessible and listening to their community to know what is needed. Focusing only on their needs and their gains can only lead to more political embarrassments that we have been seeing in the last few months. Greed and conceit are two evil components in a leader with access to public/business funds or resources. We need to get honesty, integrity and good work ethics back in the requirements of our leaders and in the mind of our community citizen's demands and self behaviors. Otherwise, we will only continue down this over trodden path of destruction.

I was not present at the Economic Development Center's event the other night, but I have heard mixed reviews of Mr. Johnson's views for the Delta. The author above makes some good points about what it will take to unite and change Greenville. I have also spoken to those who feel like there is nothing new about Mr. Johnson's ideas, plans or talents.

What qualifies Mr. Johnson to be CEO of our EDC? Is he a skillful grant-writer or economic wizard? He looks a bit young to have a lengthy track record as a proven change agent. Is he from the Delta and does he understand that "we" are truly like no other place on earth?

The downtown revitalization song has been sung by everyone from the Garden Club ladies to slick talking con men promising a bogus "Beale Street" concept. Sure, "downtown revitalization" has become a buzz word for promoting Greenville... but is it something we really want or need?

Grant money is a great quick fix to get an idea off the ground, but without public support, its fruits die on the vine as soon as the grant money disappears. Federal and State grants are intended to demonstrate that a program or idea works or doesn't. If successful, the community has to take the ball and run with it... and support it.

The Delta has a long tradition of the "entitlement" mentality. The truth is that no one outside of the Delta is going to invest in a culture that doesn't respect itself. I wish Mr. Johnson the best of luck in his very difficult role. I suggest that he think outside of the box when it comes to developing Greenville; otherwise, his voice will be just another whisper in an ever-growing chorus.

Forthright

Limited Powers; Limited Choices

Hilary in the news said...

HILLARY UNMASKED
By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
Published on FOXNews.com on February 28, 2008.

The real Hillary Clinton stood up at the Democratic presidential debate this week: angry, sarcastic, stubborn, secretive, arrogant, mired in the past, victim of the media, and still firmly convinced that she is uniquely entitled to the Democratic Party nomination and the presidency.

That Hillary hasn’t really been on display much since the debacle of her disastrous health care plan and the end of Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, when she haughtily flaunted her combative personality.

But make no mistake about it — that’s the Hillary Clinton that we’ll see if she somehow manages to steal the Democratic nomination.

She’s found her voice. The one that so alienated everyone she came into contact with over her health care plan that her own party destroyed it. The one that publicly and loudly defended Bill and arranged for attacks on Monica Lewinsky when she knew the complete and sordid truth.

She’s always had a chip on her shoulder and a strange paranoia, but it’s definitely gotten worse. Now it’s not just the vast right wing conspiracy that is out to get her. Now it’s the mainstream media. How are they doing that? By asking her the first questions at the debates!

Hillary’s snide comment about whether Barack needed a pillow to be made more comfortable was downright embarrassing. The anticipated applause line on her script never happened. The audience was silent. The press was amazed. And Barack seemed genuinely startled by her nuttiness — he looked over at her as if he was viewing a dotty old aunt at a family dinner, the one that everyone politely humors.

Her lifelong pattern of secrecy was once again evident. While publicly promoting transparency in government, she steadfastly refuses to release her personal income tax returns. That’s a clear tip-off that there’s something to hide. Recall that the Clintons selectively released tax returns in Arkansas, but refused to go back to 1980, when Hillary had her windfall in cattle futures.

During the debate, Hillary suggested that she’d release the returns “soon,” but her staff quickly backtracked. She implied that she’s been too busy to deal with releasing the returns. Does she really think anyone believes that it will take more than simply making a copy of the return? She’s stalling and there’s a reason for that.

Most likely, the return will show how much Bill has been making from his partnership with the Sheik of Dubai and his other business ventures. Should the spouse of a presidential candidate be in business with a foreign leader who needs favors from the U.S. Government? Definitely not. That’s why we’ll never see those returns.And then there are the Clinton Library records that document her schedule as first lady. She doesn’t want them released either because they will definitively show that she was never the co-president. The Library has been stalling on the release of those documents for years. During the debate, she said that she wanted them released as quickly as possible and seemed to blame the Bush administration for the delay. But today, the White House indicated that she had made no requests for any expedited release.

The old Hillary, the real Hillary, is back.And there’s apparently been no one to stop her from acting on her own worse instincts.Underneath the veneer of the practiced smile and the strategically used giggle, there is a rage that is always close to the surface. It was on display in the debate.Hillary Clinton is furious that America has not agreed to her coronation. She doesn’t understand why voters are rejecting her and embracing Barack Obama. She just doesn’t get it.

Never one to engage in self reflection, she can’t blame herself or even her incompetent strategists and advisers. They’re too close to her. She can’t accept the sorry fact that her campaign has been a disaster because it was based on the past and not the future, because it was premised on her phony experience and maintaining the status quo, and because her negative outlook is completely out of step with the mood of America. And finally, because in the positive message of Barack Obama, Americans see a stark contrast with her doom and gloom view of the world.

So, she’ll blame the media. It’s their fault.

And she’ll keep screaming about what a fighter she is.

More like a bully.

Obama is an eloquent orator. Clinton is a cheer-leader. The difference is simple. An orator can read the back of a box of Cheerios and make us want to believe that it is true and buy into the dream. A cheer-leader depends on mass persuasion to promote her beliefs, hoping that the "game" will end in her favor.

The primary issue in this election is becoming quite clear: It is time for a change. McCain offers a different perspective than Bush, but not one which is significantly different. Even Bush supporters are tired of his ineptitude and ignorance on foreign policy and everyone is ready to "move on".

Obama or Clinton... either will do. Keep in mind that the President is little more than a figure-head in our democracy. There are many checks and balances to keep "his/her" powers at bay.

If I had to bet on a gifted "orator" or a "cheer-leader" , my money would be on the former... which is why Al Sharpten and Jesse Jackson pose no threat to our democracy. Racism is any form should be rebuked!

Forthright

Prophecy and History

Obama, thats yo momma! said...

Obama 'Frightens Me'. The Bible has warned us that 'A man will come from the East that will be charismatic in nature and have proposed solutions for all our problems and his rhetoric will attract many supporters!'

When will our pathetic Nation quit turning their back on God and understand that this man is 'A Muslim'....First, Last and always....and we are AT WAR with the Muslim Nation, whether our bleeding-heart, secular, Liberal friends believe it or not.

This man fits every description from the Bible of the 'Anti-Christ'! I'm just glad to know that there are others that are frightened by this man!Who is Barack Obama? Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice. If you do not ever forward anything else, please forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States...better heed this and pray about it and share it.

snopes.com ..' confirms this is factual.

Check for yourself.

Who is Barack Obama? Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita , Kansas.

Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii.When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta. He also spent two years in a Catholic school.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, 'He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school.' Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that that he is not a radical. Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son'seducation.

Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta.Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background.

ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran. Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches.

Do you want someone like this as your PRESIDENT?

Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential candidacy.The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, one of their own!

Interesting information; although the author's "pen-name" is a bit racially insensitive.

Whether any or all of this information is fact is for us to decide. Remember, getting your ideas published on the Internet is not that difficult these days... "we" do it almost every day in the form of email, blogs, surveys, etc.

If the statements above are fact, some are quite disturbing. It is true that Americans are easily swayed by eloquent speakers such as FDR, JFK and MLK. We trust that anyone who strives to become the leader of our free nation has our best interests at heart. Prior to 911, we were a very trusting nation, almost smug to the rest of the world.

Today, we have been humbled and are more cautious, as we should be. The greatest empires of our history have tumbled by internal treachery, corruption and deceit. The historical lesson of the "Trojan Horse" is not one we should easily forget.

Forthright

You Have to Look Back...

"Put up" says:

Okay, let's be fair, Greenville has been sinking for years, ever since we lost our towboat industry! At that time it was all white everywhere. Today's Black (and white) officials have no control over where we have come from, only what our future can be, with everyone's help!

It is a total cop out to blame it on a race of today for what began in the late 70's during the Carter administration. It was then that our delta was hit hard and we have never recovered. Once we lost the towboats, we lost the subsidary industries, the businesses that supplied them and so on and so on. THAT is why so many have left...NO JOBS!!!!!!! It is not a race issue, it is an economy issue and has been for years and years!

Until we can find and attract more industries to replace the lost, we are in limbo and sinking further into oblivion. First thing that has to happen is to stop the blame game! We have to work together to turn it around, finger pointing and blaming has gotten us no where so far...duh? Let's try something new, let's think of what can be done and get it done!

In order for new business/industry to even consider Greenville, we have to have something to offer. A clean city, great schools and safe neighborhood communities. We need attractive shopping and variety dining, activities for everyone, young and old, culturally, physically and spiritually.

WE ARE NOT DEAD YET! Don't make it worse by sucking what little oxygen we have left out of the city with negative and non-productive complaining...take actions, let's turn it around!

Put up or shut up!

The author makes a good point. The current conditions that plague the Delta are the results of a "perfect storm". The '70's and '80's brought about many changes in our economy, schools and local industry. Agriculture gave way to "aquaculture"; the tow-boat industry fell victim to spiraling fuel prices and various manufacturing industries, such as Fruit-of-the-Loom; Mebane, and Uncle Ben's came and went.

Admittedly, we have very little control over fuel prices; however, the primary factors that attract today's industry are a stable and qualified work force, fair wages and a high quality of life for its workers. Here's where Greenville falls short.

In speaking with previous industry leaders, I was told that what had initially attracted them to Greenville was our relatively low cost of living, lack of unions and a seemingly viable and plentiful workforce. Upon their departure several years later, I inquired of these same industry leaders as to their reasons. Most pointed to two key factors.

First was the general lack of work ethic... people took no pride in their jobs, failed to show up for work, were lazy and did not seem interested in learning how to improve their skills. Many workers would habitually come to work late, often impaired and take excessive "breaks".

The second predominant factor was employee theft. I was told by one regional manager that their Greenville plant had the highest cost of employee theft out of its 72 locations, including Mexico and India. As this manager stated to me, "We would come out better fighting labor unions, than losing a third of our inventory to dishonest employees."

All of these issues go back to education, values and self-esteem. Until we can fix these problems locally, we can not expect others to bring us jobs.

Forthright

Eyes Wide Open...

Anonymous educates:

Do you not understand that there is a difference between whites using the N word and blacks using the N word? Black people use the N word as a term of brotherhood or camaraderie. Whites use it as a term of hatred and ignorance. Blacks have taken an ugly word that was used against them and reclaimed it as a term of affection.

Chris Rock makes fun of black people. He can do this because he is black. Jerry Seinfeld makes fun of Jews. He can do this because he is Jewish. Jeff Foxworthy makes fun of rednecks. He can do this because he is a redneck. Being from a certain group allows you to say things that people from outside your group cannot.

Finally, do you not think that there is racism in Greenville? Look at the myriad of racist comments in this blog over the last few days. People arguing that the creation of the white academies didn't have anything to do with race, that Obama is not worthy to be president because his church celebrates its African roots, that the school integration of the 70's was peaceful.

It was peaceful for the whites of Greenville. But how many blacks were harassed, how many families received threats, how much anger and fear was directed towards the black community?

You don't have to open both eyes, but at least open one.

Wow! Now that I have both eyes open, I can see the problem. We aren't teaching our children that there are "black" and "white" definitions to the words in our "shared" language. I feel cheated that my Miriam Webster only defined the word, part of speech and offered pronunciation guides. A modern dictionary should also include cultural meanings of the words depending on what race uses the word and to whom it is spoken.

Why not? The Latin language assigns a specific gender to each word, so why can't we assign a race? That way our children could clearly understand whether the "N" word was being used as a "term of brotherhood and camaraderie" or a "term of hatred and ignorance". Once again, our educational system has failed us, but my eyes are wide open now.

In my next life, I want to come back as a black, Jewish redneck. I could pretty much slam everyone!

(Okay, a little "tongue-in-cheek", but I have to agree with a previous comment that we need to lighten up a bit. Racsim wasn't born in this country and it won't be abolished in our lifetime. Why don't we just bury the "N" word for both races. It seems less complex than revamping our dictionaries.)

Forthright

Double Standard?

Anonymous observation...

Does anyone else find it ironic that a bunch of white people on this blog are talking about how people in Greenville are not racist? And that the school integration of the 70's was peaceful? I'm sure an African-American from Greenville would have a different picture of school integration.

As a white person I can't tell you the number of times another white person has used the N word in front of me, usually in the context of: "Well, you got your blacks and you got your N_____."

To argue that racism does not exist in Greenville, or that it is not a problem, is to argue that the world is flat; all you are doing is illuminating your own ignorance.

Anonymous reply...

Perhaps you should court a different group of friends if your acquaintances are in the habit of using offensive terms. My friends don't speak that way.

And I think I can speak for the white children who remained at Solomon Junior High and Greenville High in the 70's. There was no violence in our school, although resentment was present on both sides, as has been previously mentioned. Those who were not there may assume that it was not that way, but they'd be wrong---wouldn't they?

I was there. My children attended the private school, which by that time had long since shed its former past. Enrollment was and is open to everyone, and my children received a top-notch education. They have excelled in every area, and I wouldn't have trusted their education to a system that has deteriorated to the degree that the GPSD has.

And as for the quality of the environment there, I'd take the security of Washington School over parent-volunteers-policing-the-halls at GHS any day. My kids never had to worry for their physical safety when they were in school.

I think that we can all agree that the use of the "N" word is quite offensive to most people. I would also have to "rethink"my group of friends who routinely use this word as a racial slur. However, the last time I heard the "N" word being repeatedly used was from the blaring car stereo of a vehicle parked at a convenience store... and yes, the occupants were black.

It seems odd that a word that is so repulsive to the black race is tossed about so freely in rap music, black comedy and films. It appears quite acceptable for a black person to use the "N" word in describing other black people, just not themselves.

The truth is that the "N" word is offensive to both blacks and whites, but as long as we "support" its use in music, comedy and films, it will never go away. Chris Rock has made millions of dollars denigrating his race on stage and a great majority of his fans are black. Rap music is filled with violence and racial slurs against many races including blacks. If the "N" word truly offends you, don't support artists in music, comedy or films who make millions by using it to entertain you.

Forthright

Education in the Delta

Whatever the original reasons for the creation of private schools in the Delta, the fact is that they remain today. In 1970, there may have been a knee-jerk reaction to the unknown as well as the Federal Government's mandating forced integration. It was a major change for both black and white citizens and neither group fully understood why it was being done.

The fact is that they remain today because they serve a purpose. Had forced integration of the public schools proved that there was no need for private and parochial schools, they would have died on the vine. Why would anyone want to spend thousands of dollars on their childrens education when they could get the same quality education via their tax dollars?

Public education has had 30+ years to prove their "equality". They have more federal and state funding, their teachers are paid significantly higher salaries than their counterparts in the private schools and yet they continue to miss the mark in ratings of quality.

Sure, "white-flight" created the private schools, but what sustains them today? Quality education... even at a higher price. Look at the enrollment of Washington School. It is comprised of numerous races, ethnicities, religions and lifestyles. The one thing these parents share in common is that they do not want to sacrifice their childrens' future with a substandard education... and are willing to pay "twice" for that security.

Public education in the Delta is in the mess that it is because we do not demand better. We have allowed our public schools to become "day care" and "free lunch programs" by those parents who do not value true education. At the end of the day, parents are responsible for their childrens education. Private schools will always thrive as long as public education continues to fail to meet our educational needs.

Our children's education is far too important for us to risk being "politically correct". The reality is that our public school system has failed us all, reagardless of race or relgion. The cost of a quality education is now the same for all. When will privte schools diminish... when we demand quality from our public educational systems.

Forthright

PS: Great political debate! Thanks to all of you who have commented. Keep it up... we have many months to decide on our future!

From Punctuation to Pragmatism

Here are some more of the great comments that have been submitted. I urge Scoop readers to review all of the comments at the end of each section. It seems that our "grammarians" have made peace, but still differ on many points. This is a great topic for debate! Please share your views... and we all promise not to judge you on grammar and punctuation.

Forthright

Readers offer the following:

I apologize that you think I was insinuating anything about your intelligence. I just really thought that the apostrophe thing was a sly dig at Mr. Obama's heritage. I apologize that I was incorrect about that.

For the record, the second comment about Bill O'Reilly was not mine. Why am I voting for Obama, other than the simple fact that I have democratic leaning anyway and I don't care for Mrs. Clinton? If you're historically Republican, I don't guess I can sway your vote on issues that are important to me such as abortion rights, gay marriage, or the war in Iraq. You ask for the positive points of his campaign which might sway your votes. It IS the positivity of his campaign that makes me want to vote for him. Green? Yes. I think that is part of his appeal.

I think all of the other candidates have been tainted by their politics over the years. I have been ashamed of our leadership for the last eight years. Obama is someone who excites me and inspires me. Do I have a point by point presentation of his policies to sway you? Sure don't. I think politics in recent years have been very divisive, and I look to him as someone who can unite our country. I'm sure you think that is a superficial and fluff answer, but that's it for me. Again, I do apologize for the brouhaha over the apostrophe.

****************************

Thanks for your take on the positives of Obama's campaign. We do disagree on basic issues such as gay rights and abortion. I know it may sound old-fashioned, but I believe God intended for there to be a man and a woman in a love relationship. I would never outwardly cause dissention or hate to anyone, even if they are gay. But at the same time, in my heart, I cannot believe it is all ok. And abortion -- I believe there are only a select few instances where abortion could be a viable option. However, I do believe it is time to pull out of Iraq, we have wasted enough American money and lives there.

The most important thing about all of this is we are so very fortunate to live in a country where we can all have our own ideas and beliefs, voice them, and then make our own decisions. I guess that out of all the candidates Huckabee appeals most to my personal convictions and religious beliefs. Maybe I'm wrong and living in the ancient ages, but it's how I feel.

*************************

sister38701 said...

"Now that we have been over that point repeatedly (at nauseum), can you please highlight the positive points from Obama's campaign which may sway votes to his side?" It's AD nauseum, not AT.

And you can visit www.barackobama.com to read about his stand on many issues. The clincher for me was a commercial that I heard (I was standing in another room, and raced to see who the commercial was for) in support of some changes and improvements in our system of educating our children.

Excerpts are below:

Reform No Child Left Behind: Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them.

Make Math and Science Education a National Priority: Obama will recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession and will support efforts to help these teachers learn from professionals in the field. He will also work to ensure that all children have access to a strong science curriculum at all grade levels.

Address the Dropout Crisis: Obama will address the dropout crisis by passing his legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies in middle school - strategies such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction, and extended learning time.

Expand High-Quality Afterschool Opportunities: Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve one million more children. Expand Summer Learning Opportunities: Obama's "STEP UP" plan addresses the achievement gap by supporting summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children through partnerships between local schools and community organizations. Support College Outreach Programs: Obama supports outreach programs like GEAR UP, TRIO and Upward Bound to encourage more young people from low-income families to consider and prepare for college.

Support English Language Learners: Obama supports transitional bilingual education and will help Limited English Proficient students get ahead by holding schools accountable for making sure these students complete school. Recruit, Prepare, Retain, and Reward America's TeachersRecruit Teachers: Obama will create new Teacher Service Scholarships that will cover four years of undergraduate or two years of graduate teacher education, including high-quality alternative programs for mid-career recruits in exchange for teaching for at least four years in a high-need field or location.

Prepare Teachers: Obama will require all schools of education to be accredited. He will also create a voluntary national performance assessment so we can be sure that every new educator is trained and ready to walk into the classroom and start teaching effectively. Obama will also create Teacher Residency Programs that will supply 30,000 exceptionally well-prepared recruits to high-need schools.

Retain Teachers: To support our teachers, Obama's plan will expand mentoring programs that pair experienced teachers with new recruits. He will also provide incentives to give teachers paid common planning time so they can collaborate to share best practices.

Reward Teachers: Obama will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward accomplished educators who serve as a mentor to new teachers with a salary increase. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well. Higher Education Create the American Opportunity

Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.

Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.

*******************************

To the Huckabee supporter. Thank you for your response. I agree with Eyes Wide Open, I don't agree with you and don't intend to change your mind on basic issues, but I can also see where you are coming from and obviously support your right to vote for whose ideals are closest to yours.

I actually can appreciate Huckabee in this race because I think he still stands for more change than what McCain represents as far as Republicans are concerned. I actually liked McCain several years ago (when "anyone but Bush" was my political mantra) but fear that his leadership would be 4 or 8 more years of the same. No change in Iraq except for the death toll, and no change in healthcare.

Healthcare is a huge issue for me right now, and I don't know what the solution is, as long as the candidate is willing to admit a need for change, that's better than nothing. I don't see it as a big issue for McCain. Unfortunately, he has such a huge lead on the Republican side that I think he will be your candidate.

***************************

The Obama campagin points outlined above are very interesting, especially to educators. I am in healthcare and I wonder how he will provide universal healthcare? If anyone has heard, let me know. I did search for it, but only found that he was in favor of the initiative.

And, by the way, to those of you who attempt to intimidate others by pointing out their spelling or grammatical shortcomings, shame on you. This is an avenue where everyone (no matter how well they spell or type) can express their opinions. So, come on folks, be a grown up. Why make such a huge ordeal out of something so trivial? There is a lot more to discuss here than a lesson in grading an English assignment.

Thanks to all. Let's hear what you think!

The Delta Speaks Up!

Here are a few of the comments from Scoop readers...

• I can't vote O'bama. Have you visited his church's website? It seems quite discriminatory to me. Their mission is very clear and he is a tithing member. Plus, even though he is not Muslim, he was raised with that influence. So, in my opinion, he is the candidate with baggage - Hilary doesn't have nearly as much. However, I'm not crazy about voting for her either. I do think you're right about McCain - he's older. Romney doesn't impress me either. What's wrong with Huckabee? He seems stable, conservative, and experienced. Please check out his church's website. Be sure to click on the "you tube" arrow to see/hear a short clip about the church's mission. Unbelievable. If the folks who were saying those same statements were white, they'd be in BIG ble. www.tucc.org/about.htm

• What's wrong with Huckabee you ask? He is associated with Kenneth Copeland, one of the biggest crooks in televangelism. He makes Jim Bakker look like a liberal! Face it, McCain is yesterday's news so you need to choose between Clinton and Obama. Neither is a great choice, but you are going to be looking at one of them for the next 4 years. If we leave "religion" out of the equation, as it should be, it comes down to domestic issues such as health care and jobs. Look at the candidates' views on these issues before you vote. If you vote based on race, gender or religion, you only display your ignorance of the real issues.

• Thank you, but I will leave religion in my choices. It embraces the fundamental principles our nation was founded on. One nation UNDER GOD. Remember?Just because one wants to vote for a political leader who doesn't mind voicing his Christian beliefs, does not mean the voter is weak minded or "ignorant". Even though I feel it is important for a leader of a country to hold religious beliefs, I don't think that meams I am voting based on that and only that. It is just one part of the entire picture. Thanks for the info about Huckabee's association with Copeland. I had not heard that and I will definitely check it out. If it's between O'Bama and Clinton, I'll have to vote Hilary. Atleast she's not a member of a church that is racist and proudly promotes AFRICA....notice they didn't say AMERICA. Scary. I have French descendents but I am really not concerned about promoting France. I live in America and that is where my heart and allegiance lie.

• Everyone can base their vote on whatever they choose; it's part of being an American. "As far as Obama's church website, there is not one word that leans toward being Anti-American. " <--- AFRICA IS NOT MY COUNTRY!!!! Their commitment is to AFRICA! They say it clearly and plainly. Get a grip. That website DOES offend me. And, I have the right to feel that way and voice my opinion. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton preach hate and reverse discrimination and that is exactly who O'Bama is associated with.

• From the Trinity United Church of Christ website: *We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization.* I would agree, says it loudly and clearly, this church is true to their native land Africa, with no mention of USA. I have read and seen photos of O'Bama and the other candidates during the Pledge of Allegiance. All but for him participate with their hand over their heart. He has both hands beside him and no verbalizing....what does that tell the rest of us? RED FLAGS are flying, yet most do not even see the flailing!On the flipside, Hillary is no option either. It seems most have forgotten White watergate, the suspicous deaths in Clinton's cabinet members or staff, the shady stock dealings, the thieving from the White House, valuables and antiques, as they left at the end of Bill Clinton's last term and not a soul said a word....pretty pathetic choices indeed.

The website is a bit disturbing in a political sense... which, we should keep in mind, was not its intended purpose. It is a religious website and should be viewed as just that.

The problem with defining a political candidate by his race, gender or religion is that those are the very attributes that our founding fathers believed should be exempt from the definition of "equality for all". Equality means that we are "Americans", not Catholic Americans, black Americans, female Americans or gay Americans. It's great to be proud of your heritage and past, but as long as we continue to divide ourselves into groups based on race, gender and religion, we will never be "one" people.

At the turn of the last century, NYC was known as the "melting pot" of America because of the great influx of immigrants from other countries. The name implied that many cultures came together to form one that was distinctly "American". One hundred years later, we persist in ignoring the very principles on which our country was founded.

Sure, we all want a President who looks like us, thinks like us, worships like us, etc. The problem is... who is "us"? We are a diverse nation of men and women of various races, religions and lifestyles. The problems that plague us as a nation are health care, crime, drugs, substandard education and unemployment. If one's religion were a disqualifying factor in our history, JFK would never have been elected President. Let's vote for the "person" who can best unite us as a nation, rather than the candidate who will promote our personal agendas.

Forthright

On a Broader Note...

Contributor suggests:

Yes, DRMC is in trouble. Yes, Ray is Satan Incarnate. Let's look at another issue while we wait for the local healthcare issue to be resolved.

This is an election year, and one that has the potential to open new doors. I'm interested in hearing how the Scoopers feel about the remaining Presidential candidates.

For the record, I'm currently leaning toward Obama. He seems to be a Man of Substance, and serves as an excellent role model for young black men. Any Deltan can see that our young black male population is in need of guidance. Obama is a family man, has an articulate and lovely spouse who would likely bring the required dignity to her role as First Lady, and he has experience in the Senate to qualify him for a national seat of leadership.

Yes, Hillary has experience as a former unpaid President of the United State, but that alone does not earn my vote. Hillary carries too much excess baggage for my liking, although I might be coaxed to support a Obama/Clinton ticket. Would Hillary settle for VP? I won't vote for her as Prez just yet, but a VP slot could be hers, if she plays nice. Just my opinion!

McCain....he's a good guy. No way would I vote for Huckabee or Romney. But at 71, I'd worry about the stress of the job on the guy. And truthfully, I'm tired of the ole "we're gonna kick a$$" attitude in the White House.

I'm neither Republican nor Democrat. I vote for the candidate. But my Delta friends seem to want to peg us as one or the other. I just want a good---no, GREAT---President. What do y'all think?

Excellent question! As of today, Romney is now out, but it will still be a historic election between a very diverse list of candidates. I would love to hear the Delta's views on the remaining candidates. Who will you vote for and why? Are race, gender and religion factors that will influence your choice? This is a great topic for a lively discussion, so speak up. I am sure Ray will welcome the rest!

Forthright

Visiting the "Zoo"

Anonymous writes about DRMC:

That place is a zoo. I went there this morning to visit my neighbor and the hospital is very understaffed. Upon arrival, the first floor was full of bosses dressed in dress suits, coats and ties. But, ride up to the second floor and the scene is very different. I am not a nurse, but I truly felt sorry for them. They were running their behinds off and there were several complaints from other patient's family members in the few minutes I was waiting there.

How sad that this brutal leader is so concerned about new construction while the existing hospital is in such disarray. We must have a horrificly incompetent board of trustees in addition to a board of supervisors who are not doing their job very well. Shameful.

Anonymous said...

Who cares if somebody harasses the CEO in a subtle way. He is supposedly responsible for the hospital. Let him face the music. I'm tired of seeing him in the media proclaimaing how great things are. We all know those are lies. Things are less than great. Dangerous to say the least. So, go ahead, call him.

In terms of paitent care, yes the hospital is grossly understaffed... even though DRMC's census is also at an all time low. It seems that patients are finally getting the word that DRMC is not a safe place to be.

As for calling Ray at home to expidite your ER visit, I am afraid that will have a very limited effect. Even Ray will figure out how to screen calls or simply get an unlisted number. (It's like poking a jackass with a stick. While it may bring you pleasure for a moment, It will merely annoy the jackass and make him more likely to "kick".)

As to notifying the previously mentioned board members and administrative "elite"... that is an excellent idea. Call and/or write these people and let them know that Greenville has had enough of Ray Humphreys and his club. Demand that he and his lot be removed from service immediately. The only hope for DRMC is to get a competent, caring administrative team who will put the money where it belongs... which is by the bedside, rather than the board room!

Forthright

The Four Million Dollar Lie

Anonymous writes:

I don't think this administration or any administration will be able to transform DRMC into a premier healthcare facility. Let's face it. It is not easy to run a hospital in an area where a huge percentage of the population is on Medicaid or have no insurance. Many hospitals in border states have closed because of the financial drainage from uninsured illegals.

It is very difficult to recruit and retain qualified people to an area that offers nothing and is infested with racism and dirty politics.In fact, I am thankful just to have doctors in Greenville!!!

Patiently Awaiting Ray's Exit said...

You make a good point. However, in the past, DRMC has always been managed much more effectively than over the last 5-6 yrs. It is a small, hometown hospital that should provide basic services. No one expects to be able to have extremely specialized care in a rural area like ours. Think about it, how many people do you know who would deliver a preemie here and ok it to stay in DRMC's new NICU? Not my newborn! And, same goes for the heart program. The surgeon is a good one, I'm sure. But, he is only doing a mere handful of cases each month...maybe 3 - 5 on average I think?

Call me crazy, but I'm gonna go to Jackson or Memphis where the surgeons do 2 - 3 a day and the nursing staff is comfortable with the post-op care because they do it daily. He closed our burn center that was a needed service because it lost money, he knows right now the heart program has lost money since he got the first surgeon in here, but he is keeping it going because its what HE wants.

DRMC was once a great place to work. Different story now! Mr. Humphreys has this crazy vision that does not fit the demographics of our rural MS Delta. If he would just work on improving the basics and quit trying to be such a big dog, he would see that 90% of the problems would disappear. I, too, am thankful to have doctors in Greenville. However, I'd also like to know if me or my family needed the ER that we could go there for care and not have to wait seven hours to be seen. I know they claimed they had four critical patients. But, come on...four patients turns their world upside down so badly that other patients who have medical needs also are forced to wait seven hours??? Ridiculous.

So, since we can't staff a department like the emergency room that is a necessity - why are we spending money we don't have on building a NICU and heart hospital??? The thing that I found most ironic about that whole 7 hour ER wait fiasco was that I'm preparing to watch the ten pm news and just before it airs the DRMC commercial starts up. The nurse says, "We'll make sure you see a doctor in minutes upon your arrival to the emergency room" followed by "We're Delta Regional Medical Center and we're building MS's next great hospital". Ten seconds later, you hear the anchor announce, "Just ahead, hear how one pregnant woman who was bleeding had to wait 7 hours at Delta Regional emergency room to see a doctor."

Sounds like Ray may have wasted that four million bucks. You can make promises all day long, but as long as you continue to treat nurses, other employees, patients, families, and even physicians the way he does, none of it is gonna matter.

So, anonymous, you are right to a certain extent. There is probably no one who can "fix" DRMC after this administration has dug the hole so deep (I'm sure the only way out of debt will be a sell out to a private facility, and many folks have sworn for years thats why Ray brought on his old crew of cronies..who knows??), but if we could get him out of here and cut high dollar specialty services that are losing money hand over fist, we may start to see the good ole basic services be brought back a little stronger.

Also, I think the general public and the board of trustees would be shocked to see how many faithful, dedicated, and experienced health care professionals would consider DRMC again. We have all sat back for nearly six years now and let Ray run the show. It's not working. Look at the place - a total mess. Come on board of sups, do your jobs.

I can only applaud "Patiently Awaiting's" assessment of the DRMC mess. He or she does an excellent job of describing why DRMC has fallen from a respected medical facility to the horrific place it has become. Why is Ray trying to develop a NICU or a heart center when he can't even provide patients with competent first aid in the ER?

No one wants to work at DRMC because of its horrendous reputation, both clinically and administrtively. DRMC is doomed with its current administation and if "board memebers" continue to turn a deaf ear to the public, so are their careers!

Excellent comment, "PA"

Forthright

The Heart Hospital...with a Heart!

"Watching Eyes" offers:

Some one said the other day, that the board gave him a "reprimand" for the way he handled the situation with Dr. Frothingham. I don't know if that is true or not. That's too little too late. (Dr. Frothingham's last day was yesterday.) :(

They also said that they then renewed his contract for another 2 years?! (Is that true?)

From what I have seen over the last years, Ray is known for 'forging' ahead. He really stretches out there. Bought all those clinics, doctors, labs, property and the KDH. This looks really great for him when others look at it on the surface. What they don't see, is that with every purchase, he started cinching the noose tighter around our necks at the hospital to cover those expendutures. Cheaper supplies were acceptable, even lack of supplies at times. Lack of staff was expected. Cutbacks HAD to be made to allow for progress out in the community.

As long as we complained, it was just nurses "B**ching". It gets written off very quickly as bashing 'the Man'. Even patients complaints are written off if we are the one's reporting them or if we take care of them without letting them get to upper management. I started some time ago offering the house Supervisors phone number and telling the patient and family, that unless they personally called and reported the problem, nothing would be done or changed to prevent it in the future because they would not listen to the nurse reporting it. This is how they run the business now. The patients or families who actually follow that advice and call the right person then will get 'compensated'.... Free meal tickets, an apology, several other things.

That really sounds nice for the lucky one who gets it, but really burns my bun for the many who should of gotten it and didnt because their complaints weren't public enough or were dealt with by us by understanding patients that liked us and were afraid that if they complained about the 'situation' that we would get in trouble.They say it's never acceptable to tell the patient that there isn't enouth staff. What else do you tell them? "Im sorry it took so long to get here, there is only 2 or 3 of us here and were were tied up in another room" This the patient understands. Doesn't like, but can understand especially from a caring and otherwise attentive nurse.


But upper management doesnt want us to indicate to the patients that it's their fault that we dont have adequate staff. I guess we are suppose to just look like we dont care? "I'm sorry it took me so long" only goes so far when it happens again and again, without someother form of explination on WHY it took so long. We also found out yesterday that the rumor about them planning to abolish the KDH name was true. It will be a sad day when I drive by there and no longer see that historic name. All of my children were born there.This is truely a sad time. Saying goodbye to The King's Daughters name and to Dr. Frothingham both in such a short space of time. Both will remain loved, respected and remembered by this Delta girl.


*Watching Eyes*


Fed Up In The Trenches said...

Yep, "service recovery" kits are made available to patients with complaints. My question -- is it really ok to buy their way out of poor service? Delivering plants, flowers, candy or other goodies does not excuse poor care. Now, don't get me wrong; I am a nurse too and I can tell you that if Ray Humphreys or Florence Jones had to function one day in a nurse's role, they would die.

The staffing matrix in place is not realistic at all. We are all worried about priorities such as medication administration, monitoring the patient and carrying out MD orders and when you have 10 patients of your own plus LPN's IVs, this becomes nearly an impossibility. It is very frustrating to see the kind of care our patients are receiving and know that you can only do your part.

Worst of all, our so called leaders of our hospital aren't concerned with patient care. They may speak those lies about quality care on television but take a walk around the place. Watching Eyes is right. Sub-standard supplies (I even heard an orthopedic surgeon a few days ago complaining of the cheap surgical supplies he had been forced to start using), lack of resources (a pillow is precious commodity) and having to read signs posted in the bathroom, med room, etc that state "Please do not clock in early or late as we cannot accrue overtime".

We all hear daily how "broke" the hospital is and how we need to help save money. But, wait a minute, in the public, Ray proclaims that all is great at the DRMC house. I, like you, have started giving out phone numbers to patients who are irate (and rightly so about their poor care); except I give them Florence's, Ray's or Allyson's numbers. I figure that's only right. He is calling all the shots. He needs to understand the entire picture.

And our board?- pitiful. They must all be cowards with no brains for allowing this to continue. And the four million marketing campaign? Just think what the hospital could have done with that. How sad. I sure wish we could have ditched Ray and his mean crew and hung onto Dr. Froth. He will be greatly missed. What a stupid stupid move, Ray.

After reading all of the recent comments, I can safely assume that DRMC employees are equally unimpressed by Ray's new ad campaign. More apparent is the fact that the many excellent employees of DRMC are tired of getting "slammed" for trying to do their jobs in an uncaring, understaffed, ill-equipped environment, while Ray and his cronies police the grounds for frivolous policy violations.

Let's talk about "service recovery". A friend of mine was recently a patient at DRMC. During his stay, he acquired a very serious and potentially deadly infection caused by a violation of sterile technique. Luckily, his family had him flown to Memphis where he remained for seven days to recover from the hosptial acquired infection.

But all was not lost! My friend returned home to find a brightly colored potted plant with a card thanking him for choosing DRMC! (I suppose the plant was multi-functional... it would either cheer his homecoming as a survivor of DRMC... or decorate his grave if not as fortunate.) Needless to say, my friend vowed that he would never return to DRMC for any reason!

"Service recovery" is about implementing swift, remedial actions to make sure that the causal factors have been identified and eliminated. Somehow a free lunch ticket seems to be inadequate to compensate one for a seven hour ER wait or a near death experience.

I have the greatest sympathy for the many fine employees of DRMC who have to endure the deplorable conditions in which they work. It is hard for me to believe that Ray's reign of terror can last much longer.

Forthright

The King is Dead

Anonymous offers:

Rumor has it that the King’s Daughters Hospital will suffer its final indignity tomorrow. Ray and his marketing gurus have decided that the “King’s Daughters” name is inconsistent with their current marketing strategies, so out it goes! Actually, Ray may be right on this one. The “King’s Daughters Hospital” has always represented quality, pride, compassion and dedication… all qualities that are quite foreign to the current DRMC.

Seems that they had a big send off today for Dr. Frothingham. The boot marks were quite obvious on Rodney’s rear end in spite of the “retirement” spin Ray was shoveling. Excellent marketing campaign Ray… you fire the only respected member of your administrative team and then abolish the name of the hospital that founded health care in Greenville!

Gee, and we only paid 4 million dollars for these epiphanies. Here’s an idea that could really boost your popularity: Why not hold a public burning of the King’s Daughters Sign (“In His Name”). Surely that will forever prove that you fear neither man nor God!

Check out the 10 PM report tonight on WXVT. It’s about a pregnant woman who is bleeding and goes to DRMC’s ER. She has to wait 7 hours to see a doctor! Yep, Ray… you are building the “next great hospital” in Mississippi!

Anonymous said...

Well, I work in the healthcare field in a nearby city (fled DRMC after years to be free of Ray's stupidity) and have the opportunity to see patients and their medical records from other facilities. You wouldn't believe the number of patients who were seen in Cleveland or Greenwood ER because they went to Delta Regional and were turned away for no money.

I'm really surprised the pregnant woman was even seen in the ER - she must have been insured and been able to pay her co-pay on the spot...other bleeding pregnant women have been sent away because they didn't have the ability to pay. Yeah, its in all caps typed right in the triage form. PATIENT STATES SHE WENT TO DELTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN GREENVILLE WITH COMPLAINTS OF BLEEDING/5 MONTHS OB PATIENT BUT WAS TURNED AWAY FOR LACK OF PAYER SOURCE.

Anyone who knows anything about healthcare here in Greenville will agree that Ray's lil campaign that he spent four million bucks on makes one sick every evening while watching the news. All those employees speaking all those lies.

Ray is a despicable man for what he has done to this facility. Dr. Frothingham is 100 times the man he is. The next great hospital...yeah, right. I'm just sorry I missed the ten pm news. We are all hoping that one night we'll hear the lead story "Humphreys and his leadership team purged from DRMC". Now, THATS gonna be something to celebrate.

I had not heard the rumor about Ray abolishing the King's Daughters name; although it does not surprise me. Ray has hated everything about KD since the acquisition, including its employees, most of whom he and his "hit men" have successfully terminated.

Dr. Frothingham may be the luckiest person in this huge debacle. He will finally be free of Ray's tyranny and evil deeds. As for the "King's Daughters" name and memory, I tend to agree with the first author that the two hospitals have never shared the same basic values or reputation for quality. Therefore, this final "disenfranchisement" shall only serve to protect the good name that KDH had earned.

As for Ray, he continues to revel in his delusion that a 4 million dollar "white-wash" is going to conceal DRMC's gross mismanagement, lack of qualified medical personnel and the daily atrocities that face patients in the ER. In the midst of all of this chaos, he has the nerve to boast about the opening of a NICU and a Heart Center. DRMC barely has enough nurses to tend to the few acute care patients they have left, let alone staff these two highly specialized units.

Perhaps we haven't given Ray's marketing campaign enough time to work. Who knows? After the rest of the country gets wind that Ray Humphreys has built the "best hospital in Mississippi", nurses and doctors will no doubt flock here in droves. Yes... yes, that's it... we just need to be patient.

Forthright

Free Fertilizer?

I live south of Greenville. New county codes have been put into place that may effect you! I do know know the extent of the codes. But here are a few that I have heard of. If you are one of those that bought one acre of property south of town for a elevated rate. Your property to is now worth nothing if your place burns or can not be replaced for what ever reason your out of luck, you must have two acres now.

I believe you are able to sell your place that has something on it with no problem but if you have one acre with nothing on it, it is useless!! Why two acres???? That's silly!!

Second, if you do have more then one acre, you will not be able to put down a septic tank ($1500.00). You must put down a chlorination system that will cost you over ($5,000.00). This system chlorinates the water and then is setup as a yard sprinkler and the waste water is distributed into the yard as if it was a regular yard sprinkler.. Is this wise?

I don't know about you but when my kids are out playing around that area I hope the automatic sprinkler does not come on! I don't feel like it is a good idea to put this nasty water on the top of the ground. This also attracts mosquitoes that carry unknown amounts of disease. The ground stays wet. But you will have some green grass to keep cut!!If you do any type of building or improvements to your home you must have a permit to do so.! That includes adding a deck to your back yard.

I personally live outside of the Big city so I can be a little more free to do as I wish. But now the county has dropped the value of my property and I am unable to use my other lot. Please correct me if I am wrong, I hope I am!! Also does anyone know where I can get a copy of the new codes??

The controversy over these new codes has been brewing for some time. The "logic" proposed by proponents of these new ordinances is that they are attempting to "maintain the residential integrity" of these county properties... more simply put, the want to keep out the "rif-raff".

By implementing these stringent codes, the county hopes to stall the rapid outward migration of Greenville residents who are tired of paying city taxes... for nothing. The county schools are far superior to GPS and parents who can not afford private school tuition have little choice but to move outside of the city. This places an increased burden on the county schools as more and more mobile homes spring up each year. Everyone knows that selling a house in the "Riverside" school district increases your marketability by 200%.

In essence, the supervisors are trying to prevent county land owners from developing "trailer parks" on their land. Proponents view this as a good thing, but not all property owners agree. Once again, why does the government have the right to dictate how you can use your legally acquired property? If you are fortunate enough to live in a traditional community and view modular homes as unsightly, you probably agree with these ordinances. However, if you are like many parents who sacrifice much to give their children the best educational opportunities available, you are most likely outraged.

If you want a copy of these ordinances, call your county supervisor. After you read the legalistic jargon, you probably won't be any more informed than you are now. That is why I offer this "quick read" version to concerned county residents.

Outrageous you say? Sure it is. It is just another example of what the unchecked power of public officials can do when we allow them to speak on our behalf.

Speak up, speak out!

Forthright

Possibilities for Greenville

Jennifer Jones writes:

Since the pool was mentioned, I am happy to report that I was on the agenda of last weeks' City Council meeting. My purpose was to present the Proposal for the grant from Carl-Small Town Center, in seeking support of the Council. I was successful and that is one large step toward a better future for the pool and Greenvillians, especially the kids.The students came from MSU/CSTC last weekend and assessed the pool, Buster Brown Community Center and our City parks. All of this information is key to their designs and plans for the Pool Complex to come. Cari Varner of the MSU/CSTC staff sent this note out below to be soon published in the DDT, read it and if you so please, feel free to contact her with your input to the pool plans.

Hello all,

As I am sure you are aware, the School of Architecture and the Carl Small Town Center at Mississippi State University are working with the City of Greenville to develop plans for the revitalization of the Bobby Henry Memorial Pool and the Buster Brown Community Center.Our students are so excited about the project, and they came up with the great idea of having the public be able to contact the CSTC to offer their opinions and ideas about the project, so as best serve the citizens of Greenville in our efforts.

This is an open call to all citizens of Greenville to call me directly at 662-325-8671 or to email me at: cvarner@caad.msstate.edu(no spam please) to share their thoughts about what amenities or activities they would like to see occur on the site and their aesthetic sensibilities pertaining to the architecture of the proposed buildings. We want as much public input as possible, from children to senior citizens, especially those that live in the neighborhood immediately around the site.....END of note.

It will be the end of summer before the students complete their plans and depending on grants and timing,at least another year or more before serious work can begin. Meanwhile, we, the BHM Pool Committee, Pool and Park Directors are planning promotions, programs and events to bring attention back to the pool and the community back to enjoy it once again.

As for how you all can help?? We are open to suggestions and great ideas! Get involved! Suggest solutions! Join us! Volunteer, there is plenty to do. It will be more fun than you will believe and very gratifying in the end. There will be fundraiser events for the pool in the near future to at least get started on some improvements or perhaps to buy a water slide, pool furniture, supplies for the lifeguards or updated emergency gear. We need solutions to help the elderly and handicapped to enjoy the pool this summer and from now on. As it is, the pool is not accessible to that population, and that is unacceptable!

Think of kids who have never had a chance to swim or Seniors who need the therapy of the water for their joints. Maybe YOU have an answer?? We are wide open here, now is the time to jump in! We need all the help and networking we can get! Please step up to the plate and let's get this pool on track starting this summer!We need instructors for some of these programs like water aerobics, Senior classes, or if there is someone to teach it, how about scuba class? Bring yourself and the kids for swim time or lessons, lifeguard class, or just show up this summer to have fun!I have created a web site with all the information to be known and will update it as things progress.

Here is the location to copy and paste to your search bar: http://robertthenry.webs.com/index.htm Click "Contact" for information of myself and the committee members.Take a look all around the site at all the topics. There is great information there for the viewing, as well as some great old photos of the past and the photos of the present. Enjoy and come back to your Community Pool. Summer is around the corner, we have to start NOW! Let's stop complaining and makes positive step to a better future! Do it for yourself, the kids and Greenville! Together, we can make it happen!

Many have scoffed at the proposed renovation of our city pool, claiming that it is a waste of money. I think that the project could be very successful, not just in restoring a wonderful recreational facility, but also in bringing us together by working toward a common goal. I would love to see a covered pool that could be used for a variety of purposes throughout the year.

This past summer, I was quite disturbed by public officials who attributed a rash of arson house fires to "kids who are bored and don't have anything else to do." Granted, there is not a wide variety of recreational activities for kids in Greenville, but arson?

So perhaps "swimming" is too passive in our current world of "extreme sports". As one contributor suggested, if we can't sell downtown Greenville to merchants, why not raze the buildings and turn it into skateboard or extreme bike ramps? These seem to be popular teen sports and are certainly more healthy than video games and arson.

A local water-park is proposed, but even that seems a bit outdated for the our "extreme" generation who seem to thrive on risk and an element of danger. There are options for downtown Greenville other than retail stores, but we will have to think out of the box. The "Farmer's Market" was a great success, although seasonal.

Many larger cities have "public markets" which range from hand made arts and crafts to "flea" markets (or yard sales as we call them). At any rate, they are quite popular in that people can visit one location to browse for a wide variety of items. All it takes is a wide open area with accessible parking... that is quite foreseeable in downtown Greenville.

Again, I commend Jennifer Jones for her efforts to both rejuvenate a once treasured gem in the Delta, as well as to unite those who have not given up on Greenville. If you are not actively involved in a civic cause for Greenville, I think you are missing out... on being part of what Greenville can be!

Forthright