We talk football like professionals or more like fanatics. We keep up with recruiting, depth charts, statistics, wins/losses and rumors. A newsworthy event about one school or the other never makes the paper before one of us has called, texted or emailed the other to brag or rub it in.

A couple of days ago when Mississippi State’s five star recruit decommited at the last minute and then committed to Ole Miss during the High School All Star Football Game, my normal reaction would have been frustration, anger or despair. Instead, it wasn’t. While watching, I looked down at my phone and thought of my good friend suffering with this illness and hoped that he was watching, because I knew the news would make him happy. I sent this text:

“Channing Ward to Ole Miss! I hope that makes you smile! Get better brother, I need you.”

I really didn’t care about losing our recruit at that moment. I cared more about my friend’s state of mind. You see, no matter what we think is so important in this moment of time, this short glimpse, this short vapor that we call life, it’s not.

Regardless of what the insurance tables or the doctors say, we don’t know the amount of time we have left. We are not promised tomorrow. I would give up all the recruits, wins and sports in the world to give my friend a chance at recovery, or at least peace in the time he has left.

I pray for another opportunity to talk football, politics and religion with my friend. But hopefully we’ll spend more time on the latter. It’s something we didn’t talk about much. Sort of something you avoid in some scenarios out of courtesy or etiquette. It’s time missed I now regret and hope to get the chance to make it right.

I continue to pray for my friend, his family and those treating him. He recently told me in a text that he “was gonna beat this!” My friend, I am rooting for you harder than anything I ever have before. The Rebels may not be the biggest, the strongest, the fastest or the best, but you can always depend on them to never give up and play with heart. I see those qualities in you, my friend, and we are all in your corner. Get well soon.

Given the 2010 Republican landslide in historically Democratic territories such as Alcorn, Tishimingo, Itawamba and Prentiss counties, you would think that  Trent Kelly would have a better shot at winning this year’s election as a Republican than he did last time as a Democrat.  However, one demographic that he relied on heavily last time, especially in Lee County, was the African American Vote (BVAP), which is always largely against incumbents when dealing with law enforcement elections.  Trent was able to exploit the fact that so many of the black community had been affected by what they perceived as unequal (as opposed to white citizens) convictions and sentencing for drug crimes in the area.  I’m not proposing the assumption is correct, only that it is an easy target campaigning against any incumbent law enforcement officer, which the District Attorney is considered chief.  However Trent switched to “R” which will be difficult to guarantee the same type of result among the BVAP this time around.

The main problem I foresee, other than it is difficult to unseat an entrenched incumbent, will be Trent’s ability, or lack thereof, to raise money among big Republican donors.   Most of your surefire “R” donors up here have long been approached and/or hobnobbed with Johnny Young.  As DA, you are at the top of any “bastion of the community’s” guest list for any significant event and have probably received consideration in the form of campaign contributions from most power players, not to mention have probably prosecuted an embezzler, bad check writer or common thief on their behalf.  The District Attorney is one of the most powerful and respected positions as it touches every County in the district on a daily basis.  They prosecute our town’s murderers, child molesters and drug dealers.  Most people I know care very little about the “R” or the “D” when it comes to our prosecutors.  Trent is hoping it matters this time more than in the past.

If 2007 tells us anything about this race, it is to watch for it to heat up beginning around July the 4th.   The first major event for these two candidates will be at Tupelo’s July 4th celebration (held this year on July 3rd).  This is one of the only events in first district which allows access to over 10,000 voters in one location.  Anyone with a campaign sign will be there.  In 2007, they were allowed to speak, which turned pretty hot if my memory is correct.  I am not sure if there will be a speaking this year, however, you will for sure see the full campaign structure of both begin to be engaged for this event.  I expect the heated messages to center around “Trent’s lack of Felony Courtroom Experience” and Johnny’s “failure to convict/indict certain criminals, crime statistics or policy differences” to be slung back and forth between the contestants as this one may turn ugly.  Both Trent and Johnny are known for being strong willed and determined candidates and will staunchly defend their records.

Which brings me to another point.  The incumbent has over 20 full time employees, Assistant District Attorneys, administrators, investigators and secretaries who work in the Court Houses across the district every day.  They are extremely close to the clerks, their staffs, the Judges, the police and sheriff’s departments in each small town and County seat.  This in-house apparatus give the incumbent a marked advantage.  However, Trent being the prosecutor in the largest population center in the district, Tupelo, makes the advantage less ominous.  In fact, I would say other than the die-hard “R” voters, Trent’s next solid base seems to be among Tupelo Law enforcement.  As the City Prosecutor he has gotten to know and train most of the officers with the Tupelo Police Department and also serves with the narcotics units in North MS for various duties.  Also, as a two time Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a Republican, Trent should find easy support among the American Legion/VFW crowds scattered throughout the district.  The National Guard connection should not be discounted either.

All in all, the challenger has an uphill climb, but I think he is putting in the work this time to, at least, make the incumbent a little uncomfortable towards the end.  This will be interesting and as I consider both men close friends and well qualified for the job, I will not make a call on this race.

Steve Holland takes to defending, yet again, his long held House seat against an unlikely Republican opponent in Nettleton’s own, Buddy Coggin.  I grew up in District 16 and other than the Holland’s and maybe to be tied with Brandon Presley, I know the people of South Lee County better than most.  Even though Steve Holland is vilified and hated by most of the State Republican Party, he can do no wrong in South Lee County.  As an owner of a local funeral home, Steve gets to spend time with entire families from his community every day in their most needful and intimate time: the loss of a loved one.  Whether it’s playing the piano at a funeral or eating fish at the store on Friday, you can always count on Steve’s joyful smile and common folk approach to legislating to play well with those of us South of HWY 6.  Note to the MS GOP:  Forget it.  It’s over. You might make him spend a little money, but that’s it.  According to sources in Nettleton, Buddy Coggin wont even carry his home box.  As it stands right now:  Holland 70/30(votes against Holland, not for Coggin)

District 17 Incumbent Brian Aldridge, R-Tupelo Michael Stafford, R-Okolona

One of the biggest surprises, in my mind anyway, was the absence of Democratic opposition to either Brian Aldridge or Jerry Turner in West and North Lee County.  This lack of Democrat interest in these seats can be attributed to the recent swing of those districts to the GOP following the realignment of the seats after the 2000 census.  With so many of the former Tupelo residents moving West and North, these two boxes(17 &18) have become increasingly safe for the GOP, as I found out in 2003.  Both Brian Aldridge and Jerry Turner have been dependable Republicans and have not done anything to lose the support of either the powerful local business lobby or GOP loyalist. Michael Stafford, who ran previously against Brian, will try again in this year’s Republican primary.  The word from the Stafford camp is that Aldridge is vulnerable with his Tupelo Republican base and feels they are looking for “another option” from within the Republican field.  Stafford, on paper, makes a formidable opponent as he is a purple heart recipient, war veteran, who lost his leg while serving in Iraq.  However, Brian has dealt with this before in 2007 and should be able to count on much of the support he had last time.  It will be interesting to see if Stafford is able to swing any prominent donors to support him against the Republican incumbent.  One thing about Brian, he is a tireless campaigner, who, along with his father and mother, spend countless hours going door to door in his district.   He should have a marked advantage in fundraising, so I see this one following a similar pattern as the last election.  As it stands right now:  Aldridge 55-45 (Wildcard: Stafford’s ability to tap into the Tea Party and GOP Base)

District 18 Incumbent Jerry Turner, R-Baldwyn (No opponent, congratulations brother Turner)

District 19 Incumbent Mark DuVall, D-Mantachie Jamie Franks, D-Mooreville Brad Underwood, D-Mantachie Randy Boyd, R-Mantachie Alan Sheffield, R-Mantachie

With the announcement that Billy McCoy will not seek reelection, Jamie Franks qualification for House District 19 catapulted him back to the top of the GOP’s most hated(or feared) candidates this fall.  This very well could be the most interesting race in North MS, especially in the Democratic Primary.  The major story lines going into this one are that Mark Duvall is considered vulnerable by many and Jamie Franks is intent on getting back to Jackson.  Not discounting Mr. Underwood, the Franks and Duvall battle could get nasty, to the delight of Mr. Randy Boyd(R) who will be waiting for the final leg.  People will be watching to see if recent negative press concerning Jamie Frank’s personal life will spill over into this election. How much will Duvall make of the unfortunate events that happened in Jamie’s life and how negative will Jamie be responding in kind?  This has all the makings of a primary so bloodied that it could leave the favored Democratic nominee vulnerable to a well financed Republican in the general election.  Many think if Randy Boyd could win, it would of been last time against Duvall for the open seat in 2007.  I haven’t heard many positive comments about Boyd’s campaign so far, nor about Alan Sheffield’s(R), but am sure that the GOP machine will target this seat for the sole reason they want to keep Jamie Franks north of HWY 82.

Jamie Franks is one of the best stump speakers I have ever heard and he is very good at door to door campaigning, especially with the help of his father, Roger Franks, who is incredibly respected in his district.  Even though recent defections of GOP voters from Tupelo into the Oak Hill and Mooreville boxes, this seat is still relativlely rural and stretches through small communities like Ryan’s Well and as far north as Tishimingo.  No one knows this district better than Jamie Franks.  Duvall has done little, save his attempt to keep COL Reb at Ole Miss, to endure himself with these voters, which plays into a Frank’s victory.

With Billy McCoy’s departure and many other retirements, the North MS Hill Country is losing a great number of voices and influence.  Jamie hopes to convince the voters of District 19 to send him down to Jackson to fill that void. As it stands right now: Jamie Franks wins the primary 52/40/8 (Franks/Duvall/Underwood) and wins the general 52/48. (Wildcard: financial and negative campaign impact of the Democratic Primary and GOP interest in Boyd’s chances)

As I watch these “old timers” receive their awards and make their final speeches, I notice their wives and children in attendance. How they beam with pride about their loved ones and the service they have rendered. They too are thanked and given roses in appreciation of their contributions as well. It is then that I realize our children and grandchildren will not know the difference between an Army Service Ribbon and a Medal of Honor. All they know is Mom or Dad served proudly when our Country needed them and they appreciate it all.

All the hard work, all the long days and nights, all the extra schools, the deployments, the friends and lives touched; in the end, it’s all a shadow box, it’s a story or two at the American Legion, it’s the memories of soldiers lost, friends saved, freedom preserved and a life lived in service to others.

I have a few more years in service if God will allow. I am not sure how my life would be different without the military. I don’t know what i would have become or how things would have changed. My life may have been a little easier, I may have got to spend a little more time at home, but one thing I know: I would of been less of a person, less of a man and less appreciative of life in general without this experience.

I don’t regret a pushup, a tank table, a NTC rotation, a late night in Hattiesburg or a formation in the sun. The United States Military influenced me as much as anything else in my life.

God Bless these old soldiers and watch over and guide the new ones, and God Bless the united States of America.

The process used by Senator Burton (R) and Representative Reynolds (D) to draw their respective maps was the same used for our entire history. Each member of their respective bodies were allowed to review, recommend changes and ultimately approve their districts, which passed both houses individually. Sure, the new lines were protective of incumbency, but how else would you expect them to be drawn? To think an incumbent is going to draw a map to please his opponents is ridiculous. I personally know one Republican who helped(approved) draw out one of his Republican opponents and then later joined Phil Bryant in condemning the House Plan he initially voted for!

What Phil Bryant and his cronies have done has cost the tax payers of our State to fund and pay for two elections, all because they want to get rid of Billy McCoy and take complete control of the state government from any form of balance or opposition. The sad thing is they will probably succeed, if not this cycle, by the next.

Then we will see. Do we really care about the future of our State or just control of it’s purse strings?

I was a little nervous about the run because I haven’t trained much since the Bataan Death March(Andrew Jackson) Marathon in 90 degree weather last month in Jackson, TN. That race almost killed me. Literally. But this race was a lot shorter and the temperature was perfect.

I started off trying to keep Roan Johnson in my sites, but she was determined to break 55, something I didn’t have programmed as a goal. I slowly watched her matching pink shirt and hat fade into the distance by mile 4. I had a good pace, but the rolling hills were getting the best of me.

I walked a few extra steps drinking water at mile 5 and Lynn passed me without taking water. I remember thinking, “that’s not fair, you’re supposed to take water breaks!” I started running again and quickly caught up to her with a half mile to go. As I was debating whether to pass her or let her have the victory, she kicked into another gear and started pulling away from me. I struggled to keep up with her through the last turns. I had a shot to over take her in the last straightaway, but it would of probably resulted in some sort of vomiting near the finish line. My better judgement prevailed and I finished behind, both Lynn and Roan,….again. I am glad to be such motivation for them both. Roan: 54:10, Lynn 57:17, Kelly 57:26. Carson 1:05:16, Jimmy, Clay and Julie Johnson all placed and sweet Olivia got 1st place! Poor Parker was held out because of sickness.

Afterwards, we drank all of Kenneth’s(Williams) free drinks and snacks, then spent the day with the Johnson’s at Jimmy’s childhood home in Corinth. The kids played all day and I blew my diet on cake and world class “Convenient Store Chicken” as they called it. Jimmy’s sister told us plenty of good childhood stories about their fights and what not and we got to meet Megan’s(Jimmy’s brothers wife) family and celebrate her first mother’s day with even more cake.(Jimmy’s sister Jenny made this one.) Jimmy’s parents were sweet and we enjoyed spending the day in their beautiful southern family home.(built 1875)

We had a great time with the Killoughs, Youngs, Cobbs, Johnsons, Chunns, Mcaffee’s, Holders, Duleys, Newells and many others. We are doing it again this coming weekend for the Gumtree! Why don’t you join us?

Now, let us, bring our boys and girls home from the middle east.  Let us focus on rebuilding our economy, our infrastructure and our future.  Let’s invest in a clean energy and educating our children to compete in the global economy.  Enough money and the treasure of our youth have been spent in the land East of the Jordan.  It’s time to shift our focus and energy here in the U.S.A.  God Bless our troops and the United States of America.

BTW, Pakistan, “you’ve got some explaining to do.”

With Twitter, users and bloggers can put out information in a post (or tweet) that is 140 characters or less. These compact information releases can let you know of new blog posts, current events, weather reports, sports scores, news or your friend’s random thoughts.

I keep up with or “follow” all things MSU, several political, news and local interest blogs and many law related and friend’s blogs. I can turn on my Iphone and with my Twitter App, quickly catch up on what’s happening, real time, with most things I care about. I’m sure one day, I’ll even be keeping up with my children’s Tweets as well. This is a new world and information is the key. I use Twitter to keep up with everything happening from the basketball court to the U.S. Supreme Court! It is extremely helpful and, yes, occasionally I’ll vent a little frustration in 140 characters or less.

If you decide to open account, don’t forget to add me @kellymims. Happy Tweeting!

We had flowers and cheese trays, singing and games, good food and fellowship. We had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year.

If you’re interested in home schooling, look us up. The folks at CHENM will be glad to help you explore the possibilities.

Some believe this is an evil conspiracy by the GOP to destroy the last donors of the Democratic Party by taking out the Unions. This strategy certainly worked against the trial lawyers a few years back, not only by using Tort Reform, but also the DOJ.

This may be true, but there are always two sides to every debate. The fact remains that our budgets are out of control and we have a serious shortfall of revenue. We will have to cut one or/and increase the other if we are to survive financially.  With Republicans occupying most Governorships and controlling many State Legislatures, raising taxes seems to be unlikely, even if it were needed. (They would lose their Reagan Club Membership)

I anticipated the Right would use the budget crises to make some major corrections to our bloated and wasteful government. I just expected them to come in the form of cuts to social programs for the poor and slashes to budgets of nonessential programs.(like the EPA and Department of Education,..according to them)  I am a little surprised the Republican Party decided to attack the police, firefighters, teachers and other public workers who make up such a great percentage of the middle class.  Maybe this is just an attempt to divide and conquer the voting population, by pitting the public employees against other workers who make less money and have worse benefits? A brave tactic indeed.

The difference between the attack on lawyers and this play is the Republican Party has decided to single out a great voting block of this Country. The public servants and their negotiated benefits are under attack and they are not taking it too well.(at least not in Union States)  This time, they’re many more people affected by the Republican assault on the middle-class and these folks carry guns, man our fire hoses, teach our children and run our Country. Afterall, most voters vote with their pocket book first and for public employees, it’s about to get lighter.