9/18/2002 5:00:00 PM PERRY / Media opines on special session
Brian Perry
Reasonably Right
Last week I wrote about the special session with the assumption it would be over before the column was printed. While writing this, the special session is still going on with a cost to tax payers at $33,000 a day. We are nearing $500,000. Perhaps we should pass legislation to put caps on special sessions.
The special session has been one frustrating calamity for all those involved: Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, legislators, journalists, lobbyists and voters. Journalists (and columnists) have the opportunity to vent in print.
It seems that many around the state feel the same way.
Joe Lee III is publisher of Grenada’s The Daily Star and stirred up some controversy speaking and writing what he thinks. On Sept. 12, Lee wrote about a trip to the Capitol and his experience with Speaker of the House Tim Ford.
“They came partially down the Capitol Rotunda steps with Speaker Tim Ford leading the way. He stopped at the base of the steps, just short of the common folks. House members remained behind him lining up the staircase like members of the church choir. Ford spoke — comparing the House leadership and the House to something akin to God and Heaven — likening those who disagreed as something, shall we say, less than holy. Immediately after his oration the members of the House lining the staircase to Heaven behind him, their halos glowing, clapped their wings in loud and extended applause as though a remote control button had been pushed from deep in the bowels of some downtown law office. As the group descended the steps to mingle with the masses, some of the politicians stopped to pat their leader on the back, shake his hand, and congratulate him. This writer felt compelled to approach the Speaker, shake his hand and tell him ‘That was the biggest crock of crap I ever heard in my life.’ He told me he ‘didn’t give a damn’ what I thought.
You know, there is no substitute for a good understanding.”
The article made its way around the Capitol and around the state via the newspaper’s web page www.GrenadaStar.com. Readers were encouraged to post their opinions at the web site regarding the article and the very first comment was from Rep. Donny Ryals (D-Grenada) whose stunning wit retorted, “Oh yeah we must communicate well too. Because I don’t give a damn what you think.”
A few days later Ryals posted another response, apologizing in sorts by saying, “After thinking about my response for a couple of days, I have come to the conclusion that it was not proper and is out of place ... As much as you write about the dislike of the job I do, you are none the less a voter and a businessman in my district. I know I will never earn your vote, but you have the right for me to listen to you. ALL voters concerns me a lot to me. I apologize for my response to your editorial.”
Grenada isn’t the only area frustrated with Speaker Ford. An editorial from the Natchez Democrat was even harsher, “‘Go home and pray for our conferees,’ Speaker Tim Ford, D-Baldwyn, told House members Monday before dismissing them for the day. With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, we find your comments smug, your actions arrogant and your dedication to this state’s business community lacking. We’ll reserve our prayers for you and the representatives following you into what we perceive as a ploy to block meaningful tort reform ... You, Mr. Ford, are holding the line — the trial lawyer line — and hiding behind Gov. Ronnie Musgrove ... So, Mr. Ford, while others pray for the conferees, we ask you to use the power you are infatuated with and instruct House members to find a compromise and pass meaningful tort reform.”
The McComb Enterprise-Journal wants voters to hold legislators accountable, “If at the end of this process, lawmakers come back with no bill or one that is mere window dressing, all House members — not just those on the negotiating team — should be held accountable.”
Rich Campbell, Opinion Editor for the Hattiesburg American agrees, “Not only does this Legislature get an ‘F’ for effort, it gets an ‘F’ for failing to grasp the public’s collective passion for tort reform. Thankfully, voters will have an opportunity to make amends next year.”
The headlines have been filled with words like “stalemate,” “circus,” “train wreck,” “deadlock,” “bogs down,” “going nowhere,” “impasse,” “stalls” and every other descriptive euphemism for a crisis in Mississippi leadership. Speaker Ford’s political games have not gone unnoticed by the state’s media, and we may find that the state’s voters have also been roused. Gov. Musgrove’s creative if not effective special session plan seems more reflective of the gridlock in the Mabus Administration.
The only refuge of rationality in the Capitol for the past two weeks has been in the office of Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck. But powerful as her office is, she cannot fight the obstruction of both the governor and the speaker of the house. But she can be recognized for trying.
Brian Perry is a columnist for the Madison County Journal and editor of MagnoliaReport.com.
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, November 04, 2002
Article comment by:
donny ryals
Dear Sir,
Of course I am one of those you speak of in your article. Tim Ford did not make that comment to Joe Lee, Rufus Straughter did. There were many standing around. God only knows why Joe Lee would make those comments. He may truly not know the difference in Speaker Ford and Rep. Straughter.
