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April Fools Day? Come to Wilkinson County
Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008
As we celebrate April Fool’s Day today, perhaps it’s fitting to notice some of the sheer and utter foolishness going on in Wilkinson County and its never-ending Democratic primary election.
Last week, in a move aimed at thwarting further delays brought on by a recent federal lawsuit, a circuit judge has bumped back the already rescheduled elections.
The new election will be nearly a year after the original one.
Wilkinson County’s Democratic party has been fussing about the election since polls closed on Aug. 7, 2007. After months of squabbling and legal posturing, a judge ultimately threw out the paper ballots because no one could prove they were properly handled. Without the paper ballots, the entire election results were also thrown out.
“No problem,” the judge said. “We’ll just have an entirely new election.”
That only seems fair.
But a couple of residents who filed the lawsuit disagree.
And the lawsuit is the latest in a long string of foolishness that’s swirling around the elections process in Wilkinson County.
It’s foolish that the paper ballots were improperly handled in the first place. Come on, folks, this is 2007 — or was when the first ballots were cast.
It’s foolish that the entire elections process has become so mired in political infighting that taxpayers probably have incurred all kinds of court-related fees.
And, perhaps most of all, it’s foolish that the race card has been thrown into the ring in an apparent last-ditch effort to stall the process.
The three voters who filed the federal lawsuit contend that having a new election will discriminate against black voters.
What an outlandish statement and, in some ways, what a foolish slap in the face to the good citizens — black and white — of Wilkinson County.
Hopefully, the foolishness will be cleared up soon. Wilkinson County will have a new, cleanly run election and we’ll leave all the foolishness to April 1, 2009.
Comments
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello ya'll , I think you all know how I feel about this mess . I'm really sick of the whole thing . It's too bad Wilkinson County didn't get a judge that could see through this mess . I guess there just too much confusion in the courtroom . Maybe he was afraid of a riot . I don't know . I do know the writing was on the wall . Plain as the nose on your face . Criminals are still running the county .
Posted by michele2401 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well said southernbelle!!
Posted by TellingItLikeItIs (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a shame that the Natchez Democrat Editorial Board does not know that the lawsuit was filed only because the election had not been precleared by the United States Justice Department. Check your facts! Furthermore, you all are foolish to think that the 17 whites that threw out over 500 ballots of mostly black voters is not racist...think again. Without examining A SINGLE BALLOT. We did not make this about race the 17 whites did...
Southernbelle: If you notice your comments are 90% racist. So, If you do not want this about race...watch what you say.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did I even mention race ? Give me a break ! Why is it that whenever some black people disagree with a white person that it almost always comes back to being racist ? I know a lot more racist that are black than white . In case you are not aware, Jesse Stewart is a black man and I think he will make a much better sheriff than the acting one . So do a lot of black people. You need to check your facts . The fact is there was criminal activity done in this election and this has cost a lot of taxpayers a lot of money .Unfortunately for Wilkinson County, it has more than its share of welfare recipients so I imagine the working people will pick up the tab once again . TeeingItLikeItIs, Please don't call me racist. I like to think of myself as an Optimistic Realist. Things may look bad now , but it will get better .
Posted by HottChocolate (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was just wondering? If a black agree's with what the Democratic committee did in throwing out the ballots and with the fraud in the whole election, does that make them racist against racist, or black against black, or good against evil?
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know what it makes . I just wish we could move forward instead of backwards and respect one anothers races . It is going to take a lot of changing .
Posted by EuropeanAmerican (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tellingitlikeitis: Please if you must make it a racist issue, tell it like it is--
1. the 17 white members of the WCDEC were not allowed to paticipate in the loading of the ballot boxes prior to the election and threatened with arrest, by African-American sheriff deputies, for trying to paticipate in their duties as committe members elected by the voters of Wilkinson county. The ballot boxes were prepared by African-American WCDEC members and county employees.
2. The WCDEC 17 white members were denied the right to emamine the absentee ballots by Mr. Mon Cree Allen, who is consequentially African-American. Some African-American WCDEC members were allowed to examine the ballots.
I think I do see a pattern of discrimination, if not racism.
Posted by bear45 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Call it what you want, the simple fact and let me repeat simple is that there was wrong doing whether it be black or white, green yellow or purple. Right is right and wrong is wrong and there were some stunts pulled to make this election a one that was full of fraud....What is wrong with a change in the county? Maybe there will be more wrong uncovered if a change is allowed to happen, think about it people, why are these certain ones so scared for a chnage? What is really going on in Wilkinson County?
Posted by woodvillegal (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said southernbell, EuropeanAmerican, and bear45. Wilkinson County really does need change!!
Posted by TellingItLikeItIs (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
southernbell, EuropeanAmerican, bear45, Hottchocolate and woodvillegal...
You all are the reason why people think that we are fools. All of you should be offended by today's headline.
But actually fools know fools!!!!
Posted by HottChocolate (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am proud to say I agree with intelligent fools instead of the lying, cheating stealing fools you are associated with!!!!!
Posted by HottChocolate (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No harm intended southernbell, EuropeanAmerican, bear45, and woodvillegal. I certainly don't think you sound like fools!
Posted by loneconservative (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TellingItLikeItIs, please do not post comments on this website anymore. They are vile and uncalled-for.
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