Circus Tricks, Flower Beds and "Good Ole Boy" Politics

Maybe you missed it but I've talked about in the past how the "good ole boy" way of running things in the south no longer works. For those of you who don't see the need to change, I simply say:

Wake up.

This is the year 2006, soon to be the year 2007. In other words we are past the 20th century and well into the 21st century; we should act accordingly. Cotton can no longer buy land and a bottle of whiskey can no longer be considered a "fair deal" for a bull. The same type of statement can be made about politics, most specifically the politics in the south.

First, let's talk about the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Actually, I prefer to call them the "Country Club Circus." Mayor Rayburn Waddell is your ring master. Oh sure, he's friendly and has a good speaking voice but he's also not afraid to let you know that he's in charge. On a regular basis he and the clowns known as the Board of Aldermen stick their noses into the affairs of the police department. Ray-Ray also likes to let the police department know that he doesn't appreciate the fact that they are "messing with" one of his friends. There's also the "secret" known around town that the police department is under standing orders not to touch the biggest drug dealer in town because he owns a ton of property, therefore pays a ton in taxes.

His donations to the local youth sports programs are also a really cute touch.

Then there's Janice Payne, or as I like to call her the "flying trapeze artist" because her job is to distract the citizens from the real issues by performing tricks. Her favorite trick is being all worried about planting a flower bed around City Hall and not worried at all about the garbage in the neighborhoods she serves or about the poor condition of some of the streets in town. Oh sure, downtown looks all pretty but what about the other (read: "black") areas of town? They look like a warzone. Coming in from the west, you'll see flower beds and nicely decorated benches. Coming in from the north, east or south you see run down houses and poorly maintained streets. You'll also see that the streets leading into town from these city gates are poorly lit if at all. There's also the matter of the crack houses and the illegal bar owned and operated by a local football hero, not to mention the increase of violent crime in Philadelphia.

At least the flower beds on Main Street are well maintained.

And the latest flap: The "honorable" William R. "Ray" Boswell. Willie is the supervisor for District 5 in Lauderdale County and he recently had a run-in with the Philadelphia Police Department. While he was following his mistress (I'm assuming that's what she is--I highly doubt he'd drive all the way to Philadelphia so he could exchange soup recipes with her) she was pulled over... twice. The second time, Willie interfered with the police officer's work so he was arrested for disorderly conduct and failure to comply with an officer. Apparently this is not Willie boy's first run in with the law. Click here to read about the Philadelphia arrest and of his previous bumps with the badge. Better yet, click here to see the video of his confrontation with Meridian (Mississippi) police officers. Please note, this video contains very crude language including use of the "N" word and other profanity so please use discretion if you decide to view the video.

In the video, Mr. Boswell is clearly (and admittedly) intoxicated and has been kicked out of a bar. This is just days after hurricane Katrina hit and he's more worried about closing the bar (where he had been drinking, no doubt) than about the recovery efforts.

It should also be noted that the bar, JJ's, is a notorious strip club (topless dancing and alcohol are not allowed in the same establishment under Meridian ordinance). I'm sure he was just conducting a thorough investigation... with plenty of dollar bills to assist him.

I have to applaud Philadelphia police chief Richard "Dickie" Sistrunk for his stance on this matter. After he viewed the Meridian police video, he stated that had his officers not arrested Willie for his actions in the vid (which he wasn't) he would have fired them. He also said that Willie will receive no special treatment in Philadelphia because he's "nothing special up here." Kudos! However don't be chanting "no special treatment" just yet. Click here to see how Willie got out of jail. Remember Ray-Ray? He bonded him out as a "professional courtesy." In other words, he undermined the work of the police department that he's supposed to oversee and support because the "good ole boy" network is apparently alive and well.

Actions like this are why the Philadelphia Police Department has lost 24 officers in the last 22 months (source), most citing the mayors interference and other unprofessional behavior from department brass as the reasons for their depature.

The only way we can change this is to change those in City Hall. To whomever runs against this circus in the next election: You have my vote. Voters in Lauderdale County would do well to take the same stance on Willie.

--Jonathan