Bill Luckett, a lawyer in Clarksdale and business partner with Morgan Freeman, has formed a a political action committee called Progress for Mississippi as part of working up to a run for governor as a Democrat year after next. The AP interviewed him about the decision to set up the PAC.
Luckett said his upbringing in one of the poorest areas of the nation formed his political views.
“You can’t have grown up in the Mississippi Delta with any kind of sensitivity or any kind of feelings and not come out of that aligned with the Democratic Party, unless you’re just a racist or something,” Luckett said.
Luckett said he voted for President Barack Obama and supports most of Obama’s efforts to get the economy back on track.
“He is making some smart decisions, but they’re risky,” Luckett said.
I’ll support Luckett. Anybody got the address for his PAC?
“I’ve learned through studying the process generally, to be a truly viable candidate…”
“You can’t have grown up in the Mississippi Delta with any kind of sensitivity or any kind of feelings and not come out of that aligned with the Democratic Party, unless you’re just a racist or something.” Whhaaattt???
Yep, that will certainly resonate well with the average Mississippi crowd and get your campaign a jump start. Just declare everyone that isn’t a Democrat a racist and move on. With that type of worldview he’ll go far in making sure Phil Bryant is the next governor. Good job dumbass.
For that alone I nominate him Whore of the Day in Mississippi.
RR @ 9:13: though I may not go as far as giving the man an official title, he did just piss in the whiskey.
BB – to that latter bit we should add, “and how!”
I have always heard positive comments about Mr. Luckett, though I do not know him. Politically speaking though, his campaign ended before it started with the comment about not being a Delta Democrat was “racist or something”. Maybe it was a slip of the tongue and simply an off-the-cuff comment. If so, I still do not see him rebounding from it. If it was an indication of deeper reflection, then bless his poor soul for being so misguided.
This is nothing personal about Mr. Luckett or his run for office, but if you support President Obama’s fiscal policies after he appointed the big dog at the NY Fed to “regulate” the banks that set the whole damn world on fire while he sat idly by, you are probably better off making talking points with other issues. Or maybe that was that one of the “smart decisions”-we are in bizzarro world, after all.
Tread lightly there Scrivener. Some folks may misinterpret your independent thought and accuse you of being racist, or worse, a right wing nut job.
Tightlip, ditto on advice to Scrivener. PC is at a peak. One must have a tough hide to weigh in on Obama’s frailities and ready to be labeled erroneously by the ones who call themsleves “open-minded”. It’s really disgusting.
Uh-oh. The Republicans are miffed. They are so sensitive to being perceived as racist.
They can call me whatever the f*^% they want. I refuse to close my eyes to the heist that is going on…but wait…President Obama is “keeping the pitchforks at bay”, just too bad the guard is in thick with the villains.
So this thread rolls along, with all but one comment suggesting Mr. Luckett may have stepped in it, and Tightlip and osa.canuc shout CAREFUL SCRIVENER! THE DISGUSTING LIBERALS ARE GOING TO TELL YOU TO SHUT UP!
Uh, right.
meriwether, I thought the Dems were the ones who were so sensitive to the plight of others, ala “I feel your pain.”
““You can’t have grown up in the Mississippi Delta with any kind of sensitivity or any kind of feelings and not come out of that aligned with the Democratic Party, unless you’re just a racist or something,” Luckett said.”
WOW. All I can say in response to that blanket generalized slur is….. what a JACKASS!!! (I grew up in the Delta, did not vote for Obama, do not officially belong to ANY political party, and take great exception to his labeling me as a racist).
And what arrogance. He runs around with his tailored suits and slicked back Gordon Gecko/Pat Riley hairdo, riding Morgan Freeman’s coattails for all its worth, namedropping Hollywood star names to anyone who will listen to impress, and is now pretending to be some type of sensitive, humble Delta country boy who uniquely feels the pain of others. And he has the audacity to label anyone not like him to be a racist? Right………………………
I’ve just made my last trip to Ground Zero, Madidi, or anything else he has anything to do with. No more.
BTW, a Chickasaw County jury a few years ago was not all that impressed with his slick song and dance. And no wonder — he probably came across as arrogant to them as he now does to many of us.
Yeah, so there was a collective wince at the word “racist” – wonder why?
I personally like Luckett’s plain talk; I find it refreshing. And I’m willing to bet that the reporter somehow managed to leave something out here or there in order to frame the comment in as jarring a manner as possible.
I don’t think Luckett is saying anyone who isn’t a Dem in the Delta is a racist. I think he is saying that if you grew up there like he did in the 1960s that you would have gleaned at least SOME sort of social sensitivity that would align you with some of the Democratic Party principles. Unless you are a racist, that is. If that’s the case then of course you don’t give a flip…
Luckett is an interesting figure. Don’t poo-poo his candidacy just yet.
My friend said that Luckett is going to campaign on the platform of “speaking his mind,” but he may want to rethink that aim.
It is so easy to exploit Republican paranoia. Just make a little tongue-in-cheek comment and they start typing in all caps.
BTW, we all know how enlightened the people of Chickasaw County are.
“a little tongue-in-cheek comment ”
??? I would call it a head-up-ass comment.
“we all know how enlightened the people of Chickasaw County are.”
Meriwether, why don’t you tell us all about it —just how enlightened are we?
Girlsgottareason, you sound like Luckett’s PR person who just called into Sid Salter’s show to defend him.
meriwether, you just exposed yourself. For what, you can determine. I chuckle when someone gets into a tight spot in a discussion and resorts to pointing out how “enlightened” he is or unelightened the other person is. It’s either a “crabs in the barrell” approach or an elitist attitude, either of which is so unbecoming.
Would Mr. Luckett tell us what role he took –with his sensitivity and feelings–during the 1960′s and 70′s to change the status quo in the Delta or to advance the civil rights movement?
I get put out with people who enjoyed or promoted the status quo during those tough times, yet get very sensitive and feel your pain-assy later when it becomes “politically correct” or to their own advantage to do so.
he’s pretty much right though isn’t he?
I grew up down the street from NMC and went to school with his sister. Don’t know what gives him the right to label me. I never called anybody a name. But it is his blog. I guess he can put it in all caps if he wants.
My great great ancestors were early citizens of Oxford and the surrounding communities. I’ve moved away as have most of my family still living. I’ve enjoyed keeping up with what is going on back home. However, seems like you ought to be able to express an idea without being called a whore or disgusting. Enough folks pick on and look down their noses at our lovely state and its citizens without us adding fuel.
Pam, no, he’s not.
Apparently the Democrats here fail to remember that it was them that held the Black vote back in Mississippi. Not the Republicans.
The MFDP was created in the mid ’60s because Blacks weren’t even allowed in the MS Democratic Party who was responsible for most of the racial turmoil in Mississippi.
The Democratic Party was the party of racism for a century until LBJ changed it’s tactics.
Yeah JD, and then all them democrats morphed into the repugs of Mississippi
Tightlip, up thread you and others said Scrivener was courting trouble by speaking his/her mind . Nothing in thiis or any other thread justified that. The only person who has been silenced on this blog was a crazy person from New Orleans (who made world wide new for crazy behavior during Katrina). So why are you suggesting a variety of points of view aren’t tolerated? This thread in particular doesn’t support that. I think there is a real chance that what isnhappeninf here is projection from people unused to hearing a real diversity in points of view.
This is posted during a power outage from my iPhone
Powers back but inet not yet. Posted from DLSpouse’s iPhone
NMC, I guess it just depends on your definition of tolerance. Once again, by your ‘projection’ remark, you lob a personal attack. I didn’t realize thoughtful discussion versus name calling was such a challenge, but apparently so. ‘Racist’ is a terrible label to cavalierly toss about.
I have posted here long enough to know that NMC does not unjustifiably throw inflammatory labels around. And, I have made enough comments about the Secretary of
Theft SupervisionTreasury that if my dissent from the Obama administration’s decision made me some hateful person, then I would have been that long before the Obama administration took the helm.GGR @ 4:31, applying Occam’s razor, I would say that Luckett’s words speak for themselves (and I do believe our own “Occam’s RazorRedux agrees); however, all people make mistakes and I think that the “racist” statement probably was a very poor use of hyperbole.
However, (and, following the posting rules, I won’t continue to beat the dead horse) supporting the fiscal (and monetary) insanity going on right now (and during the previous administration) is the similar to saying “I support drunk people holding a marksmanship contest with the targets a few yards from a cordial gathering of people. Yes, it is risky, but if those guys hit the targets, they get a big payday.”
Some may be willing to vote for that kind of risk, but it ain’t me.
Tightlip, are you talking about anything I said in this thread?
I didn’t endorse Bill Luckett’s delta comment, I quoted it because I thought it would provoke comment. It did.
Whew, what a relief to read the rest of this thread. I was thinking all day yesterday that I’d somehow been singled to be censored for my earlier comment cuz I didn’t have Intermess access here for almost 10 hours. You being SOOOOO absolutely bad about using that little censorship button thingie on your blog, I just naturally had to beleive that is what happened. I mean, you do it all the time. Look at AROD’s case you cited for example. You didn’t let him post but about 30-40 mindless rants before you did him in. A little quick on the trigger weren’t you? I see the fears in some posters because of how you handled that ! ! !
BTW. Because I felt my whole access got censored, I got sentenced to perform yard work all day yesterday. Now I’m all stove up with muscles, some I forgot I even had, justa’ aching. And sunburn. Thanks a lot.
P.S. I hope everyone came through the storms okay up there.
Like most of us, Mr. Luckett made a fairly inaccurate blanket statement in a very inaccurate way. But his message resonates. I am a Democrat and have been for the past 39 years. I believe that Democrats care more about the poor, illiterate, sick and infirm and under-educated. I belive that Democrats truly strive for equality, diversity and advancement among all. However, I am a Democrat who has very close Republican friends. Friends whom I cherish, appreciate and respect. I have come to understand that individually, Republicans are good, good-hearted people. As a party, most Republicans are insensitive to poverty, poor health, blight in neighborhoods, joblessness, and illiteracy. As individuals, Republicans give to charities and make generous contributions to worthy causes. As a party, most Republicans enact policies which benefit the rich and big business, are regressive and burden the middle class. Mr Luckett may not have said it like I would have said it, but his message isn’t entirely false.
I never suggested oppositional opinions were silenced. I’m sorry you interpreted it as such. My first remark directed to Scrivener was intended as facetious, poking fun, so to speak, in relation to this and other threads. The remainder merely addressed the quick reflex to slurs versus genuine discussion. Read in its context, it was merely a friendly suggestion. It’s been real. Everyone have a nice day.
Purpledogg reminds me of a Faulkner quote, in this case, purpledogg loves the man, and hates the party.
“_______ made a fairly inaccurate blanket statement in a very inaccurate way. But _____ ‘s message resonates.”
The above is pretty much the standard line by all who publicly speak their mind about something, later regret it, but still attempt to excuse it without a complete apology. I’m almost certain something along these lines has been and/or could be used to attempt to excuse a David Duke, Jesse Jackson, Rev. Sharpton, and other such panderers who wrongly use race in blanket statements that paint with too broad of a brush, but are too egotistical and narcisstic to ever simply admit that they were wrong and just outright apologize. And the ultimate question one must ask, for whom does it resonate? Other race baiters? Hypocritical judgemental jackasses? You make the call.
Again I ask, “When did Luckett’s “sensitivity” and “feelings” appear? In the 50′s? the 60′s? the 70′s? the 80′s? the 90′s? Did he become sensitive after he became a BFF with a wealthy African-American movie star, or were he and Morgan Freeman BFF’s growing up in the Mississippi Delta?
well, I’m up in Chicago and I’m gonna donate to the “Progress” cause in hopes they will progress. I’m up to my eyelids in legal bills helping kids that aren’t my own get out from under a corrupt, political and heinous legal system where Mississippi is third in the nation for incarceration. So, something is clearly wrong. Maybe this is the beginnings of a fix, who knows, but I’m willing to give it a try. And if Dr. Hayne would finally get booted out of the state and the court rooms, maybe more progress towards justice can be made. My hopes are up.
I’m all for Luckett, maybe he can bring some “luck” to a very grim system. I’m an outsider looking in and I’ve seen more than I care to ever see again in my lifetime.
Apology, misspoken, misquoted or not. His hearts in the right place, a slip of the tongue, it was meant tongue-in-cheek or not. He’s smarter than that and that wasn’t his intent. Even an explanations from Luckett himself, “what I meant was if your not compassionate …” or not. And the crown jewel of excuses, from the Y’all blog no less, “The comment was sloppy…and he’ll have to be more careful?” WTF does that supposed to mean anyway?
I’ve read and heard all of the reasons given here and other blogs and on Sid’s show. So, just for the sake of argument, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and accept that he doesn’t really believe it. Or not. But in the end analysis: absolutely none of the above is relevant.
There is quite simply NO excuse or reason for attempting to inject race or racism into it unless he was trying to either paint certain segments of the populace as being racist or he was just acting out in the role as a regular, everyday garden variety race baiter. Your choice as to which category he fits into best.
Luckett very matter-of-factly equated everyone that doesn’t agree with him or his interpretation of compassion as a racist. And whether it was limited to people raised in the Delta or not wouldn’t change the context of it either.
C’mon people. It simply can’t be that hard to understand is it? He made the statement pure and simple. He f*&%^$ up and said it or something very similar where he attributed the characteristic of being a “racist” to people who don’t agree with him politically and now he’s probably wishing he hadn’t.
How else can one get the word “racist” in the sentence or statement if that’s not what was being done?
A FRIEND OF THE LAW is right…many of us speak our mind and then later regret we hadn’t said it a different way. It’s called being too honest for our own good. I don’t think labeling me in the same company with David Duke and Jesse Jackson actually speaks to his point,but if characterizing me as racist is good with him, it’s good by me. I just don’t label and judge people whom I’ve never met.
Look, Luckett has a problem with Republicans in general. In general, Republicans have problems with diversity, inclusiveness, open government and equal protection under the law, and then have the unmitigated audacity to try and turn the tables on anyone who raises those issues. At least Luckett finally came to terms and began to to recognize that. It took me some time to recognize it, too, but after a while it is so glaringly clear you can’t ignore it. Yes, we have racists in Mississippi. Republican racists, Democratic racists, black recists, white racists. The only thing that bothers me about his remarks is that Luckett didn’t point out that Democrats haven’t done all they can to address the ills. We just keep blaming all the problems on Republicans. Not so. Bottom line, Luckett is right: anyone who can see all of the poverty, illiteracy, penal industrial complex and hunger in our state, drug addiction, drug trafficking..see that it is disproportionately prevalent among non-whites….and is not doing all they can to help raise Mississippi up is a racist. Period
Purpledogg, I’m pretty much always right. Read and learn. Ha.
And I was not calling you a racist. My comment and intended point was that the standard excuse you used could be used by pretty much anyone to excuse anything— nor does it suffice as any type of a real apology. In fact, I have yet to hear a real apology from Luckett re this matter —all we’ve seen is spin from him and others, and claims he was misquoted (brings back memories of Mike Moore’s negative comments about Judge Lackey).
I was born in the Delta, raised in the Delta, my family still has a business in the Delta, and I still travel to the Delta a lot to visit family, for recreation, and for work. I love the MS Delta, even despite its warts.
Past administrations and politicians of both parties have attempted to “fix” the Delta. But, the problem is that these attempts to “fix” have been really nothing more than government welfare programs designed to provide just enough subsistence to survive, but not enough to break out of the cycle of poverty and welfare generations. What the Delta really needs is a real manufacturing industry base, even if heavily government subsidized in the beginning. After losing most of its manufacturers (clothing, textile, appliances, other low skilled labor industry) and related jobs to outsourcing to foreign countries with cheaper labor over the last few decades, the Delta has never really recovered (the past racial strife and its consequences have exacerbated these problems ). While the Ag industry continues with its ups and downs, it does not create the same numbers of jobs as in the past due to modern equipment and improved efficiency. Anyone who thinks tourism related to hunting, fishing, the blues and civil rights are going to be the cure must live in a fairy tale land. While such tourism is great and encouraged, it cannot possibly provide the jobs needed to help the Delta and its fine people rise out of poverty.
So, despite a lot of talk and empty promises by politicians of both parties, not much economic progress has been made in the Delta, despite the $$$ that has been spent. Rather than welfare, people need jobs —- real, sustainable jobs and the income from them generate higher self-esteem, pride in community, better education, lower crime, and better citizens. More welfare dollars just continues to perpetuate the problems, with no real cure —but, it makes lazy politicians and other phony “compassionates” feel better about themselves, without having to get their hands dirty. Out of sight, out of mind. And it provides a government-dependent voter base for those willing to whore and pander to it.
To those from the Delta (like my family), who have actually taken positive actions, often at personal sacrifice and risk — as opposed to just talking and judgemental fingerpointing — Luckett’s words are like a slap in the face. And it begs the question: just who is he to make such a blanket, judgemental allegation? Other than owning a faux juke joint, a high end restaurant that no blacks or other po folks could afford to frequent, and defending big business in lawsuits, what has he done to improve the Delta and to put him in this position to cast judgement upon others who do not share his political beliefs?
Attempting to further divide MS along racial lines is NOT progressive —-it is moving backwards. “Progressive” to me would be less talk and more real positive action; stop simply throwing money at problems and come up with real solutions that are life changing and sustainable; and including all in the plan to move MS forward —liberals, conservatives, libertarians, etc. . It doesn’t include hostile divisiveness, race baiting or pandering. Just my opinions. I’m gonna hush now.
This Mark Twain quote is from community columnist Sonny Scott’s Sunday (06-14-09) Daily Journal article “Words of wisdom from fathers remain riches to be coveted”:
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter– ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
I would say that Mark Twain offers sage advice for Mr. Luckett.
The problem with Mr. Luckett is “the [man]doth protest too much me thinks” in the words of Queen Gertrude to her son Price Hamlet… When you play the race card over and over again… one must wonder if in fact you are indeed the racist.
Mr. Luckett uses the race card to mask over character flaws that would otherwise keep him out of the Governor’s mansion. The real issue with Mr. Luckett is his own morality or lack thereof. He is rumored to be an alcoholic who smokes dope and parades Jacquiline Winters of Indianola Mississippi as his mistress while acting as his buddy Morgan Freeman’s pimp… and, it has been reported that it was Luckett introduced Freeman to Demares Myers of the famous Tallahatchie car wreck and Lucket who got tanked up with Freeman just prior to that accident…. Bill Luckett is a personal train wreck… why on earth would anyone think this man is competent to be Governor of Mississippi or any other state.
I would think that Bill Luckett has given Richard Barrett pause to enter the gubernatorial contest. After all, Barrett is a Democrat, who pulled 93% of the white vote in his 1984 bid for Congress in the Delta — as well as a hefty tally in the 2001 flag-referendum. All Barrett would have to do to (at least in the Democratic Primary) would be to get the white vote, plus a smidgeon of Uncle Toms. He has already shown he can do that.
we need to leave all these “has beens and Want-a Be’s off the Guv. ticket… they are washed up be them Dems. or Repubs.
Lt. Gov. Bryant or the guy from the Coast that Guv.Barbour backs would be fine, my money is on PSC Brandon Presley in 8 years…on another front is the challenge to Rep. Childers seat in Congress by a right wing (nationally funded Angela (don’t remember her last name, flash in the pan person).
Well, we don’t need to be taken in by this race, be we Democrats or Republicans.
Vote for the grass-roots local incumbant.
There are many Independants in Mississippi.