A bit about Kitch

John Kitchens, one of Kitch’s three sons, has been spreading the word about his dad and the campaign.

What follows is a bit of “unknown parts” of his dad’s life. He promises this will be a multi-part series.

I’ll share the stories with you as John sends them.

Jim Kitchens was elected district attorney in 1971 for Copiah, Lincoln, Pike and Walthall Counties. His term began in 1972. Kitch resigned from that position in 1981 to return to private practice in order to pay medical bills for one of his 5 children.

Kitch served not only the citizens of these counties, but was selected more than any other DA in history to prosecute cases in other districts where the DA was conflicted.

During his service as DA, Kitch was constantly harassed and threatened. It was necessary for the State to assign bodyguards to Kitch and his family to watch over us in case someone Dad had convicted wanted to harm us.

I remember as a child hearing that sugar had been poured into Dad’s gas tank several times. Although it was never officially linked to Dad, a bomb threat was called in to the school where four of his children attended. It was presumed that this threat was directed at Dad. These were not easy times.

In fact, on January 20, 1974, Dad was confronted by a man who was upset with him for having prosecuted someone close to him. The assailant pulled a gun on Dad and Dad began to wrestle with the man for the gun.

During the fight, Kitch was shot through his hand, with the bullet coming to rest in Kitch’s leg.

Kitch, knowing that the citizens of his district still needed his help, successfully ran for re-election two more times.

Music Monday for Sept. 29

Welcome to Music Mondays. Today’s selections from Kitch’s album, The Sun Recordings, are:

Track 11: The Wreck of Old ‘97

Track 12: Folsom Prison Blues

We’ll release two tracks every Monday between now and Election Day.

On Monday, Nov. 3, we’ll release all 20 tracks again so that you can have the entire album to enjoy.

Three days in Scott County

It’s been a great three days, and it just so happens much of time was spent in Scott County.

Right now, we’re sitting in Vicksburg. Kitch is about to address the Warren County Bar Association.

On Saturday, Kitch visited the Wing Dang Doodle. That is the Forest blues and chicken wing cookoff festival.

Then on Sunday, Rose Wicker of Forest (along with several friends) hosted a reception for Kitch at the Barbara Gatewood Studios in downtown Forest. What a great event.

Then this morning, Kitch spoke to prospective jurors at the Scott County courthouse.

Kitch really enjoyed being in Scott County, and he’ll be back before Election Day.

For now, we’re spending the day in Warren County.

Campaign responds to AG investigation of push polling (09/23/08)

JACKSON—Chief Justice Jim Smith’s campaign has found itself at the center of a controversy that is now the target of a state investigation by Attorney General Jim Hood, the Clarion-Ledger reported today.

According to the Clarion-Ledger, the attorney general’s office is investigating whether or not unethical push polls being conducted on behalf of Jim Smith are in fact illegal.

Attorney General Jim Hood told the Clarion-Ledger, “We are looking into these sleazy, bogus calls to determine if they violate our criminal and/or civil laws,” Hood said Monday. “We call on any person who has recorded one of these calls to call our office at 1-800-281-4418 or e-mail us at agjimhood.com.”

The Kitchens campaign released this statement through campaign manager Sam Hall:

“We’re glad to see that state officials are watching these elections carefully, considering all of the nasty tricks and past attempts by outside groups to circumvent campaign finance laws.”

“Jim Kitchens will run a fair campaign, talking about his qualifications, telling people how Jim Smith has hurt our courts and letting the voters decide who would be the best fit for a fair, balanced court made up of honest, honorable judges.”

To view the entire Clarion-Ledger article, click here or visit:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/NEWS/809230369/1001/NEWS

Smith supporters waste no time with dirty tricks

Wow! Supporters of Chief Justice Jim Smith have wasted no time getting their hands dirty in this judicial race. Smith has already found himself at the center of a controversy that is the target of an investigation by the attorney general.

From the Clarion-Ledger:

Bogus telephone opinion polls – “push polls” – have cropped up in at least three of the judicial races.

“We are looking into these sleazy, bogus calls to determine if they violate our criminal and/or civil laws,” Hood said Monday. “We call on any person who has recorded one of these calls to call our office at 1-800-281-4418 or e-mail us at agjimhood.com.”

So what are push polls?

Push polls pretend to be legitimate opinion polls, but they’re actually nothing more than a way to spread lies or negative propaganda regarding candidates, said Joe Parker, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Southern Mississippi.

He recalled those done when George Bush faced off against John McCain in the Republican primary in South Carolina in 2000. “McCain was really decimated with those push polls,” he said.

Among the lies spread by those push polls – McCain fathered a black child. “They did a number on him,” Parker said. “He didn’t even get a majority of veterans when they got through with him.”

Of course, all Smith’s campaign wanted to talk about was trial lawyers.

In addition to those supporting businesses, “you’ve got trial lawyers coming in here from all over the country,” [Smith campaign spokesman Morgan] Baldwin said. “Both sides are throwing money at independent expenditures.”

Funny. I don’t know of a single group who has done anything on our behalf in this race.

Even funnier is the idea that the Smith campaign knows nothing about these push polls. I call bull$#!% on that one.

And in a couple of days, I bet some fairly strong evidence showing Smith’s campaign is involved in a coordinated campaign will emerge.

Music Monday for Sept. 22

Welcome to Music Mondays. Today’s selections from Kitch’s album, The Sun Recordings, are:

Track 9: The 9-Pound Hammer

Track 10: Will the Circle Be Unbroken?

We’ll release two tracks every Monday between now and Election Day.

On Monday, Nov. 3, we’ll release all 20 tracks again so that you can have the entire album to enjoy.

Music Monday for Sept. 15

Welcome to Music Mondays. Today’s selections from Kitch’s album, The Sun Recordings, are:

Track 7: Swanee River

Track 8: Corrine, Corrina

We’ll release two tracks every Monday between now and Election Day.

On Monday, Nov. 3, we’ll release all 20 tracks again so that you can have the entire album to enjoy.

Music Monday for Sept. 8

Welcome to Music Mondays. Today’s selections from Kitch’s album, The Sun Recordings, are:

Track 5: Trouble in Mind

Track 6: Careless Love

We’ll release two tracks every Monday between now and Election Day.

On Monday, Nov. 3, we’ll release all 20 tracks again so that you can have the entire album to enjoy.

Music Mondays for Sept. 1

Welcome to Music Mondays. Today’s selections from Kitch’s album, The Sun Recordings, are:

Track 3: Kitch introducing the album

Track 4: St. Louis Blues

We’ll release two tracks every Monday between now and Election Day.

On Monday, Nov. 3, we’ll release all 20 tracks again so that you can have the entire album to enjoy.