Delbert declines to announce, touts need to "reorganize" state government

Delbert Hosemann chose not to make an announcement to run for Governor next year.  He focuses on the need to reorganize state government (whatever that means) and speaks a little about immigration. Now here's the kicker, and what will likely drive speculation for up to another 6 months: Delbert didn't say he was running for Governor, but he didn't say he wasn't, either.

h/t to Patsy Brumfield and her Twitter page, which is the best place for Neshoba updates

WikiLeaks may have just changed the course of American history *UPDATED WITH LINKS*

WikiLeaks.com has just published the "Afghan War Diary," which is described as:

...an extraordinary compendium of over 91,000 reports covering the war in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2010.
The reports, while written by soldiers and intelligence officers mainly describing lethal military actions involving the United States military, also include intelligence information, reports of meetings with political figures, and related detail.

The question is this: if the American public hears the DoD's own accounts of civilian deaths, will the accepted become unacceptable?  How will this affect public opinion on the Afghan war, and on war in general?

*UPDATE* WikiLeaks' Twitter feed is a great source for links to media coverage of the War Diary.  The Guardian has a story up on civilian casualties listed in the War Diary that links the type of stories I was referring to in the body of this post above.  The New York Times has a section of its website dedicated to the War Diary, and its first story focuses on the link between Pakistan and the insurgents. Also, Der Spiegel has a section up as well, and they've subdivided what they've determined to be the most important information from the War Diary.  Topics include the problems with Predator drones, a secret group of warriors known as "Task Force 373", and problems with U.S. intelligence agencies.

Sunday mornin' quick hits

Jerry Mitchell and Molly Parker over at the Clarion-Ledger have several items today on our state's approach to mental health issues.  There's a heart-rending story about the suicide of a patient recently released from Whitfield, a detailed piece on the deep cuts to mental health funding, and an article on the lack of adequate housing for mental health patients.  I've had quite a bit of experience with people suffering from mental health problems, and I can't stress enough how strong the link is between crime and poor mental health.  If you doubt me, ask your local sheriff.

The New York Times has a study on the direction of the U.S. Supreme Court under Chief Justice Roberts.  To no one's surprise, the study concludes that the Roberts Court is the "the most conservative one in living memory."  For those that don't follow the USSC that closely, there's an interactive feature that matches you to a justice based on your responses to several questions.

Dana Priest and William Arkin of the Washington Post have been working on a project for the past two years on our nation's intelligence infrastructure, and the fruits of their labor can now be found at "Top Secret America." The project has been widely praised.  I'd say that I look forward to reading what they've uncovered, but I'm not exactly sure I want to know...

Finally, if you haven't seen Inception yet, you're missing out.  I haven't had that much fun watching a movie in a long, long time.  The hotel hallway scenes alone are worth the price of admission, especially once you find out how it was done.

Here's what you need to watch re: Hosemann

Earlier this week, I posted word that Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann would announce for Governor this Thursday.  It's next Thursday.  Here's a link to the Neshoba County Fair's schedule.  Notice that Delbert speaks just before Phil. That should be very, very interesting, as people close to the situation would be shocked if Delbert failed to announce a gubernatorial bid.

2011 Rumor Mill

Here's what I'm hearing is happening out there:

• Sen. Billy Hewes has ordered signs that read "Lt. Gov. Hewes."  Folks think that's a bit presumptuous.
• Stacy Pickering and Tate Reeves will round out the Lt. Gov. field on the GOP side
• Most elected Democrats are staying put and running for reelection, in contrast to the fratricide about to occur on the GOP side
• Tate Reeves should raise a ton of money at an upcoming Jackson fundraiser, to be held at Bravo! tomorrow night
• The turnout at Phil Bryant's Thursday night fundraiser at the Jackson Country Club was sparse, and there could be a surprising reason for that...
• That surprising reason is Delbert Hosemann's announcing he'll run for Governor this coming Thursday.

An uncomfortable morning for Commissioner Steve Simpson

Jerry Mitchell's got an article on a kerfuffle over the early release of a Gulf Coast businessman after he was charged with punching his wife several times in the face.  Long story short, John Ruble, head of the Gulfport Home Builders Association, was arrested for domestic violence, and Municipal Judge ordered him held without bond until noon the following morning, at which time Ruble could be released on a $1,000 bond.  The Harrison County Sheriff, Melvin Brisolara, released Ruble on his own recognizance into the custody of Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson at 8:41 a.m.  The Public Integrity Division of the Attorney General's office found there was no criminal wrongdoing, but did advise the municipal judge that he is free to pursue the civil contempt avenue as he sees fit. 

This matters because Simpson has frequently confirmed that he is looking at a race against Attorney General Jim Hood.  Simpson would certainly like to be able to attack Hood for not pursuing state charges against those involved in the Scruggs scandals due to his relationship with some of them.  Simpson's ability to do that just took a major blow, as Hood could now easily and effectively respond: "I declined to waste state resources on a useless state prosecution; you violated a judge's order to get an alleged wife-beater out of jail early."  It also could contribute to a very uncomfortable meme about Republicans in light of Gov. Barbour's, um, misguided use of his pardon power.

SAYS BP: WELL IS CAPPED & CAP IS WORKING.

According to WLOX.com, BP is saying the well has been capped, and that no oil is flowing into the Gulf.

UPDATE: Here's a link to the live feed of the wellhead and a story on the cap.