6 • Thursday, July 17, 2014 • Daily Corinthian
Pro-Cochran PAC funded black outreach Associated Press
JACKSON — A super PAC backing six-term Sen. Thad Cochran funded an outside group that urged black voters to support the Republican’s re-election bid, according to campaign finance reports. Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a political giant in his state, backed Mississippi Conservatives and his nephew, Henry Barbour, was a top official there. Mississippi Conservatives sent almost $145,000 to All Citizens for Mississippi, a late-to-arrive group that urged black voters to turn out for the June 24 runoff between Cochran and tea party favorite state Sen. Chris McDaniel. The Barbour-led group was the sole source of money for that black outreach effort. “What we were looking for were Cochran supporters who didn’t vote,” said Brian Perry, the chief at the proCochran super PAC. “When you go back and look at his 2008 general election, he had a lot of support in the black community. These are people who voted for him before and morethan-likely would be voting for him in the general. And so it makes sense to ask them to vote for him in the primary, as well.” Tea party groups objected to the tactic, and claim Cochran prevailed in his runoff with Democrats’ backing, at Republicans’ expense. McDaniel on Wednesday is expected to announce whether he will file a formal challenge of his loss to Cochran. Certified results of the June 24 runoff show Cochran won by 7,667 votes. State law specifies McDaniel’s first challenge would be filed with the state Republican Party executive committee. His campaign attorney, Mitch Tyner, has said McDaniel could file a lawsuit in state court about 10 days after filing a challenge with the party. McDaniel, who became a tea party favorite, has said there might have been thousands
of improper votes cast, but he has not released documents to support that claim. The Cochran camp says there might have been hundreds of improper votes statewide, but not enough to overturn the election. Tea party groups, who spent millions to help in McDaniel’s two races against Cochran, urged Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus to step in. “This is not how Republicans should run primary campaigns against other Republicans,” eight national tea party leaders wrote to Priebus. “The Republican National Committee, as the national infrastructure of the GOP, has a responsibility to police its own.” They were seeking an investigation of Henry Barbour, who is in the 168-member Republican National Committee. In Mississippi, officials from both campaigns continued to scour votes. Hinds County Republican Party Chairman Pete Perry said Tuesday that 300 to 350 possible illegally cast votes were found in Mississippi’s largest county. That total is significantly lower than McDaniel’s assertion that at least 1,500 improper votes were found in Hinds County. McDaniel campaign spokesman Noel Fritsch noted the chairman had received $60,000 from a pro-Cochran political action committee. Pete Perry has acknowledged the payment, saying he used the money to hire people for get-out-thevote activities that are allowed by state law. Mississippi voters don’t register by party, but state law prohibits a person from voting in one party’s primary and the other party’s runoff in the same election cycle. Crossover voting is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $200 fine. Convictions, however, are rare. McDaniel had finished 1,418 votes ahead of Cochran in the June 3 GOP primary, which also included a third candidate who spent little on his election effort.
THE CONDITION OF OUR WORLD When God looked upon His creation, He saw that it was very good. “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day” (Gen 1:31). The world started downward when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and were driven from their paradise. “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Gen 3:24). The Old and New Testaments describe the condition of the world at different periods of time. The world had become so wicked during the days of Noah that God destroyed the world by the flood. “And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them” (Gen 6:7). Old Testament cities along with Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed because of their sexual sins. “Even as Sodeom and Gomorra, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth fro an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7). After Moses received the ten commandment law, he came down and found the people worshiping a golden calf (Ex 32:19-20). Morals continued to decline throughout the Old Testament. Jesus described the world during His personal ministry. “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Matt 12:39). Notice Peter’s description of those on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:40. “And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (ASV). John made a statement about the world in 1 John 5:19. “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness”. The descriptions given of the world at different points in history reveal that it was a sinful place. Jesus stated that He had overcome the world in John 16:33, “...I have overcome the world”. The sins mentioned above are nothing compared to the sins in our world. God destroyed the old world by a flood, but it will be destroyed again by fire (2 Peter 3:10). How much longer will God spare our world?
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Deaths Wendell McNeil
Funeral services for Wendell McNeil, 73, of Corinth, are set for 3 p.m. Friday at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka with burial at Sardis Cemetery. Visitation is today from 5 to 9 p.m. Mr. McNeil died Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at his home. He retired from Auto Zone in Corinth and was a former employee of NAPA in Iuka and Corinth. A member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, he enjoyed restoring antique automobiles, remodeling his house and working in his yard. Survivors include his daughter, Wendy Tigner (Ronald) of Iuka; two grandchildren, Misty Clark (Josh) and Marlee Tigner, both of Iuka; two great-grandchildren, Cooper Clark and Parker Young, both of Iuka; a special aunt, Imogene McCoy of Corinth; and three nieces, Sherry Ross and Loretta Mitchell, both of Corinth, and Misty Spencer of Red Bay, Ala. He was preceded in death by his parents, Winford and Captola Bumpus McNeil; two brothers, Harold and Merl McNeil; and one sister, Linda McClung Deaton. Bro. Tony Curtis and Bro. Ken White will officiate the service.
Glen Parker
Funeral services for Glen Alfred Parker, 81, are set for 10 a.m. today at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel
Edith Barnett
IUKA — Funeral services for Edith Louise “Granny” Barnett, 94, are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Tishomingo Baptist Church with burial at Highland Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 5 until 9 p.m. at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Mrs. Barnett died Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at Tishomingo Manor Nursing Home in Iuka. She was a babysitter for more than 40 years and a lifelong member of Tishomingo Baptist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Nancy Dexter (Jesse) of Iuka, Darlene Watkins (Bobby) of Tishomingo and Laurel Leigh Gray (Dennis) of Leighton, Ala.; one sister, Jeanette Wilson of Iuka; two brothers, Charles and Connie Ray Jones of Iuka; nine grandchildren, Eric Barnett, Stephanie Powers, Richard Holt, Tanya Kennedy, Sonya Gray, Jonathan Gray, Melanie Beene, Kayla Hill and Wayne Lowe Jr.; and 21 great-grandchildren.
of Memories. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until service time at Magnolia Funeral Home. Visitation will also be today at Parker Funeral Home in Bruce from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Parker with a private family burial at sunset in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Pittsboro. Mr. Parker died Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at his home. Born Sept. 4, 1932, in Calhoun County, he graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1950, attended Itawamba Community College and then received his bachelor of science degree at Mississippi State University in 1956. He completed his education by earning his master of science degree at the University of Memphis. He served his country in the Mississippi National Guard and worked seven years as a school teacher at Houston High School and Corinth High School. He was always proud of his student’s successes. He was a member of the Mississippi Manufacturing Association for 30 years and worked for both ITT and Tecumseh Corporations. During his life he was a part of various groups including the Masons, Itawamba Community College Alumni Association, and the
Thursday Morning Breakfast Club at Martha’s Menu. He was a member of Corinth First United Methodist Church and enjoyed teaching the Challengers Sunday School Class. He was a loving husband, father, and “pop” to his two grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Betty Sue Clark Parker of Corinth; two sons, Clark Parker (Pat E.) of Tupelo and Dale Parker (Susan) of Baldwyn; grandchildren Sam Parker and Stella Parker; a brother, Charles Parker (Nan) of Ingomar; a sister-in-law, Nancy Clark of Grenada; two nieces, Lisa Springer and Allison White; other family members; and a host of loving friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford Lee Parker and Leila Murphree Parker. Pallbearers are Allen Wood, Steve Wilbanks, J.B. Darnell, Brent Avent, Bill Rogers, Charlie Estes, Jay Stegall, Mike Thornton, Mike Wooten, John Robert “Quincy” Parker, Billy Van Clark and T Marion. Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Warren, Waylon Clayton, Alva Dalton, Leiman Wilbanks, Archie Bailey, Don Brawner, Johnny Green and the Corinth First United Methodist Church Challengers Sunday School Class. Bro. Glynn Wygul will officiate the service. For online condolences: magnoliafuneralhome.net
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Barnett; a son, Billy Barnett; her parents, Howard and Laura Jones; two brothers, Bill and Gaylon Jones; and four sisters, Odell Pharr, Lorene Bishop, Mary Kirk and Dorothy Clark. Bro. Bobby Watkins and Bro. Robbie Crane will officiate the service.
Michael Lambert will officiate the service.
Benji Lambert
IUKA — Funeral services for William Benji Lambert, 49, are set for 1 p.m. Friday at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation is today from 5 until 9 p.m. Mr. Lambert died Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at North Mississippi Medical Center - Iuka. Survivors include his wife, Angie Lambert of Iuka; one son, William Cole Lambert of Iuka; his parents, William E. and Betty Barrett Lambert of Iuka; one brother, Donnie E. Lambert of Iuka; and one sister, Debbie Johnson of Rienzi.
James L. Mersher
Funeral services for James L. Mersher, 62, of Memphis, are set for 11 a.m. Friday at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Corinth with burial at Liberty Cemetery in Kossuth. Visitation is Friday from 10 a.m. to service time at the church. Mr. Mersher died Friday, July 11, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. Born April 17, 1952, he attended Kossuth school and worked as a mechanic and truck driver. Survivors include a special friend, Mary Hill; a daughter, Satoria Mersher; and two sisters, Shelia Crump and Carolyn (Munchy) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lenora Floys Simmons; one brother, Charles Floyd; and one sister, Elaine Blackstone. The Rev. Kim Ratliff will officiate the service under the direction of Grayson Funeral Services.
Gaza civilians told to evacuate have nowhere to go Associated Press
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The text message was as urgent as it was unwelcome: The Israeli army advised Mouin Ghaffir to leave his home quickly or risk being killed in airstrikes against Hamas rocket squads. He swiftly sent his wife and 11 children to a dirty U.N. emergency shelter, with more than 40 people crammed in each classroom, but had to endure a night under bombardment at home after failing to find a safe place for his ailing 75-year-old mother. Such is the life-anddeath predicament of tens of thousands of Gazans being told by Israel to flee targeted areas, most with nowhere to go. U.N. shelters lack the space, and relatives, with their own overcrowded homes, often cannot help. Israel says urging residents to evacuate — with warnings delivered through automated calls, text messages and leaflets dropped from planes — is part of the military’s attempt to spare civilians
whenever possible. It holds Hamas responsible for the ordeal of Gaza’s 1.7 million people, saying Hamas fighters fire rockets toward Israel from residential areas, effectively using civilians as human shields. However, rights groups say simply sending warnings does not absolve Israel of responsibility and that those being urged to evacuate need somewhere to go. In Ghaffir’s case, there was no way he could move his mother, Fawziyeh, after receiving the army’s text message late Tuesday. The elderly woman, afflicted by diabetes, high blood pressure and incontinence, needs constant care, he said. Conditions were chaotic in the U.N. girls’ school in a safer area where his wife Mona and their 11 children immediately sought refuge. But it was no place for his mother. Instead, he moved her into the living room of the family’s home in the Shijaiyah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, one of three areas Israel said
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it would target. Mother and son kept low to the ground, away from the windows. “I didn’t sleep the entire night from the sound of the bombings,” said 48-year-old Ghaffir. “The walls were shaking and there was a crack in the wall.” He said the blasts shattered several windows in the house. On Wednesday morning, Ghaffir moved his mother to his sister Leila’s apartment in an area deemed somewhat safer. But Leila, 65, had no room for the rest of his family, he said, noting that she lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her husband and four other family members. After getting his mother out of Shijaiyah, where airstrikes continued Wednesday, Ghaffir joined his wife and children at the U.N. school. The classroom where his family slept the night before on a bare floor was filled with noisy children, but Ghaffir said he preferred the crowded conditions to being at home. “Here, we are surrounded by people,” he said. “We get the feeling we are all together.” Ghaffir’s story highlights the hard choices Gazans face in this war. The Israeli army did not say how many homes it sent the warnings to, but the three areas — the town of Beit Lahiya and the sprawling Gaza City neighborhoods of Zeitoun and Shijaiyah — have a combined population of well over 300,000 people. That’s far more than can be accommodated in U.N. schools, which cannot shelter more than 35,000. Currently, some 21,000 Gazans are
crammed into 24 U.N. schools, said Sami Mshasha, a spokesman for the U.N. aid agency. Moving in with relatives is not an option for most. While familial bonds tend to be strong in Gaza’s traditional society, families are large and — with a severe housing shortage — homes are crowded. Danger lurks not only in the areas the Israeli military says it will hit. Since the start of crossborder fighting on July 8, Israel has carried out close to 1,900 airstrikes across Gaza. Israel says it is targeting Hamas installations to try to halt Hamas rocket fire on Israel, but more than half of the over 200 Palestinians killed so far have been civilians, according to U.N. figures. “There is no safe place, whether in the homes or in the streets,” said Amjad Shawa, who heads a network of civic groups in Gaza. There were no reliable estimates of how many residents left after Tuesday’s warnings, but the exodus was not massive. Gaza’s Interior Ministry urged people to stay put, saying the Israeli warnings were part of “psychological warfare.” It later said most people had not heeded Israel’s call. Among those deciding against evacuation was the extended Hassanain family — brothers Jawad and Fathi, their wives, mother and 12 children. “When we hear the sound of explosions, we think we might be the next target,” Jawad said by telephone. “We know it’s not safe, but where to go? Can you tell me about a safe place?”