Wednesday, March 5, 2003

By Staff
No surprise: IG's findings reflect on 186th
To the editor:
I am disappointed to say that I am not surprised at the recent findings of the U.S. Air Force Inspector General's office. Not because I have intimate knowledge of our military. But because I have intimate knowledge of human nature.
I left Mississippi when I was 17. I have lived in Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas and Georgia. I traveled
extensively visiting many northern and eastern states. I have found racism in all areas of this country that I have visited. Therefore, I was not surprised at the problems that a black pilot experienced. Nor am I surprised that it took a "federal investigation" for anyone to pay attention.
Moreover, I was not surprised to read that one of the U.S. senators who is supposed to represent all of the citizens of Mississippi, Sen. Trent Lott, said, "I regret that because it reflects on that unit." Note that he did not regret it because it was wrong.
Remember leadership and, therefore, direction comes from the top. To me, Lott was basically saying no individual is responsible.
Well, who is responsible?
Mack W. Jackson
Meridian
Bryant should lead 186th ARW
To the editor:
This is an open letter to Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and Lt. Gen. James H. Lipscomb III:
I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and a retired member of the 186th Air Refueling Wing. I was a member of the 186th for 23-plus years. I retired in March 2002.
My fellow Guardsmen and women deserve to be led by a man who has the knowledge and experience to accomplish the mission, as well as personal integrity, compassion, dedication to God and country and who believes in treating everyone  men and women  fairly and equitably. That man is Col. Joe H. "Jody" Bryant Jr.
I have known Col. Bryant for about 20 years. Over the years he has been the one person that everyone turned to when they were treated unfairly at Key Field. He always took the time to go to the leadership and plead that individual's case. That is one of the reasons he lost favor with the leadership, because he made them do the right thing.
I know this for a fact because he went to bat for me about 4-5 years ago. I was doing the job of supervisor of the command post, but not actually in the position. A "favorite son" who was not actually in the command post was holding the position. When the position became available they announced the job and tried to give it to one of my controllers, but they wanted me to continue doing the work. They said it was so he could get promoted.
My job was very important to me. Anyone would tell you I did an outstanding job. I did not deserve to be treated that way and felt I had earned the promotion. Col. Bryant went to Gen. Feinstein, who was the Air Commander at the time, and he overruled them and made them give me the position. Because they did not get their way (Col. Weaver, Lt. Col. Temple, Lt. Col. Norm Miller) I believe I became a target of their revenge, as others have through the years.
Col. Bryant has the experience and knowledge to lead the 186th Air Refueling Wing in a positive direction and bring it back the respect and admiration of other Air National Guard units, as it once had. I ask you to please look at his records again, especially his tour in Bosnia during Operation Allied Force/Kosovo war. His records speak for themselves. He was the Commander of the 16th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group and served as the NATO Air Operations Co-Ordination Center Director, both challenging jobs yet he received praise and recognition for his job performance and the treatment of the personnel under his command in both jobs. He worked closely with the Air Staff in Vincenza, Italy, which included Lt. Gen. Michael Short and Brig. Gen. Randall Gelwix, who commanded the Operation Allied Force Air War. His fellow officers and enlisted personnel still hold him in the highest esteem.
Although he was working under extremely stressful and primitive conditions, he still took the time to look after the welfare and morale of both his units, one American the other foreign NATO personnel. I ask, is that not what we need now?
In my opinion, Col. Bryant deserves the chance to practice what he has been preaching. I believe if you appoint Col. Bryant as the 186th ARW Wing Commander, you will be sending a positive message to all members of the military that you stand for honor and commitment to excellence. It would also show that a person, who has the courage and conviction to speak out against corruption and injustices, would not be punished, but rewarded. I don't know how much of a reward it would be to be named Wing Commander of the 186th at this time, but I believe Col. Bryant would be honored to accept the challenge.
Thank you for your consideration.
Nancy Myers
SMSgt., Retired, MS ANG
Lauderdale
How to make everyone mad
To the editor:
After reading recent press reports about Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and his interest in being president of Delta State University, the obvious question that comes to mind is this: Why would Mississippians want a governor who didn't want to be governor?
When Gov. Musgrove called a special session on tort reform and then promptly went into hiding during the entire 83 days it took the Legislature to come up with a bill, it became clear he was never really for lawsuit reform in the first place. Instead, he went along with the bill because of the overwhelming political pressure that was mounting in support of tort reform.
His half-hearted support for lawsuit reform has put him in the political peril he faces today. Trial lawyers are furious and feel betrayed. Business people and the medical community knew all along Musgrove wasn't for tort reform and so they aren't giving him credit either.
This same, ineffective policy-making process seems to be the trademark of Musgrove's term as governor. Remember his efforts to change the state
flag? In the end, Musgrove angered opponents and supporters of the current state flag.
There's a lesson in all of this for those in public office. When you don't stick to your convictions, you end up making your friends and your enemies mad. If someone doesn't have any convictions, it's easy to fall into that dilemma.
Maybe that explains why Ronnie Musgrove is the way he is.
Winston Stamps
Meridian