Do you remember?
Uncle Bob used to say that when he could not remember someone's name that Sport, his bird dog, drew a blank also. He did let Sport ride in the cab of his F-100, and often his faithful companion would sit behind the wheel. Eventually Sport learned to put his paws on the steering wheel, and from a distance it would appear that he was driving. Uncle Bob enjoyed the wide-eyed gazes from those passing by on the dusty gravel road in front of his house, which was several hundred feet away.
Getting back to memory, one cannot help but recognize the value of recall when doing life. A good memory is essential in making good grades in school that can translate into a higher paying job. Even after one retires, the usage of memorization may decrease the impact of age-related memory decline.
In God's great wisdom, He created humans with a powerful brain which when used properly can solve many problems in life. It is amazing to see a child learn their ABC's. I remember my grandmother, Johnnie, telling me to use my head for something besides a hat rack when she was teaching me numbers.
Earlier in life, I helped teach children in grades four through six in Bible Drill. They had to know all 66 books of the Bible, 25 verses, and key passages. This required a lot of effort on their part and repetition in class so that they could easily recall them in drills. I learned the material as well so that I could relate to their efforts. Soon I learned that this required time and concentration.
During the Covid shelter in place time, I ran out of things to do so I started memorizing verses from the Bible. Then this progressed into learning chapters such as Philippians 4, Ecclesiastes 12, and Psalms 91. I found that this too took time, but that it did provide tremendous pleasure in doing so. These verses became like old friends, and it created a warm feeling inside me when they were used in a sermon or small group study.
On Wednesday nights, Pastor Tillman sometimes solicits random scripture reading. Instead of reading, I usually quote one or two verses, which come to mind. A few people have asked for my secret to memorization, and I just tell them that it takes time and repetition. I have tried writing verses on 3x5 cards and covering up a word at a time until I could quote the entirety. I have read that background noises and smells help accentuate association and recall.
About three years ago, I decided to join a discipleship study group (d-group) just to see if I could do it. Like most things, it was not hard after I learned the process, but it did require time and accountability. It was refreshing to see that I could keep up with some who were younger than my children were. Before starting this year's d-groups, testimonials were given. One somewhat elderly woman said that memorizing the verses was somewhat laborious but that I had the memory of an old elephant. Another leader said that I challenged him in this area, and another said that I was unusual. I took this for encouragement.
Some truisms fall into place. Many people tell me that they struggle with memorization, but in reality, one does what he plans to do. Romans 10:17 tells us, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Increasing faith in God is a good thing. My youngest grandson, Conner, startled me one day by reciting the QBR ratings of all the quarterbacks in the NFL. He also memorizes Bible verses.
Jimmy Williamson
Discussing the First Amendment
Adding anything more to the eloquent and passionate editorial on the First Amendment by Joseph McCain, Editor of the Star Herald would be difficult. McCain’s focus is primarily on newspapers however. The reality today is that social media have rapidly installed themselves as a primary news and information source. In a local community such as Kosciusko, with only a weekly newspaper, the reliance on social media is almost a necessity. While traditionally applying to vehicles such as print media, First Amendment law and rights now apply to social media as well. Given the popularity of Facebook pages, for example, what access to local news and information do they provide in Kosciusko? Also, what First Amendment rights apply to these pages? Are these Facebook pages as respectful for the value of the First Amendment as the Star Herald? The First Amendment does not apply to those Facebook pages taking the form of “What’s Happening in Kosciusko,” “Kosy Untamed,” “Front Porch,” or “Kociusko 2.0.” Followers of these pages have no First Amendment rights there whatsoever. The First Amendment only applies to pages used by the government (the city in this case), or an actor for the government, to provide relevant city information. Using this criterion, three Facebook pages related to Kosciusko are of note: Mayor Tim Kyle’s page, the City of Kosciusko’s page, and KAP’s page (Kosicusko Attala County Partnership or Chamber of Commerce).
Mayor Kyle has two identifiable Facebook pages. One is his personal page, simply labeled “Tim Kyle.” A second one is labeled “Tim Kyle, Mayor of Kosciusko, Political Candidate.” In February 2026, however, having just been elected in 2025 for a four year term, is Kyle still a political candidate? Not exactly, unless he is already preparing for his possible defeat several years from now. When Kyle created this page in 2025, he was however. Presently though, by hook or by crook as the saying goes, he is now what Facebook would label a Government Official, or actually he is back to being one, as he was already mayor before his reelection was eventually upheld in court. Now, Facebook itself doesn’t care if Kyle keeps his Political Candidate page up forever or not, although political candidates who win typically transition into a Government Official page. First Amendment law does care though.
On a Political Candidate’s page, followers have no First Amendment rights. On a Government Official’s page they do. A political candidate can use blocking or banning to prevent anyone from even viewing the page. Some comments can be allowed to stand and others can be deleted at will. This can be done without any violation of anyone’s First Amendment rights. Such a page is similar to a personal page for which First Amendment rights don’t apply either. If Mayor Kyle doesn’t have a Government Official’s page though, and if Facebook doesn't care, why does it matter if he continues to post on his Political Candidate page, where First Amendment rights for followers don’t exist. The Supreme Court has held that it does matter.
If a government official uses either a personal Facebook page or a Political Candidate page to post on topics showing his active role in city business, followers do have First Amendment rights. Either page would no longer be exempt. Followers cannot be blocked from viewing the page. If comments are allowed, they cannot be selectively deleted, based on the viewpoint they express. This is assuming of course that profane language or threatening personal attacks are not being made. Is Mayor Kyle using either of his Facebook pages in this manner? At present, it appears “no” for his personal page. For his Political Candidate page, probably “yes.” This means that any followers blocked from this page, or having their comments deleted, while others are left standing, may be having their First Amendment rights violated. Such a circumstance arose just recently in a post the mayor made on his page, which was then shared to the City of Kosciusko’s page.
The City of Kosciusko has its own Facebook page, labeled Government Organization. In addition to rehoming shelter cats and dogs, it serves as a source of vital city news and information, for example postponement of garbage collection. As such, followers have definite First Amendment rights. The City is not allowed to block or ban followers from viewing its page or any posts. Any citizen blocked is having First Amendment rights violated. Furthermore, if posts allow comments, the City cannot select which it will allow to be displayed and which it will censor or delete. Any follower who has comments deleted after posting them, or is blocked from commenting while others are allowed to do so, is having rights violated. The assumption being of course that neither profane language nor threatening personal attacks are being made. Presently the City makes some posts which allow comments and makes others which carry the statement “City of Kosciusko limited who can comment on this post.” If this statement accompanies a post when it is made, and if it means that no one is allowed to comment, presumably this violates no one’s rights. If this statement is posted after a post is made and commented on, and existing comments are deleted when the statement is added, the City may have violated First Amendment rights. If a post remains open to comments, First Amendment rights apply and even critical comments cannot be deleted without violation.
At 7:17 a.m. on January 23, Kyle posted on his Political Candidate page about local officials meeting to view a National Weather Service announcement relating to the ice storm and City. In his post he conveyed the meeting’s content, added instructions to the community about how to prepare, along with indicating possible street closures, etc. Twelve comments were made and the post was widely shared. I cannot attest that any comments were deleted after being posted, although only eleven comments actually displayed. It appears though, that in using his Political Candidate page to make this post, the mayor was posting as a Government Official, speaking for the City, so First Amendment rights would then apply to this page. The post was shared at 8:58 a.m. to the City of Kosciusko’s page. When it first appeared, comments could also still be made, just as in the original Political Candidate post. I know this because I commented myself, playing off a comment which another poster had made before me. At some point soon after though, the City changed the post. It was changed to say “City of Kosciusko limited who can comment on this post.” At this time a number of comments already posted were also deleted, but my comment was left to remain. The comment or comments deleted happened to include those confronting the City and/or mayor over resistance towards helping to provide a warming shelter for those without home or heat during the ice storm. As I recall, the deleted comments were not off topic (the topic being the storm’s impact on the City) and while critical, were not even close to being grossly maligning. In fact, my comment left standing was probably more sardonic in tone than any deleted ones. Deleting comments in a post hoc fashion from the City’s page, however, while allowing mine to stand, violated the First Amendment rights of the deleted followers. When anyone’s First Amendment rights are violated though, the violation impacts on all followers. The City page shows that it has at least four managers who might have the ability to control the page’s content. One of them who had that ability, most likely a central city employee or official, trampled on the First Amendment rights of a few followers. Before and after screenshots document the deletions and content.
KAP also has its own Facebook page and avidly boosts its promotion. This week's paper carries two KAP ads, both saying “Like Us on Facebook.” Recently KAP used its page to tantalize followers by making a post along these lines, " Something Very Exciting is Coming to Kosciusko. You’ll find out soon! Post a comment with your guesses about what this might be.” KAP is involved in a variety of city events, such as the Natchez Trace Festival. It represents many businesses in town which pay dues as members. Just recently the City signed a contract with KAP giving it $35,000 a year of tax money, a contract continuing for seven or so years. The purpose was for KAP to officially assume the promoting of local tourism for the City. Recently KAP then met to formulate a five or seven year plan for city development, including tourism. Despite this entanglement with the City though, including being given city tax dollars and delegated to take on discrete functions for the City, KAP is not an official governmental entity. It is a private, non profit organizational entity. Given its identity, First Amendment rights do not apply to its Facebook page. KAP has the right, and exercises it, to block or ban anyone it chooses from even viewing its Facebook page. If KAP allows comments to its posts, it can choose to allow only those which praise Rosy Kosy and delete anything which hints otherwise. While the national U.S. Chamber of Commerce actively defends First Amendment business rights, local chambers of commerce like KAP, who may or may not be a national member, have no First Amendment civic or legal obligations whatsoever to individuals living in the very city they represent. As to its recent teasing Facebook post about what Great Thing was soon coming to Kosciusko, it quickly developed that KAP didn’t like many comments its followers posted, guessing what that thing might be, even when invited by KAP to do so. Someone commented wondering if it would be something to help the homeless in town, or possibly a warming center. Someone excitedly posted, “Wow, are we getting another Mexican restaurant?” “No, it's probably another Dollar General” commented another in reply. The comedy was quite entertaining, but former Mayor Cockroft didn’t find it so. He jumped in to post with perplexity as to why anyone would comment with criticism, even jocular, about his beloved home town. In reaction, not being capable of rising above or tolerating the jocularity, KAP yanked down the entire post and all scintillating comedic comments, as well as blocking or banning individuals from even viewing its page in the future.
Thus, if anyone wants to know how KAP is spending $35,000 a year of city tax money, or what the Great Thing is that KAP suggested was coming to town, no First Amendment right exists for finding that out on its Facebook page, its primary vehicle for community communication, apart perhaps from Star Herald reporting. A court could conceivably rule, or not, that KAP’s contractual entanglement with city functions eliminates First Amendment exemptions on social media and Facebook, thus allowing a freer communication. Most likely though, citizens will find out some other way what Great Thing KAP is bestowing on them and maybe that will be a more delectable enchilada. As to another Dollar General, it could be that its Star Herald weekly ad inserts help fund the newspaper, and if so, a good thing. Regarding the mayor’s Facebook page, it may not be prudent for any persons to trust their First Amendment rights on Facebook with a government official who thinks the law on rifling through ballot boxes is vague. As to the City page’s attitude towards possibly undesirable comments on its own page, let me roll my eyes and think about who might have been responsible.
Beverly E. Johnson.
