>> [Melton] seemed to have a lot of common sense views on issues. Power corrupts <<
I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree. I’ve never come across any knowledgeable Jackson people who say Melton is “corrupt” — at least not as that word is conventionally defined, i.e., using his office illegally to enrich himself or his family, giving or taking bribes, etc.
So what explains his behavior? It’s very simple:
Old Frank is just plain crazy.
The corruption of power is not limited to finances. Power can also corrupt the character of the individual. That appears to be what happened to Melton.
I’m here to tell you, when I heard him speak so many years ago he made perfect sense. He was addressing a group of ‘at risk’ teens. He laid it on the line, no whining about race, etc. I thought he was great.