NASHVILLE -- In his first public remarks about the controversies surrounding him, state Sen. John Ford lashed out at "white media" in a speech Tuesday to Tennessee NAACP leaders, whom he asked to issue a statement in his defense. Ford said he is the target of press attacks because he's successful and doesn't "kowtow" to the media, which he said never reports on his record of helping others. Instead of criticism, he said he should receive "kudos" for supporting his children and the children of others. The Memphis Democrat was one of several state officials who addressed about 150 NAACP...