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Here's a comment to Jen's piece that again is so well written and informative that it deserves to be posted here:

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Mark Mayfield was a close family friend. My family still lives in Jackson, where I grew up. When I've spoken to my parents recently they've said Jackson is a powder keg right now.

While they both voted for McDaniel, many of their upperclass Northeast Jackson & Madison friends did not. It's obvious why--their only syllogization for voting for Thad was his legacy; and by legacy, I mean years occupying a seat in the Senate; not actually accomplishing anything in the way of progress for our infamously superlative state. That and the #RebelsForThad hashtag trending on Twitter. Actually, no -- the hashtag was clearly the dominant persuading factor.

My dad shares Mr. Mayfield's deep commitment to the Tea Party ideology, particularly economic & immigration reform. He told me many times before Mr. Mayfield's death how much he respected the work he was doing. He noted how brave he was & how much conviction he must have to oppose an institution so deeply ingrained in Mississippi & Jackson society. My dad told me on many occasions there's nothing those corrupt, establishment good ole' boys wouldn't do to protect their money.

This incident reminded me of another from when I was younger. My parents were also acquaintances with Dickie Scruggs--one of the richest men in Mississippi who was just released from prison after being convicted of bribing a judge with $40K for a favorable ruling in a minor fee dispute.

Again, like my dad has always said--you never know someone until you come between them & their money.

The Tea Party in Mississippi (and nationally) is destabilizing the establishment's long-standing racquet. We are exposing the corruption that has gone on for years & in-so doing, disturbing their honey pot.

Mark Mayfield was so committed to the ideals for which the Tea Party stands because he SO sincerely believed they would improve the state of things for everyone in our state & in our country. He was the lease extreme, political man you could imagine. Instead, he was enormously kind, humble... he was, as Jen described, a true Southern Gentleman. In combination with being a truly good man, he also happened to be one with tremendous strength of conviction. His conviction compelled him to take action where many of us fall short, lacking strength to fight this evil system.

I cannot imagine how they must have tortured him to push him to this. He loved his family SO much, as much as any man I know. He was very close with his two sons & also very active in his church. They must have bullied him relentlessly; they must have been so cruel & deliberate, to push him to this.

Mr. Mayfield's death has shaken up so many of us. I've vacillated between a range of emotions from enormous grief, as the loss of a great man & friend; terror, at the prospect that this is what happens when the most courageous among us stand up to this system; anger, at the depraved men, including Brad Dayspring who have blood on their hands and are surely going to the hell they proclaim to fear so much for the sick pleasure they took in leading this witch hunt.

I'm trying to get beyond feeling vindictive: no other family should have to suffer like the Mayfields, as a results of the dangerous game of politics. However, this corrupt institution needs to be completely uprooted.

I can't imagine it getting any uglier than this; but I fear it will. We all need to band together & be strong. As Mr. Mayfield's sons posted following his death, "We will persevere and stay the course." In his honor, we will prevail.

Thank you Jen for this beautifully & poignantly written article exposing the deep-rooted evil & dangers inherent in politics today.