March 11, 2001

By Staff
Wildmon, Jackson have somethingin common
To the Editor:
Rev. Donald Wildmon has a lot in common with Rev. Jesse Jackson. They both believe that once they get money they can do what they want to do with it  hire family members without limit, take money given for one purpose and use for another.
For instance, money given to uphold Christianity can be used to destroy our beautiful state flag. They each believe themselves anointed and able to issue edicts on any subject.
Once they are proven wrong, they each run for cover. The IRS is checking on one of them … should they check on the other?
Dan Coit
Chunky
School violence:Students, teachers must be careful
To the Editor:
This is not the first letter I have submitted to the
editor about the actions of teenagers. We have all heard about the Pearl shooting and Columbine and all of the others. I could not believe it when I heard the news about the California shooting. And then another one in Pennsylvania.
I try to say to myself that I am safe … no one at my school would ever do that. I know everyone. But the victims at Columbine and in Pennsylvania and California knew the people, too. We can never be too careful.
School violence is a big issue, and it's getting bigger everyday. Some of this violence could be a sick joke or maybe some sort of cry for attention. But whatever the reason, it's not worth it.
Meridian is a decent town. The youth are mostly good natured, clean and clean cut. But we really need to take more precaution at the schools. I don't want to be afraid just to get an education. I think I deserve more than that. And so do my classmates.
I don't feel that the teachers and administrators should be afraid to go to work. Let's not wait until it's to late to do something to prevent this.
Kristi Hill
Age 15
Meridian
Take county patrol pay and build animal shelter
To the Editor:
My concern is for the taxpayers of Lauderdale County. I have no qualms with the holders of the county patrolmen jobs, but the jobs themselves are unnecessary.
In the next elections, we should vote for ladies or men who will get rid of these jobs, take the overall savings and build a county animal shelter that will put Holiday Inn to shame.
Bless you, Mrs. (Cheryl) Walton for your efforts. Maybe you should run for supervisor … you could be elected.
John A. Reed
Meridian
Reader says save the flag
To the Editor:
I live and work in Stuttgart, Germany but in my younger days lived in Jackson. I really hope and pray that the people of the great state of Mississippi will not cave in to economic pressure from outside the state and change your great flag.
First, all I read about is how the minority of people in Mississippi are offended by the current flag with its Confederate emblem. What about the rights of the majority of Mississippians who love the current flag?
This effort to change your flag is only the first step to removing all traces of your Confederate heritage. After you change your flag, then the next target will be schools and streets named for people associated with the late Southern Confederacy.
There is no shame in being proud of your Confederate heritage. Why should you have to change your value system just to appease a minority who will never be appeased anyway?
Stand up for your rights as the majority of Mississippi's population.
Keep your current flag and if outside interest groups want to take on the people of Mississippi over that, then so be it. It will not be the first time that Mississippi has stood up for what she believed correct.
I have never forgotten my Confederate heritage nor will I.
James Busbin
CMR 423, Box 254
APO, AE 09107