Common sense in short supply
To whomever replaced the U.S. flag with the Confederate battle flag, that was stupid. I’m sure you thought it was funny, or made a bold statement. Wrong. It was counter-productive if your intent was to solidify people behind that flag. To some, it stands for heritage, to others it stands for hatred/slavery and to some it means nothing more than an argument that needs to be put to rest. Give it a rest. It is part of history, and it’s time to move forward. The flag will be changed, like it or not. You give the rest of us rednecks a bad name.
To those who cry for more school funding, wake up! Education already gets the lion’s share of state money, about 45 percent. That leaves 55 percent to fund the rest of the state’s responsibilities. Don’t get greedy.
This is one of the poorest states in the USA. We only have just so much money. Learn to make do with what you get. It’s true that just “throwing more money at schools” will NOT improve our students’ education.
Teachers who are called to teach, and students who want to learn, are the answer. A good education means a better chance of a good job, but too many young people don’t care. They can always claim they’re mentally challenged and get “entitlements.” I’ve seen it.
Route more under-achieving students to trade schools, early, where they will get a better education.
Republicans don’t like tax hikes, but sometimes they are necessary. Tax those who are responsible, namely drivers in the case of crumbling infrastructure. Vehicles that get higher fuel mileage pay less fuel/road use tax, but use the roads just as much or more than older vehicles. It’s common sense. Why do our Legislators seem to be in such short supply of this asset?
Finally, to all you who “feel” safer when you “know” there are no legally (by current state law) armed people near you, your reality check bounced. Legally armed civilians are the least likely to commit crimes of any kind. These are people who respect and obey the laws.
Those who are illegally armed are looking to commit more crimes. No place in the world is safe from attack of any type. Not your house of worship, your place of work, your doctor’s office, your home, no place. Having someone “legally” but discretely armed just might save your life, or the life of a loved one.
If people choose to go around unarmed and unable to protect themselves from attack, that is their choice. If people wish to do something to keep themselves and others safe, that is their choice. There is no utopia anywhere, much as I would like to live there. Bad people are a part of life.
How long did it take Columbus to experience its first homicide of 2016?
Cameron Triplett
Brooksville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.