I certainly understand her viewpoint expressed by Kenda McMillian in her letter printed Sept. 9, but please allow me to express mine as well.

Granted, the picture of the man with a gun printed Sept. 3 by The Vicksburg Post was a disturbing sight; however, I feel that young folks need to see things like this! In a world filled with violent video games, music (!) that espouses violence and death and news of everyday carnage in other lands, I think that young folks tend to lose sight that these kinds of things can, and do, happen in the real world, even in Vicksburg.

Maybe the sight of a real, live human being threatening other living human beings will give some kids pause. Guns and knives ain’t toys, to use a colloquialism!  No, I’m not saying that kids need to see blood and gore, but I do feel that kids need to be aware that some of the choices they make in life can result in terrible tragedy if they aren’t respectful of the world around them.  I guess my point is that newspapers, with coverage like Sept. 3, can indeed help educate our young folks. Kudos to the Post!

Jim Miller

Vicksburg

‘Tirade’ was truthful

I want to respond to the Sept. 9 letter, “Tirade Was Pointless,” by Richmond Sharbrough. He called Sept. 1 guest columnist Thelma Dukes a black angry racist female. I guess that makes 97.5 percent of black Americans racist, too, because black Americans agree with every word that was mentioned in her article and her article has merit.

Fact: The GOP is using fear and hate mongering, which is something they always use.

Fact: A high percentage of the people who go to these town hall meetings are on Medicare and if they don’t want government-run health care, then they should get off  Medicare because Medicare is government-run health care.

Fact: Racist codes and terms are being used. Who are the GOP, TEA Party, Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and Fox News referring to when they say they want “our” country back? I don’t see America being under siege by any other country!

I would not label Thelma Dukes a racist, but a well-educated woman who knows the truth and has the guts to speak the truth. We have too many racist idiots in America trying to wreak racial havoc while blacks, whites and other races are trying to live in peace. I think Mr. Sharbrough and the GOP and others are the angry racist white men!

Terence Judge

Vicksburg

Quick fix for shortfall

I read in the paper on Sept. 4 where Gov. Barbour was forced to reduce states spending by $171.9 million.

All that is needed is to pass a law requiring food stamp recipients to pay sales tax on groceries.

Problem solved.

John L. Barrentine

Vicksburg