Mississippian offers option
As a native Mississippian and a graduate of Ole Miss, I can testify firsthand to the divisive nature the Confederate battle emblem can have on a community. I can also assure you not all Mississippians are proud of our state flag. However, we are unfortunately stuck with it only because our political leadership here lacks the moral courage and foresight to do what is right. The simple fact that Mississippians are arguing over a flag is evidence it divides us and something more unifying needs to be found.
I fully support the people of Juneau in their desire to remove the Mississippi flag and create a more welcoming environment. May I suggest the city replace the current Mississippi flag with the original state banner commonly called the magnolia flag.
There is a growing community of Mississippians here calling for the magnolia flag to be reinstated as our official state banner.
-- Richard K. McNeer
Oxford, Mississippi
Removing all vestiges of Confederacy is intolerant
In regard to your article about some Juneau citizens' desire to strike the Mississippi state flag from a street display: What absurdity! If you strike one you must strike them all. And if done, what message are you sending to desired visitors? Basically, take your closely held sentiments and loyalties and go home! You are not welcome here if your worldview does not align with ours. What rot!
For all the talk of valuing diversity, basically these high-minded citizens don't. And as for the politicians jumping on the bandwagon, are they all wanting to become mini-Hitlers? Recall that Hitler eradicated all imagery and historical references that conflicted with his desired views, and people were punished if they tried to retain those historical monuments and references.
So let's rewrite history to suit us all. The problem is, there will never be a version of history to suit everyone. And if we are to strike one offensive (to some) flag, then let's not stop there. Let's strike all flags that are offensive to some citizens, e.g. the rainbow flag, the Christian flag, the Cross & Crescent, and on and on. Where does it end?
Or we can regain some sense, and continue to tolerate historical monuments that are painful to some, but dear to others, understanding they are part of our history and remind us to not repeat it.
As a person with homes in both the North and the South, I find the call for removal of all vestiges of the Confederacy deplorable, intolerant and offensive.
-- L.M.G. Moore
Anchorage and Roanoke, Va.
Bankruptcy scare coming from Republicans is rich
Regarding the Alaska Republican Party's comment that Gov. Walker's expansion of Medicaid "risks bankrupting Alaska" — I have a news flash for my party's spokesperson. It was and has been the Republicans in control of the Legislature, since forever, who managed to systematically built us the grossly unsustainable economy we now wear like an anchor chained around our neck. Thanks for that. My children will spend their lifetime paying the bills you ran up, the same bills you do not have the guts to ask the citizenry to begin paying for now, as they are incurred.
Tell me again, Mr. Republican Party Spokesperson, what "risks bankrupting Alaska?" The Republican-controlled Legislatures apparently thought, for all these years, that their job description was limited to doling out cash from the big bucket of nonrenewable resource cash. They must have mistaken their charge of building a dynamic and enduring economy in Alaska with building a better soup line and taking turns posturing for their individual turn at the ladle.
With just a little innovation, a lot more discipline and leadership, it could have been much, much different.
-- Bob Lacher
Wasilla
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