This nation was shaped by gunpowder. That daring American spirit that fostered this country’s independence is the same one that prompts most of us to own a firearm and shoot fireworks.
Shooting fireworks inside the city limits on July 4 is the only form of civil disobedience tolerated at the Ingram household and to a certain extent it is endorsed.
Where would we be if our forefathers had been unwilling to break a few rules 247 years ago in Philadelphia?
And in the newspaper business we have a character on our keyboard that we call a bullet.
It looks like this: •
It takes its name from the fact it looks like a bullet hole shot into a sheet of paper.
With Independence Day this weekend, pardon me if I exercise my Constitutional right and fire a few off!
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• I was taught in journalism classes at Moo U that Opinion Pages are to be black and white, factual and truthful, frank and courageous.
So how do you like the Editorial Cartoon at the top of the page? We thought it fit nicely this week.
I hope you enjoy your fireworks this July 4th. I don’t think you will enjoy the high price of gasoline or the steamy Southern sunshine.
• I hope they put up the Flags in downtown Clarksdale this week.
Those of you who have lived here a while may just consider it a regular feature that lost its newness many years ago. I think it says a lot about our town. I certainly feel it says a lot about our town and country to those who visit us from across the globe.
• I got a phone call Friday from someone ranting and raving about the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe Vs. Wade.
Now, as far as I can remember I have never typed one word about my views on abortion in your Clarksdale Press Register, but my number is in the newspaper. I get these calls more often than I like.
She never gave her name, but she ranted and raved about the liberal media, how we had warped this country and how I had the audacity as a man to oppose abortion.
I tried to explain to her that, as it stands today, it takes a man to create a baby, too. I added that a lot of things have changed since I took high school biology and could she tell me any different?
The phone got quiet.
“I also want you to know I am pro-choice and that choice will always be life.”
I then hung up. She hasn’t called back.
• With all the gun violence we have seen in Clarksdale this spring, I want to remind people not to shoot their weapons in the air this week.
With freedom comes responsibility.
Shooting a gun in the air doesn’t show how powerful you are, just how stupid.
• We get anonymous letters all the time. The political season usually has a few in our mailbox wanting us to “expose” this or that candidate. Let me explain something right now: My name goes on every article I write and I expect no less from some malcontent who wants me to do their dirty work.
• Please read the Editorial just to the left titled “Lines of Liberty. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
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I was raised in a military family. Patriotism and respect for our flag and country were not taught; it was modeled in front of me every day.
I hope when you take a bite of barbecued chicken this weekend, dig into that potato salad or enjoy a nice cool refreshment, you will pause for a moment and remember those serving our country.
Right now there is someone from our community maintaining an aircraft, sailing on a ship or standing guard duty far away from home.
I’ve always felt the military was one of the most equalizing institutions in our country. I’ve always also felt Americans truly want to share our wealth and security with the world and make it better.
And while all Americans may not agree on how to do that, I think we can still agree on one thing: After all this nation has been through over the past eight years, we are still the greatest country on Earth!
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Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register and will listen to your Constitutional concerns any day of the week, but especially on July 4. I can be reached 24/7 at 662-624-1012.
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