Mass incarceration is due to mass lawbreaking
Many people concerned about mass incarceration attribute much of the problem to social and legal factors. However, it seems inescapable that you can’t have mass incarceration without mass crime.
There may be unwise laws and sentencing guidelines, aggressive prosecutors, inadequate defenses, and other matters that add to the problem. And these probably impact some groups more than others. But with rare exception, everyone in prison broke a law.
In addition to considering contributing factors and reforms, we must first face the brutal, underlying truth that mass incarceration is due to mass lawbreaking. If you do not break a law, the chances of you going to prison are about zero.
My father’s advice to me as a young lad impressed me with its veracity and simplicity: don’t get yourself in that situation to begin with.
Jim Peck
Jackson
Do we really need daylights saving time?
We have enough wrecks in daylight hours. It would be a bad idea to have school kids riding a school bus before daylight and after dark going to school or going home.
Since we are not in a world war and people work day or night, it seems feasible to have no daylight saving time. People that live and work on the farms that feed and clothe us work from daylight until dark and after dark any way.
I can’t remember who it was in the Legislature that introduced a bill to have daylight saving time year round. My thoughts are that he should withdraw this bill for the sake of schoolchildren and teachers.
I don’t know what kind of professional or sports-minded person asked that a bill like this be introduced anyway.
If anyone likes or dislikes this bill, let your representative or senator know how you feel.
Johnny Gorrell
Drew
Jackson mayor blew a wasted opportunity with Trump
Like most activists, the mayor of Jackson is making the same mistakes most activists and liberals make. They think that all people should follow their lead.
When President Trump came here for the opening of the two museums, it would have been a good chance to get funding set up for city needs. Instead, the mayor chose to follow U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson who only cares about what Bennie wants.
You don't bite the hand that feeds you. Actions speak louder than words.
Also, it was a bad idea to have two buildings instead of one, because of the cost to the state.
Money Powell Jr.
Utica
Gardner is as loose with the truth as Trump
I challenge your columnist Daniel Gardner to explain exactly how Neil Gorsuch “is already making an impact in restoring freedoms to Americans” (Dec. 26).
Surely Gardner is not suggesting that Justice Scalia, whose seat Gorsuch took on the Supreme Court, was complicit in depriving Americans of freedom.
Garner is as loose with the truth as the president he regularly praises.
Bill Reed
Jackson