Bill, just a quick Google shows that all around the country the gun debate is still rather hotly contested and a lot of people "have a problem with" open carry. As far as a I know, none of the 50 states has a huge UV-blocking dome over it, but that doesn't means people aren't worried about sunburn.

Whether or not open carry adds to gun violence is certainly an open question and it'd be nice if there was more unbiased research. There's certainly evidence that shows that states with more guns per capita, on balance, have more gun violence, which pretty much makes sense.

What is readily apparent with open carry is that the gun owner is willing and determined to substitute his own comfort for that of others around him who would prefer that handguns weren't introduced in their environment. And I'd guess that's why the debate exists in the first place.

While we're bringing up oldies but goodies, below is the link to my update of the notorious Emmerich chart to correct some of his mistakes in the original (at least at the time I wrote it).

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…

@cbozeman... I'm curious... what specific taxes are you referring to? Just trying to get a handle on why you think taxes are the issue causing businesses to move... property taxes? Licensing fees?

This may have been said elsewhere, but apparently Mrs. Bryant has been working at St. D's for over 37 years in a professional capacity. So I think he's talking about families other than his own in this case.

http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/s…

Donna, I was thinking about this over coffee this morning and wanted to suggest an edit -- I'm not sure "Snark King" is the correct moniker for young Master Eason.

While he's perhaps a rising star in the once great Gannett Empire, I'm not sure he's proven himself ready for the crown... yet. Small things suggest it -- weak ledes, the barnyard sounds he embeds, the simple matter of criticizing us without having the temerity to actually link to our work—is a sign that he's not yet grown strong enough for the throne.

The Gannett Corporation might one day promote the brash and irritable knight, if he works hard to please them and can avoid the dastardly layoffs and beheadings that are all too frequently ordered throughout their land.

But I think for now a title fitting his rank would be more appropriate.

My thought: "Count Snarkula." ;)

Here's my favorite part of Eason's blog entry... the explanation of why the C-L didn't report on the potential stealth write-in campaign of a Republican councilman in the Jackson mayor's race when it came to their attention?

They're "ignoring" it because they "don't care."

Wow. This from a guy who does find time to make fun of Margaret Barrett-Simon for being coy about her age... and "cares" enough about the city to put fingers to keys and write zingers like "Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. must really like speeches" because he opted to give one about the state of the city on his way out of office.

Thank the Maker he's got his "eye" on the government.

@Fishrhythms One uses "diction" when speaking, not grammar. But, please, carry on telling other people how to talk and write. :)

@ladycap68 We can certainly hope that's not actually Chokwe's plan; it's definitely not a healthy attitude. White folks in Jackson have just as much right to good governance, justice and opportunity as anyone of any other ethnicity in Jackson.

Folks, I understand it's an emotional night, but please avoid name calling. Disagree agreeably. Thanks!

Amen, Donna. Bonus Points: Mr. Irvin and Tom Head used their real names.