Guns - cause or cure
The U.S. House has passed a law to repeal the ban on personal guns in D.C. which has been in place since the mid-70’s. The Senate has to pass it too before it will take effect. If they will do it, then this will finally put an end to the debate on whether or not guns cause crime. The proponents of the ban (Hand Gun Control, Inc. and others) say that with the lifting of the ban crime will rise. Opponents of the ban say that once law abiding citizens can protect themselves crime will decrease. We cannot help but note that when the U.K. and Australia instituted their ban on all personal firearms (and used their “registration” lists to go door to door and “collect” them from their owners) that crime then skyrocketed in both countries. And when Miami passed its ordinance allowing city residents to carry a firearm, crime fell. If the Senate will pass the repeal of the ban in D.C. we believe crime will fall drastically and the debate will be over, at least for a little while. DBJ

Legislative matters
As we move into a new year, we at the DBJ wish our Governor and our Legislature the very best. Last year in the regular session and also again during the special session, Mississippi witnessed a legislature that played games with our Governor and the citizens of the state by presenting their egos first and the interest of the citizens of Mississippi, in second place or a distant third. One of Mississippi’s greatest obstacles is the vast number of unqualified elected officials that we have and again this was demonstrated during the recent special session. The citizens of Mississippi come first – not the political agendas of our elected officials. As voters, we should let our elected officials know this. DBJ

Cell air everywhere
The government is considering allowing cell phones on airlines. Lord, help us. The last thing we want is to be forced to sit next to Myra from Hoboken who’s telling her sister all about her flight and trip to “Flaaaaarida” for seven hours. That being said, the government should allow cell phones on flights and then the airlines should offer cell phone sections behind partitions for a higher fee (and put those screaming kids back there too while you’re at it). The consumer gets the choice and the airlines could get a little more desperately needed revenue.DBJ