Jackson Free Press

I found Ali Gregg's column "Why Not Just Turn Gay?" (July 28-Aug. 3, 2005) somewhat humorous. She listed her 10 reasons why she wouldn't make a good lesbian. Most of the reasons centered on her desire to be unconventional, defiant or just going against the grain of society. That's her opinion, and she's welcome to it. However, I would think that the enjoying sleeping with someone of the opposite sex better than someone of the same sex should be somewhere in that top 10. That reason would certainly make my top 10 list.

- Paul Sandifer, Jackson

Someone's Missing
There is a Supreme Court seat open to be filled with a nominee with virtually no track record, a U.N. nomination to be sneaked in with someone who would like to take out 10 stories of its building, and a leak scandal with political smears and ramifications which could go to the top. There is government-sponsored rape and the killing off of all the people who are not on one side in Sudan. People are willing to strap explosives to themselves and detonate them on subways in London. There are also those small incidents over there in Afghanistan and Iraq, and what does the national and local news make sure they talk about in every broadcast?

The possible death of an 18-year-old who disappeared. A possible single crime perpetrated on a single person has become a national issue.

Since the 24/7 news shows have a lot of air time to fill, and they want to concentrate on the death of an 18-year-old, perhaps they should free up some reporters and camera crews and go to Iraq and interview their buddies who served with them. See how they are taking it. Interview the insurgents who may have committed the murders and their families. Show us live coverage of the search for the killers. On the home front, let's have in-depth stories about these dead soldiers and where they came from and how their families are handling the aftermath. Find out who they were before they enlisted.

Let us see the caskets being brought back in the daylight. Let the reporters attend the funerals and interview the grieving families. Let us hear how they really feel about all of this.

The Natalie Holloway story is a sad one, but there are 1,800 sad stories across the sea that barely get mentioned these days. Instead, the media gives just a quick statistical sound bite that mentions how many were blown up and in what part of a city (usually a place that most people would not even take the time out of their busy schedules to look up on a map).

Since her disappearance, there has been much talk of canceling all school outings to Aruba. It is unsafe to send our children there? Is it safer in Iraq and Afghanistan?

- Brian Essex, Jackson

Previous Comments

ID

70464

Comment

Not in a humor piece, Paul; lighten up, laughter is good for the soul.

Author

C.W.

Date

2005-08-03T20:01:22-06:00

ID

70465

Comment

Mr. Sandifer, i?ro?ny ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-n, r-) n. pl. i?ro?nies 1. The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. 2. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning. 3. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect. See Synonyms at wit1. Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs: ìHyde noted the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hatedî (Richard Kain). An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity. See Usage Note at ironic. _________________________________________________________ I DEFINITELY should have added the whole "having sex with a woman" thing to the Big Lesbian List....because, you know, being gay is ALL ABOUT SEX.

Author

Lori G

Date

2005-08-07T09:07:18-06:00

ID

70466

Comment

"Being gay", which doesn't exist, IS all about sex.

Author

Kevin J. Maguire

Date

2005-08-09T18:36:57-06:00

ID

70467

Comment

Ali, ask Korey Harrion where he went to school and when. His name sounds familiar, and I think he was in the same grade as my younger sister. Thanks!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-08-09T19:21:17-06:00

ID

70468

Comment

As I have now learned...Please, everyone understand that this entire post will be sarcastic. I'm sorry Kevin...I tried to question the gay people I know about the "all about sex" thing to see if it was true. But, well, they were too busy giving someone oral sex to answer. When they mumbled something unintelligable on the phone all I could think to add to the conversation was... HEY, YOU DO KNOW YOU DON'T EXIST, RIGHT?? And, they said, "What? Um, I'm having sex right now...so, I HAVE to exist, right?" And, after thinking about it carefully...I decided, "YES...YOU SCREW, THEREFORE YOU ARE" DO with that what you will.... There seem to be all these people hanging out having sex that don't exist. Crazy, its almost like the African Americans at the Republican National Convention. (I'm SURE that's coming down...but it was REALLY fun to say) ;)

Author

Lori G

Date

2005-08-09T20:20:22-06:00