We live in a world full of love and hate. More and more these days, it seems people are on one side or the other. There’s very little middle ground.
One of those hate groups made their appearance last weekend in the Smith County community of Raleigh. Like most news outlets in the area, the Laurel Leader-Call was not aware of the Ku Klux Klan’s appearance on the county courthouse steps in Raleigh Saturday, Oct. 17. The one exception was the local weekly newspaper in Raleigh, the Smith County Reformer, who covered the event.
From all accounts, it was a full-blown “klan rally” with men in their hoods and robes, waving various flags — state, U.S. and the Confederate. The Reformer covered the event and shared photos with the Leader-Call. We made the decision in Saturday’s follow-up story to run two of the images.
Some people will accuse the LL-C of promoting the hatred agenda of the KKK by running the pictures, while others will say the Leader-Call is just dredging up a terrible by-gone era that no longer exists and find the photos offensive. To most of us, they are offensive and it was not an easy call. But we hope most of you will applaud the Leader-Call for running the photos and follow-up story. If this event had happened in Ellisville, Laurel, Soso or Sandersville, we certainly would have covered it and taken photos. This newspaper does not condone the actions of any hate groups, but we live in a society where there is freedom of all to speak — including the KKK. And if hate groups make a public appearance in our community, it is our responsibility to let you know.
It is our intent to inform the public every day of the week of events — good and bad — that are going on in our community. And to let you know there are still hate groups, such as this one, out there trying to divide communities rather than unite.
— The Laurel Leader-Call
Editorials
Light must be shone on hate groups
- Editorials
-
-
Dems’ turnout slips since ‘07 primary
More people voted Democratic than Republican in Mississippi’s primaries last week, but that doesn’t mean the Dems should break out the bubbly. In fact, the numbers might give them reason for heartburn.
-
Risk-rewards of beachfront homeownership
People who build beachfront homes in Biloxi know they are taking a risk. Maybe not this year or the next or even the next, but sooner or later Mother Nature will deliver her fury, usually in the form of a hurricane, against the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
-
OUR VIEW: Awesome job in landing major company locally
Christmas came six months early for Jones County when it was announced this week a major manufacturer would set up shop in the Howard Technology Park, something the facility has been attempting to acquire for years. And from all accounts, it was a team effort to have this gift end up in our lap.
- OUR VIEW: Teen ‘prank’ could be deadly
-
Hurdles to taxing online sales
The next time you’re talking with candidates for the Legislature, ask if they think everyone should pay their fair share of sales taxes.
-
New Choctaw chief seeks tribal unity
For 28 years, Phillip Martin was the very public face of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, as comfortable in the halls of Congress as he was at the Mississippi Capitol.
-
OUR VIEW: Tough Decisions Ahead
Jones County Tax Assessor Ramona Q. Blackledge recently released preliminary revenue numbers for the coming year compared to this year and it looks like we will be facing a loss of about $700,000 in our annual revenues.
-
OUR VIEW: Why the obsession?
The earth finally began to rotate once again Tuesday afternoon after being suspended while the world watched the Casey Anthony murder trial play out the past month in a Florida courtroom.
- OUR VIEW: Thank our military this July Fourth
-
ATV drivers need safe place to ride
The recent front-page article regarding problems caused by riding ATV’s (All-Terrain Vehicles) in improper places and manner motivated me to pass along some thoughts I have on the issue.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Dems’ turnout slips since ‘07 primary
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
