To the Editor:

Former Gov. William Winter, chairman of a 17-person state commission which wants to propose a redesign of Mississippi's state flag, speaking for the commission says, "Our task is to sift through the rhetoric and work toward a common ground solution so that our flag and

coat-of-arms are truly representative of the heritage, history, diversity and beauty of our state."

He should have added, "as prescribed by the Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton."

I don't think that I have ever witnessed such prostrate, cowardly submissiveness.

I'm embarrassed for my forefathers.
Armond "Si" Simmons
Pell City, Ala.

Bank error

To the Editor:

Maybe you or a reader could help me out. I'm a middle to poor person with great credit. I'm a hard worker and pride myself to be true to my word.

Recently a local bank made an "encoding error" to the tune of $1,226.88. Their mistake made three checks bounce. I have not had this experience before. I panicked! I see arrests in the paper for bad checks. What was I to do?

All of this came to light Saturday afternoon after opening the mail. I cried and refigured for hours. The deposit receipt given to me on the day I made the deposit was correct but the typed statement I received in the mail showed $1,000 less.

Confronted, the bank's assistant vice president doubted the error was theirs. Then when my account was checked they discovered they were at fault.

I asked the bank to prepare letters explaining the situation to my creditors so that I would not experience future credit problems. When I returned to pick them up, I was made to wait 35 minutes. The letters had not been faxed as I had asked and only when I begged were they sent to the companies. I was told the bank could not give me proof that they were faxed. I must take their word.

I again said it wasn't too much to ask and still l needed the letter of explanation for me. She refused and asked me to leave. I have a copy of the three letters to the companies but no written apology to me nor written explanation.

Have I no rights? Had the error been mine, how long would I have to correct it? NSF fees... what do "Joe Blows" do when banks hurt and embarrass them?
Monika Smith
Meridian

The Boy Scout investigation: Who's next?

To the Editor:

The Department of Justice has launched an "investigation" of the Boy Scouts of America in order to determine the extent of the Boy Scouts' use of federal or public lands and facilities.

The stated reason for the investigation is that, in light of the recent Supreme Court decision reaffirming the Boy Scout's constitutional rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association, it may be necessary for the federal government to sever all ties to the organization because of an Executive Order signed by the Clinton-Gore Administration stating that the government will not allow any discrimination based upon sexual orientation.

The Boy Scouts have been under heavy assault by numerous businesses, corporations, city, state, and local governments, and of course, all of the homosexual-rights organizations, due to their policy of not allowing homosexuals to serve in leadership positions within the organization. Most of these attacks have involved the removal of funding for the Scouts, while some have also involved not allowing them to meet inside or use various facilities.

Personally, I am very shocked and saddened by all of this. However, I must admit that I am also more than just a little bit afraid. If I remember my American History correctly, were not these some of the very same reasons why our Founding Fathers decided to revolt and declare that the British Colonies were now the United States of America? When they wrote the Constitution, did they not state very clearly that American citizens were guaranteed the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of religious beliefs, and freedom of association?

I was relieved when I learned that the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the Boy Scouts on these points I was shocked to learn exactly how close the vote was (5-4 in favor), but I was still relieved. Now, however, it seems that, if the Clinton-Gore administration cannot win using the court system, then they will just go ahead and do whatever they want to anyway using government agencies and Executive Orders.

My question for you is: Who's next?
Thomas W. Gouchie
Toomsuba

The Meridian Star welcomes letters from its readers. Letters may be mailed or faxed (485-1275). Letters should be of general local interest and not exceed 300 words. They must bear the writer's name, address and signature, as well as a telephone number where the writer can be reached. All letters are subject to editing. Letters can be emailed to info@meridianstar.com or mail letters to:

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Meridian, MS 39302