LETTER: Jim Crow, here we come

In response to Tom Calder’s letter about curing crime with bullets in “Thugs,” I ask do you want to go back to the days of cop-enforced Jim Crow laws in the South? Union vs. police wars in the 1920s? How about the N.Y. political machine of the late 1800s?

Now of course, there is still unfortunately police corruption and abuse these days, but I really do think it could be a lot worse, and as a free citizen who is most certainly not a thug I would hope that I can walk the streets in safety from police. Some areas I may not be able to do that. As one who has known several cops very well I recognize that most officers simply want to do their jobs and serve, not put bullets in “thugs,” no matter how violent people can be. Is there a need for gun use? Sure, when appropriate, but be careful what you wish for.

CHRISTIAN SCHWALBACH

Coeur d’Alene