To the editor:

Jena. Why all the outrage? Is it misdirected? What should it be directed at — racism, stupidity? You pick it?

How about criminal behavior? Are we upset because there is criminal activity? We have Jena 6, and now the Ocean View 5. If there is criminal activity it should be prosecuted. Do the crime, do the time.

By now, the youths involved have been charged with a crime. Amen. Do we need guys like Sharpton and Jackson loading up buses, focusing on the wrong issue? Attention to what? A bunch of out of control thugs beating up on one person? We call that assault.

It’s a crime, it’s against the law. What troubles the understanding here? No one is being picked on; people are breaking the law, period. You may be prosecuted for breaking the law, stupid.

Hanging a rope in a tree. I agree, it’s insulting, provocative and in very bad taste. Yes to all of the above. However, it is not against the law, anywhere in the world, ergo, no crime.

It was just another stupid prank by stupid people. Now that everyone is all cranked up, where will they go with the rage? We have enough to contend with. We do not need frivolous issues. Get a grip, people. Stupidity is ongoing; there is no cure that I know of. It is destined to be with us for a long time.

However, we can and should punish criminal behavior.

John D. Murphy

Franklin