Condoms for Mississippi

Here's looking at you, Mississippi

It's apparent that teenagers in my home state, Mississippi, need condoms as much as relevant texts, in light of teen pregnancy statistics released last week by the US Centers for Disease Control.

How else can one explain Mississippi's absurd rate, which is 60 percent higher than the national average?

Realizing that teen pregnancy is often the gateway to poverty is one thing, but taking substantive action is another.

But does Mississippi offer sex education? Nope.

Information on birth control targeted to teenagers? Of course not.

And actually having an intelligent conversation with kids about sex and its consequences? Absolutely out of the question.

After all, that's what boyfriends are for.

What Mississippi does offer is a lot of head scratching and buck passing, as year after year legislators ponder why health care costs are so high and test scores so low.

That's why, as a symbolic gesture, I'm launching "Condoms for Mississippi."

Let's send a message loud and clear to Mississippi's governor, Haley Barbour, that something in the state must change by mailing condoms that he can redistribute ASAP.

Let Gov. Barbour know that these kids need condoms. They need condoms in Greenville, and Kiln, and Laurel, and Jackson. They need condoms in Biloxi, and Natchez, and Durant, and Cleveland. They need condoms in Meridian, and Raymond, and Crystal Springs, and Canton.

They need condoms all over the state.

Condoms for Mississippi, or 'Doms for the 'Sip, for short. Any old latex will do. Just send 'em on.

Gov. Haley Barbour can be reached at P.O. Box 139, Jackson, MS 39205, or by phone at 601-359-3150.

Tell him Marshand Boone sent you.


Graphic: Thanks, Famdev77