They’re not ducking.&uot; With that concise sentence, a George Washington University law professor summed up her interpretations of the members of the U.S. Supreme Court.

After a session that yielded rulings on more than handful of controversial issues — from school prayer to gay rights to states rights and abortion — the justices have proven they are definitely not &uot;ducking&uot; the tough questions.

It’s an example that needs to trickle down — to other branches of the federal government, to state governments, even to the local level.

And, it’s an example that many leaders here in Mississippi should follow:

Former Gov. William Winter and his fellow appointees on a commission to study the fate of Mississippi’s state flag don’t need to &uot;duck&uot; the issue. Instead, they need to honestly and candidly debate the historical significance; the perceived significance; and the impact of Confederate battle banner in our state flag. It’s a sensitive issue, one complicated by the racial politics of Mississippi and the simmering debates of similar flags around the nation.

In Natchez, new Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith and the aldermen cannot afford to &uot;duck&uot; the difficult issues — from trying to find the ever elusive economic development to putting aside power plays and political battles in the interest in serving the citizens of Natchez. We’ve already seen the board divided over the appointment of a member to the Natchez-Adams School Board, and that’s a situation we cannot afford to repeat. For Smith and the aldermen, there’s no &uot;ducking&uot; the leadership issue. Someone must step forward as the leader and keep the city’s elected officials focused on the future, not the politics of the present.

In Adams County, supervisors, school leaders and officials with the AJFC Head Start program can no longer &uot;duck&uot; the leaky roof and ongoing building problems associated with Thompson School, which houses the Head Start program. Health Department intervention — in the form of probationary and restricted licenses — can only do so much. The Head Start needs a new home, and the officials can’t continue &uot;ducking&uot; this reality.

Our list could go on … and on.

The lesson is simple: The Supreme Court justices realized that &uot;ducking&uot; the tough issues won’t make them go away. Armed with that knowledge, the justices set about handling the issues — knowing in advance their decisions would neither satisfy nor appease everyone.

But the key is they provided answers — and leadership. Most important, they provided an example for others to follow.