Letters to the Editors

God doesn't allow people to judge

The way people judge other people would almost be funny if not for the fact that God's Word forbids it.

Of course, if we are talking about sin it is clear that there is no leeway, and God's Word does the judging there.

Now, on to the non-sin issues: God in His wisdom saw these petty problems coming and did His best to direct us around them. I'll give you an example. In Colossians 2:16, He gave us this admonition, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days." Now, as clear as that is, combined with the fact that it is New Testament, some will still try to tell you what to eat-drink, what holy days to celebrate and when you should observe the Sabbath. He could not have made it clearer. It's just not allowed even though many try to make it their business. In many areas the Father gives us these freedoms.

CLARK D. CRAWFORD

Ooltewah

Don't forget load veterans carried

In his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower stood before the nation he was elected to lead in a growing Cold War and made the statement, "Americans, indeed, all free men, remember that in the final choice a soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as a prisoner's chains."

This week we honor the burden America's veterans have carried from the great conflicts of the 20th century through today's War on Terror. This year we paused to note their sacrifice in the shadow of the senseless killings at Fort Hood, Texas.

There should be no higher calling for us as a free people than to honor those who make that defense possible. Whether that is by ensuring our veterans have the best medical care, providing opportunities for them when their service has concluded or by just saying thank you. They made it their duty to defend us. We should make it our duty, every day -- not just each Nov. 11 -- to honor them.

So as we have celebrated another Veterans Day, let us never forget the burden they carried so we never live in a nation bound by prisoner's chains.

ROBIN SMITH

Candidate for Congress

Hixson

Schools reflect discrimination

Last week the Tennessee State Report Card was published. Rivermont Elementary got straight Fs. Normal Park Elementary got straight As. The schools are close to one another. So the student bodies should not be that different. But, obviously, something went wrong. The statistical reports released with the State Report Card helps explain.

First, let's look at Rivermont's statistics:

Percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged: 96.48 percent

Percentage of students who are African-American: 52.76 percent

Next, let's look at Normal Park's statistics:

Percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged: 35.37 percent

Percentage of students who are African-American: 21.79 percent

The African-American population in Chattanooga is around 36 percent. So the student population should reflect a similar percentage. If you combined Normal Park and Rivermont's student bodies, that would represent Chattanooga. But, at the individual school level, there is a dramatic disparity.

How Normal Park cherry-picks students is where things get interesting. Part of Normal Park's student body is supposed to be form the local neighborhood. The other part is supposed to be selected by a lottery system that corrects the discrimination. Obviously, that correction is not happening. Instead, we have economic and racial discrimination.

CHARLES BIKAS

Columns draw readers, money

This is an answer to the letter from a man asking why this paper prints Dick Morris' column. It's the same reason this paper prints the cartoons of Clay Bennett, columns by Maureen Dowd, Paul Krugman and other left-wing Dems. Money! If the public did not want to read the writings of these people, do you think they would be in this paper? It's because people like me who read Dick Morris whenever his columns are printed.

Frankly, I am delighted that he switched sides and is writing about the things we should be paying attention to now that Obama is in there!

JORDON REA

Gore's actions a threat to all

Myths exploited by Al Gore threaten existence of our way of life. What they don't tell us, but factual evidence produced by knowledgeable climate scientists proves "Cap and Trade" legislation passed by Congress will increase electricity prices 90 percent and gasoline 58 percent; cost $100 billion a year for the first 10 years and reduce GDP $9.4 trillion between 2012 and 2035; raise unemployment 2.5 million; raise federal debt $114,915 per family of four through 2035 and increase prices of goods and services that require energy.

It's noteworthy that Gore refused debate because of notoriously unreliable predictions from computers, whereas historical records prove Earth's changes which mankind has adopted and survived. A natural warming from 1350-1850 A.D. hasn't been catastrophic. Proposed "solutions" will change economy, diminish liberty, condemn a world struggling with poverty, hunger, disease to perpetual ruination and do nothing to reduce global warming or carbon dioxide.

It's increasingly obvious the global warming movement isn't about science but political power replacing free markets and freedom with socialization that has taken over automobiles, banking, health care, etc.

Remember Matthew 7:15-16, "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.

JOHN J. SPITTLER

Signal Mountain

God will deal with world's evil

"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handy work." In my lifetime, I have never seen a more glorious fall, which speaks to me of God's power and majesty. So how do we account for the terrible mayhem, disorder and rampant evil that exist in this world of ours?

The answer for those who desire to know is found in God's written Word, the Bible, and in the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. Only God can solve the world's predicament.

The Bible tells where evil comes from and how some day God will deal with evil and how man can be saved from the greatest evil, eternal death.

Reading and studying the Word of God brings great peace and assurance. John 3:16 is God's gracious and wonderful promise that will never be broken. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

RACHEL DECOSIMO

Signal Mountain

Keep Muslims out of sensitive jobs

Bottom Line: We are under attack by Islamic fascists no matter what our actions or our inactions, hence 9/11. The media won't call a snake a snake, and instead makes this terrorist out to be a victim of harassment. The correct course of action should be to relieve any Muslim of any military, security, or any sensitive job that gives them access to instill any Jihad against any American ... military or civilian.

ADAM BENSON