Show your support for police officers
I agree with the opinion stated in the article "Police officers and danger." I feel that we should improve the abilities of officers to protect themselves. There also should be a way to put more officers in the field, so that night shifts and other dangerous situations can be rotated, leaving time for them to spend with their families. People should respect what officers do for our communities rather than criticizing them. Communities should realize how much police officers do to contribute to our safety.
TAYLOR TIDWELL
Ringgold, Ga.
Haslam can't run his own business
If Mr. Bill Haslam wants to be governor of Tennessee, how can he do that when he cannot keep up his truck stops. I know he has many, but he cannot keep the parking lots fixed. There are lots of them with large holes and cracked pavement.
When you cannot get hot water for four days at the Rising Fawn, Ga., location, and other bad conditions are found at several more of his "family" owned locations, how would he run the business of Tennessee?
Many of the parking lots are very small and the message the truck drivers are receiving is "spend your money for fuel and get off my lot." As a truck driver, I try to avoid Pilot Truck Stops when and where I can, and I would not vote for him and I encourage others to think about this.
Everything you get -- food, clothes, drinks, furniture, etc. -- at some point it has to be delivered by a truck driver.
MELVIN J. CHASTAIN
Soddy-Daisy
Sue BP to forbid dividends, bonuses
It seems to me that the Gulf states getting the oil damage should band together and sue BP to prevent them from paying out any dividends or bonuses until all claims against them are settled.
ROGER THOMPSON
Coffee County
Nation's leaders rule by mandate
Successive federal administrations have made a deliberate decision not to enforce immigration law for politically motivated reasons, making a big mess.
Selective enforcement of law or compliance with the Constitution has become so common that it seldom is even noticed.
The executive branch enforces laws and writes regulations to suit their purposes, to heck with the Constitution or authorizing legislation.
The courts no longer interpret the law; they make law from the bench.
The legislative branch steals for their personal account, taxes states by way of mandates. They pass out special deals everywhere, giving no thought to uniformity.
The speaker and minority leader agree on only one thing, "two thirds of everything we do up here is not in the Constitution."
Anyone who objects or questions is subjected to an organized hate campaign from Washington.
Arizona is asking the feds to enforce the law; if they don't, Arizona will try.
R.L. FISHER
Tracy City, Tenn.
All households should have guns
Some months ago, I was reading the Newsmax magazine about "The 25 Cities and Towns That Best Express Our National Values" -- and it (Kennesaw, Ga.) is where every head of the household has been required to maintain a firearm and ammo.
This has been since a 1982 city ordinance. And since 2003 there have been only three fatal shootings. So I believe this is proof enough that we should have either a rifle or handgun in every household.
BARNEY SPEICHER
Hixson
Obama still adding to his enemies list
President Obama's "Enemies of the State" list continues to grow under his direction and that of his fellow conspirators. His enemies list is comprised of any group that opposes his leftist agenda or anyone or group that he can demonize, thus diverting attention from his own failed policies.
In the past few months, Obama and his comrades have repeatedly maligned and slandered those citizens of the United States who have stood against them and demanded that they honor the provisions of the United States Constitution and refrain from the wasteful spending that is bankrupting our nation.
His latest attack is directed against the United States citizens of Arizona for daring to demand that the United States government defend our borders as required by Article I section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. Even though no one in his regime has apparently read the Arizona law, they have dismissed it and the Arizona citizens, labeling them as "racists," a term that they regularly employ against anyone who gets in their way.
"Those who think themselves injured by their rulers are sometimes, by mild and prudent answer, convinced of their error. But where complaining is a crime, hope becomes despair." -- Benjamin Franklin
JERRY HENDERSON
Cleveland, Tenn.
Law will prevent worse outcomes
The people treating Arizona shabbily do not realize the mass of desperate people slipping across the border into the desert at night with only a jug of water are risking much worse situations than being stopped by officers. If they are unable to hook up with relatives, fellow countrymen or job providers, they will suffer hunger and exposure that likely will lead to stealing, robbing and assault, which may result in capital murder if anyone is killed. They are likely to become criminals by innocently trying to avoid hunger. Many of them have drowned trying to cross those dangerous irrigation canals that appear benign.
Where do those criticizing Arizona think those poor people will get money to buy cars in which to get stopped? They need to think about consequences to those sneaking across loose borders if not caught.
BILL LILLY
Haslam's skills make him choice
In this year's governor's race, it is imperative that we elect a governor with a financial background to govern the next four years.
Bill Haslam has been mayor of Knoxville for six years, and despite some of the most tumultous economic times since the Great Depression, Knoxville's bond rating was recently upgraded to AAA by two of the ratings agencies. Not only is this a recognition of superior financial management, but more importantly it enables Knoxville to borrow money at the lowest interest rates of any municipality.
The federal government's deficit is currently $14 trillion and the first baby boomer goes on Medicare exactly 214 days from June 1. The states with the best financial management could not only survive but prosper during this time. We need someone with financial management skills to govern our state.
Some will criticize Mayor Haslam because of his family connection to Pilot Oil. Pilot was started by his father, Jim, with one gas station and has grown into one of Tennessee's great success stories. In addition, the Haslams are the "Luptons" of Knoxville, contributing tens of millions to local charities, foundations and the University of Tennessee.
DOUGLAS JONES
North Chattanooga
Pay more to use less gas? Huh?
I read in the May 25 Times Free Press that the Tennessee Regulatory Authority has approved a rate plan that allows the Chattanooga Gas Co. to push gas conservation while maintaining CGC's revenues.
If I understand correctly, the plan says I will pay more for using less. (Where is my incentive to conserve?) Conversely, it stands to reason, if I use more I will pay less. Oh!
I see how the plan accomplishes gas conservation now: I switch from natural gas to all-electric. This is a brilliant plan to conserve gas, albeit not the real intent, which is to conserve AGL's profit.
ROBERT A. RENO
Ooltewah