Keep America's prayer custom
Prayer in public is part of the ancient American landmark that should never be dismantled because of a few disgruntled individuals.
America will be celebrating her 236th birthday today. Some may be disgruntled at the long-term success our country has provided through these many years along with her success and many trials and tribulations. America has accepted customs or traditions that should stand like she has through the test of time.
One such custom is prayer. Our forefathers may have read Scripture that they believed mandated such actions as prayer being acceptable in school or public places. One such reference is found in the Old Testament in the book of Proverbs 22:28: "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set" (KJV).
During America's traditional birthday celebration, let's keep all of her landmarks, customs and rituals.
REV. TERRY L. BUTLER, Cleveland, Tenn.
Career program neglects police
It is depressing that Richard Beeland is unaware that the city personnel department "developed" the Career Ladder Development Program; the personnel department "implemented" the program and continues to "manage" the programs for both the fire and police departments to this day.
There is no problem with the program. It is a proven success. It produces a better trained and a better qualified professional employee.
The only problem has been a lack of continued funding for police while the fire department has been fully funded for 14 continuous years.
Let me be clear.
I am not in a quarrel with the mayor or administration nor the City Council. I mean no disrespect to any of them.
But I am ashamed when our government and also our citizens want to hold sworn officers, both fire and police, at higher standards than they do regular citizens. However, when it comes to paying for this higher standard we fail terribly. You can never pay fire and police officers what they are worth, when it comes to them giving their life to keep you safe. But we can make every effort possible to make sure that we never fail to compensate these same sworn officers for the job that they do each day.
FREEMAN COOPER, Retired Chief of Police
Some things are sickening
I don't know what makes me more sick -- the "gay-bashing" (recalled by Matt Nevels, June 24 front-page article) or feeding a jaguar a rat encased in ice.
POLLY SISSON
Christ impulse continues to work
Your front- page article on June 24 about the Nevels' family odyssey was beautifully crafted and gives one hope for the future of humanity. Truly, the evolution of human consciousness is slow, but stories such as this are to me a clear demonstration that the Christ impulse continues to work powerfully in the world. I believe the article should be a strong contender for a Nobel Prize in journalism.
FRED H. COATS JR.
Prayer never has been the issue
The "issue" is not "prayer" and the "Ten Commandments" in our schools and courthouses ... it never has been. The "issue," as our Founding Fathers well understood, was to never let the church get the power to torture and execute our innocent, young girls and wise of women (witches) again; as they did in Europe.
Our history books only mention 44 witchcraft cases, six executions in America (Salem, Mass.). They failed to mention the "9 million" who went to the flames (see "The Crone" by Barbara Walker, page 142) which tells me surely our founders suffered kin-folks, ancestors to the cruelty of the church. Isn't that why they came here? Thus: "Separation of church and state"? (You better believe it).
If it is necessary to show others you believe in God, why not include our mother goddess (matriarchal) who we worshiped for 35,000 years? God has been a man for only 6,800 years.
I see, long after Easter, the Trinity Christian network is still running their favorite "snuff" movie ... keeping up their guilt-trip on the world. Seems like a severe case of masochism to me!
ROBERT LEE BROWN, Missionary Ridge
Many ignoring Fourth's meaning
I notice more with each passing year the Fourth of July is treated as just a day off work, an annual barbecue or a day shopping for sales.
It saddens me that not only do a majority of adults fail to honor those who sacrificed and died for America to become free, but they also fail to instill this history in their children. Nor do they learn this in school, sadly.
Since those first men in uniform fought so hard to win our freedom, millions more have followed suit in order for us to remain free.
We need to stop each and every day that involves remembrance of actions of our great men and women in uniform and be thankful to them and to honor their deeds. We need to realize fully that our freedom was not, is not, nor ever will be free. Only via our military will we be able to retain this precious right.
Vets, thank you for your service to and for our country.
MARILYN JOHNSON, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.
Little has legal skills to serve
My husband and I had the opportunity to talk to Mike Little after he knocked on our door asking for our vote. We had heard many good things about Mike from our son, who knows him personally.
Mike has been a resident of Soddy-Daisy for 12 years after moving here from Hixson with his wife and children. Mike served as president of the Soddy-Daisy Boys Basketball Booster Club. Mike and his wife are active members of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Soddy-Daisy.
Mike reminded us that a Soddy-Daisy resident has never been elected as the city judge. This fact is what got Mike interested in running for the position. It's obvious Mike wants to serve his community. He has the legal experience to serve as judge with 21 years of courtroom experience working for four criminal court judges, trying 60 jury trials, appearing in appellate courts and serving as a special judge in the city of Chattanooga, city of Red Bank and Hamilton County General Sessions Court. In addition, Mike is an adjunct professor at UTC.
We've decided to vote for Mike Little because he's a resident of Soddy-Daisy with the legal experience necessary to fill the position. Please join us in electing Mike Little.
HARVEY AND WANDA RICHIE
Parkinson's makes some people lucky
Michael J. Fox wrote a book called "Lucky Man." Me and MJF have one thing in common, Parkinson's. In short, Parkinson's is interference with the brain's command to the muscles to move. It grows progressively worse as time rolls on.
Thursday (June 28), I celebrated my 65th birthday. I got up, signed some online petitions, listened as the news said that the Supreme Court was going to uphold the idea that health care was a right in this country and not a privilege. I then enjoyed time with my woman and went to work.
Although Thursday was my chronological birthday, any and every day that I can wake up and arise will be my birthday. Thank you Lord, for, like Michael J. Fox, I too am a lucky man.
F. DOUG CRAIG
Lasley most qualified for job
As the owner of Cottage Closet in Soddy-Daisy, I am supporting Marty Lasley for Soddy-Daisy City Court judge.
I know Marty as a friend, customer, Sunday school teacher and attorney. His 25 years of experience in the courtroom, knowledge of the law, loyalty, gentleness and sense of humor will allow him to serve the people of Soddy-Daisy well.
As a Soddy-Daisy resident, and fellow taxpayer, Marty believes that the judge must prudently administer tax dollars and should always be looking for ways to implement policies and procedures to gain greater efficiency without sacrificing justice.
Marty is the most qualified candidate for the job, plus he is the only one who lives here, shops here and was raised here. Impact our community. Elect D. Marty Lasley, Soddy-Daisy City Court judge.
JAN WHEELER