Recognize, reject NRA's paranoia
Too many Tennessee state legislators believe the NRA's delusion that arming everyone all the time will make us safe.
The NRA's tactic seems to be: make everyone paranoid -- and then make sure they have a gun to blast away at anything that might seem scary. Eventually, most citizens will recognize and reject the insanity driving that approach.
Meanwhile, the NRA's paranoia endangers us all, but it doesn't care, and neither do the legislators who have been bought by the gun lobby.
JESSICA K. FRAZIER, Sewanee, Tenn.
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Consider ways to aid post office
The U.S. Senate is asking members to give further consideration to the proposed post office closings.
More than 80,000 motorists in Hamilton County depend on our mail and Internet options to renew their vehicle registrations. I admit that we are just a speck in the discussion when compared to the vital postal needs of national commerce.
I'm told that private delivery businesses can't handle the problem that will result from drastic reductions. First, they don't cover each small community in our nation. Next, it is my understanding that some packages that are accepted by commercial vendors are subbed to the Post Office for delivery.
As hearings proceed in the Senate, could postage be adjusted in an amount that will permit the Post Office to operate in the black? I ask Sen. Bob Corker to please consider this as opposed to the elimination of distribution centers that will slow vital services needed by our citizens.
BILL KNOWLES, Hamilton County Clerk
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Ranger's actions are above the call
My two dogs recently escaped from my yard. I received a phone call from Park Ranger Kevin Amos, badge No. 6133, saying he had found my dogs in Coolidge Park. He agreed to watch them until I could get there to pick them up.
Ranger Amos had gone to the trouble to read the tags on my dogs' collars and call me, when all he really had to do was call animal control and have them picked up. A small thing, to be sure, but it is just such small acts of kindness and concern that make the Chattanooga area such a great place to live. The city of Chattanooga is to be congratulated on having such kind and considerate employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to help make this such a wonderful community.
Thank you, Ranger Amos.
JAMES T. LANCASTER
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Governor has great timing
The paper reported that Gov. Haslam at the prayer breakfast made reference to the captivity of God's people in Babylon, alluding to the prophet Jeremiah. The governor is very accurate with his timing and application.
However, I would remind the governor and the readers that there is a 50th chapter of Jeremiah that calls for a vengeance and an end to the multicultural entity of Babylon. What a payday is in the wings!
JUNE GRIFFIN, Dayton, Tenn.
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Barys provided link to the world
When the electricity went off at 9:15 a.m. the day of the 2011 tornadoes, I could only find an old transistor radio -- luckily I had batteries for it. The only station with any weather information I could get was US-101, which was simulcasting Paul Barys on WRCB throughout the day. It was our link to the world.
Many other TV stations may have done an excellent job, but without electricity we were cut off from weather coverage. It took friends calling from all over the U.S. to tell us how bad our own area was. By the time our electricity was restored, most of the TV storm coverage was over.
That's why everyone talks about Paul Barys. And yes, he is my hero.
TEENA A. RAY
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Be responsible with Hixson growth
The Friends of Hixson focus is to help make the Hixson area a great place to live, work and play. Part of making Hixson a better community is planned growth. Hixson residents want the community to grow and thrive; we just want it to be done in a way that protects our community, our environment and our quality of life.
We are concerned with the proposed 190-acre Chattanooga Village development. Hixson has an excessive amount of unoccupied commercial property that should be responsibly developed before entire hilltops are leveled. The infrastructure of the highway does not have the capacity to handle a significant increase in traffic. There also is concern with the value of the residential property surrounding the development dropping dramatically.
We ask the Chattanooga City Council to take into account the concerns of the residents of Hixson on Tuesday. We also ask them to take into account that the Regional Planning Agency recommends denial of the request as proposed.
DAVID QUEEN, Friends of Hixson
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It's a bit early for annual parade
Why in the world would the city of Chattanooga schedule its Armed Forces Day parade two weeks before Armed Forces Day (May 19)? I've never heard of anything like this. Maybe we should go ahead and celebrate Independence Day next week before it gets so hot, or maybe have the Thanksgiving Day parade next before it gets cold? My flag will not be out May 4, but it will be May 19.
WAYNE W. WALLACE, USN Retired, Hixson
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'No kill' model is one that works
In recent years, shelters in numerous communities have implemented a bold series of services to reduce birth rates, increase adoptions and keep animals with their responsible caretakers. As a result, they are achieving unprecedented results, saving upward of 95 percent of all impounded animals in their animal- control facilities. What these communities share is leadership at their shelters with a passion for lifesaving and who have collectively adopted what is referred to as the "No kill equation."
At one time, those communities also offered little more than killing and excuses: pet overpopulation, blaming the public, a lack of resources. When they stopped blaming and changed their own behavior, the killing stopped.
There are no valid excuses why our community cannot do the same if it chooses to.
Today, "No kill" is a humane, sustainable, cost-effective model that works hand-in-hand with public health and safety, while fulfilling a fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. The success of this approach proves the viability of the "No kill" model.
It's past time for change. It's time to reject the failed philosophies and poor performance of the past and end the killing. We deserve an animal shelter that reflects, rather than undermines, our best values.
HELEN LEE-HESSE, Hixson
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Harleys' 'power' show is just racket
Years ago, Harley Davidson had a slogan that said, "Harley Davidson, if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand." Well, somebody needs to "splain" it to me, 'cause I don't get it.
Daily I hear the roar of those big Harleys and run to my window hoping to see a "power" show for all that racket. You know, "boiling" the back tire and such? Instead, I'm treated to some dude with the throttle wide open in first gear doing nothing but making a lot of noise.
Then the bike pulls out onto the highway and the rider cracks the throttle. More loud noise and the bike is going slower than I can walk, which tells me one of two things. Either you got that bad boy geared way too low, or you're riding the biggest piece of junk in Dalton. Which is it?
MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER, Dalton, Ga.