"Gays' struggle not based in civil rights" and more Letters to the Editors

Gays' struggle not based in civil rights

Homosexual advocates claim their struggle is to guarantee civil rights, but it is not. Civil rights are defined by civil law, and African-Americans' struggle in the '60s was only a civil rights campaign because the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution granted them the full rights of citizens and the 15th Amendment forbade discrimination based on race. Jim Crowe laws, lynchings and blatantly racist judges and juries denied them those rights, so they had to protest to end the violations.

Without a similar amendment forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation, same-sex marriage is only a civil right in states that allow it. In other states, no right exists to be violated.

To create the illusion they had such rights, homosexuals, by redefining the word "marriage," co-opted marriage laws never written to refer to them. But this idea that individuals can each reinterpret the law according to her or her own convenience has as much legal legitimacy as calling "taxes" theft to avoid paying them, and those who promote such misconceptions evidence a similar ignorance and a questionable (or demagogic) mentality.

DR. BRIAN HALE

Red Bank


Just where do coupon funds go?

Re: The Aug. 29 Life section E article, "Kids First Coupon Books Program kicks off its 25th anniversary": Since then, the coupon book has raised nearly $14 million for area elementary schools, said Kris Humber, executive director for Hamilton County school funds. Wow! If so, then can somebody please let us and our schools know where all this money is going to because it sure isn't going toward any supplies.

According to a news release, the schools use the funds to pay for technological upgrades, curriculum materials, classroom supplies, field trips and other needs. But it sure is funny and a shame that parents still have to buy supplies for the whole classroom anyway. This just doesn't make any sense to me at all! Something is really wrong and not right with this program, and it needs to be checked out.

Does anyone else wonder, besides me, whose pockets this $14 million is going into?

JOANNA MILES

East Ridge


Story selections show partiality

In the Sept. 4 issue, page A5, the Times Free Press published three articles from outside sources in the politics section. I was disappointed to see that all three had to do with President Obama and the Democratic National Convention. I understand that this was and still is an extremely newsworthy topic, but in order to remain impartial, shouldn't one article be about Gov. Mitt Romney? Even if it were only a brief to say what his response was to the DNC?

Please keep in mind Chattanooga's population and the diversity found there.

AVERY McKINNEY

Collegedale


Job applicants need experience

Re: "Help wanted; skills lacking" (Sept. 6): In the article about those lacking the skills because they did not have a degree, I beg to differ. Although education is the key to better jobs, what about experience? I graduated from college in 2011 and have a certification and have yet to find the job that I was in college for, due to the lack of experience.

The jobs that I have applied for will not even look at me or even give me a call back to set up interviews, because I have no experience, although I have a working knowledge in my career field. How can I get the experience if no one will hire me? We all have had that lack of experience at one point in time.

Employers, please keep in mind that although we lack experience at least give us a chance to show what we can do. Who knows, we may be the best employee you have.

So to say a college degree is the best way to get a good job (which doesn't hurt to have), I still beg to differ. It's the lack of experience.

VICKI CLINE

LaFayette, Ga.


Clinton talk made sense

President Clinton's speech was right on Wednesday night (Sept. 5). He spoke the truth about President Obama getting a mess when he was elected.

Mrs. Obama is a well-spoken speaker who, in her own right, could be a president one day. Both she and Mr. Obama know what it's like to be poor like most of us.

I admire them for trying to do what they can for everyone. They weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths like the Romneys, who can't seem to understand how the poor have to live to make ends meet. After hearing Clinton, now I understand things better.

SHIRLEY NEWHARD

Harrison


Prayer rhetoric distorting law

Incredible! A judge and a lawyer do not understand the meaning of "constitutional."

Judge Sandy Mattice, in discussing the County Commission opening meetings with a prayer, said: "At this stage of litigation, at least, the court is not ready to accept that ... a legislation body may uniformly open meeting after meeting with explicit Christian prayers without facing some constitutional scrutiny."

What is the basis for constitutional scrutiny? The First Amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Congress has made no law, the state has made no law, why invoke the Constitution?

Andrew Seidel of the Freedom From Religion Foundation said "it has proof that pastors are preaching to the (Ridgeland High School football) team before games ... a clear violation of the First Amendment."

How can such assertions be made in a court of law and not be challenged? Where are the journalists? Has the anti-religion rhetoric become so accepted that the law has become distorted?

DAN SCANNELL

Soddy-Daisy


King memorial isn't fitting

Concerning the editorial "It's time to get it right," (Sept. 5) I totally agree. MLK Jr. did not want a memorial built to him, but wished instead if a memorial was to be built that it be built to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which is exactly what the drum major sermon was all about. He recognized the value of being recognized and being in the limelight in order to further one's cause. He also recognized the danger of going too far with it, thereby setting one's cause back.

Not only is the inscription reflective of the black community's falling away from King's leadership, it makes his message and ultimate sacrifice on behalf of people of all colors very close to being null and void. The flowering idol of him adds insult to injury as it casts him as a god and not to be messed with, looking down on the people he loved and died for.

The memorial should be remodeled or torn down in accordance with the wishes of my beloved MLK Jr.

BILL S. BALILES

Copperhill, Tenn.


Parking numbers aren't legible

I would like the city to address a concern about parking at Coolidge Park. As most are aware, you have to pay for parking, and to do so you have to enter the number of the parking slot you are parked in. The slot numbers are so faded they are almost non-readable.

I suggest that the city or whoever is responsible to repaint the parking slot numbers. I could hardly discern the number of the slot I parked in weekend before last.

MARY COLEMAN

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