Constitution protects rights
The U.S. Constitution does not grant us rights; it protects our rights and limits the power of government. If you read beyond the Second Amendment, you will find the Ninth, which states "The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Our rights are not limited and there is no right more fundamental than whether to reproduce. Keep the interference of government, business, religion and others out of my right to birth control. I certainly will not interfere in your reproductive rights.
GREGORY PLANTE
Georgetown, Tenn.
Lost IRS emails an 'egregious' scam
The IRS' audacious claims that potentially incriminating emails were irretrievably lost due to hard-drive crashes, followed by their being "recycled" (destroyed), exposes the arrogant level of utter contempt the Obama administration has for all of us -- Obama's "useful idiots." Anyone remotely familiar with computer technology knows that such permanent loss of highly critical data does not happen within a powerful governmental organization like the IRS, where data security and redundancy is maintained better than almost anywhere on the planet -- unless it was intentionally destroyed. This scam and cover-up, perhaps the most egregious of many involving this president, offers glaring evidence of Barack Obama's intent to take America down while taking away our individual liberties. If the IRS was complicit with the White House in destroying evidence that would expose their collaborative intimidating actions to defeat Obama's political opponents in the last presidential election, everyone (Democrats/Republicans/independents) should be frightened and outraged by their contempt for the rule of law. We the people should demand a special prosecutor be appointed and computer forensics experts brought in to investigate the perpetration of this vicious attack on our Constitution.
PAUL SHEARER
Council should halt Berky Jerky diet
There must be a new product on the market called Berky Turkey Jerky. It has the apparent effect of turning one into a mindless puppet. It seems that the majority of the City Council has been on a diet of Berky Turkey Jerky. The city's own auditor reported that Global Green Lighting had met every term of its contract. GGL's lights yielded a 68.8 percent reduction in energy usage. A 15-year bond to fund the remainder of the contract would be paid back in an estimated 13.2 years from the savings these lights provide. Approving the remainder of the contract would allow GGL to ramp up its employment to 60, with the potential to quickly exceed 250 employees. GGL's lights can be commanded to go into a flashing mode. If, for example, there was a tornado warning, all the GGL lights in the warning area can flash. Reduced energy costs, better lighting, more jobs, reduced crime and increased safety should be reason enough to stop the council's diet of Berky Turkey Jerky and do what is right.
DEAN YANKAUSKAS
Hixson
Lawyer urges judges' re-election
Retain the integrity of our Supreme Court with a vote for Judges Gary Wade, Connie Clark and Sharon Lee -- they deserve it. We are fortunate in our state to have remarkable men and women who have committed themselves to public service in our courts. Because of their qualifications, Judges Wade, Clark and Lee were selected, based on merit, to serve as justices on our Supreme Court. Justices Wade, Clark and Lee are shining examples of how a merit based system of justice works. They have carried out their responsibilities fairly and impartially. As someone who has spent more than two decades in the courts of Tennessee, I have seen the work of all three of these judges first hand. They represent the very best in what we hope for in our legal system: open access to the courts, an opportunity to be heard, and a decision free of political influence. Now outside political influences are gathering to defeat them. Don't let that happen to them, to us, to our courts. Please vote with me on Aug. 7 (early voting begins on July 18) to retain Judges Wade, Clark and Lee of our Tennessee Supreme Court.
LEE DAVIS
Don't confuse July 4, end of Civil War
I have been amazed at the number of people who are under the impression that July 4, or Independence Day, originated at the end of the Civil War! This memorial event has been around since the 18th century. July 4, 1776, was the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating the independence of the American colonies from British rule. Let us not forget the many battles fought to make this a United States of America and not a colony of Great Britain. Let us remember George Washington crossing the Delaware River or Paul Revere's midnight ride, the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and signed by brave men, including John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, etc. In no way is it my intent to make the Civil War less in our history, but all Americans should know the difference between the two wars, what each stood for and the significance of each in our history.
SANDRA PERRY