Thursday, May 22, 2014
I am writing to thank the voters of Hamilton County who supported me in my candidacy for chancellor. I appreciate your vote of confidence in my ability and my character. Without an opponent in the general election, I am both honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve Hamilton County. I promise I will work tirelessly for you as chancellor and will serve with humility and integrity. As a native of Chattanooga, it has been rewarding to reconnect with longtime friends while on the campaign trail, as well as meet new folks I now call friends. Hamilton County is a great place to live, and I am proud to be a part of this community. Many of you have kindly advised that you had prayed for me throughout the campaign, and I sincerely thank you for your prayerful support. I ask that you continue to pray for me as chancellor -- that I will render wise and just decisions that will edify this community and maintain the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy as Americans. Thank you once again.
PAM McNUTT FLEENOR
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2005 decided that FDA-approved drugs for erectile dysfunction would not be eligible for payment by any insurance carrier affiliated with Medicare Part D. That determination was made by arbitrarily classifying these drugs as "recreational." The definitive, potentially curative, surgery for those men with localized prostate cancer is a radical prostatectomy. A complication of such surgery even today, however, is trauma to the nearby sacral nerves, probably related to the intricate dissection involved in removing the cancerous gland. Impotence, therefore, is quite common post-operatively and even at two years and beyond. Drugs such as Viagra can dramatically improve the chance for such individuals to again resume sexual intimacy. However, with there being no generic substitution available, at $22-$32 per pill, the cost of this drug for many seniors is prohibitive. While an individual "appeal" can be filed, there can be no assurance an exception will be made. To be consistent, should not contraception, a mandate of Obamacare, be labeled "recreational" and, therefore, not be a covered service at taxpayer expense?
MICHAEL J. ZEMA
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom criticizes President Obama's foreign policy because it promotes the persecution of Christians by Mohammedans. Our president insists that Mohammedism is a religion of peace. Behavior that is violent by Hagarenes is explained as exceptional and not Islamic. Violent practitioners are called "radicals" and "terrorist." Recent reports concerning the abduction of girls by Boko Haram use these labels. Hagarenes all over the world read the Koran as authorizing violence against infidels, polytheists and blasphemers, including the abductions in Nigeria and the hitherto unmentioned murder of 50 Christian boys in Nigeria. Unfortunately, there were no hashtags posted for these boys. Our foreign policy including the promotion of Islamic theocracy, the religious practice of jihad and Sharia law encourage violence against non-Muslims. Evidence of our foreign policy is plain in Syria, Egypt, Libya and Serbia. This is at best appeasement or worse collaboration. Either way, it violates our Constitution and human rights.
CLAYTON WHITTAKER