Indefensible 'terrorism' rhetoric

It is natural that there are wide-ranging opinions on the legislative effort to eliminate collective bargaining for teachers in Tennessee.

For our part, we do not believe government employees should engage in collective bargaining because those employees serve the entire public. There should never be any concern that public workers will go on strike or slow down vital government services to gain higher pay or greater benefits.

Still, we respect the First Amendment right of everyone on all sides of the debate to speak up in defense of whatever position.

But it is appalling that the Tennessee House Democratic Caucus chairman, Rep. Mike Turner, likened those who seek to end collective bargaining by teachers to terrorists!

Speaking to demonstrators at the Legislative Plaza across from the Capitol in Nashville, Turner urged Gov. Bill Haslam to oppose the effort to end collective bargaining by teachers.

"He has the power to stop this madness now," Turner said. "Gov. Haslam, if you're listening, please stop this terrorism against our teachers."

That's an outrageous statement!

The American people have seen the real face of terrorism. We remember well the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 of our citizens.

But terrorism has nothing to do with peaceful action by duly elected lawmakers representing the will of the people.

What is even more alarming than Turner's remarks is that they were greeted by "loud shouts of approval at the teachers' rally," The Associated Press reported.

They should, rather, have been condemned by everyone on both sides of this contentious issue. Trying to scare elected officials away from supporting a necessary piece of legislation by suggesting its supporters are terrorists has no place in legitimate debate.

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