Bennett needs to get the facts straight
I understand that a part of Mr. Bennett's job description must be to take an editorial cartoon position as far to the left as possible. This is an editorial page, so I understand that each side has opposing views.
However, would it be too much to ask that Mr. Bennett base his position somewhat on facts? Like most radicals, he seems to disregard facts in the quest to sell his own opinion.
To propose that the United States is under a constant threat from Muslim extremists who hate us because of drones is absurd. They hated us long before we had any type of drone.
The first known Arab attack on the U.S. was on Sept. 8, 1974, when a suicide bomber boarded TWA Flight 841, exploded a bomb and killed 88 passengers. This was followed by the Hanafi Siege in Washington, D.C., in 1977. Then in 1979, Iranians attacked the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans, holding them for over a year. Eight American servicemen died in a failed rescue attempt.
In 1986, Libyan terrorists exploded a bomb in a Berlin disco frequented by U.S. servicemen, killing three and injuring 230. In 1993 a group led by radical Ramzi Yousef planted bombs in the World Trade Center, killing six and injuring over 1,000 people. On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda attacked the World Trade Center, killing over 3,000 innocent Americans. There also were several attempts that were thwarted, including the Millennium Bombings.
No, Mr. Bennett, I think they hated us long before drones, so please try and stick to the facts.
ROGER BOWMAN, Ringgold, Ga.
Seemingly safe castor bean produces ricin
While watching CNN, they were talking about the ricin in letters to the White House. What a surprise when I saw the plant it came from is the castor bean.
We planted them up North to hide our pools and give shade. It's a pretty leafy plant that grows fast and gets a thick stalk like the sunflower.
We bought seeds at our garden centers. Also, it could be bought in seed catalogs. The only thing it said was to keep pets away from them. The Christmas poinsettia is the same thing -- keep pets away. How safe are the flowers we plant, anyway?
I don't think any of us knew the plant was poison to us. I guess we have to just keep reading labels.
SHIRLEY NEWHARD, Harrison
Background checks needed to keep us safe
A recent letter to the editor said you can go to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle.
I do feel that guns should be kept out of the hands of mentally ill people and background checks are necessary.
JIM SISK, Red Bank
Dine Out for Life was a missed opportunity
Thursday was the national Dine Out for Life fundraiser for AIDS organizations.
Many local restaurants always donate a percentage of their sales for this night to Chattanooga CARES. It has always been a fun night and impossible to get into the better restaurants around town.
Something happened this year, and Chattanooga did not participate. It looks like a lot of funds were lost by not being a part of this great event.
I know that Chattanooga CARES has a new home and director but how could they let one of the biggest fundraisers of the year go by without getting on board?
Free funds lost.
MIKE LAYNE