Angels wept with death of Johnson
For more than 10 years in my work at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, I was blessed to meet many generous and compassionate people who gave so much of themselves to the homeless and hungry and broken people we serve. The Rev. Kenneth Johnson was a shining example of this generosity. He would come to the Community Kitchen and offer his simple and holy ministry. He prayed for everyone there, whether they listened or not. He prayed with any person who asked him. I do know this. The Rev. Kenneth Johnson was a good and loving man. It is a tragic reflection of the human condition that such a man would be murdered and left in a ditch. Surely the angels wept.
BR. RON FENDER
McClane exposes incompetence
I wish to recognize Joan Garrett McClane for her articulate and thorough account of the travesty that has been inflicted upon perfectly decent, honorable and competent citizens of our community. I refer to last Sunday's feature article titled "Empty arms, empty house." Mrs. McClane has exposed bureaucratic incompetence in its most decrepit condition, where it serves only to perpetuate the state without regard for the innocent citizenry. The "state" comprises the people. The people have chosen to sacrifice the lives of five persons in order to honor the state's "policies." The discrimination driven of ignorance, fear and bitterness is unmistakably obvious. Ms. Dean and Ms. Chambliss are two women who wish only to love and be loved, and the blameless children entrusted to their care and whom they wished to adopt will suffer the most. This situation is grievous, and my heart hurts for this family. The people should be ashamed of themselves. The self-righteous bureaucrats should be terminated and charged with cruelty against minors and their merciless and tortuous decisions reversed. The atrocities against the souls involved will leave deep wounds; the people are responsible.
Jeff Ness
Officials should ask questions
Recently our county mayor made a statement that any recommendations he or staff put before Hamilton County commissioners should only require a yes or no vote. I have always thought that the reason we elected our commissioners was to ask questions and make decisions about how our tax dollars are spent. I feel that we have a group of commissioners who have more business experience than the mayor and his staff. I want to thank them for the job they are doing. They should question the mayor and his staff on bid procedures and any purchasing items that come before them, especially $500 chairs for the courthouse. Just because our leaders have access to an unlimited supply of money doesn't give them the right to spend and not be concerned about how or where it is being spent. If my commissioner ever becomes a rubber stamp for the mayor, his staff or any other public official, I will do my best to see him or her removed from office. I urge our commissioners to hold all county departments and the Board of Education accountable for their actions about how our tax dollars are spent.
Jerry Walls
Tubman workers microcosm of U.S.
I read a recent article about the demolition of the Tubman housing complex. It stated "hundreds" of East Chattanooga residents applied for demolition jobs at $18.75 an hour. Fourteen were hired by the demolition contractor. Of the 14, two quit and four were fired because they "failed to make daily production goals," the director of Chattanooga's Department of Multicultural Affairs said. He stated that city officials pulled from those "hundreds" of East Chattanooga applicants to replace the six. Also hired were three East Chattanooga residents for "specialized" work such as heavy equipment operators, and one of them quit. This represents a 41 percent dropout or fired rate of laborers. America has become a nation of lazy workers. Our social benefit programs are too generous, which discourages people from wanting to work. As a frequent visitor to Shanghai, China, I have seen long lines of unskilled workers at job sites at sunrise to make about $15 a day. The lack of work ethics in America has made us a second-rate country, $17 trillion in debt, in a competitive global economy.
Ron Morin
Shopping frenzy reveals priorities
With all the media coverage of crowds of people waiting for the doors to open for holiday shopping, wouldn't it be great if crowds of people were seen waiting for the doors to open at the house of the Lord? Psalm 46:1.
William E. Meredith, Flintstone, Ga.
'Empty arms' is liberal propaganda
I was shocked and upset by your Sunday story "Empty arms/empty house." I don't know who approved this liberal/left propaganda to be printed in such a fine paper as yours. Any thinking person should realize that children need a man and a woman to rear them. I don't understand why you would waste so much valuable newspaper space on such garbage. It would appear you advocate such a godless lifestyle. What a shame. It is discouraging that America is being transformed to such an extent, moving left of God's plan for mankind. Please don't print this junk anymore. Those who live this sinful lifestyle should not make it appear it is all right to indoctrinate children in this folly. Shame on you.
John W. Bohannon
'Rest of us' not the wrongdoers
In his Nov. 23 column, David Cook wrote that "we care" more about the allegations against Cosby than a local woman attacked/raped near Finley Stadium. Not so, David! The media pays more attention to Cosby because he is famous. But to say that "we care" more about one than the other is just plain wrong. Most people condemn all acts of rape regardless of who the victim is and hope that all victims are given justice. Cook also writes that Cosby is "a man, capable of both tremendous wrongdoing and unforgettable kindness. Just like the rest of us." But most of us, the vast majority of us, do not commit acts of "tremendous wrongdoing." If we did, our society would degenerate into anarchy. Furthermore, we expect wrongdoers to be tried and punished as the facts may warrant. The fact that we all are capable does not justify excusing wrongdoing when it happens.
Horace Baker, Hixson
GOP, beware the veto pen
I'm getting a good chuckle out of the Republicans running around with their hair on fire, drunk with anticipation of power in the next session of Congress. I get the biggest laugh when they speak of President Obama's executive order poisoning the well of cooperation. I wonder where their heads have been for the last six years? Since the Republicans and the right side of the editorial page only harp on the parts of our Constitution that Fox News deems necessary, then maybe someone should read them the third paragraph of Article I, Section 7, a pesky part that speaks of a presidential veto and what it takes to override said veto. Of course, then they will want us to believe gridlock is because of Democrats. Someone also should read them the entire Second Amendment, not just the last clause.
Allan Baggett, Trion, Ga.