Reader assails GOP, Fox flip-flopping
I've been watching the Fox News and Fox business channels lately -- mostly for comedic relief, not news content -- and I marvel at how quickly their talking points change when proven wrong. All through the economic meltdown of 2007-2008 and the business recession, the Fox News/Republican message was: "How can anyone expect a raise in this economy?" During this period we lost 750,000 jobs a month, mainly due to sending jobs overseas. Now that the stock market sets record highs almost daily, corporate profits have never been better, and we're adding 200,000+ jobs monthly, their message is: "The economy is still bad because wages are stagnant." Go figure. I would never call Fox News or Republicans flexible, but they sure are limber. And after concerted effort, they've assembled all the sick puppies into one kennel. Apologies to sick puppies.
Allan Baggett, Trion, Ga.
Editorial writer wrong about Fox
Once again I am astounded by the parroting of left-wing talking points without any factual basis. Thursday's Times editorial, "I AM Charlie," accuses Fox News and talk radio of stereotyping and smearing all Muslims as extremists. I watch Fox News, and, while I don't always agree with the hosts' commentary, they were very careful to not condemn all Muslims for the horrible acts of the radicals. Perhaps the editorial writer should actually watch Fox instead of blindly accusing the network. I was also stunned by the nave question: "Can't we just get along?" It is estimated that only 2 percent of the 1.6 billion Muslims are radicalized and warring on the western civilization. This small percentage amounts to 32 million jihadists bent on our destruction. Talking nice and ignoring the facts will not keep us safe. To paraphrase Thomas Sowell: "If science could crossbreed a jellyfish with a parrot, it could create editorial writers."
Mike Budnick, Winchester, Tenn.
Politicians could use lessons in civics
Knowledge of one's government and of the history of one's nation is of obvious importance, and I find no objection to Rep. McCormick's idea that Tennesseans "ought to be able to pass a basic civics test before they graduate from high school." Citizens learn of their government from observed behaviors at least as much as from books. One recalls with regret the visit several years ago to Chattanooga by the president of the United States when both of our U.S. senators, our governor, and our member of Congress failed to meet him, welcome him to Tennessee, and shake his hand. What a civics lesson for our citizens. I am glad at the reports that they will show up this time. At the beginning of Obama's tenure, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said that his party's first goal would be to thwart and defeat everything the president proposed. Now that he is in the majority, he said that the only way for government to accomplish anything is for members of both sides to work respectfully through their differences. What pious hypocrisy! Elected officials should exhibit civic behaviors worthy of Rep. McCormick's civic test.
Bill Cushman