Be kind and return walking canes
Please, when you find a walking cane in a shopping cart at the grocery or department store, please turn it in to the customer service counter or courtesy counter.
Someone needs that cane and will return looking for it. Do you need a cane and cannot afford one?
I have lost five canes, and I'm sure people taking these canes don't need them.
Jo Hale, Ooltewah
Zealots hijack Christianity
There's a difference between Christianity and religion. The world is full of religious fanatics. We have our share. A June 22 letter from a frequent writer reminded me again how these folks have hijacked Christianity and now blaspheme the written word. Trying to differentiate between fanatics is just splitting hairs. Don't let Fox News and the Free Press editorial page convince you there's a war on Christianity here at home. We're just trying to separate the zealots and hypocrites from the folks who truly live the life of example that Christ taught. Hebrews 4:12 says we'll be judged on the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We've pretty much dismissed the so-called religious right, most evangelicals and the Republican party for that reason.
Allen Baggett, Trion, Ga.
Flag causes grief, so take it down
I unreservedly agree that the Confederate battle flag must go. But I would add a footnote. The debate is usually seen as between blacks and others who despise what the flag symbolizes and the KKK and racist hatemongers who made it a symbol to be feared and despised. But there is a third group for whom it does not represent hate but a heritage that most Southerners share. I do not apologize for Southern soldiers who saw participation in the war as a duty and who fought with courage, tenacity and honor. I do not wish to see them removed from history even while being well satisfied that the right side won the war. Nevertheless, we have to join the call for the flag's removal precisely because it is, whether we contributed to it or not, a symbol of hate. Since the flag causes justifiable grief to black Americans, I can put my personal feelings about it aside and say, unequivocally, it must go. Take it down.
John C. Cavett Jr.
Drop flag, why not swastikas?
I am extremely disappointed in Gov. Haley's proposal to remove the Confederate flag from South Carolina's state buildings. It is a knee-jerk reaction to a tragedy that in no way reflects on the Confederate flag. The Charleston shooter's interpretation of the Confederate flag is wrong as is the interpretation of many black Americans who see the flag as an offense. Amazon, Sears, Wal-Mart and others announced they will no longer sell Confederate flag merchandise. I looked on Amazon. The most evil white supremacy symbol of all time - the swastika - is still alive and well on decals, clothes, even toys. Both black and white soldiers fought under the Confederate battle flag. I do not defend slavery, but I do defend the Confederate flag and what it really stands for.
Helen Fussell, Rossville
Pursue campaign transparency
Clif Cleaveland's idea of "coats-for-candidates" is marvelous. May I suggest that here in Gig City, one of our smart people could establish the web site "cand-coats.com" to have all candidates' contributors displayed with images that are sized proportional to the amount of the contributions. Then, one click could show us all the candidates side-by-side. (I checked and "cand-coats.com" is an available website.)
Jim Henry, Signal Mountain
Quiet, please, so we can enjoy meal
I recently visited a restaurant for the first time. I enjoyed the food and returned with friends. I loved the food and the service. Unfortunately a pleasant dining experience was overshadowed by noise. I believe most American restaurants are too loud. Recently I returned from Tokyo where the silence in restaurants was a pleasant surprise. Coming back to American restaurants provided a stark contrast. The noise was so deafening I could not understand the waiter explaining the specials, and the waiter failed to hear that I wanted a salad. A campaign to reduce noise is needed. Rather than advertising for customers, start a "Quite Campaign:" offer a $5 coupon for each quiet table. Customers will appreciate the more pleasant atmosphere and dine more often. I will be returning to this restaurant in the future, but only when the weather is good, and I can sit outside away from the noise.
John Ross
Recruit early to boost minorities
A recent article about how few minorities work for the 911 Call Center and the Chattanooga Police Department stated that the city is looking to hire more minorities for those positions. How many have applied? If the reason minorities are not being hired is because they are not applying, then we need to determine why so few are applying. Go to high schools and junior high schools and educate minority students on the qualifications they need and the benefits they will receive. Gangs recruit as early as possible, so should the city. We should not set hiring mandates just so we do not appear to be discriminatory based on the percentage currently on the payroll. We should make sure we continue to hire the best applicants and that we have done everything we can to attract them.
Michael K. Gould
Coker Tire tour a pleasant surprise
The Coker Tire and Auto Service Plant is an amazing credit to Chattanooga. My wife and I recently had the opportunity to visit this plant, and we'll be going back again. Coker Tire is world famous among owners of vintage vehicles looking for replacement tires and wheel parts. The Chestnut Street plant houses an amazing collection of cars, trucks and motorcycles dating back to the early 20th century. Our tour brought back memories of autos we had grown up with now restored to perfect condition. Our tour guide, whose background included writing for auto magazines, made each vehicle come alive. It was a special experience.
Bill Hartshorn, Signal Mountain
Racists, GOP conservatives linked
On June 20, Free Press Editor Clint Cooper wrote an editorial on the Charleston massacre of nine black Americans by a young white racist. Cooper minimizes racism and lax gun laws as factors and focuses on psychotherapeutic medication as the primary factor. Dylann Roof had Suboxone (an opioid used to counter the effect of other opioids) in his system. Cooper then conflates this drug with SSRIs used to treat depression. Millions of Americans take SSRIs. It is almost as common as aspirin. He intimates that SSRIs were a factor in recent massacres because Eric Harris, James Holmes and Adam Lanza all took SSRIs. It is hard to judge which is more profound, Cooper's ignorance of psychotropic drugs or his desperation to deny culpability as a white, Southern, gun-worshiping conservative. The cozy connection between racists and conservative Republicans has been validated unequivocally. Racist money has flowed to Mitt Romney, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Rick Santorum, Steve King, Tom Cotton, Jeff Flake, and Michele Bachman. There is no telling how much racist money has flowed to conservative Republicans since Nixon's Southern Strategy.
Terru Stulce, Ooltewah
Climate change cartoon out of line
In response to Ramirez cartoon: Beyond belief. jeering at a popular Pope and lampooning the crucifixion! I'm astounded.
Becky Wooley