Acknowledge vets' families as well and other letters to the editors

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Hand writing

Acknowledge vets' families, too

When veterans of America's wars are recognized for their service, I feel strongly that immediate family members should be included. I greatly admire those who served in faraway places and applaud their courage and dedication to America's causes.

However, those of us left behind also served.

Many years ago, when my husband left for Vietnam, a huge part of me shipped out with him. Life as I knew it was suspended for the year he was away.

Separation disrupts the entire family as members shift responsibilities to fill the void. Those left behind tend to everything from the daily hassles to the most urgent demands. It takes strength and courage to step into the role of single parent. Spouses, children, mothers, fathers and even siblings all make sacrifices worthy of appreciation.

The family should be included in every step of the journey. We seek no medals or glory, but we served, too. After our veterans receive their much-deserved recognition, the contribution of their families also should be acknowledged.

Joyce Waller Walker, Fort Oglethorpe

Four R's are dogging the GOP

If the Republican Party fails to get its act together in the primary and the leadership of the House of Representatives, its future as a viable party could be in question.

Most of its problems are self-inflicted, beginning with Ronald Reagan. His message that "government is bad," "government is the problem" and "get the government out of our hip pocket," as well as his campaign message from Mississippi about "states' rights," helped complete the realignment of the South from the Democrats to the GOP.

His message continues to be amplified to this day by the GOP. As a result, the base of the Republican Party is controlled by the four Rs: red hots, racists, rednecks and religious zealots. It is no surprise the front-runners in the primary can say anything and not be punished at the poles or that the House leadership selection is being disrupted by the four Rs.

Plomer "Pete" French Jr., Manchester, Tenn.

Fluoride story a bill of goods

The American public has been fed a lie for 60 years. We were told that fluoride in our drinking water would protect us from dental cavities. There is no discernible difference in tooth decay between the minority of developed countries that fluoridate water and the majority that do not. Thirty-six studies have found a correlation between fluoride and lower IQ.

Fluoride is the only medicine that has been added to public water. It is now widely recognized that fluoride's main benefit does not actually come from ingestion but from fluoride's topical contact with teeth.

Wilma Holbrook

Careful what you wish for in Walker

I surmise the Oct. 22 TFP article stating Walker County's GOP will ask voters whether they support a sole commissioner is referencing a multi-commissioner board.

Please think long and hard about the consequences of your vote. A multi-commissioner board will cost much more. Many candidates run mainly for benefits, i.e. medical, retirement, credit card usage, cell phones, etc.

Noted state representatives helped get a five-person board in Catoosa County in 1992. It's not been good. Some commissioners see no limit with our credit cards. Candidates thought honorable did a turnabout. Taxes recently increased two years in a row; the school board also increased taxes one of those years.

To me, it's easier to vote out one person rather than five, especially when terms are staggered. I'm for term limits. It will get the good with the bad, but we will have a fighting chance of booting out bad ones at some point.

Our commissioners collect benefits, yet they're part-time elected officials! Benefits should be eliminated, then we'd discover who runs for themselves or the taxpayers. Just remember, you would have more than one person spending your money.

Cherise Miller, Ringgold, Ga.

Follow 7 tips to reduce violence

What can we do to reduce violent crime? Here are some suggestions:

1. Stop dancing around the problem. Act now.

2. Combine city and county law enforcement. Give this force a commander who is an elected, locally proven leader.

3. Elect judges who guarantee swift, sure justice.

4. Punish convicted criminals by placing them in an environment they will always wish to avoid.

5. Dump all the political hacks who only serve to propound the party line.

6. Remember: Violence trumps violent criminals. While this may not be palatable to the faint of heart, it is a fact! President Truman ended the dancing around, death and destruction of World War II with this tactic.

7. Support law enforcement. Aid police in doing police work. They are trained, they want to, and they are capable. Blaming police for criminals and crime by playing that old whine-one-one song is so trite and redundant that it is nothing more than irrational, illogical, errant baloney.

Rod Fowler, Hixson

Control U.S. guns, not Palestine

Michael Gerson's analysis of how "faith has been a cover of tribalism" frames a challenge that should extend to refugees and Palestinian citizens on the West Bank where hope dissolves into despair.

Congress with its resolution of "Palestinian incitement" adds a twist of old language to fate.

In an opinion piece for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Nehemia Shtrasler observes: "Setting up protected compounds of ultra-fanatic Jews in the heart of Arab neighborhoods ... that's incitement." A form of tribalism inhabits the West Bank in the name of security and capital development as illegal settlements creep across Palestine. The separation wall divides Palestinian rights to equality and natural law.

Both Abbas and Netanyahu utter senseless phrases as young people die. Now Congress fuels the situation with senseless incitement.

Congress should face America first and pass a sensible gun control law before it writes resolutions with spineless insensitivity. When will our Christian tribalism receive the breath of peace?

Kemmer Anderson

Student success depends on all

A recent TFP article said our school system is not measuring up. Students are not learning what they need to succeed in today's jobs. The story said our district earned the lowest rating for improving students' academic success. In nine out of 10 test categories, our students tested worse than the state average. Worse.

I take exception to last Tuesday's Chattanooga Times editorial stating, "something here is not working, and the school board, administrators and educators - not students and families - need to be held accountable." Herein lies a big piece of the problem.

We, the community, need to be saying and supporting by action that it's the student's job to go to school and do their best to learn. The family's job is to support, encourage and expect their children to do just that. The job of neighbors, churches, organizations, businesses and, yes, the school system, is to support the students and families.

Only then will students succeed and our community be willing to cough up the money for that success.

John Hubbard

More gun laws aren't the answer

The media called Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey insane for encouraging fellow Christians "to think about getting a hand gun permit."

Restrictive gun laws are insane. Criminals and nuts delight in gun laws, for they forbid army personnel and law-abiding citizens from a means to defend themselves. Criminals and nuts will always be able to get one illegally. The biblical approach is to arm the persecuted so they can defend themselves (Esther 8:11 and 9:16).

Dr. Tom Herzog

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