Horse soring must be ended
Earlier this month, I drove to Murfreesboro to speak at the USDA's public forum on new proposals for rules against horse soring. Some of the comments made by the horse trainers were shocking. I couldn't believe grownups were making them. They deny soring exists, and/or claim it is not abuse. Horse soring is alive and well.
Tennessee is currently a haven for abusers who hide their training practices and pretend it is all in the name of benign entertainment. Horse soring, both chemically and with chains and pads, should be banned, as should the "Big Lick" style of competition.
We have a chance to create a new, less-tortured future for our namesake horse, the Tennessee Walking Horse. The horses' natural gait is beautiful and should not be altered. Claims that banning the Big Lick would mean an end to horse shows, or to gaited horse breeding, are not true. Let's move into a more humane future for these gentle and sensitive horses.
The USDA is accepting public comments at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/horse-protection-amendments.
Mary Marr
' EDITOR'S NOTE: A letter to the editor titled "Not wild about her, but not crazy" that appeared in the Aug. 21 Times Free Press was written by Nancy Bishop of Birchwood, Tenn.
Climbing trees OK with me
I agreed with much of Walter Williams' Tuesday Free Press commentary, titled "College Campus Lunacy."
However, Recreational Tree Climbing sounds like an awesome physical education class. If I could re-learn how to scale a tree the effortless way my 7-year-old daughter currently does, that would make all the sense in the world to me.
Bob Borwick, Athens, Tenn.
Teachers need parent support
Of all the articles and letters to the editor I have read about our school problems and poor grades, I don't think I have ever read anything that hits the nail on the head.
When I was in school and had a spelling test the next day and was given 20 or 25 words to study, I couldn't go to bed until I could spell those words. My parents were the teacher. Where are the parents or parent today? Most teachers are probably very adequate in doing their job in class, but they do need help from the home.
Don Hoffman, Cleveland, Tenn.
Comments on marijuana off-base
David Martin begins his Aug. 19 commentary with a jump-on-the-bandwagon propaganda technique as he denigrates the great state of Tennessee. He tells us cannabis-sativa is a "near harmless" substance and advocates a local legislative body's finding a way to "skirt state statutes." He fears that being caught with a "joint" will ruin a 19-year-old's future.
Give us a break, David. Aren't 19 years enough to learn the difference between right and wrong? This drug is illegal because it is both malefic and prohibited by law. Three hundred and twelve people a day die from drug abuse, and marijuana is known as a gateway drug that opens the door to deadlier substances.
David suggests "change never comes easily" but fails to remind us the only thing permanent is change, though that doesn't make something wrong right.
Wiser heads will keep this junk on the prohibited list because they know that everyone who buys, sells or uses drugs contributes to the horrendous violence witnessed daily in our town.
Step off, David, you are teetering on the wrong soap box.
Dr. Rod Fowler
Left wing's plan has utterly failed
No wonder the left wing is gathered against Donald Trump. Its disciples are sore losers. Sixty years of Communist propaganda, base advertising and attacking the forefathers, the Bible and our American culture while running around the globe feeding the coffers of gypsies and their advertising merchants while sharing our extorted wealth has not worked. Their plan has failed.
The people still like Mayberry, Mom, apple pie, the flag pledge, prayer and Bible reading in the schools, the Ten Commandments, the military, veterans, singing "God Bless America," real marriages and real American citizenship.
The left thought it quashed that inner spring of righteousness and hope that only our God can give, but what a surprise! When a Donald Trump comes out and says the things they know are good and real, the multitudes gather round him. All the pinko lawyers, treasonous politicians, their advertisers, their bankers, the media, ABC agencies, bread and circuses - in the words of Solomon, none of these can quench love of country. All it has done is to draw out the weak, sensitive and puny members of society to live off the check and hope the gravy train will continue. Our God reigns!
June Griffin, Dayton, Tenn.
Check on Clintons' financial dealings
Charles Krauthammer and others brought attention to the comparison of money laundering through the "Canadian" Clinton Foundation and the disappearance of Hillary's 30,000 emails. Did the Clintons use Canadian law because it does not require names of donors and avoids giving directly to the recipients or the media, which facilitate money laundering? Google the name Frank Giustra, who owned a company with U.S. uranium interests that was sold to Russia while Hillary was secretary of state.
Bill and Hillary have used the most devious, unprincipled, dishonest and criminal approach to money laundering scheme conceivable!
To think they could be back in the White House defies all logic! When they left the last time, they took government property worth $28,000, which they were forced to return. Bill Clinton lost his law license for five years, and Hillary let hers lapse. Now they expect voter approval for another go-around? How dumb do they think we are as our country as it goes through the alleged worst economic recovery since 1949.
This money laundering and influence peddling tells why Hillary's destruction of emails was a risk worth taking.
Jo Ann Blessley, Signal Mountain
Coolidge naysayers forget park origin
Guess I am having a difficult time understanding how a small group of naysayers can compare one-tenth of an acre of grass against the Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
TFP columnist David Cook's recent piece has only exacerbated the situation. The Coolidge Park, created in 1945, was to honor all veterans. This proposed memorial building on a very small plot of ground is not only the right and best location, it merits immediate approval from Mayor Andy Berke and the Chattanooga City Council. So, come on Chattanooga, let's get it done.
John K. Arney
Trump not second coming of Christ
The 2016 Republican presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, is telling the people of America he will correct and make all our wrongs and needs right. He has spoken about creating jobs, richness for all, crime, education, health care, the poor, homeless and hunger, security, veterans, racism, terrorism, war and death throughout the world. You name it. "He will fix it;" just trust him and a snap of his fingers. Trump is making himself appear as though he is the second coming of Christ, creating his heaven on earth.
These are promises he is making to us and cannot keep them. The mannerism Trump has is that of a dictator and will actually be a hell on earth. I plead to the citizens of America: Get involved and vote in your community, state, country. Strive to know what is going on with the elected officials who are to represent you and the will of the majority first, not a political party of select groups. If you believe Trump's words and elect him as president, we may or may not be able to change or live the regrets of our actions. May God guide us.
Donald Shirley, Chickamauga, Ga.