Cosby coverage masks real issues
Could your coverage (Thursday, page A2) of the Bill Cosby case have been any more geared toward making readers say, "aw, he's old, let him off the hook"?
Really, Mary Claire Dale, "TV's wise and understanding Dr. Huxtable" left the court "holding a cane" and "walking slowly and unsteadily" on the "arms of his lawyers"? Oh, no, Cosby aged normally!
I cut out this article to show my college rhetoric students what persuasive bias looks like. Sure, aging is sad, but shouldn't get you out of crimes.
I'm as sad as anyone that Cosby's "good-guy image as America's dad" has been destroyed, but I'm even more sad that our country is having a conversation about whether you should be able to get away with drugging and sexually assaulting women.
Here's a tip for not being prosecuted for drugging and sexually assaulting women: Don't drug and sexually assault women. It's truly that simple. Better to send that message than to dance around this case on tiptoe because we like the defendant's character on TV.
Alyssa Duck, Soddy-Daisy
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Two shelters share compassionate goal
Coalition-building isn't just a trend to the McKamey Animal Center and the Humane Educational Society. It's the only way to make progress.
Whereas some communities have gotten mired in divisive battles over philosophy and approach, McKamey and HES recognize the value of putting aside differences for the betterment of the animals in the community. Our collaborative relationship has garnered more animal adoptions and support than ever before.
Together our shelters celebrate animals and confront cruelty to all animals. We take on the difficult and most malicious cruelties, such as animal fighting, puppy mills and large-scale hoarding cases. Combined, our two shelters, located only six and a half miles apart from each other, will care for and house more than 11,000 animals in a year.
Animals don't know streets, jurisdictions or borders; we all spill into each other at one time or another. We're fortunate to have two passionate and caring agencies working so hard to protect both animals and people.
Thank you, Hamilton County and the city of Chattanooga, for being a community that cares about all living beings.
Jamie McAloon, McKamey Animal Center
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Political signs offensive, unsafe
Having moved to the Chattanooga area a year ago from the southern suburbs of Chicago, I find it quite offensive that political signs are being placed on public land and rights of way.
These signs are often at intersections, which can impair a free view of traffic, and often in vacant lots or on corners, giving the appearance they are supported by the owners of the property.
A recent case in point is on Shallowford Road and Morris Hill Road and the entrance to our subdivision. I am one of the neighborhood leaders of Hawks Cove, and a political sign was placed there by a politician and/or supporter. No one has spoken up in our organization and said they authorized the placement.
Even if I support the candidate, I believe the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County Commission should develop an ordinance prohibiting signs on public rights of way (because they impair the vision at an intersection). The ordinance could also require written signed consent if signs are placed on private property. Examples of such an ordinance could be obtained from Illinois.
I urge our leaders to develop such an ordinance or require sign placers to have liability insurance in the amount of $1 million dollars for each sign placed in the right of way of any public road, along with a setback requirement (and owner permission) for signs on private land.
Russ Collins