Boycott Walking Horse competition
As a Tennessean and a resident of Chattanooga, I speak against animal cruelty being perpetrated upon our state horse, the Tennessee Walking Horse. This cruelty is simply a national disgrace. I believe most Tennesseans feel this way.
Please let me paint a picture: Imagine a horse lying in a stall, legs stretched out in front, groaning in pain. His legs are bandaged from above the hoof to the knees. This horse is at one of the wealthiest stables in the Southeast, but he is not sick.
The horse also has stacks on his front feet 5 inches high and each weighing 8 pounds. His legs have purposely been rubbed with a caustic substance to burn the skin in a process called soring. Applying these chemicals and wrapping the legs in plastic, along with stacks and chains, causes the horse to lift his feet high to get rid of the pain. The resulting gait is called the "Big Lick."
Please boycott the "Big Lick" Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville this year.
Carolyn Longphre
Signal Mountain
Preaching to wrong choir
Those who advocate and support "Black Lives Matter" are preaching to the wrong choir. Here are some facts being ignored: Police officers in the line of duty kill fewer than 125 blacks a year on average. Blacks murder blacks more than 4,500 times each year. Police officers in the line of duty kill almost twice as many more whites per year. Incidentally, the average number of cops murdered each year is approximately 123. Maybe the rabble-rousers should rename themselves "All Lives Matter." It is a tragic loss when anyone is murdered, no matter who is responsible and no matter the circumstances.
Rob Robkin
Ooltewah]
Substitute teacher backs Jonathan Welch
As a hearty endorsement for Dr. Jonathan Welch, Board of Education member for District 2, this letter reiterates what a tremendous job Dr. Welch has been doing. '
He always has a willing openness to suggestions, and I did ask him for a raise for substitute teachers, and much to my surprise, I did receive a raise in March of this year. After more than nine years of substitute teaching, this was a nice reward.
Dr. Welch is a very honorable and moral man who I am pleased to know. District 2 needs Dr. Welch's continued wisdom for our school board.
Kim Huston
Signal Mountain