Community event shares the passion of reading, writing
In the almost 20 years that I've lived in the Chattanooga area, one of the consistent joys has been meeting folks who tell stories and write them.
Chattanooga should be known as the home of spell-binding storytellers, writers of fiction, authors of creative nonfiction and inspiring poets.
It's an honor to coordinate the first Readers and Writers Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 27 on the streets around City Hall. This free event, open to the public, is hosted by the city's Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Community sponsors include the Chattanooga Public Library, Southern Lit Alliance, Chattanooga Writers Guild and the American Diversity Report.
Check out the authors' sidewalk booths. Enjoy the food trucks. Visit the booths of community groups promoting reading and writing. Hear the presenters passionately share their stories and read from their work in the City Council chambers. Let us inspire and entertain you. Join us if you love to read or aspire to be a writer. Celebrate our city's treasure trove of talent.
Deborah Levine
Protesters should get to work, school
I would venture to say that 90 percent of the protesters who are protesting around the country now are dependent upon the "dime" of the U.S. tax-paying citizens for their livelihood. They receive welfare checks, food stamps, government housing, medical assistance, student loans and other means of government subsidies.
Instead of having jobs, looking for jobs and/or completing education or training for work, these protesters would rather "bite the hand that feeds them."
The reconstruction or revamping of America has to begin with God-centered homes teaching respect and love for our brothers and sisters no matter their color or race. God, please bless America.
Redgie C. Camp
Dunlap, Tenn.
God is clear on moral laws
Jesus spoke in Matthew 19:4-5, "Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female? For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." God's plan of husband and wife "cleaving" to one another is face to face, creating life, and does not bring disease and death. God decides if we are male or female.
Every person is born with a sin nature that is capable of every kind of lust and vile affection. However, we must first reject the moral laws of God which are written in our hearts. Only the power of God's truth and grace can bring freedom. Because our government has redefined marriage, our nation is in a perilous position and facing God's judgment.
Genendal Fratantuono
Beat scammers with a hang-up
"Scam" invitations are primarily directed to folks over 65 and retired, but they can apply to anyone. Since December 2015, I have received more than 200 "second and final notices" to lower the interest rates on my credit cards. Rest assured if you respond to this and you owed $2,500 on your cards, then the next month, if your limits are $6,000, you will receive billing for $6,000, interest rate unchanged.
I have also received 10 calls that the IRS will be suing me or police will be dispatched to arrest me. My response to those are: "My name is George, IRS badge #BR549. May I speak with your supervisor?"
That results in an immediate hang-up. The IRS will mail you a letter, but you will never receive an email or phone call. So do not respond to these idiots.
Gene McMahan
Give each other break on the road
It was disheartening to read a writer's recent experience in the back of an ambulance while bearing witness to motorists (fellow citizens and neighbors) ignoring, being oblivious or otherwise taking advantage of the pathway created by an emergency vehicle's lights and sirens to garner a few car lengths advantage. Sad and so unnecessary.
Though some reading this may disagree, having lived in seven states and driven through every major city in this country, I can say, unequivocally, that with the single exception of Hawaii, the drivers in this region - Chattanooga and North Georgia - are consistently the most courteous in the country. In the main, people here respect turn signals when lane-changing, don't constantly weave through traffic or use their horn as a handy symbol of impatience. There are exceptions, oh certainly, as the previous writer painfully points out. But we don't need to morph into the worst of the worst. A little courtesy goes a long way helping our insurance rates but, most importantly, our safety. I'll always try my best to give you a break; in turn, maybe you'll do the same for me. Pass it along!
Denny Pistoll
Rising Fawn, Ga.
Try competition to help schools
"Homeschooling and Chattanooga Christian are better, but since Orchard Knob needs good students, we'll send our children there," said no one ever. But the Times in its loathsome paternalism says (July 10) parents sending "their children to private schools" "robs" "distressed schools of engaged parents and students."
Robs? Robs? Not content with giving away other people's money, you liberals want to give away other people's children! Repent, change roads, lest from hell and lake of fire "the smoke of their torment go up for ever and ever" as you are tormented "in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb" (Revelation 14:10-11).
Repent how? Radically, separate school and state; moderately, enact spending-cut scholarships, paying students who leave or avoid public schools half of what they save the system by leaving it. This would save money (just let the schools keep the other half, instead of not counting the students who leave; repent by studying logic and math), and increase diversity, parental involvement and accountability, thus forcing continual improvement, as with cars and restaurants which face competition.
Andrew Lohr
Tragedy only time God is welcome?
There have always been problems in our nation, but lately it seems they have accelerated.
The sheriff of Baton Rouge said that if we don't heal together, we will perish together. Having grown up in the 1950s-early 1960s, we were allowed to have Bible reading and prayer in our schools. Because of that, there at least seemed to be a moral compass for young people.
In the last years, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has taken away many vestiges of religion from the public square, bringing the message that God is not welcome in those areas. We can see what this type of thinking has brought to our country. When our police officers were killed in Dallas and Baton Rouge, we heard many leaders say that our prayers are with the families. Is tragedy the only time we will welcome God back into our collective lives? How sad!
Sandy Harris
Cloudland, Ga.
Take action; solve problems
Attention, association and action: Our attention to reports of senseless crimes and other violent acts, in addition our attention toward the reports on the decline in youth educational skills.
Our association seeking and joining the institutions and organizations with major goals toward seeking remedies to end violence and those who seek workable motivational methods that inspire our youth from birth to life-long learning. Associations that also encourage inclusion, collaboration and communication and not those who just include finger-pointing and/or remain in defensive modes.
Our actions require us to move. We must leave our seats and seek results and implement the changes when and where necessary.
Eva J. (Saddler) Johnson