Symphony was 'flawless;' anthem received 'robustly'
While attending the Chattanooga Symphony's concert on Sept. 22, my wife and I were serenaded by a marvelous orchestra. We also heard an outstanding performance by guest pianist Ning An who played Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto flawlessly and with such brilliance.
We are indeed blessed to have such wonderful musicians in our midst.
However, the most memorable moment of the evening occurred before the concert officially began. Conductor Kayoko Dan commenced the concert with the orchestra playing the "Star-Spangled Banner." The audience rose to its feet and joined in with enthusiasm, volume and vigor like I have never witnessed before. I truly believe that everyone present not only knew all the words but sang them out proudly and robustly.
How encouraging to see and hear such patriotism in these difficult times. Thank you, Chattanooga Symphony, for an extraordinary and most enchanting evening!
Paul Dietrich
Cleveland, Tenn.
Alinsky was only liberal organizer
On a birthday call with a conservative brother, politics raised its head. "Hillary wrote her senior thesis on Saul Alinsky!" he exclaimed. Well, I really didn't know much about Alinsky other than he was some sort of horrible person to the Right, so I looked him up.
Good news and bad news: The bad news? Hillary did indeed write her thesis on Alinsky; what's more, Alinsky was contacted and personally gave her some information. The good news? Alinsky is not some kind of Commie Bolshevik as is implied by the Right.
What he was, was a liberal organizer, and a very successful one; in fact, he wrote the book on counter-protesting based on his experiences during the civil rights era. Organizations like the tea party and people like Newt Gingrich read Alinsky's book and successfully use his tactics while simultaneously demonizing him.
Irony is a wonderful thing.
Byron Chapin
Don't fall for IRS call scam
I just got a call from a woman who said she is with the IRS, saying there were four serious charges against me and the "cops" were coming after me unless I make arrangements to pay for these charges. The callback number is 706-524-0007. The call was a recording of a woman who spoke with a slight Asian accent; her phrasing and manner of speech sounded like she was not a person accustomed to speaking English.
This is a scammer, and when someone else in our area receives such a call, make a note of the time and date and report it to your local law enforcement agency. This is a nationwide scam, so please don't fall for it!
Helen Cooper
Signal Mountain
We need a leader who respects reality
After five years of blathering about President Obama not being born in the United States, Donald Trump announced the president was indeed born in the USA. The "birther" idea was not originated by him, he says, though he has now put an end to it.
These statements are disturbing. If he originated the idea, he has spent five years pushing a narrative that was false; either he knew it was false and did not care, or he didn't know and didn't bother to find out. If he did not originate it, he picked up an unproven rumor and passed it on like a tween in a middle-school lunchroom, tweeting about it for five years either out of malice or from the simple enjoyment of making a stir.
Both these possibilities raise flags that are not simply red but smoking and about to explode. A U.S. presidential nominee who either doesn't care or can't be bothered with the truth? A casual instigator, willing to cause trouble for others for amusement, never mind the facts? We need a leader who acknowledges and respects reality, not one who cares only about creating a sensation.
Dabney Carden
Signal Mountain
Personality aside, vote for freedom
Let's put aside personalities and look at what we are really voting for - a socialist state and dependency with Clinton, or a democratic republic and freedom with Trump. This could be the last time we'll have a choice!
Peggy Davis
Signal Mountain
Vote intelligently by planning ahead
Our freedom is at stake. Vote intelligently. Here is a simple way:
1. Get a sample ballot for all elections. Phone the Election Commission, and they can probably email you one.
2. Put the name of each candidate in your search engine. Here you will probably find his or her website, listing achievements, experience and education, and possibly where they stand on issues.
3. Mark you sample ballot with the men and women you believe will serve best.
4. Just take your sample ballot to voting and transfer your choices.
Dr. Tom Herzog
Memphis, Nashville looking to future
About the Memphis and Nashville votes taking place: Reducing the penalty for possession of marijuana is not only progressive, but it sends a signal these cities are taking the futures of their citizens into account. The current penalty of up to one year in jail is more time than Brock Turner received in the recent high profile Stanford rape case.
Giving some grace to first-time offenders shows both Nashville and Memphis want to create better rapport in their communities. There are a lot of high school and college kids who make one-time bad decisions and don't deserve a one-year jail sentence or $2,500 fine.
While possessing marijuana should not go unpunished, in the grand scheme of things marijuana is a minimal problem compared to other crimes. I hope the vote passes, giving police the ability to focus their energy and time on issues like violent crimes.
Abigail Hunt
McDonald, Tenn.
Trump is clear choice in election
Three cheers for Donald Trump, the true winner of the first presidential debate with Hillary!
What we saw was a true American debating a condescending, corrupt, robotic politician who has been in public office for 30 years.
What has Hillary shown during that time? Try to name some things that have been really good for America; I cannot name one. Using a private server for government business; receiving ridiculous amounts of money for speeches; and the pay-for-play of the Clinton Foundation, etc., are but a few of her "accomplishments."
The media, of course, will always convey Hilllary's victory in everything. Pay no attention.
She is not presidential material in any way. Donald Trump will work for us and the U.S.
Babs Bartlett
Lookout Mountain
Trump ill-prepared; ignores advisers
The Free Press Wednesday titled "Trump's missed opportunity" enumerates nine points in the presidential debate which Trump could have addressed. Trump failed to do so not because he was unprepared (although he was) but because he lacks the knowledge and experience to do so.
Anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of recent history, or the slightest bit of debate preparation could have responded to the nine points in your editorial. Trump says he will surround himself with the finest people if elected, but I'm sure he has campaign experts advising him now, and he is ignoring their advice. Trump chose not to study the issues and not to prepare, and voters need to realize that that is how he would approach the presidency.
Lisa Scott
Dayton, Tenn.