Times' cartoons did more harm than good
Cartoons on the Sept. 22 and Sept. 24 Chattanooga Times editorial page are unfair and inaccurate with regard to police shootings of civilians.
Both were printed before all the facts are assembled and both only serve to heighten an already tense situation caused by activists such as "Black Lives Matter" and supported by politicians right up to our president and the Democrat running to be the next president.
As a result police are paying a heavy price. Police work is dangerous yet most officers continue to serve with low pay and in often terrible conditions. They must make split-second decisions on whether to shoot. They can lose their lives if they make the wrong decision and not shoot or can be subject to criminal prosecution if they make the wrong decision to shoot.
The Sept. 24 Chattanooga Free Press editorial cartoon really says it all: When confronted by police, do what they ask.
Gene Rogers
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Invest in arts, foreign language in schools
How refreshing to see a belated emphasis on K-12 public education in our community.
We know improvements must be student centered. We need to provide the arts to every student at every grade level - vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, movement, theater and poetry. The arts allow students to use their whole brains, to think in different ways and to enhance core subjects.
Providing arts teachers costs money, but so does hiring athletic coaches.
We can find money by stopping paying outside companies which make and sell standardized tests. Teachers are capable of evaluating students.
In addition, outdoor education should be incorporated. Many studies show this is important. Students should also learn a foreign language beginning in grade schools. Students in other nations speak at least two languages. We live in a global community.
If we fail to finance schools, we will ultimately finance more jails.
Although I do not write as well as I once did, I am passionate about education and know that "Arts Work."
I retired after teaching for 36 years.
Jane Starner
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New psych hospital would fill needs
I am a social worker in Chattanooga. You have reported that HCA Parkridge Valley is seeking to reverse the unanimous 9-0 decision by the state to approve Erlanger's plans to build a much-needed behavioral health center in Chattanooga, which would delay the process indeterminately.
I've worked in mental health for seven-plus years, which is enough to understand the urgent need I've seen in Chattanooga since coming here three years ago. There is plenty of need to go around. Delaying this new facility will only create a bigger chasm between the psychiatric patient and the productive citizen that person could become with our help.
How much longer must we deny people their right to treatment with excuses such as "no beds available" or "the patient is too acute"? Erlanger is stepping up to solve this problem and I, for one, am proud and relieved.
I'm positive this 88-bed hospital will only serve to better our community and wish the other psychiatric facilities would see this as a benefit rather than more competition.
Crystal Kee, Trenton, Ga.
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Has state begun teaching ignorance?
The Tennessee Board of Education is planning to stop teaching much about the history of Islam, the teachings of Muhammad and the religion's connections to Christianity and Judaism, making Tennessee the first known state to actively admit to intentionally "teaching" ignorance.
Until now I thought the state's poor education ranking was due to incompetence. Apparently it's actually intentional.
Ignorance is bliss.
Bill Hayes, Hixson