Kerns' take on defeat, opponent is laudatory
I am writing to say a loud and sincere "thank you" to John Kerns for his excellent commentary last Saturday ("Prison didn't diminish Coonrod; neither will stale news") on The Chattanooga Times editorial page.
He could have been angry and bitter about losing the primary election, but instead he was generous in his assessment of his opponent. His example of praise and respect for Demetrus Coonrod should be a challenge to all of us involved in any kind of competition.
I only wish all of our other politicians would react to defeat with such grace. Based on his commentary, I have to say that I wish the best of luck to Mr. Kerns and to Ms. Coonrod. Chattanooga should be proud of both of them.
Jim Olson
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Griffin's fundamentalism parallels world extremism
Thanks for giving June Griffin of Dayton a public presence about her opposition to the Clarence Darrow statue at the Rhea County Courthouse. How wonderful she was allowed to express her Christian fundamentalist viewpoints.
I'm sure that many who were unsure of the insanity of religious fundamentalism see Griffin as an archaic voice of anti-science and anti-intellectualism she so proudly represents.
The photograph of Ms. Griffin holding her religious banner is paralleled by those ISIS religious fundamentalists who do the same. Had she been born in one of the strongholds of Islamic fundamentalism, she'd be calling for Sharia law and death to the heretics and infidels just as she is now doing with her call for a new Battle at King's Mountain. It is laughable except that she is as serious as the suicide bombers of Islam.
Please continue to publish more about Ms. Griffin and the dangers of religious fundamentalism in all its forms. Thanks to this article and the sheer nuttiness of Ms. Griffin's position, secularism has gained a few more people.
Stephen Greenfield, Cleveland, Tenn.
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Please fund schools to provide excellence
Our Hamilton County public school system is failing our students. Far too few students graduate from high school ready for the vocational or college education needed to obtain a real family living wage job. We are paying the same money on student education as 12 years ago when the last property tax increase happened.
What do we really want to pay (and do) to achieve real success in education? Let's get our priorities straight. Real education happens in the classroom by a motivated good teacher teaching motivated students who want to learn. Not outside the classroom, certainly not on the football field and not down at the central office.
I suggest we fully fund the classroom first. Left over money can fund the rest of system spending. Fund the teacher, a well-maintained classroom, all the books and supplies each student needs, good IT support in the classroom, and enough support people teaching the teachers the best teaching practices.
Please, please, let our tax dollars buy unlimited paper and pencils for each student, not the teacher out of his/her pocket.
And yes, in the classroom teach language and the arts too. In the classroom first.
John Hubbard