The dead shall not have died in vain
I had a very touching thing happen to me on Sunday, July 23. My wife and I were in Helen Ga., for a few days. We went to a very overcrowded restaurant.
I had my Vietnam veteran cap on, and four people came over and thanked me for my service, which I appreciated so much. The last one was a young man, I'd say 14-15 years old.
He said, "Sir, thanks for your service."
I said, "Son, where is your father? He raised you right."
He said his father was killed in Afghanistan. I told him not to think his father died in vain. We are the home of the free and the brave. Can't help but shed a tear when I think about this, which is every day.
Roger L. Parsons
Dems, big media undercut Trump
The mainstream media and Democrats pursue campaigns to smear and paralyze Donald Trump. They "resist" and eclipse all Trump tries to do. Trump has already achieved the following despite their hate and negative spin:
1. More jobs. Trump has persuaded companies not to leave U.S., others to stay.
2. Hope for industry with the promise of lower corporate taxes and less regulation. This hope has been demonstrated by a 17 percent rise in the stock market.
3. Trump's two foreign trips have achieved almost miraculous results. He sold $54 billion of arms to Saudi Arabia, so they can put boots on the ground and planes in the air. This creates thousands more jobs manufacturing arms rather than the U.S. providing more boots.
I would have no trouble reporting on more things Trump has already achieved: World-wide restored respect for the U.S., "covering the backs" of our first responders, better veteran care, freedom of religion, freedom of pastors to express their political views, reminding the Poles that their battle cry to overthrow Communism was, "We want God," declaring the Bible is "the greatest book ever written - by far," etc.
Dr. Tom Herzog
East Ridge
Trump's term is a disaster
In "honor" of our president's six months in office, I wore a black arm band. The news each day has been a stunning negative, yet hopefully thought-provoking.
After The New York Times interview, it is clear the president is in the midst of a mental, personal, professional breakdown.
He is distracted from the worthy priorities of his job, flopping around aimless and powerless like the proverbial fish out of water. He is a prisoner of sick compulsions. He is guided only by a misconception that he can correct past mistakes and implement future goals via edict and hire/fire mentality not to mention greed.
As long as this bully can muster his minimal pitiful base, he thrives on the disease of division/racism/lies/religious extremism sucking the life from our country.
The list of shortcomings is devastating, starting with a gutted State Department and EPA, a besieged FBI and unconscionable legislative activities under Mitch McConnell with no attempt at effective executive branch leadership.
During these times I have committed privately and publicly to urge people to inform themselves, form beliefs and stand for their beliefs.
Rebecca Rolston Raymond
Driver feels taken in local cop stop
While traveling through Chattanooga recently, driving a large crew cab pickup and pulling a trailer northbound on I-75, traffic was a solid four lanes. Because of my length, I found myself trapped in the left lane, unable to get over. Several times, traffic stalled completely.
For several miles, I followed a Chattanooga cop. He finally moved to the No. 2 lane, slowed down, got behind me and turned on his lights.
I could not get to the right shoulder unless the cop literally closed down and blocked three lanes, which he did not. I could continue northbound for several miles and try to make my way to the right shoulder or simply use the left shoulder, which I did.
I got a ticket for that. The other charge was following too close. If you read the statute, it basically says "use some common sense, be reasonable and prudent, take into consideration the traffic speed, weather and road conditions." That is what I did.
My driving record of some 50 years should prove I am a reasonable, prudent driver. None of that matters in Chattanooga.
Is the city hurting that badly for money?
Mark Edward Marchiafava
Gloster, Miss.
Police plaque: Evil is triumphing
In an Associated Press story in the TFP, I read about "a biblical passage that has long been displayed" in a "nonpublic" area of a Knoxville police department that will be removed because of a complaint by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Our Bill of Rights does not guarantee "freedom from religion;" it guarantees freedom of religion: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof "
Have the mayor and legal counsel in Knoxville read the Constitution? In the U.S.A., we are supposed to be free. If you don't like what I'm doing, don't watch me. If you don't like what I'm saying, don't listen. If most people in the police department like the plaque, let them keep it. What business is it of anyone else what they post on their walls?
The leaders of Knoxville are taking the easy way out by giving in. That is not what our founders would have done. As Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Karen McKay House
Creationists offer a good laugh
Creationists cry, "Teach the controversy," by demanding that myths be taught in schools as a legitimate alternative to science. Here are additional "Teach the controversy" alternatives.
- Detecting brain tumors - MRI scans or reading chicken entrails?
- Your arm has been amputated - Get a prosthetic arm or visit a faith-healer with a track record for growing arms?
- The moon - Is it a 4.5 billion-year-old rocky surface, green cheese or Satan's eyeball?
- Bacterial infections - Antibiotics or snake-handling?
- The Solar Eclipse -Explained by science or a sign from god to smite gays, behead infidels and burn books?
- Your appendix has ruptured - Go to the emergency room or an exorcist?
- Your science professor's feet - Tarsus, metatarsus, phalanges and surrounding tissue or cloven hooves?
- Your child is seriously injured in an accident - Call an ambulance or call Benny Hinn, Jim Bakker or Jimmy Swaggert with your credit card number?
- Study for exams or sacrifice a goat? - Selecting a goat for top marks and remove the stench of burnt offerings from your fig-leaf loincloth.
Yes, teach the controversies. Few things in life are better than laughter.
Stephen Greenfield
Cleveland, Tenn.
Trump's promises only fake news
Trump promised to repeal and replace Obamacare; to have insurance for everybody; no cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; no one loses coverage; no one will be worse off financially; and everybody's going to be taken care of.
So far the GOP health plans do not adhere to any of the specific promises. It seems Trump only cares about the political promise to repeal and replace Obamacare and nothing about the promised features in the replacement that will actually help the American people.
Promises kept? Seems Trump's promises are often fake news.
Gary Pope