After shouting, seek the facts
The many marches and meetings going on - pro and con, whatever the issues - are signs of life, lives engaged in the affairs of this country.
This is good, whether you agree or disagree with a specific effort. But keep in mind that all meetings and marches focus on one small part of complex issues, ignoring the whole, ignoring negative consequences.
This simplifies issues, directs the attention of the crowd, provides excitement and immediate satisfaction; whereas, reasoned and thoughtful debate is boring, demands long-term attention and work.
News agencies love marches and meetings for the same reasons; there is nothing to attract the interest of viewers (and advertisers) in quiet, thoughtful (boring) meetings.
We ordinary citizens of all parties or none must think past the "newsertainment," listen after the shouting and screaming is over, then seek the facts - those boring, complex, demanding facts that might require us to gasp! change our minds.
Bill Laudeman
Red Bank
Conservative glad to be 'deplorable'
Now that Donald Trump is in the White House, those on the left are having a major temper tantrum. They call him a fascist or worse. The common element of fascism, communism and socialism is government control over the individual. Those calling Trump a fascist are likely closer to being a fascist than President Trump.
Why is it that those on the left who preach tolerance are so intolerant? They riot when a school has a conservative speaker. Madonna wants to blow up the White House. They have time to demonstrate while conservatives must work to feed their families and pay their taxes.
The past few weeks have made me glad to be a conservative. I would rather be a deplorable than a despicable.
Tony Stamp
Dunlap, Tenn.
Dump Trump on deserted island
Someone needs to start a Go Fund Me to remove the new dictator of our country and transport him to an isolated island. There will be no cell phones, twitter, TVs, microphones and no mirrors. All he will get is a fishing pole and a can of worms. He can name his island, the Trump Paradise Island and Resort. Justice done. If we leave him in office, our country will decline to a life similar to North Korea. Our forefathers would roll over in their graves if they could see what Trump is doing to the world.
Ronnie Vaughn
Advocate now for refugees
I feel betrayed by the leaders of my country who claim to uphold its values, values I am proud of, that were taught to me by my country, America, and reaffirmed by my religion, Islam.
Those values are to care for refugees and treat everyone equally, no matter their religion. Yet our president systematically discriminated against many from my religion and turned away refugees seeking freedom in our nation.
Technically, President Trump did not directly ban all Muslims, but quietly skirting the limits of the law will lead to more actions that will hurt the values our nation stands for. I understand the need to vet refugees and immigrants to ensure their intentions are pure, but we should make sure they have the opportunity to come to our great nation.
Before we find ourselves in a situation where we have to explain to future generations how we let hate envelop our society, we must stand up by advocating for refugees and Muslims and by contacting our senators to tell them to put more pressure on President Trump to defend the rights of all Americans.
Sultan Humayun
Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Has Mencken's quote come true?
The following quote was written almost 100 years ago by H.L. Mencken, editor of the Baltimore Sun: "As democracy is perfected, the office of the president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
James Mullinax
Hixson
City could use new skating rink
My letter refers to a great picture in Sunday's TFP. It shows hockey players from as far away as the Netherlands playing in Maine. Unfortunately, none are from Chattanooga.
I know this since I refereed the last game played at the Chattanooga Choo Choo more than 31 years ago.
The Scenic City is such a vibrant, exciting city. Think of all the young people who could be enjoying figure skating and hockey.
I recently heard that consideration is being given to bringing a new skating rink to Chattanooga. Wow! I hope someone will tell us all about it.
Denny Donegan
Dalton, Ga.
Prayer reprimand stunningly absurd
About the Times Free Press Feb. 2 article "Concern for player prompted prayer:"
Where is freedom of expression? Coach Braswell, out of respect for his injured player, bowed his head when students from both teams prayed for the injured. He was chastised by the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
Hamilton County school officials caved and said they would provide additional training. How outrageous! A coach is not allowed to bow his head! Really? How did we get to a place where a "law forbids school employees from participating in prayer with students." I'm stunned by this absurdity. Bowing one's head is participating? Really? Time to change the law.
Donna Budnick
Winchester, Tenn.
Bennett voices 'our opinions'
Clay Bennett's cartoon in the Feb. 1 Times Free Press was spot on. It was as if he had been at the dinner table beside my friends and me. We are disillusioned and very concerned about the election results and the future of our country.
Regardless, we now have a new president. We want to give him a chance, but "he won't give me a chance to give him a chance." Thank you, Clay, for voicing our opinions. The Times Free Press has a national treasure with Clay Bennett. Please allow him to continue to be our conscience and voice an "alternative" opinion.
Cindy Carroll
Hixson
Hart's Obama rant not needed
In response to Free Press columnist Ron Hart's Feb. 3 column: In short, me thinks thou dost protest too much!
If I use your logic about a president's pre-administration occupation driving his legacy, then we can expect our new president, as a businessman, to only continue to dismantle every scrap of human rights ever mentioned in the Constitution to get done what he wants. We can expect this famous reality TV show host to use our natural resources for profit alone and fire anyone he doesn't agree with instead of following the law.
You can't rewrite history. Killing Osama Bin Laden did take place during Obama's presidency. It happened when he was our commander in chief. Please honor that. He did see the mission through to its end.
Why all the haste to lay low Obama's legacy? We need to let go of the anger and start pulling together on some of these issues to see our great country thrive and our great people survive.
Leave the history to future historians.
Lynne Marchetti
Media criticism is inconsistent
So the White House thinks the dishonest media is not reporting or underreporting terrorist attacks around the globe.
Yet when the media gives the Bowling Green massacre ample coverage, Kellyanne Conway gets all defensive.
Go figure.
Jack O'Grady
Cleveland, Tenn.