What happened to Christmas tree?
Who took the Christmas tree? There is always a decorated Christmas tree displayed on a small hill near the railroad tracks off Hickory Valley Road. It shows up right after Thanksgiving and taken down after New Year’s. Some secret Santa has been placing the tree there each year, including this year, and we all anticipate its arrival and look forward to seeing it, grateful in our own way that random acts of “Christmas” still exist. So, to whoever took the Christmas tree, please put it back. It’s such a small thing but brought much joy.
Elizabeth Simmons, Harrison
Don’t disregard good Catanzaro did
You can find things to criticize about a person who holds a job a long time, but we should never forget the good they did while they served. That’s how I feel about Jim Catanzaro as he leaves Chattanooga State Community College. Jim was a dreamer and a doer. He did his part in our effort to bring about a renaissance of Chattanooga. Jim, I remember and I will not forget.
Dalton Roberts
Magi didn’t see Jesus in manger
While I am glad to see David Cook writes about and seems to believe in the birth of Christ and his deity, I do want to correct a couple of mistakes he makes in his article (Dec. 24). He mentions those present at Jesus’ birth. The Magi were not there for the birth but probably arrived almost two years later to present their gifts to the Christ child. The shepherds in the field were the family’s first visitors. Also, there was no fear in the stable that night. Joseph and Mary had come to Bethlehem for the census required by Caesar Augustus. It was not until later, when the wise men were following the star and looking for the baby, that Herod became nervous about a new king and had all the boys around Bethlehem 2 years old and younger killed. Yes, I even have the wise men around my manger scene, but most biblical scholars say they arrived later.
KAY WILSON, Chickamauga, Ga.
Cartoons don’t reflect populace
It’s pathetic your editorial section always includes the misguided attempt at satire by Clay Bennett, but most unfortunately it is also representative of the obvious liberal bias of your paper. “Without fear or favor” does not reflect your editorial position. “Without common sense” might be a more representative slogan. The recent full page of Bennett’s “cartoons” reflects tasteless perspectives that do not reflect the polls of public opinion. Shame on your choice.
Chuck Charnawskas
Shooting spree raises key questions
Just read the chilling account of a woman, Julia Shields, shooting up a neighborhood in Hixson and pointing her gun at the police and living. For the record, I am very glad of that fact. She obviously needs help. But a couple of questions immediately come to mind. First, was she a registered gun owner? Second, and more importantly, if she had been of color would the outcome have been the same? And going back to Ferguson, was the most obvious racist Michael Brown? Would he have robbed and assaulted a black shop owner? Would he have attacked a black police officer? Unfortunately racism does exist, has for a very long time and probably will continue. If we are honest, we have all been guilty of at least thinking of racist thoughts at some times in our lives. Hopefully through discussions and meaningful actions it will be reduced and minimized as we go forward.
Michael Lawrence