Freedom of speech sadly disappearing
I had a good chuckle out of Steve Johnson’s article “Who invited controversial admiral to [the Chattanooga Unite] concert?”
According to the article, emcee Samuel L. Jackson was seen moving out of the camera’s frame when 88-year-old retired Adm. James Lyons spoke.
Why all the hoopla over a few politically incorrect remarks the majority of Americans are in agreement with?
I do not agree the Obama administration is to be blamed directly for the July 16 shootings, but indirectly the policies of the government have opened the door for terrorists to enter this country and become so compartmented that even the FBI can’t put a finger on them.
Adm. Lyons is a writer and public speaker whose views, according to him, are well known. I do agree with what he said: “We have far too few people willing to stand up and speak truth to power.” As has been seen, it is an invitation for an audit by the IRS.
It is a shame freedom of speech is becoming extinct. Maybe one day America will be once again free to speak its mind.
Gary D. Bell, Trenton, Ga.
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Speaker should apologize to city
Ever since five servicemen were murdered here two months ago in a horrific act of violence, Chattanoogans have exemplified the spirit of community, especially on behalf of the victims’ families. Last week’s tribute was just the latest in an outpouring of love and remembrance.
That’s why it was such a shock when retired Adm. James Aloysius Lyons Jr., seemingly overcome by self-importance, tried to politicize the tribute. He blamed the shootings on President Obama whom he described as “anti-American” – the slur that always reveals more about the speaker than the person criticized.
It is “Obama’s policies that have contributed to the social unrest and hate that contributed to the deaths that happened here,” Lyons claimed. And the servicemen’s death should start a movement “to take back America,” whatever that cliche means nowadays.
In light of his shameful actions, Lyons has a duty to apologize to the servicemen’s families and friends – and to Chattanooga for his insensitivity. As for those in the audience who cheered his anti-Obama rant, that only proved that bad manners are often viral.
Michael Loftin
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Poverty will be same in 50 years
The article “A City Apart” discussing the appalling poverty in the black community should come as no surprise to any thinking person. The cause of this condition began more than 50 years ago when Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty.
The program Aid to Families with Dependent Children was instituted to ensure adequate food and housing for the poor. Since then, black illegitimacy went from 23 percent to the 73 percent it is currently. It is a well-known fact children growing up in single-parent homes are more likely to live in poverty.
Whenever a government program is instituted to fight a problem, the problem will grow. When you virtually pay people to have illegitimate babies, they are going to game the system. It was liberal good intentions run amok. Fifty years from now, you will be having the same discussion about black poverty and crime.
The goal will be to get more money and more programs, and the problem will continue to fester. Ironically, the solution is to cut off all funding and make those not working work.
The politicians don’t have the will or the guts to tell the truth.
Jim Howard