Racist cops’ actions put all of us at risk
The role of police officer demands the best in courage and conviction that law and order be just and fair for every citizen. The Minneapolis officer who killed George Floyd by suffocating him in spite of Floyd’s pleas revealed white racism at its most dangerous. His three colleagues revealed not only racism but a complete lapse of courage and duty to force a colleague to stop an attack on a citizen.
The surrounding crowd showed the restraint Americans are taught: not to interfere with officers doing official duties. However, in this situation American citizens, both white and black, failed to summon the courage to stop this act for fear of their own lives.
The question for white and black alike: What does a law-abiding citizen do when he/she sees an officer using deadly force not in self defense?
Racist white cops not only commit murder against persons of color, they demand by their actions that other American citizens put themselves at risk of certain harm or death, or leave that citizen to say for a lifetime: “I didn’t have the courage to step up to save an innocent human being.” The best police officers never force that choice.
Franklin and Tresa McCallie
Put COVID-19 figures in proper context
As I read The Associated Press report by Ted Anthony (TFP, Thursday, page A6), I find his explanation of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 both interesting and disturbing.
“100,000. A hundred thousands. Five thousand score. More than 8,000 dozen. All dead.” Scary!
The article goes on to say that “it’s really hard to grasp statistics” at a certain scale. Well, perhaps we can look at these numbers from the direction of the population of the U.S. – 330 million – give or take a few. About 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19. That number represents less than five tenths of 1% of our population; 100,000 deaths – that represents three hundredths of 1% of our population. Now, 40 million-plus out of work – that represents more than 12% of our population.
No one wants to get this virus. No one wants people to die from it. However, given the misery we are causing to the 40 million, it makes me wonder which is the real pandemic.
By the way, the “pan” in pandemic does not stand for “panic.” It indicates “across,” as in across borders, across populations.
Bob Vogt
Ooltewah
Alzheimer’s disease needs research money
As Congress continues to address the needs of our nation’s most vulnerable affected by the novel coronavirus, its members must also continue their work to address another devastating disease affecting millions of Americans – Alzheimer’s.
Today, more than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, a number expected to nearly triple by 2050, including more than 120,000 in Tennessee. In 2020, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $305 billion.
As this year’s chairman of the Chattanooga Walk to End Alzheimer’s and a career law enforcement professional, I believe that we must continue funding research to address Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Thankfully, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann can play an important role in addressing this critical issue. By increasing funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $354 million and by supporting $20 million to implement the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, he has the opportunity to provide millions of Americans like me with a sense of hope.
Please join me in encouraging Rep. Fleischmann to lead in the fight to end Alzheimer’s by supporting critical funding.
Tim Christol