Limited pain med choices hurt many
I [write on a subject] the medical profession would love to sweep under the rug – how to treat people who suffer from chronic pain.
I and others who deal daily with this are in despair concerning the lack of any relief from it because of the stupidity and complete intransigence of the tyrannical government we are saddled with. There is no excuse for any government to torture its citizens to satisfy the desires of a minority of moralistic morons to curtail effective treatment of those who suffer. Thousands cannot obtain relief from the limited choice of pain medication available.
The rate of suicide among such people is climbing at an alarming pace. There are only two fixes. The first is that all who suffer, and their friends or relatives, need to vote out all the fools responsible for the current intolerable situation, or, failing that, arm themselves as the Declaration of Independence says that all people have the right to do “when the government becomes destructive of those ends” of Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness, and march on the government to force it to listen and act to end this embarrassment.
Richard W. Shultz
Should have long had mask mandate
We have heard the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” To call out the Tennessee National Guard to take temperatures and try to relieve exhausted medical professionals is putting a Band-Aid on a preventable problem.
Months ago, Gov. Bill Lee was urged by hundreds of Tennessee physicians and by the federal COVID-19 advisory commission to issue a statewide mask mandate. He deferred his responsibility to county mayors. Even the least rational Tennessee citizen should realize that piecemeal policy has no chance of containing this apolitical virus which doesn’t recognize county lines (or state lines, for that matter.)
Gov. Lee put his political ideology before the safety of the citizens of Tennessee. Doctors have worn masks to stop the spread of infection for 80 years. The wearing of masks is the least we can do to protect the people around us, as well as ourselves. Unfortunately, the populace of Tennessee has demonstrated that the majority do not have the discipline or regard to wear masks without a mandate.
Thomas F. Phelps
Sewanee, Tennessee
Mutt and Jeff show will soon be ending
One came from humble beginnings and graduated from New York University Law School. Few can match his record of 4,152 convictions as U.S. attorney or success as mayor of New York City.
The other came from a wealthy family and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. As a real estate developer, funded by his family fortune, his failures significantly outnumbered his successes.
Like Mutt and Jeff, they seem to have little in common; but appearances aside, they have more in common than meets the eye. Specifically, a predisposition to confirmation bias – interpreting information in a way consistent with their existing beliefs. Also, they share a nebulous relationship with honesty. That is, they lie frequently, compulsively and pathologically. To complete the troika of confirmation bias and mendacity, add narcissism – fantasies about success, power and brilliance – and therein exists a volatile combination.
As one, the mouthpiece, has long been irrelevant, and the other, the dilettante, becomes increasingly irrelevant, their desire for approbation from others dramatically increases the probability that a unilateral action with devastating consequences for the U.S. will be perpetrated. Fortunately, the Mutt and Jeff road show will end Jan. 20, 2021.
T. William Alexander
Politicians at all levels are failing
Apparently, despite some obvious election shenanigans, enough Americans voted “not Trump” to elect bumbling Biden. Joe, a likeable longtime member of the corrupt Washington establishment, seems to have lost some mental acuity over the years. This leaves questions about who is really making the personnel and policy decisions behind the curtain, but we are told not to concern ourselves with such trivial matters.
Meanwhile, a runoff in Georgia between two spoiled rich kids and two left-leaning socialists, none of whom seem very likeable or capable, will determine the balance of power in the nation. Wonderful. Let’s hope for a split national Congress so those D.C. rascals can do as little harm as possible.
And then there are our local and state officials devastating small businesses across the nation with ineffective and illegal rules to try to control the virus, when really the only tools they truly possess are advice and education. They should be supporting and funding the front-line responders and institutions, as should we all. Leave our businesses and churches alone.
And I guess that’s the mess we call 2020. 2021 has to be better – right?
Mike Wolford
Hixson
Highway paving is embarrassing
I would like to understand how streets and highways are successfully paved and repaired in other areas, but Chattanooga cannot accomplish this feat. The latest example is Highway 153. Resurfaced only several weeks ago, there are already bad places, cracks and terrible transitions to bridges and overpasses.
When I-75 is resurfaced, it is smooth as glass, doesn’t take forever and lasts for years. I have travelled all over the states, and we have among the worst streets I have seen. Why is this? Can we not replace the company paving our streets and get someone competent?
Bob Bates
Hixson
‘Unsung heroes’ thanked for help
During this pandemic there have be may unsung heroes. Here is a shout-out to two of them.
In March, while working in the garden in my driveway, I fell backward onto the asphalt. Two young men, about the age of my grandsons, saw me fall and turned into my driveway to help. They were employees Action Exterminators. They called for emergency help and I ended up in the emergency room. Since my condition was serious, I went at Erlanger hospital’s trauma unit during the lockdowns.
I was released into the care of my son. Since his wedding anniversary was Easter Eve, I sent him home to be with his wife. And so it was that I was home alone when the tornado hit the Holly Hills subdivision on April 11. During the commotion that followed, the names and phone number of my heroes were lost.
Wherever you are, please know you are not forgotten. I pray that you and yours will keep safe until brighter days come our way in 2021.
Anne Fouquet