Get registered and go vote
Don’t sit around while corporations and big money determine your future. If you’re feeling excluded, vote.
If you’re already registered to vote, make your voice heard. If you’re not registered to vote, you can now register online at: ovr.govote.tn.gov. You can even use an expired driver’s license, or your handgun carry permit, as long as there’s a photo.
The county primary is on Tuesday.
Next comes the county general election and state/national primary on Aug. 2. The voter registration deadline is July 3. Early voting is July 13 – 28.
On Nov. 6, we can vote in the general election. Early voting is Oct. 17 – Nov. 1.
Government elected by its citizens affects every aspect of our lives from schools to health care to homeland security.
Voting is an important right. Tell them what you think.
Kerry Lansford
Signal Mountain
Media ignores insurance crisis
Citizens will not make the connection comparing Fleischmann’s $1.1 campaign balance to Dr. Danielle Mitchell’s $65,000. The health care establishment and commercial interests largely favor the Republican Party.
I still also wonder why the Chattanooga citizen who published in USA Today last year how Obamacare saved his life never made the local news. Local TV has far more important things to tell us, like detailed discussions of temperature and rainfall variations among our many local communities, between of course, prescription drug commercials. The story of the local man saved by Obamacare must have been unimportant.
It isn’t unusual for health insurance to cost families $1,500 or more monthly with a $10,000 deductible. Yet, we hear all the time about family values.
Much of the noise in our midst originates from a vast army of political lobbyists who use other names – “freedom” or “liberty” phrases thrown in. We can thank multibillionaire G.W. Bush Supreme Court nominees who gave us unlimited financial influence in government. But we had rather not know. The weather is less controversial.
John F. Eary
Ringgold, Ga.
Remember free speech on Facebook
As we follow the congressional grilling of Facebook’s CEO, we wonder about the government’s allegiance to our First Amendment guarantee of free speech. We must step back and remember our commitment to democracy.
We must remember our national “declaration” that all human beings are “equal,” created with the “right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We endorse the generous invitation of “Lady Liberty” to join us: the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
And, as we experiment to preserve and protect our democracy, we recognize its dependence upon the vigilance of our citizens. This is especially true when confronting our government.
Zuckerberg’s Facebook idea embraces two concepts absolutely essential to a good democracy: an informed citizenry and easy access to each other. Government’s role is to protect our freedoms and legislate maximum transparency.
The Zuckerberg hearing was government vs. a citizen and his significant business. Congress began with the following intimidation: “Either you fix it or we will.” It was a moment ripe for discussion of modern day democracy.
Zuckerberg did a pretty good job on behalf of our democracy. He is a vigilant citizen so hats off to “our man,” Zuckerberg.
Blake Moore
Short summary of state gun culture
Tennessee Legislature refuses to pass a bill to block bump stocks and military type weapons.
Winners: NRA and Nashville lobbyists.
Losers: Protesting high school students.
Replay: Fall elections.
Rocky Renneisen
Signal Mountain
The world’s inaction has destroyed Syria
There was a time when Syria was a beautiful and welcoming country. I lived in Homs and Damascus for four-plus years. I was a teacher at the International School of Choueifat, where I taught English and Western history.
The area of Homs I lived in has been decimated. The apartment building I lived in has been bulldozed flat.
I proudly talk about my time in Syria. I was welcomed immediately and made to feel at home. Every afternoon, after I finished teaching, I would go for a walk. I wanted to see and feel the true Syria.
During my time in Syria, I saw Palmyra, Aleppo, the Ummayyid Mosque, Basra, Hama, Maloula, Qualb Lowzeh, The Dead Cities, Lattakia and so much more. Unfortunately, one is now unable to see and experience these places. We, the world, have sadly allowed Syria to become a skeleton of its former existence.
May peace come soon to Syria, inshalla; may humankind celebrate the concept of peace.
Mark Grantham
Lookout Valley
Motorists ignoring Hixson school zones
Why will no one listen?
For two months, between October and November 2017, I contacted the Chattanooga Police Department several times about excessive speed through the school zone in front of Hixson Middle/High Schools. No response.
On Feb. 14, an accident occurred at the entrance to the high school, creating mass confusion that morning as the high school parents, students and buses were routed through the middle school.
On March 13, I wrote a letter to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.
I received a call from a lieutenant who in turn gave me the phone number of another lieutenant. On March 16, that lieutenant assured me that the traffic division would be notified and patrol cars with radar would be dispatched to issue warnings/tickets. As of the end of March still nothing.
April is almost over and this is still an issue. Ninety-five percent of the vehicles speed through the school zone.
I thought it was time the media got involved.
Lynn Alan Heath
Journalism student questions ICE arrest
In recent days, the lawyers for Manuel Duran, a journalist arrested by the ICE in Memphis, advocated for the journalist by saying that “the government was trying to suppress his reporting” and that his First Amendment rights were violated. People in different professions never get in trouble for doing so. It is the journalists who have to face unfairness in how they are treated due to their job of communicating. Nevertheless, our freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Even when taken to court, there was no valid reason for him to be arrested since his charges were dropped.
I feel personally disappointed with such a situation, given the fact that I, myself, am a journalism student in Tennessee, I have lived in Duran’s country, and I am of Hispanic descent. Such actions make me question whether or not it is worth it to continue studying for a profession who many, including government branches, look at as if it is based on publishing “lies.” All people like us want is to be able to exercise our rights and live up to our calling.
Maria Jose Moran
Collegedale
Johnson Memorial site is questioned
Statues and/or memorials must be carefully placed and never conflict with contemporary contexts. The “Confederate” statue at Hamilton Courthouse is OK located near an entrance no longer open. The proposed memorial to the Fallen Five at the Reserve is certainly in context at its location. However, the location of the Ed Johnson Memorial, south of the Walnut Street Bridge, is a bad idea.
The crime was committed underneath the bridge, but the proposed location of the memorial totally clashes with the contemporary purpose and usage of the new plaza. Young children on tricycles or learning to ride a bicycle for the first time and the location of an ice cream parlor with outside benches only feet away.
Why not place the memorial underneath the bridge where the crime actually took place. Think of a condo owner overlooking said plaza and that memorial. If I had such a view from my balcony, my lawyer’s phone would buzz.
Ronald Williams