Stop transporting so many students
I read where the school board would bus children from Brown School to Signal Mountain and that a 12-year member of the Hamilton County school board is calling for the “removal” of Dr. Jim Scales as superintendent for lack of leadership.
I thought, what is the school board thinking, busing children from Brown to Signal Mountain. We all know they never do anything “logical,” but to this 80-year-old man I asked myself, does anyone on this board have any common sense?
I was told this school board buses children from our inner city to Sale Creek and other great distances, spending huge amounts of money. Actually it appears they are more in the “transportation business” than the educating our children business. Stop “long distance” busing today.
We must set school zones and abide without yielding to them!
It appears that the words “Let’s give all of our children the best education possible” are never used with this group.
Let’s make “all” schools safe and a place the children can attend without fear and develop their many “talents.”
JAMES THORNTON
Hixson
Pattern emerges over investigations
I wonder if anyone at the NAACP realizes just how ridiculous their organization looks when they can spend time at their annual convention proposing a resolution condemning (suspected) racism within the “Tea Party” movement even as they completely ignore the (blatant) racism exhibited by the “New Black Panther Party.”
I’ve not heard anyone in the “Tea Party” urging the murder of black babies, but I’ve seen the clip where leaders of the Panthers most definitely urge the killing of white babies.
Hypocrisy? I think so. Speaking of hypocrisy, I find it equally ridiculous that our Justice Department under the unable leadership of Eric Holder cannot bring itself to prosecute that same “New Black Panther Party” for voter intimidation at the polls in Philadelphia, but sees no problem investigating the matter of the white transit police officer in Oakland who has already been found guilty by a jury of his peers in a liberal city in a very liberal state for shooting an unarmed black man.
There seems to be a pattern emerging. Blacks committing crimes against whites – no problem, no investigation. Whites committing crimes against blacks – big problem, big investigation, even after the matter has already been adjudicated once. This is so wrong.
GARY PETERSON
Crossville, Tenn
Behler a man of integrity
I have enjoyed coming to Chattanooga for 34 years as host of the Pat Boone Bethel Bible Village Celebrity Spectacular.
For 20 of those years, I have known Gary Behler, a candidate for Hamilton County Juvenile Court clerk. Gary served as director of program services for Bethel Bible Village, overseeing all of the activities of the children cared for by the wonderful staff of Bethel.
He also served as the producer of our Pat Boone concerts for several years.
I know Gary to be a man of faith who cares deeply for the children and families in your area. He has a vision for the changes needed in that office and will work tirelessly to implement them. He is a man of integrity who will represent you well in that important elected office. In the upcoming election I am asking you to vote for my friend, Gary Behler, for Juvenile Court clerk.
PAT BOONE
Hollywood, Calif.
Brooks’ track record impressive
John Brooks, candidate for the County Commission District 6, is a man of integrity and compassion. He has worked effectively to improve the lives of our community and District 6. The Red Bank Dog Park and the playground equipment at Patten Center is but a small example. Patten Center is an active reading center enabling students to read during the summer break. My vote is for an experienced and impressive track record – John Brooks.
LU LEWIS
Red Bank
9/11 was retaliation for Jewish invasion
The l948 creation of Israel, subsidized financially and politically by the United States, resulted in over 5 million Palestinians (U.N.) being forcibly removed from their homes to squalid refugee camps. Since l948, Palestinians have suffered ongoing violence and fascism from U.S.-subsidized Israel. Hundreds of villages have been obliterated and wiped off the map. Thousands of Palestinian homes have been bombed, bulldozed or dynamited.
This was the beginning of 9/11 and the Afghan War.
As per suspected, incarcerated 9/11 Muslim organizers, 9/11 was justified retaliation for the Jewish invasion of Palestine and subsequent destruction of the Palestinian peoples and culture for the last 60 years. This violence continues with the recent expansion of Israeli settlements into Palestinian lands, Palestinians being evicted from their homes.
President Obama has given America’s blessings to this continued Jewish violence, i.e. “No Change,” which results in more Muslim terrorism against America.
Jews have been persecuted over the centuries in other countries for the same type of draconian behavior Jews are now committing from America’s Wall Street to the Middle East.
FRANK DEPINTO
Cartoon alienates many in audience
As difficult as it is to attract and retain paying customers, you’d think that the last thing a newspaper would want to do would be to disrespect a large portion of its customer base. By printing editorial cartoonist Clay Bennett’s depiction of the “fish symbol” converted to a shark by means of a crayon labeled “intolerance” (July 18), the Times Free Press has further succeeded in alienating a considerable segment of its subscribers.
Most churches work diligently to feed and clothe the needy. They also do a great deal of community service, provide emergency assistance during disasters, and in general have a genuine desire to help those less fortunate.
During his brief tenure with the Times Free Press, Mr. Bennett has succeeded numerous times presenting his viewpoint on subjects that I and many others totally disagree with. Mr. Bennett certainly has a right to draw any cartoon that he wants and the Times Free Press has the right to publish it. I’ve been a subscriber to your paper for over 20 years. However, I for one, will no longer be a part of the financial support that Mr. Bennett enjoys to help form his paycheck.
DALE SMITH
Rossville
Smith’s background puts him at the top
Kenny Smith has done an exceptional job serving Hamilton County as school board chairman. Kenny has a bachelor’s degree from UTC, a four-year electrical apprenticeship program, and is the training director of the Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship. His educational and training background gives Kenny a unique understanding of the role of education in employment.
Kenny is a longtime advocate for a stand-alone 21st century technical career high school. Serving on the Chattanooga State Community College board also helps Kenny see the need for such a school for an effective work force. As a high school teacher, I agree that students need many educational options to prepare them for employment. Our governor seems to agree with Kenny’s ideas, too; he appointed Kenny to serve on the State Workforce Development Board.
As a longtime Brainerd advocate, I am impressed that Kenny met with many Brainerd neighborhood groups and listened to our concerns. Consequently, Kenny’s campaign has many Brainerd, East Ridge and Concord supporters working together to ensure that this approachable, accomplished man is elected. I encourage my neighbors in District 8 to vote for Kenny Smith as our Hamilton County commissioner.
CANDY CORNELIUSSEN
Haynes offers proven action
Please vote for Marty Haynes for Hamilton County school board District 3.
In the race to represent District 3, the old saying is true, “actions speak louder than words.” Marty’s history and involvement are evidence of his love for the schools and the community in District 3. Four generations of the Haynes family have attended Hixson schools, and the fifth generation will start this fall.
Marty has served in a variety of service areas in Hixson – Kiwanis, PTA, Ronald McDonald House, Hixson Youth Athletic Association, and Hixson High Alumni Scholarship Fund. Marty was also the longtime PA announcer for the Hixson High School baseball and football games. And Marty is a member of the Hixson High School Hall of Fame.
A vote for Marty is a vote for proven action in our community and schools.
STEVE HALL
Hixson
Gobble endorsed by the people
While some of the other candidates for Congress are showing their true colors, I am proud to vote for the one candidate who has a real record, Sheriff Tim Gobble.
He remains the only candidate to have experience balancing a budget and saving the taxpayers money. The other candidates can fight all day long over their endorsements and fundraising, but Tim Gobble is the only candidate who has ever been endorsed by the people.
With his experience in the Secret Service and as a sheriff, Tim Gobble is probably the most qualified candidate to ever run in Tennessee. On top of that, in this race he has always conducted himself like a gentleman. He will make us proud in Washington.
EVA JO SMITH
Don’t let Haslam fool you on guns
I have received three very slick-looking mailings in the last two months proclaiming Bill Haslam’s (new found) love and respect for the Second Amendment.
I have followed Mr. Haslam’s true record on this matter for some time now. In 2005, he joined the rabidly, anti-Second Amendment, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) created by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. What’s wrong with opposing illegal guns, you ask? Nothing at all if that were really the agenda of the group. With the NRA, I have fought many like it over the years.
After he joined and remained a member for years, in January ’09 Haslam announces his run for governor of Tennessee. One month later, he joins the NRA, then sends a letter to Bloomberg, resigning and making a hollow claim that “he was duped” by MAIG basically. Willfully ignorant or woefully gullible (for four years, mind you), you decide. Either way, I won’t trust him with my freedoms! Join the NRA and fight back!
Go to http://moderately marvelous.wordpress.com/2010/06/ for a very complete account and timeline of his involvement with MAIG and their activities, and vote Zach Wamp for governor of Tennessee!
RAY GRIGGS
Lookout Valley
Stop Obama; elect Crangle
The coming midterm elections will be the most important elections in modern history. Will we accept the status quo?
Extreme liberalism, one-party control, high unemployment, overspending, $14 trillion in debt. Will we do something about it?
What can we do? We need to stop the Obama spending machine, the current Democrat-controlled Congress.
How? By sending a representative to Congress who will represent all of us. I have studied most of the current candidates for U.S. Congress and found a person who believes the way I do, Tommy Crangle.
I met Tommy at a Tea Party rally in Chattanooga several months ago; we had an interesting conversation. We both believe in smaller government, lower taxes, protecting our borders, etc.
Being retired Army, one of the most important issues is the right to keep and bear arms. I believe that arms control is on Obama’s agenda. Let’s stop Obama; send Tommy Crangle to Congress. He will represent all of us.
RICHARD MONROE
Harrison
Correction
In a letter to the editor published on July 23, the signature should have read Howard W. Hatcher, not Howard W. Hatter.
THE EDITOR