Don’t carry products con men are selling
One of the rights of private businesses is the right to choose what goods it sells or advertises. Virtually all Republicans (and Democrats) would back this statement and fiercely fight anyone trying to horn in as “overreaching.” So good for some companies if they decide not to advertise or carry products sold by despicable con men, liars and other characters.
Gary Furman
Rossville, Ga.
Erlanger transition essential for future
Established to support Erlanger Health System, the Erlanger Foundation is the philanthropic arm that raises awareness and money to support Erlanger’s mission “to compassionately care for people.”
Today, Erlanger has the region’s only children’s hospital with 25 sub-specialties and a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Erlanger is also the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and academic medical center.
That’s why the plan to transition Erlanger Health System from its current public status to an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) health system is so crucial. As a part of its mission as a safety-net hospital, Erlanger is committed to continuing to provide care to all those who need it, regardless of their ability to pay. It only makes sense that Erlanger considers a change to compete in the marketplace. Any viable organization must change to survive.
With this new change, I believe the future of Erlanger is brighter than ever. Most importantly, Erlanger will continue providing care as the region’s safety-net hospital. Erlanger is at the heart of a thriving Chattanooga, and a thriving Erlanger is possible when it is in the hearts of Chattanoogans.
Lynn M. Bryant
Chair, Erlanger Foundation board
Unhappy physical paper going away
I don’t just like our local newspaper. I pretty much love it. For years I have looked forward to coming home, settling in on my couch and reading the paper after a long day at the office. I enjoy the feel of the paper, the rustling sound, folding the paper just so, the local news. All day, I spend hours focused on a computer, which is a very important part of my day, but when I come home, I just want to relax with a regular newspaper.
I’m sad that this enjoyment will be taken from me. I doubt I’ll be using the iPad for my local news. I will enjoy the Sunday paper and hope this isn’t going to be taken away as well.
I understand that I am in the minority but just wanted to share my thoughts.
Monica Gefter
Vet your news; check facts before sharing online
It seems to me that we have a distinct problem in this world, and it’s likely due to everyone and anyone being able to express their opinions and then spreading those opinions across the World Wide Web of opinions.
The old saying, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” is playing out daily on social media soapboxes that somehow pass for news for far too many unwitting souls.
If you are getting your news from social media, please stop. Actual news and world events cannot be explained in 280 characters or in photos or by opinion news shows that only traffic in “squeaky wheel” headlines disguised as factual news.
News must be vetted. It must show different sides of the issues, and most of all, it must be fact-checked. When reading or hearing factoids, ask yourself, is this the real thing or the “squeaky wheel” thing?
John Mathna
City, county leaders: Bring Amtrak here
I read the article “Lawmakers reintroduce bill to study Amtrak expansion” with great interest. Chattanooga, a city known for its railroad heritage, would really benefit from an Amtrak train. Chattanooga and Hamilton County should be working to make this happen while the money is available.
As part of this effort, I hope the city and the county will work to preserve the railroad siding that currently exists between the former Combustion Engineering site and the Tennessee River. This siding will allow Amtrak to locate a station on the other side of M.L King Boulevard from the Blue Goose Hollow Trailhead on the Tennessee Riverwalk. If Amtrak is going to bring passenger rail service to Chattanooga, we need to have the station located as close to downtown as possible without the cost of acquiring expensive and disruptive right of way for the tracks.
Jim Olson
Left-of-center voters don’t hate Trump
In a recent [Free Press] editorial that mentioned Weston Wamp, the writer accused “left-of-center voters” of hating Trump. They don’t hate Trump. They are just good people who do not embrace the malignant bigotry of Trump and a number of his followers, along with Trump’s personal corruption.
The editorial writer goes on to say that those on the left are trying “to make him (Trump) the face of all elections in 2022,” which is what Trump wants. Trump and his followers have made Trump the face of the Republican Party. Those good Republicans who want to get past Trump should repudiate him, as Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger and Mitt Romney have done. Once that is done, Republicans can get back to what the party should be about, such as reducing the overly generous Social Security benefits that many born before 1965 are receiving and will undeservedly and unfairly receive at the expense of those born after 1965.
Neil Greenwood
Delano, Tenn.
Select ‘Maus’ book for required reading
Today in many ways we have reached the zenith of “Fahrenheit 451,” the novel where outlawed books were burned. Last month the McMinn County Board of Education voted to remove “Maus,” a book written by Art Spiegelman in comic-book style, that tells the story of a Holocaust survivor. The book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992, the pinnacle for authors.
The board felt the book contained inappropriate language and also showed the caricature of a naked woman in a tub (where she committed suicide), although both pale in comparison to much on TV today.
This piqued my curiosity, so, like many others, I ordered the book to see what the brouhaha was about. The 295-page book is a quick read. It told the story of a Polish Jew who was able to use his skills and wits to defy death at Auschwitz. Readers could learn about the mistreatment of millions as well as feel the tenderness and guilt of the author, as he had a less-than-ideal relationship with his dad, the survivor.
If ever there was a book – in comic book form, even – that students should be required to read, “Maus” is my pick.
Tom Baker
Hixson
No longer Putin fan, but admire Zelensky
I was an admitted fan of Putin when he was trying to tone down the insanity of the left-wing anarchists who rule the world. It is as if he has had an epiphany from hell. There is no shortage of mind-numbed robots, in all of our militaries, who will obey any order, including killing anyone, when told.
In our rush to socialism, given that some are more equal than others, ideology has won over common sense.
Oddly enough, Dwight David Eisenhower warned all of us of the inculcation of the military industrial complex into our lives, to which we all now bow.
I equate Churchill’s defiance in the face of annihilation by the Germans to the incredible stance of Zelensky’s heroic demand; i.e., “Don’t give me a ride, send me ammunition.”
Whatever happens … Zelensky will be deservedly immortalized.
Michael Gaff
Signal Mountain