Obama immigration speech outrageous
On July 1, the president made an immigration speech which can only be described as outrageous.
His statement that our borders are more secure than they have been in decades is ludicrous and flies in the face of facts. Facts, which include the murder of an Arizona rancher, Phoenix being second only to Mexico in the number of kidnappings, and the U.S. government erecting signs warning Americans against using some 80 miles of American territory lest they experience violence at the hand of illegal aliens or dug smuggling cartels. Yes, American territory and sovereignty is abandoned to criminals!
Like Bush before him, the only specific was his call for amnesty for the 12 million to 20 million illegal aliens who have invaded our country. It is unconscionable to call for amnesty while some 15 million Americans – Hispanic, black, disabled and teenage Americans – are unemployed and illegal aliens have 8 million full-time jobs.
Article 4, Section 4 of the Constitution is a guarantee by the federal government to protect a state against invasion. It is time that the Obama administration fulfill that guarantee. It is time that the American people say in no uncertain terms, “Constitution, Si! Amnesty, No!”
MAL MAUNEY
Crossville, Tenn.
Big turnout needed to support Wamp
The importance of voting early and voting Zach Wamp in the primary elections.
As we come close to early voting that begins on July 16 and the primary elections on Aug. 5, I think Chattanooga residents need to be reminded of the importance of participating and voting in this primary, specifically the governor’s race and especially if you are a Zach Wamp supporter.
It is pretty obvious that this is a two-man race between Congressman Zach Wamp and Mayor Bill Haslam.
Zach Wamp, being from Chattanooga, is projected to win in his hometown. As a Chattanoogan, supporter and believer in his 20/20 Vision for Tennessee, I am going to vote for Mr. Wamp.
Not only will I vote for him but I am going to make sure that my family and friends know about the importance of this race, when early voting starts and when the primary election day is.
I encourage and challenge all the Zach Wamp-for-governor supporters to do the same and make sure we all turn out in huge numbers to vote and elect Zach Wamp as our next governor.
HODGEN MAINDA
Replace troops with Blackwater
If the U.S. wants to get out of Iraq without it looking like we gave up, pull out all the troops and put Blackwater in there. I would almost bet those people who are causing all the trouble would leave because Blackwater’s hands wouldn’t be tied like our troops are.
Blackwater is a killing machine; that’s what they’re trained to do, kill the enemy before they kill us.
From what I hear from soldiers who’ve been over there, the people in Washington tell them not to shoot at someone who is putting an explosive device by the road or who shoots at them and then runs away.
We’ve left one war without winning it and gotten a lot of our young men killed. Now we can’t afford to leave another one without winning It.
Those clowns in Washington have the nerve to tell the troops not to shoot at the enemy unless they are getting shot at. I think politicians in Washington are afraid they’ll make them mad. Well, I’ve got news for you: They are already mad ,and it didn’t bother them when they flew those planes into those buildings in New York. They started it; now it’s time for us to finish it.
H. BUDDY ROGERS
Red Bank
Financial reform helps taxpayers
Americans need to know that reform doesn’t just help create a more stable economy. It would actually improve the lives of everyday American families. Here are five benefits:
Reform forces credit-card and mortgage companies to play by the rules. No more hidden fees or pages of fine print.
Families who are hoping to buy a home or pay for college are put on a level playing field with lenders. Reform ensures they’ll get the information they need presented clearly and concisely so they can make good decisions. The same goes for small businesses and community banks that play fair and deserve to see their businesses grow.
The legislation cracks down on predatory lenders looking to mislead people into taking on irresponsible debt.
Wall Street reform establishes an independent agency – the consumer Financial Protection Agency – with one job: to protect consumers and enforce the new consumer financial protections, which would be the strongest ever enacted.
Finally, American taxpayers will never again be asked to bail out the big banks that are “too big to fail.”
Passing Wall Street reform will help improve the lives of everyday Americans. It will show once again that this movement can go toe-to-toe with lobbyists – and win.
GLENN LOCKE
Crossville, Tenn.
Crangle is able to solve problems
I’ve been a small-business owner my entire adult life, and I know how vital it is to form an effective team. The principles are the same for Congress. It’s time to get the career politicians out of Washington and enlist leaders of Godly character who will stand up for our Constitution as it was written by our Founding Fathers.
Tommy Crangle is not a politician. He is a professional engineer who is trained to solve problems. He grew up on a farm where he learned to work hard and he put himself through school at Tennessee Tech. He is a solid conservative and an experienced negotiator who is skilled at producing positive results.
He volunteered for six assignments in Iraq, serving as the senior adviser to the Iraqi government on the electric infrastructure. While Tommy was there, the electricity output increased 26 percent over a four-month period. He was awarded the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award and he was “coined” by 4-Star Gen. David Petraeus for excellence, one of the highest honors an officer can bestow.
Please vote for Tommy Crangle on Aug. 5 for Congress in the Third District.
GAIL HOLLAND
Hixson
It’s time to ask ‘why’ on rezoning
On Jan, 11, the Regional Planning Agency (RPA), represented by Mr. Greg Haynes, director of Development Services, recommended to the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) to rezone a parcel of land at 5336/5344 Hunter Road that is surrounded by single family zoning from A1 to R3. Under intense questioning from RPC members, Mr. Haynes stated that this “…would be an R3 spot-zone.”
Spot-zoning and spot-zoning ordinances are invalid on the general grounds that they do not bear a substantial relationship to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the particular municipality. So while the RPC voted unanimously to deny the rezoning, no one asked “why” the RPA recommended the R3 spot-zoning?
A few months later, after that exact parcel was annexed into the city, Mr. Haynes again advocated before the RPC for rezoning from temporary R1 to permanent R3. The RPC again voted to deny, but no one asked Mr. Haynes “why” the RPA would recommend an action that has been consistently held to be not legal in Tennessee. This action could set up the city for an expensive lawsuit which they would very likely lose.
It’s time our elected leadership ask the RPA and Mr. Haynes, “why?”
GEORGE STEVENS
Ooltewah