Opinion differences good; stay engaged
I have been a subscriber to your newspaper for many years, and will continue to do so.
There have been a few times that I have come close to cancelling my subscription due to the excessive amount of times you deviate from the “statement of core values” you so proudly proclaim; however, after getting my emotions back under control I decide not to.
I have heard some who threaten to cancel their subscriptions due to an anti-law enforcement cartoon by Clay Bennett or some “way out in left field” comment by David Cook, or even some highly biased opinion by Pam Sohn, but my advice is don’t. Differences of opinion are good, and even though I wish our paper was a little more respectful of us conservatives, I will keep on reading and writing because this is free America. I encourage others to do the same. Cancelling subscriptions or boycotting businesses are a step in shutting down freedom of speech. Don’t go there!
Ronnie Case, South Pittsburg, Tenn.
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Kavanaugh on the court is a travesty
The Trump Administration and Republicans in the U.S. Senate hope that we’re too distracted to notice their extreme political takeover of the U.S. Supreme Court.
With Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, there is a solid majority on the court that supports the president’s anti-health care, anti-worker, anti-immigrant, anti-choice and pro-gun political agenda. Kavanaugh already reflects this perspective, and with Trump facing his own scandals, including possible obstruction of justice, Kavanaugh will not advocate for his impeachment.
Kavanaugh’s confirmation could mean people with pre-existing conditions can’t get health coverage; women can’t get affordable birth control; gun laws are weakened or eliminated; and the executive branch is not held accountable. That must not be our new normal.
Kavanaugh’s lifetime appointment could have a disastrous impact for generations to come. We are better than this, America.
Elsa Petersen
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Some experiences take time to reveal
Me Too? Also He Too? I write this because of a senator’s remarks about timeliness (Is 60 years too long to wait to spill the beans?) and because other people may have experienced a similar situation.
Back in the 1950s I went to a ritzy summer camp. One morning, I wasn’t feeling well so I went to the camp’s infirmary. The doc asked me to come by after lunch.
When I returned with my headache and vertigo, the doc said to go upstairs, sit on his bed and tell him about it. I thought that odd but complied; he asked some questions, then I felt his hand on my thigh. I asked, “What are you doing?” And he moved his hand to fondle me! I was momentarily dumbfounded. Then I socked him and somehow walked away from him. I went back to my bunk, not knowing what to do.
I have remained silent since but have thought about it throughout my life – even through therapy and warm, trusting relationships.
How this affected me, I can only guess, but, Senator, it takes time and even courage to mention it. To anyone from the same era, you are not alone.
Harvey Weiss
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Bredesen will be independent voice
I am an American committed to making a difference and work hard to be informed and engaged. I participate in intelligent conversation and count as friends people of varied backgrounds and persuasions. I am a proud Democrat. At this point, many of my Republican friends will stop reading. I urge you to continue.
I am a retired employee of a major corporation. I have been covered under Medicare and a reasonably priced supplemental for a long time. They have covered my needs and those of my late wife. Our medical expenses were handled judicially and efficiently. Medical bills have not been an issue for me.
Medicare and my supplement are single-payer plans. Single-payer is not a curse word as some of my Republican friends argue. This position is being espoused by Marsha Blackburn and others. She is also hell-bent on opposing state expansion of Medicaid. She is wrong.
I urge a vote for Phil Bredesen for U.S. Senate. He will bring a strong background of independence and intelligent discourse. He has a demonstrated record of working across the aisle and knows compromise is an option.
Vote or else you have no right to complain.
Irv Ginsburg
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Don’t go backward; elect Blackburn
A house divided. That is the sad situation in which we, as a country, now find ourselves.
Phil Bredesen says he is a moderate. Think about this: If elected, he will be a “freshman” in the Senate. Do you think the “seniors” are going to listen to anything he has to say? If he goes against the leadership, his office will end up being in a broom closet.
What if the Democrats take the House and Senate? They will push for impeachment. Then what happens if we elect Elizabeth Warren or another far-left candidate?
What will be the Democrats’ agenda? It will be to roll back tax reform (raise taxes), abolish ICE and protect illegal immigrants with more sanctuary cities, Medicare for all, free college tuition, more regulations, re-honoring the Iran agreement, agreeing to global environmental rules and reducing our military.
And remember the Democrats’ new slogan: Guilty until proven innocent. Elect Marsha Blackburn to help continue our economic resurgence and continued military strength.
Kris Riefler
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Collins was correct; time to move on
Everyone should read Sen. Susan Collins’ message on her decision to vote for Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Very intelligent and concise. Time to move on.
Margie Merritt, Ringgold, Ga.
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Brett Kavanaugh lacks empathy
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has voted with Donald Trump 79.2 percent of the time. Very few expected her to vote against Kavanaugh. At the end of an interminable speech explaining why she admired Brett Kavanaugh the judge, and was silent on Kavanaugh the man, she revealed a perceptual difficulty she has getting the full picture. The difficulty is summed up in that old saying, “She cannot see the forest for the trees.”
She seemed to be interested in only Kavanaugh’s memory and intellectual adjudication of legal matters. Whereas Kavanaugh’s maladjustment in character, values and emotions on display in real time in the hearing were so contrary to those of an adequate judge indicated to many that he is unfit to be a Supreme Court justice.
To decide the fate of any individual requires a judge to understand human beings, to understand himself, to understand to a certain degree, the accused, his character, values, emotional adjustment and his situation.
Kavanaugh is too defensive to understand himself or others. His defensiveness distorts reality to an extent such that he cannot even see the reality of others.
Faye Walter, Sewanee, Tenn.
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Trump’s comments on Ford ‘despicable’
I want to publicly thank and commend Dr. Christine Blasey Ford for the courage and integrity she showed in testifying before the Senate Judicial Committee. Having courage does not mean that a person has no fear; rather it means that a person does the right thing in spite of his or her fear.
Dr. Ford began her testimony by frankly and honestly admitting that she was “terrified.” Other than the fulfillment of telling the truth, she had nothing whatsoever to gain by coming forward with her statement. She was fully aware that she would be open to questioning, criticism and attack from some powerful people, but that did not deter her from following her conscience. Once again, I thank and commend her.
For the president of the United States to mock an American citizen, such as Dr. Ford, in a political campaign speech is petty, mean and despicable. It says far more about him than it does about her.
The Rev. H. Hunter Huckabay Jr.