Military policy of gays is correct
Adm. Mike Mullins said in a Times Free Press article on Feb. 3 that lifting the gay ban is a priority in the military. He says it is wrong to force people to “lie about who they are in order to serve in uniform.” The defense secretary also announced plans to loosen enforcement rules involving “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which became effective in 1993.
Our military is fighting two wars and our leaders are worried about the sexuality of a few individuals in the military. If changes were made to the existing rules a lot of additional time would be required on how to implement the new changes.
For example, now we have facilities identified for males and for females. Would the change require that we would have other categories for the gays? Why should gays make such a big deal out of being gay? If everyone spent as much time concerned about sexuality as gays seem to, nothing would ever get accomplished.
I think it is time the straight people stand up for what is right. I believe that “don’t ask, don’t tell” is the correct policy, if indeed a new different policy is required.
BOB KEYLON
‘Fake Christians’ running rampant
There are a number of “fake Christians” running rampant in these United States, both pols and pundits! Though many of them don’t realize they are fakes, some of them know they are. The reason they must be fakes is they do not in any way attempt to be “Christ-like.” Their only messages are hate, not caring anything for the poor, needy, or the regular hard-working low-to-middle-income people.
They put blame for events such as Haiti and hurricane Katrina upon the poor people living there or even elsewhere.
The Rev. Jim Wallis is an evangelical Christian writer and political activist, best known as the founder and editor of Sojourners Magazine and of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian community of the same name. Wallis actively eschews political labels, but his advocacy tends to focus on issues of peace and social justice. In reference to Pat Robertson’s hatred toward the poor people of Haiti, Rev. Wallis questioned if Pat Robertson had ever even actually read the Bible.
Bob Beckel, professor, George Washington University, called out the GOP as a bunch of birthers, baggers, and blowhards who do nothing for the people of this country.
WALTER M. BENTON
Signal Mountain
Draft takes only the common folk
A recent letter declared a need for the draft. Essentially positing it is the common folk who with their lives pay the price for wars, the elite being exempted.
As a combat veteran of the Korean War, I respectfully but emphatically disagree with the need, or desirability, for a military draft. The draft is forced servitude providing presidents with a massive and ready supply of red meat for the hungry and long-lived beast that is war.
The draft during the Korean and Vietnam wars did not collect the elite. And for those in the subject wars who had the misfortune to become POWs or MIAs, our not-so-benevolent government considered those who did not make it back home to be conveniently dead.
Gen. Smedley Darlington Butler said it succinctly: “War is a racket.”
End the perpetual cycles of war.
DARLINGTON M. FADELEY
Dunlap, Tenn.
Democrats deserve respect, coverage
It’s a shame the local news media only seem to cover tea-party/GOP candidates. In December, the Catoosa County Democratic Party hosted a barbecue in Fort Oglethorpe where seven Democratic candidates, including U.S. Senate candidate R.J. Hadley, U.S. congressional candidate Mike Freeman, gubernatorial candidate Lt. General David Poythress, as well as two candidates for secretary of state and two candidates for state school superintendent, addressed 100-plus supporters. All area newspapers and all three television stations were invited to cover the event. But not one showed up. We had to submit our own photo.
Then, in January, Hadley and Freeman returned for a midweek rally in Ringgold. Again, all media outlets were invited. This time, a reporter with WDNN television from Dalton was the only one to cover the event.
On Tuesday evening, all five Democratic candidates for governor of Georgia squared off in a debate at UGA. It was privileged to be given a 3-inch by 5-inch article located on the last page of section B of this newspaper.
Give Democrats a break, folks. Don’t you think our national party along with talk radio and Fox News are doing enough damage? We just ask for a little respect and equal coverage.
CHRISTOPHER S. SCOTT,
Chairman
Catoosa County
Democratic Party
Ringgold, Ga.
Law prohibiting chaining welcome
The new law prohibiting constant chaining of dogs and fines for barking dogs is great news for dogs (and neighborhoods)! Chaining is a sure cause of barking dogs, because those dogs are bored, frustrated and lonely. Dogs are highly social creatures and cannot understand why they’re confined away from the rest of the world. Constant chaining is like permanent “time out.”
But keeping a dog in a kennel is also horrible. That practice should be banned too! There should be a disclaimer on new kennels that kennels are not for permanent dwellings. Imagine living our entire lives in a small room with only one object, a bed? We couldn’t endure that for two days, much less for years!
Please, people, examine why you own a dog. Why buy food for a dog you don’t really want? Amazing but true, your confined dog is patiently waiting for the day he or she can interact with you. If you really do want your dog, get to know your dog. Train him or her and walk together. Take your dog on daily walks, 365 days per year, and your dog will want to please you forever. You will gain a buddy who will bring you tremendous devotion and love!
ANNE GRINDLE
Sewanee, Tenn.
People, gifts help Kitchen do its job
2009 was a very busy year for he Chattanooga Community Kitchen. Demand for all of our programs increased and the slow economy had us worried. We served 170,001 meals — up from a previous record 130,749 in 2008.
Thanks to the leadership of Allen and Maddin Corey, 2009 Fast Day Campaign chairs, we surpassed our $600,000 goal. They both worked diligently, and we appreciate their efforts.
Thank you, Chattanooga, for giving not only of your money, but also of your time — we had 25,807 volunteer hours in 2009. You also responded with record amounts of food, clothing, household items and recycling donations this past year.
I am always overwhelmed by the generosity and compassion of the people of the Chattanooga area. As a donor-funded non-profit located on 11th Street, your support makes our work with the homeless and needy possible. Thank you.
CHARLIE HUGHES
Executive Director
Chattanooga
Community Kitchen
We need someone to support seniors
It’s time to vote again, but who to vote for, that’s the question. I don’t see anyone who promises to do anything for the retired seniors.
We don’t have an income tax, but they keep making us pay state taxes because we saved for our retirement and receive capital gains and interest on our savings. So they have to make sure they get a share of our hard-earned savings.
It’s not fair, but they sure could care less. There’s not one in the whole bunch who gives a darn about us, so why should we vote for them or donate anything for them.
Just once I would like to see someone running for office to have enough backbone to stand up for the retired seniors.
IRENE ROSE
Hixson