We should protect local wine sellers
As a concerned citizen of Tennessee, I took offense to the Times editorial (Dec. 13) on wine sales in grocery stores. Can we honestly believe that wine sales in grocery stores will have no impact on the locally-owned liquor stores operating in Tennessee?
One simply would need to look at what big box stores have done to small retail businesses to realize what would happen if chain-owned stores get their way and are allowed to take sales away from locally-owned businesses and send profits to out-of-state corporate headquarters.
So, the Times believes state revenue would increase, but the level of drinking would remain the same. How do you suppose state revenue would increase but drinking would remain the same? What are consumers doing with that additional wine they are purchasing, watering their house plants? I would like to know exactly what studies the Times referred to. Most likely, one paid for by the big box stores, who would be the true beneficiaries of the sale of wine in grocery stores in Tennessee!
SANDRA REYNOLDS
Politicians’ debt argument useless
Watching the Democrats and Republicans argue over the U.S. debt is like watching two drunks argue over a bar bill on the Titanic.
DALTON ROBERTS
Would it matter if victims were boys?
I’m wondering if the victims of police misconduct in Cleveland had been boys aged 14, 15, and 17 instead of young girls, whether Chief Snyder would still have his job. Is this not another glaring case of a gender double standard? Is it OK for young girls to be sexually molested by older men and we just think that’s the norm?
I noticed that the City Council and mayor’s support for Snyder were all males. It’s just another case of our long history in this country of treating women as second-class citizens, chattel property, or novelties created for the entertainment and pleasure of men.
JOE PORTER
Sewanee, Tenn.
Don’t forget music in arts education
While I was pleased to read your lengthy editorial (December 19) on arts education, I was distressed that you did not once mention music.
“Arts” includes more than just visual art. You very briefly mention dancing and acting, but not a word about musical training.
Statistics unequivocally show the value in later life of music training at a young age. Our inspiring and motivated CSO spends many hours and resources going into Hamilton County schools. It would have been nice to have had a more balanced in-depth perspective.
JO COKE
Signal Mountain