OK for senators but not for masses
Why should it be a surprise to us that six of seven who killed Insure Tennessee are on the state health plan? It is fine they, as members of the Tennessee legislature, are among the privileged who can get tax-subsidized health care while the masses cannot. But this is just another example of how those who are supposed to serve us in government reap the benefits of a system that gives them perks most of their constituents simply cannot get. They do not want anybody else having the same options of decent health care because it might threaten their piece of the government pie that only they should have access to. Kudos to Gov. Bill Haslam for trying to do the right thing. Shame on you, Senators Gardenhire, Niceley, Bell, Hensley, Kelsey, Crowe and Roberts for wanting to deny health care to folks who cannot afford what you can.
Tim Price Ethridge, Tenn.
Statue for Chantek will be source of pride
Not long ago, people had no idea whether great apes could think abstractly, learn language, learn a complex culture and show kindness. But now, thanks to Chantek, the first orangutan to ever learn human language and “talk” to us, we can answer those questions and many others, because Chantek, researcher Dr. Lyn Miles and students at UTC spent eight years working with Chantek, scientifically documenting his progress in learning language and culture while living on campus at UTC. Despite what one disgruntled citizen wrote, yes, Chantek and this amazing project should be remembered with a statue. The statue will be a point of pride for all residents of Hamilton County. I applaud the idea of commemorating project Chantek, and I will make a donation. I hope others will also contribute and help our city shine.
Shela Van Ness
No facts to be found at Fox News
It would take several pages in this newspaper to describe how wrong the writer of Friday’s “Obama hits new low” letter is and I would be glad to do so if allowed the space. Most of what he says is so beyond rational thought that it defies logic or perception. We cannot and should not be policemen to the world. Constitutional processes and the rule of law take time and are open to all. The Constitution grants religious freedom to all. Presidents decide foreign policy, and for Congress to ask Netanyahu to speak is against policy protocol. Obama must ask Congress for the right and money to wage war. The writer needs to read the Times Free Press more often and stop watching the Fox News fiction.
David Bean, Chatsworth, Ga.
Shootings underscore need for dialogue
In light of the recent shooting of three Muslim college students, now more than ever we must build bridges among different groups within the community. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, I believe that with the collaboration of people of all faiths and of no faith, we can eradicate the “us vs. them” mentality which plagues our society. We can learn that our similarities as humans are worth more than the differences which fuel us with pride for ourselves and fear of others. My prayers are with the families of those innocent students whose lives were taken much too soon.
Najia Humayun, Tunnel Hill, Ga.