Wamp offered wrong response
Leave the accusatory rhetoric to the right-wing conspiracy theorists. It reflects badly on us when our county mayor backs a billionaire who throws out incendiary words like “massive fraud” (without evidence) instead of standing up for a local pastor.
The Rev. Steve A. Caudle did unfortunately use the word “violence” without the preference “spiritual,” and people like Charlie Kirk insinuated “physical.” Mayor Weston Wamp could have diffused an explosive situation by repeating Caudle’s words, “This was taken completely out of context. Every preacher knows the difference between spiritual warfare and physical warfare. We’ve preached this ever since there’s been a black church.”
Wamp had his chance to be a hero for the people of Chattanooga. Indeed, all people under siege by the oligarchs trying to run (or ruin) our country. Instead, he chose to ask for Caudle’s resignation from the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission. This action makes him look like an opportunistic suck-up.
Sue Carol Elvin
Does Tennessee share DJT’s values?
So, state legislation is being proposed to rename Nashville’s airport “Trump International Airport.”
Why would we name anything for a twice-impeached president? A 34-count felon? An instigator of an insurrection? A man who told more than 10,000 lies in his first presidency? A man who has committed adultery? A thief of top secret government documents?
And only three weeks into his second term, he is overseeing a government which he is quickly trying to destroy under the guise of efficiency.
Politicians are fond of telling us that they represent “Tennessee values.” To rename Nashville’s airport for Trump would certainly demonstrate just what their values are.
Jim Webster
America, the water is getting hotter!
The recent spate of executive orders, dismissals of key executives in the Department of Justice, the FBI and other agencies, and giving oligarchs more power than Congress to allocate our tax dollars are ominous and dangerous signs.
Democracy, “a government of the people, by the people and for the people,” is fragile. Unfortunately, “we the people” have abdicated our responsibilities as watchdogs for this vulnerable form of government. We seem to be standing by while our government is being systematically dismantled.
Our complacency reminds me of an old story about how to cook a live frog. Let’s call him Kermit. The recipe suggests you offer Kermit a bath in some cool water on the stove. “What a good idea,” he thinks. “It’s like a dip in the old mill pond.” At first, he leisurely swims from side to side.
As he is relaxing, you secretly turn the heat up. As the temperature rises, Kermit says, “Now that feels good … honestly, who doesn’t like a good, warm bath occasionally?” As the heat is cranked up, beads of perspiration pop out on Kermit’s brow. “I’m sweating out the impurities,” he rationalizes. “Everybody knows toxins will kill you.”
Shortly, the first bubbles break the top of the water, but Kermit can’t say anything. He’s done.
Gary L. Riggins