Alzheimer’s study gift celebrated
On Dec. 18, 2015, Congress gave us something big to celebrate.
Thanks to support from Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, Congress made a historic commitment to America’s most expensive disease, dedicating an additional $350 million per year for Alzheimer’s research.
These funds will launch groundbreaking research that will accelerate the progress toward ultimately eliminating this devastating disease.
The new funding means new hope for the 140,000 people with Alzheimer’s in Tennessee and their more than 422,000 caregivers.
Congress helped give us all the one thing we want most for the new year: hope.
Amy French
Muslim fears only half the story
This letter concerns the picture and article by Michael R. Sisak, “Suffer the Children,” about the fears of Muslim children. I would like him to interview children of parents killed at San Bernardino and children of the five killed at the military service office in Chattanooga. Our ancestors were right by refusing to let certain people into our country during the last wars.
Donald Trump is right in everything he is saying to protect us. Luke 12:39 in the Bible says, “A good man will protect his home from thieves.”
The Muslims are taught to lie to us, kill us and cut our heads off because we are infidels. The Muslims are protecting the radicals and rejoicing at what they are doing. Let’s tell the truth.
Janette Roberts
Constitutional rule necessary
As a conservative Christian and Republican, I have always voted for the candidate who shared my beliefs, but this will not happen this year.
As much as I like Ted Cruz, I cannot vote for a candidate born outside of the United States of America. Any true American who votes for him is betraying America.
Who gave the Supreme Court the power to declare same-sex marriage constitutional? We are only great because of our Constitution. The Senate and House have not defended it for decades now.
Are we continuing on the same path of destruction, or as Americans, will we do something about it? Now is the time to save America. Let’s unite for the return of a constitutional government.
Ed Choate
Cleveland, Tenn.
Lack of morality changing U.S. landscape
The unthinkable can happen in Chattanooga: five brave military men murdered, a wonderful young man and an older lady killed by hit-and-run drivers, and now a 15-year-old raped by his own teammates.
I taught for 35 years and saw how our cultural landscape changed our moral landscape. Children who were not taught the Bible’s love of 1 Corinthians 13 at home or church had a chance to learn those principles in school, but no longer.
These words are still important, but who will teach them to our children and youth now that God has been removed from the public square?
“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant “
Some youth are accomplishing great acts of love. One of my 2015 graduates was in Greece over Christmas break to help refugees as they came ashore. A 15-year-old friend is in Nepal, helping those still suffering the earthquake’s aftermath. There is hope for our youth, but in the name of freedom from religion, we have taken away some key tools to teach morality to our young people.
Sandy Harris
Cloudland, Ga.
Trump election would be disaster
Supporters of Donald Trump say he “calls it like it is,” while he has egg on his face.
Media coverage of 9/11 and thereafter reveal no Muslim celebrations anywhere in this country. Trump says he saw “thousands and thousands” of Muslims in New Jersey celebrating the attack.
Muslim citizens are loyal Americans. They serve in our armed forces, and some have sacrificed their lives for this country.
According to Trump’s original plan, all Muslims, including service personnel, and even now American citizens abroad seeking to return home, and all others would be refused entry based on their religion. This is clearly unconstitutional.
More than 360,000 Britons petitioned Parliament to keep Trump out of the United Kingdom. London Mayor Johnson condemned Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his cabinet agree.
Conversely, Russia’s Putin, a former KGB murderer and a major problem for both his region and our country, announced his support of Trump, who gratefully returned the favor.
Though resorting to very different means, both will do whatever it takes to silence anyone publicly disagreeing with them.
Electing Trump president would be a disaster for our country.
John Bratton
Sewanee, Tenn.
‘No Child’ law was misguided
Reference to The New York Times Jan. 2 editorial, “The Counterfeit High School Diploma” on the Times page:
As a mother of children subjected to the testing insanity of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), I say hallelujah to its demise.
Trying to improve education using high-stakes testing destroys high quality education. Every researcher and good educator will back me up.
American international test scores and SAT scores never improved under NCLB.
I was a young mother of kids in schools up north during the onset of NCLB. Our school system was extremely well funded (about $15,000 per student), 98 percent finished high school, 90-plus percent went to college, and a large number of students went to Ivy League schools.
I watched firsthand how the education my kids were getting deteriorated under NCLB. The good teachers quit or retired in the first five years to get away from the stifling effects of NCLB.
The advocates of NCLB, both Democrats and Republicans, simply would not listen to educators, researchers and parents.
What a total waste of money, time and our children’s education – so incredibly misguided.
Jenny Rytel
Bennett ‘nasty’ for VW mockery
This [cartoonist Clay] Bennett boy is just plain nasty. We know yours is a Democrat paper, and of course, we ignore much of what he puts out. But last week’s mocking of Volkswagen is too much.
Thank God, VW saw fit to invest in and settle in our city. Let’s be with ’em, not against ’em. Grow up, Bennett.
Kathleen Owen
At fault: Coaches and chaperones
As a former high school basketball coach for 10 years, I can say that the responsibility for the tragic incident involving the Ooltewah High School basketball team rests with the coaches and chaperones.
Young men must never be left alone to their own devices, especially when there was a previous report of hazing going on.
And contrary to TFP columnist Jay Greeson, hazing or initiation never occurred during my entire sports career as player or coach. That, too, is the responsibility of the coaching staff.
I pray for both the victim and the sick players who played out this tragedy.
David B. Noe
Always walk facing traffic
In the last few weeks, there have been a few people hit by cars. If you are walking on the side of the road, you should always walk on the side facing the traffic. You should see the cars coming toward you.
Jim Wilson