Cartoon contributes to disrespect, scorn
I am very disappointed in the political cartoon in the July 18 Times Free Press. I know what political cartoons are for and I usually just ignore most of them that hit at the core of who I am as a person but, in my opinion, that cartoon went way too far. Painting all Christians, in which I am one, as being intolerant and using a symbol that means a lot to me and millions of other people to depict a, may I say, blood-thirsty shark (why else would it have a dorsal fin?, he definitely was not depicting a dolphin) was completely uncalled for.
The political cartoonist that you have hired has just shown a boatload of intolerance himself. Would he show the same type of disrespect if it were a different religion? Some religions would paint a bullseye on his head for what he just did … to me, that would be an intolerant religion.
Why is it that Christians face the most scorn of the world’s greatest religions. I’m sad to say that the Times Free Press has contributed to the disrespect and the scorn. Very sad.
RANDY YOUNG
Weekend is last time to see play
Time’s a wastin’ if you plan to see the current play at the Signal Mountain Playhouse … today, Friday and Saturday nights are the last three nights to see “Brigadoon,” a fantasy musical beautifully done by superbly talented individuals who give of their time and talents to these productions.
Many hours are put into the building and construction of the new settings for these plays, and then begins rehearsals … all this volunteerism just because all these wonderful people simply love doing what they do and it surely shows.
“Brigadoon” is one that has so far been well received from the evidence of the attendances for this play. The $10 one pays for admission is a fair price to be so wonderfully entertained in an almost magical setting in a quiet place there on the mountain.
DEE C. ELLIS
Hixson
Columnist makes odd comparisons
I certainly don’t have the qualifications to debate columnist Paul Krugman, but embedded in his argument against the idea that tax cuts produce greater revenue (July 17) is a dubious assumption and some odd comparisons. When he speaks of tax cuts, he invariably mentions “lost revenue,” thus apparently assuming that this money belongs first to the federal government, not to those who earned it. Not all of us accept his premise.
In seeking to debunk “the claim that cutting taxes actually increases revenues,” he cites the increase in the federal deficit during the Reagan years. Is it possible that Congress increased spending? In referencing the tax increase and the budget surpluses of the Clinton years, is it possible that for a brief period Congress exercised some spending restraint? Similarly, in citing the “Bush” tax cuts and accompanying deficits, is it possible that Congress ballooned spending during these years?
Even to someone not trained as an economist, it’s a spurious argument to claim that indebtedness is primarily the result of too little income and not too much spending. Krugman would do well to live with the rest of us for a while.
GARY LINDLEY
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Don’t forget about Democrats’ deficit
In an article dated July 17, about Nashville hosting Democrats Joe Biden, Al Gore and Phil Bredesen trying to rally voters to vote Democrat in the upcoming election, Joe Biden made a comment that “they (Democrats) were handed a $8 trillion deficit before we did a single thing.” What he failed to also mention is that that $8 trillion turned into $13.2 trillion in a period of 19 months. Wake up, Democrats!
JOSH HALE
Soddy-Daisy
Editor’s Note: When President George W. Bush took office, the national debt was $5.7 trillion. His last budget, which ended Oct. 1, 2009, pushed the deficit to around $12 trillion.
‘Diversity’ hunt puts city with Atlanta
This is in response to the article (July 18) “Diversity in the ranks.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe diversity means “variety,” not just black males. If the Chattanooga Police Department wants to diversify, they need to add officers who were not represented in the photo carried by the newspaper. Where were the women of any race? The Hispanics? The Asians? The Middle Easterners?
Check out Atlanta’s diversity. Chattanooga is headed in the same direction by taking on all of their old failed programs and ideology. The city “too busy to hate” has become a “no man’s land.” The pursuit of “diversity” sucked the life out of that once vibrant city.
JOHN DUNBAR
Cleveland, Tenn.
Nation can’t handle any more changes
President Obama has been in office for 18 months now and it seems that he has fulfilled his promise for change. He adopted a doctrine of spread the wealth, transparency scrapped, partisanship and divisiveness in play, racism, wild spending, broken promises, job losses, higher taxes, more regulations, allowing voter intimidation, reluctance to protect our borders, bowing to foreign leaders, insulting our allies, playing the blame game, devised a failed stimulus and a socialist health plan, and appointment of an inept controversial person to over look the health plan, appointed radical czars, revealed his inexperience and incompetence, living a lavish lifestyle, photo ops, and teleprompter rhetoric and telling NASA that their No. 1 priority is to reach out to the Muslim world instead of space exploration.
With 30 months to go, can our country sustain these continued changes?
CAREY CROUCH
McWherter focus is on job creation
Southeast Tennesseans are true patriots, but we have been deceived. Zach Wamp was given our support and he squandered it. While in office, he helped send our economy into “The Great Recession.” His campaign for governor truly mirrors his style of politics … dirty. Wamp has managed to aggressively attack Bill Haslam on personal issues the entire primary; avoiding real issues. These are signs of desperation.
Mike McWherter is focused on job creation. He has a plan to pick up Tennessee’s economy, bring in new jobs and eliminate the state deficit which occurred under the watch of Wamp and his special interest groups in Washington.
McWherter has been focused on economic growth from day one. Wamp continues to throw mud at Haslam, who has no plan for Tennessee. Would you prefer a politician like Zach Wamp, or let the gubernatorial seat be bought by the millions Bill Haslam has to spend; or do you vote for the man who has avoided negative rhetoric, focused on job creation and is prepared to make Tennessee a leading state in this nation like Mike McWherter? Fellow patriots, I like Mike.
MARVIN
CRANFIELD II
Collegedale
Reject Wamp, vote Haslam as governor
I am not a Tea Partier, but like most Americans I am suspicious of big government and am particularly wary of those that pursue long-term careers in politics.
For that reason I believe it is time to put Congressman Zach Wamp back into the real world. He has been on the government dole for the last 15 years and has had an opportunity to deliver, but the results have been less than impressive.
Let’s get some new faces and new ideas in Nashville. Vote Bill Haslam for governor. Let’s at least have an opportunity for change rather than the same old D.C. spin.
STEPHEN BARNES
Cleveland, Tenn.
Wamp follows God’s standard
While it’s true our country was founded on the premise that governments cannot dictate religious views to anyone, it’s also true this country was founded by men of great faith
See our great monuments; i.e. the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials, John Kennedy’s gravesite and the admission that God exists is carved in stone.
Every president publicly prayed and asked Americans to pray. If we’re not praying to God, who are we praying to? What’s the point of prayer if there’s no one to whom the prayer is directed? One can argue you can pray to God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, or even a rock, but to suggest this country was formed, founded and based on devotion to an inanimate object is historically inaccurate.
Why is this important? Because it’s not about policies, it’s about character, integrity and confidence to stand up for what’s right and wrong. That’s what I’m voting for. Not who has the most money, the most endorsements and ads on TV. I’m voting for the man who has character, values, integrity, who doesn’t vacillate, doesn’t back down, and isn’t ashamed of his Creator. I want a leader who will govern based on God’s standard of right and wrong. That man is Zach Wamp.
JEANNA DAVIS
Staton will bring fresh voice to D.C.
While working for Erlanger Medical Center, I met a family medicine physician, Dr. Brent Staton. I was impressed with his passion for what he does – providing the best health care for his patients.
I recall his frustration at the inability of our nation to provide a fundamental level of care that would sustain all people so they could be useful, productive citizens. Dr. Staton spoke of creating an environment where the public’s health is taken seriously and becomes the driver for economic prosperity.
I learned of his humble background and his personal drive to work hard as his family in rural Tennessee raised him to do.
Now that Brent Staton is running for Congress to succeed Zach Wamp, I’m even more impressed.
Brent and his wife, Lori, have worked tirelessly to contribute to our community, stepping well beyond the services he provides as a doctor. He is a man of great integrity and will be a positive force. He truly understands the value of education and that we must fix our dysfunctional public education system to empower individuals to assume 21st century jobs.
Brent Staton will bring a fresh voice from Tennessee to Washington, D.C. He has my support and my vote.
LAWRENCE
G. MILLER
Hixson
Evatt posesses best qualifications
We need someone on our school board who knows how to and has had experience communicating effectively with administrators, educators and parents.
We need someone who has a working knowledge of managing multimillion-dollar budgets and making difficult personal decisions.
We need someone who knows that safe and orderly schools are necessary to achieve an optimum learning environment.
We need someone who acknowledges and supports the hard work of teachers.
We need someone who will serve with impartiality, not aligned with any current school board member.
We need someone who will be accessible to all stakeholders.
We need Mike Evatt! He is the only candidate who meets these qualifications!
CINDY GUFFEY