Football fans need to get on with lives
Tennessee Football fans, with all the problems in the world at this time, war, earthquakes, national security, economic troubles, disease, etc. and the list continues, I am sick of hearing about Tennessee football and Lane Kiffin.
For over a week now, it has been on the news and made headlines in the paper. The sun and moon will continue to rise and set with Kiffin gone, maybe. You feel betrayed, maybe even angry. Sorry. That’s life. Get on with it. You have ruined college football for me.
I have gotten to where I hate to see football season begin, not that it ever ends; oh no, not in the Southeastern Conference.
You live, eat and sleep it 365 days a year.
When a football coach can cure disease, protect us from our enemies, feed and clothe the poor, solve our economic problems and walk on water, then, like you sports fanatics, I will fall to one knee and worship him.
Until then, put away you face paint, jerseys and flags and get on with your lives.
TERESA GOINS
Hixson
Grammatical errors fill coach’s remarks
On your front page (Jan. 13), there was an article about Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave UT and go to USC. In one paragraph, he was quoted as to why he was making this move. In that one paragraph he made four grammatical errors! Perhaps we should have some requirements for our coaches as well as for our student athletes!
JAMES G. WARE
Informed citizenry feeds tree of liberty
The scariest news story this week for me is not about terrorism, Afghanistan, or the economy, but Monday’s Times Free Press article (Jan. 11) that the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing litigation that will lift Tillman Act restrictions on corporate campaign donations in federal elections. Corporations are not human beings and should not be allowed to spend money to influence public opinion.
I thought some folks would enjoy a question posed by Justice Ginsberg in the Supreme Court’s hearing this summer. “Justice Ginsberg: Mr. Olson, are you taking the position that there is no difference in the First Amendment rights of an individual? A corporation, after all, is not endowed by its creator with inalienable rights. So is there any distinction that Congress could draw between corporations and natural human beings for purposes of campaign finance?”
For the entire Internet transcript, go to: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/08-205%5BReargued%5D.pdf
The Federal Election Commission argues that in order for the public to make fully informed choices, the voter needs to know the source of any information perceived to be in connection with the election in order to properly assess its credibility. I can only agree. An informed citizenry is the root of the tree of liberty.
JOHN GERARD ESSEX
Legislators put heads in sand
There are statesmen, and then there are politicians.
One reason I admired then Sen. Howard Baker was his refusal to always bow to public opinion when controversial issues arose, and he felt that he was in a better position to judge the outcome than most citizens.
It seems to me that a similar situation is now being handled somewhat differently by our representatives in Nashville.
When they hear the loud complaints over traffic cameras, they appear to have their heads in the sand with regard to the positive effects that have been and continue to be obvious. What will be the next to go? Speed bumps?
J.L. NICHOLSON
Hixson sign idea is going too far
In 1955, I moved into the area near Hixson Pike and Ashland Terrace before Highland Plaza was built. At that tim, Hixson was a rural post office and a high school to the north. Over the years, Hixson area has grown with Highway 153 and the commercial shopping.
I congratulate the business people for preparing to welcome customers to this community by erecting signs on the street leading into the Hixson commercial zone.
In addition to the sign on Highway 153 near Hamill Road, they also propose a sign on Hixson Pike near Lupton Drive, calling this the south boundary of Hixson and will force Rivermont to become Hixson. I feel they are off about two miles and should consider moving the sign north to the true Hixson, beginning around the Krystal.
This would eliminate the need for a sign also proposed on Ashland Terrace at the Red Bank city limits, which has nothing to do with Hixson
I hope the city of Chattanooga planners will give the Hixson Sign Committee some direction before they go too far with their project.
I don’t think the black and gold color proposed for the signs will be well accepted in this area, which has always been blue and white.
PHIL WEHMAN
Editorial attempts misinformation
On Jan. 15, an editorial “A bad gun bill in Georgia” noted that “Many of these incidents are perpetrated by licensed gun owners.” This comment was referencing a report on gun violence mentioned in the article.
This type of vague reference gives the impression that there are a large number of licensed gun owners committing crimes. To back up your statement, please furnish the statistics (number of crimes and number committed by licensed gun owners) and where the information was obtained.
I suspect that you will not be able to furnish reliable information to substantiate the claim, which only points out the bias of your column.
While I may agree with some of your objections to this proposed bill, I do not agree with what I suspect is the attempt at misinformation in the article.
TOM NEELEY
Bennett just holds mirror toward GOP
There are few things more amusing than a right-wing sycophant agitated by a Clay Bennett cartoon. The chorus of whining reminds me of the old cliché about the guilty dog being the first to bark.
On Martin Luther King Day, there was a pathetic attempt to defend the Grand Oil Party against their own racial history. The writer used up his allotment of words on “political correctness” but said nothing about political oppression, which was the message of the cartoon. Before one slips to far down the rabbit hole of self-delusion, here are some facts to ponder.
Nixon and Lee Atwater began to curry the favor of segregationists with their “Southern strategy” in the late ’60s. Reagan followed suit, kicking off his campaign with a “states rights” platform at the site where civil rights workers were murdered. Segregationists flocked to the Republicans.
I wonder if right-wingers have noticed that the GOP has attacked affirmative action for years or that their last presidential candidate voted against the MLK holiday, or the racial slurs at Republican rallies by “tea baggers.” Clay Bennett holds up the mirror. You can change the image or just ignore the ugliness you see.
TERRY STULCE
Ooltewah
Mayor behind free parking elimination
In response to a recent “Rant” about the handicap parking at the Chattanooga airport, I want to express my opinion as a disabled veteran.
I learned the lesson the hard way and was required to pay in excess of $100 for a long-term parking at the airfield. Investigation of the lost privilege revealed the source of the problem.
Now, do not blame the airport for this charge and do not point the finger at Republic Parking, who only manages the airport parking facilities. The personnel at both are only doing their job.
Where do we look for the answer? Go no further than City Hall, the mayor’s office and the city attorney. Ronnie and the city attorney made the decision to eliminate free handicap and disabled veterans parking. This was done in total disregard for the handicapped and for no other reason than to “collect the fees.”
Thank goodness for term limits. Chattanooga could not tolerate another four years of such tyranny from “King Ron.”
JIM SHULL
Hixson