Political signs are public blight
I would like to see our city/county councils pass a countywide ordinance banning all campaign signs from the public right-of-way. A homeowner or business owner who wants a sign on their property would be welcome to place one there, but littering every corner with this ugly clutter of signs should stop, and here are some good reasons why:
1. There is no firm statistical evidence that these signs influence elections one way or the other.
2. Many signs block the line of sight at busy intersections and create a safety issue.
3. Even with supposed penalties for leaving signs in place after the elections, many never get removed.
4. The signs detract from the natural beauty of our neighborhoods and highways.
5. When the election is over, the signs just become more non-composting landfill.
These signs are a visual blight, and we pay a high ecological price for their use. Surely politicians running for office can come up with a better approach to getting out the vote.
CLARK HOUCK
Statements about Islam are correct
All religions have believers who are more or less aggressive about the practice of their faith.
When evaluating the remarks about terrorists, the Islam faith and Sharia law made by the governor candidates, one must remember that the Koran and Hadith, the two foundation books of Islam, instruct Muslims to literally convert everybody on the earth, to Islam. Everybody! The Koran specifically states, “Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah.”
Brigitte Gabriel, in her book “They Must Be Stopped,” states Muslims are instructed to “fight against those who do not believe … who refuse allegiance to the true faith.” Infidels, or nonbelievers, must be converted, enslaved or killed. Sharia law, the law of Islam, required a husband to cut off the ears and nose of his pretty 18-year-old wife. Her picture is on the cover of the Aug. 9 issue of Time.
As Masab Yousef says in his excellent book “Son of Hamas,” there is no compromise in Islam. Like a virus that mutates into a deadly disease, some moderate Muslims will eventually seek to conquer per the Koran. In Islam there is no separation of church and state. The comments of Mr. Zach Wamp and Mr. Ron Ramsey were exactly correct.
ROGER W. CATLIN
We must counter move to socialism
The movie “Saving Private Ryan” contains a powerful scene: the squad has sacrificed everything to see Private Ryan – whose three brothers have all been KIA – make it home.
Captain Miller, mortally wounded, utters his last words to Ryan: Earn this.
At the Meigs County Republican rally, a lifelong Democrat, suffering from ill health, urged that for the sake of the country, Republicans be elected.
Like many, he sees that the takeover of the health care, auto, mortgage, and student-loan industries, and the financial sector, means that Americans will have Big Brother involved in every major decision they make. Government only desires to be your provider in order to be your master.
This constant push toward collectivism, along with the irresponsibility and sapped initiative it produces – and the ill-placed faith in the false god of the state at its core – must be countered.
We need to elect men and women who are committed to lower taxes, lower spending, less government, and more freedom – conservatives.
This election, many for the first time in their lives will pull the lever for Republicans. Let’s not let them down; let’s do everything we can to ensure they don’t regret their decisions.
Let’s earn this.
VANCE HUGHES
Decatur, Tenn.
Newspaper shows improvements
Kudos! To Mr. J. Todd Foster, the new executive editor for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Already, the paper is showing significant signs of returning to the old newspaper that most of us “ole folks” remember and loved. More personal local stories, more colored photographs, more detailed investigative reporting and more fair and balanced articles. In the past there have been far too many one-source stories that were anything but reported fairly and impartially.
I very much appreciate Mr. Foster’s ending comments in his article in Sunday’s newspaper promising that he is committed to fair and impartial reporting. These are great improvements and great moves in the right direction that were long overdue. Many of us hope that this is just the beginning of getting a great newspaper back to where it used to be.
GARY BARTLEY
Phone calls ruin day, lose votes
Wednesday, Aug. 4, was to have been, for me, a day to stay at home, read, maybe nap, and relax. HA! I had six phone calls; one during my lunch and one during my dinner. All were canned political pleas begging for my vote.
Guess who did not get my vote.
JUNE CORNELISON
Use Pakistan funds for Social Security
To Mr. Obama:
I understand that you are about to give Pakistan $500 million. I want to ask you if you could just give them half and give us senior citizens our Social Security raises for this year and next and maybe even the next?
I solemnly promise not to train any terrorists or build any nuclear bombs with any of mine, and I’m pretty sure none of the rest would, either.
We would promise to use ours for medicine, food and maybe we could pay our heat bills this winter.
Thank you for considering my request.
VIOLENA JORDAN
Ooltewah
City should find other ways to cut
Wake up, Chattanooga!
It’s time we all look at the City Council that’s supposed to be representing us as citizens. We have too many in there voting to give away too much. They don’t think about those of us who are on fixed incomes and do not get raises, but we have to cut our living expenses as we try to live on what we get, only to have to pay higher taxes.
Also, we should realize an increase in the tax base because of all the condos and new buildings going on around town. The selling price on many of the new condos would indicate a big increase in payment to the tax fund.
I am sure there are many ways to cut in the city that would not hurt, but our mayor and council can’t seem to find them. They only talk about items they know taxpayers don’t want to lose.
Now here comes an increase in our sewer tax. Again, do we have council members voting on items they don’t read and understand what they are voting for?
Remember, Chattanooga, wake up and vote for “People for the People.”
JAMES P. FINNELL
Hixson
Teens should learn some of the basics
Woman’s Day magazine for May has found that “most teens are not familiar with a washing machine.” In fact at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., they have to periodically hold lesson demonstrations for new students! However, it’s not too late to make your high school graduate feel comfortable washing his own clothes in a brand new environment. Practice makes perfect!
MERILYN HALL
Lookout Mountain, Ga.