Courtesy dictates respect to leaders
While it is true that the vice president and other civilian officials — elected or appointed — are not in the “Chain of Command,” common courtesy and military professionalism dictate that they are to be accorded proper respect by members of the Armed Services. This is made clear in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, (UCMJ) ART. 88 — CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS:
“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”
Anyone who wears the uniform is subject to the UCMJ and should be familiar with its provisions. Expressing contempt toward the vice president in a very public manner is a violation of the UCMJ and should be dealt with accordingly.
PAUL E. DEAN
Major, Infantry,
USA, Retired
Alstom values warm welcome
On behalf of all of us at Alstom Power, I thank the Times Free Press for the thorough coverage of the opening of our new factory here.
I also appreciate the warm welcome and ongoing support we’ve received from many community leaders.
I appreciate the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. They played an active and constructive role in helping us make the decision to invest in Chattanooga and have been a key partner in helping us make the transition successful ever since.
I also acknowledge the role of Gov. Bredesen, Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber, Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and a host of other officials who contributed to the successful expansion in Chattanooga.
Over the coming months, we at Alstom will be hard at work manufacturing the first turbine from our state of the art facility. That project is scheduled to be completed shortly after the new year. It’s an exciting time for Alstom Power and all of our team members. We know that our $300 million investment in Chattanooga is one that not only will make a difference for our company, but also for this special place we all call home.
STEPHANE CAI
Unit Managing Director
Chattanooga
Turbine Facility
Alstom Power
Amendment makes sense
Regarding “The gun-rights mess,” June 30:
After mentioning assault rifles and armor-piercing shells, you write that “It is hard to imagine that the Second Amendment could be interpreted to authorize Americans access to such high-technology guns.” In my opinion, this is exactly why the Second Amendment was written.
Recall that in the battles at Lexington and Concord, which sparked the Revolution, individual citizens fought back the British soldiers who were sent to confiscate their weapons, the assault rifles and high-technology guns of the day. The colonial citizens were defending their military arms, their means of resisting illegitimate coercion by a distant government. Considered in this context, and given the widespread anti-Federalist fear that the newly formed United States government would morph into what the British government had been, it makes sense to conclude that the Second Amendment was meant to secure by law what the colonists had secured by force: the right of individual citizens to possess arms that could be used to combat an oppressive or overreaching government.
JAY UNDERWOOD
Ooltewah
Deregulation leads to many disasters
The Gulf oil spill is just the latest example of a lack of regulation leading to disaster. From the failure of the levees during Hurricane Katrina, to the Wall Street meltdown in 2008 and the collapse of the housing market, we are seeing the devastating evidence of our country’s decades-long embrace of deregulation.
There is evidence in the Obama administration, through new initiatives and standards, that regulations are essential. Therefore I was disheartened to learn that our Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker voted in favor of the Murkowski Disapproval Resolution, which would take away the EPA’s ability to mandate large scale carbon emission reductions through administration regulation.
In response to my letter to Corker, he replied that he did not believe it was appropriate for the EPA to regulate large scale carbon emissions, and that he would reverse EPA’s “endangerment finding” for greenhouse gases. Scientific evidence from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that the planet’s average temperatures in April were the hottest for any on record.
Our elected officials may have their opinions, but they have a responsibility to utilize facts and make compassionate, disciplined decisions for all of us, not just large corporations and top campaign contributors.
JUDITH MOGUL
Statesman Rhodes offers integrity
I’m on board for Art Rhodes for Congress! I crossed paths with him earlier in the campaign and after listening to him, talking to him and following him in the print media, my initial assessment has proven true.
He is a true conservative who has extensive knowledge of the current issues and how we got to where we are today. There is not another candidate who understands monetary/economic issues like Mr. Rhodes. When it comes to health care and how it is going to affect you as an individual, as a small business, as a corporation and as a senior citizen he will answer your questions from the vantage point of longitudinal knowledge and experience. He is a man of conviction, honorable intentions, integrity and common sense.
You haven’t heard him bad mouthing any of the other candidates either in public forums or via written word. He is a statesman. He also is a man who has an understanding of the Constitution and the application thereof.
His background lends itself to respected leadership. He is the man we need to represent us here in the 3rd Congressional District. I challenge you to take the time to get to know Art Rhodes … then get out and vote!
JILLIAN THOMAS
Ooltewah
Financial reform helps ‘the people’
Everyone should know that this financial reform legislation will provide a more level playing field to those of us who have credit cards and who hope to buy a home and/or pay for college.
Predatory lenders will be under greater scrutiny to make sure those of us who apply for a loan are actually able to pay it back, and the “People,” of “of the people, by the people and for the people,” will never have to bail out greedy banks and lenders who are only interested in making a profit to increase their own personal wealth.
Please encourage your legislators to support this reform bill.
RICHARD MILLER
Dunlap, Tenn.
Brush plan works in Highland Park
I have read several negative comments concerning the brush pickup on demand.
It has worked for us in Highland Park. Every time we and others have called, it has been picked up the next day or shortly thereafter.
I commend the city for being conscientious on gas and maintenance expense. It doesn’t make sense to have the trucks roam around in an area looking for the piles. I do not understand why they can’t pick up other piles in the same area, though.
JUDITH SCHORR