What took Arizona so long to act?
I don’t agree with the note in Sunday’s paper (July 18) that said we complain about our government but don’t offer answers.
Forty-five years ago, I wrote Washington and told them illegals entering our country were holding down wages in the South, costing money the state didn’t have and laid out many other problems it was causing. Upon returning from Arizona and Texas my second time, I wrote them about every month and told them the answers to stop it.
I’ve been writing for 45 years and our government will not enforce our laws. They have sued Arizona, costing the state more money. When our government refuses to enforce our laws, then the state needs to. I have been to Arizona several times. I don’t understand what took them so long.
ROBERT C. LONG
Hixson
Leaders have skills to make world safe
“Nothing to fear but fear itself”: A statement made by the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I totally disagree. Why? Because, I recently watched the weather station and their series on “Storm Stories.” It showed the devastation in Oklahoma caused by killer tornadoes. I think everyone should wake up and realize the similarity between tornadoes and a “nuclear war.” The only difference would be the loss of life.
There isn’t enough attention toward the possibility of a “nuclear holocaust” what with Iran and North Korea testing their missiles, with the capability of striking our country. I spent three years in Japan, and I had the opportunity of visiting Nagasaki and Hiroshima, where countless lives were lost from the atomic bombs during World War II, of which brought about the end of the war. Now, nuclear weapons that are much more powerful would mean the loss of life on a larger scale!
It’s very sad that we don’t have any control over tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, but to a certain extent, our country and the world do have the ability to prevent a “nuclear war.” It’s been said that we live in a dangerous world, but our leaders have the ability to make it a safe world.
RICHARD D. BLOOD
Ringgold, Ga.
Technician’s action toward dogs wrong
On July 22, I saw an AT&T tech in the back of my fenced-in back yard working on a utility box. As I entered my back yard, I unhooked my fence and I noticed there’s some kind of oil all over the latch and fence. It immediately started burning my skin and face.
I looked around for my dogs because they were nowhere to be seen.
I go to the man as he sat there with his back to me. I said, “Hey there;” he wouldn’t turn around to speak, but acknowledged me standing there. I asked him, “Did my dogs bother you?” He said with a proud tone, “They aren’t bothering me any more, I pepper sprayed them!”
I was so extremely upset and wondering what kind of damage was done to my dogs, I ran inside. My pug could barely breathe; she had pepper spray all over her face and body. The Dachshund was rolling all over trying to get the burning to stop. I burned myself; my arms, lips and mouth all swelled up.
He had no right on my property. My dogs were “inside” a fenced backyard, and he sprayed my dogs from “outside” of the fence!
JANELLE LAWRENCE
Clinton-Gore growth long gone
We were about seven years away from paying off the national debt under Clinton/Gore. Then Bush/Cheney started two unfunded wars, all while giving giant tax cuts to the wealthiest of this country.
This, so the GOP could begin their relentless assault on Social Security and the paucity of safety nets for the poor. All the Bush-provided bailout money has ended up in somebody’s pocket, and it’s not gone to the workers who keep this country going. No, it’s gone into offshore accounts for the wealthiest of this country who in turn do not pay the taxes they owe because of “tax loopholes” for the wealthy.
What is astonishing to me is how this is tolerated by average Americans, who now carry their lunches in paper bags because they can’t afford to eat out, while the wealthiest in this country are ever broadening the gap between rich and poor, keeping their slaves going to the polls like zombies to vote against their own best interests because of some boogeyman the GOP has summoned out from under the bed.
If McCain/Palin had taken the helm, we would now likely be at the 20 percent mark on unemployment and probably in another unfunded war with Iran.
ANN BENTON
Signal Mountain
View of government seems to change
It seems the same people who squawk about the government as though “government” is the enemy are the same ones who clamor “Why isn’t the government doing its job?” when something goes wrong.
It seems the same attitude about the government staying out of our pockets because it’s “our money” is the same attitude that fed such entities as Enron and Goldman Sachs. Even Jesus said “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.”
No one likes paying taxes, but it is a form of patriotism.
Sen. Joe Lieberman says there is “a broad consensus in Congress that military force can be used if necessary to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.” Is he kidding? Who are they going to send? Ghost Busters?
Does he know we’re already fighting two wars and wearing our military down? One in six soldiers is coming back with PTSD.
Maybe Sen. Lieberman and his “broad consensus” of folks can head up that military force!
KATE STULCE
Ooltewah
Wamp shouldn’t vilify nation
The governor of the great state of Tennessee serves all Tennesseans. It is disheartening to hear Rep. Zach Wamp’s divisive, disturbing demagoguery on, of all things, secession.
Now he wants to backpedal and frame his impulsive remarks saying “there needs to be conflict between the states and the federal government.”
Many Tennesseans, including my own relative, Josiah Bean, fought and died for the cause of the Union in the Civil War. Our Union is and forever shall be preserved and to threaten that Union through secession is an insult to all who have fought and sacrificed to protect her these 234 years.
We cannot survive as a state or as a country if our leaders continue to villainize the United States of America. The person who sits in the governor’s chair, of all people, should know this. Time and again, Zach Wamp has proven he does not.
MITCHELL BEENE
Fields’ vision sets him apart
Everyone’s looking for that seemingly indefinable “something” in a candidate that sets them apart from the pack.
Jim Fields has presence – He’s confident. His self-possession ensures me I am comfortable placing him in front of our community.
Jim Fields has confident enthusiasm – His balance of energy and experience guarantees your desire to take him seriously. He’s committed emotionally and intellectually.
Jim Fields has a strong vision – He can identify goals and articulate his vision so that others know what he desires and that the goals are obtainable.
Jim Fields has strong ethics – He’s committed to doing the right thing when no one is looking.
Jim Fields understands evolution – He has an appreciation for what is working well and can identify issues that are holding the local government back. He is capable of implementing his visions in a way that engages all parties.
Jim Fields understands sharing – He can actively solicit the opinion of others and he is quick to praise others for their contributions.
Jim fields is consistent – He deserves admiration for having built a career and run a business where he lives and be accountable for his decisions and results.
Elect Jim Fields Hamilton County commissioner District 2.
JANE BOWEN-FORSYTHE