Dogs welcome, but smoke, fluids not
Thanks for the reopening of the walking bridge to include our four-legged friends. Now, if they would just do something about the cigarette smoke, tobacco spit (or other body fluids) that people leave behind. Our dogs were banned from the bridge for 10 years and “people” were allowed to remain. We, as well as our canines, are not thrilled about smelling your smoke or stepping in your spit any more than you were stepping in dog poo!
PATRICIA VAUGHN
Red Bank
Haynes is best for District 3
Please join me in supporting Marty Haynes for the Hamilton County School Board.
Marty is a lifelong resident of the Hixson community. In fact, four generations of his family have lived, worked and worshipped in our community.
Because of his roots he has a deep love and appreciation for the many different neighborhoods in District 3.
Marty has been a tireless worker in a variety of community service and school related projects. He is currently the vice president of the Hixson Kiwanis Club.
He is a past board member of the Hixson High PTA and the Hixson Youth Athletic Association. When Hixson High School held its 100th anniversary, he served as co-chairman of the event. He is also a member of the Hixson High Hall of Fame. Marty is a very active member of Stuart Heights Baptist Church.
I am asking you to join me in voting for Marty Haynes this August. I believe he is the best candidate to represent District 3.
STEVE HALL
Hixson
Nixon instigated China relations
One sign at a Tea Party read: “Mao is no Hero.” Obviously, the person carrying this sign is oblivious of the fact that the only American initiative to engage Mao tse Tung came from President Richard Nixon.
From the celebrated trip of Nixon to China, our country has been engaged diplomatically and commercially with Red China in contrast to the policy with Cuba, whose record of forced suppression cannot compare with that of China. Under the monster Mao, countless millions perished, and the destruction of Tibet has continued with subsequent regimes to this day.
Nixon’s objective was to form an alliance against the Soviet government in the Cold War. China played no role in the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Cheap Chinese labor and a manipulated currency have impacted on American industry unable to compete and resulting in the loss of many thousands of jobs. American intelligence has confirmed that the nation most aggressively active in spying to achieve our classified information is China, and all too often they have been successful.
On the day Nixon arrived in China, American active support in Tibet for Tibetan Freedom Fighters was withdrawn.
All this on the instigation of a Republican president. And so the sign is like so many others that have become symbols of ignorance and hypocrisy.
JOHN BRATTON
Sewanee, Tenn.
‘Coverage’ of medal recipient deficient
Disrespect to Medal of Honor recipient:
It is unfortunate that someone passes away. To give “more coverage” to an actor than to a Medal of Honor recipient is totally disrespectful.
Actor Gary Coleman died, and, at a very young age, for this I am very sorry. He received a quarter page obituary.
A WWII Medal of Honor recipient received only a few paragraphs at the bottom of the next page to last page, just a few days before.
My grandfather served in World War I. My father and his three brothers served in World War II. I am a veteran of Vietnam. I have some military background.
I have had the privilege of meeting three Medal of Honor recipients, Desmond Doss and Charles Coolidge (WWII), as well as Joe Lamb (Vietnam).
More respect should be shown on this Memorial Day weekend.
DAVID P. BELL
Cleveland, Tenn.
Good government needs examination
New populist organizations are voicing unrealistic, outworn slogans. The last time grass root partisans were scripted by neoconservatives, a U.S senator labeled them “astroturf.”
Some new groups want less government and lower taxes. Let’s talk about consolidation of services when population numbers are much lower than new census figures will reveal. For now, face fact; we’re very numerous, varied and unsafe.
Government grows when more schools, roads, businesses, environmental protections, prisons and law enforcement are needed. Could smaller government recruit many effective volunteers for these? And, if new industry becomes the only path to new jobs, what becomes of family farming and small-town life?
Candidates who deride government and “career politicians” attract attention but we need to hear how a politically divided nation can participate in problem-solving where they live, and sustain the effort for longer than one campaign season. It’s done by dint of personal commitment.
Good government always is carried by people who examine and understand several areas of life before they communicate overlapping concerns to us. Pipe dreams will decide upcoming elections if new census figures aren’t reported early enough for voters to decide who has 20-20 vision and who doesn’t.
RACHEL WHEELER
Franklin view of trial is wrong
I was struck by a statement from “Buzz” Franklin that you printed in your coverage of the decision in the Craft trial. He said: Trial coverage “created an environment hostile to the state’s ability to receive a fair trial and portrayed the victims and their families in a false and negative light.”
We in the public did not hear all the evidence, only those snippets published and broadcast, but I feel that the jurors reached the correct decision and Mr. Franklin is wrong in his statement. He doesn’t seem to understand that he is there to give a fair trial, not to receive a fair trial, and that it is his office’s job to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty, not for the defendant to prove their innocence.
JERRY GANN
Rossville
Young people need jail punishment
Congratulations, Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon!
If more judges will hand down jail punishment — not probation — these young people will get the message that if you break the law there are consequences.
Something must be done to get the message to these young people and their parents/guardians. Adults must step up ,and if they can’t control or handle the young people then the courts should issue punishment of jail time.
I think jail time will wake the young people up and they will tell others.
The courts are too easy on them. Other people feel the same as I do, but won’t say anything. Now is the time to speak up!
NADINE CARDEN
Flintstone, Ga.
Tax increase compounds woes
Mayor Ron Littlefield wants to deal the taxpayers a property tax double whammy.
The 2008 county property appraisal raised assessments an average of 15 percent or more in spite of the greatest real estate meltdown since the Great Depression. Furthermore, true real estate values continue their sag. So an increase in tax rates will further compound the unfair and unrealistic treatment of us citizens.
The city and county should cut expenses, forego salary increases, restructure pensions and health benefits, and resist unreasonable union pressure. Otherwise, we could be repeating some of the same mistakes that are bankrupting California.
Come on — let’s be realistic and start thinking like the private sector!
EDWARD E. BROWN JR.
Lookout Mountain