Honor all military on Navy Day
Today, we will celebrate Navy Day! This will give us an opportunity to praise and thank our brave young people who are serving in the military and all the veterans of foreign wars who have served honorably in the defense of this great nation.
We owe so much to these people, we must demand that Congress provide for their needs in battle and also the best medical attention for the wounded, for as long as they live. Support the war or not, this is the least we can do for our troops, so vote on Nov. 2.
If you know of someone in the military, write them a thank you note and let them know how much you appreciate them. If you do not know anyone, check with your friends and neighbors, they might be able to provide you a name and address. Remember it has always been the Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Air Force and the Coast Guard who have made the sacrifice that we might enjoy all the freedoms of this great nation. So, proudly fly the flag and display the yellow ribbon until all are returned home.
Gene O. Wagner, Sr.
Rossville, Ga.
Many do what Knowles did
I am appalled at our city newspaper for running one-sided, tabloid-style reporting. Going after Alan Knowles for doing something everyone does is not news.
It is common these days for people to take their work home with them and vice versa. You show me one person who doesn’t handle personal calls or e-mails while at work and let them cast the first stone. In fact, when you find that person, they should be your news because those people are rare! You should be reporting real news instead of trying to make news where it isn’t.
As for Bill Knowles hiring family, if there was a real problem, you would have heard about it long ago. They’ve held their jobs for a while. As for his political affiliation, the Democratic Party has changed since he joined them so long ago. Since you aren’t exploring the work and hiring habits of all county employees, it seems you are going after Bill Knowles’ family as a whole. You should hire a fair and honest reporter to get the rest of the story so these nice people can get on with their lives and service to the county.
Laurel Van Winkle
Glasscock does good deeds
In response to Mr. Mike Goodson’s claim that our elderly in Red Bank and their needs are overlooked, I must agree to a point; however, this is a problem with our country, not our fair city. Mr. Goodson is completely misguided in his belief that Floy Pierce is their benefactor with regard to the elderly. Open your eyes. I have seen with my eyes the many good deeds the mayor of Red Bank, Joe Glasscock, has performed. Come see our community center, Mr. Goodson, I’ll give you a ride and buy you lunch.
TERRY SMITH
Scales’ actions on prayer proper
Dr. Jim Scales did exactly what he should have done in the matter of government-sponsored prayer in the public school.
There have been several cases in the Supreme Court over the years, but the definitive one was the Engel vs. Vitale case in 1962. This case in the state of New York involved a generic prayer and the court wisely stated that the question of right to pray was moot, but the Constitution prohibited not prayer but required prayer or government-sponsored prayer.
The whole discussion of minority vs. majority rights or Christian nation vs. secular nation has nothing to do with the constitutionality of the problem. It is a matter of being right or wrong.
DR. GEORGE A.
MILLER
Ooltewah, Tenn.
Pierce works for Red Bank
Floy Pierce is an asset to Red Bank. She truly cares and works hard to make Red Bank a good place to live. Floy also has worked hard to raise money for the senior citizens to have their own recreational area to go to.
Everything Floy has done has been in the interest of Red Bank. I am so proud that she has the integrity to not answer the other politicians who are also running for commissioner and who like to sling mud.
I think this makes Floy the better person ,and the people of Red Bank should be proud to vote for Floy Pierce for commissioner again.
KIM PIERCE
Include roosters in ‘hen ordinance’
I think the new “hen ordinance” is a good idea.
But why not allow roosters? I had dozens of roosters and no one complained of the crowing.
Why not a law to “Stop the dogs from barking”?
PHILLIP E. BAYSTON
GOP domination bad for economy
Republicans want us to believe that by not raising taxes on the wealthy and lowering taxes on corporations the economy will rebound, unemployment would vanish. History does not bear this out.
In the 1950s the highest individual tax rate was over 90 percent and corporate tax rate went to more than 50 percent.
This was the “golden age” of the middle class and employment increased by over 20 percent.
Since the Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest and to corporations dropped to 35 percent, the middle class has shrunk and private sector employment dropped by almost 3 percent.
Republican control of the federal government during most of the time since 1980 has severely weakened the middle class, thrown millions more into poverty and further enriched the already very rich. Re-electing Republicans to power will continue the process.
TED TUMELAIRE
Signal Mountain
EPB increases don’t compute
News reports say that TVA is reducing rates 5 percent in November. In fact, just last Friday (Oct. 15), there was a piece on the editorial page.
We have been on the even monthly payment plan (EMPP) for a number of years and also are on Social Security. On Saturday, I received a letter from the Power Board that our bill would increase by $27 in November. It just increased in July $24 a month. Five to six weeks of this period my windows have been up and we have not used our air conditioner.
Now, I don’t claim to be a math genius, but if someone could explain to me how this is a 5 percent decrease, I would greatly appreciate it.
DOT HENDERSON
East Ridge
Haslam posturing trumps wisdom
Bill Haslam will not use state funds for birth control for poor people, according to the Oct. 20 edition of the Times Free Press. Without assistance, our citizens who cannot afford contraceptives will have unplanned children.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual report, “The Cost of Raising a Child,” the cost of raising a child up to age 18 is close to $200,000 at this time. The price of subsidizing birth control is an obvious savings compared to the possibility of public assistance for years to come.
This decision is an example of short-sighted, poor business planning and a total lack of empathy for the growing number of our poor and our many neighbors who are struggling financially. Public service requires a view that extends to what an elected official may have never experienced. We must empower our poor citizens into a more solid status of self-sufficiency, not add to their struggle.
It is essential that our next governor do what is best for Tennessee’s citizens, that each decision be financially sound in the short and long term, and that wisdom trump political posturing.
JULIE L. BROWN