Why does Skillern still have his job?
How is it that Fred Skillern still has his job? First, he most likely violated Sunshine Laws by holding the BBQ with the people he did and for the reason he did. Then his racist comment? Are the people of Chattanooga that tolerant when it comes to racism? Or are the people of Chattanooga that intolerant of African-Americans?
The lack of mass public outcry and the seeming lack of anyone on the County Commission to take action suggests the latter. Shameful!
TIM WRIGHT
Georgetown, Tenn.
Human endeavors cause more gases
This responds to the letter of June 3 alleging that the volcano Pinatubo “spewed more toxic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the whole history of mankind’s contribution.”
The letter shows no understanding of what is produced by volcanic eruptions. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the world’s volcanoes generate about 200 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, while our automotive and industrial activities cause some 24 billion tons of CO2 emissions every year worldwide. In other words, greenhouse gas emissions from volcanoes comprise less than 1 percent of those generated by today’s human endeavors.
A 2007 survey of climatologists conducted by the University of Illinois resulted in 97 percent of the respondents indicating global climate change is largely a result of man-produced greenhouse gases with potentially catastrophic effects (source Wikipedia).
Why some choose to ignore the scientific community and instead cling to the ramblings of some outlier selling a book or being paid by the petroleum industry to muddy the water is beyond comprehension.
MARC KENYON
Soddy-Daisy
Republicans’ plan deprives seniors
Voters, especially seniors, are realizing what Republicans are doing to them on the “picture ID to vote sham.”
It is primarily to deprive blacks and Hispanics of voting (they usually vote Democrat).
Now seniors are beginning to realize that if they do not have to have a picture on their driver’s license, they will be unable to vote.
Last election, older voters, who split their vote almost evenly in 2008, swung to the GOP as Republicans posed as defenders of Medicare. Now Democrats are pointing out Republicans are actually tying to dismantle it.
Republicans are nervous about losing the senior vote, so they devise a plan that deprives them the right to vote with the “picture ID to vote sham.”
It is going to cause a problem at the polls. In 2012, senior voting will be dramatically curtailed.
It will be very difficult to explain to seniors why they cannot vote. Every member of the Legislature should be required to be at their district polling place and explain to them why they can’t vote.
The president and congressional Democrats are the only ones who will save Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Ironically Republicans are using white seniors’ prejudice to dismantle programs they sorely need.
DON MYERS
Hixson