Presumed guilty in Tennessee
I’m proud to be an American, wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I was educated that when it came to being charged with a crime, being presumed innocent until proven guilty was essential in preserving our citizens’ rights. Apparently not in Tennessee.
I recently was arrested in Hamilton County for domestic assault and treated like I had already been convicted! My constitutional rights were ignored.
I was cuffed, transported and booked into county holding without being read my constitutional Miranda rights. My lawyer said he was aware this was common practice in Hamilton County!
Really? Just wondering how a U.S. constitutional right can be so flippantly tossed aside.
Secondly, my money was taken at booking, common procedure, but it was returned in a form of a check upon release Saturday morning!
The magistrate informed me the charges included having to stay in custody for an additional 12 hours, termed a “cooling down” period! I wasn’t drunk, on drugs or a threat to anyone. This “cooling down” period is serving time. By the way, the charges were dismissed by the DA at the preliminary. Since I was innocent, how do I regain those 12 hours? I feel I’ve served time for no reason. Presumed guilty in Tennessee!
R. SCOTT BRADY, Lakesite, Tenn.
Look at big picture concerning circus
As a parent who is educated about animal cruelty, I feel it absolutely necessary to stand up for all the parents who took their kids to the circus.
Yes, animal cruelty has gone on. As a result, the circus has actually changed their methods.
I’m sure abuse still happens from training at times, but if you think that telling a child the circus animals are abused and we can’t go to a circus because that would be supporting the abuse, you’ve lost the most important part. The big picture isn’t about what has happened or even what is. The major event is the memories created for your children.
It’s the smile on the child’s face when the magic show starts. It’s the joy and laughter when the dogs get that treat for a dance.
My mother created those moments for me, and I try to for my son.
So when I see tigers and lions rewarded with a T-bone steak, I guess I realize they’re pretty lucky because they don’t get that in the wild. In fact, they die of starvation.
Memories should not be your parents telling you about how animal abuse is happening. The big picture is in the joy and happiness the circus brings.
CHRISTINE DIWAN