Republicans are as mean as snakes
Well, the final nail has been driven in the Republican coffin with Republican Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia and Republican Sen. John Albers’ attack on welfare recipients with their unconscionable and unconstitutional drug tests.
If President Obama doesn’t speak out against these rascal,s I will not vote for him again. It’s bad enough he did nothing about the illegal wiretapping, and he let Bush’s dishonest regime slip away without a whisper of impeachment for torture convictions (with the exception of Sen. Dennis Kucinich).
How much more sociopathic meanness are we forced to suffer from the Republicans? Their attitude toward our women is despicable, their refusal to serve as they took an oath to do with our president is criminal and they are, basically, mean as snakes.
I made a vow years ago (printed on your editorial page) to never do business or even speak to a Republican, and I have kept my promise.
Activist, filmmaker Michael Moore said there are 20-30 million “nuts” in America. I know where you can find two of them … Georgia. Absolutely certifiable!
How about drug-testing all politicians? Do the Republicans want to drug-test all Americans? This smacks of fascism. Shame on the Republican party.
ROBERT LEE BROWN
Colson didn’t explain enough
As a Christian, I enjoyed Mr. Cal Thomas’ article in Wednesday’s paper. God has enough grace for all of us, including Chuck Colson.
As a person who is not perfect, I don’t think he explained or elaborated enough on his activities as special counsel to Richard Nixson.
The mayhem, destruction, dirty tricks and death that Mr. Colson was involved in make Watergate and the Federal Pen look like time-out for a school child. Some of these I will never forget.
At the present time, only God and the FBI know all the atrocities that Chuck Colson was involved in.
RAYMOND PRATER JR.
Festival a perfect time for Red Bank
Despite a rainy forecast, and some say because of the power of prayer, Saturday, April 21, the sun shone brightly and the Red Bank Jubilee New MoonPie Festival rolled down Dayton Boulevard. Friendly folks lined the sidewalks, milling around vendors’ booths or strolling with dogs. Old couples held hands, and young people danced. It was a perfect time to live in a quaint town that’s closely connected to other North River venues.
Music was DJ’d by Gene Lovin, and the MoonPie-eating contest hosted the mayor, city leaders and residents of this artsy town. The playground was alive with laughter, and happy voices mingled with the music. People talked and ate hot dogs or cotton candy while children in painted faces darted around. Teenagers roamed about and some line-danced in boots or bare feet as the sun poured between the trees. People came early to claim seats for live bands and the corn hole tournament going on throughout the day.
If you’ve ever wanted to live a Norman Rockwell moment, then come to Red Bank and enjoy our festivals, our peopl, and our town. Saturday was a perfect day and a perfect time to live in this small town.
GINA HEMBREE
Red Bank
Human trafficking must be addressed
There are more things on the rise than just the summer gas prices or the value meal at the fast-food restaurant down the road. In fact, these things are far more important but less discussed.
I am talking about the increase in human trafficking in the United States, even in “citizens’ backyards.” People are unaware of how rampant this issue is. Could you even list a cause for such a huge increase? One would be the lack of parental support. Less parental support leads to more runaway youths. These runaway youths tend to make a life of their own. They do what they want, and many girls tend to run to prostitution. Traffickers find these girls, ranging from a very young age to teens, and they make them feel like they could find a “better life,” which results in human trafficking. So when you start complaining on gas prices and how much it is going to cost to get a Happy Meal, instead think of the cost of the lives of these victims. Think about what you could do to be aware of this issue and to help decrease the cases of trafficking.
HALEY STEWART
Jasper, Tenn.
Staff at Erlanger shows great care
I have read much in this newspaper about Erlanger and its problems, so I’d like to give my own impressions. My nearly 100-year-old mother was taken to the Erlanger ER last Sunday after her caregivers grew concerned that she was not responding well enough to treatment for an infection and a fall that had showed no apparent injury.
The doctors, nurses, paramedics and technicians in the ER and the ambulance paramedics were absolutely terrific! Each showed an incredible level of empathy, gentleness, and patience and kept me informed every step of the way. From the ER, my mother was admitted to the seventh-floor E wing of the hospital and again, that same level of care, competence, patience and concern was apparent with the nurses and doctors who treated my mother. Every employee of Erlanger that I encountered — in the halls, the cafe, or cleaning the rooms — was unfailingly friendly.
My thanks to the dedicated caregivers at Manorhouse who saw things “just weren’t right,” and a special thanks to the staff of Erlanger, both in the ER and the hospital, who have exhibited such a high degree of care, concern and professionalism. I’ll recommend Erlanger to anyone!
BRUCE H. PHILLIPS
Ooltewah
Make bullying part of zero tolerance
If a student is found on school property with a toy plastic gun or knife, an aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol tablet, he is punished, possibly suspended, under the “zero tolerance” rule. However, if a student bullies another, verbally or physically, even in the presence of students, teachers, aides, or others who may observe, he will be reprimanded or perhaps show up on You Tube.
In the movie about bullies recently shown locally, there were other people present when this took place, and although one might fear stepping in immediately, at least tell someone in authority. What if the zero tolerance rule was exercised on bullies? Create an atmosphere in which the victims or the witnesses will speak up and action will be taken. When the bully is suspended from school and risks declining grades, perhaps failing one or more subjects, or losing his chance on sports teams or his place in other extracurricular activities, I believe the parents would become involved. To reduce or stop the bullies, they must be made to pay a price for their actions. I say include bullying in the group of behaviors calling for zero tolerance.
CAROLYN R. McCRARY
Hixson
God blesses the liberal man
The American people stand for nothing but will fall for anything. Most of the conservatives/Republicans claim to be Christians, yet on any humanitarian issue such as Social Security, health care or aid to the poor they scream “not with my money.” The foundation of Christ’s teaching is self-denial and loving thy neighbor as thyself, even your enemies.
They make liberal an epithet, yet God blesses the liberal man.
The Pharisees were the conservatives of Jesus’ day. He called them liars, hypocrites and vipers. They were religious and loved to make sure everybody knew it. The problem was they loved only themselves.
Read the Four Gospels. Learn who Christ really is, then ask yourself if a Christian can be a conservative. “Ye cannot serve two masters.”
EDNA TAYLOR