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Sohn: Newest finding says early learning undone by K-3 classroomsTennessee Pre-K study raises new questions about long-term gainsTN Lt. Governor says Christians should arm themselves after Oregon mass shooting
Pre-K investment has life benefits
I agree with Clint Cooper that improving pre-K quality throughout Tennessee is essential. (“Improve Best Practices of Pre-K Across The State To Get Results,” Oct. 4). But I also know that there is a substantial amount of early education research from states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and North Carolina showing that high-quality pre-K programs can have long-term benefits for kids, especially at-risk kids. As chief of the Red Bank Police Department, one benefit of quality pre-K is especially important to me: crime reduction. The national, bipartisan, nonprofit, anti-crime organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids reports that one study from Illinois showed that children who were left out of the Chicago Child-Parent Center program were 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime by age 18 than children who participated.
I want to ensure that our kids become the doctors, teachers, and scientists of tomorrow – not sad statistics, doomed to a life of incarceration and poor job prospects. We need to continue to improve and invest in quality pre-K. Otherwise, we do our children a disservice.
Tim Cristol
Walker County Fair big success
Congratulations and thank you to Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, Walker County employees and volunteers who made the 2015 Walker County fair such a great success! It provided a wholesome, family-oriented, much needed dose of rural America for this region. Thank you for making a way for all to enjoy such a magnificently beautiful place as Mountain Cove. It is a very special blessing! We look forward to attending all of the upcoming special events there.”
Rebecca Cardwell, Soddy-Daisy
Jesus wouldn’t urge us to take up arms
When I saw the headline “Ramsey urges Christians to take up arms” (Oct. 3), I could hardly believe what I was reading. According to the story, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey posted on Facebook, “I would encourage my fellow Christians who are serious about their faith to think about getting a handgun carry permit.” He added, “Our enemies are armed – we must do likewise.”
Jesus’ recommendation is the opposite. According to the Gospel of Matthew, when they came with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus, and a disciple drew a sword to fight back, Jesus intervened. Jesus told the well-meaning but misguided man to put away his sword, saying if we live by the sword we will die by the sword (Matthew 26:47). How Mr. Ramsey interprets this to mean Christians should carry guns is beyond me.
Jesus’ approach was very different. While dying on the cross, Jesus looked out upon those putting him to death and asked God to forgive them (Luke 23:32).
If Mr. Ramsey wants to claim a constitutional right to carry a gun, that’s one thing, but to ask Jesus to bless that kind of thinking is a little much.
Rev. Charles Neal, Signal Mountain
What would Jesus do? Not pack heat
“I would encourage my fellow Christians who are serious about their faith to think about getting a handgun carry permit.” – Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. Really? Can you actually imagine Jesus packing heat?
Katherine H. Prior, Signal Mountain