Pope’s visit deserved more
I know this is the Bible Belt, but the sense I get of your newspaper’s lack of coverage and the Free Press commentary on Tuesday are pathetic.
The pope is a world leader and the leader of the largest Christian Church. He is not a politician, does not do “theater” and has a better perspective than all of your editors together.
I do not like bigotry and small mindedness.
Annabelle Lauderman
National smog standard needed
“Tennesseans Will Soon Breathe Easier” (Times opinion page, Sept. 21) highlights the dangerous implications of an outdated smog standard on human health, particularly on our youngest citizens.
Parents in Chattanooga are concerned about the impact of air pollution on our children and for good reason. As Henry Spratt indicated, our kids are more vulnerable to the adverse health impacts of unsafe smog levels.
As a field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force, my duty is to advocate and ensure all our children, regardless of ZIP code, have access to clean, safe air to breathe. Science strongly indicates that smog levels above 60 parts per billion do not adequately protect the health of children and other vulnerable populations.
Families deserve to know the truth about whether the air is safe to breathe. That is why I strongly support a national smog standard that would better protect little lungs.
Lindsay Pace
Trump the right man for top job
Donald Trump is on track to become the next president of the United States of America because he has the right motives in mind for making America a strong nation once again. He simply needs to genuinely apologize for his temperament and attitude. Let’s face it, even as adults, we have all had our moments with such issues.
He needs to adopt a caring, kind, respectful demeanor about himself and let the American people know that he can and will be a strong leader and deal with others with deep respect. I truly believe that he will have Americans eating out of his hands. I like you, Donald Trump. You’re the man that America needs in the White House. You certainly have my prayers and vote.
Harvey Hogue, Rocky Face, Ga.
Hammond offered cautionary words
To those castigating Sheriff Jim Hammond for his cautionary words about the threats around us, it is important to look back at history and see the similarities to the problems before World War II and our problems today. A few radical Germans began a world war. The great majority of German people were normal, law-abiding citizens.
A few radical Muslims can start a jihad. The great majority of Muslims are just normal, law-abiding citizens.
Remember Neville Chamberlain returning, after capitulating to Adolf Hitler, and surrendering the Sudatenland to the Germans. He waved his piece of paper and voiced those boastful words about having achieved “peace in our time.”
Only Winston Churchill clearly envisaged the coming war and looming threat that Hitler posed to world security. I don’t suggest Sheriff Hammond has the stature or prescience that Churchill displayed; however, he has the courage to voice his concerns, and they are legitimate.
Jihad from within is pernicious and difficult to root out.
Thank you for your courage, Jim Hammond. It is a rare trait among the elected.
Barbara Howard