Associated Press language inaccurate
The TFP has again opted for political correctness instead of facts. The Associated Press article, “Trucker charged in 10 deaths in smuggling case” (Tuesday, page A3) refers to a truck packed with “immigrants.” The article fails to mention that aliens in the truck violated federal law by illegally entering the U.S. It repeatedly refers to them as immigrants; however, “immigrants” enter the U.S. legally through ports of entry with immigrant visas.
The article states that the truck driver appeared in federal court on charges of transporting immigrants for gain, resulting in death.
Having presented many alien smuggling cases in federal court, I know that there is no such charge. It wasn’t hard to find the complaint against the driver. I challenge you to find “immigrant” in the complaint, or in any portion of federal law relating to illegal aliens. Wonder why we hear daily complaints about “fake news”?
“Activists” blamed federal and Texas hard-line immigration policies. Give me a break! The aliens and the driver knew they were breaking the law. The policies are not to blame – the lawbreakers are!
Doug Sullivan
Cohutta, Ga.
Corker should take Alexander’s advice
Sen. Bob Corker is putting political party ahead of the welfare of Tennesseans. Supporting a flat repeal of the ACA is foolish and shortsighted. After seven years of bellyaching and six months in control of the legislature and the presidency, Republicans still have no consensus on health care. The party’s track record is so abysmal, anyone would be a fool to believe Republicans can come up with a viable alternative to the ACA within the next two years.
Meanwhile, Trump has stated a clear intent to undermine enforcement of the ACA. Repealing the law, even with a two-year delay, gives Trump an excuse to ignore key enforcement and cost-sharing aspects of the law, further destabilizing the insurance marketplace. Repeal also will throw the entire Medicaid system into chaos as states try to predict what will happen to those added by expansion and how they will provide and fund Medicaid services in the future.
As Sen. Alexander said, “Most pilots like to know where they’re going to land before they take off, and we should, too.” Maybe Sen. Corker should listen to our senior senator, at least this once.
Sandra McCrea
Signal Mountain
Political criticism goes both ways
A recent letter writer wants people to stop bashing Trump on the Times Free Press opinion pages. Sir, if you got off of FOX news long enough, you would realize the commentaries printed in the TFP paint an accurate portrait of the man occupying the White House.
Out of curiosity, were you reading the commentaries during President Obama’s eight years in office? Did you write to complain about the disrespect your president of the United States was receiving?
To save your sensibilities and peace of mind, maybe you should stick to reading only the right side of the opinion pages.
Diane Marrs