These days, hating “hate” seems to be all the rage among the politically correct mob.
But the way “hate” is being currently defined gives me pause for concern. We should all agree that vandalizing Jewish cemeteries, violent attacks on any place of worship and, of course, the ultimate example of the 9/11 terrorist attack are all perfect examples of real hate.
On the other hand, wearing a MAGA hat, chanting “USA! USA! USA!” or stating that “dropping out of school, selling drugs and gang banging at 2 a.m. is not a road to a successful life” is not, never has been and never will be an example of “hate.”
But, try explaining that on a college campus these days. Currently, anything but the most extreme anti-American ideology is considered “hate speech.” That reality makes me very concerned as to the future of our constitutional liberties – especially our free speech rights.
Ronald Williams
Riverwalk surely our green jewel
Surely Chattanooga’s green jewel is the Riverwalk, kept immaculately groomed by a fantastic grounds crew. As I was biking to the dam and back recently, the crew was busy mowing and blowing the sidewalk dry from the overnight rain and pollen drift. Unfailingly courteous to riders and walkers, the groundskeepers moved aside and silenced blowers to make passage easy. (Imagine what a headache that must be: dozens of times a day.)
The many bathrooms are kept spotless: what a thankless job. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to clear the mud and debris from recent months-long flooding.
The walk itself boasts an amazing variety of flora kept carefully trimmed as the seasons progress. Yesterday the honeysuckles, hollies, and leather leaf hydrangeas were in full bloom.
Kudos to the city and county mothers and fathers who dreamed this green dream into fruition more than 25 years ago and provide appropriate funding to keep it staffed and maintained in such immaculate condition. Surely the Riverwalk is one reason our town gets national accolades for outdoor fun.
Brenda A. Neal
Oppose market plans on Signal
Walden (population 2,031) on Signal Mountain is a small, quaint, unique town with its own character and history.
On Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Development Resource Center, a development group will provide plans to the public for a 49,000-square-foot supermarket, fuel center and 10,000-square-foot office building. Rezoning the 8-acre property to commercial and exempting it from regulations limiting building space to 5,000 square feet will be required.
The town of Signal Mountain made it clear last year this was too big and outside the character of the mountain. Yet, here it is again, at the top of the W, an even tighter and more congested location.
So many concerns: harm to nearby homes from noise/light pollution and loss of property value; roads damaged from 18-wheeler/delivery traffic with expensive repairs and inconvenience; water runoff into abandoned coal mines; and conflict with the stated mission of the Town of Walden, ” provide for an orderly and cohesive development pattern that maintains a small town atmosphere with rural character and green spaces, and preserves pristine natural areas for the enjoyment of its residents.”
Concerned mountain residents should attend this meeting.
Sallie Ford
Signal Mountain
WWII monuments out; why not Stewart?
I just read about the plans to redesign Patten Parkway downtown. They call for the removal and relocation of two monuments situated on the median, a World War II monument and a separate one honoring U.S. Marines. According to a city official, they will be relocated to another as yet undecided site and kept in storage until the site has been determined. The move appears to be non-controversial.
Isn’t it ironic that monuments dedicated to troops who fought to preserve freedom for all Americans can be moved so easily but monuments like the bust of Confederate Gen. A.P. Stewart that sits on the Hamilton County Courthouse lawn are off limits and can’t be touched?
The message is clear. Statues and busts honoring defenders of slavery like Stewart and Nathan Bedford Forrest are sacrosanct and inviolable in Tennessee. However, it’s OK to take monuments honoring those who fought against fascism and place them in cold storage. My dad served in WWII, but I am not offended by the removal of this monument. No, I am offended that traitors who fought to preserve slavery are held in higher regard in the city and state that I call home.
John C. Reis
Democrats, thank selves for Trump
What happened in November 2016?
Why is Donald Trump president?
Most Democrats have absolutely no clue.
The people outside Washington, D.C., who voted for Donald Trump know what happened and why.
Hillary had a hand in. The Hawaiian empty suit we had for eight years had a hand in. The Democratic Party and what they were becoming (and are now) had a hand in. So did Washington, D.C., Republican insiders.
What actually happened was the second American Revolution. It had been coming for years. Some “gurus” said the people (deplorables) lost their souls. Bull, they rebelled with their vote. They said “enough is enough.” The jackasses and elephants alike have been stealing from us for too long.
The slush fund they set up with our money to ward off their sexual liaisons was minutiae in the scheme of things – along with the special health coverage, retirement and on-and-on they voted themselves. The prospect of Hillary taking the reins was no less important.
The ongoing uncivil war, together with the above, created President Trump.
So, you Democrats who can’t handle him thank your representatives and senators, thank their Republican counterparts and pat yourselves on the back.
Bob Anderson
Dealing with climate change now a priority
WRCB TV chief meteorologist Paul Barys believes climate change is a naturally occurring, cyclical event, and what we are experiencing hasn’t been caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. He said any man-made change effects have been “caused by aircraft contrails, urban heat islands and misplaced thermometers.” Misplaced thermometers? Bless his heart. At least 97 percent of peer reviewed, published scientific reports say with certainty that the burning of fossil fuels is the primary cause of our existing climate change.
Mr. Barys said, “We are, right now, at this very second, in a warming cycle.” Fair enough, but he overlooked an important aspect of a cycle: its amplitude. Unregulated fossil fuel burning is increasing or has increased the amplitude of the current cycle. Many people walking (or jumping) in unison on a bridge can increase the amplitude of the bridge’s natural cycle, possibly causing the bridge to fall. The higher the amplitude of our current climate cycle the closer we approach a point of irreversible environmental damage.
Irreversible climate change is a boogeyman that should grab the attention of everyone, especially anyone with children or grandchildren.
Jack Zollinger
Mr. Egan, mind of God is unknowable
Timothy Egan’s April 13 commentary, “How to break the Republican lock on God,” is a gleaming example of the reason Donald Trump was elected. Egan first decries supposedly Christian slaveholders (long since dead), then mocks the “vaporous” claims of Trump’s press secretary. So far he’s doing pretty well. But then he dives into irony (apparently unintentionally) by doing the same thing himself.
Mr. Egan is no better positioned to know God’s mind than is [White House spokeswoman Sarah] Sanders – or anyone else. And it’s even more ironic because he doesn’t get it. I suspect neither do you; and that’s precisely how the jerk in the White House got there!
Bill Laudeman
Red Bank
Thank you, Chattanooga Police, for kind service
I want to thank the Chattanooga Police Department for its excellent professionalism and safety skills.
On April 1, we had a funeral for one of our beloved family members, the mother of one of CPD’s own, Lt. Jim DePrimo.
The collapse of the bridge at I-75 caused the processional to be re-routed from East Brainerd, north of the city, to the National Veterans Cemetery. The precision “leap frogging” of police vehicles was fascinating and timed perfectly.
Thank you, Chattanooga Police, for your service in many kinds of circumstances.
Pamela Robinson
Huntersville, North Carolina