Solve demand issue; won’t need wall at all
We constantly hear that a border wall is necessary to stop drugs, human trafficking of women and children, and murderers crossing our Southern border. The way I see it, this is a simple supply-and-demand problem.
American citizens kill disproportionately more of our citizens than Latin criminals do. Where is the moral outrage against our American citizens who demand the drugs, women and children?
The problems is with us. If we addressed the immoral wants of our citizens which is the cause, the supply wouldn’t find a demand, and the problem would be solved.
Jim Garrett, Trion, Ga.
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Creek litter? It’s everywhere here
Does anyone find it a bit absurd that there was an article in the paper Thursday, Feb. 14, about all the litter and trash in Chattanooga Creek? Has anybody noticed the litter and trash everywhere in Chattanooga?
We have conferences coming here, and the litter continues to pile up. Look at the tires just stacked by the roadside. Look at any of the on- or off-ramps to I-24, I-75 and Highway 27 – litter everywhere. Look to your left coming over Missionary Ridge into Chattanooga (a visitor’s first impression) at all the litter, detritus and rubbish along the highway. It is embarrassing. Certainly, we can do better.
Wejun Robinson
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Israel ‘apartheid, racist’ state now
Desperate attempts to discredit Ilhan Omar, the courageous congresswoman from Minnesota, are shameful and won’t succeed. Times are changing and new voices, Jewish and non-Jewish, are now speaking out against Israel’s abuses against the Palestinians.
Israel is no longer a democracy. It has morphed into an apartheid, racist state, worse than was South Africa.
The pro-Israel lobby in Washington has turned Congress and the White House into Israeli-occupied territory. Long before Russia began to intervene in American elections, pro-Israel groups helped elect congresspersons through campaign contributions and defeated some who dared criticize Israeli policies.
Let us be clear: Anti-Semitism should be strongly condemned, but criticizing the pro-Israel lobby and Israeli human rights abuses isn’t anti-Semitic. Similarly, endorsing the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Movement is also not anti-Semitic. It is an honorable, nonviolent way to pressure Israel to mend its ways. It succeeded in ending apartheid in South Africa and will succeed in this case.
Misguided attempts by the U.S. Senate to make it illegal to endorse the BDS Movement show that many “honorable” members are ready and willing to trash the First Amendment in order to prove loyalty to Israel.
Dr. Fouad Moughrabi, Emeritus professor, UTC
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Reauthorizing LWCF must happen in 2019
As a Chattanooga native, I have discovered the beautiful public lands surrounding us such as Chester Frost Park, Wilder Tower and Point Park.
For many of us, visiting our public lands is a way to clear our minds. Growing up camping and hiking in East Tennessee prepared me to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2018, where I was able to see beautiful places across the eastern United States. Many of these have been supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which has worked since 1965 to help save wild places.
LWCF has helped protect many public lands supporting the AT, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Roane Mountain. Unfortunately, in 2018, the LWCF was not reauthorized by Congress, meaning federal funds are not available for the program.
In 2019, Congress must permanently reauthorize the LWCF. Public lands have become the new jewel of Chattanooga, with outdoors being a community centerpiece. When I was on the AT, many people would tell me how great Chattanooga sounds for outdoor resources.
Cathy Lamb, East Ridge
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When we see blood, we seek and destroy
Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution or any other sources have I been able to find anything where we elected the entire population to make our decisions for us. There is no regard really to the fact that is why we elect representatives.
There is no regard whatsoever about our longtime theory or fact that someone is innocent until proven guilty. Judge Bean’s “law west of the Pecos” prevails by erecting the gallows before the trial.
The media and others remind me of cannibalistic chickens. If there is even any bit of blood, the rest of the chickens will quickly dispatch the so-called offender without a trial. The mere scent of blood will doom the victim unless the owner is quick enough to rescue or save it.
Think about my comparison next time you see some self-appointed member of the media or political judge go after someone for something that may or may not have even occurred years and years ago. Do they crow when the sun rises?
David E. Nelson Jr., Ooltewah
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Should Boy Scout Road name change?
Due to the recent changes in the Boy Scout organization to allow girls membership, I believe a change is needed in Middle Valley.
There is currently a road named Boy Scout. This is very gender insensitive and should be studied so that this situation can be rectified.
Robert Morgan, Hixson
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Use ’emergency” to fix all U.S. problems
National emergency – I like it. The president wants to get something done, Congress won’t agree to fund it, so declare a national emergency. In 2021, with a brand new president, here are some of the things she can declare as a national emergency:
» Climate change
» Gun violence
» Opiod crisis
» Clean water
» Clean air
» Health care
» Federal deficit
Best part is that the reasons for the national emergency will all be based in fact rather than misrepresentations and outright falsehoods. So, I hope the president gets his wall; too bad about those military families who will have to wait a few more years for livable housing.
James M. Hemsley
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On climate, weigh answers carefully
Climate change is a controversial subject, with many of the opinion that climate change is a hoax and others believing that action should be taken now to avoid or avert the worst effects.
I ask one question of both opinions – what if you are wrong?
The answers are:
For climate change believers, being wrong would mean that the actions to mitigate or prevent climate change are not as beneficial as anticipated (although weaning the U.S. from foreign energy is a laudable outcome in itself).
For climate change deniers, being wrong means that any efforts to mitigate may be too small, too late or too expensive.
Are the consequences of being wrong worth the risk?
Paul Jackson
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America ‘alone’ thanks to Trump
Donald Trump has hijacked the GOP, an unpredictable and unstable president has abdicated the leadership role that has guided the world peacefully for the last 70 years.
Cancelling treaties and vilifying our allies, endangering our country by ignoring and disparaging the advice of his own intelligence officials and continually sowing doubt on a free and independent press that does not agree with him – calling it fake news.
Where is the party of free trade, of fiscal responsibility, where is respect for the rule of law and respect for all citizens? A presidency devoid of any moral leadership cannot unify and inspire its citizens. Character does matter.
The Republican Party cannot survive with unity under this leadership, nor can the country.
America is no longer first in the world. America is alone in the world, divided by and fearful of, our president.
Pat Brock, Lookout Mountain