My husband and I recently spent a weekend in Atlanta. We stayed across from Centennial Olympic Park. It was our first exposure to electric scooters, which were randomly lying all over, on and beside sidewalks and in the park. Some of the riders were courteous and safe; some were not. I thought they were a safety hazard.
Now, our city is considering getting them. My first reaction was, oh no. We have a nice downtown area, which can be very crowded on weekends and holidays. I think these scooters would make our downtown area look trashy, and then there’s the safety factor.
On a daily basis you can see elderly and physically challenged people on our streets. I believe our downtown area is too small to accommodate these scooters. I spoke to my local city council member, Ken Smith, who is also against the scooters.
I wonder if the other commissioners have seen what we experienced in Atlanta, a much bigger city. For those who frequent our downtown, try to imagine what it would be like with scooters everywhere. If you feel as strongly as I do, please contact your city council members. Let’s keep Chattanooga the “Scenic City.”
Kathy Worley
Hixson
Russia, other Israel foes will be destroyed
Russia will never stop causing trouble in the world until God puts an end to it, and that is exactly what is going to happen in the near future. In Ezekiel 38 and 39, he tells us what is going to happen in the last days. Russia, Germany (Gomer), Turkey (Togarmah), Iran (Persia), Ethiopia and Libya are planning to go up against Israel.
They have already signed a pact. Plans are made. Verse 13 refers to Britain, and all the young lions refers to the USA and the rest of the commonwealth. Chapter 39 tells us that Russia will be destroyed on the mountains of Israel and also the rest of their armies.
Is this war about to happen? We may see this in our day.
Janette Roberts
In reigns of terror, guns were absent
Hitler banned public gun ownership in 1938, then murdered millions. Joseph Stalin banned guns in 1929; from 1929 through 1953, about 20 million political dissidents and others were exterminated. Mao Zedong established gun control in 1935, then murdered millions. Idi Amin banned guns in Uganda in 1970; through 1979, 300,000 Christians and political dissidents were exterminated. Pol Pot was responsible for the death of 1.5-2 million through starvation, disease, being overworked or execution. Guns had been outlawed by the French prior to his rule.
Our Second Amendment is there to ensure such couldn’t happen in the United States. Among the words of our Founding Fathers that support an individual’s right to keep and bear arms:
“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” – Thomas Jefferson, the proposed Virginia constitution
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.” – Benjamin Franklin
“To disarm the people is the most effective way to enslave them.” – George Mason
The thought that taking guns from law-abiding citizens would cut down on crime will surely get the support of criminals.
Vincent Gamble
Sparta, Tenn.