Public Works 'essential' crew thanked for culvert cleaning
I would like to give a shout-out to Roy and his crew from the Chattanooga Public Works Department.
This crew spent several days in the Forest Plaza subdivision cleaning out the culverts that run through our neighborhood.
Several houses have been flooded due to blockages in this area. Roy's crew worked tirelessly to put our neighborhood at ease. These essential workers do not get the credit they deserve.
Thanks, Chattanooga, for answering our prayers. You are appreciated!
Linda Carter, Hixson
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Newspaper won't give Trump credit
I have read the Chattanooga Times Free Press for about an hour a day since I subscribed early this year.
It's obvious to every man that you are in the "hate Trump" camp. In one of your [Chattanooga Times] editorials alone, I counted 136 remarks unfavorable to Trump or a Republican. Trump had a litany of his concrete accomplishments in his State of the Union address. You joined Nancy Pelosi in tearing it up. In the same cartoon, you showed Trump tearing up the Constitution. In fact he has put two judges on the Supreme Court and 200 other judges who will hold up the Constitution as written.
I would have little trouble filling the page with more of Trump's headline accomplishments that you never even mentioned. You should begin to live by your first line or drop it.
Dr. Tom Herzog
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God will forgive, heal our nation
Polls indicate more people say they have no faith whatsoever, and most don't believe that there are absolute standards for right and wrong. America has thrown out God in schools, business and in daily lives.
A National Day of Prayer earlier this month called on America to stop, confess sins and beseech the holy lamb of God to heal our land. God does not lie. Our land will be healed now if you follow his instructions.
Would you like this pandemic to end? God, creator of all things, gave us the remedy. God's word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked way; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
God will heal our land if individuals are willing to follow his advice in the above verse.
Grace Thomson, Dayton, Tennessee
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President Trump a delinquent child
I am appalled at Trump's mean, cruel demeanor as evidenced by his daily tweetstorms.
We have a delinquent child as president who delights at hurting others.
I am sending him a pacifier and Pampers.
Mike Bodine, East Ridge
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U.S. should cut China relations
I urge readers of the Times Free Press to press their U.S. senators and congressmen and women on their beliefs on this country's various moves and policies on China. We should demand that our members of Congress be very specific in their responses.
China is a cancer on the rest of the world. The novel coronavirus is bad enough, but the fact that China tries to impose its trade, economy and military on others is equally heinous.
This country should disengage from China economically, culturally and in any other way which allows that dictatorship to expand its influence.
Harry Geller
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Give the people health care choice
Trump wants to eliminate the ACA (Obamacare) and replace it with his plan that isn't announced.
I suggest he offers both at the same time but does not allow you to have both, not only giving people a choice but also finding out over time which is more popular and which most cost effective.
This would also eliminate the frustrations he has with recent court rulings.
Bill Hayes, Hixson
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Bennett's cartoon brings belly laugh
Clay Bennett's depiction of the coronavirus egg (May 22) brought a great big belly laugh at a time when I really needed it! The product of his creative mind is such a gift to look forward to every day.
Thanks so much, Mr. Bennett.
John Finck
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Trump has no concern for us
So, I just received a notification saying that Trump declares houses of worship essential and for state governors to reopen churches, synagogues and mosques "right now."
He has absolutely no concern for the health and welfare of those who would attend and follow his lead of not wearing masks or taking any other precautions. He is setting our country up for failure because he knows, in what is left of his heart, that he will not win in November.
He does nothing to try to bring this country together, but does everything to turn Americans against each other. He sows lies and fear to those who still listen to him. He has no morals, nor honor, nor the ability to listen to those around him as to how to make this country better.
He has gone beyond being just an embarrassment; he has become something that surpasses dangerous, and in my eyes, evil.
He has changed this country to such an extent that it may be impossible to recover. God help us all.
Scott C. Wilson, Ooltewah
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Think of mask like a seat belt
We call ourselves "the land of the free." Today it is evident that many believe they are free to act, speak and think as they want without hindrance or restraint.
But our Constitution does not advocate this. The constitutional framers understood that individual rights are balanced against the rights of everyone as a whole (the common good). Individuals cannot use their rights in a way that harms others.
When you are asked to wear a mask to protect the health of others, it is not impinging on your "freedom" anymore than wearing a seat belt to protect yourself is.
Perhaps it's time for us to let go of cultural traditions that reinforce the idea that individuals are separate from the community and are free to pursue their own personal ends. Real freedom consists of being a member of a community that respects and values the freedom of individuals to pursue their own goals, as well as those goals we hold in common.
During these times it would be wise to remember the words of John Donne, 1623: "No man is an island entire of itself ... "
Put that mask on and be grateful you live in a "land" that cares about everyone!
Judith Pedersen-Benn