Vote Democrats out of office
Merrick Garland and Christopher Wray are turning their institutions into something every American should abhor. The patterns are now clear, unmistakable and vicious -- something you would see in communist countries, but should never occur here in America.
They are using their powers to conduct public raids on American citizens that are way over the top and should be reserved for dangerous and hardened criminals or terrorists. These public power raids and arrests are for the purpose of publicity, intimidation and financial destruction, and to convey the impression the subjects had done something seriously criminal, when, in fact, they had not.
Notice also this is only happening to Republicans, key associates of Donald Trump -- Rudy Giuliani, Roger Stone, Peter Navarro, Steve Bannon and others. Now, Trump has become the target of this politically motivated abuse. This is unprecedented in U.S. history.
Every American, whether Democrat, Republican or independent, should be outraged by this. It is a practice that has to be brought to a halt. To accomplish this, every American must go to the polls this fall and vote out of office every Democrat candidate whose party is spearheading this abusive action.
J. Johns
Ringgold, Ga.
Voters: Hold Trump to account
Needless to say, there is a segment of the population that is losing their minds over the recent FBI raid at Mar-A-Lago, where former President Donald J. Trump lives. The same folks who lambasted the Democrats for demanding to "defund the police" in 2020 are now calling for abolishing and dissolving the FBI.
The party of law and order and "Back the Blue" has suddenly had a change of heart.
Trump and his attorneys had a copy of the warrant. They could have released it quickly so everyone would see. As Trump likes to say, he was the victim of a witch-hunt the likes of which no other president has ever seen. But he didn't, so [Attorney General] Garland did.
The FBI found boxes of "top secret" and "highly classified" documents. He was subpoenaed months ago but failed to return these documents. The GOP's new "Big Lie" is that the FBI planted the evidence.
It's unprecedented -- perhaps so -- but then we've never had a president quite like Trump, a twice-impeached, one-term president and constant liar.
On Jan. 6, he nearly destroyed our democracy. And now, if he broke our nation's laws, he should be held accountable.
Patty Leon
Clifton Hills
Make sure kids get needed lunches
Right now, hundreds of thousands of children across Tennessee are struggling with hunger. We know that when kids face hunger, it has a long-term, negative impact on their ability to learn, stay healthy and grow up strong.
Schools play an important role in making sure kids get the nutrition they need. School breakfasts and lunches are a lifeline for children from low-income families. School meal programs only work, however, when they reach the kids who need them. It's important that families have the information they need to access these programs in order to weather this storm.
While millions of students qualify for free and reduced-price meals, too many aren't enrolled. This year, many families are newly eligible and may not know they qualify for these meals. Schools should work directly with caregivers to get the resources they need to apply for free or reduced-price school meals, ensuring every child gets the food they need.
Marissa Spady
Bad idea to open FBI affidavits
Sworn affidavits that undergird search warrants are typically sealed until charges are issued or an investigation is closed. Why do the media want the FBI affidavits open now? It is a terrible idea that threatens to compromise the entire FBI investigation, including exposing witnesses. Just what Trump ordered.
Horace Barker
Walnut St. Bridge not quite that tall
A photo on page B4 in [a recent] paper claimed that the Walnut Street Bridge is "2,370 feet tall."
Wow! That would make it higher than Lookout Mountain, even if you were looking up at it from sea level.
I'm sure the captioner meant to say the bridge is 2,370 feet long.
John C Reis
Camden Farms needs close look
In January of this year, when you did a story on the biggest development to be in Whitfield County, you interviewed a commissioner and the developer. A few weeks ago, you did a story on the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners meeting about this. The story hasn't ended there.
The board put conditions on the development known as Camden Farms. It is a high-density development of 1,160 homes on 300 acres. It also includes commercial. That hasn't set well with the community since we are a rural/farming area. The commissioners put conditions on the development, but now the developer is trying to get them to amend them back to the original [proposal].
The commissioners were looking out for the citizens of the north side, and I for one hope they do not allow this developer to force the county and state to create infrastructure to support this development. The developer walks away with a fat wallet, and we are left with the mess. This deserves to be looked into. This development was sold as affordable housing and jobs for locals. Neither is true.
Vicky Quinn Alt
Cohutta, Ga.
Not a fan of Fleischmann
The world we are living in is almost upside down. Black is white, day is night; winners are losers. How do we make sense of what is happening? Let me get specific and local. Chuck Fleischmann is our congressman. Does he exhibit your idea of representation? Or is it something else? I'm at a loss for a term to describe what he is doing.
Chuck Fleischmann is our representative, or is he? Let's take a brief look at what he calls representation. He voted to void the presidential election, against the infrastructure legislation, against the veterans health bill, against Medicare improvements and against allowing Medicare to negotiate for pharmaceuticals. He has expressed his support of the taking away of the rights of women controlling their own lives. What is he for? New locks on the Tennessee River. Nuff said. Your vote counts. Consider what you are for and vote!
Irv Ginsburg
Watch out! Another country may form
I am worried as the 2024 election is approaching. States are defying the federal government on immigration, transgender rights, voting rights and the 2020 election.
The mood seems to be shifting in states like Idaho, Texas, Arizona and Florida to forming their own country; Civil War maybe?
As the 2024 election approaches, the Pentagon needs to keep watch over how much ammo the National Guard units in these states have on hand at all times (and watch out for small arms ammo for rifles and pistols).
I pray everybody comes to their senses and the United States of America stays together as a democracy.
Joel Blake