Washing hands on shooting no answer
Seriously? The callous reaction on the part of our lawmakers, both state and federal, to the violent death of three children and three adults in a Nashville school is stunning. Their hands are tied, they say. What do we expect them to do?
For starters, they could pass a background, red-flag check for all gun purchasers to prevent the purchase by those with mental health issues. No exceptions. They could ban extra-capacity magazines. Finally, they could bite the bullet and outlaw the powerful guns which go far beyond destroying the human body, rendering the victim unrecognizable as a human being. Think of that as you picture injured children.
These are infinitely hard fights, but hard fights are what we elected them to do. They promised to care about and protect their constituents, not wash their hands when the job gets tough.
Clare Sawyer, Soddy-Daisy
Pedestrians not at fault in crashes
In response to TFP reporter Ellen Gerst's recent article, "6 Pedestrians Killed in Collisions So Far in 2023": This article could have used the headline "34 Weaponized Cars Have Attempted Homicide to Pedestrians or Cyclists So Far in 2023."
CPD Assistant Chief Glenn Scruggs and his assistant blame bicyclists and pedestrians. And while I'm never surprised to see city transportation officials say that they don't detect any patterns in these crashes, I do think that cars hitting, killing and hospitalizing people with regularity is reason enough to slow traffic and enforce traffic safety.
Most all bicyclists and pedestrians are car drivers as well, so this should never be framed as an us-against-them scenario because as we are all well aware, pedestrians and bicyclists are losing that battle every day here in Chattanooga.
There is much more to understand on this issue, and if you are interested in moving the needle forward, reach out to EmPowerChatt@gmail.com.
With everyone's support and more awareness to this deadly trend, we will make a difference.
John Mathna
We deserve the society we created
The murder of three children and three adults at the Nashville Christian school should come as no surprise. There will be another mass murder of our children and grandchildren next week or next month, and they will continue each week thereafter until we have the courage to change our society. We deserve the society we have created.
The Constitution is not a sacred document. The Second Amendment, as maliciously interpreted by Justice Scalia, should be immediately repealed. All handguns should immediately be confiscated, as should all military-styled rifles and any firearms with more than a seven-shot capacity.
The framers of the Constitution also were wrong when they created a republic instead of a democracy, when they maintained slavery, and when they failed to grant women and African Americans the right to vote.
In criminal law, if you assist someone in committing murder, you are also guilty of murder. [U.S.] Reps. Fleischmann, Burchett and Green, U.S. Sens. Blackburn and Hagerty, and all other supporters of the Second Amendment, as currently interpreted, are guilty of murder. The blood of Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce and Cynthia Peck is on your hands.
Erskine P. Mabee, Sale Creek
Patience needed in Trump case
Trump is indicted, and Republicans are bending over backwards to massage his vanity by protesting. I am compelled to ask: Do they honestly believe that in spite of who is the district attorney, a grand jury would bring forth an indictment on inadequate evidence? Or are they more concerned that Trump's indictment sets a precedent that they may have to answer to in the future?
Of course Marjorie Greene went to New York to protest. She hasn't done anything of merit in the Congress, but she cannot miss her daily photo-op. Like Trump, she is a vanity queen. Personally, I think the Republicans are being foolish to pander to Trump when they could use this chance to educate themselves, their party, the MAGA base.
They could remind all that politicians by their oath of office are obliged to protect and defend the Constitution and the laws. Let the district attorney present the full case. Let the attorneys argue it. Let the jury decide. Then, like Trump, we must all accept the outcome. Like it or not. Protests in the street mean nothing. Pundits denigrating a case, site unseen, nothing. We need patience. Not noise.
Katheryn A. Thompson
Trump, Fox helped undermine voting
Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled against Fox, allowing Dominion Voting Systems to proceed with its damages case against the cable network.
In his ruling, Judge Davis states, "The evidence developed in this civil proceeding demonstrates that (it) is CRYSTAL clear that none of the Statements relating to Dominion about the 2020 election are true." (emphasis in original).
He goes on to state (among other things): "FNN (Fox) has a centralized research department called the 'Brainroom' that conducts internal fact-checking. On November 13, 2020, the Brainroom completed a fact-check regarding the Dominion allegations, which stated: 'There was 'no evidence of widespread fraud.'" Also, "Claims about Dominion switching or deleting votes are 100% false" and claims that votes for former President Trump were deleted are "mathematically impossible." Also, "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has debunked viral claims about the existence of a secret CIA program for vote fraud called Hammer and Scorecard."
The judge also stated, "In fact, although it cannot be attributed directly to Fox's statements, it is noteworthy that some Americans still believe the election was rigged."
This is what comes out in court where lies are identified and truth really matters.
Trump started the lies about 2020 election fraud. Then Fox and other entertainment businesses promulgated and expanded the lies, which undermined a central pillar of our republic.
Robert Landry
Cast vote based on gun violence actions
From a March 27 report on ABC News, "128 mass shootings in the U.S.":
During this horrific week of gun violence at a Tennessee school, our national leaders made statements like these: 1) Sen. Dick Durbin: "not very hopeful" that the Senate can pass gun legislation ...; 2) Sen. Thom Tillis: Doesn't "see a path forward on new gun legislation."
Tennessee legislators made these remarks: 1) Andy Ogles stated, "Why not talk about the real issue facing the country -- and that's mental health?" 2) Chuck Fleischmann offered only prayers. 3) Tim Burchett told reporters that "... laws don't work" and "We're not going to fix it."
Well, I know how to fix it! I will vote for anyone of any political party who takes actual action on the things that have been proven to reduce gun violence such as: disarming all domestic abusers, requiring background checks for all gun sales, passing "red-flag" laws, banning assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Next time you vote, please find out what your local, state and federal candidates will do about gun violence.
Pat Ralston, Soddy-Daisy