Kind card helps veteran through therapy session
I go once a month to the Veterans Administration for mental counseling for my PTSD after my service in Iraq during 2006 to 2007.
Last month, I had a PTSD flashback and almost experienced a breakdown. I was nervous going to the VA on Feb. 13. But as I entered the building, I was given a handmade Valentine's Day card by a student named Audrey. This card enabled me to have a good therapy session.
Thank you, Audrey, for your card. This really helped me.
Joel Blake
Journalism complaint just more conspiracy
A reader's letter in last Sunday's Times Free Press claimed American journalism is out to "abolish age-old objectivity standards," and that discovering "facts and reporting them in a fair, balanced and accurate way is now somehow a bad thing." It doesn't accomplish "social justice" aims, whatever that means.
Then came a weird juxtaposition: "Reality-based reporting and gathering facts from legitimate sources are hard work" (true). But:
"Talking parrots can do that sort of reporting and that's what journalism has become -- schools for parrots."
Yes, but he didn't mention that reporters use computer keyboards because, unlike parrots, they have opposable thumbs.
It's unclear whether he actually reads the outstanding journalism produced everyday by TFP reporters. Many of them probably like crackers.
Turns out his complaint about reporters/journalism was a prologue to a conspiratorial suggestion that reporters produce propaganda like total government control (of everything), "as leftists/Democrats always seem to favor."
Polly want a Pulitzer?
Michael Loftin
Legislature: Nix closed primaries
It is our tax money that pays for primary elections. The Tennessee legislature is now attempting to create a closed primary system that would limit a voter's opportunity to select a representative of their choice, something that would further reduce our state's already dismal voter turnout. We're already at the bottom of the barrel.
If this happens, you will be forced to declare a party affiliation 30 days before a primary, when races are really decided. A closed primary would leave a lot of representatives' races uncontested (this is how you want to win an election?), resulting in even lower voter turnout. And if you do not declare a party affiliation, you will be listed as an independent on your permanent registration record.
Independents, like libertarians, would be excluded from the chance to vote. Participation by millennials, GenZs and a lot of veterans, who have avoided party affiliation, would be limited, too.
Election laws should make it easier to vote, easier for a voter to select a representative of their choice. The Tennessee legislature is once again moving in the wrong direction.
Kerry Lansford
Not a legitimate Catholic voice
Several weeks ago, the TFP Sunday edition published a Los Angeles Times story, "How a retired TV executive became the publisher of the National Catholic Reporter," on page E4. For the record, NCR is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Catholic Church. Founded in the early the 1960s, the NPR reflects a far-left agenda inconsistent with Catholic doctrine. Through its publications, NPR disingenuously attempts to present itself as a legitimate voice of the Catholic faith rather than its disruptive and deceptive effort to mislead the public and push its destructive personal theology.
Such is the modern state of media communications within which impostors and frauds can blatantly misrepresent themselves and, under the guise that a lie told often enough to enough people becomes fact, destroy the credibility of legitimate reporting. As such, the TFP should, if it truly lives within its purported values, challenge both the NCR and the Los Angeles Times report with an accurate report of its own.
R.G. Kirn
Soddy-Daisy
Purse protection restores her faith
As an 85-year-old female, I want to commend all the wait staff, management and personnel with the operation of Stir restaurant at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. My purse was accidentally left at the restaurant for more than 24 hours before I realized that it was gone. When I finally remembered what had happened, we called the restaurant, were assured the purse had been found, and returned to pick it up, finding it totally intact!
This restores one's belief in the goodness of human nature. So thanks to Stir and the honesty of its employees!
Barbara Kelley
Age-old advice to Ga. Rep. Greene
Here is an open letter to our neighbor and North Georgia member of Congress: Dear Ms. Greene, it is better to remain quiet and be thought stupid than to speak and prove it.
James M. Hemsley
Is GOP out to dim Nashville's success?
Is it the fact that a Democratic-run city (Nashville) works [well] the reason why the Tennessee legislature is trying to dismantle its government?
There are more important things legislators should be doing.
GOP state lawmakers seem to be completely petty and ignorant about their role as a state body.
They seem to want to force their views and not work for the good of Tennessee.
Roger Thompson
Tullahoma, Tenn.
Lawson Whitaker was city treasure
You can't imagine how sad I was to read about the recent passing of a Chattanooga icon like Lawson Whitaker. My wife and I purchased a second home in Chattanooga in the spring of 2021, and while at the closing, we were in a large room, signing all the necessary documents, when I looked up to see a beautiful, large photo of downtown Chattanooga.
When I asked more about it, the Realtors and closing agents told me this piece and another in the office were from a local photographer by the name of Lawson Whitaker. They gave me his contact information, and I went online to see his gallery of photos that my wife and I completely fell in love with!
Within a week, I was able to reach out to Mr. Whitaker directly and able to have him bring to my new home the new photo for our living room wall. Mr. Whitaker even signed it, and it, along with another we love so much and is signed, is in our living area.
Such a nice man with such a great eye for natural beauty and a lot of love for this city and its history. Chattanooga lost a great one, and he will surely be missed.
Kurt and Carmelita Piepenbrink
Tampa, Fla., and Chattanooga