Reps., why are you Trump’s accomplices?
I am outraged that the president (elected with less than 50% of the votes cast) is unconstitutionally and illegally withholding congressionally approved funds, firing career civil servants, eliminating agencies, allowing an unelected, unvetted campaign financier and his juvenile cohorts unfettered access to the most sensitive government computers and using federal resources to punish people whose legal job was to investigate his unlawful actions to stay in power, which all Americans saw and heard.
Is being a senator or representative so alluring that they are ignoring the assault on the Constitution in fear of reprisal by this president? Are they not concerned that the hard work and sacrifices, including the ultimate one, of millions of Americans since 1776 to make this the most prosperous and most free country in history is in dire peril? Did they not take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States? That they will bear true faith and allegiance to the same?
Sens. Blackburn and Hagerty and Rep. Fleischmann need to return to Tennessee and explain to its citizens why they, by their silence, are accomplices in the ongoing blitzkrieg against the Constitution, the laws, the institutions and the norms that make America great.
Ted Tumelaire
Advocate resistance, but never violence
I read with sadness recently the words of Rev. Steve Caudle intimating the possible necessity for violence in response to activities of Trump’s billionaire attack dog, Elon Musk. I must not be mistaken for a right-wing hyperbole generator because of my pointing out the error of words spoken by Mr. Caudle. I am in fact fully in support of the message he expressed. However, he was very much in error in his choice of words.
Let’s be clear here. It must be understood that Rev. Caudle was speaking in the context of the political milieu currently being generated unilaterally by the executive office of the president of the United States. I agree that Trump’s executive actions are unconstitutional, but I do not agree that these activities are sufficient to necessitate a violent response. Regardless of Rev. Caudle’s later comments that he was speaking metaphorically, the words that he used were not metaphor but direct intimation of the potential necessity for violence. In my opinion, he should publicly retract those words and make it quite clear that though he advocates resistance, he does not advocate violence.
Robert Landry
Where is the line in Trump devotion?
As bad as he is, Trump is a symptom, not the cause, of the paroxysm of anger, hatred and fear gripping our world.
Since he regained the presidency, I have begun a catalogue of the offensive things he has done and said. He is averaging almost two a day. Several items are categories of repeated acts. Otherwise, my list would be much longer.
I continue to be amazed at the apparently uncritical devotion given him by Republicans in Congress and his other supporters. I wonder when, if ever, he will ever cross the line, commit one outrage too many, and lose his support. Is there even a line that he could cross? I fear he has carte blanche to do whatever he wants.
What about his Christian supporters? What damage will their blind devotion to Donald Trump do to their devotion to Jesus? Will the witness of Christ in the United States ever again be unsullied by its unholy marriage with right-wing politics? Or has the church of Jesus Christ simply become a thin facade for the next and loudest demagogue?
Herbert K. Lea
Chickamauga, Georgia
To Watson’s ploy: Every child matters
Friday’s editorial on the Chattanooga Times page points out that state Sen. Bo Watson wants to deny school enrollment to unauthorized immigrant children. Clearly unconstitutional, such an action appears designed to eventually reach the Supreme Court of the United States, where it might eventually decide in Watson’s (Tennessee’s) favor.
In Plyler v. Doe (1982), the Court declared that states, in this particular case Texas, must provide a public education to “undocumented school-age children.” The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment stipulates that no state shall “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This clause includes undocumented immigrants. To quote Justice William Brennan, “[The] denial of education to some isolated group of children poses an affront to one of the goals of the Equal Protection Clause: the abolition of governmental barriers preventing unreasonable obstacles to advancement on the basis of individual achievement.”
As James Agee observed, “In every child who is born, under no matter what circumstances, and of no matter what parents, the potentiality of the human race is born again.”
Michael V. Woodward
Hixson
Cutting budget fine, but checks are needed
We can all appreciate President Trump cutting the budget. Every politician ever elected has promised to get spending under control. But many of us are concerned with the “slash and burn” manner he’s going about it via his DOGE appointee Elon Musk.
Surely many of those recently laid off were good at their work. The withholding of both national and international aid takes away all sorts of support from those unable to help themselves. Still, the budget cuts will save billions of dollars.
But won’t the withdrawal of aid add misery to those Americans needing it? Won’t the cuts allow rival nations to increase their foreign influence?
Presidential power was once tempered by legislative and judicial checks and balances. Today’s Republicans appear to oppose such action.
Grady Burgner
Black Jacket Symphony wows crowd
I recently went to my first Black Jacket Symphony show, and it certainly won’t be my last. They played “Led Zeppelin IV,” and the whole experience was incredible! Jon Campbell’s lead vocals (harmonica/guitar) were magnificent, emulating Robert Plante.
All of the guitarists slayed all of their respective roles all night long. The band was tight and mesmerizing as the special effects were outstanding. A special shout-out goes to drummer Heath Price, who is from Chattanooga. He absolutely slayed it!
Charlie Kelly