Intriguing how ‘right’ handling Kirk’s death
It’s interesting that the folks on the right who have been labeled as fascists, who probably own and know how to use a lot more guns than the folks on the left, have not used those guns in reaction to the murder of Charlie Kirk. They haven’t taken to the streets to inflict senseless violence on cities.
Though they’ve often been mocked for resorting to prayer, they’ve prayed, publicly and privately, for Charlie’s wife and daughters and for our country for which they despair at times like these. It’s strange that they should be portrayed as such a dangerous, undemocratic group when, given an opportunity to rise up in anger, they simply pledge to continue Charlie’s efforts to engage in dialogue.
Nick Decosimo
Christian nationalism will fail spectacularly
It’s hard to reconcile Charlie “MAGA” Kirk’s embrace of the Bible Sabbath with the plan of the little horn, Daniel 7:20-25 (with eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great blasphemies), to reassert their political control through their authority to establish a world-wide Sunday enforcement, Revelation 13:11-17. It is to be carried forth on the wings of American Christian nationalism. Daniel 7:26-27 tells us that this gambit will fail spectacularly.
Richard Burns
Cleveland
City residents saluted for kindnesses
Way to go, Chattanooga!
My wife and I moved from the Florida panhandle to Chattanooga over three years ago. Since then, I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of people here to the very elderly and handicapped. Everyone I’ve come into contact with, without exception, has insisted on opening doors for me, carrying groceries to my car, and assorted other thoughtful gestures.
As an example: I drove to the Eastgate Post Office to mail a small package. I was unsure as to how to deal with the rather high curb near the front door. A slight, short elderly woman approached me, offering to help, but I said I would manage. She insisted, saying that I could lean on her as I stepped up on the curb. It worked, so I then retrieved my walker and entered the building.
This is but one example of the kindness of people in this splendid city to the elderly and handicapped, like me.
Wesley W. Chesnut
‘He’ deemed fascist, not a conservative
He was a fascist, not a conservative.
A conservative believes in the rule of law, the Constitution, character and truth. Not lies and insurrections.
Bill Acuff
Destroying building a ‘denial of purpose’
It is not the size of their private buildings but instead the elevated monuments of communal life that give cities their characteristic traits. The Medical Arts Building is a distinct work of cultural capital that gives Chattanoogans a visible reason to be proud.
If the defining trait of the Scenic City becomes jumbled views of modern warehouses, hotels and office buildings, then we cannot speak of art or of any real culture. That a congregation of faith would destroy a distinct communal icon in the name of money is a bitter denial of its own people and purpose. Those who are chosen by Providence to give an outward, living and visible expression to the eternal healthy character of Americans, Tennesseans, and Chattanoogans would never find their way to such errors.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10
Joseph Cook
How is my ‘pool toy’ hurting state park?
On a hot day in 2025, I planned to enjoy swimming below the falls at Foster Falls State Park with my inner tube. As I approached the trail, I was met by a stern park ranger with a badge and a gun. She stopped me, saying, “You cannot take that with you.”
I was concerned and in disbelief. I asked, “Why not?” She said, “Because it is a rule.” Since she could not tell me any reason for the rule, I tried to contact the park manager and area manager to ask. Neither of these employees have ever contacted me.
The response from a Request for Public Information was a photo of a sign reading “Pool Toys Prohibited” with no explanation. I question prohibitions of an activity that does not harm the user, another person or the park resource.
When did Gov. Lee find it necessary to have park managers control the use of pool toys? How has Tennessee government with an annual budget of $59.8 billion evolved into an agency that controls citizens who want to swim with an inner tube on our own public property?
John Christof
Jasper
Promote economy in immigration debate
Immigration is a controversial political topic. Mostly ignored in the debate has been the economic consideration that the U.S. has a 1.6x replacement rate (a fertility rate of 1.6 children per woman).
With fewer births than needed to replace the population, the U.S. increasingly relies on immigration to avoid population decline.
Fewer children entering the population means the proportion of older adults rises. By 2050, the U.S. could have nearly as many people over 65 as under 18.
A smaller share of the population of working age puts fiscal pressure on economic and social safety nets (Social Security, Medicare.)
Industries relying on younger or entry-level workers (health care, education, service, construction) may face chronic shortages.
Economic growth could stagnate since population growth is a key driver.
Historically, the U.S. has avoided sharper population declines seen in Japan and Italy because of higher immigration.
President Ronald Reagan’s saw America as a “beacon of freedom and opportunity that attracts people globally,” adding that new arrivals rejuvenate and enrich the country. Closing the door risks losing “our position as a global leader.”
Now is the time to include economics in the debate.
Frank Robbins
Walden
Industries reinvesting into our community?
A recent Times Free Press article notes that Tennesseans may not be sharing in the state’s success, as noted in a report from nonprofit and nonpartisan Think Tennessee.
Hamilton County is second to Shelby County in public tax incentivized industrial development in Tennessee. A question this raises is how are Volkswagen, and other publicly incentivized employers, contributing and reinvesting back into the communities of Hamilton County?
A common argument is that these industrial developments will insulate our local economy with good-paying jobs and economic growth, but for whom? As our city and county continue to broker PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Tax) agreements with these corporations, we must ask, are the workers employed by these companies able to afford to live in Hamilton County? If not, we may also be losing out on hundreds or thousands of Hamilton County taxpayers who work in Hamilton County but cannot actually afford to live here.
Subsidies aren’t bad by any means. We should as a community continue to be willing to invest in employers, but we must ensure they are actually creating good paying, family-sustaining jobs. Subsidies must be carefully stewarded and show clear investment back into our communities, not just for shareholders. We are long overdue for some robust dialogue around corporate accountability in Hamilton County.
Therese Pace Tuley
Evangelical Christians should know Trump
I recently read about Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president. He was indicted last year for crimes related to a coup. He was found guilty and sentenced to more than 27 years in prison.
That made me think about Donald Trump. He has said he wanted to “take back” the Capitol. The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol (to disrupt election certification) and the fact that he has support from evangelical Christians are a disgrace and blasphemy.
These people are not Christians or patriots.
In Brazil, they now know there are consequences. The U.S. has not learned this.
About 81% of evangelicals helped put Donald Trump in office. This may be the biggest problem.
How do you follow this idiot for 10 years and not know who is really is?
Mark Proctor
Missing link needed for renovated bridge
In less than a year, our “world-class city in a garden” will have another jewel in her crown, with the opening of the renovated Walnut Street Bridge. People from around our city and the world will enter the bridge from a beautiful plaza, the Edwin Hotel, and the historically significant Ed Johnson Memorial Park. As they leave this spectacular new addition, they will see a small adjacent lot with a graffitied “for sale” sign, littered with rocks and garbage.
Why not activate the city, the county, our generous philanthropic community, the Chamber of Commerce, RiverCity and the tourism industry to fund the purchase of this lot, host a design competition for a “mini park in a city” and appropriately complete this spectacular new addition to Chattanooga?
Bruce Komiske
