Gov. should fight for state first
Tennessee deserves a governor whose first loyalty is to Tennessee, not to Washington power brokers or whichever administration happens to be in charge. Our state has its own values, priorities and people to protect. Those don’t always line up neatly with federal agendas.
A strong governor doesn’t act as a rubber stamp. They ask hard questions. They push back when federal policies harm Tennessee communities, strain local resources or ignore our constitutional balance of power. They defend state sovereignty while still working cooperatively when it actually benefits Tennesseans.
Leadership isn’t about party loyalty or political ambition — it’s about courage. Courage to stand up for rural hospitals, working families, public safety and basic accountability, even when doing so is inconvenient or unpopular.
Tennessee doesn’t need an echo, it needs a voice. One that will fight for this state’s interests every single time.
Michael Tweedie
Trump’s lies continue, threaten
There are many things Trump has told this country that are not true. At the midterms of his first four years, he claimed “there are caravans of immigrants rushing towards our borders.” A lie. “Mexico will pay for the wall.” A lie. During COVID: “we should drink Clorox or put lights in our bodies.” Just plain stupid, as well as another lie. He has promised “better health care will be announced in the next two weeks.” Or, “I have a concept of a health care program.” Another lie. In his first term, eight of his staff were indicted or found guilty.
While he was out of office, he was found guilty of 34 felonies. Liable for sexual assault. He had relations with a porn star while his wife was expecting their first child. He associated with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite all of this, the religious right still sings his praises. Has anyone ever seen him attend a church service?
This current president is not only a threat to all of us, he is a threat to the entire world. November 2026 will determine whether we are willing to stand up and put some congressional leaders with backbones in office to eliminate those who cower to this man. I pray that God will protect us until then.
P. A. Taylor, III
Fort Payne, Alabama
Parker wrongly blames Dems
Star Parker commented (01/18/26) that the Democratic Party is “the vehicle leading our nation to fiscal and social bankruptcy.” She blames Democrats for the government shutdown, when Republicans offered no promise to stop looming increases in healthcare. She supported Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which officials project will lead to a deficit rise of $3.4 trillion within 10 years. She refers to one of our core principles as “reverence for the sanctity of life,” yet she applauded Trump’s abrupt move to eviscerate USAID, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths and terminating scientific projects aimed at preserving life.
She has made no comment about the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. Presumably DHS has principles like those of our Chattanooga Police Department: “Using only the minimum force necessary, with proportionality to resistance, and providing prompt medical aid if needed.” The agent used maximum force when other options were available and did not provide prompt medical aid. So much for the sanctity of life.
And what about what Trump has done to our country’s trustworthiness, the right to due process, freedom of speech, independent regulatory agencies, etc.? Tragically, our nation is headed toward bankruptcy on many fronts.
Betsy Darken