Halloween cartoon totally one-sided and other letters to the editors

Halloween cartoon totally one-sided

The Bennett political Halloween cartoon (Oct. 23) showing a person dressed as a soldier and the caption "Well, I can assume that you're not supposed to be one of the Romneys" is blatantly one-sided since President Obama has never served in the military either. As a faithful reader of your paper, I hope you will be fair and balanced and point this out.

MARGARET HARPER, Ooltewah


Pit bulls are really kind

In response to Tim Omarzu's story "Etowah passes pit bull ban despite opposition campaign," (Oct. 23):

It distressed me to read that another town is banning pit bulls. There seems to be a fear about the ferocity of the pit bull, where in reality they are as calm and happy as any other dog. According to the American Temperament Test Society, the American Pit Bull Terriers score a 86.8 percent. This means that they have better temperament than bulldogs, terriers, German shepherds, Chihuahuas, and even golden retrievers. Many times a pet owner can be abusive and/or neglect a pet, causing an aggressive animal. Sherri Cooper, the campaign leader, made a good point when she said "... It's not a breed problem. It's how you raise your dog."

People across the nation support the positive outlook on pit bulls. If you see the Etowah pit bull article online, 228 voters said they do not agree to the pit bull ban vs. the 50 that said they do. I hope that people become aware of the situation and learn how kind these dogs really are.

JESSICA ANZAI, Collegedale


Contests proceed despite prayers

I personally could care less whether people prayed aloud, in a moment of silence, or not at all. As an old professor friend of mine told me back in 1966, "Parrish, the worst thing God could do to us is answer our prayers. Forty percent of us would be dead, another 40 percent in hiding for fear of revenge, and 20 percent too afraid to do or say anything."

In regards to the power of prayer, I quote Abe Lincoln during the Civil War after being repeatedly asked to pray for a Union victory: "In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. By his mere great power on the minds of the now contestants, he could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And, having begun, he could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds."

JIM PARRISH


Many die because of no health care

Romney is out of touch. People are dying for lack of health care. Mitt Romney told the editorial board of The Columbus Dispatch, "We don't have a setting across this country where if you don't have insurance, we just say to you, 'Tough luck, you're going to die when you have your heart attack.' No, you go to the hospital, you get treated, you get care, and it's paid for, either by charity, the government or by the hospital. We don't have people that become ill, who die in their apartment because they don't have insurance."

Astonishing! Earth to Romney: People are dying in their apartments because they can't afford care! Hospitals will treat them, but it's unaffordable, and the bills are not paid for as you said. Forty-two percent of Americans cannot afford a major illness. One-third didn't get recommended treatment. One-third didn't fill a prescription, and one-third would not go to the doctor when sick. These are your "unimportant" 47 percent. Come to my free clinic in Tennessee (www.beershebaclinic.org), or any of thousands of other free clinics.

In America, poverty is a death sentence and illness is a poverty sentence. Forty-five thousand Americans die every year because our country will not acknowledge that health care is a human right.

GARRETT ADAMS, M.D., President, Physicians for a National Health Program


Where is the news on 'petrol from air'?

Two weeks ago, the BBC announced in the UK that a small company in the north of England had developed a method to extract gasoline from air. On hearing this, one would think this is really a crazy story. This is what we have been dreaming of since the industrial revolution; is it true? Yes, the story is true. They have been able to take CO2 from the air and hydrogen from water vapor and through a process of electrolyzing have developed gasoline with a octane rating greater than methanol. This gasoline burns clean. This is an answer to clean up our air. The people who run this small company indicate that they will not bring the large petrochemical companies into this invention.

What is so strange about this story is that few media outlets in the U.S.A. have announced this revolutionary story. It probably shows just how much a stranglehold that corporate media has on the American people. This could drive big oil down to size and take a swing at the Wall Street crowd. This is really a dream! See Google, "petrol from air" in search.

WILLIAM M. BETTS


Allow Campbell to lead Walker

Walker County needs Ales Campbell as commissioner.

Most taxpayers aren't aware of the dire financial situation we are facing as a county. The current commissioner doesn't make it easily available to us. If you want to know the budget for Walker County, you will be made to jump through hoops to get it.

As of last year, Walker County was at least $24 million in debt. That doesn't include a $3 million bond for Phillips brothers, a $10 million line of credit for Hutcheson hospital, or $2 million we had to borrow just to meet payroll.

And we have no reserve. At this pace, we could very well be facing bankruptcy by 2014.

Also, unemployment remains above 9 percent, with few local jobs. Most Walker County citizens have to drive elsewhere for work to feed our families. That also means little or no quality time with our loved ones.

Walker County needs a commissioner who has the drive and passion to help citizens, a commissioner who currently makes 105 thousand to do just that ... but has not.

Write in Ales Campbell for commissioner and take back Walker County.

We are at the crossroads for our families.

RACHEL ARNETT, Rock Spring, Ga.


Keep Allen on Signal panel

We are so fortunate to live on Signal Mountain, waking each morning to its beauty. Our town is a special place and it has been graced with people who are involved in our schools, churches, community organizations and town council.

One of our shining leaders is Annette Allen. Born and raised on the mountain, Annette has raised her own family here. She has served on our town council and helped steer the growth and development of the town in a respectful and thoughtful way. Annette is the kind of public servant we all would like to have. She is smart, humble, intellectually curious, a hard worker, and a great listener.

As her friends, we have seen her approach and handle decisions about land use, preservation, development, annexation, water treatment, taxes and the town's budget. She has spent countless hours trying to do the right thing on behalf of the residents of this town. We could not be prouder than to call her our friend and our councilwoman.

In an era where government and politics can seem so estranged from hearing and responding to the wants and needs of the people, we have a woman who truly endeavors to represent our interests. Let's keep her.

GREGG AND JANN SULLIVAN

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