There's still time to protect net neutrality and more letters to the editors

Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor

There's still time to protect net neutrality

Net neutrality refers to the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) should give consumers access to all legal content and applications on an equal basis without favoring some sources or blocking others.

The FCC has announced that on Dec. 14 it will vote on Proceeding 17-108, inaccurately-named "Restoring Internet Freedom," which will eliminate net neutrality. With three Republicans and two Democrats on the FCC, the vote is likely to go against net neutrality.

Comcast, Time Warner, AT&T, Verizon and other internet service providers have lobbied the FCC for this change because they see ways to make more money, although polls show that 60 percent of Americans support continuing net neutrality.

In contrast, our own EPB has pledged to uphold the principles of the open internet and online privacy.

There is still time for you to express your thoughts by going to www.fcc.gov, selecting 17-108 Restoring Internet Freedom and submitting a comment, but remember that 17-108 Restoring Internet Freedom means doing away with net neutrality.

You can also call the offices of Sen. Bob Corker (423-756-2757) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (423-752-5337) to tell them what you think.

Jim Webster

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Are we just too lazy to save the great USA?

Why are we allowing a small minority, compared to the total population, to make dangerous changes to this great nation; allowing them to take down our Confederate statues, statues of George Washington, statues of Columbus, criticize our founding fathers and change our laws, in other words, destroy our history?

Not only is the nation in decline morally, but also it is becoming weaker due to the acceptance of a politically correct culture. In my 85 years I have never seen the nation this divided.

A lot of politicians are corrupt. The sad part of all this is we the people just stand by and let it happen, afraid or just too lazy to get involved.

We must replace the corrupt leadership, weak liberal judges and return the decision making to the majority. This must be done soon as the rest of the world is observing us and making plans to pick this beautiful, ripe plum that is our great nation, the United States of America.

Gene O. Wagner Sr., Rossville, Ga.

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Free Press editorial only shows anger

In his Free Press editorial "Skipping the War on Christmas" (Nov. 26), Clint Cooper "displays his anger" against businesses that use the phrase "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." While I love to celebrate Christmas, I do not agree with pushing it on other people.

Cooper urges customers avoid stores on the "naughty list" because they don't say "Merry Christmas." However, asking all stores to only advertise for Christmas is not only unlikely, it also would not change anything.

Saying "Merry Christmas" to someone does not change that person's religion or automatically make that person celebrate Christmas. Americans celebrate many different religions. While most Americans practice Christianity, to expect that every American is a Christian would greatly underrepresent many people in our country.

Boycotting businesses that don't say "Merry Christmas" only shows intolerance. That action says, "I will antagonize anyone who doesn't think the same way that I do."

As Christians, we should remember during Christmastime the sacrifice Jesus made for us when he was born. Spreading the Word is important, but angrily opposing the respect of other religions is not going to bring anyone closer to God or spread the loving message of Jesus's birth.

Kristen Eldred, Collegedale

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