Culture may change; 'thanks' still in style
We no longer gather around Grandma's table and hold hands for the blessing. Everyone has something in their hand: an iPhone or a cellphone. And Grandma doesn't cook anymore. No longer do we sit around and share what we are thankful for, as we are in a hurry to get to the shopping center and begin our Christmas shopping, or watch our football game.
Research tells us that the Pilgrims didn't eat turkey, anyway. They had deer, cod, bass, Indian corn and native berries. They drank beer from corn and something called "strong water."
It was a celebration, not a solemn religious occasion. They were shooting guns and cannons in the air, drinking and gambling. So I guess the new normal is really the old normal.
Still, we need to take time to praise the Lord and be thankful for all the wonderful blessings we have here in America,
Marge McNutt, Signal Mountain
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'Chickens coming home to roost'
In place of Bible reading and prayer in the schools and the lack of singing the national anthem by schoolchildren, students have television programs and movies that depict horrible scenarios.
When Hollywood bigwigs and actors, who play real-life roles, are accused of unwanted sexual encounters, and politicians, ones we read about everyday, violate their sacred oaths, is it any wonder we have horrendous social ills?
When pupils should be learning ethics and practicing moral principles, we find they are receiving little constructive instruction to base their moorings. Is the price we paid and are paying worth the damage to society? As the old saying goes, "the chickens are coming home to roost."
Dale E. Yoder
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Volunteer MDs could aid jail
From time to time, discussions in the news occur over the medical situation of, and cost to care for, the incarcerated ill.
I am a volunteer spiritual entity, and there are a few hundred of us who cover many time slots daily in this line of commitment.
I believe that a medical volunteer program at CoreCivic/ Silverdale facility can be most effective financially and be most helpful for all who are involved, from the County Commission to the very inmate in need.
The more than 3,000 medical doctors in this area, UT/Erlanger residents, an on-campus dispensary at Silverdale and screening those who do not need urgent medical attention can be part of the solution. Such a volunteer program would help financially, in both county and inmate cost, would save lives and would make the workload of resource officers somewhat lighter.
Medical students also may have another avenue to repay their loans and financial debts as other programs provide for this. I will submit a similar letter with this idea to the County Commission. Hopefully, the public and governmental interest will bring this plan to fruition with God's blessings upon it.
Gatha N. Logan Sr.
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Trumpism simply a growing fascism
How could a corrupt, sociopath narcissist become president? What is behind 50 percent support on Election Day and steady support between 30 and 35 percent since, despite Mr. T. continuing to show himself to be without morals, a chronic liar and opportunist? At this point, many of his suggestions are given serious consideration. Obviously, enough of us do not recognize the dangers he poses to our democracy and the outside world. Hitler at one time was very popular in Germany.
Evidently, impaired judgment and perceptions and denials are contained in much of our population's thinking (involving cultural influences, limited intelligence, personality rigidity, propaganda intake, shortsightedness, prejudices and ignorance).
Can enough of those currently denying and ignoring actualities start becoming insightful and objective, willing and able to recognize some of our thought limitations and biases, capable of perceiving, accepting and promoting facts and informative reasonings which have been nonexistent to this point? Am I suggesting the impossible?
I am concerned a significant state of ignorance and denial shall continue to pervade this country regardless of the extent of government corruption, no matter how obvious, despite the dangers involved. Am I too pessimistic? An alarmist?
Trumpism is incipient fascism.
A. Sheldon Gelburd
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Pitts should get history right
Leonard Pitts is doing his culture no favors by keeping it anchored to the past. He writes about the past in anger and does not research carefully the events about which he writes. If he had read "Reading the Man" by Elizabeth Pryor, he would have known the slave story about being whipped 50 times and brine having been poured over wounds was only partially true.
Three slaves did escape and were brought back to the estate of G.W. Custis, where Robert E. Lee was trying to follow the will of his late fatherin- law. It never stated slaves would be free at the time of his death. They would be free after their debt was paid and within five years. The slaves were freed before the Emancipation Proclamation.
Historians and biographers of Lee said he could not have had the slaves whipped. Lee was not a brutal man but one of high standards in conduct and honesty.
Instead, a half-true story was pedaled to an anti-slavery newspaper, which didn't check the facts or with Lee.
Leonard Pitts needs to follow W.F. Twyman Jr.'s advice to let slavery go.
Hazel Steel, Cleveland, Tenn.
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Namby-pamby pols not needed
Rocketman is dancing in his palace. In Iran, they're dancing in the streets. Russia is ecstatic. Chuck and Nancy are giddy with excitement. Corker's hearings on the use of nuclear weapons are doing more to put the U.S. in jeopardy than all of Trump's rhetoric.
I voted for Trump because I am sick and tired of namby-pamby, politically correct politicians. Let's do like President Clinton and send them millions of dollars, and Obama can apologize for standing up to them. Michelle can be proud of America for the second time. Just as our enemies have come to expect, the U.S. will back down and/or leave the conflict if you hold out long enough. Now all of those who hate us will ramp up their weapons and prepare to attack before we realize what happened (Pearl Harbor again). Maybe we should start a real investigation to see if Corker is colluding with the enemy.
I've always wondered why polls in Tennessee don't want to see Bobby become president. Please, Sen. Corker, end your term early; take Flake, McCain, McConnell and Susan Collins with you. Don't come back to Tennessee; maybe Massachusetts will take you.
Bruce Fleury, Hixson