The Quarry on Mountain Creek Road has several ponds. I happen to know these ponds are full of turtles because I can see their noses when they come up for air.
The problem is there is no place for the turtles to bask in the sun, which they love to do.
If whoever owns the Quarry would drop some logs in the ponds, I am sure the turtles would love it.
They have to stay in the water most of the time because there are no stones or logs around the ponds on which they can sit.
Thank you,
Mary Coleman
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Would pay to see sored trainers event
Regarding Tennessee walking horses and soring:
I have a hard time grasping what the fascination is for people who devote so much time, passion and money into the "sport" of watching and judging a horse for the particular way it walks.
I have never attended a Tennessee Walking Horse competition, so I cannot know firsthand, but is there some esoteric thrill or pleasure I am missing?
It would be mere frivolity, I suppose, if it didn't involve cruelty to the horses, but knowing there is such cruelty involved, even if curtailed from what it used to be, makes it downright sadistic.
And yet, the winning trainer and rider of this year's world event is a known offender of soring - the illegal (supposedly anyway) practice of inflicting pain to the horses' hooves and front legs in order to "train" them to walk in the artificial manner enthusiasts seem to go gaga over.
If the trainers who indulge in the practice and the fans who tolerate or turn a blind eye to it could be sored themselves and forced to high-step around an arena, now, that I would drive a hundred miles and pay good money to watch.
Rick Armstrong, Monteagle, Tennessee
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Ideas for birth and gun control
It's not about abortion. It's about lack of information and availability to birth control. I have an idea. All males get a vasectomy instead of circumcision at birth and have it reversed when they are responsible enough to help raise a child.
My idea about gun control? Anyone can have any type of gun or bump stock or silencer or any other enhancer they can afford, but it must be used at a licensed facility. It cannot be taken out of that facility.
These facilities would be like churches in the Southern states like Tennessee ... one on every corner and two in each block.
Sue Carol Elvin
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What you say is what you believe
No, no, it is not OK to lie.
Everyday some politician or newsperson is caught lying to the public. Then when caught, they use whatever excuse they think we will believe. Like I misspoke, I did not really mean that or I was taken out of context.
No, what they say is what they believe. The public is not stupid. Where were these folks' parents when they were little children? As Barney says, "You got to nip it in the bud."
People are responsible for what they say. It is as simple as that. The air is full of mean and hurtful words. Maybe we should work on stopping air pollution. We have choices ...
Ruth Cote, Hixson
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Reconsider bingo prize measure
Prohibition on bingo and other games of chance (as stated in August letter from Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability):
"An organization may continue to play games, including bingo, as long as there is no money charged for any part of participation and participants are not required to bring any item, or other consideration, to donate as part of the prize winning."
The seniors at Eastgate Senior Center play bingo every Thursday. Seniors bring a couple of dollar store gifts. Some bring one, some two, some several. It is voluntary. The seniors who play come for socialization and thrill of winning a small gift. There is no point of holding bingo if no prizes are allowed for calling "Bingo".
To include the harmless senior center bingo games is ridiculous. This activity a couple hours once a week is something seniors look forward to at the center.
I urge the state to reconsider this prohibition on senior center bingo games. After all, the state has no issues with the lottery, aka legal gambling. The odds of a senior winning a dollar table gift are a lot better than winning a lottery game.
Joanne Leach, Rossville, Georgia
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'Love-thy-neighbor' guy was radical
In a Monday letter to the editor, "Professor reveals liberal slant," the writer seems upset about a professor's statement that "we should condemn hate, white privilege."
I would like to know his opinion about that long-haired hippie, radical dude who said, "Love thy neighbor."
Sharon N. Faber, M.D.
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Where's government after child is born?
How ironic that today's (9/9/19) front page lead article was about the abortion divide, while on Page B4 a headline read, "Georgia child welfare agency OKs cuts to meet governor's mandate." Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp would drastically cut child welfare, elder care and food stamp assistance in order to meet his desire for a "lean government."
The fact that pregnancy help centers provide parenting classes and assistance finding other services means nothing after a child is actually born. The same government that takes control of a woman's life and forces her to bear an unwanted child she perhaps can't provide for does nothing to control the life of the man who caused the pregnancy and defunds services to help feed and clothe the child.
It is cheap and easy to force a woman to carry a pregnancy to term. Legislators elected by taxpayers can just make a law. But if you don't back up that disgraceful government overreach by voting for taxes to provide subsequent services, then you are a hypocrite.
Lisa Scott, Dayton, Tennessee
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Motherhood no concern of state legislature
Nearly 50 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 7-2 that a woman has the right to a safe and legal abortion, certainly within the first 12 weeks. So why does our 84% male state legislature think it has the right to overturn that?
The "heartbeat bill" is just another attempt to force women into motherhood whether they're ready or not.
Even if a tiny electrical signal can be detected in a developing embryo at six to eight weeks, there's no actual heart yet. So how can it really be considered a "heartbeat?"
Male politicians never have to worry about getting pregnant, so why should motherhood timing be any of their decision?
If you're so concerned about human life, guys, "study" why Tennessee is one of the top 10 states each year in which women get killed by men. Does that even matter to you?
Study accidental gun deaths, where innocent (born) children and adults die. Don't the already-born have a right to life, too?
Talk about excessive government regulation into private business, what goes on inside a woman's reproductive "parts," with the help of her doctor, is none of the government's business either, period.
Marian Galbraith, Tullahoma