No police chases? We're more at risk
About the Nov. 28 TFP letter to the editor, "High Speed Police Chases Too Dangerous": This pushes a point brought up many times, with few people disagreeing in writing. I disagree, most emphatically. The gang robberies going on now in California should make my point. Openly coddling criminals and other miscreants will always lead to chaos.
Who would want to see their families driving in a traffic situation where a fool can get away with most violations because the public is so craven it will tolerate the innocent being deliberately forced to accept foolish and dangerous behavior from people who love picking on the helpless?
We have no guarantees of complete safety when we choose to drive a car. But we do have a guarantee that the law will be vigorously enforced on the miscreants in our midst. Are we to be put at the tender mercies of some of the biggest idiots in our society?
We must accept many risks whenever we step outside - life itself can be dangerous. I will take my chances with the dangers associated with the law making vigorous efforts to arrest foolish and dangerous people on the highways.
Bart McPherson
Hiawassee, Ga.
Consider charges in police chase value
I wish to second the sentiment expressed by a recent letter writer in regard to high-speed chases by area police. I agree that the police should consider the infraction with which the suspect is going to be charged and weigh the danger that it poses to the citizenry and the police themselves.
I feel that in all reports of police chases, the charge against the suspect should be disclosed. If it is not immediately forthcoming, the Times Free Press and other media outlets should pursue this until it is disclosed. In this way, the public can make a decision about the considerable risks to the public versus the benefits of apprehending a fleeing suspect, if indeed the violator is caught at that time. Because most who successfully flee will eventually be arrested, with less potential danger to innocent bystanders, and with less chance of tragic consequences.
Tom Quillen
Applauds Greeson's 'Obit Observation'
I wanted to comment on the "Obit Observation" in Jay Greeson's piece published Oct. 23. Jay commented on the life of Wanda Weller. Wanda was my mother, and she truly did live a life of triumph and perseverance. She was a product of the Depression era, and while being very generous to charities, church, friends and family, her frugal side would fold up gently used aluminum foil to use a second time.
She truly did live a full life. Not mentioned in the obituary were her extensive travels in the United States with a close family friend. They visited 48 states in their travels, with a cherished pet companion. With Thanksgiving just behind us and Christmas coming soon, it is hard for the family to enjoy the holidays as much as in years past; however, she will be in our hearts and memories forever.
Thank you, Jay, for recognizing in your column remarkable lives well lived.
Kyle Weller
McDonald, Tenn.
City's Water Quality Program enhances green spaces
One thing that a lot of us have learned over the course of the pandemic is how important our public spaces are. Our local parks are a haven for wildlife of all varieties while providing Chattanoogans a place to commune with nature. I live near the newly renovated East Lake Park, which my community has enjoyed immensely over the last 20 months.
The talented team at the city's Water Quality Program has helped with the redesign of East Lake Park to fantastic results - the riparian vegetation is not only native, self-sustaining and beneficial to pollinators, but also pleasing to the eye of passers-by. I have seen many more bird and insect species on my daily walks, and this increase in diversity is a direct result of the program's intervention. I encourage the City Council to increase the budget of the Water Quality Program to ensure that other communities in the Chattanooga area can benefit from the same access to improved green spaces and intentional landscaping, well into the future.
Justin Spencer
Biden oil reserves idea is moronic
Who does President Biden think he is kidding? He announces that he is ordering the release of 50 million gallons of oil to ease the gas supply. How far does he think 50 million gallons of oil will go to help the shortage of gas? All he has to do is check to see what the amount of oil it takes on a daily basis to run things in this country to see how paltry this gesture is. On average, the United States uses 18 million gallons of oil daily. So, whoopee, the 50 million he is "freeing up to reduce the gas shortage" will provide 2.78 days of gas for the United States. What a moron he has who is advising him of the needs of our country.
John Martin
Patron didn't like race-tinged remark
Recently, while attending the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, a couple of friends and I grabbed lunch at an eatery on Chestnut Street. The owner took our orders, and I ordered a hot dog and a coke. I then added, "Could I get some chips with that?" He glibly responded, "Did you say chitlins?" I calmly stated, "No, I said chips." His response gave me pause, but I shrugged it off.
He brought our orders, gave me the chips and made another comment about how the chips would be better than chitlins. After we left, I talked with my friends (who happen to be white). They were also struck with the owner's comments and actually characterized it with words I won't include here.
I am an African-American man who was born and raised in this city, a product of a parochial elementary and high school, and have an undergraduate and masters degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
My friends said, even before I said it: "We'll never visit this place again."
I bring this up because I thought we were further along than this.
Cary Garrett
Come on, politicians; improve our recycling
The Scenic City is becoming a load of garbage due to the cluelessness of several political leaders here. As we now continue to load up our municipal landfill with the multitude of things which can be - and up until recently were - recycled, we are turning our beautiful area needlessly into a series of junkyards since the dump will be quickly filled with things which no longer need to be going there.
Come on, area politicians! This is now the 21st century; we should be recycling everything because we have the technology to do so and because we have the need to do it. From saving God's creation, to saving room at the landfill, to simply making sure our nation still has the resources it eventually may need to survive and win a conflict with China, Russia, or who knows who else, it only makes sense for area leaders to [improve] our recycling program and quit making the Scenic City a dump!
Will Lance
Hixson
Worried about armed militias
I am very worried in what I see taking place in our great country. We have armed individuals and groups (militias) walking the streets during tense times. Local police departments could easily be overwhelmed. State governments need to set up a quick reactionary force (QRF, as the military calls it) that could be deployed to assist any local police department. If this isn't done, the federal government might be tempted to initiate martial law. Hopefully the armed individuals and groups will come to their senses. Germany in the 1930s is an example of what could happen.
Joel Blake