Enforce all traffic laws to save lives
I was not surprised to read that traffic fatalities are up in Tennessee.
Every day I see a car or truck run a red light, or a car traveling 95 mph on the interstate, or a car doing 60 mph on a residential street, or someone talking on a phone, or even worse, staring at their phone. What I almost never see is a police officer enforcing the traffic laws. Our city, county and state governments are not meeting their most important responsibility which is to protect the public safety.
One would think that a problem as serious as people dying on the streets would command a serious solution, but no, we are going to get public service announcements. If government wants drivers to stop for red lights and stop signs, then a police officer must ticket those who do not.
The same goes for speed limits, driving while impaired, driving while distracted, seat belts, etc. If the police do not enforce the traffic laws, then these are not laws, just suggestions.
Municipal elections will be held in March, so this is a good time to ask the candidates to make a commitment to protecting the public safety by enforcing all traffic laws.
Jim Olson
In divisive times, let's be more like David Cook
A recent letter to the editor mocked columnist David Cook for writing about his traumatic physical and mental reactions to the election and the presidency of Donald Trump. The letter writer indicated that Mr. Cook suffers from "Trump Derangement Syndrome," a term of contempt used to discredit Trump's critics.
Contempt. These days this is how so many of us treat others with different opinions. Yet, as most regular readers of Mr. Cook's column know, Mr. Cook never treats anyone with contempt. He is respectful, insightful, and compassionate.
It's easy to express contempt or rage or hatred. It is a lot harder to be open and honest and humble.
I pray that all of us learn to disagree without demonizing, to see each other not as enemies but as neighbors, and to embrace our commonalities even in the face of our differences. Let us all be more like David Cook.
Betsy Darken
Country, Congress face 'unity' test on Feb. 8
Joe Biden wants unity, but will he get it from Republicans who allowed Trump to make 30,578 documented false and misleading statements while in office?
Bills piled up on Sen. Mitch McConnell's desk because he wouldn't introduce them. The Senate didn't even debate Trump's first impeachment. The 14th district in Georgia elected the QAnon "Queen" Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Republicans gave a national debt-busting tax cut that will disappear soon for most of us but not the rich. Trump let COVID-19 destroy our economy. Trump had no vaccine plan.
Republicans say listening to us is unity. Well, which QAnon conspiracy theory should Biden start with first?
If the Republicans had convicted Trump during the first impeachment we wouldn't have had the Jan. 6 insurrection. The Republican greedy never have enough money and are always angling to help themselves with another tax cut (national debt be damned). Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says abortion isn't health care. Republican men always seem to forget they're not the ones forced to have the baby.
Unity? We'll see come Feb. 8.
A coup attempt and insurrection are unforgivable sins against democracy.
David Bean
Chatsworth, Georgia