Leadership program worthwhile pursuit
Sunday's full page advertisement welcoming nominations for membership in the next Leadership Chattanooga class is a welcome reminder of the program's value.
Its decades-long success - more than 1,800 graduates have become involved in our community's business, education, healthcare, political and philanthropic endeavors.
Leadership Chattanooga alumni and anyone else who want to help continue Chattanooga's remarkable development know someone who would be a valuable member of the next class. Potential participants can even nominate themselves.
As in the past, Leadership Chattanooga classes train members in the intricacies of community involvement and how their respective skills will help make Chattanooga a better place for everyone.
Know someone who would be an excellent fit for that class? You have until next Monday to submit a nomination.
Michael Loftin
Canadian anarchists now seek more chaos
The prosaic motto of Canada, "Peace, Order and Good Government," is noble in its truth. Edmund Burke pointed out that "All men are created equal" is an airy saying without a functioning government committed to enforcing it existentially. This was proven by the lived reality of "displaced persons" during and after World War II. "Displaced persons" lacked a national government's support of rights, freedoms and basic legitimacy. Today's "illegal immigrants" share that status.
It is no wonder right-wing anarchists chose Canada for their assault on government. The motto and success of government there entices them. After decades of insidious assaults on government, these anarchists, abundantly funded and fronting thousands of "grassroots" agitators, will now move to impose authoritarianism or failed-state chaos to replace democratically elected governments. Do we want that?
Lucy Taylor
Republicans should look at Matthew Adams
On Sunday, Feb. 13, a Free Press editorial suggested Democrats may look at one Republican mayoral candidate. But Democrats need look no further than Matthew Adams, a bright star among Democrats [who hadn't qualified when the editorial was written].
Adams has a heart dedicated to service, is a veteran still in the Reserves and has been serving his community his entire life. He now wants to serve Hamilton County.
Second, Adams is a good listener, cares what people think and wants to hear from them. He knows people often feel cut off from their government. Attend his meet-and greets; you'll know it's true.
Third, Adams is intelligent and learns quickly. He will research problems and find effective ways to solve them. He knows there is no one-size-fits-all solution. And his intelligence allows him to admit he may not have the most expertise, but, with other leaders, he can find the best solutions.
Putting these qualities together, Adams wants to serve all the people of Hamilton County. He may run as a Democrat, but he knows his constituents come from various political backgrounds. Because of these reasons, he is the best candidate. Maybe Republicans should look at him.
Robin Wright
Words for cartoonist are not 'printable'
Re: Clay Bennett's cartoon on Friday, Feb. 18. He has labeled all conservatives as politically insane.
Well, Mr. Bennett, rest assured that I and most conservatives have a plethora of labels for you, certainly not all liberals, which I doubt could pass the "printable" test.
Bill Gallagher
Signal Mountain