Mosque editorial shameless writing
Since the Times editorial "Indefensible Islamophobia" (Aug. 29) used the word ignorance, I will assume the editor has an understanding of what that word means. I contend that the writer knows nothing of the 1,400-year history of Islam, or the true reason that many do not want the mosque (actually an Islamic complex) built near the former site of the World Trade Center.
The compassionate (Christian) thing to do would be to build it elsewhere, and if Imam Rauf would agree, the whole issue would probably disappear. I must ask the question, "Is Sen. Reid an Islamophobist?" because he has publicly opposed the mosque. The editorial, in my opinion, is one of the most shameless and inflammatory pieces of writing to ever appear in the Sunday paper.
JOHN BALDNER
Dunlap, Tenn.
McGary, Ladd: Stick to your area
What was the incentive for Andrae McGary and Pam Ladd to so strongly support the (now defunct, thank God) Hunter Road apartments? An out-of-state developer wished to build this ridiculous project.
It was bad enough when the council spot-annexed that area as Chattanooga. I think many of them could only see potential tax revenue. How many of those councilmen who supported these projects have been out to Hunter Road? Common sense would have told them the project was a bad idea. "Let's hear your ideas of how the road can be improved."
I believe the two districts that McGary and Ladd represent could use their-full time effort to take care of Hixson and the Germantown area problems.
Please, Mr. McGary and Ms. Ladd, keep your nose out of Ooltewah county business. I believe there is plenty to keep you busy in your respective areas.
JOSEPH KELLY
Ooltewah
Backing of Corker now embarrassing
Re: "Corker seeks to cap embarrassing debt," (Aug. 27). I see statements like this from the party of no and wonder if the politician really thinks I'm that stupid.
It's downright embarrassing to think I may have supported [him] thinking he would represent me, but who really only supports big money.
Social Security is a self-supporting program that doesn't contribute to the national debt. I worked 50 years to earn my Social Security benefits. I contributed all those years, and now he wants to cut my earned benefits. Yeah, he really represents my interests.
When the Republicans took over, Clinton left a balanced budget and no wars. Suddenly we had two wars (one unjustified) and the biggest deficit in our history!
Now after engineering a financial meltdown, the party of no doesn't even want to pay jobless benefits so people can eat and keep their homes.
I've been an independent (non-partisan) voter most of my life; now I find myself with few choices: Tea Party with all its weird teabaggers associated, Democrats who seem to have my best interests in mind (albeit makes me nervous), and Republicans who can't seem to represent their constituents, only Fox News and people like Glenn Beck (and of course, the wealthy.)
Are we in trouble or what!
MARVIN THOMASSON
East Ridge
Racists exist in both parties
I would like to comment on a letter of Aug. 25. It stated that "not all Republicans are racists, but ... most racists are Republicans." What an absolutely horrible thing to say. That's as bad as saying that not all Democrats are ugly, but most ugly people are Democrats. Neither statement is true.
I have many friends and acquaintances who are Republicans, and just like my Democratic friends, most are decent, kind, thoughtful people who could never be considered racists. Unfortunately, there are still racists in the world, and they exist in both parties.
Being a racist has nothing to do with your political preferences. Sadly, it has much more to do with the value you were taught to place on people as you were growing up. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if all children were taught to place value only on what's inside a person? (Incidentally, in case you're wondering, I'm an independent.)
JOY STURTEVANT
Monteagle, Tenn.
Some Republicans, pundits spread fear
"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
These words speak so clearly to the current struggle for political and economic power in this country. Certain misguided elements of the Republican Party, offering no substantive solutions to real human problems, resort instead to fear mongering. There is no shortage of media pundits willing to foment the fear and hatred. The Glenn Becks, Rush Limbaughs and Sarah Palins of the world, with their multimillion-dollar contracts and speaking fees, are altogether willing to spew the hate language, serving neither God, country nor fellow man.
The opening quote was spoken by Hermann Goering, Reichsmarschall and second in command under Hitler, at his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Nuremberg following WWII. Interesting how history has a pattern of repeating itself.
JEFF CAMPBELL
Lookout Mountain
Islam no more an enemy than others
With the spotlight still on construction of Muslim community centers and mosques (almost interchangeable terms, like churches and Christian community centers like the YMCA) in areas ranging from California to Tennessee, it disappoints me to find people who conflate Islam with terrorists who corrupt it.
It's easy to jump to conclusions that America needs an enemy to stand against as a bastion of liberty, but Islam is no more our enemy than other cultures and faiths.
What is a threat are ideologies that put power in the state or the mob as opposed to balancing the two. Equally dangerous are worldviews granting powers to clergy to legislate laws, not limited to Islam; manifesting in Christian theonomy, attempting to apply biblical laws to a country that promises secular impartiality to all faiths.
Putting up a building that would be 15 percent "mosque" (two floors out of 13) is not giving any victory for Islam. And 9/11 struck Sufi and Ahmadiyya Muslims in America just as hard in losing loved ones.
Obama did speak for America; he merely called for an America that doesn't favor any faith in particular, granting liberty to all. And that's an America I'm proud to live in.
JARED COWAN
Sewanee, Tenn.
Taxpayers foot part-timers' benefit
Now school board members want to give themselves a retirement benefit.
They volunteered for this position and knew the pay. These are not career jobs with full benefits, with taxpayers picking up the tab. No part-time person should get retirement benefits. I don't know of any company that gives part-time employees benefits. The taxpayers are tired of footing the bill for all of this greed. If the taxpayers pay for this, you think it is OK.
What a shame that the city/county leaders can give millions of dollars to big companies but can't help senior citizens with a tax freeze; they must find a job, hold yard sales, cut food or medicine in order to pay their taxes.
This greed is really starting with the federal government, then city/county leaders and now school board leaders. The school board members should never have the power to give raises or benefits to themselves. They work for the taxpayers, not the taxpayers for them.
It's a shame that our city/county commissioners enact benefits for themselves when they are supposed to be working for the taxpayers. I bet most of the taxpayers never knew about these benefits.
LINDA NEWELL