'Editorial page abuses influence' and more Letters to the Editors

Editorial page abuses influence

Reading the editorial page Sept. 8 left me appalled and disgusted at the blatant abuse of journalistic influence to back a political candidate. Just go ahead and change the name of the newspaper to "The Democratic Daily." Specifically, the articles, "Obama the better choice," "Cleaning up the economy," "Obama's hope and change 2," and, of course the consistently slanted cartoons, support the case.

Maybe I just caught you on "Democrat Saturday," but here's an idea. Try for an independent and balanced approach; you'll set a new standard for journalistic excellence.

JIM JEFFRIES

Estill Springs, Tenn.


Race for the Cure touches thousands

Thankfully, no one I've known has been diagnosed with breast cancer. That doesn't mean that it doesn't impact my life though. When my mother asked me if I would walk with her in this year's annual Chattanooga Race for the Cure, I said "yes" without even having to think about it.

Did you know that every 29 seconds a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, every 74 seconds a woman dies of breast cancer and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? In 2011 alone, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. The Chattanooga Race for the Cure is one of the key reasons behind those survivors.

Hundreds of people and organizations will come together on Sept. 30 to walk for a cure. I've lived in Chattanooga for almost 15 years, and I never knew about this race until now. This walk is such a huge event and touches thousands of people throughout the world. The citizens of Chattanooga should know more about this to be involved and supportive. Each step draws us closer to the finish; we just need the help in getting there.

HOLLY RAMBO

Soddy-Daisy


Who's in charge: What about Bush?

In reply to "Who's in charge ..." letter (Sept. 8). The same question should have been asked when George W. was "clearing brush" in Crawford for weeks on end.

NELSON SULLIVAN

Hixson


Chief's solution is no solution

Chief Bobby Dodd's solution to Chattanooga's gang problem ("Gangs in Detail," Sept. 8) is to somehow force Alstom, Amazon and Volkswagen to hire the 100 gang members identified as hard-core leaders, thereby solving the problem by putting them to work? Hmm. Let's look at the skills these hard-core gang leaders would bring to the workplace: shooting people with no remorse, inspiring fear by intimidation, probably worse-than-average work habits like cooperation, showing up for work on time, but maybe good technical skills gained from activities like stripping stolen cars for their parts.

Sounds like Dodd's solution would solve his problem, doesn't it? But maybe not such a good idea for Alstom, et al. and the workers employed by those companies.

If this is representative of the ideas coming from the anti-gang task force, then I agree with Judge Walter Williams, who said "It's time to get the real people at the table." Especially after reading in the same article that "Law enforcement doesn't keep accurate statistics about gangs ..." One wonders, why not?

LIBBY WORKMAN

Hixson


Abortions not about 'health'

In a recent letter a woman stated, "Why is it that men think they should have control over a woman's health decisions?" This statement referred, in large part, to abortions. I have one question: What part of deciding to kill a baby has anything to do with "health"? It certainly isn't healthy for the child. The decision to kill a baby just because a woman doesn't want the child has nothing to do with her health. It has, instead, everything to do with a woman not wanting to be pregnant.

As for whether Romney/Ryan want to "hang on to their uninformed, delusional base" -- I am a conservative woman and I am neither uninformed or delusional. I simply don't accept not wanting to be pregnant as a reasonable justification for killing a baby. I do believe there are certain circumstances under which an abortion is acceptable, but certainly not merely because a woman doesn't want a child.

JOY STURTEVANT

Monteagle, Tenn.


Gig price needs an explanation

Two super-fast broadband networks with vastly different prices. Chattanoogans pay $350 for one gigabit broadband service while Kansas City residents pay just $70. Why the difference? Is a gig in Chattanooga superior to a gig in Kansas City?

Perhaps Google, a private company with expertise in this market, better knows how to price its service. Mr. Harold DePriest stated that EPB didn't know how to price a gig. Chattanooga's network -- publicly funded -- is expected to cost more than $500 million. With ratepayers providing your stream of cash, why price the system at a point that is beyond most residents?

DePriest possibly provided the answer in the Times Free Press. "We never thought of people needing a gig in their home. If anybody cranked up to a gig and used it, we'd lose tremendous amounts of money."

The service could go broke if too many people signed up for gig capability. Chattanooga built this network, but seems not to want residents to take full advantage of it.

The astronomical $350 price now makes sense. Is there is a simple explanation? It would be welcomed by those who provide funding to support our local capability.

ROBERT HAYS

Harrison


Coupon sales cover variety of expenses

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to questions and concerns raised by Joanna Miles (letter, Sept. 11) regarding funds generated by the sale of the Kids First Coupon Book. The books are sold for $10, and the schools keep $7, representing a much higher return than offered by any other school fundraising program. The proceeds are allocated, at the sole discretion of each school, to pay for things like technology upgrades, library books, classroom supplies and instructional materials. Prior to the campaign, every school establishes a sales goal and a list of funding priorities. I believe all principals would be happy to share that information with parents.

The remaining 30 percent of coupon book revenue covers program expenses, such as production of the coupon book and prizes for students, in addition to funding other projects that benefit the schools. More information about the program is available at www.KidsFirstCouponBook.com.

KRIS HUMBER,

Executive Director

Hamilton County Schools Fund for Excellence


Kelly showed who she is

Your coverage of Fox News' Megyn Kelly (Aug. 28) quoted her: "I want to be able to show who I am to viewers, ..." It was demonstrated Tuesday night (Aug. 28) during posting of the colors, performance of the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance to flag!

She and interviewee Brit Hume were inside the convention hall, but ignored what was going on around them as they chatted. They were breaking the law: Three sections of United States Code under chapter "Patriotic Customs," which require "all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. ...."

"During ... or when the flag is ... passing in review ... "

"During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, ..."

"The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, ..." These sections are law. Common sense says that these should not be violated even by a "celebrity" newscaster. Fox coverage of the convention was spotty with too many interviews. I watched on C-Span! Other news outlets covered the anthem and pledge. Fox was derelict in its duty: focus was on Megyn.

Great that lawyer Megan can "offer two sides to a story." The side she presented was unpatriotic and ignorant of law.

JOHN A. LYNCH JR.

Whitwell, Tenn.

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