Don't soft-pedal Phil Robertson - and more letters to the editors

Don't soft-pedal Phil Robertson

I am confused about David Cook's position on Phil Robertson's bigotry. He seems to soft-pedal Robertson's racist and homophobic comments.

Robertson is like many of the run-of-the-mill letter writers to the Times Free Press. Under the banner of Christianity, they spread hatred for their neighbors, harshly condemn others, and support their prejudices with obscure quotes from Leviticus.

I am no Biblical scholar, but this message is the antithesis of the ministry of Jesus. Bigotry dressed in the vestments of religion is bigotry.

Bigotry is not free speech. Do you have a right to say ignorant things? Yes. Is free speech a license to escape from the consequences of your stated prejudices? No.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. I am sure that Robertson is very sincere and conscientious.

Remember this, David Cook: If it waddles like a bigot, and it quacks like a bigot, it might be a duck.

TERRY STULCE, Ooltewah


Don't scold our speech

A writer indicated that the "L" in Ooltewah should be pronounced. This is not so unless one wants to appear as a nerd in an NFL huddle.

Around here, we do not say: youse (you); pack (park); cuber (Cuba); God forbid (Oh, no); boid (bird); choip (chirp); howdy, padnah (Hello, there.); nevah (never); Nor'easter (North Easter); etc, etc. And East Ridge is two words.

If you do not like our vernacular, y'all should seek out an area more pleasing to your taste in English.

DUN MONROE, Signal Mountain


Don't silence Phil Robertson

I saw your article on the controversy raging about "Duck Dynasty" and comments made regarding homosexuality by the patriarch, Phil Robertson, in a magazine interview.

While I support gay rights, I also support freedom of speech and every individual's right to their own opinion. It seems like things have gotten seriously out of whack in our country lately. Freedom of Speech is only for some folks.

I visited San Francisco last summer and saw men walking down the street with their butt cheeks exposed. While I understand this is freedom of expression, it's not something I would want my children to be exposed to.

Being America, I guess they have that right. Why does Phil not have the right to his own opinion, rooted in his faith?

In our effort to be politically correct, it seems we are creating double standards. It would be nice to hear some gay advocates make a stand and give voice to the fact that, in this country, whether you agree with it or not, everybody has the right to his or her own opinion.

It just seems like some groups demand things they are not willing to grant to others. Confusing.

TIM ENGEL, Chattanooga

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