Thanks to the Skillern family for donation
I'm so proud of Mr. Fred and Betty Skillern for the $3 million they gave for a cancer fund. I wish I could do the same. I've said a prayer for them and hope those who can will give. My dear mother, Inez, passed away at age 49 when I was young. She left two girls. God bless the Skillern family and their dear deceased son. Thank you for letting us know, dear Times Free Press.
VIRGINIA BENNETT, Soddy Daisy
Human exploitation transcends ideology
If you are going to use Man/Boy/Love Association as proof that homosexuality is wrong, may I suggest you use the following to prove what is wrong with heterosexuality. Approximately 300,000 children are at risk of being prostituted in the United States. The average age of entry into prostitution for a child victim in the United States is 13-14 years old. The average victim may be forced to have sex up to 20-48 times a day. The majority is heterosexual rape. To imply that a woman or child, who is pregnant from a rape, chose to give up control of her body is callous and cruel and only shows your lack of compassion. Perhaps people lose their way when only a narrow view of the world guides them. Speaking from anger and judgment, using derogatory words like 'blockhead', and seeing no justice in a living wage of $15/hr are not attributes I would associate with a moral compass. Maybe all of us should stop being 'proud conservative (or liberal) Republicans (or Democrats) and begin seeing each other as flawed and all in need of God's grace.
PAMELA POE, Hixson
In support of free speech
Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, every one." I say, "God bless our Founding Fathers." They had the foresight to draft the Bill of Rights which protects us from having the viewpoints of vocal minorities forced upon us by intimidation. A&E's attempt to stop we Christians from simply stating our beliefs is a perfect example of an attempt to force their world view upon us, and thus nullify the protection afforded by the First Amendment. Phil Robertson was simply stating his personal beliefs in response to a question. The Bible tells to love everybody. I have had many gay friends and will have more in the future. I also have friends who gossip, some who occasionally lie, and some who have cheated on their spouse. I hope my friendship to them will reflect the great love that our Savior has for mankind, and that my behavior will cause any unsaved friends to seek the joy and peace I have found as a Christian. Think of the sacrifices that have been made to keep America free. Do not let that freedom slip away on our watch.
KEN RENTZSCH, Hixson
Don't trample gun rights
It was nice this past weekend to finally take some time from my busy schedule to do some Christmas shopping with my daughter. So we headed to Murfreesboro, Tenn., and all of the great shopping available there. Being an active handgun carry permit holder we checked for prohibitive signs as we entered J.C. Penney. After purchasing a few items on our list we were heading into Stones River Mall when my daughter stopped and pointed at the large sign just inside the mall entrance restricting our civil rights. After staring at it for a moment we turned around to take our list and our cash to stores that welcomed all law-abiding citizens. We enjoyed spending the rest of the afternoon shopping at Target, Lowe's, Staples, and various other stores including the great shops at The Avenue. I thought it only fair to let the managers of the Stones River Mall know why we chose to take our business elsewhere. You see people interpret those signs differently depending on their lifestyle. I see them as disrespecting the Constitution and my civil rights, criminals see them as an invitation to conduct business as they are assured that the patrons, their intended victims, will be unarmed.
JAMES BOTTUM, Hillsboro, Tenn.
Truth is revealed in due time
"Time will tell" is a simple maxim that confirms our conviction that the vagaries of the present will often yield to truth. A similar maxim admits that "continuing to ignore what time has to do" is insanity. It is crucial to our democratic discourse that we accept the truths revealed over time. For instance, look at NAFTA and successive similar treaties still being promoted as good for the American worker. Truth be told, time tells us that only Ross Perot was the prophet with the truth. Remember his admonition: "That sucking sound is all the jobs leaving America." Or take the assertion of "failing schools and what to do about them." Time has told us that the single most important factor is poverty. So, why do we ignore poverty and piddle around with lesser solutions. Or how about our favorite boast we in the USA have never a coup d'etat. Here, power always changes hand peacefully. Time has permitted the evidence to mount up that proves there was a conspiracy to kill President Kennedy and cover it up. Sometimes the truth is obvious. Sometimes only "time will tell."
BLAKE MOORE, Chattanooga
Race war letter stretches belief
A recent letter to the editor entitled "Possible Martial Law" cannot go unanswered. Some people will believe anything negative about President Obama no matter how stupid. Quoting an Army colonel doesn't validate anything. To entertain the notion that President Obama will try to push racial tension to create race wars and civil unrest in order to declare martial law and extend his presidency is lunacy. Jefferson said, "To expect to be both free and ignorant, is to expect what never was and never will be." I also agree with Leonard Pitts who said, "one cannot be fully informed without reading books." It is difficult to believe anyone who reads books could believe this nonsense or pass it on. Even during the Great Depression, there was never threat of insurrection though millions stood in long lines to get a bite to eat. As a nation, we believe in the peaceful transfer of power. Al Gore proved this when he bowed out to George Bush after the election he won was taken from him by the Supreme Court. Most knowledgeable people are insulted by this garbage, but I defend this writer's right to have it published.
WILBURN C. MARKHAM, SR., Walden, Tenn.
Judge Parker comic missed
My husband and I agree with Bill Hixson's letter in the Dec. 18 paper: It was shocking to find the Judge Parker strip cut off in mid-episode and replaced with -- yes -- the ugliest and dumbest comic strip we've ever viewed. There is a benefit, however: one less strip to read gives us more time for finer reading.
DUANE AND ELAINE DODD, Ooltewah