'Bennett's tea party obsession is like OCD' and more letters to the editors

Monday, July 1, 2013

Bennett's tea party obsession is like OCD

Frankly, I am a bit concerned about your cartoonist, Clay Bennett. This preoccupation with the tea party and the conservative movement is, after all, understandable because it is something threatening to the liberal world order, just as the original tea partiers in Boston Harbor threatened the Royal Kingdom and their superior world view.

I have reviewed the definition of obsessive compulsive disorder and it is this: an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear or worry; by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety. Symptoms of the disorder may include excessive washing or cleaning, preoccupation with violent thoughts and the repetitive drawing of cartoons about men with tricorne hats and tea bags.

"It is said the symptoms can be alienating and time-consuming and cause severe emotional and financial distress, and that the acts of those who have OCD may appear paranoid and potentially psychotic." (Wikipedia).

I hope the editors of the Times Free Press will take this letter seriously and urge your cartoonist to seek professional help. Perhaps medication or psychiatric counseling, or maybe just a spot of tea, may help this talented young artist from burning out in the fire of his obsession.

JOHN T. JOHNSTON, Signal Mountain


Paula Deen is human like the rest of us

I can't believe all the hoopla over Paula Deen. I doubt there is a born and bred, dyed-in-the-wool Southerner over the age of 50 (black or white) who has not used the "n" word at some time in their life. The word in question is actually a contraction of Nigerian.

Is what she has admitted to any worse than Tiger Woods having 14 sex partners while being married? I don't think so. Paula Deen may have hurt some feelings, but it pales in light of transgressions committed by other celebrities. Give her a break. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

SHARLEEN J. RHINOCK, Ooltewah


Not all seniors oppose same-sex marriage

Careful, careful, to the Times Free Press reader who claimed that those who oppose same-sex marriage are "like 100."

This grandma doesn't. Careful not to discriminate against us by age!

CLAIRE HALE, Signal Mountain


Organ donations benefit so many

A miracle happened for my sister and her family. She got a kidney on June 22 and it is functioning.

While it is sad that someone had to die to give life back to my sister and hopefully several others, it is great that the donor or the loved ones decided to celebrate and value the donor's life by passing it on. I think it is the greatest tribute to honor someone's life by sharing their gift of life. That gift is joyfully received by the patient, the family and friends, enhancing many lives of those connected to the patient.

For five years, my sister was on dialysis, while nearly 5,000 people died in highway deaths in Tennessee. Do something great with your life: Pass it on! Please donate organs!

JANET BEAN


Corker on right track on border security

Sen. Corker's amendment to keep our nation safe is exactly the kind of work you don't see in Congress much these days. Securing our borders is the right thing to do, and we'll bring millions of immigrants out of the shadows and into our economy.

Immigration is a tough issue, but Sen. Corker is working hard to get it done. Good job, sir.

AMANDA ELLIS , Soddy-Daisy