Grammar lesson on 'whoever'
In a recent column, "The Commencement Address: A Reality Speech," Ron Hart tries to make a point that students aren't learning. To help him make this point he quotes a girl as having written, "I will be suing whoever is responsible for me getting this low grade." He then goes on to make fun of her for not knowing enough to have written whomever.
This time the joke is on Mr. Hart. What he apparently did not know is that whoever is actually the correct pronoun in this context. The girl was right! It is functioning as the subject of a noun clause. This noun clause is actually the direct object in that sentence, receiving the action of the "suing."
There is, however, a grammatical error he did not mention in the sentence. Me should be my -- possessive case before a gerund. I am normally not a grammar Nazi, but this time I felt it was warranted.
RICHARD DAUGHERTY, Dayton, Tenn.
Know who our enemy is
President George W. Bush once said, "Our war is not with Islam." Perhaps he wanted to be politically correct. In fact, Islam's war is with American infidels, Christians, Jews and anyone who does not call upon the name of Allah.
Muslims believe Islam has been granted the truth. It is incumbent religious duty established in the Quaran and the tradition of all Muslims to bring Islam to all humanity, therefore Muslims must strive, fight and kill nonbelievers in the name of Allah. In the Quaran 8:12, Allah says, "I will instill terror into the hearts of the infidels, strike off their heads, and strike off all their finger tips." The heinous acts Muslims commit are supported by their holy book. All Muslims take their religion literally and seriously. The Tsarnaev brothers, Boston bombers, were increasingly submerged in Islamic teachings, which embittered them toward the country that gave them asylum and free lunch.
American democracy protects the religious and ethnic minorities to the point that in modern parlance, sometimes, truth is less important than political correctness. Let's not kid ourselves. We must be honest with ourselves and know who our enemy is.
AMOS TAJ, Ooltewah
Some preachers aren't preachers
Any man who calls himself a preacher and marries two men or women is no preacher.
God said it is an abomination. If God said it two million years ago, it still is.
Another thing, these men and boys that go around with their pants down almost below their rear ends should be put in jail until they learn to dress properly.
DAVID COOKE, East Ridge
Birchwood building can be useful
The article written by Kevin Hardy about Birchwood School and its community was thoughtfully and insightfully presented. Kevin captured the pride and long history of the families who have kept the area connected. He shared a glimpse of the loyalty that binds each to his neighbor and to the school that has served as the center for community activities for generations. The loss of the school is felt deeply by old and young alike. Over 650 supporters attended the closing celebration that commemorated the history and traditions of the school.
It is the fervent wish of all those living in Birchwood to retain the use of the beautiful old building as a center for its citizens. The school's full-sized gymnasium, lunchroom, tennis courts, track and other features make it an ideal place to offer community activities. Services, such as those offered by the Health Department in the original industrial arts building, are needed. Head Start or other early childhood interventions are desperately lacking and could move seamlessly into the school.
Birchwood was one of the early settlements in our area. Its dignity and sense of community have remained intact. Thank you, Mr. Hardy, for sharing the story.
RONNELLE BLANKENSHIP
Marriage equality already exists
A recent letter to the editor says "the time has come" for "marriage equality." But marriage equality already exists. Any person, whether gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight, can get legally married in any of the 50 states. Although common restrictions apply concerning the ages, kinship, and genders of the interested parties, there is no restriction on sexual orientation.
For instance, a straight man is prohibited from marrying his brother to become his insurance beneficiary, just as a homosexual is prohibited from marrying his or her same-sex partner for tax or insurance purposes.
The fact that most homosexuals choose not to marry, under the restrictions that apply to everyone, doesn't insinuate inequity any more than it does for a social organization that wants to be treated as a church by the IRS but chooses not to conform to the definition of a church.
The rejection of marriage as it has been known from time immemorial demonstrates that the agitations over "marriage equality" are not about equal access; it is about redefining the institution for special interests - like Bill Gates proposing that "nonprofit organization" be redefined so that he and Microsoft could enjoy the same tax benefits as Rick Warren and Saddleback.
REGIS NICOLL
Tea party invites scrutiny on itself
Recently there has been a big flap from the tea party for "being unfairly scrutinized" by the IRS for tax- exempt status. No wonder! I applaud the IRS for simply doing its job. Just think, if I behaved like the tea party I would expect scrutiny as well.
What I mean is that the tea party makes a cottage industry of not only bad-mouthing our government, but also trumpeting their fervent desire not to pay any taxes. Fringes even talk about wanting to "take up arms," wanting to separate from the union and require all Americans to adhere to their religious dictates.
Tea party: When you shout anti-government oaths, any reasonable person would expect you to be checked more closely. You invited it on yourselves. Don't blame the IRS.
MIKE BODINE
Don't interfere in state tax issue
Our senators and many articles seem to confuse sales and use tax - probably to make the Marketplace Fairness Act seem to be fair and more acceptable. The existing Tennessee use tax is really an import tax calculated at the same rate as sales tax. Tennesseans who buy items out of state whether online or at retail stores are subject to paying use tax when the item is shipped or brought into Tennessee.
U.S. senators represent their state, so it is understandable that they favor increased state tax income. U.S. representatives represent the people, so they should determine what is best overall for all of the people they represent. I don't recall seeing what gives the federal government the right to interfere in a state tax-collection issue.
The "leveling the playing field" for "brick and mortar stores" vs. online sellers is mostly a distraction since in many cases buying online is cheaper before taxes, more convenient or the only option.
A good newspaper article would be to summarize the Tennessee sales and use tax laws and to explain why the use tax does not violate Article I, section 9 or 10 of the U.S. Constitution.
AL C. GRIST JR., Signal Mountain
Tea party's worst fears confirmed
Oh, my dear tea party friends, what have things come to? Your worst fears and suspicions have been confirmed; the most fearsome instrument of your hated federal government, the Internal Revenue Service, has its eye on you. Apparently they may think that calling the president a foreign-born socialist does not constitute "social welfare." I am so ashamed. Recently I wrote this newspaper and ridiculed your right-wing humor and paranoia; actually saying that there was a fine line between them.
Thank goodness that note has gone unpublished (talk about bad timing!). I have come to realize that even as a liberal, we have much in common; I too am an aging crank. If I may, there is an old aphorism that gave me some comfort, but not much help, during my trying last couple of years with a "most respected" corporation: "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that they are not after you."
BYRON CHAPIN, Hixson