Thursday, January 23, 2014
The story goes that in 1910, the Times newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" The Catholic thinker G.K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G.K. Chesterton." That was the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus. The problem with thinkers is they then philosophize about their thinking and the message gets lost. The same message was promenaded in a civil rights workers strike, "I am a man." In other words I, each of us, am and responsible for my actions. Change begins with and ends with me. To stop crime and violence in my community I must accept my part to bring about its end. If I am in the role of the criminal I must seek an alternate means other than violence to control my surroundings. If I am a citizen of my community, I am responsible for reporting that criminally violent action to the authorities when I have knowledge of same. I am responsible for the lives of my family, friends and citizens of my community. "I am" really does mean I am responsible and so are you.
DONALD FREDERICKS, Arlington, Tenn.
I am really surprised by efforts to rid the city of Chattanooga of the Delta Queen. I will not enumerate the benefits of having the Delta Queen located here as I am sure you read the recent article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press written by Ms. Narayan Sengupta of Atlanta. The fact that the Delta Queen partially blocks the view of the opposite bank of the Tennessee River is, in my opinion, something of an asset since it hides that hideous hunk of weather-stained concrete building that houses the Hunter Museum. I am still of the opinion that whoever authorized such a building be located so it blocks out the view of one of the most gorgeous Georgian buildings in the South should have been tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a rail. Mayor Berke: Please allow the Delta Queen to remain. Possibly a different location could be negotiated if you are concerned about where it is presently docked.
DARDEN NEWMAN, Signal Mountain
I am wondering why our boys are forgotten? They gave their lives for our country too. Every Memorial Day flowers and flags are put on the graves at the National Cemetery. Where are the flowers and flags for our World War II heroes at Patten Parkway? They could put a wreath of flowers there to remember them. I have talked to people trying to get something done about this. Nobody cares. People don't care about our soldiers. They are not the ones who were shot at. My brother William Blake and Uncle Manuel Wilson's names are on the monument. The bronze plaque with their names on it should be moved to a place where people can see it, and it should have flowers put around it so we can be proud of it in honor of our loved ones. I would love to see something done for that spot up there. Lets get this beautified so all can honor the fallen men located at M.L. King and Patten Parkway between the buildings.
ADA IRENE BLAKE TUCKER