Dayton coal makes for dirty circle and other letters to the editors

Dayton coal makes for dirty circle

I enjoyed Ben Benton's fine Oct. 23 report on coal mining approved on Dayton Mountain and the follow-up left page comments the next day.

My understanding of the situation is that Cumberland Plateau coal will be extracted at some risk to the environment and associated mining personnel. The mined coal, too dirty to be burned in North America, will likely be shipped to China and other developing countries to be burned there.

Then, when people here call for environmental cleanup, many people will say that it is no use cleaning up North America as other nations are heavy polluters. Hello?

BYRON CHAPIN, Hixson


How could U.S.A. reject Obama?

The Republican surge in the 2014 midterm election was posited as the result of poor performance by President Obama. The notion the president has not done his job well flies in the face of multiple achievements, including withdrawal of our young men from harm's way in lands where chaos has reigned for centuries, 3 percent growth in annualized gross domestic product, a fall in unemployment rolls to 6 per- cent, health care for millions of Amer icans for whom it previously was not available or unaffordable, a decrease in the budget deficit, and efforts at envi ronmental and immigration reform.

The Republican Senate minority and House majority fought him tooth and nail all the way. The Republican mantra, a la Mitch McConnell, was getting rid of Obama, and even at one point, shutting down the government. Why did the electorate fall for the Republican propaganda? They were deceived the president was a failure by Republicans' long and loud distor- tion of the facts and obstructionism, regardless of evidence to the contrary, that it had to be true. Hopefully, the USA will continue its gains. Of course, Republicans will take credit.

JAY PATY, Soddy-Daisy


Cook too progressive and should lose his job

This note is to David Cook. Mr. Cook, I can understand your feeling so inadequate, or let down about voting. When you see 80 percent of the public terribly disappointed in their elected officials, yet they keep voting for the same folks, it is discouraging. It is the same way I feel about you. Like other readers, I think you are way too progressive.

Well, on the bright side, we voters in Red Bank were disgusted with some of our leaders, and I am proud to say that by over a two-to-one margin, we removed them.

Voting does work, Mr. Cook. And if more people participated in the process, we could make huge changes. Voters should be proud, and I'm sorry you are not. I am also sorry you have a job, but your bosses won't listen to me.

MARK TYSON, Red Bank

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