Oppose religiosity in abortion choice - and more letters to the editors

Oppose religiosity in abortion choice

The editorial "Vote Yes on 1" (Oct. 12) serenely assures there's no problem if the right to autonomy and privacy, currently guaranteed to all by the state of Tennessee, is rescinded for women considering abortions, even if rape or mortal medical danger is involved: "The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother."

What a woman decides to do about an early pregnancy is between her, her husband or partner, her physician and her God. If her decision is to end a pregnancy, that is protected by freedoms due her under the U.S. Constitution as decided by the Supreme Court and the current Tennessee Constitution.

If Amendment 1 is approved, Tennessee may legislate to make women's pregnancies subject to state intervention, a huge overreach by officials imposing their own religious beliefs on other citizens.

We must vote "No" on Amendment 1. State actions founded on extreme religiosity are a terrible spectacle in any faith, including Christianity.

SUSAN KENNEDY


Vote Republican: Keep state poor

If Republicans are the party of economic opportunity or success, there are some questions that need to be asked.

We all know they caused the Great Depression and the Great Recession. Did you know that nine of the last 10 recessions occurred under Republican administrations? States that have voted Republican, for the last four presidential elections, are nine of the 10 poorest states in the nation.

As Bill Clinton noted at the 2012 Democratic Convention, "since 1961, 24 million private-sector jobs were created during Republican administrations versus 42 million under Democrats."

Red states such as Mississippi and Georgia are Nos. 1 and 2 in highest unemployment, with anti-Volkswagen union Tennessee at No. 7. Tennessee also is No. 7 in the poorest states, with Mississippi and Arkansas No. 1 and 2.

Our southern conservative brethren Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana and South Carolina are 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th in the poorest state rankings.

The SEC (Southeastern Conservatives) dominate the nation's poverty rankings more than college football's SEC dominates the football rankings.

JOHN MARK DAVIS, Ringgold, Ga.


Millsaps' mistake shouldn't mar career

I was deeply distressed by the article detailing the huge and horrible mistake made by former Red Bank Polie Officer Doug Millsaps.

While what he did is unexcusable, I think it is important that we remember the many good things he accomplished during his career with the Red Bank Police Department.

I know I shall.

CHRISTY K. JETT, Signal Mountain

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