God provides answers even in current world and other letters to the editors

God provides answers even in current world

In a very interesting article, "Risks of Mission Trips Rise in Post 9-11 World," the speaker, Bob Klamser, was asked three questions from the audience which were hard to answer. God has answered them for those posing the questions and wanting valid answers.

"Can ISIS be stopped?" God is making a day ready, very soon, when "violence will never again be heard of in your land" (Isaiah 60:18).

"Why do terrorist groups target missionaries?" God says "the time comes that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service" (John 16:2).

"Should Christians take up arms to protect themselves?" God says, "The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). Also: "All who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:2).

God readily answers our questions if we study his word to know what he says.

ROBIN HARRIS


Candidates must earn independent's vote

My family will be voting in a few days. We're not Republicans, but there's no way we'd be Democrats. We're all independents and vote for those who care enough to work to earn our votes.

We'll be voting for Bill Haslam for governor. We'll most likely vote for Lamar Alexander. At least he's been showing some common sense on the Obamacare mess and was one of the first to see this Ebola infection could get out of hand.

We'll be voting for Patsy Hazelwood. She was in our area quite a bit during her primary and was able to listen to folks more than talk.

On these amendments, I can't understand how someone believes a few in robes are better than our elected representatives or that judges should have their jobs for life. On the first amendment, it's a "yes" at our house and a "no" for appointing the judges on Amendment 2.

We'll definitely vote against an income tax on the third amendment. We all know too many who get paid in cash, whether legal or illegal citizens.

If you don't go vote, don't open your mouth to give your opinion.

AMANDA JOHNSON, Soddy-Daisy


Turner, Garver picks in Collegedale

Collegedale is fortunate to have four good candidates seeking its two open commission seats. The city will be well served by whoever is elected. However, in my opinion, two stand out on the basis of experience and qualifications.

Current mayor John Turner is seeking his fourth term. I have worked with John on the commission for the past eight years. I have great respect for his dedication to and vision for Collegedale, his helpful-to-city-interests, county and business contacts, and the experience and good judgment he brings to city government.

Phil Garver is a go-getter. As the dean of Southern Adventist University's School of Physical Education, Health & Wellness (now retired), he was instrumental in getting the Hulsey Wellness Center built. As a Vietnam veteran, he was instrumental in establishing the Collegedale Veterans Park and remains active in local veterans affairs. Collegedale has been expanding recreational activities for young and old and needs additional facilities to accommodate them.

Phil will bring experience and good judgment to all city business and is by far the best qualified candidate to lead out in the important health and recreation aspects of it.

LARRY HANSON, Collegedale, Tenn.


Would Jesus expand Medicaid?

Tennessee's governor continues to deny health care coverage to 180,000 needy citizens who would be eligible for Medicaid even though the cost would be covered by the federal government. As Republican Gov. John Kasich in Ohio stated, the expansion of Medicaid is a moral choice to help the poor. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has endorsed the Kentucky Medicaid expansion. The question for Christians should be, "What would Jesus do if he was the Tennessee governor?"

ROCKY RENNEISEN, Signal Mountain


Yes on 2 protects judicial integrity

On the November statewide ballot is the judicial selection amendment to our state constitution, also known as Amendment 2.

We need the best judges in our courtrooms, not the best politicians. Tennesseans can protect the integrity of our justice system by voting yes on Amendment 2.

Judges are like referees, who must call each play fairly as they see it. They need to be unbiased and uphold the constitution, not make rulings based on campaign contributions.

We want fair and impartial judges held accountable to the people of Tennessee, not the best politicians who can raise the most money from special-interest groups.

Amendment 2 strikes the right balance between making sure we have an independent, diverse and qualified judiciary to fairly uphold the rule of law while still being accountable to Tennesseans and our elected representatives.

Learn more about this issue at www.VoteYes2.org, and please join me in voting yes on Amendment 2 in November.

MARCIA EASON


Amendment 1 only decides who decides

Why are those who understand that abortion is murder so eager to place "common-sense restrictions" on it? To think there is any such thing as "common-sense restrictions" on the murder of innocent people is utter nonsense.

We have no right to place conditions on the absolute prohibition against murder. Yet Amendment 1 would give the legislature the right to decide if, when, where and how it will be permissible to kill babies in Tennessee. Despite its support by the pro-life movement, this is not a pro-life position but merely a political squabble over who gets to decide when an innocent person may be put to death: Pro-choicers say the child's mother should choose. Pro-lifers respond with an amendment to allow the elected representatives of the people to choose.

But both positions allow someone to choose and are therefore pro-choice, by definition. Neither position honors God. And both dishonor and dehumanize the very children pro-lifers are seeking to save.

Rather than arguing over whether murder should be regulated or unregulated, pro-life Christians ought to be demanding our representatives do their sworn and God-given obligation to protect all innocent human life equally.

J.D. ELLIS, Bethel Springs, Tenn.


How penny-wise we are against ISIS

Our commander in chief of the Army is against American troops on the ground in Iraq. The Kurds are on the ground, making an heroic stand against ISIS, who are armed with modern captured American weapons. The Kurds have only WWll-vintage weapons. These desperate pro-American Christians are being killed as ISIS advances. We refuse to supply them with the weapons they need against our tanks, etc. How much do we pay to make and deliver a GPS-guided bomb? How many anti-tank missiles could be supplied to the Kurds for the same money? How penny-wise and pound-foolish can we get? No arms we supply Baghdad get to the Kurds. The Sunni government hates Christians almost as much as ISIS does.

DR. TOM HERZOG


Causer puts service before self, gets vote

I recently met Rick Causer and am so glad I did! I asked the city of Red Bank to put me in contact with someone to mow my grass because my husband and I were no longer able to do it. Rick called and told me he would mow until he could find someone to do it for a reasonable price. I never expected a sitting commissioner to call me about my yard or give so much of himself to a stranger. He finished my neighbor's yard, as well, and asked for nothing in return. I had to force him to let me pay. My sister now teases me that a commissioner mowed my grass. Rick also contacted WWTA to immediately solve an issue I had been dealing with.

We are fortunate to have a commissioner in our community who knows what service before self means. He's not your typical politician. He really cares about us, is easy to talk to and really listens to what we have to say. My husband and I will proudly cast our votes for Rick Causer and encourage all of you, especially senior citizens, to do the same.

HAZEL MARTIN, Red Bank


Seymour deserves fault in Red Bank

Admittedly, the drunkenness of Red Bank police officer Doug Millsaps did, and should have, earned his resignation or dismissal.

A far greater wrong in this instance is the unprincipled behavior of Sgt. Dan Seymour, who is responsible for the duty of training, promoting and ensuring professional standards in the department.

While Chief Christol proclaims, "The members of the Red Bank Police Department work diligently to provide the most professional service to this community every day," Seymour openly models deceit (not putting Millsaps' name on the TBI intoxilyzer) and demonstrates a willingness to cover up department wrongdoing.

It is hard to believe Seymour would act this way if he thought his chief would disapprove.

During the nearly four years Christol has headed Red Bank's Police Department, it has had a malevolent history of abuse and unprincipled behavior that leaves many of us fearful when necessity requires us to drive through Red Bank. Many local citizens would feel safer and breathe easier if both Christol and Seymour were gone.

MARTHA P. DENNIS, Hixson

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