Chattanooga is better off without Littlefield and other letters to the editors

Chattanooga is better off without Littlefield

Praise the Lord, Littlefield is out of office. Bad part is, I voted for him both times. During his first term he was good. His second term, he really stuck it to city residents with stormwater fees, sewer fees and mismanagement of the zoo. He showed his favoritism when he made Missy Crutchfield administrator of Education Arts and Culture.

Mr. Littlefield, please do not run for any office here again.

DAVID DONOHOE


Let's all jump on the gay rights bandwagon

I must surrender. Rather than commit "intellecticide" and offend a Pulitzer prize winner who draws "donkey good, elephant bad" cartoons, I have to join the "rush" of three congressmen (two of them Democrats) to bow to the genius of the sexually confused, for I am washed away by their "flood" of push polls and their 9-38 "victory" in official state votes.

Sorry, but federal courts grant homosexuals the special scrutiny status reserved for constitutionally protected classes when they are not one. They are, therefore, equal under laws that don't exist in 38 states, and their right to marriage is in fact guaranteed by a constitution that doesn't mention marriage.

Finally, I just monfess. Episcopal priests who bless a Biblically sinful lifestyle are not sodomizing the body of Christ, but are more Christian than those "haters" who ask sinners to repent. Red states forever, comrade!

BRIAN HALE, Red Bank


Let's help end human sex trafficking

The 2011 TBI Tennessee Human Sex Trafficking and Its Impact on Children and Youth report showing 85 percent of counties reporting trafficking cases sparked a mass of submissions on trafficking legislation. The Human Trafficking Task Force, HB0919/SB1036, has wide bipartisan support. It passed the House Criminal Justice Committee but now is held in Finance, Ways and Means because of a $1,200 fiscal note.

A task force will bring state, local and community groups together to develop a comprehensive plan for trafficking prevention. The TBI study showed 79 percent of respondents were undertrained for trafficking cases. It took the Women's Fund of Greater Chattanooga to inform the public that Tennessee has a trafficking hotline. The Task Force will address law enforcement training, public awareness and more.

Some argue the TBI study overreported trafficking cases due to discrepancies with arrest rates. This is attributed to TBI data including community groups that treat victims unlikely to press charges. This underscores the need for a collaborative interagency task force.

It is understandable lawmakers are reluctant to consider costly legislation, given the economy. However, $1,200 is 1-millionth of 1 percent of the annual budget. Put simply, 2 cents per Tennessean. I'd agree to a 2-cent increase to help end modern-day slavery in Tennessee. Would you?

ANNIE FARRIS, Nashville


Reagan and Thatcher had the right idea

If you want jobs and a vibrant economy, follow Ronald Reagan's and Margaret Thatcher's low-tax, deregulated free enterprise approach.

If you want a submissive, poverty stricken, jobless nation go the way of Carter, Obama and Lenin.

CHRISTIAN LANIER

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