Letters To The Editor -
Letters from August 28
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Criticism of Obama ignores facts | |
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Deal good for YMCA, not taxpayers | |
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Aquatic center belongs downtown | |
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Help others cope with fuel costs |
Re. Lottie Williams’ letter Aug. 23, indeed, history has been made with Sen. Obama’s candidacy. I don’t know what “race card” she feels he is playing. The race card was on the table the moment his name and face hit the media. The race and fear cards are played every time writers feel the need to print or verbalize his middle name, Hussein. That she never heard of him until she saw him on TV doesn’t seem so unusual. Some members of Congress are high-profile and others aren’t. Being well-known doesn’t make you relevant or effective. The next coming of Christ? Why would she imply the adornment of Christlike attributes to a mere mortal? I don’t know anyone who thinks of any person or candidate that way. Some would take great offense at that remark. He has, and will, make mistakes just as all of our leaders have. My prayer is that they will not be as disastrous as the ones we have suffered the past eight years.
She calls into question Sen. Obama’s military experience. There are many who have served, yet don’t qualify to lead this or any other country. Any smart leader will surround himself or herself with knowledgeable support in advisors and a strong cabinet. It makes one wonder how so much could go so wrong in the past eight years.
What “change” is Obama talking about? If that question needs to be asked, she must feel that the country is better off than eight years ago. There are legions of us who don’t feel that way. There are people who will vote against their own best interest in order to preserve some entrenched ideology or rigid belief system. What matters to most of us is what is said, and how it is said. She saw the “Antichrist” the first time she saw Sen. Obama? My goodness! Seven years ago, George Bush looked into Vladimir Putin’s soul and proclaimed it good. It’s true that two wrongs don’t make a right.
Carolyn Carr
Kingsport
Deal good for YMCA, not taxpayers Return to topI question the desire of city leaders to use tax dollars to combine with YMCA in building an aquatic center. It seems unfair for the YMCA to not have to pay the taxes and receive tax deductible contributions that are used to provide the same services as the local taxpaying businesses. I always thought that these charitable tax benefits were for organizations whose primary focus is on services to those in need.
We pay taxes for city services and improvements, not make charitable donations. If we want to donate to charity, that should be our choice, not the city’s. Our taxes are already going to pay for the YMCA. Why should we have to pay for a membership? Isn’t that like paying for something twice? It seems that only the YMCA will benefit from this deal, not the taxpayers. I, like a lot of other people in this area, do not live in the city limits, so I cannot vote in city elections. I do, however, spend my money that I earn at one of the taxpaying health clubs in the city limits. As revenue-starved as the city seems to be, how can it afford to give away all those millions?
Burl Reed
Kingsport
Aquatic center belongs downtown Return to topThe new aquatic center should be built in the downtown Kingsport area, as this area is really beginning to blossom. For years the downtown area has seen its major retailers move to the malls and to other areas. If we wish for downtown to continue to flourish, then we should for all intents and purposes build either at the old Quebecor site or on grocery store row.
There are many new restaurants located on Broad Street as well as the new higher educational center that is being built. Let’s make the right decision for Kingsport and build downtown.
George Taylor III
Kingsport
Help others cope with fuel costs Return to topWhile government argues over allowing drilling, East Tennesseans need to come together and show our true colors by raising up the least among us. Local governments, churches, local businesses, landlords, and individuals should take this opportunity to offer those with less a hand. Those in control can’t imagine what it’s like for families and those living paycheck to paycheck or on a fixed income to endure this rapid rise in fuel costs. Very few people have that sort of cushion built into their budget, and this is a major tipping point for millions of people in this country and East Tennessee. I challenge others to be generous by forgiving debts or reducing rent instead of raising it. For cities with public transportation and churches with buses, organize a system to help people get to work. Business owners, take an interest in your workers and and help organize carpools. We might be lucky to see $3 a gallon gasoline temporarily. High fuel prices are going to hurt all Americans and our economy.
Don’t be afraid to help people. It comes back to you twofold. Those in need shouldn’t be afraid or too proud to ask for and accept help. Just be grateful and help someone when you have a chance. This is a tragedy that’s unfolding in ways many of us can’t really imagine. Let’s at least each take personal responsibility to stop the hemorrhage. This situation is worse than many of our major cities having a major blackout at the same time because of its insidious nature.
Tracy White
Kingsport
