Airport security ‘angel’ thanked for help
My friend and I recently parked in the cell phone parking lot at the Chattanooga airport to wait on the arrival of another friend's flight.
We sat and talked until I received her text that her plane had landed. Then a scary scenario unfolded as two women were stranded in a dark parking lot in a vehicle that wouldn't start.
I called airport security. Within minutes an "angel" appeared and asked me to pop the hood so he could assess the problem. He performed some trouble shooting tasks and proceeded to boost my car's battery. The engine came to life, and he instructed me to keep the motor going for a few minutes. Lastly, he assured these two women that he would follow us to the terminal to make sure we were safe.
The uniformed "angel" was Capt. Donald Coleman. He is the ultimate professional who is an asset to the airport. I wanted to publicly thank him for making my distress call on June 22 an affirmation that "angels" are in our everyday lives.
Cathy Elkins
Cleveland, Tenn.
Where will state overreach next?
Isn't it ironic that state overreach as it pertains to personal information doesn't raise any dander in conservative circles? No cries of too much government? No complaints of needing to regulate government overreach?
The Tennessee AG recently absconded with personal medical records of all people who have been treated for anything related to transgender care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
We all know this only pertains to conservatives' need to expose certain people and to erode their way of life.
What group will they target next? Seniors? The handicapped? How about if the state commands all citizens' optometry records and bans driving based on a single eye exam? There's no end to this if it's allowed even once.
Why are state governments so afraid of anyone different? Is it their way of showing that the Covenant School shooter killed with transgenderness and not with an assault rifle? Yeah, that would put a feather in the cap of ex-Sheriff Jim Hammond and his merry band of gun nuts.
Should I expect more empathy and less hatred and violation of privacy from our state government? Probably not until we elect a new governor and legislators who actually believe in human rights.
John Mathna
Protect gray wolves before it is too late
Gray wolves in the Northern Rockies are a conservation success story that is being threatened by the Biden administration's delay.
In Montana, hunters can kill as many as 20 wolves each, and in Idaho, there are no limits. Even wolves in Yellowstone National Park have been frequently and intentionally lured out of the park's protection to their deaths.
The Biden administration continues to delay action that would stop it.
Two former directors of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, along with members of Congress, and hundreds of scientists and conservation biologists have publicly asked Interior Secretary Haaland to act.
Secretary Haaland wrote a commentary in USA Today — more than one year ago — saying she is "committed to ensuring that wolves have the conservation they need to survive and thrive in the wild based on science and law."
Yet she has taken no action. As the months have passed, hundreds of wolves have been killed. Haaland needs to focus on her responsibilities and act to protect wolves before it is too late.
Ruth Morrison
Blue Ridge, Ga.
Is this 'equal justice under law'?
Recently, we have seen the total corruption of the Biden Justice Department on full and open display. The Delaware prosecutor finally brought charges against Hunter Biden: three misdemeanors that will cost him no jail time.
Some legal experts who have followed this case felt that Hunter could have reasonably expected to be charged with dozens of crimes. But he wasn't, because his name is "Biden."
The DOJ appears to have ignored or violated its own guidelines in constructing this plea deal.
In contrast, the DOJ is doing everything it can to put Trump behind bars when there is scant evidence of glaring crimes on his part. Prosecutors are trying to concoct charges to bring against him in hopes some will stick and he will be jailed.
This is not close to "equal justice under the law."
J. Johns
Ringgold, Ga.
Native American treatment a shame
It appears that the U.S. is still trying to crush the "Indians," who have more right to this land than we do: "Tribes left out of key talks to cleanup ancestral lands"; "Court rules against Navajo Nation in water rights case" (as reported in recent news stores).
It is deplorable that these people are apparently still being seen as a threat to the mighty U.S., and therefore they should be denied anything which might benefit them: life-sustaining water, access to their traditional fishing and hunting sites, and the right to not have hazardous materials stored on their land.
The U.S. should be ashamed of its treatment of a people whose only fault has been trying to hold onto some of their rights and land.
Doris Rausch
Tullahoma, Tenn.
Honoring those age 100 and counting
Fifty years ago, you rarely heard of someone celebrating a 100th birthday. But today, as many as half of 5-year-olds can expect to live to 100 years. The U.S. is currently home to roughly 100,000 centenarians. This number is projected to rise to more than 500,000 by 2060.
The Century Club of East Tennessee, established in 2022 to honor individuals who are 100 years and older, is open to residents in the 33-county region of East Tennessee.
In its first year, the Century Club recognized 35 centenarians. The Century Club is grateful for the community's support in helping identify individuals across the region. Their goal is to welcome at least 50 new members into the club in 2023.
Living for 100 years is a remarkable accomplishment, and the Century Club needs help paying tribute to these individuals. If you know someone who is 100 or older, tell them about the Century Club of East Tennessee or, better yet, help them register.
Those who want to recognize a centenarian can visit www.centuryclubnetn.com or call 423-401-5000.
Dr. Jodi Southerland
Johnson City, Tenn.
'Rocket's red glare' was a lived memory
Last Sunday, my wife and I went and saw the Lookouts play. Something registered hard with my mind (first time ever) when I heard "and the rocket's red glare." I said to myself, "You have been through that."
The Lookouts won 12-1 over the Barons.
I was in Vietnam from July 1968 to July 1969; I worked in an Army post office.
Once a month, I would drive the post office truck to the different camps of the units in our brigade. I was at LZ Nancy for the 1/77 Armor Battalion. At night I would sleep in the truck. One night I heard someone yelling "Blake," and I looked out to see people in the trench with their helmets on. I looked out the back of the truck and saw a rocket streaking across the sky (a red glare) and hit a four-seat outhouse not far away. No one was in the outhouse.
In 54 years, I hadn't realized that was "the rocket's red glare" from the national anthem.
Joel Blake