Lubricating Justice
Sitting here on Saturday having picked up the Pulse late. Others may have already identified the "beloved lady of justice," [in the Aug. 14 Knoxville Found] but do they get the significance?
'Tis the head of the beloved lady of justice on a pike at the gates of the federal courthouse! If they'd do that to her, what do you think they might do to Joe Citizen?
Given the increase in mandatory [sentencing] minimums and ever-widening reach of federal authorities, I think a better piece of art might have been a 1000:1 scale model of an open jar of Vaseline.
Mike Whalen
Knoxville
Bubbas, Not Bobos!
In regard to Bobos (described as Bourgeoisie-Bohemians) in the Bearden-Sequoyah area [Urban Renewal, Aug. 21 and Gamut, June 12]: Bobos indeed!
Bubbas would be far more appropriate in spite of all the window dressing.
No Bohemian would ever drink coffee from a paper cup. Bohemians do not patronize businesses that replace beautiful, old trees, and even a Proletarian would shudder at the thought of a coffeehouse with a drive-through window.
We are in Bubbaville, Honey!
Bubbaville.
Helga Prine
Knoxville
'Fad' of Choice...and Prime
Calling vegetarianism a "fad" diet is just plain ignorant. Saying it is dangerous is worse. What other "fad" has been around since the dawn of civilization?
If Mr. Henderson would bother to do some research, he would surely find that vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters; they have lower rates of many forms of cancer, lower blood pressure, a lower risk of heart disease, and are much less likely to develop adult-onset diabetes. In addition, there are ethical reasons too numerous to mention that make vegetarianism worthwhile.
Maybe Mr. Henderson should read up on the environmental effects of meat production, as well, such as the incredible amount of water needed to produce each pound of beef versus vegetables and grains, the amount of fecal waste that pollutes our streams, the hormones and antibiotics fed to animals that then bioaccumulate in our bodies.... I'll choose this "fad" any day over that.
Suzanne Garnmeister
Knoxville
Mixed Up Pills
It would seem that a lot of the "stupid pills" from the sky also fell onto Fort Sanders, and Mr. Snyder (Incoming, Aug. 14, "Stupid Pills for Knoxville") ate a few himself. Except in his case a few "hate pills" got mixed in. Why is it that people who do not like UT football think the rest of us are stupid? There are a lot of things I do not like, but I do not spout public hatred to put down others who do not agree with me.
Ron Gratz
Knoxville
Let the Sun Shine In
I have never responded to an editorial column in a publication before, but the letter from J. Snyder the week of Aug. 11 prompted me to vent a little frustration toward the gentleman writer.
Mr. Snyder, I have lived in Knoxville all of my life and have never desired to live anywhere else. The beauty of the region and passion and pride of our population in East Tennessee is what brings people from everywhere to visit and, for many, to make this area their home.
Knoxville offers a wide variety of cultural attractions and events. Our restaurants offer something for everyone's palate. Our neighborhoods offer an eclectic background in which all people can cohabitate and prosper.
The city certainly has its problems, and I am perturbed by some of the aspects of bureaucracy and the status quo. But for you to belittle our city as "stupid" and to make condescending remarks about the University of Tennessee leads me to believe that perhaps you should spend a little more time in the sunshine and a lot less time in the sewer of narrow-mindedness and ignorance.
Knoxville has a great deal to offer anyone—and also, the city has a bus terminal and airport.
Mark Johnson
Knoxville
Figure It Out
In view of the continued state budget crisis, may I recommend to your readers a website that will inform them about a state income tax. Such a tax is clearly more fair than the sales tax in that it taxes citizens on the basis of their ability to pay unlike the sales tax, which requires a single mom with two kids to pay the same tax on book bags or school shoes as a mom with two children and a husband who earns a salary with six figures.
Americans believe in fairness. For that reason I continue to hope that even those with six figure incomes will take a look at this website, see the fairness proposed and be willing to share the burden of paving roads, supporting schools, providing health care, etc. in a way that recognizes the good fortune that shines on them and is due, not only to their hard work, but also to the support that their family and their society provided them.
As for those who earn $30,000 or less, they must involve themselves politically on this issue in order to promote the welfare of, not only their kids, but all Tennessee children—as must the rest of the electorate.
In accessing the website, go to www.yourtax.org and then to "calculator" to see an estimate of your tax under the proposed state income tax.
Robin Toth
Oak Ridge
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