Opinion

To the editor, Dec. 25, 2020, Mr. Billy Hicks passed away and his passing marked the end of an era in our community. After graduating from MTSU in 1969, I landed my first professional job teaching architectural drawing and mathematics at Shelbyville Central High School. That same year my wife, Thesa, and I moved to Shelbyville to establish our first home. In that process we also attended the First Methodist Church where we established our “church home.”...

To the editor, I recall an entertainment event held at the east Tennessee Pine Hill  grammar school I attended.  It was  a  'dog-and-pony' show charging an admission of 25 cents that was open to the public  of the community as well.  In this show there were  several dogs of various sizes,  breeds and temperament.  The ring master  held a flute ( in essence he was the Pied Piper) in his hand on which he would blow various notes and the trained dogs would react accordingly, lined up tail-to-nose and skip  around in a  circle performing various acrobatics such as turning flips,  jumping through  hoops, and walking on their hind legs while  shrilly yelping the whole time in either pain or resentment. ...

To the editor, I have a suggestion and I’m serious. What is wrong with putting all the former presidents in office with President Joe Biden: Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama. We could see if all four could get the country great again. They all did a fair job of running this country when they were president; at least they didn’t tear it apart. ...

To the editor, Americans..... the lost. We have lost our sense of unity. At this given time, our country is facing a very trying time. The year 2020 confronted us with many challenges in which we have had to change our entire way of living. This pandemic has forced us to believe we are living in a war zone and it may surprise some of you….. we are. Not only are we at war with Covid-19, we are also at war with our neighbors, family, and ourselves...

We started back in Legislative Session at noon on January 12. We always start Session on the second Tuesday of January every year. Each start is full of excitement and this year was no different with lots of new people and lots of extra security. This year starts the 112th General Assembly, which will last for 2 years. ...

To the editor, Cudos to Bedford County Health Department Nurses and all other staff for making Covid vaccine for the elderly a stress free experience! I am 80 y/o, my husband 83 y/o. We were very worried about the possibility of waiting in long lines in cold weather especially since I am on crutches with a fractured knee! My children in Chattanooga were telling us horror stories of the disastrous Covid vaccine rollout there with  long lines outdoor for the elderly and after waiting   2-3 hours they were then turned away!. ...

To the editor, Monday I went grocery shopping and after I put my groceries in the car I took my shopping cart and put it in the cart return. I left my purse in the cart. When I got home and emptied my groceries, I could not find my purse. I got in my car and drove back to the store to look for my purse. I ran into the store and the cashier said ‘You must want your purse. A lady saw it and brought it in and we put it in the office.”...

To the editor, Our country has reached a pinnacle  of violence the likes of which hasn't been seen since the Civil War era.  It is the mostly pro-Trump supporters this time who were the  violent mobs rioting and shooting in the nation's capitol.  However, this deplorable unlawful action pales beside the chaos, looting and deadly  riots that have inundated our country for the past year mostly condoned and sanctioned by the left wing minority radicals of the Democrat party;  which, by the way, does not  represents a vast majority of the law abiding moderate Democrats no more than the violent Republican radicals represent the majority of Republicans.. ...

To the editor, On January 6 we saw a mob of goons, prodded on by domestic terrorist Donald Trump, go to our nation's capitol for the purpose of killing people and destroying property.  Donald Trump had the purpose of overthrowing our government so he could become a dictator.  This was an insurrection led by a failed man who will go down in history as the worst president in the history of the United States...

I was so excited to learn the other day that Barry Gibb — a member of one of my all-time favorite singing groups, The Bee Gees — and Tennessee’s own Dolly Parton are doing a remake of the brothers’ Gibb song, “Words.” Due to current circumstances, they should have remade another famous Bee Gees hit, “Stayin’ Alive.”...