Regarding the battle to help fight obesity, I am very glad to see that Bristol was chosen to be a part of America’s 2010 Pioneering Healthier Communities. Having the YMCA organizing this project is wonderful. I would love to see the cities also take some responsibility is this. Here are three ideas:
* Change city ordinances to require that all new neighborhoods have sidewalks.
* Start adding sidewalks where there are none in older neighborhoods.
* Complete the walkway along Beaver Creek to reach from Sugar Hollow to Steele Creek Park.
Driving along I-26 near Erwin, Tenn., and seeing people of all ages walking, biking and running makes me realize what we are missing here in Bristol. The opportunity to safely walk, run, ride your bike (or big wheel), roller skate or push a stroller on a sidewalk should be provided for our children and for all of us!
Linda Riley
Bristol, Va.
Advocate thanks writer for story
Thank you so much, Claire Galofaro, for writing about this matter in your paper [“Blame the victim: Religious leaflet claims ‘ungodly’ dressed women provoke rape,” Feb. 28, 2010.] It is a very real issue that I deal with on a daily basis as a crime victim advocate for sexual assault victims in Houston County, Ga. I appreciate you bringing this topic to light. You have stood up for victims everywhere by doing so. I wish you the best in continuing the great work you are doing.
Many want better health care plan
Many Americans want a plan just like the plan that U.S. Congress has. Medical debt has caused 700,000 bankruptcies and 47 million Americans are without health insurance resulting in 45,000 deaths each year. The United States has the worst record of civilized nations in caring for the health of its citizens, but we pay the most.
One exception to the rule is the elite of our Congress. They voted for their own coverage, they have a choice of plans, including family coverage, they qualify from the time they take the oath through retirement and U.S. taxpayers pay 50 percent. Yet, our health care is called “socialized medicine.” Their plan, the Veterans Administration, Medicare, Social Security are government run plans. I don’t see anyone giving up those benefits. Do you see a double standard here? The health reform bill gives uninsured people the same private insurance choices Congress gets, but apparently what’s good for the goose isn’t good enough for the American people.
It enrages me as it should every citizen! Change does not happen unless we initiate it. Complacency doesn’t cut it. Call all of our Tennessee representatives at 1-800-828-0498 as they vote this week and demand the same coverage choices they have.
Marie Pendzich
Hampton, Tenn.
Shouldn’t pick, choose from Bible
This leaflet [“Blame the victim: Religious leaflet claims ‘ungodly’ dressed women provoke rape,” Feb. 28] twists the Bible to fit some narrow agenda. It is pathetic and un-Christian. Many of those people pick and choose those parts of the Bible to follow.
But I guess you and I will always have those narrow-minded twits with us. “Judge not...”
Finally, as I recently told my ex-son-in-law, if Christianity was so great, people would be knocking down to church doors to get in.
Michael G. Foth
Lodi, Wisc.
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