Bring back 'real country music'

I agree 100 percent with Richard and Debbie Shultz in Friday's letter "Listeners want the 'Oldies' back." I was a big fan of "98.1 The Legend," and have no idea why they changed to a format that a dozen other stations are doing.

Just a few short years ago we had two great country oldies stations counting Dalton's "Georgia 99," which has since gone to public broadcasting; now we have lost "98.1 The Legend," and the area has no country oldies station. I had been a follower of the station back to its roots in Ringgold at WSGC on Three Notch Road, broadcasting at 101.9. Since then I have lost count of the physical, format, and frequency changes, and changes in call letters, but dearly loved the music and the personalities.

Please bring back the classics, "real country music" to Chattanooga.

JOHNNY PARKS

Ringgold, Ga.

Loving discipline aids development

Re: "Design plan to aid child development," Robert Brooks, March 6.

Mr. Brooks had good suggestions for parents who care about their system of discipline -- and a system should go into effect from day one. Taking the little hand and guiding it for a few years, then allowing some failures in the coming years is a great way to teach.

It's difficult for parents to let go and just wait, contemplating the lessons they had learned so long ago.

Here is a quote about the subject: "So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered," Hebrews 5:8. Consistent and loving discipline may be difficult, but is a most important "aid to child development."

MERILYN HALL

Lookout Mountain, Ga.

Research books for homeschoolers

Regarding your Sunday article about homeschoolers and the study of evolution: It's true that the majority of homeschoolers are Christians and adhere to beliefs that reject many of the teachings of evolution. And it's understandable that this upsets people who embrace evolution; we all tend to feel vehemently that others should accept the things we accept.

But the article is misleading in certain respects. While most public schools teach only one view of evolution, homeschoolers often learn many views. While Christian homeschoolers compose most of the community, there are thousands of secular homeschoolers and support groups.

And while the Christian textbook industry is significant, even a cursory search on the Web will turn up plenty of secular options for those who prefer that choice.

Homeschool curriculum fairs, new and used bookstores and the Web are good places to preview books to see if they'll suit your needs as a homeschooler.

TAMMY DRENNAN

Fort Oglethorpe

Right relies on uninformed

Right after reading Paul Krugman's commentary (March 6), I went to Mr. Santaquilani's perspective on all the "positive" things that have happened this year under the new administration. Wow, Democrats and Republicans really are living in different universes, as Mr. Krugman proposes.

I did unequivocally agree with one of Mr. Santaquilani's statements though. The fact that it is the uninformed who believe that the conservatives are the "champions" of our democracy. It really is the truth that you would have to be uninformed to agree with the far right.

Makes me wonder how the right wing would possibly survive without that reliable army of the uninformed.

ROSE JACKSON, R.N.

Cleveland, Tenn.

BC/BS methods hurt the members

Most will agree with Sunday's Times editorial that BlueCross BlueShield's claims about rate boosts miss the point. Ms. Greggs's complaint on Feb. 23 was self-serving spin. Will they avoid real answers this time?

Broad overviews give the big picture but often that's not always the big story. Here's how BC/BS methods hurt each member directly.

When called don't give full name. Never sign any letter to member unless necessary. If something is wrong with the claim, blame Social Security even after being told S/S said they aren't involved. When you get "caught," say it's the "contractor."

Re-phrase the negative decision when shown first denial is in error.

Let other units contradict to customer service reps. Provide false information. Do not allow CSR's to cut red tape to help insured. Spend hours to avoid correcting the problem. Keep appeals rules very complicated. Use multiple forms.

Use data insured provides to argue why member request should be denied.

Stovepipe units so employees fear to report others' malfeasance. Use unsigned e-mails to cloak identities from CSR's.

BC/BS must force its anti-fraud unit to investigate "billing department." Listen to member's tapes to see what's going on.

Lastly, all BC/BS members should send letters to the editor to complain.

RAY STASZEWSKI

Obama on path to socialism

My ire was raised by Leonard Pitts Jr.'s column in the Times Free Press March 7. He stated the Tea Party people distrust Obama's policies, his eloquence, his fierce intelligence and the fact that he is black. He was correct only in one respect, in my view. I distrust his policies; I believe he is leading us, along with Reid and Pelosi (who are white), down the path to socialism and a bankrupt economy.

How can he believe that tens of thousands of Tea Party demonstrators distrust him because he is black. That old saw just does not make sense anymore, and I am tired of the writers who continue to use racism as a reason that some citizens disagree with a politician's positions. Polls show that half of Americans do not want Obama's health care reform. Does this mean they are all racists?

Why does the Times Free Press continue to support such writers (black or white) whose first reaction for anyone disagreeing is to call out the racist label?

GENE ROGERS

Breakfast tax hard to swallow

Are the members of the General Assembly of Tennessee in la-la land? If a tax is imposed upon hotels offering free breakfasts to people staying in their room (and paying at least $85 a night), they will have to pay more because the hotel is going to up the room rate. When a tax increase is added there will be some kind of increase whatever the service. Get out dream world and join the rest of us.

CATHERINE OWENS

U.S. can't sustain growing burden

It is a moral imperative that we must pass health care reform.

Why are so many playing right into the hands of the insurance companies by opposing the very reforms that would help them?

If health care does not pass, the insurance companies will continue to reap huge profits at the expense of the health and lives of many Americans. Our nation cannot sustain this growing burden.

The insurance companies and the Republicans who do their bidding seem convinced that most Americans are not smart enough to see through their efforts to distort, mislead and spread false information about health care reform.

I call on Congress to support our president and pass health care reform now.

CAREY PORTER