Letters: Let there be a stoplight

Want to have your voice heard? Send a Letter to the Forum. Authors must sign their letters and include addresses and phone numbers for verification. Letters may be no longer than 300 words and will be edited for grammar, style and length. Send your submission to Mailbag, P.O. Box 1717, Johnson City, TN 37605-1717 or mailbag@johnsoncitypress.com.Let there be a stoplightI have contacted the following political leaders concerning a much-needed traffic light on the motor mile near the Maridale Drive and Green Valley area: Gov. Bill Lee, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. Phil Roe, Sen. Rusty Crowe, Rep. Matthew Hill, Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy, as well as some Johnson City officials.This light would help greatly in stopping speeding and allow better access to these automobile dealerships and the residences in the area. We have had numerous accidents in this area, as well as some deaths.It seems no one cares anymore about the safety of our citizens. Maybe we need to change and get all new elected politicians when we vote. We need term limits on all offices and all new leaders. We have too much pocket-padding.JERRY CLARKJohnson CityWho takes offense to equality?When women share their #MeToo stories and hold their abusers accountable, some men take it personally as an attack against themselves. When anyone points out that the Confederacy fought against the United States to preserve slavery and white supremacy, that their actions were reprehensible and not something to admire, some men take it personally as an attack against themselves. When videos show officers murdering unarmed Americans and protesters call out police brutality and systemic racism, some men take it personally as an attack against themselves.Why do innocent men automatically see criticism of injustice and oppression as a personal attack directed at them? Why do innocent men take more offense at those who criticize injustice than they take offense at those who commit injustice? If your conscience is clear, your ears should not be burning whenever someone calls out injustice. Of course, if you are merely pretending to be conciliatory toward people you privately believe are beneath you (see "paternalism"), then obviously you understand what's really at stake here: white males have always benefited from inequality ("It's my heritage!" as they say). And when the status quo has conveniently worked out in your favor, protesters offend because change really does constitute a direct personal attack.It is a new day in America, a day of equality and diversity, of decency and respect for those who are different, of the truest realization of "liberty and justice for all." Some react with fear, disgust or hate; they cling to white nationalism and far-right authoritarianism for shelter. But those of moral character know there is nothing wrong with treating others as you would like to be treated yourself, and those of truly clear conscience know that patriots taking a knee against injustice is nothing to be afraid of or mad about.SARAH KILGOREKingsportDon't forget JAMSAI read with great interest the article on Sunday (June 21) about the " … empty streets yield empty coffers … " in Jonesborough and the quotes by Ben Dean from the Barrel House and D.W. Cooper from East Tennessee Hemp Co.Mr. Cooper said that he "is looking at creating a Main Street merchants association which would focus on promoting downtown businesses and hosting monthly events for residents." We have a Main Street organization headed by Cameo Waters and JAMSA (Jonesborough Area Merchants and Services Association) that has served our merchants for nearly 10 years.JAMSA supports and runs events throughout the year, including the Chocolate Fest in February 2020. Strolling on Main, another very successful event, originally scheduled for May, had to be canceled due to the pandemic. We are still trying to figure out how we can hold Scoop Fest in August. These events bring in many, many people and our merchants are very successful during these events on these days. Members of JAMSA are well-promoted.Why create another "Main Street merchants association …. " again?Canceling events, especially Jonesborough Days, and more specifically the Storytelling Festival, is a devastating blow to all the merchants, and these decisions had to be very difficult ones to make. But, look at the reason! Keeping people safe has to be a high priority. That is something that you must consider right now. These cancellations are not made to intentionally harm our vibrant merchant community.JAMSA welcomes all merchants and all recommendations and ideas to make our community stronger and more successful.DONA LEWISJonesborough