It's interesting -- and discouraging -- that Senator Bob Corker couldn't bring himself to say the word "terrorist" on yesterday's Meet The Press. In a discussion with host Chuck Todd on what he would call ISIS, he stuttered and stammered but just couldn't say the word "terrorist," opting instead for "Islamic extremist."
Since not all extremists are terrorists, at what point does Corker believe one becomes a terrorist? I guess he was just assuming the politically correct posture of liberals who can't say it either.
Little wonder his Conservative Review Score is F (56%).
R.J. Johnson
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Dear Mr. Johnson,
If Senator Corker received a grade of "F" from a Tea Party fever swamp like "Conservative Review" that simply suggests that on certain public policy questions, most notably foreign policy, Senator Corker possesses a modicum of sense.
Every night, I thank God that there are still a few grownups in the Republican Party, and now that they control the U.S. Senate, they've displayed some small wisdom in elevating Senator Corker to the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I shudder to think what the consequences would be should any member of the Tea Party Wackadoodle Caucus - Ted Cruz, Joni Ernst, Mike Lee, Jeff Sessions, or any of the other crazies - assume such a position.
Brandon Baines
Signal Mountain
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Sadly, Mr. Baines represents an alarming trend in this country: vilify those who demand adherence to constitutional principals, and laud those who don't. It's disturbing, but it's fashionable and politically correct.
Mr. Baines also dodged the subject at hand -- Mr. Corker's wobbling attempt to avoid using the "T" word. Instead, he resorted to name calling. Of course, when you have no argument, that's your only way out.
Robert H. Lawson