With all the murders and shootings we have in town Mayor Bloomberg is the perfect Democrat candidate to come to town. In his 12 years as mayor of NYC he constantly bragged about how he fought crime by implementing his, "Stop and Frisk," programs where young men, overwhelmingly minorities, were stopped on the sidewalk and frisked for no apparent reason other than as he explained to the Aspen Institute, "they," commit 95 percent of the violent crimes. 

Now for some reason he is apologizing and saying the program was wrong. I'm sure the fact he is running as a Democrat has nothing to do with it. Hopefully he can meet with the chief and the sheriff to give them some ideas on how to combat violent crime in our city and county.

I have a feeling my good friend Brenda won't be at the rally today with a "Bloomberg for President" sign.

Douglas Jones
Ooltewah

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Are you referring to moi, cet ami Brenda, Dougie poo? Actually, I've already voiced my support for considering Bloomberg or possibly Steyer as president with Warren either being vice or secretary of state. Do I agree with his 'stop frisk' policies? Absolutely not. I witnessed first hand the devastating similar acts, not yet official policies, had on primarily black community here in Chattanooga and elsewhere. But see, Dougie, I'm smart enough to know Bloomberg didn't come to that decision alone. And that many blacks supported the decision, at least initially. It's a clear example of the mistake of demanding others 'do something' without drawing up your own plans of what you expect. How such decisions will impact an entire community of people, and how restraints, when needed, should be implemented. And accountability or the lack there of. 

I see it this way, Doug, not only is America at a profound and dangerous tipping point that will have a lasting impact well into the next century, but so will the entire world pay a heavy price when, not if, matters come to a head. What's needed as president at this point is not trying to make history, or voting for someone just because of their race, gender, sexuality or because they say all the right things at the right time depending upon the group they're speaking to at any given moment. Surely you too can recognize those who flip and flop depending upon their audience? What America and the world may need at this point in time is perhaps some 'real' ultra rich white dudes to stand up to and take on any fake ones.

I've never voted for anyone because they were the same race as I am, gender I am, or they must be in agreement with everything I believe in. I watch for strengths as well as weaknesses. I do my research and don't wait for someone to tell me who is and who isn't the better or best for that matter. I don't listen to spiritual leaders because many of them are on the take or there's some kind of dirty file out there somewhere on them, that if they don't deliver as promised that dirty file may be used against them or suddenly they won't be able to so much as keep the lights on. I stopped tuning in and listen to talk radio decades ago. It was obvious some higher source with maybe deep pockets or control, not that higher source (wink wink), was pulling their strings. 

Most of all when voting or making critical decisions that can have a lasting and profound impact I remind myself of an old quote on a bumper sticker I once saw while traveling through the midwest decades ago about trees in the forest and axes. "When the ax entered the forest the trees said THE HANDLE IS ONE OF US!!"-bumper sticker 

IOWs, maybe citizens should adhere to the warnings of those trees in the forest. 

Brenda Washington 
(Brenda for Bloomberg, Steyer, Warren!! Maybe)