http://TheState.com/letters/index.xml News, sports and entertainment from TheState.com en-us Copyright 2009 TheState.com Letters 60 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:02:49 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench support@TheState.com http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037722.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037722.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:05 EST Congressman Joe Wilson's rude outburst tells much about his lack of qualifications for the position he holds.<p/>Like many conservative Americans, he seems woefully ignorant of the economic history of our country. The single thing that made America great economically has been the creation of a large middle class earning decent living wages.<p/>The industrial revolution created vast industries such as steel, mining, railroads, textiles and automobiles. But these industries were built with the cheapest labor that could be found: desperate immigrants, rural migrants from farms to the cities and child labor. Our society was one of the "haves" and the "have nots."<p/>One of the largest employers in the early 20th century was the textile business. But as in other big national industries, most employees were paid starvation wages. Along came a basic liberal program of the Roosevelt administration, creating the rights of collective bargaining on the behalf of workers. Unions then ended starvation wages and created a strong middle class. Other social programs such as the GI Bill, Social Security and Medicare have enhanced that lifestyle for the benefit of the whole country.<p/>Now, in pursuit of the old cheap labor, manufacturing has been virtually removed from our shores. Unemployment is rampant in the United States. The starvation wages now are being paid in China and a multitude of Third World countries. A United States of haves and have nots is returning, and conservative congressmen are crying "socialism" while protecting the economic interests of their benefactors. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037639.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037639.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:44 EST <strong>Higher speed limit unneeded, dangerous</strong><p/>After reading on Nov. 18 about the prefiled bill to raise the interstate speed limit to 80 miles per hour and to allow a darker tint on vehicle windows I am certain we do not need people like Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, deciding what legislation we need in South Carolina. Raising the speed limit to 80 will encourage the people who are now driving 79 to go 89 miles per hour, causing many more deaths and more serious injuries.<p/>I would like to see Todd Rutherford take the place of a trooper having to approach a car with dark tinted windows that has been pulled over for aggressive driving, unable to see if the person has a gun aimed at you. I question whether this proposed legislation is self-serving or whether Todd Rutherford just does not think.<p/>KAREN YOUNG <p/>Blythewood http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037638.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037638.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:43 EST <strong>Insurance lobbyists behind Wilson effort</strong><p/>Once again Rep. Joe Wilson has embarrassed the state of South Carolina. His photograph graces a story in The New York Times on Nov. 14 that demonstrates that more than a dozen members of Congress made speeches for entry into the Congressional Record using identical wording, all written not by the members themselves, or by their staffs, but by lobbyists for Genentech, the giant biotech company, subsidiary of the Swiss company, Roche. A Swiss news source reports that the huge pharmaceutical companies, Roche and Novartis, have been spending millions to influence members of the U.S. Congress on health care reform legislation. <p/>Wilson is no stranger to getting money from large health care providers and insurance companies. The Web site that tracks political contributions to our politicians, opensecrets.org, identifies the top five contributors to Rep. Wilson's 2009-10 Campaign Committee include the American Hospital Association and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The health industry is overall the second largest contributor to Wilson's committee.<p/>Rep. Wilson should not be simply parroting into the Congressional Record a text written by lobbyists. Next year, let's get someone who can think and act for himself to represent the 2nd Congressional District.<p/>GREG WEIS http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037641.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1037641.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:40 EST <strong>A few 'civil' questions for Pastides</strong><p/>While on the surface the call of USC president Harris Pastides made to engage in civil, and only civil, discourse seems like something all of us can support and certainly something in which we want our students properly schooled, I have to ask what this civil discourse will cost us. <p/>Will the claim of incivility be the justification for silencing some? Who will decide what is truly uncivil and what is simply unpopular? What is the value of the first amendment if voices can be suppressed on the grounds that they are not polite? <p/>Recall that this is not a debate about yelling "fire!" in a crowded theater or about slander. This is a means of excluding some people from public discourse if their expressions are disruptive. So much for protest, passion, revolutionary ideas, or, as we Americans used to call it, freedom.<p/>LYNDA SLEIGHER STUTLER http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1036050.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1036050.html?RSS=untracked Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:11 EST <strong>Disgraceful conduct coming from the right</strong><p/>The political battles rage on regarding health care and other matters. I continue to assert that the right, generally, has one purpose: to crush not only President Obama, but also any moderate and progressive resurgence in this country. <p/>Although there are a few responsible conservatives out there, that is why those on the right have no intention of supporting any health care proposal, and they have had no intention since day one.<p/>PATRICK FRANK<p/>Kingstree http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1034354.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1034354.html?RSS=untracked Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:43 EST <strong>Graham's climate effort will be watched</strong><p/>Let's hope Sen. Lindsey Graham's newfound alliance with Democrat Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts on climate change leads to a different approach in Congress on this legislation. A Nov. 8 article, "Graham out in the cold," states that Sen. Graham joined with Sen. Kerry to help expand off-shore drilling and increase nuclear power - both desirable goals that conservatives can stand behind. While some compromise is understandable, we are not willing to tolerate a cap-and-trade or renewable energy standards scheme.<p/>Neither approach will be good for our economy. A renewable energy standard would be particularly detrimental to South Carolina. Democrats want to institute a federal mandate requiring a high percentage of energy come from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Our state will not be able to meet that standard and thus will be forced to buy renewable energy from other states - raising energy rates for all South Carolinians.<p/>Sen. Graham has a history of working across the aisle on major issues, and climate change does deserve a bipartisan effort. That effort, however, must not lose sight of what it will cost South Carolinians in both the short and long term. If Sen. Graham is successful and can put a stop to the Democrat's renewable energy standard and overly aggressive cap-and-trade legislation, he will earn the praise of conservatives. But if he abandons conservative economic principles just to "get something done" on climate change, voters will hold him accountable.<p/>LIANA ORR http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1032701.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1032701.html?RSS=untracked Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:03 EST <strong>Now's the right time to expand zoo</strong><p/>The State's opposition to expanding and improving the Riverbanks Zoo at this time is mystifying. First, interest rates are the lowest since the early 1960s; the bonds sold to finance the improvements will carry the lowest interest rates in decades. Contractors and the remodeling industry are all desperate for business to keep their crews busy. The Wall Street Journal reports that most have reduced rates by 20 percent. <p/>Regardless of who gets the contract, most of the workmen, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, bricklayers will be local hires. Their wages will be spent locally. <p/>The State laments that it will cost the owner of a $100,000 house $4 per year in additional taxes. The typical house in Lexington or Richland county is valued at about $150,000. That means the owners will pay about $6 per year. The zoo brings some 1 million visitors a year to the Midlands. In addition to the admission fees they pay, they spend untold money for food, fuel, even overnight stays. Think of the jobs that creates. <p/>If we are to remain in the top 10 category for zoos, we cannot wait until the economy improves. Now is the time to move ahead. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1031242.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1031242.html?RSS=untracked Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:23 EST <strong>Cap and trade bill would ruin economy</strong><p/>The Congressional Budget Office estimates the proposed cap and trade bill to control carbon dioxide emissions would cost $846 billion in the next decade alone. Industries would reduce operations, lay off workers and/or buy carbon credits. Many would close down.<p/>More than 30,000 American scientists have signed a petition urging the U.S. government to reject anything similar to the Koyoto agreement. They say there is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of greenhouse gases will cause catastrophic climate change. Global temperatures have been falling since 2001. Temperatures have fluctuated over the past 8,000 years, and current temperatures are below the average over those years.<p/>Nuclear energy, with reuse of nuclear waste, as done in Europe, is an economical, clean, plentiful source of power. Clean coal technology is another. Drilling off-shore and on government land and in Alaska can supply our oil and gas needs without any foreign purchases.<p/>Congress is ignoring all this and proposing economic devastation. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1026938.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1026938.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:51 EST <strong>Veteran appreciates businesses' support</strong><p/>I want to thank all businesses that gave veterans a special treat on Veterans Day. During these challenging economic times, it's gratifying to see businesses willing to offer veterans discounted meals or a percentage off their goods or services. I would like to especially thank David Person, general manager of Applebee's and his great staff in West Columbia for their generosity and service to honor all veterans. His professional staff worked enthusiastically and tirelessly ensuring all customers were waited on as quickly as possible. His team was a class act. And to all service veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Let's not forget - freedom is not free.<p/>MASTER SGT. JONATHAN GARRIS<p/>Lexington<p/><strong>Enough is enough for Afghanistan war</strong> http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1026937.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1026937.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:01 EST <strong>License tag foes miss the point</strong><p/>Federal Judge Cameron Currie rules the "I Believe" tags are unconstitutional for they promote one religion over another religion.<p/>Religion is a practice. Christianity is away of life and not a religion.<p/>Ask this astute jurist to please explain, in light of her ruling on the tags being unconstitutional how the U.S. Postal Service can print stamps the honor Islam. <p/>People do not have to purchase the license tags, but if they plan to mail letters they will need the stamps. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1027057.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1027057.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:01 EST Large corporations merge to create leaner, more efficient companies. Why not states? Just think what a great state one Carolina would be.<p/>It would be called simply Carolina, its capitol centrally located in Charlotte. One Carolina would boast premier geography, culture and history, as well as education, recreation and climate envied from one end of the nation to the other. Popular destinations from the mountains to the sea would offer interesting recreational and residential choices. Renowned golf and tennis resorts would be everywhere, while major sporting events would include an NFL team already named after one Carolina, multiple major golf and tennis events and the best of college athletic conferences in the ACC and SEC.<p/>A combined university system of more than 25 campuses would house a number of medical, law, dental and veterinary schools, as well as outstanding small and large undergraduate programs. The Research Triangle, as well as the large research universities, would keep Carolina on the cutting edge of scholarship and innovation. Carolina could become the auto capitol of the United States, not to mention already holding leadership positions in the areas of agriculture, furniture and textiles. Globalization is already underway in the region, along with pioneering efforts in alternative energy.<p/>Historically, how can you beat the Revolutionary and Civil War history of one Carolina, its military bases still playing an important role in our national defense? Carolina also enjoys relative meteorological and geological calm, with a temperate climate for year-round living. Its reasonable cost of living makes it desirable for younger professionals and older retirees alike, keeping the state a lively place for all ages to call home.<p/>As one political entity, one Carolina would benefit from efficiency and cost effectiveness. True, Carolina would lose two U.S. senators and one governor, but the remaining senators and governor would be all the more influential now that they were from such a large and dominant state. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1026939.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1026939.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:53 EST <strong>Complexity of dealing with Islam</strong> It is very difficult for Americans to deal with what it means to be Muslim in today's world. I submit there are three wrong ways to look at the recent Fort Hood incident, which have been prevalent in the media. I think it is incorrect to simply label Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan as an Islamic terrorist, or to do the opposite and ignore his being Muslim as relevant to his violent behavior. I also think that painting him as the victim of a psychiatric breakdown, is incorrect. All three of these ways promote a denial about what it really means that he is a Muslim.<p/>The actual situation is very complex and messy, yet extremely dangerous. Most Muslims throughout the world are not for violence. There is, however, a sizable group of Muslims (radicals) that believe that violence is rewarded by God. This makes it not only permissible, but virtuous, for them to kill themselves and/or others in furthering the cause of Islam.<p/>However, radicals and nonradicals share many beliefs and can be influenced by the same religious leaders. Personal experiences or setbacks can move a peaceful Muslim into the radical camp. This is what appears to have happened to Dr. Hasan.<p/>Thus Americans struggle to be fair to most Muslims and yet be appropriately alert to the dangers posed by radical Islam. How can one tell who is secretly radical or who might become radical? Yet resorting to the labels or closing one's eyes to the influence of being a Muslim, doesn't help in dealing with this dilemma.<p/>PETER H. SWANSON http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1025434.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1025434.html?RSS=untracked Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:57 EST <strong>Water quality affected by litter</strong><p/>I was shocked by the photo in Friday's paper of the garbage accumulating along the water at the city's downtown park. With private entities and tax-supported agencies charged with protecting the health and beauty of our waterways, clearly someone somewhere is responsible. But aside from that, I do believe that a lot of people are not aware of the many ways in which our water quality can be affected, and that they perhaps might be having a hand in its degradation. For example, I was waiting at a traffic light on Sumter Street one morning, and I observed a city worker with a leaf blower blowing all of the litter from the sidewalk, along the gutter and into the storm drain. I'm sure he didn't realize the error of what he was doing.<p/>People need to be educated to the fact that anything that goes down a storm drain goes directly into the river. That's without passing through a processing plant for cleaning and sanitizing first. And when it rains, any trash on the streets - and there seems to be an awful lot of it these days - will be washed directly into the river. This is why I believe fines for littering should be swift and punitive, but that's another story.<p/>With the availability of enough clean water for everyone becoming more of an issue every day, we all need to educate ourselves about the ways we can help -or at least not harm.<p/>MARCIA LUCIUS http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1023994.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1023994.html?RSS=untracked Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:14 EST <strong>Keep momentum from Boeing going</strong><p/>With certainty, all South Carolinians are thankful that government and business leaders throughout the Palmetto State inked this magnificent Boeing decision. This sweet victory proves that South Carolina workers and workplaces are a prosperous solution for many international corporations exacerbated by labor unions. Interestingly, news reports pointed out the critical relationships that both Mark and Jenny Sanford developed over time with key Boeing executives in Chicago, among others.<p/>While the obvious loser is yet another Northern labor union -refusing to work right when Boeing and its stakeholders needed production work the most - South Carolina cannot sit back and rest on its laurels. Hubris after companies come here has faded to sorrow. Air Tran Airways is a recent case in point.<p/>My question to every S.C. employee, executive, CEO, banker - and election-seeking politician - is this: What are the next two, three or four Boeing-like deals on South Carolina's radar screen?<p/>Every S.C. college student, business executive, government leader and economic development commission must continually venture out beyond state borders to aggressively develop new pipelines of key corporate relationships, to solidify fresh investments and create new jobs here. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1022523.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1022523.html?RSS=untracked Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:05 EST <strong>Cayce council needs to grow up, lead</strong><p/>Cayce Mayor Elise Partin received a solid mandate in the election a year ago, and those of us who supported her then continue to support her as the dynamic leader she is.<p/>I can't remember such excitement as when the charette plan was first announced. When council voted against funding the process, we were so proud that our mayor had the moxie to go out and raise the money herself. I participated in the charette, as did many residents, planning and development experts and business leaders.<p/>The results were progressive and forward-thinking. Even Lexington County and the mayors of neighboring West Columbia and Springdale were eager to work with us. But once again our plodding City Council refused to create a steering committee - comprised of residents and business owners focused on implementing this visionary plan. Instead, council relegated the task to the city's Planning Commission (whom the council appoints) with no mandate to move forward. Message received? Status quo.<p/>What bothers me most is the appearance that some are deliberately trying to embarrass our mayor with innuendo rather than focusing on bettering our city - platforms on which they, themselves, ran for office. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1020779.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1020779.html?RSS=untracked Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:51 EST <strong>Sen. Lindsey Graham can get things done</strong><p/>As a conservative independent, I would like to add my 2 cents worth to the excellent points made Thursday by Bob Smart ("Fringe politics vs. effective governing") and Patrick Frank ("Attacks on Graham disgraceful") in defending Sen. Lindsey Graham from those who criticize him for trying to work with Democrats to achieve his goals.<p/>Mr. Frank made the point that those who demand total allegiance to the party line from their representatives even if it sacrifices the greater good of South Carolina and the nation were "scary." I'll say. It is not only scary, it is downright dangerous. It smacks of the robotic goose-stepping demanded by Nazi Germany.<p/>Consider this quote from Sen. Jim DeMint: "I would rather have 30 Republicans in the Senate who really believe in principles of limited government, free markets, free people, than to have 60 that don't have a set of beliefs."<p/>Really? Think about that. In other words, he would rather keep the opposition in power and able to pass its agenda, and his own party weak and in the minority, as long as those Republican senators' beliefs and actions jibe with the party line on every single issue. Gee, what would he do if a Democrat offered to work with him, to get one bill he believed in passed? Presumably, toss him out on his ear. http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1016828.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1016828.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:58 EST <strong>Working together should catch on</strong><p/>Once in a while, the course of events is such that the obvious could become axiomatic. A case in point is the manner in which South Carolina governmental elements functioned in the successful pursuit of a high stakes objective, the securing of the new Boeing assembly line for the North Charleston area.<p/>Although congratulations are richly deserved by all concerned, a question appears to be in order. If all state agencies were to show a similar initiative and a will to cooperate in achieving lower stakes objectives (e.g., turning in top daily job performances), might not the state soon be hovering around the top of the socioeconomic pole, instead of rattling around somewhere near the bottom?<p/>BOB A McILWAIN<p/>Columbia http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1016829.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1016829.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:57 EST <strong>Sen. Graham and the new political class</strong><p/>With all due respect to the folks who have written lately with opinions of Sen. Lindsey Graham, some lauding for his "bipartisan views" and others castigating him for being a poor Republican, I think those good people just don't understand the core issue. Sen. Graham, is neither Republican or Democrat. What he advances is his position as a prince of the political class, America's new aristocracy. When one looks at the issues that have generated the most comment about Sen. Graham in his home state in the last few years, all have the same common denominator, a huge transfer of power to the political class. Cap and trade will give the government unprecedented power to pick winners and losers as President Obama did when he put his constituency of unsecured debt holders of the auto companies ahead of the secured bond holders. <p/>Under cap and trade those kinds of government dictates will be commonplace. If state Sen. John Courson is really concerned about national security as he claims to be in his defense of his fellow career politician, let him instead lobby for a carbon tax. It is efficient, it is effective and it is transparent. The only problem is it doesn't transfer any power to the new aristocracy.<p/>ED BAXLEY<p/>Camden http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1016832.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1016832.html?RSS=untracked Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:49 EST <strong>Virtue should drive health care reform</strong><p/>People will argue differently, but I believe that the main issue in health care reform is whether we want 50 million uninsured Americans covered by health insurance.<p/>The argument that it will cost us dearly is wrong, because we already pay dearly for the health care of the uninsured, although indirectly. Remember, hospitals can't turn people away because they can't pay. So those costs are passed on in other ways. The care to the uninsured is inadequate and inefficient. It is morally distasteful that we would not want to provide reasonable health insurance to all.<p/>The argument that health care reform gets the government into health care is wrong because the government is already in health care. Our government already regulates the health insurance industry, although poorly. It allows the industry great advantages, such as antitrust exemptions and the ability to cherry pick enrollees. The government provides services through Medicare and Medicaid. Those services are provided more fairly and more efficiently than those provided by the health insurance industry. Reform would allow fairer regulation and further services and efficiency.<p/>Where is the Christian ideal of charity in this debate? Is it stuck in the closet with people's "Sunday dress," only to be the topic of a Sunday sermon? http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1015159.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/1015159.html?RSS=untracked Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:41 EST <strong>Elections capture today, not 2010</strong><p/>Tuesday's elections say a lot about today, but not much about the 2010 elections.<p/>Exit polls reveal in Virginia and New York the majority of the people said they were not voting on the current Democratic administration but were voting for state politicians they believed would better serve them and their needs now.<p/>In New Jersey, more than 50 percent of the people voted against the Republican winner Chris Christie, who received only 48.8 percent of the vote. New Jersey folks are unhappy and appear to be slated to remain that way for a while since the majority of them voted against the winner.<p/>In Virginia the Republican winner said he no longer believed in the conservative dissertation he wrote stating that women should not work outside the home, etc., and he convinced voters he would work for local issues. Also, his Democratic opponent did not claim to be an Obama Democrat.