Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

Saturday’s Letters to the Editor

• Right-wing smears won’t be tolerated

The fact that Barack Obama attended classes in Islam while in public school decades ago and that his parents registered him as a Muslim in that school (a common practice, since his stepfather was Muslim) has nothing to do with his current religious perspective. He is a Christian, and has been for many years.

Further, people evolve over time, from childhood to adulthood. As a mature adult, Obama has embraced Christianity. He is a man of integrity and authenticity, but not a perfect human being, or candidate, as he has repeatedly stated.

The extreme right-wing will fail to smear Obama because the many lies and distortions of the truth will be answered in full measure by people of good will all across this nation.

I resent John McCain’s characterization of the hate-filled rhetoric of people such Jerome Corsi as some kind of joke. Bigotry is not funny. Hate is not funny. Distortions of the truth and characterization are not funny. Narrow-mindedness is not funny. Manipulation is not funny.

I would respect John McCain if he spoke out against the current attempt to destroy Barack Obama and his family — on both personal and political levels.

PATRICK FRANK

Kingstree

• Cyclists who ignore rules risk getting hit

I ditto the letter to the editor Thursday by Sara Pincelli, “Cyclists must also respect traffic laws.” I would like to hear from the cyclists who ride in their bright colored tights respond to the fact that cyclists flagrantly run stop signs and traffic lights. I think they should come to a complete stop, which means one leg on the ground.

Also, I would like The State to check with Columbia police on how many traffic violations of the above are recorded in a specific time period when a ticket with a fine was issued. That would be interesting.

I, too, am losing respect as I see these violations all the time from the bike enthusiasts. Just recently, I was making a right on red after a full stop when a cyclist came up to my right, not stopping to make the same turn. I almost crashed into him as he proceeded to act like he owned the road.

So I say, share the road, but obey all the rules, as is expected of automobile drivers.

JOE CULLER

Columbia

• It’s nice to see kindred spirits on editorial page

I could not believe what I was reading in The State Opinion/Commentary pages Aug. 22. Thank you, Patricia Mohr (“Life does not begin at conception”), Susan W. Walker (“Offshore drilling not worth harming coast”), P.M. Denman (“Bush criticizes Russia for doing as we do”) and Jim Wacek (“Put Republicans to work in private sector”) for sharing your positions. And thanks to Kathleen Parker for her commentary, “Purpose-driven politics.”

Each of you has confirmed for me that there are, in fact, individuals in this highly traditional, far-right-leaning culture who share my views and values. It’s nice to know that I’m not out here all alone.

MARIA WALRATH

Blythewood

• Suggested slogan gets cool reception

Since the new “hot spot” slogan has been selected for Columbia, I am sure potential visitors have been warned of our days-long, 100-plus-degree weather in August.

This may encourage daredevils but repel most tourists who have experienced our “hot spot.”

I submitted a slogan to Mayor Bob Coble’s office recently, “Columbia — Say Hello to Hospitality!” I thought it might lure some to our restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, historical and educational sites and Lake Murray. Think of the picture opportunities!

I guess they thought it was not so hot.

POLLY JERNIGAN

Columbia

• Bible says life begins before conception

Responding to the letter in which the writer asserts her personal belief that life does not begin at conception, perhaps she also doesn’t believe in God.

In reality, life begins before conception. According to the Holy Bible, “The Lord said, ‘I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb’” (Jeremiah 1:5). And the psalmist writes: “You (the Lord) saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16).

Therefore, abortion is murder, snuffing out that life without giving that person the opportunity to see the light of day and to discover God’s plan for his or her life on Earth. It’s interesting that those “pro-choice” people call us pro-lifers “anti-choice.” It’s not a matter of choice. We all make choices everyday — our God-given right — yet sometimes wrong choices.

CHARLES NEWCOMBE

Columbia

• District 5 needs permanent buildings, not portables

I keep reading letters in local papers complaining about the eight portables placed in front of Chapin High School. I do not like any of the 140-plus portables in our district. I think they are unsafe, noisy, ugly and tacky but, more important, extremely wasteful of our tax dollars. I recently drove all around Chapin High School and was appalled at the number of portables surrounding our school.

The sad fact is that the school is overcrowded. Chapin and the surrounding areas are continuing to grow. We welcome more students every year.

The school district is accused of not listening to the general public’s input by maliciously putting forth another bond referendum. Officials are berated because the bond referendum has not changed that much since last November. Well, we haven’t built any permanent structures since last November, so why would we think the needs would change?

Our school district has too many needs to ignore them anymore. More portables are not the answer. They are a symptom of the problem. We need more cost-effective, value-appreciating, permanent structures (assets) in which to educate our children.

We owe it to the children to provide an environment that is safe, comfortable and conducive to learning.

We owe it to ourselves to invest our tax dollars in assets that will appreciate in the next 15 years, not end up in a rubbish pile somewhere.

JULIE MURRAY

Chapin