Reader urges state’s senators to support Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court seat

SCOTUS worthy

While not U.S. Senators Tim Scott’s and Lindsey Graham’s preferred South Carolina nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be a unique addition to SCOTUS. Her experience as a public defender means she went to bat for people who could not afford their own attorney, and who were accused of committing crimes.

As a federal judge, Jackson has won bipartisan support, having been confirmed by the Senate three separate times. Her perspective as a Black woman will bring to the Supreme Court much-needed experience about how the legal system affects people’s rights and lives.

Judge Jackson also has a reversal rate of just 2%, which is extremely low compared to other judges.

That number means only one in 50 of her judicial decisions have eventually been overturned by higher courts. It’s an important part of any judge’s record, and it’s an indication that Judge Jackson is a careful, thoughtful jurist whose decisions are based on facts and respectful of precedents.

That’s why I think both Scott and Graham should vote yay to her appointment.

Penny D. Cothran, Lexington

Vote wisely

An article in The State described the positions of the opponents of Rep. Tom Rice with regard to Ukraine. These candidates declared their belief that Putin would not have invaded if Trump had been re-elected.

Trump was impeached because he withheld military aid to Ukraine. He tried to destroy NATO, which is the primary barrier to Putin’s dreams of empire. Trump praised Putin and called him a “genius” and a “very savvy” leader. He trusted Putin’s word over our own intelligence community.

He met privately with Putin with no witnesses and no record. We should all ask why.

Yet, these candidates choose the delusion that Trump would have prevented this war.

Their defense of this position is simply to pretend that Trump is “strong” and Biden is “weak.”

Every fact refutes that position. There was good reason why Putin helped Trump get elected: It is good to have a lapdog in high places.

Vote wisely, please.

Luther Hendrix, Camden

Don’t punish child

Did you know that even a child who qualifies for free lunch may not get a full, nutritious meal at school?

If a family has a balance with the school cafeteria that they are unable to clear, their child may be served an “alternative” meal.

South Carolina House Bill 3319 addresses this problem and makes sure that eligible children continue to receive a full, nutritious meal while their family works on handling the balance they may owe.

As a teacher, parent, grandparent and Save the Children Action Network volunteer in Richland County, I have watched what hunger does to a child.

Studies show that proper nutrition and students’ ability to concentrate and thrive go hand-in-hand.

I am excited that our legislators are doing the right thing to help children with their basic needs and allow them to blossom in their classrooms.

Approve House Bill 3319.

Judith Ryan, Elgin

Keep the rebate

There’s an old bromide stating: “You only get one chance to make a first impression.”

South Carolina squanders that opportunity thousands of times every day.

Returning home from a recent trip, we knew what was in store when traffic began slowing. As we reached the crest of the I-95 Savannah River Bridge,the roadway choked to four lanes and we got a long, slow look at the accumulated dirt, “road gator” recap treads, general litter and beat up, severely rusted guardrails.

For a visitor seeing the squalor at our doorstep looking like a Central American banana republic, it’s reasonable to assume they might stop at Loony Larry’s for a pack of firecrackers and keep going.

Road conditions don’t improve until somewhere above I-26.

I understand there’s a ridiculous proposal for a S.C. tax rebate that might cover the cost of, perhaps, a few tanks of gas.

So here’s a serious offer: “Please, governor, just keep what I might have coming and apply it to some new guardrails at the state line, or maybe traffic barrel rental long overduet on U.S. 76 out here in the Chapin wilderness.”

George Martin, Chapin