Little League players demonstrated leadership that once was simply expected behavior

Decency wins

I’ve been conflicted by the attention given the recent Little League championship in Texas.

Not to detract from the admirable conduct of both the pitcher or the batter beaned by a high inside fastball; their reaction to a near tragedy was noteworthy.

It has garnered network news coverage and an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show. This was deserved, and, yet, nothing less should have been expected. But here in 2022, their decency and display of sportsmanship has made them national heroes. It could get them an invitation to the White House and probably should.

Regardless, the incident should be a sobering lesson for our elected leaders: If two 12-year-old boys competing for “all the marbles” in a championship baseball game can act with good faith and compassion, should we expect anything less of Pelosi and McCarthy, McConnell and Schumer, et al?

I understand what currying favor from the base means to reelection, but can you imagine what historians in 2222 will have to say about us?

I hope those boys grow up, get elected to Congress by opposing parties and continue to demonstrate how people with conscience and decency should treat each other.

George Martin, Chapin

Prevent police state

Humans have made and consumed alcoholic beverages since prehistory, and, as we learned from Prohibition, no law can stop all alcohol consumption.

Humans have cultivated and consumed cannabis since prehistory, and, as we seem to finally be learning, no law is ever going to put an end to cannabis use.

LGBTQ people have always been part of the human race, and no law will ever stop people from making love with the persons that they are attracted to and/or love.

Abortion has always been with us, and always will be. No law is ever going to stop some women from choosing to terminate their pregnancies.

Criminalizing alcohol or cannabis consumption, consensual sexual acts, or abortion requires the construction of some elements of a police state to investigate the private behavior of citizens and to enforce the prohibitive laws.

The government has no business in our bedrooms or our gardens.

Jeff Koob, Columbia

Pay attention

The ongoing climate crisis will impact some places more than others.

As leaders from a coastal state, I hope Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are well versed in the potential damage that South Carolina will sustain if climate change is not mitigated.

This damage will result from flooding, extinction of native species, introduction of new pests from more tropical climates and an influx of climate refugees into the western part of the state from both within and outside of the state.

And, of course, besides the local impacts, climate change will impact humanity throughout the globe.

We need our senators to stop working for success in the next election cycle and start working to help the American people and lead the free world.

Lee Hugar, Columbia

Help the disabled

Across the U.S. more than 800,000 people with disabilities remain on waiting lists for services they need to live in their homes and stay in their communities. Funded by Medicaid, home and community-based services (HCBS) provide support for independent living, employment, meal preparation, money management, and health and safety.

Worsened by the pandemic, people with disabilities and their families are forced to wait years for these critical services. More funding would mean more resources for my autistic adult son and others like him.

Our country needs to invest in the Medicaid HCBS system. We need Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham to enact legislation that will help people with disabilities and their families.

Danni Bloom, Chapin