Letters to the EditorFriday, May 18, 2007
Confederate Day Another Confederate Memorial Day has come and gone. There were several services in the area, but because of the woeful coverage by The Post and Courier, you would have been hard-pressed to know when and where. The best attended service was held at the French Huguenot Church. Among the notables present were Sen. Glenn McConnell, Arthur Ravenel Jr. and Sen. Robert Ford. Charleston played a major role in this significant period of American history. Many brave men lost their lives defending this great city and its civilians from the longest military siege in American history. On a day of such profound historical significance for Charleston, you would expect our local elected officials to be at the forefront, representing our community in reflection and respect. I have attended a number of these services over the years, but I have never noticed our mayor or most other city and county leaders in attendance. You will, however, find them closing their offices and presiding over, or at least attending, other official state holidays. Only Confederate Memorial Day suffers disregard from most local leaders. Charleston County public schools join in the disrespect of our unique history and this day of remembrance. Perhaps you will recall when Martin Luther King Day was named an official state holiday, the understanding was that public schools would also honor and recognize Confederate Memorial Day. I am not suggesting closing schools that day. A much better idea would be to spend the day immersed in fact-based education on the Constitution, the Confederacy and the War for Southern Independence. Bill Miller 16 Boyces Wharf Brain aneurysms A brain aneurysm can happen to anyone. It is a frightening incident. It may occur suddenly and outcomes range from disability to sudden death. On Nov. 20, 2001, my sister Ann Murray Kamienski came very close to dying from a ruptured brain aneurysm. Since this happened to Ann, she has met many other survivors and families who have lost a loved one to a brain aneurysm. A very dear friend of Ann's, Beverly Dubiski, lost her husband Frank to a sudden brain aneurysm several years ago. Beverly has generously given her permission for Ann to use her place of business, Bellisimo Dolce, to help raise money to support the ongoing efforts of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF). On May 27, in Marshfield, Mass., Ann and I will be participating in a walk/run fund-raising event for research and education called the 6th Annual Arterial Challenge Road Race and Walk sponsored by the BAF. The BAF was founded in Boston by a brain aneurysm survivor, Christine LeBlanc, and is an educational and support network to raise public awareness regarding early detection and treatment of brain aneurysms. Risk factors for brain aneurysms are smoking, traumatic head injury, use of alcohol, use of oral contraceptives, family history and a few inherited disorders. Victim symptoms associated with unruptured and ruptured brain aneurysm range from no symptoms to warning signs from cranial nerve palsy, dilated pupils, localized but overwhelming headaches, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and loss of sensation. Challenges during recovery often are physical and emotional. Some ruptured and unruptured survivors suffer from stroke, and speech, vision and hearing problems. Ann is affected by all four problems. Information used for this letter was from the brain aneurysm Web site at www.bafound.org. Go to the top of the page for fundraising, open it and select Ann's name or send a donation to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation at 612 East Broadway, South Boston, Mass. 02127. Ellen Murray-Chaffee 118 Millburgh Lane Goose Creek Not vegan diet Your recent article titled "Vegan couple sentenced to life" (for starving their infant) does grave injustice to tens of thousands of vegan couples who raise perfectly healthy babies. The couple's infant died not because they were vegan but because he was fed a diet of soy milk and apple juice — not recommended by any authority on vegan nutrition. The diet of vegan babies begins with breast milk or fortified vegan formula and continues with fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and legumes. This is why they are less likely to become obese and to suffer from common childhood diseases and food allergies. Sound advice on raising vegan children is available from www.vrg.org/nutshell/kids.htm, and www.nutritionmd.org/nutrition_tips/index..., and www.vegetarianbaby.com. Alex Hershaft, Ph.D. National Chair Great American Meatout 10101 Ashburton Lane Bethesda, Md. Broken tradition I have always thought the College of Charleston graduation was an elegant affair. If the May 14 photo in The Post and Courier is an accurate portrayal, the only thing elegant about this year's affair was the young men graduating. Tradition is wonderful, but when broken, it is very hard to attain again. Candace D. Hall 904 Oakley Road Moncks Corner Space for soccer Thanks for the recent report on the soccer game between the Porter-Gaud Cyclones and the Cardinal Newman Cardinals. The Cardinals' coach summed it up when he said, "The set pieces are going to be big." Indeed, the game, which was played on the Cardinals' very small soccer pitch, consisted of little more than set pieces, punts upfield and the Cardinals simply looking for the "tip-in." Would any other sport settle for playoffs on less than a standard-size and quality arena? The Porter-Gaud varsity team had a great season with a fine coach, a great work ethic and a warm sense of friendship among players and supporters. The games were always spirited and interesting, even when the Cyclones lost, as long as there was sufficient space to play real soccer. Pity a good year had to end with something less than a real game of real football.
Peter Rosenthal 2221 Porstside Way Failed attack Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified again before the House Judiciary Committee over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. While the Democrats have, so far, failed to have the attorney general dismissed, they continue to express their outrage that he could have fired subordinate prosecutors without their permission. I suggest that the attorney general should refuse to answer further questions until former President Clinton is called before the committee to respond to why he fired all 93 U.S. attorneys. It's amazing, with all the challenges facing our country, that the House Judiciary Committee continues to waste time on this issue. It's even more amazing to watch the mainstream media keep this non-issue alive. Certainly they are wasting valuable time that could be used on other media favorites such as global warming or Paris Hilton. Scott Wiggins 330 Concord St. Others' money The U.S. postage has increased to 41 cents. I have worked for the federal government for 34 years and know how expensive the government can be. The postage increase reminds me of how inefficient the U.S. Postal Service is. It is no different than the rest of state and federal governments. Someone once said, "The government needs to expand to meet the needs of an expanding government." The Postal Service would spend all the money if stamps were 82 cents. That is the government's way. The postmaster general is saying with the increase that he already expects a deficit this coming year. That's so unnecessary. Go ahead and raise the postage to, say, 50 cents. If that is not enough (and it will not be), raise it again. Let's keep the mail moving. The problem is that government is spending someone else's money. DAN CROSS 2522 Mahan Court Mount Pleasant Correction Due to an editing error, a letter titled "Flag should stay" from Gene H. Kizer Jr. on Wednesday contained a mistake. Mr. Kizer's letter should have stated that 40,000 out of 60,000 Confederate soldiers from South Carolina became casualties in the War Between the States. |
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