Letters to the EditorFriday, February 22, 2008
Generous act Charleston is a hospitable city, but on Feb. 17, the Summerville Piano Ensemble experienced an expression of community service and generosity we found simply overwhelming. Our group of eight players makes music on two pianos, and we had a concert scheduled that afternoon for the residents of Canterbury House, a retirement facility in downtown Charleston. Because few of us own two pianos, Charles Fox has graciously allowed us to practice with our coach at Fox Music. We were expecting to perform on the two pianos in the lobby of Canterbury House, fully aware that they were not perfectly matched instruments. But when we arrived, there were two new Yamaha grand pianos and a crowd of enthusiastic Canterbury residents anxiously awaiting our music. According to its statement of purpose, Fox Music "seeks to bring the joy of music to individuals, families and institutions and to be an advocate for music in the communities we serve so as to enrich lives and fulfill dreams." This act of generosity and outreach to us and to those who are not able to get out and enjoy many of the musical offerings in our community was deeply appreciated. It is easy to see why Fox Music is celebrating 75 years in business. Bravo, Charles Fox. MARY SUE MCDANIEL 'Palmetto Rose' kids I am so delighted to see that the "Palmetto Rose" children are such a success. I appeared before Charleston City Council on several occasions to ask members to see the light and help these children. I told them the word was "regulate." This was accomplished when Jimmy Bailey, "Yes, Carolina" director, came onboard. It was stated that this could be a thriving business and would keep the children busy and off the streets. It has proven itself. Some citizens were negative and complained all the time. I listened and thought they should be affirmative. It's no use to argue. I have found that being quiet accomplishes much more. Hooray for the "Palmetto Rose" children. They have proven that it is a worthwhile business for the youth. May there be more ideas. JANE L. THORNHILL Kill 'gator bill The proposed alligator hunting bill appears to be nearing passage in the state Legislature. This is unfortunate for many people and all alligators. These magnificent creatures have survived for millions of years. What gives mankind permission to senselessly kill them for misguided reasons? Alligators are not normally dangerous, and people are not on their menu. The worst alligator encounters are usually mistaken identity and don't end with someone being devoured. We simply see more alligators because we are encroaching on their environment. Of course, it makes sense that the hunters will "go after" the biggest 'gators, which are a large part of the breeding population. The female guards her nest, and when the hatchings start to call her, she digs out her offspring and carries them gently in her mouth to the water. In spite of the mother's vigilance and protection, the mortality rate for the babies is high. It upsets me to think of those tiny carcasses in the unattended nests — a result of some trigger-happy hunter who decided to kill their mother. The offspring don't have a chance of survival. The alligator population, according to experts, regulates itself. The larger alligators will feed on the smaller ones. We don't need to be fooling around with nature, which seems to be a bad habit of human beings. Why do we feel we have to control everything? I pray Gov. Mark Sanford has the foresight not to sign this bill. We should learn to live together with these animals that were here first — millions of years first. One of my favorite quotes from the "Tao Te Ching" states: "Those who dominate nature and seek to possess it will never succeed, for nature is a living system, so sacred that those who use it profanely will surely lose it, and to lose nature is to lose ourselves." LESLEY K. SCOTT Help for a veteran I can understand the frustrations of veterans who apply for benefits. The process is overwhelming. However, there is help for those who ask. More than 40 years had passedsince my husband retired from the Navy, and then he needed skilled nursing care. I would like to thank the Charleston County Veterans Affairs Office, especially Bill Young, for guiding me through the process, making sure all the required documentation was complete. Thank you to the staff at the Ralph A. Johnson VA Medical Center for its support and for granting us humanitarian relief to remain in Charleston. Thanks also to Bill Tuten and Scott Gillette, and to Sen. Lindsey Graham's office for assistance in getting the information we needed to file our request. VIRGINIA MOORE Bad news The Writers Guild of America recently voted to end its strike against the television industry. The drivel will now begin anew. DAVID M. MURRAY JR. NIU shooting The tragedy at Northern Illinois University will be used by some to promote the carrying of guns and other firearms at schools and on university campuses. They will use this tragedy as a smokescreen. In this tragedy, as in the Virginia Tech tragedy, the victims could not have miraculously pulled a gun from a backpack or a purse in time to shoot this crazed gunman. The first victims were wounded or killed in a matter of seconds. That is not their job. Their job is to learn (or teach) and study. To make more firearms accessible to students would put more students in harm's way. Who is to say more shooting wouldn't occur? There are more drinking, more relationships that go awry, and more frustrations from studies, work and roommates, etc. To put more firearms into this situation is irresponsible. Students, teachers and professors are not law enforcement officers. Let us do what we are supposed to do and are trained (or are in training) to do and also insist gun laws are enforced . Support common sense instead of reactionary responses. JOANNE HAFTER PETA posse I hope Gov. Mark Sanford's recent statement that there are "1,000 ways to skin a cat" in his flat-tax commentary doesn't offend PETA. I think he has enough headaches at this time. He surely doesn't want a PETA posse after him. SUSAN M. HAYNIE Don't blame kids Regarding the recent article titled "The Dark Side of Video Games: Know when to pry away the video game controller": Kids do not deserve all the blame. It's the parents' fault that their kids play video games for so long because parents don't encourage kids to be more active. Parents shouldn't let video games dominate their kids' lives. When this occurs, kids are less likely to be successful in school and develop friendships. I'm a kid, and I'm not saying parents should stop buying or that kids should stop playing games. Just don't blame the kids. We are just kids trying to have fun. Video games are used to relieve the stress of school and chores. JORDAN FORD Spurrier-speak Back in the spring, Coach Steve Spurrier had some unkind remarks about the Confederate flag. His remarks are understandable. He's trying to recruit football players for the USC Gamecocks. What I don't understand are his remarks about these players. In the Feb. 7 Post and Courier, Coach Spurrier said, "If the Lindsey boys pass and do what they're supposed to do, they got a chance" to regain their eligibility and play next season. What kind of quote is this? I can only imagine what would happen to Citadel Coach Kevin Higgins, Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden and other coaches if they were to speak about their players as Coach Spurrier does his. I guess in Columbia, the "Ol' Ball Coach" can say anything because he might, just might, have a winning season at USC. LOUIE A. BAKER |
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