Letters to the EditorThursday, July 17, 2008
Risky speed On July 5 I entered I-26 at the St. George exit. The traffic was not extremely heavy. However, the cars, small trucks and boats and trailers being pulled were all traveling at 80 mph and higher. I drove at 70 mph (posted speed limit). I would like to have driven at 60 mph or a little less. What in the world is wrong with the senseless speed I witnessed, and the posted speed of 70 mph when we have energy problems? By the way where were the traffic control police? Saving gas? WILLIAM R. BENESCH Apology due Regarding Jim Litke's commentary in the sports section on July 11: The only thing more despicable than his casting a pall over Dara Torres remarkable success in the Olympic swimming trials is The Post and Courier's decision to print his drivel. If this is his only response to Mrs. Torres' achievement, it would be better left in his computer. Someone, somewhere owes Mrs. Torres an apology, but I won't hold my breath. B. R. DITTER 'Lapdog' Clark Re remarks about Sen. John McCain's qualifications to be president: John McCain has more resolve and fortitude than 10 Wesley Clarks. I well remember the general being a Clinton lapdog in his defense of our bombing from 30,000 feet which had little effect in Bosnia and the bombing of the Chinese embassy and shooting at empty tents in the desert. TOM McDEVITT Good lifeguards My sincere thanks and gratitude is extended to the entire lifeguard and Charleston County Park staff on duty June 28 at Kiawah Beachwalker Park. My 11-year-old son and I have been going to Beachwalker Park since he was a toddler. We enjoy the great stretch of South Carolina surf and have had a sense of reassurance with the lifeguards on duty. As soon as we arrived on that Saturday, my son headed for the water as I set up our chairs. Minutes later, I looked in the water for him and could not find him. He understands about undertow, rip currents and the tides. Our "beach rules" include determining landmarks to stay between in the water, to never swim outside of the designated area and to let me know if he comes out of the water to the beach. So after a few more minutes of not being able to spot him, I approached the lifeguard chair. Within moments, the guard in the chair was scanning the water with binoculars, another guard was in the water on a body board calling for him and the lead guard walked the beach with me to scan for him. The manager, Phil, contacted the staff at the concession stand to have them look on the boardwalk for him. Thankfully, we found him within another five minutes, in the water moving back up the beach to our original location. The calm demeanor and quick action of the entire staff demonstrated their training and professionalism. I realize that lifeguarding can be a thankless job. The entire CCPR staffs, not only at Beachwalker but at all of the other county beach and water parks, are to be commended for a job well done. We went on to enjoy a wonderful day at the beach and look forward to our next visit. LISA LANGDALE, MSN, R.N. CFL bulbs safe This is in response to the July 9 letter titled "Risky bulbs." According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CFLs contain, on average, about four milligrams of mercury. A household thermometer contains about 500 milligrams. Therefore one would have to break 125 CFLs to equal the threat posed by breaking one thermometer. The EPA also states that the United States is responsible for the release of 104 metric tons of mercury emissions per year, most of which come from coal-fired power plants. Mercury released into the air, they state, is the main way that humans are exposed to threat (through water contamination and contaminated fish). When compared to CFLs that are recycled, incandescent bulbs generate almost five times the amount of mercury emissions from power plants. If, for some reason, a CFL does go into the landfill, the corresponding incandescent bulb still generates three-and-a half times the amount of mercury emissions. The myth about CFLs being a greater threat to the environment than incandescent bulbs is rubbish. More information about the issue is available online at epa.gov. J.S. HYATT Fight obesity I read with interest an article in the July 7 Post and Courier about giving kids cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, to ward off future heart problems. A doctor's group has recommended that children with a family history of heart disease be screened as early as the age of two and no later than the age of 10. And by the age of 12 months, if a doctor is concerned about future weight problems, low-fat milk may be recommended. It's important to add here that it has also been reported in the past that Mom's being physically fit before getting pregnant would also ward off future heart problems in children, lower their chance of pediatric or adolescent obesity and prevent their chances of type II diabetes and heart disease. Are we encouraging too much reliance on drug therapy rather than lifestyle changes? What messages are we sending to our children? At what point do we as responsible adults just begin to exercise with our families and put down the French fries? Trust me, I have met (and work with) the kids whose cholesterol looks like an overweight 65-year-old. It's disturbing that our society is so quick to prescribe drugs for these conditions before attacking the problem from a public health perspective. Since statins have been around only since the mid-1980s, there is no evidence to show whether giving statins to a child will lower his or her risk for heart attack in middle age. It's time to get serious about your children's futures — bariatric surgery or miraculous pills will not cure the childhood obesity epidemic. More exercise and a better diet beats taking pills every time — it's that simple. LOUIS YUHASZ Missing signals "Signals optional." That's what the sign should say. My question is: Where are the signs? I travel the interstate back and forth to work every day and I know that it must be the new policy, but there should be signs. Name me someone who has gotten a ticket for failing to signal. Bet you can't. Except for the lack of signs, my hat's off to who ever made this policy law. We shouldn't have to signal a lane change or turn any more. First of all, if you are on the phone, you don't have a free hand to turn on the signal, and it would be rude to ask your caller to hold on while you actually drive your car. Then there are the ones who have a phone in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Now there's a person in control during rush hour (but that's another story for another day). I can remember when, if your turn signal didn't work, you'd better roll down the window and signal with your hand. The only hand signals that I see on the roads today are ones that I can't discuss in the newspaper. When you think about it, in this day and time, why should I have to notify the person behind me of what my next driving maneuver will be? Why, that's a violation of my rights. I think I'm going out and disconnect my brake lights. If I don't have to tell them that I'm changing lanes, why should I have to let them know that I'm going to stop? WOODY WEATHERFORD |
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