Letters to the EditorMonday, July 21, 2008
Deadly game My heart ached on July 14 when I read the editorial "Rising challenge in Afghanistan." You see, it has been just short of 17 months since my son-in-law Sgt. Buddy James Hughie was killed along that same border. I know that by the time this article appeared there had been nine more American families who had undergone that same life-altering visit by those two green uniforms. Over these months I have spoken with both officers and enlisteds about what's going on in Afghanistan. When an officer begins his conversation with, "What I am about to tell you is not for public consumption or media release" that tends to make me pay close attention. Of course, all of these conversations were off the record. There is little doubt among our armed forces as to where these Taliban are coming from along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. The problem is the Taliban can not be pursued from Afghanistan into Pakistan. It is much like a game we all played when we were little. Remember playing "hide and go seek"? Well, what is happening along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border is the deadly military version of that game. Most times the Taliban make it back to "base" (Pakistan), where they are safe. Tell me again, how is it that Pakistan is our ally? Please, tell me. MICHAEL W. CALLEGAN Terrifying trends When time has no meaning, years, decades or even centuries have little significance. And if your goal is to change the world to your way of thinking, why not use time and something you have an abundance of, something that everyone else wants and needs? Oil. The terrorists or jihadists are just foot soldiers in a bigger and more elaborate plan by the Islamist regimes who control how much oil is produced and what the cost of each barrel will be. Each day we feel the result of their plan. Besides the $4-plus a gallon gasoline, we can no longer enter county, state, or federal buildings without having our personal belongings X-rayed and our bodies scanned by detection devices. As you know, air travel has drastically changed since 9/11, even to the point where a whole new industry of high-tech security devices have been invented. Most importantly, though, we have lost or have maimed an untold number of America's finest young service men and women. These losses are a direct result of our fear of terrorism. Yet every day the cost to get to work, to buy groceries or to purchase other goods and services is going up. All because of the rising cost of oil. All of the politicians in Washington who have allowed this great country of ours to get in this shape ought to be kicked out. Our country is dangerously close to a major recession, yet Congress sits back and is afraid to use the God-given resources so abundant in this country. It not only crosses party lines, it's not the way our forefathers would have acted. We have coal, natural gas, oil, wind, solar and nuclear technology available and yet we are afraid to drill for oil, or we are afraid to use nuclear energy to protect ourselves. However, we don't mind paying big bucks to the people who don't like us very much and are hell bent on ruining this country, one day at a time. Now that's terrorism. Where is the outrage? CHARLIE LYBRAND Great teacher As always, I found Fran Hawk's recent column about summer reading enlightening and heartening. She has remarkable perspective on family dynamics as well as great insight into literature that is both uplifting and educational. I will also say that she is accurate about the remarkable talents of Melodie Sharpe. I've had the pleasure of working with Melodie for the last two years at Charleston Collegiate, and her ability to challenge and inspire her students is extraordinary. Whether she is working with the valedictorian or a financial aid student who is the only person in his/her family to seek a college prep experience, she evokes a desire to embrace the learning process and to succeed. While the opportunity to gain national recognition through Kathleen Parker's column in March (that was published in this and over 300 papers across the country) arose because of Ms. Parker's respect for our head, Bob Shirley, the phenomenal growth and advances made at the school are also the product of an outstanding young faculty led by dedicated educators such as Melodie Sharpe. ANNE W. CLEVELAND Save park In 1999 Mount Pleasant Councilman Gary Santos requested from the S.C. Department of Transportation that 22 acres of land under and adjacent to the Arthur Ravenel Bridge be "donated to the Town of Mount Pleasant to be used as a passive park and green space for public access to the Cooper River." The DOT agreed to deed the land at no cost to the Town of Mount Pleasant with the stipulation that it can only be used as a park. Since then elements have been added by council such as a visitors center and Sweetgrass Pavilion, which greatly diminish the amount of passive green space that was originally intended. Recently council voted 4-2 to remove four acres from this tract to allow the town to consider purchasing this land so it could be used for something other than a park, such as a performing arts or convention center. Imagine if city leaders in Charleston felt that way about White Point Garden, Waterfront Park, Brittlebank Park or East Bay playground. Any of these parcels are more valuable than the land adjacent to the Ravenel Bridge and they all contribute to the high quality of life we enjoy here in the Lowcountry. In essence, Town Council is considering buying land that would otherwise be given to the town free for a public park. The value of this land to the residents of Mount Pleasant to whom this land was donated is far greater than any dollar amount that might be derived from its development. There are plenty of spots suitable for commercial development but not so for a waterfront park. PETER DODDS Caitlin slighted I resent the fact that Post and Courier reporter Yvonne Wenger stated that "no one is comparing Gov. Mark Sanford to another notorious tongue-tied South Carolinian," former Miss S.C. Teen USA, Caitlin Upton. This statement is an insult to 19-year-old Caitlin. She did mention three countries: America, South Africa and "The Iraq." Sanford could only come up with "uh" and "um." But then again, they might be little-known countries on the Indian subcontinent. FRANKLIN ASHLEY Many thanks We want to thank 1st Capital Mortgage and Henry's Bar and Restaurant, the vendors that donated, everyone that helped, as well as all the golfers that turned out on June 23 for the "Money Fore Money" benefit golf tournament to help raise funds for Chris Hunt of Charleston. The event was a wonderful success. Chris was hospitalized with complications from inherited hemochomatosis, a disease that does not allow his body to process iron properly. Chris also suffered a massive left-brain stroke leaving him paralyzed on the right side. Many Charlestonians know Chris from his junior golf days, or as an assistant pro at Yeamans Hall Country Club or Wild Dunes, or from the various restaurants/bars he's worked in over the years. A 501(c)(3) foundation was created to help with his bills. It is the Chris Hunt Foundation; tax-deductible donations can be made at Wachovia Bank in the foundation's name. The generosity of everyone involved in the golf tournament is greatly appreciated by the Hunt/Collins family. You have touched our hearts. BARBARA R. HUNT This letter was also signed by: Allison Ashmore; Tamara Collins Hunt; Millie and Daniel Drolet; Wes Hunt; Barbara L. and Bob Hunt. |
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