Posted by moonpie on June 1, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great, another father of 3 so we can keep the violent cycle going for generations to come.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This was obviously an act of civil service. Now he won't be able to make any more illegitimate kids to suck us taxpayers dry and he won't be able to commit any more crimes. He made his choices, and this is the end result of a life of crime and immorality.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe if he would have listened to his parents (I feel sorry for them, they sound like good people), instead of growing girly boy hair, getting involved in crime and making illegitimate children that will most probably be a lifelong burden on society, he might be alive today.

Posted by ColdBeer on June 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Quoted from the article: ""When this stuff first started happening, we'd say, 'Calvin, you know we raised you better than that,' " his father said Saturday."

Um... apparently not.

Posted by charlestonnative1963 on June 1, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I feel sorry for the kids poor family...they certainly sound like good people...I just wondered why this was news to the P + C? This type of thing happens everyday. SO when are the churches and schools and community leaders going to do about it. When are the churches going to start at an early age to teach children the way...instaed of the highway. When will the community step in and say we need involvment...when do we stop making excuses for bad behavior and start insisting on proper behavior. When are we as adults going to insist that we not allow MTV-BET and other negative music video filled with profanity and inappropriate actions to be seen in our houses. WHen will principals in schools get some principles and tell the school board that we MUST return disciplne to our schools---maybe even bring the parent in for a little board of education applied to seats that cant behave in school. OR God forbid let the coach have a whack at it. We took dicipline out of the schools and now the kids are running it.
When do we stop yelling at the police when they do their job? Why is every policeman tried in public opinion (in some communities) when they do their job of trying to STOP crime? When do lawyers stop getting drunk politicians who serve as """Role models""" off the hook.

Posted by sexitink843 on June 1, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

moonpie, mouth of the south, and harpo please let satan out your mouth and your hearts his family did'nt have anything to do with his choices nor did his kids, the kids mother could have a good job taking care of her kids and no matter what dad did they don't need to be put down....

Posted by Cayce381 on June 1, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Christ just what our society needs people throwing around there "right to freedom of speech" and passing their judgements around without even knowing a person. Don't worry about your precious tax-paying money because im sure you don't make enough for it to make a difference. His children will be taking care of and you nor society wont "feel" the burden.

Posted by sexitink843 on June 1, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

way to go cayce 381 because they allways got negatives things to say......half of them might not even have jobs to pay taxes...lol

Posted by PalmettoHawk on June 1, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I met an acquaintance and had the pleasure of spending several enjoyable weeks conversing with him, sharing movie quotations, discussing literature and making observations about humanity in general. At the time he was a breath of fresh air and a life boat at the same time. He is a college graduate, writes poetry and possessing a keen sense of humor. He is black and I am white, but we didn't see color as a barrier to friendship. And by the way, he too wore his hair in dreds.

Those who judge others by outward appearance must have a very small circle of friends.

My sincerest sympathies to this mother and father, girlfriend and children who have lost someone very dear to their hearts.

Posted by BPFROM843 on June 1, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dam yall just drive me crazy as soon as someone is tragically murdered and they have a record yall always say he deserved it or he got what was comin to him i dont understand the only difference between this man and 90% of all of you is he got caught so what if everyone that ever broke the law was arrested thats about 90% of the population now felons but no you dont look at it like that you just see the small number of drug dealers gettin killed and you blame them or the parents do you blame thomas ravanels parents what if he got killed it would be such a tragidy but since its a young black male now the world is a safer place so i guess you or none of your family use or have used drugs even one time and you are better than this person?

Posted by Cayce381 on June 1, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Knowing the family and victim personally I really take your negative views to heart. Judging a person on one action does not dictate who they are as a person or what the family is like. If one were to judge me based on my sibling’s actions I might as well be damned to hell. My sibling and I grew up in the same neighborhood as the victim. We were raised in a two parent home in which our parents both held jobs that they have both retired with 30+ years. I went on to college and I am currently seeking a Mater’s degree. My sibling chose a totally different path. Parents raise their children to the best of their ability and let them enter the world as “free-thinking” people. Yes the choices that you make ON YOUR OWN could directly affect your life’s outcome. But in no way that ONE bad choice should affect who you were, are or who you could be and it is certainly not a direct reflection of one’s family and their values.

Yes he was a good son who made a bad decision, Yes he did come to his mother and father’s home to ask what was for dinner (very common for “black folks” to gather and eat food and to talk about life-cheaper than therapy!) Yes he was a father of three (by one female) who while he was on this earth was very well taken care of and will continue to be taken care of with out your “tax money”. Perhaps I will tell my struggling clients both white and black single mother’s that the 100-200 dollar check (which gets cut if you get a job even at the local fast food restaurant) that the state gives them to help them become “better” citizens is killing your little check and the children are a burden to you. Yet they won’t complain about giving money to politicians who work against you to make their “pockets fat-ter”. YES he wore braids totally a culture thing not a drug thing, Jamaicans are Jamaicans, Africans are Africans, Perhaps I’ll tell my Dean’s list cousin at Clemson who grew up in a single parent home to cut his hair for they think he has a “don’t care attitude.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What you wear on the outside (dread locks, etc.) represents what is in the heart. If you wear gang and drug related clothing and hair styles, it is because you admire those type of people and want to be one of them.
What you wear represents what you are, that is why I would NEVER allow my children present themselves in such a shameful manner.
It doesn't matter if the criminal is a Ravenel or some lowlife from the ghetto. What is important is that people like that are either dead or in prison.

Posted by please_believe_it on June 1, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I feel really sad for the parents and kids of this man. They are the innocent victims of this tragedy. I really wish people would make more responsible choices if they really care about their families. We all make bad choices sometimes so that's not being holier-than-thou, but as a society and community we can never accept it as just "unavoidable" or they "meant well."

Posted by greensummervillian on June 1, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My condolences to the family.

I'm glad to see there are some people above who are calling people out on their racism. My brother is tall, handsome, white, middle class unmarried father who smokes pot. He has to get it from somebody, so he probably has connections with some shady people. If he got shot did he have it coming? Yes, it's illegal, but does he deserve to die? If your answer is no, then I ask you how is he different from the black man with braids? If your answer is yes then I just feel sorry for you, being a person filled with self-righteous animosity. Your heart must feel heavy.

Posted by please_believe_it on June 1, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why is everyone responding like someone said he "deserves to die?" Though I'm not so naive to believe there is not someone out there that might believe that, I also believe that most of the comments are saying that engaging in illegal activities tends to cause you to interact with shady characters or be in shady places which increases the chances of something bad happening to you. So, if I'm a person who truly cares about the young people still alive reading this story, I might tell them to don't do illegal things and you increase the likelihood of being alive. Its the same thing that his parents told him!!! Were they being racist or insensitive??? (By the way, I am black!)

Posted by maraknocka on June 1, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I happen to know this young man as he was friend to my son, he was respectful and understood him to be a good father. Everyone knows you do not have to have a piece of paper to be a committed and involved parent. Also not everyone has it all together by the time they are 25. He obviously had great parents that loved him and this was a blessing. You dont know what people go through until you walk in their shoes. Pray for the family.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

elisabetta:
You seem to be confused. Nobody here is equating race with behavior except for you. I have the same opinion of a white man who grows his hair long. They are both sending a loud, clear message to the world about their values and what they believe.
If you must know, I wear business casual to work, come home and put on knee length shorts and a Hawaiian shirt (because I'm in relaxation mode), wear dress clothes and a tie on Sunday for Church (because I'm showing an attitude of respect for God when I'm in His house).
I have friends of most races who hold the same values I do. You are way off base. As Dr. King said, it's about the content of a person’s character, NOT the color of their skin.
The way a person dresses and wears his/her hair is a direct reflection of their character and their value system.
If you dress like a drug dealer/user/criminal, you probably are.

Posted by stand828 on June 1, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's always a given that some jackass, usually with Bible in hand or nearby, will bring up Democrats in a negative way. This is not a Democrat or Republican story.

Parental responsibility is certainly helpful in raising children who become law-abiding adults. Unfortunately, that doesn't always work, even in what might be considered the best of families...Thomas Ravenel is a good example of that. Also unfortunate is that three children are now without a father. They're here, and if their mother and extended family can't provide for their needs, then, more government or not, we have the moral responsibility to help out. My Bible says that, you right-wingers need to stop thumping yours and start reading them instead.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, the fact that he had a bunch of illegitimate children speaks volumes about his immoral lifestyle and lack of values. If you really care about your children (and their mother by the way), you show your respect for them/her by being married before having children, rather than procreating like animals out of control.
Anybody who says that this type of behavior is OK is part of the problem. It’s a shame that the majority of black children are born illegitimate. Instead of getting upset when someone points out a problem, get upset at the people who create the problem in the first place.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

stand828:
You must not be reading your Bible much. God says that is a man doesn't provide for his own, he is worse than an infidel.
I'm responsible for my family, you are responsible for yours. I have raised my children to be responsible and they will never be a burden to society. Unfortunately, they will be burdened with supporting (through their taxes) a bunch of immoral people with no self control.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, by the way stand828, the Ravenels are NO better than this career criminal. Obviously, the son learned well from the father. They are both reprobates.

Posted by prosperous_hb on June 1, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Braids and dreadlocks does not make you a bad person...

Posted by please_believe_it on June 1, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

...you can't even drive a new car out of a dealership wihtout signing a contract and someone is actually arguing that getting married to a woman that you have 3 kids with doesn't matter??? And its a woman saying that??? Boy...someone really messed up your mind. Honestly, you deserve someone that is willing to commit to you and sign on yhe dotted line.

Posted by preachlove on June 1, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My condolences to the family. I am sorry for your loss and hope you find peace during this trying time.

As for some of these heartless people who lack basic compassion and who have commented sarcastically and hatefully, (all posters with compassion), please pray for these holier than thou people who are perfect and have no problems in their families.

What an idiotic comment about braids. Just because it's not your culture, it's not acceptable to you; that's fine. Well to some of us, it is acceptable.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

God Himself has declared that it is wrong for a man to have long hair (this is universal, not cultural by the way). If a man grows his hair long, it is a sign that he is in open rebellion against the God of eternity (and kind of girly too by the way).
1st Corinthians 11:14-15 "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."

Posted by preachlove on June 1, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I doubt God is going to condemn someone to hell, because of long hair. Judge not less ye be judged.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

God will send everybody who sins to hell (which is all of us, including men who grow their hair long) unless you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus. Jesus is the only way to heaven ("Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:3).
Unless you repent and believe in the only Son of God, you will be condemned to an eternity in Hell.
Think long and hard about this decision. Eternity will last an awful long time. . .

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

preachlove:
God is love, but God is also just in an absolute sense. If there were any other way for sinful man to get to Heaven, God would never have sent his Son to die on a cross to pay the penalty for your sin. The fact that God sent his Son to die a horrible death on a cross is proof of His love. It is also proof of his absolute sense of justice. Anybody who rejects the truth of Gods Word rejects His Son and is condemned for eternity.
It's not too late for you to repent and believe in the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus. Repent, believe and be saved. This is the ultimate message of Gods love. If you reject this free gift, there is nothing left but eternal condemnation.
Long hair on a man is evidence of unbelief, since a man with long hair obviously doesn't believe His Word.

Posted by moonpie on June 1, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Someone needs to find out where elisbetta lives and arrest her illegal drug using friends. I gurantee you these kids mentioned are on the welfare doles. And yes it's a shame they lost their father but we all reap what we sow. We all make choices and some are even bad for us. No one here wanted the guy dead. What's this about the long hair? I could care less about his hair. I'm more concerned with who will take care of these kids?

Posted by stand828 on June 1, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess we should burn all the pictures of Jesus with long hair...

Posted by moonpie on June 1, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way "cayce and sex..." your comment about not making enough money to worry or pay for the welfare that people receive, I bet you qualified for the stimilus check. I can assure you I didn't. So that does put me in a catagory that taxes the crap out of me. Rob the middle class to give to the poor.
FYI

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The pictures of Jesus with long hair is a blasphemous lie. . .
Based upon a self portrait of a 16th century artist with long hair.

Posted by preachlove on June 1, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mouth of the South - You didn't need to go into your long diatribe about repenting and being saved; I grew up in the church and I know a little bit about my Bible, as I do read it on occasion. I also know the 10 commandments and nowhere in the Bible does it say you will go to hell if your hair is long.

Furthermore, just about everywhere I have seen a depiction of Jesus, HIS hair was long. So are you calling Jesus a Sinner, because of Paul's epistle to the Corinthians? Just being sarcastic; LOL.

Posted by preachlove on June 1, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They were no barbershops back then, so I wonder what "John the Baptist" used to cut his hair out in the wilderness. Still LOL! Mouth you really need to lighten up.

Posted by ColdBeer on June 1, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Must be National Bleeding Heart Day or something.

Posted by greensummervillian on June 1, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Harpo, I didn't mean my brother has to smoke weed. What I meant by "he has to get it from somebody" was not that he needs it. I mean that he gets it and it must come from a person. That person could kill him, and then he would be in the same situation. I would hope people would not see him as an evil person who had it coming. Just wanted to clarify what I meant.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 1, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, I'm calling the depictions of Jesus with long hair blasphemy.
According to the Bible, Jesus is the only person to walk the Earth who was without sin. Everybody else is a sinner in need of salvation, since even a single sin condemns you to eternity in Hell unless you repent and believe in the Jesus of the Bible.

Posted by speedylove2 on June 1, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Scooter, We just want to let you know that you and your family are in our prayers. I know this is a tragedy no matter what the cause may be. However, we serve an Almighty God that will never put more on us then we can handle. So take things a day at a time, and God will see you and your family through. Donald & Keisha Daquigan (Costco family)

Posted by beth1070 on June 1, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a really sad bunch of comments on this article.

As a parent, my heart really aches for this young man's parents and I will certainly be including them in my prayers. I can't imagine anything more heart breaking than losing a child.

Regardless of what we think about this young man's lifestyle, there's a mom and a dad whose hearts are shattered right now. There is something very unnatural about a parent having to bury their child.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Posted by TakeYourTime on June 2, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Cayce381 about the prejudgement comments and how people simply choose different paths in life even if they are raised in the same household.

However, this kid was a creep. I also personally know him. I noticed him to be quite reserved around strangers (people he really couldn't relate to or felt he would not be able to impress with his crap). He was horrible to his long time girlfriend. He was probably doing something he should not have been doing and these are the results of his action. Most people that lead a violent life die a violent death. That's just they way it is.

Parents should not have to suffer the hurt and pain of losing their child despite whether they had it coming or not.

Posted by Tammie on June 2, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not going to waste time going back and forth with some of these ignorant comments on this board. To the Gibbs family, my condolences go out to you during this difficult time.

Posted by wpc3iop on June 2, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Drug dealer dead...sorry for his family and kids...he made bad choices...end of story...learn something from this and get on with life!

Posted by redman1959 on June 2, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All i'm going to comment on is the judgements which everyone here is making.....both Christian and non-Christian. The bottom line is we all make judgements. You make them the first time you meet someone. You judge if you wnat to know them better or not.

Christian are ALWAYS being called judgemental. Sounds like a judgement to me. Please, there is right and wrong, black and white, and some grey. But, we all judge.

Posted by Charles_Town on June 2, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not going to say he deserved what happened, but I would find it hard to argue that his past documented choices (drugs, etc...) did a lot to help him prolong his life. Him moving out the house, but still having to come back to get his laundry done on a very regular (occasionally is one thing, regular is another) basis also identifies him as someone not doing very well on his own. Where was his girlfriend, if she knew he had a problem, shouldn't she try to get him help rather letting him use her? Why was he not with his family? It would also be interesting to know what kind of work history or career this guy had?

Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on June 2, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

elisabetta, please tell me who your admirable bong-loving friends are. If you know clergypeople and doctors smoking and selling weed, I want their names so I can stay far, far away from them. When I need medical attention, I don't want a dr. who's giggling and mellowed-out on Maui Gold. Same for legal representation. A stoned officer of the court. Lovely!!!

Posted by redman1959 on June 2, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Harpo, I don't disagree with you. I see it everday as the owner of low income housing. There are deadbeat Dads there taking from the system. Many of the women are unwed. Many of them have no skills. Most of them are just trying to get by. But, it's the kids running in no direction which get me the most.

I could tell you stories. Parents are NOT being responsible. How do you expect the kids to be? Parents don't say no to the "men" they are with much less say "no" to the kids. They live totally for the moment.

Posted by noname on June 2, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

New York (AP)- Police say Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O'Neal has been arrested after allegedly buying crack cocaine near her home in Manhattan.

Police say the 44-year-old actress was seen making the illicit purchase at about 7:30 Sunday night. Investigators charged her with criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. She is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

O'Neal is the daughter of actor Ryan O'Neal and the ex-wife of tennis star John McEnroe, with whom she has three children.

Posted by FiscalConservative on June 2, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate all these comments about people who post on here when don't show compassion for every person. I do not know the facts on this as most of us don't. Just because not everyone is sympathetic to all the unfortunate people doesn't mean we are uneducated rednecks. I am very educated and if you met me you might think I am a redneck due to my accent. I also have very little patience for people who can't help themselves. I look at this a possible situation that possibly got rid of an undesirable burden on our society. If it is not then it is a tragedy.

Posted by eyfigueroa on June 2, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

“…wear dress clothes and a tie on Sunday for Church (because I'm showing an attitude of respect for God when I'm in His house).”

Well I wear shorts, t-shirt and flip flops at mine, does that mean I DON”T have respect for God?

My Hispanic brother wore his hair long for years while working as a bank officer, is he immoral?

“The way a person dresses and wears his/her hair is a direct reflection of their character and their value system. If you dress like a drug dealer/user/criminal, you probably are.”

I wore corn rows while in the Army and out. I cut off my hair almost to my scalp and when it grew out I did ‘twists’. I occasionally wear braids and hoop earrings and I’m THE ‘right-hand man’ to the gentleman who runs a multi-million entity that employs 10,000 people here in the Charleston area. I guess I’m a thug eh?

Mouthofthesouth: your generalizations are rooted in prejudice (not racism). My brother and I are academically, professionally and financially successful and in no way look like you. We are individuals and we celebrate that through our clothing and hairstyles. Please get a clue!

Looks aren’t always a true barometer of one’s character or worth. Action’s are and you and I are in complete agreement on that.

This young man lived a lifestyle that was not conducive to life longevity. He has only himself to blame for his early demise.

Coldbeer: your assessment was also unfair. Many parents do their best to raise children. Tomorrow one of your own children may come home with an illegitimate child, a drug habit or even become incarcerated. Based on what I’ve read by you so far, I take you to be an involved parent who did and continue to do his best as a parent. IF any of your children does something wrong I WILL NOT automatically assume you did not raise them ‘right’ or did the best you can.

Posted by eyfigueroa on June 2, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

“God Himself has declared that it is wrong for a man to have long hair (this is universal, not cultural by the way). If a man grows his hair long, it is a sign that he is in open rebellion against the God of eternity (and kind of girly too by the way).
1st Corinthians 11:14-15 "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."”

So by your interpretation of the Bible, Orthodox Christians and Jews are NOT getting into Heaven?

Wow! Do you also advocate that women only wear dresses? "...raiment of men..."

That no work be done on the Sabbath?

I could go on and on and on.

I will not mock you for your beliefs. To do so is morally wrong. What I will say that though it is your "right" to offer an opinion on this board, it does not make your opinion "right".

Your scope of Christianity is extremely narrow and limited. However if it brings you peace to be so prejudiced against others unlike yourself, then please have it.

You have my unmitigated sympathy.

Posted by Tammie on June 2, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Eyfig and allwoman, why do you y'all think I said I wasnt going to respond to some of these comments? I wear an afro...a very curly, big, and multicolored (black, blonde, and some crazy combo on my tips..lol) afro but I don't dress in all black and swear up and down that "the white man is keeping me down". I dress down when I go to school, I wear sweats occassionally and shirts with sayings on it but I'm on the President's list. When people wanna cast stones on what is sooo wrong and what some people are doing is sooo wrong, read Leviticus. I know those teachings apply to those Biblical times but trust me, as much as I love shrimp, I'd burn in hell for eating it. Lol

Posted by eyfigueroa on June 2, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lololololol HARPO!

I'm a woman and I shift quite well in my 4.5 inchers!

allwoman: well said. MOTS has my sympathy. It must be soooo difficult being the harbinger of all what's right.

Tammie: my boss is somewhat conservative so the multi-colored tips thing will not work for me. LOLOL Also, I wish someone would keep me from shellfish!

If loving shrimp, lobster & crab is wrong I don't wanna be right!

Posted by mission123 on June 2, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not going to condone this young man life style nor I'm going to judge him. I will say that we need to pray for all of our young people; white and black because the devil is very busy. I'm quite sure we all have someone in our family that we don't approve of their life style but no one has the right to take another person life. Let's not forget who is responsible for bringing drugs in this country (our government). I'm not saying that it is ok to sell drugs but if we are going to criticize we have to start from the top. We all know that it is very expensive to bring drugs across the water and if you all saw America Gangster, you should be familiar with the procedure.

Yes, appearance is important, but let's not be fooled by those who dress in fine clothing and are highly educated because they commit crimes also; Thomas Ravenel, George Bush, some of our top executives, and college graduates. I'm quite sure you all remember the article about the ninety-eight college student who was sending out the weekend drug specials via text message.

I would like to also address our so call Holy City who does not believe in second chances. GOD is a forgiving GOD and if he could forgive, we should also. It is a shame that you can't receive a job bagging grocery if you have a spot or two on your record, then we wander why the crime rate is so... high. I know a lot of ignorant people are going to say that it is not their problem but it is because you pay if they are here or if they are in jail. We need to work together to help our young people to get and keep their life on track. Yes, it maybe the Gibbs Family today but it could be your family tomorrow. Please remember we all have fallen and came short of GODS grace and glory but he continues to wash us of our sin and if man would be more like GOD this world would be a better place to live.

Gibbs Family my thoughts and prayers are with you and pray that GOD will give you all a peace that will pass all understanding.

Posted by eyfigueroa on June 2, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh allwoman: your honest admission of out-of-wedlock births will cost you the respect of those who believe they've lived lives far better than you did. Some who used to gladly agree with you on this board will, at best now politely ignore you and at worst turn on you during debates.

See that is the hypocrisy of many so-called "moral" people.

In all honesty I wouldn't have four children out of wedlock, but that is me. Unlike most who post here, I in no way think that makes me superior to you. I think no less of you, especially now that I've gotten to "know" you and how you think and live now.

With that said, I pity those who feel that their idea of morality and Christianity precludes them from ever seeing the world through the eyes of others. Or how things may not always be black and white but many shades of gray. That even as humans we stumble. That it is not the mistakes that define us but the ability to learn from them.

I guess that's why I pity MOTS as opposed to being angry with him. What a hollow life to not know or understand empathy and TRUE CHRIST-Like love for his fellow man as opposed to the "CHRISTIAN" arrogance he displays.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 3, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

allwoman:
The point I was making is that there is forgiveness with God when there is repentance. Without repentance (as in the case of this young man) there is no mercy. I am thankful for Gods mercy, but fully understand that unless you repent, there is only condemnation ahead because God is infinitely just. This young man's lifestyle was evidence of his unrepentant attitude by the way.
After I became a Christian, my life changed. There was NO place in my life for the things of my past (drinking, immorality, etc.). Repentance is the evidence of faith which is essential to salvation.

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 3, 2008 at 6:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eyefig:
Yes, the way you dress when you go to church shows your lack of respect for a Holy God. The God of eternity should never be approached in a flippant or irreverant manner (please read Isaiah chapter 6). When you go to church to worship God, you are supposed to be standing before him with a sense of respect and awe for his holiness.

Posted by sexitink843 on June 3, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mouthofthesouth and For all those who are saying his young man is going or in hell to suffer forever, note this, Jesus said that"all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."(john 5:28,29) Hades refers to the common grave of mankind.The apostle Paul said,"There is going to be a resurrection of both righteous and the unrighteous."(Acts 24:15)

Posted by sexitink843 on June 3, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

God is the final judge (Acts 10:42) He will never resurrect those whom he judges to be wicked and unwilling to change....My Prayers are with his family...Also some religions teach that if a person lives a bad life, after death he will go to a place of fiery torment to suffer forever. This teaching dishonors God.For he is a God of love and would never make people suffer this way.( 1 John 4:8) Satan wants us to believe that God tortures people in fire forever.......

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 3, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sexitink843:
All the dead will be resurrected. Some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting condemnation (like this young man). All the unsaved will stand before Jesus at the Great White Throne Judgment for their final condemnation judgment.

Revelation 20:11-15 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

I feel sorry for these parents who probably know that their child will be condemned for eternity. That must be an awful feeling.

Posted by sexitink843 on June 4, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SATAN WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE THAT (JAMES 1:13) ANSWERS: "WHEN UNDER TRAIL LET NO ONE SAY: 'I AM BEING TRIED BY GOD.' FOR WITH EVIL THINGS GOD CANNOT BE TRIED NOR DOES HE HIMSELF TRY ANYONE." SO GOD IS NEVER THE SOURCE OF WICKEDNESS YOU SEE IN THE WORLD AROUND YOU. (JOB 34:10-12) WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT THE ORPHANS AND WIDOWS? PLZ READ (JAMES 1:27)

Posted by sexitink843 on June 4, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DID YOU KNOW JESUS WENT TO (HELL) HADES FOR THREE DAYS?

Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on June 4, 2008 at 6:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sexitink843:
While God is a God of love, God is also a God of infinite justice. That is why sin requires an infinite punishment. God expressed His love by sending His Son to die on the cross so we could be offered Salvation.
If we refuse His offer of salvation, then He has no choice but to condemn us for eternity (see Revelation chapter 20).
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by him.
Jesus was the only one who could be the sacrifice for our sins. He was both the eternal God and man at the same time. If He wasn't both, he could never pay the penalty for our sins. If we reject Him, then our fate is our fault, NOT Gods fault.

Posted by sexitink843 on June 4, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You still dont see my point i'm telling you, and another thing the way you dress dont always say what type of person you are...think people in poor country or here in the states who cant dress like you have to go to church in pants or rags because unlike you everybody cant pay taxes(lol) why didnt you answer my questions?

Posted by sexitink843 on June 4, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nevermind forget it

Posted by eyfigueroa on June 4, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MOTS: If you take the words in the Bible as infallible, then you must remember that Jesus Christ, you know the man CHRISTianity is based on, told the masses to come as they were. He did not turn from the beggar, the whore or the thief. He did not love or Bless only those who wore raiment of royalty. He loved those who were in rags as well as those who wore jewelry of gold.

It is you sir that has taken the true meaning of Christianity out of context. If your concern is for what someone wears in a "BUILDING" then you sir are the one that will be condemned to Hell.

For only the vain would think that the Lord Christ will not love those who worship, love and follow him, simply because they are wearing flip flops.

I find your statements ignorant, idiotic and insulting to the BILLIONS of people over the past 2000 years who worshipped a man who wore sackcloth and sandals.

Posted by sexitink843 on June 4, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eyfigueroa thank you very much........