Letters to the EditorTuesday, March 11, 2008
Immigration debate Congratulations are in order for the excellent March 8 editorial titled "Sanford's welcome concern on immigration bill's 'pitfall' " about Gov. Mark Sanford's concern regarding the bill. Concerned he should be, and so should we all. As you disclosed, there are two major flaws in the bill. The House version lacks an employer verification system. The Senate has one, but it is virtually worthless because it is based on the useless federal I-9 verification. The I-9 allows for massive ID fraud and would render the bill toothless. You also pointed out that two of our very few statesmen, Sens.Chip Campsen and Glenn McConnell, have proposed a simple solution that would make this whole thing work. That would be for employers to check driver's licenses or use the online E-verify system. Five states have already made this move. When I read this type of editorial, I am on the other hand elated to see the thoughtfulness of the editorial, as well as the positions of Sanford and the two senators. However, the foot-dragging and utter spinelessness of our Legislature is unconscionable and unacceptable. A group of real leaders would have passed a solid bill long ago. The problem here — as in Washington — is the confluence of the greedy and blackmailing lobbyists and the weak-kneed, I'll-do-anything-to-keep-my-seat politicians. Additionally, there are some in business who will keep on hiring illegals, while the honest immigrants keep taking it in the teeth while trying to play it straight. If we allow this to continue, we all lose, because the cost of illegal immigration last year in the United States exceeded $63 billion. That cost, as well as the secondary damage to our country, is steadily increasing. The first step in solving this problem is shining the light on the problems. The editorial has done a great job. Now take it to the next level and identify these folks. DICK WHITFIELD Support for guns Regarding the March 1 letter to the editor titled "Ban handguns." I strongly disagree with the writer's position that the banning of handguns and the implementation of stricter gun laws would be the best response in the wake of the shootings at Northern Illinois University. I would encourage the writer to visit the Web site of the civil rights organization, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (jpfo.org), and read the brief of amicus curiae submitted by this organization in support of the respondent in the upcoming Supreme Court case: "Washington, D.C., vs. Heller." The random murders that occur overwhelmingly in so-called "gun-free zones" are, indeed, tragic, but pale in comparison to the collective horrors of the 20th century's genocides, all of which were preceded by gun-control laws that successfully disarmed the victims. Victim disarmament policies are not the answer. JASON RUCKER Light-rail systems Despite the pie-in-the-sky benefits Mayor Riley and the commuter rail subcommittee envision for a light-rail line between Summerville and downtown Charleston, the reality of urban light rail is that it doesn't work. Numerous studies, most prominently those by the transportation experts at the Reason Foundation, have shown that light rail is extremely costly, tends to reduce rather than increase transit ridership, does not eliminate traffic congestion and has no discernible positive impact on the environment. In metropolitan areas served by light rail, this mode of transportation averages only 3.6 percent of transit trips but consumes 12 percent of transit capital funds. The Portland, Ore., light-rail, often cited as a shining example of success, only averages 0.076 percent of local travel. Even areas with rail-positive attributes, such as a high-density population and a history of public transportation success, have found light rail disappointing, and Charleston does not enjoy those characteristics. A frequent unintended consequence of light rail is that its high start-up costs and cost overruns tend to force transit agencies with limited funds — which are most of them — to reduce bus service and/or raise fares, which depresses transit ridership. The net result is the subsidizing of middle-class suburbanites at the expense of reducing service to low-income, inner-city residents who need it most. BILL FARLEY Sertoma success The seventh annual Sertoma Baseball Classic Preseason Invitational Tournament concluded with the crowning of new Sertoma baseball champions, the Berkeley Stags and the Hanahan Hawks. Congratulations to the winners and to all the teams competing this year in the largest pre-season baseball tournament in the state. The members of the West Charleston Sertoma Club want to thank the sponsors and fans of high school baseball for supporting the event, the proceeds of which are distributed by the Sertoma Club to local community charities such as the Charleston Miracle League, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders. We especially want to recognize the College of Charleston Athletic Department's Director of Operations Josh Bryson and Coach Scott Foxhall for their contribution and coordination of this year's championship game. The Sertoma baseball committee and all Charleston area sports fans acknowledge and appreciate the special relationship between our local colleges and high schools, which allow our prep teams to compete on pro-level fields of play. It is indeed a treat to see the true "boys of summer" and their families and fans in the confines of Joe Riley Park or the College of Charleston stadium at Patriots Point, where dreams of things that could be are made and shared. Play ball. TOM PEARSON Use different book After reading Fran Hawk's March 4 column "Book ban a 'classic' case of censorship," I find it necessary to respond. I know from experience with students that many of them are interested in reading "sexually explicit language, swearing and gross descriptions." I'm sure the very learned, such as Fran Hawk, such as the teachers who require 14-year-old students to read "Go Ask Alice," and such as the members of the Southern Regional Education Board who selected the book to be part of their instructional unit, saw lots of merit in it. But these educated intellectuals have lost their common sense. I'll bet that there are many books that could be used to discourage kids from drug-related behavior. And if there are not, one of the members of this educated elite should write one without the gutter-level and offensive language. I do know of one book that teaches against drugs and, for that matter, against many other social evils. It's not new and perhaps the "Alice" fan club never read it. It's the Holy Bible. Oops, I forgot. It's already banned from the required reading list at schools. BILL THOMAS Book a favorite I would like to put in my two cents on the article by Fran Hawk. I am a high school English teacher in the Charleston County School District, and I do read the books I want my students to read. Some of the issues students face and read about today are controversial in nature, and one may expect foul language to be included in the text of many books. I do not agree that a book must be banned on that basis alone. We need to look at the content and whether the benefits outweigh the language. Let's face it, many of the students in our schools habitually use foul language, many of them mimicking what they hear at home and on the streets. While I do not condone this, I accept it as reality. I, too, was very selective about the books my kids read when they were young. I also read "Go Ask Alice" when I was in high school — by choice. The message is loud and clear, and it is still one of my favorites to this day. I was going to recommend it to one of my students because he is doing research on drug abuse and its effects. He also curses, so I do not think it's going to faze him too much. I do believe parents are the final barrier of responsibility for their child's reading, viewing and Internet habits. Teachers have borne the brunt of the blame for so many failures already. Can you give us a break, already? DONNA LUNA I-526 extension Recently, there have been many letters in The Post and Courier, pro and con, concerning the future extension of I-526 to Johns Island and James Island. I agree with those who oppose the extension. As a former member of the planning commission and the city council in Charlotte, it is apparent to me that a beltway extended across land that is agricultural or sparsely developed promotes easy access. That will be the case on Johns Island. It will create overdevelopment and a huge increase in traffic on its main artery, Maybank Highway. I think anyone who has lived in the Charleston area for a number of years can see that the extension of I-526 to Mount Pleasant brought explosive growth and much more traffic. Lastly, Seabrook, Kiawah, Wadmalaw and Johns islands have two new bridges that expedite leaving and will generate massive overdevelopment. This new road would relieve traffic for a brief time. But eventually the development it promotes would jam the new road and all surrounding roads. In order to take a few thousand cars off U.S. Highway 17 and give a shortcut to Charleston and North Charleston, the powers that be (politicians and SCDOT) are willing to devastate the islands. In case of a hurricane, the additional traffic I-526 generates would only complicate an evacuation. We need to listen to the planning experts before we plunge into an outdated, unwise road proposal. GLORIA FENNING Volunteer, advocate How would you like to help a local child succeed in school and become a productive citizen? Or show a family of modest means how to collect and save their tax credit? Or provide the support that prevents a despondent teen from committing suicide? If you're one of the 35,000 people in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties who contributed to Trident United Way this year, you're already doing that, and so much more. Thank you to everyone who supported our 2008 fund-raising campaign and helped us establish a 10th consecutive record. The 2008 campaign raised more than $9.5 million. Trident United Way is putting that support to work on proven programs that make lasting changes in people's lives. As chair of this year's fund-raising campaign, I take great pride in these results, and I am humbled by the generosity of so many Lowcountry residents who donated. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there are two other ways, besides giving money, to make our community a better place — volunteering and advocating. Volunteer in any way that suits you — at an animal shelter, with your child's Little League, with the Crisis Hotline, or with your neighborhood association. Advocate by participating in the PTA, writing to your legislators on issues that interest you, or just by encouraging neighbors to drive safely around the neighborhood. Giving, advocating and volunteering are how we make everyone's life better in our community. It's how we live united and how we make the Lowcountry an even better place to live, work and raise our children. LONNIE N. CARTER Victim not found I read the story about the cook accosted by two burglars. He was shot three times. I then read that no one came to speak to him for 17 days about the shooting. The police had not been able to find the victim to learn the facts and find the shooters. That's comforting. ALFRED F CROUCHER III Nerve of Steinem Who does Gloria Steinem think she is? The nerve of this woman to run down Sen. John McCain for being a POW. It is not that Sen. McCain was a POW that makes him best qualified to be president, it is what he did as a POW that makes him best qualified to be the next president of the United States. There were several hundred American POWs, but only one refused to be released early — John McCain. Having taken a vow as an American military officer to accept no favors from the enemy if captured, Sen. McCain had the guts and courage to refuse early release in June 1968, after being held captive for almost nine months and being tortured, beaten and starved. Sen. McCain's courage enabled him to stand by his POW comrades and refuse to be released until every POW who was in the prison when he arrived was released. Sen. McCain put honor before forsaking his fellow POWs and personal freedom. This is the type of leadership we need from our next president. So, Gloria Steinem, know what you are talking about before running down Sen. McCain and American POWs. Sen. McCain should have received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a POW and not be subjected to ridicule from someone who knows nothing of honor. BRAD BARTON Ballet attendance I submitted a letter to the editor that was published Feb. 27. The main point was the sparse attendance on Feb. 17 for the Saint Petersburg Hermitage Ballet. Well, the citizens of Charleston, having the heritage of that city that first brought ballet and concerts to this country, have partially redeemed themselves. The attendance for the ballet "Giselle" was far more appropriate for the quality of the performance given. We'll have to see how it goes when we return to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center for a performance of "Romeo and Juliet" by the Russian National Ballet Theater and Orchestra on April 15. AARON E. MISENHELTER |
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