Letters to the Editor

Excellent schools

A recent letter to the editor written by a woman who taught in a South Korean school reminded me of my experience in a private school on Guam, where my classroom contained mostly Asian children.

One thing she didn't mention was the attitude of the parents. They are most respectful of the teaching profession. Education is very important to them, and they will do anything to help their children meet their expectations. At the time, the school charged $7,000 per child plus fees and uniforms.

If the child received low grades, misbehaved or didn't do an assignment and was punished for it in some way, the parent didn't assume it was the teacher's fault and complain to the principal or run to a lawyer or cry racism. The child was dealt with at home, the way it used to be here in the United States.

The only time the noise level went up at the school was when we had a "casual day" and the students were allowed to wear street clothes. Uniforms avoided distractions, and field trips were easier because I could quickly distinguish my students from other school groups.

When we left an area, we brought large trash bags and filled them with debris left by others. The public recognized our school uniforms and complimented us for performing a service. Uniforms and caring parents with high expectations aren't the only ways to improve schools, but they're a good beginning.

JOAN WEBB
Ibis Lane
Goose Creek

No comparison

I would like to ask attorney Andy Savage how he thinks an American being held in an Iraqi, Iranian, Saudi or Afghan prison as a "suspected terrorist" would be treated. Better than the detainees. held at the Hanahan brig? I don't think so.

MARY LYNN WEST
Tomoto Court
Mount Pleasant

'No leniency'

Re the Nov. 1 letter from a 1960 Citadel graduate titled "Cadets' behavior unacceptable":

I totally share his views. I graduated from The Citadel in the Class of 1943, having first arrived there in September 1939. In those days cadets were not permitted to keep civilian clothes in their barrack rooms.

When I was a second classman (third year in attendance), I hid a suit in my room and thought it was sufficiently out of sight. Alas, during a routine Saturday morning inspection, the inspecting officer spotted it and wrote up a delinquency report. For this relatively minor infraction, the punishment was severe. Confinement to the campus for a month, 30 penalty tours and 10 demerits. There was no recourse.

I considered seeking pity by reminding the authorities that both of my parents were dead, and no one ever came to visit me on Parents Day. That would not have helped me in any fashion. In those days, there was absolutely no leniency shown when regulations were violated.

I broke many other Citadel regulations, none of which was an honor violation, I hasten to add. In fact, The Citadel did not have an honor code, as such, until Gen. Mark Clark became president.

But neither I nor any other cadet ever rioted. Had we done so, Gen. Charles Summerall would have ordered our immediate removal from the campus with our belongings to follow.

J.P. CAMERON
Pitt Street
Mount Pleasant

Name game

I read yet another letter to the editor titled "Big Talkers" Oct. 26 in which the author refers to our president as "Barack Hussein Obama," then goes on to slander the president.

We should understand what it means when a letter writer or political commentator uses the president's middle name. It means they have a problem with the name "Hussein." It means they see the president's middle name as evidence of something wrong. It means they are attempting to drive home their point by ginning up fear in the reader or listener who might also have a problem with the name.

As Gen. Colin Powell stated before the election, Obama is not a Muslim. But what if he were? Should it matter?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being named "Hussein." It does not say anything as to the character, intent or politics of a person. Dr. Martin Luther King once said, "Let us not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character." Those who attempt to use our president's middle name in a derogatory fashion, are saying a lot about their character.

BRYAN KROELINGER
Edinburgh Street
Summerville

Cancer research

Despite a challenging economy, the 13th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta held last month raised more than sails -- it raised $100,000 to help fund life-saving cancer research and patient services. Since 1996, over $1.33 million has been generated through the amazing efforts of Charleston's sailing community.

A combination race and fundraising event, the annual Leukemia Cup Regatta (LCR) supports The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

It is always heartwarming to see participation from the sailing and non-sailing community. We are grateful for their dedication to helping the estimated 912,938 adults and children living with, or in remission from, blood cancer.

Thirty-eight LCR's are held across the United States each year. Top fundraisers qualify to compete with other winners during the annual Leukemia Challenge/Fantasy Sail weekend with world-renowned sailor, America's Cup winner and ESPN commentator Gary Jobson. Jobson is also a blood cancer survivor and the national LCR spokesman.

Charleston has been selected to host the Leukemia Challenge/Fantasy Sail weekend on Dec. 3-5, 2010. We are delighted to be able to show our hospitality and city to Gary Jobson and LCR sailors from across the country.

My thanks to the Charleston sailing community for continuing to embrace our work to find a cure for not just blood cancer but all cancer.

DARLENE W. BENTON
Branch Director
West Coleman Boulevard
Mount Pleasant

Opera broadcasts

I recently discovered that the New York Metropolitan Opera broadcasts both live and encore presentations (a recorded version of the live performance) in high definition to movie theaters around the world. Fortunately, one of those theaters is right here in the Charleston area (in Summerville).

My wife and I saw the encore performance of "Tosca" recently, and it was spectacular. Visit metopera.org to get full details of what performances are being performed where and when. Enjoy. You will not be disappointed!

SKIP CRANE
Seabrook Island Road
Johns Island

Stingray radio

The South Carolina Stingrays are back on the ice. The defending East Coast Hockey League Kelly Cup champions are on an extended road trip as I write this letter.

We are just starting this season, and I, along with the thousands of other Stingray fans are feeling penalized by a decision by corporate officials to drop radio broadcasts of Stingray games.

Ours is a developmental league, guys moving up and down with our affiliates, the American Hockey League Hershey Bears and the National Hockey League Washington Capitols. The Rays' broadcasts helped connect the dots and provided continuity that a hockey fan cannot get anywhere else. I can go to the North Charleston Coliseum and, for about what I would have earned in the same time, I can watch a great team and be entertained for an entire evening.

Bring back our broadcast. I'm sitting in the box.

RONALD McLAUGHLIN
Orr Street
North Charleston