Letters to the Editor

An essential right

Regarding a recent letter to the editor: I was shocked that any American would voluntarily give up the right to vote so phone calls and flyers from candidates would stop. People have fought and died for this right, people get in little boats and risk their lives to get here for this right, and people in other countries long for this right.

People in Iraq braved being shot on the way to the polls, as well as being marked with a purple-stained thumb, which increased the risk, but they still voted.

NANCY CORBIN

Apple Core Lane

Ridgeville

Because of Bill

Regarding the Jan. 28 article on Page 5B of The Post and Courier titled "Hillary Clinton loses state despite husband's efforts": It should have read, "Hillary Clinton loses state because of husband's efforts."

KIRKY KIRKLAND

Magnolia Road

Student athletes

Last week my son, who is in the ninth grade at Palmetto Christian Academy, attended a college prep seminar at Charleston Southern University (CSU) sponsored by the DAE Foundation. The DAE Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by former Burke High School and College of Charleston basketball star Jermel President.

The seminar was for area high school athletes interested in pursuing a collegiate athletic career. The seminar focused on NCAA academic eligibility requirements, as well as personal character and athletic skills. The students heard from the CSU head basketball coach, Barclay Radebaugh; the CSU assistant director of athletics, Mike Hammond; a representative from Kaplan a recruiting consultant; a college academic compliance professional; a former college student athlete; and others.

The various individuals spoke to the students about SAT scores, high academic achievement, vigorous study skills, nutrition, maintaining high moral character, school conduct, skills and training. The process begins as early as ninth grade so student athletes know what will be expected of them as they pursue their athletic endeavors. Needless to say, the seminar was great. It was very informative and highly inspirational to the student athletes.

DAE is committed to assisting athletes in their academic and athletic pursuits. It is my understanding that DAE will be offering additional seminars in the late spring or early summer. I encourage student athletes, coaches, athletic directors and guidance counselors to contact DAE at www.daefoundation.org to find out more about this and other programs offered by the foundation.

LIONEL S. LOFTON

Seven Farms Drive, Suite 109

No feelings of guilt

It was time to take the Christmas floral arrangement from my husband's grave at Dorchester Memory Gardens. I felt the red poinsettias were exceptionally lovely. Unfortunately, so did someone else. My arrangement was gone, and in its place were a few white tulips — definitely not for Christmas.

All the surrounding graves were untouched. I would guess the switch was done long before Christmas. I can't begin to say how upset I became, realizing someone would steal from another grave.

They surely have no feelings of guilt and do not care for having contributed to another's sorrow.

DAWN W. GRUBER

Eagle Ridge Road

Summerville

Next P&C cut

First, it was "Shoe," the comic strip. Then the stock market listings and the Sunday business section.

Next, sadly, it will be the furniture and car ads, and the wonderful Page 2.

RICHARD C. BURNS

Marsh Gate Drive

Johns Island

A better way

It will be too late for those in favor of the proposed, outdated design to whine about the irrevocable effects of the I-526 extension if it goes forward as originally planned.

The extension has, indeed, been planned for many years, but concepts of traffic management and road engineering, as well as population and utilization evaluation methods, have changed over the past several decades.

Johns Island, as well as James Island and West Ashley, have continued to develop without proper and necessary road infrastructure with the blessing of local planning departments. As was pointed out at recent meetings held to discuss alternatives to I-526, the traffic will never be eliminated — it can only be managed.

An additional marsh and river crossing, destroying an irreplaceable natural resource and impacting the James Island County Park, are too big a price to pay for a road that will be obsolete before it is built and offer limited and temporary relief for traffic.

Let's stop and think twice, and then again, before I-526 is built as planned.

Why add another marginally functional roadway to the landscape when energy and funding can possibly be better used to improve traffic flow in a less destructive and wasteful manner? Surely there's a better way.

LOUISE PECEVICH

Stono River Drive

Positive ideas

Let's start with the media which are overdoing the negative word "recession" and enlist their help for positive suggestions that will raise consumer confidence and eliminate the economic slowdown.

We also need Congress to act to address the problem by making the Bush tax cuts permanent, thus restoring our confidence in the reductions.

Congress also needs to cut spending and stop using borrowed money to finance its excesses such as the $17 billion spent for "earmarks."

Time is of the essence so that these actions will benefit the American people, and they don't get lost in partisan bickering just prior to the November elections.

PHIL SIEGRIST JR.

Plantation Lane

Mount Pleasant