Our state 4th-most dangerous?
Some say S.C.'s lowly ranking due partly to its excellent record-keeping
Another crime ranking, another dismal showing for South Carolina.
The latest release from CQ Press, formerly Morgan Quitno Press, ranked the Palmetto State the fourth-most dangerous in the country, and number one for assaults. But could the state's efficiency in tracking crimes be a factor in its lowly finish?
South Carolina Sheriff's Association Executive Director Jeff Moore thinks so. He said the State Law Enforcement Division's automated system is second to none when it comes to recording crime. And that well-oiled machine could make the state look worse than it really is.
"We capture a whole lot more information than other states do," Moore said. "It might give us the appearance of having higher numbers than other states."
CQ Press reached its conclusions by crunching FBI data from 2005 and 2006 on six different crimes — murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and motor vehicle theft. They deemed New Hampshire the safest state, Nevada the least.
The FBI calls its statistics uniform crime reports; they're supposed to be uniform — recorded the same way everywhere.
CQ Press acknowledges the potential for reporting glitches. But it stands by the data as a fair basis for comparison, said marketing and communications contact Ben Krasney. The FBI did not immediately respond to a written request for comment and SLED said it would have to research the issue further before commenting.
But a sociology professor with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York said there may be some truth to the claim that police agencies are sometimes punished for doing a good job. For example, a department with more-sensitive detectives is more likely to field rape reports, as victims will feel more comfortable talking.
"If they're good at keeping accurate records — and having people come forward — the department gets penalized, in effect," Andrew Karmen said. "How ironic."
The difference from department to department, however, would probably be bigger than combined state-to-state data, Karmen said. And how local police relate to the populace is probably more significant yet. Victimization surveys show that a small percentage of rapes get reported, compared to a large percentage of auto thefts. "I think the real factor is whether people confide in police," he said.
South Carolina's fourth-place showing differs from the FBI's own rankings released last fall. Using 2006 numbers, the Bureau named South Carolina the most-dangerous state. It was a distant second to District of Columbia.
Tourism officials are reading from a different page. They say the statewide crime numbers don't necessarily apply to Charleston. Or at least visitors haven't paid them any mind. The city recently finished near the top of Conde Nast Traveler's readers' choice awards. This year the Holy City was No. 3, behind San Francisco and New York, and usually finishes near the top.
Daniel Blumenstock, president of the Greater Charleston Hotel Motel Association, pointed out that Charleston retains its reputation as the most-mannerly city. That, he said certainly contradicts a record of violence.
CQ Press rankings
MORE DANGEROUS STATES
RANK STATE SUM 07 RANK CHANGE (state, score, score last year, change from last year's ranking)
1. Nevada/ 72.59/ 1/ 0
2. Louisiana/ 39.91/ 10/ -8
3. New Mexico/ 33.71/ 2/ 1
4. South Carolina 33.61/ 6/ -2
5. Arizona/ 32.08/ 3/ 2
6. Tennessee 29.96/ 5/ 1
7. Maryland 28.95/ 4/ 3
8. Alaska 26.69/ 7/ 1
9. Florida 25.66/ 8/ 1
10. Michigan 23.57/ 11/ -1
16. North Carolina/ 8.72/ 16/ 0
19. Georgia/ 5.74/ 20/ -1
SAFEST STATES (state, score, score last year, change)
1. New Hampshire/ -62.64/ 4/ 3
2. Maine -58.54/ 3/ 1
3. North Dakota/ -58.37/ 1/ -2
4. Vermont/ -58.13/ 2/ -2
5. South Dakota/ -53.52/ 6/ 1
6. Wyoming/ -50.79/ 5/ -1
7. Montana/ -50.64/ 7/ 0
8. Iowa/ -41.85/ 8/ 0
9. Idaho/ -39.50/ 12/ 3
10. Wisconsin/ -38.07/ 9/ -1
Source: CQ Press "Crime State Rankings 2008"
The Safest and Most Dangerous State rankings are determined using rates for six crime categories — murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and motor vehicle theft—by calculating a state's position relative to the national average for each category. Crime categories are weighted equally, so that state comparisons are based purely on how states performed against the national average.
Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com
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Comments
moonpie (anonymous) says...
MAYOR's right. It's a direct replica of our failing schools, low income, un-educated, population. And yes black on black crime. Just a hunch, I bet these "best" states have some of the best schools. Wanna bet?
Do you think blacks act the way they do because of what they hear in church? Angry, I'm owed something attitude is a difficult way to go thru life. Thanks to the good Rev Wright! Obama's true colors are coming out.
March 18, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mac0cm4 (anonymous) says...
I have to agree with Harpo. Having moved to Charleston 10 years ago (military assignment) and then discovering that it's the most-mannered city, or most polite, whatever the title is, I was surprised - because the area seemed no more or less ambivalent than most other areas I've lived. Now if you're a tourist....then they definitely are the nicest to you (as in...they want your $$).
I also agree with the rating. Lack of public education (the public as a whole, not necessarily the school system) and ignorance contribute.
March 18, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlene (anonymous) says...
Maybe our judges have a part in this number, letting criminals and killers go with such light sentences! People selling drugs get more time than someone who hit and run and killed an off duty police officer! Is it like this everywhere?
March 18, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wonderdog (anonymous) says...
I agree that our problem is being 50th in the nation in education and the multiple crimes committed often by repeat offenders. Improve the schools (and not by throwing money at the problem), get rid of the judges who are responsible for putting criminals back on the street with a slap on the wrist, and/or build more jails. Enough is enough.
March 18, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
It's all those lowlifes from Ohio committing these crimes and making the locals look bad. If you don't like it get your criminal yankee butt back up North! There I said it before one of the local honor students chimed in.
March 18, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
Seems like all the dangerous states are in the south and the safest states are in the north where you are snowed under 9 months out of the year. Kind of hard selling crack on the corner in subzero weather and really hard to run from the cops in 6 feet of snow. Even so, I don't see how SC could be more dangerous than Florida. Having lived there for 9 years, I felt very safe after I returned here. I guess it's all in the stats.
March 18, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately, I expect things to get worse. We seem to cling to doing the same things as in the past. We seem to keep the same big talking, do nothing politicians in office. We seem to chase a dollar harder than chase down our children. Best manners, what a laugh...the actions of the children show the adults have none. The worst percieved entitlement that our children seem to expect is respect with no thought of earning it. We get what we accept.
March 18, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missthang (anonymous) says...
moonpie what you said was accurate but why do you have to put race in it. Trust me, black people aren't the only ones that commit crimes. Crime is committed by people of all color and nationality.
March 18, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
Everyday that I read these posts I am overwhelmed by the fact that there are such ignorant people in this state. I have children that I am raising here, and it scares me that the mentality here seems to be all "blacks" are bad. What is even scarier to me is that you all can hide behind these fake names, and say what ever you want, and you could be someone that I work with, or someone that will teach my children one day. And all of you judge by the color of someone's skin instead of the person they are when you get to know them. Racism is alive and well here, not because of Rev. Jesse, or Al, but because of people like you that will lump a whole group of people together and stereotype them all as, poor, uneducated, violent, single mothers, on wellfare, etc, etc.
Believe it or not, you do not know all of the black people in SC. You do not even know a tenth of them. And, if your attitude is any reflection, you do not know any well enough to make a judgement about their character since you feel they are bad people. So to make a general statement like the ones made here, just shows your ignorance. Crime knows no color, and this state is dangerous for many reasons, not just because of one group of people. The people in the meth labs are just as bad as the crack dealers in the street. Crime is Crime, and until both sides can stop pointing fingers, we will never get anywhere.
March 18, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
OMG there are so many true statements above but I have to agree with Missthang. Why put a color to it??? Those selling the dope are of all colors, those committing the crimes are of all colors, those in the jails and state penn are of all colors not just one and not dominated by just one. I should know my husband has done the last 15 years in and out of the penn and I can tell you he is as white as the driven snow but his crimes were not violent only driving offenses with mandatory sentences which he served in full while the drug dealers and those who commit the assaults get probation and time served. I am a native charlestonian and although i would not be inclined to venture down president and spring streets those are NOT the only scary streets in the city!
March 18, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Speakthetruth, read your comments above, "...such ignorant people...", "...you all can hide...", "...all of you judge...", and "...people like you...". Now go look in the mirror. Recognize anyone?
March 18, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
such ignorant people...", "...you all can hide...", "...all of you judge...", and "...people like you...". Now go look in the mirror. Recognize anyone?
Oh, how clever we are :-), but here is the difference. I am talking about people that have put comments on the board that are racist and crude. I am not lumping a whole race of people together under a general stereotype. I am speaking only about the posters who have proven themselves time and time again to have crude and hurtful thoughts about a whole group of people. In your rush to be insightful and clever, you seemed to have missed that one fact. People that say racist things are ignorant. People that believe stereotypes are ignorant. Are you disagreeing with that? Unless you are one of the people that have made a racist comment, what I wrote did not refer to you, but I have a feeling that may not be the case.
There are several people on this board that make very well thought out comments that lack any hurtful or racist material, while still conveying their opinion. Those people are not the ones I am refering to, and I gaurantee they know that. You are the one that needs to look in the mirror, I am quite pleased with what I see.
And for the record, if I do not know the names of the people that have those types of thoughts, I am not comfortable with them knowing mine - I am sure you can understand that.
March 18, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
Hey "speakthetruth" who in the hell is hiding behind what name? I will be glad to reveal my identity at any time!!! are you willing to do the same? I seriously doubt it. What is with all of the "you people" statements? You did write you are raising your children here correct? Well, it sounds to me as if you are from up north and much to the true blue southerners chagrin you transplanted here.......dont like it here well the take your yankee ass back from whence it came and dont come back!
March 18, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
And raregirl - I did not say that I feel all black people are bad - my point was that it seemed to be the sentiment of a lot of posters on the board - and I disagree with that. I do not feel all black people are bad, that should be obvious in my whole statement.
March 18, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
That is so typical of the comments here. Guess what, my family is from the south, and by coming at me, you are letting me know that you have the same ideas about black people that I find so repulsive. Are you saying that my feelings about stereotyping people is a northern idea and that people in the south think that stereotypes and racism are okay? Well, I am sorry,I do not believe that in the south people think it is okay. I think there are a lot of people here in the south that feel the same way I do.
Your quick to get mad, but I doubt when you read my statement you are even really seeing my point. And if you didn't read my later post - I was talking about the posters that have openly made the racist comments. Have you made any? Do you look at a whole race of people and make generalizations about them without knowing them? If not, then my comments were not directed at you. I don't generalize, and I don't make comments that cannot be backed up. All you would have to do is go look in the archives and even on this board to see the inappropriate comments that have been made.
Like I said "Crime is Crime, and until BOTH SIDES can stop pointing fingers, we will never get anywhere." I don't deny that black people are part of the problem, I just contend that they are not the only ones, we all hold some accountability.
read for understanding please.
March 18, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Speakthetruth, actually, I am not that clever, and I did catch what you were trying to say. You just did not say it plainly or effectively.
March 18, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
Raregar I have had the unpleasant experiance of the North and make it a point to NOT go up there. Thank you.
Speakthetruth I am not coming at you and I, in no way shape or form am angry! But you want to chop me off at the knees - fine then I start with the head. I do not see color period. I only see an offender.
Hence my earlier post: "OMG there are so many true statements above but I have to agree with Missthang. Why put a color to it??? Those selling the dope are of all colors, those committing the crimes are of all colors, those in the jails and state penn are of all colors not just one and not dominated by just one. I should know my husband has done the last 15 years in and out of the penn and I can tell you he is as white as the driven snow but his cromes were not violent only driving offenses with mandatory sentences which he served in full while the drug dealers and those who commit the assaults get probation and time served. I am a native charlestonian and although i would not be inclined to venture down president and spring streets those are NOT the only scary streets in the city!" and once again you accuse us of hiding behind our computer names well once again I am more than willing to reveal my identity are you?
March 18, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
theronce: i must respectfully disagree with you. i found "speakthetruth's" meaning was very clear, plain and effective in his/her post. If not how did you "catch" what was said?
I'm not posting to 'defend' anyone else's stance, but it's interesting to me how "speakthetruth" has been pounced on by others who are obviously either offended or frightened by the 'truth'.
March 18, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
SPEAKTHETRUTH - Both of your posts are well-written and expressed.
To Others - Your points are well-taken and expressed well, also.
To the rest of you who feel obliged to be totally nasty and, let's say, unbending - I'm what you all would
immediately label a damnedyankee, but I hail from Virginia, which you may recall was and is part of
the South !
March 18, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Speakthetruth- I understand where you are coming from and I also hate stereotypes, but you know what, its easier for people to generalize, stereotype, tell you to go away and down another race of people because they are either ignorant, or afraid to understand. Maybe that can help you out with dealing with the ignorant posters on this board. I for one agree with you.
March 18, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
I disagree - it was pretty straight to the point, and written pretty plainly. But I will concede, I should have been sure to put "the posters who made these comments" so no one would think I was refering to all of SC, I definitely was not.
Now what other clever posts do you have for me? Or are we done now?
March 18, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Oldglory, I gotta love the peacemakers. You made me laugh. Good. As I said, I'm not that clever, so I guess I'll have to leave it up to others to figure out how I did get it. (I do so hate it when the devil sits on my shoulder.) Proof: If I had good sense, then I would not respond. I'll work on that.
March 18, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
Corder2007
You did come at me. You made an assumption about where I was from, and told me to leave. MY statements were about people that posted on this board and were making inappropriate comments. If that is not you, then they were not directed at you.
I have no problem sharing my identity, not to the entire board, as I have seen the hostility that is created here. You want to send me an email address, I will let you know who I am no problem. (and when I say hiding behind a screen name, I am refering to the fact that some people say these things on the board but would never say them to anyone that could actually put a face to a name.)
Thank you to those that have taken the time to understand where I am coming from.
March 18, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Interesting.
If ANYONE posts ANYTHING against bigotry or racism they are immediately vilified and accused of being a carpetbagger, as if no TRUE southerner would dare speak out against such things
Apathy, ignorance & stupidity know no racial, ethnic, socio-economical or geographic boundaries. Simply using Northerner as an epithet only perpetuates the stereotype of the ignorant Southern archetype. Por Exemplo: corder2007 "Well, it sounds to me as if you are from up north and much to the true blue southerners chagrin you transplanted here.......dont like it here well the take your yankee ass back from whence it came and dont come back!"
"sometruthplease": unfortunately statistics are what they are, blacks are being incarcerated and propagating out of wedlock at an EXTREMELY disproportional rate than their white counterparts, especially in Northern urban areas and in the deep South (of which there are many and varied reasons). With that said, it still does not justify the blanket vitriolic stereotypes given by several of the 'regulars' on this post.
Nothing you will say or do will truly change the hearts of those who are bent on believing in their own superiority and/or the inferiority of others. All you can do is to articulate your opinions & beliefs in a clear, concise and intelligent manner.
I for one have given up on trying to teach 'unteachable' or reach the 'unreachable'. If anyone on the board feels that they can debate me on the issues without the vitriol and ignorance a few posters are determined to regularly express then I'm game. If not you will be personally ignored.
And that ladies & gents does not make me a Yankee. In fact I'm as Southern as a Moon Pie and RC Cola.
March 18, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Now that we are clear on that: does this ranking mean that we have at least one more shark in our body of water than 46 or 47 other bodies (depending on which side D.C. is on). I doubt that the specific ranking has a whole lot of meaning except in how others percieve it. It's kind of like the weather forecast. Where I live and where I generally go are relatively safe. Others live and frequent areas not so safe. This is the case with everyone that I know. Some seldom deal with crime, others deal with it regularly. It's one of those things where we get what we accept.
March 18, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImplantedYankee (anonymous) says...
Whenever it is (unfortunately truthfully) pointed out that certain demographics have a higher propensity to commit crimes, there is invariably a rancorous outcry to make note of the exceptions. I think such a response is simply a need to deny the truth because it hurts.
Let's be frank. No one here (probably -- except maybe Hoffman) thinks that ALL blacks are bad. The same goes for yellow, red, purple, green (let's not discriminate against Martians), etc.
That said, the statement "crime knows no color" is not founded in fact. Certain demographics DO commit a disproportionate amount of total crime. Almost all the murders committed in the greater Charleston area are all perpetrated by a single racial group. Another particular demographic (those from Latin America) now comprises one fifth of the federal prison population. Is it wrong to point that out as well?
The truth knows no color or race. Crime? That's a different story. Still, it's EVERYONE's problem, regardless of who is to blame.
March 18, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
propagating out of wedlock: having sex and then having kids when they aren't married. Thank God for Webster's!!
March 18, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
When I say crime knows no color, I mean there are criminals in every race. Crimes are committed by every race, not looking at percentages, because that cannot be disputed, but I looked at the statistics, that are a lot of white, and hispanic and others that commit crimes also, against each other and against other races. I am not saying that the numbers are equal, but my point is we all have a hand in trying to make this state better, that is all. I think on that we can agree.
March 18, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
OK speakthetruth if you want to think I came "at you" so be it. this is a forum of sorts. Well as for myself I have no problem with saying what i feel whether it be behind my screen name or to one's face. you want to e-mail me feel free, i await to hear from you............
March 18, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImplantedYankee (anonymous) says...
I think one important thing that people have not noticed from those numbers is that most of the states that are on top of the safe list have extremely low populations. Wyoming, for example, has fewer people in the entire state than in just any two of the three counties that comprise the greater Charleston area. Iowa is really the only notable exception.
That seems to be more of a factor than race, education, or any other factor, at least on the safe list. The same is NOT likewise true for the dangerous list, but what's clear, however, is that comparing states is not an apples to apples comparison. I consider such numbers to be more of the same sensational nonsense that I've come to expect from the media (esp. this paper) and government bureaucracy.
March 18, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
I don't think that alot of people are upset when folks are pointing out the truth. It's when people make comments like "all black people" and for the black posters that post her on a regular basis its like a slap in the face because you are talking about them as well. So when you make statements that aren't really true, yes people will be offended. Be careful how you use your words.
March 18, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
speakthetruth i replied did you get it?
March 18, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
How very, very sad to continue to read these horrible ratings and continually see my home state portrayed in a very bad light. And even sadder to read to comments ascribing some sort of racial edge to the problems-----we, as a state need to finally move on and get beyond the virulent racism that is still so prevalent amongst a significant section of our populace.
I feel almost like the Indian in that ad years ago who shed a tear at all the litter defacing our beautiful country.
If we, as a state, immediately addressed the problems of improving our primary and secondary educational systems, making them viable and relevant especially in the poorer counties, an increase in the job market would almost certainly follow. But like most serious problems, it'll take a generation or longer to correct and until the voters in this state (regardless of party affiliation) wake up and 1)vote the majority of the quibbling goobers in Columbia out of office and replace them with folks committed to making an SC education valuable..&
2)start holding parents (of all races) equally responsible for their children's education, I don't foresee an end.
The routine change of names in the Columbia bureaucracy is pointless. Dramatic and lasting changes to need to take place. I don't think we can help the current generation, but we MUST prepare to educate the next one....or SC will remain the butt of jokes around the entire country.
JMO
March 18, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
I just checked my mail, I got it and wrote back.
March 18, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buff_o_rilla (anonymous) says...
hmmmmmm 17% of the population = over 70% of incarcerated criminals in prison, thats the numbers for blacks in America, Now all of you can sit and say its not a race thing, but i beg to differ and ill stick with numbers that dont lie, Watch your local news any lately, 90% of the time a violent crime is committed they have a mug shot of a black male or after a violent crime is solved there is a mug shot of a black male. Oh yeah right its not a racial thing!!! Give me a break!!! Wake up and smell the coffee!!!
March 18, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
Speakthetruth - did not get the reply yet though.......hey buff CRIME KNOWS NO COLOR isn't that right Speak?
March 18, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
Corder 2007 - will try again. . .Yeah that's right
Buf
That number seems bit inflated, unless a new census came out that I missed. The most recent that I found said 44% of the population in prisons was black, which was still more than other races, but not by quite that much. I am interested in where you go that information, please inform.
Thanks
March 18, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ticket3477 (anonymous) says...
You can say not to involve race...but when you look at who is committing the majority of the crimes...its hard not too.
I dont know a single person that has been mugged or had their car vandalized by a white guy...sorry...the fact is...they are the black kids. The guy that went nuts my freshman year at CofC and killed one of the Kelley house security guards (officer LePage)was a deranged black guy. The guy that stole my cell phone, had the stones to answer it when I called it, and then proceeded to make me pay to get it back...was a black guy. The two kids that stole my friends bike then shot at him were two black kids. The guy that recently assaulted the girl in Queen street grocery was a black guy.
Its not EVERY black person in SC because I know plenty that are great people...
but face it...the majority of the crime is perpetrated by the black community.
March 18, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImplantedYankee (anonymous) says...
Ashleyriver...... that ad was ridiculous. I surely hope you weren't taken in by it. The Native Americans littered, polluted, and deforested. What limited their effect was the limiting effects of short lifespan and poor birth survival on their overall population.
Further south where they weren't killed off by harsh winters, the more advanced native populations (Aztec, Incan, Mayan) deforested, drained wetlands, built cities, highways, and armies, polluted, dried up their water sources, etc -- all the problems that plague this civilization. You and that "Indian" together can cry me a river.
Ignoring the truth and obfuscating it by calling it racism doesn't help the situation. Referencing a foolish piece of propaganda while you do so doesn't help your case either.
March 18, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
SPEAKTHETRUTH...good post!
I think all the factor listed above are the reason for the rating. However, we need to put aside the RACE card. I'm pretty sure that if we prick our selves (black and white), we will bleed the same color blood. Until we as PEOPLE can come together and resolve the issues at hand, then we will continue to have problems. I don't think we can depend on the goverment adn other organizations (NAACP & KU KlUX KLAN) to do so. If we leave it up to them, they will continue to seperate us.
So, let's all just come together.
March 18, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SeaSaw (anonymous) says...
I found the article below on the internet and think there may be alot of truth to it.
League of the South
Statement on "Racism"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The League of the South has never before issued a statement denying that it is "racist" because racism is a wax nose charge. Those who resort to this charge can never be satisfied. The more we deny it, the more we will be forced to deny it, until at last all that we will have time to do is to repel the latest charge of "racism." However, we make this one statement, to satisfy strangers of good will, that we bear no ill will or hatred to any racial, ethnic, or religious group.
We believe that Christianity and social order require that all people, regardless of race, must be equal before the law. We do not believe that the law should be used to persecute, oppress, or favour any race or class.
We believe that the only harmony possible between the races, as between all natural differences among human beings, begins in submitting to Jesus Christ's commandment to "love our neighbours as ourselves." That is the world we envision and work for.
We believe that the politics of race -- baiting whites against blacks and blacks against white has been profitable for politicians but catastrophic for the South and Southerners.
We believe that black Southerners want and need what we want and need: a safe country for their families, liberty, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the last thing the South's enemies want is to see black and white Southerners sitting down together to determine their common destiny and work for authentic harmony, a just social and economic order, and an independent South. We can't foretell precisely what that order will look like, but certainly it will not make room for diversity police and political correctness. Rather, we hope it will bring the greatest freedom for the greatest number of all races, and good will among them all.
The League of the South Board of Directors
21 June 2005
March 18, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
june (anonymous) says...
Apparently S.C. is the most rated states on everything,low sat scores,low
college scores,etc. anyhow something must be right somewhere as we
have a constant flow of newcomers that are moving here,ever wonder why?
The tourist keep coming,keeps the beaches,streets and hotels full up.
March 18, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buff_o_rilla (anonymous) says...
speakthetruth this is where i got my info http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/blacks_i...
Look at the stats for south carolina.
March 18, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buff_o_rilla (anonymous) says...
17% of the black population in south carolina is male.
March 18, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
ImplantedYankee----well, I'm somewhat relieved to find the educational system where you're from isn't THAT much better than SC's.....However literally you'd like to take my post, please read that I posted I FELT like the Indian in the ad---saddened by what I SAW my home state has become--ie, low rankings in the good things and high rankings in the bad things....and I'd be happy to discuss Native American history and civilization at length with you anytime.
On the occasion of my next post, rather than use an analogy that apparently has escaped you (and one not necessarily pointed at resolution of the problem--merely how I felt upon reading the article and some of the posts---was that not clear?), I'll be more direct so as not to confuse.
I DID NOT POST THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO RACISM, ONLY THAT I WAS SADDENED TO SEE PEOPLE USING RACE AS AN EXPLANATION. IF YOU WILL READ MY POST CAREFULLY, YOU WILL SEE THAT I THINK THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS AN IMPROVEMENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM....There, how was that? Direct enough for you? Smaller words, perhaps?
Sheesh
March 18, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missthang (anonymous) says...
ticket I hate to inform you that I'm a victim of crimes committed by a white person. My nephew had his cell phone stolen and when returned it was returned by white mother who said she can't seem to control her son. So please don't get it twisted and think that white people don't commit crimes . Oh and notice I said put an "s" crimes committed against me.
March 18, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
OMG people the amount of time that my husband has spent in CCDC/the penn in columbia he has stated that the races for the most part are pretty much even b/t the races. what he calls the south side of CCDC is all black but that does not make the majority of the population black. Once again CRIME KNOWS NO COLOR JUST LIKE GUNS DONT KILL PEOPLE PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE............so why has this b/c a race proplem instead of a crime problem
March 18, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SPEAKTHETRUTH (anonymous) says...
Thanks, I will read that. I misunderstood what you said originally, I thought you were saying that 70 percent of the people in US jails were black. This article talks about more than just percentages though.
March 18, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buff_o_rilla (anonymous) says...
yeah it makes excuses for the black percentages for being so high, but the fact is a crime was commited, a jury found them guilty and they are now in prison. dont do the crime if you cant do the time!!!
March 18, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
georgebushsux (anonymous) says...
Hey Corder07' who f_ _ kn' annointed you the ruler of where people can live in this country? Another ill-informed, uneducated white guy from the south telling people where to move if the don't like here? The last time I checked you weren't standing at the border of SC telling people where to live? "Typical white trash" unleashing an idiot response to folks regarding their opinion.
March 18, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Corder2007 (anonymous) says...
hey georgebushsux before you overload that pie whole of yours my ealier posts were b/t me and Speakthetruth only and she and i have discussed that at length b/t ourselves off of this post so i was not referring to a single other person but speak. Now if you want to take this to another level then let's go b/c the things your posted were rude and totally uncalled for when you no nothing of whom i was talking to or what it was about. and i would not waste my time standing on any border anywhere telling anyone where to live and you need to shut the f**k up dude. Oh yeah I am not a guy I am a college educated white female, married with 5 boys and i work full time at the same job with the same company for the last 18 years. You want to know my company? The United States Federal Government. And as for everyone's opinion...you know what they are like, a** holes, everyone has one and you seem to be the biggest one today! as for being typical white trash hell that is better than you will ever be......you punk a** little b**ch
March 18, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisRobin (anonymous) says...
To all Concerned:
I live in Boston but a very special lady friend here from Tennessee is moving to Charleston to get away from the atomosphere up here. Just to set the record straight, we have over 50 universities in the Boston area and you can take the education equation right out of it because I would have bet the house we have one of the highest crime rates in the nation. The evening news is nothing but the crime wave report and it involves Blacks, Hispanics, Whites and anyone else you want to throw into the mix. It's not the race- it's the upbringing and morals, or lack thereof. Then you throw the Animal House factor in with the all of the colleges and you've got the perfect storm for crime. Moral: It's not just SC, it's everywhere but in a low density area it's just amplified more.
March 18, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ticket3477 (anonymous) says...
miss thang...i said nothing about white people not committing crime...i believe I said the majority of the crimes in charleston were committed by black people...per my examples. If you can find just as many examples I can give you then I will see that it is equal...but its doubtful you will...Ive had too many personal experiences downtown for yours to even compare.
March 18, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ticket3477 (anonymous) says...
also miss thang...just like there are fish in the ocean...there is crime in charleston.
get it...crime is plural and a general statement...you dont have to add an S to know you mean more than one crime. AND curious...where is it you live?...because I was talking about downtown.
March 18, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marriott99 (anonymous) says...
Enough with the stupid racism.
We need good (private sector) jobs for everyone who wants to work, medical help for the addicted who wish to get clean, and respect for ourselves and for each other. I still have faith in the future and in my fellow citizens.
March 18, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
oh oh, georgebushsux has made Corder2007 very angry.....lol. What great humor...
March 18, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missthang (anonymous) says...
ticket, I'm not trying to compare the crimes that were committed against us. fyi...i live in md but i was raised on the east side of downtown. what does that matter?
March 18, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missthang (anonymous) says...
ticket, I was born and raised in downtown on the east side. What does that matter?
March 18, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
Wow, you people attack each other and skirt around the problem. Why don't everyone try to stay on point and keep to the issue.
By the looks of things we should be number one in about 6 years.
Here is something from a PC story, around 11/07, about the new charleston county, and just charleston county, jail
"The project will total an estimated $108 million after associated costs are added, such as relocating the John Ancrum SPCA and some Sheriff's Office departments from the site, officials said. Some inmates also will need to be temporarily housed off site.
The undertaking is one of the most expensive government building projects in the Lowcountry's history, but officials said it won't completely solve the county's jail overcrowding problem."
This project adds 1344 beds to the jail. The last jail Al had build was over crowded the day it was finished and this project will be also.
Al Cannon loves the power, he reminds me of that sheriff out west that has that prison that they had on a Showtime docudrama on drugs. He was a real hard a## and didn't think anything could be done about the problem except to build him bigger jails and give him more people to fill them.
When I first moved here they had a county sheriff and a county police. Someway they got their head out of their a## long enough to comprehend that they just might be wasting taxpayer dollars and it became a issue, that this rag kept under it's hat, and they combined the two. I am sure it was because Cannon had more clout than the county police had. Anyway my point is that it is the same system of government (here in south Carolina) that causes the problems across the board.
Does anyone remember "Operation Lost Trust"? They, the feds, caught about a dozen of out state elected officials taking bribes, on camera with sound, and our attorney general said he wanted "Justice" and would take over the prosecution of them on the state level. Everyone of the bastards got off, in the end, and some of them were re-elected. That is our good ole boy system here and the only way to change it is to get some new people in office. That would be starting with the school board and ending with the president of the USA.
March 18, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RMabry (anonymous) says...
Regarding the statement "South Carolina Sheriff's Association Executive Director Jeff Moore ... said the State Law Enforcement Division's automated system is second to none when it comes to recording crime. And that well-oiled machine could make the state look worse than it really is." It so happens that almost every single Executive Director from most of the 50 states claims that same accolade - that their state's recording system is topnotch - the best. Please review their websites.
Regarding people who believe race has to do with our crime - people must really be sheltered - there is actually life outside of Charleston - we are not the center of the universe (lol)...perhaps a trip to Aiken County or Greenville or other parts of the state will allow one to see things differently...good God - it's comical to see that people still point fingers without looking at themselves, although a friend sent an email to me today pointing out that all of the people on the P & C's "Most Wanted List" were not Caucasian. Whatever:
=)
R Mabry
James Island
March 18, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tiggerlady (anonymous) says...
It all starts at home......parents are not at home to be parents to their kids...kids running the streets with no direction, no restrictions, no displicine (sp) totally out of control. Cellphones, myspace, facepage are enforcing bullying and parents aren't aware that it's even going on. Parents are leaving for weekend trips and leaving their 16 year daughters and sons home to managed the house...with alcohol in the house...go figure. TV, music is nothing but filth and no family values, prayer has been taken out of the classroom and you guys wonder why we have such a high crime rate...as a parent I see first hand what our children are exposed to and until the parents step-up and be parents and enforce restrictions, direction and yes monitoring of their daily activity, this situation is going to get worst.
March 18, 2008 at 8:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hutch (anonymous) says...
In this State there seems to be a whole lot of heart
trouble, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries,fornications,murders,thefts,covetousness,wicked-
ness,deceit,lasci00viousness,an evil eye,blasphemy,pride,
foolish-ness, all these evil things come from within and
defile the man.
For as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.
March 18, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ridgerunner (anonymous) says...
PEOPLE
CAINT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG, AND ALL THIS CRIME WE NEED TO NIP IT IN THE BUD. STOP THE ARGUING,PLEASE
WHAT WILL OUR VISITORS THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THINK OF US.
WE NEED TO SET A BETTER EXAMPLE FOR THEM, OR THE MIGHT WANT TO LEAVE US!
cuidado para ninos
March 18, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImplantedYankee (anonymous) says...
ashley - Your assumptions about my education couldn't be more wrong. To be sure, others in this state disagree with you to the tune of a full academic scholarship awarded to me by one of this states esteemed institutions. Essentially every scholastic benchmark in existence disproves your assumption as well. If you call my education into question, you only further underscore the woeful shortcomings of this state's typical offerings.
You can split hairs if you like about what you claim to have meant, but the bottom line is that you made ridiculous assertions and tried to back them up with a simile involving an even more ridiculous piece of propaganda. Then you got called on it. Trying to camouflage it by questioning my intellect only weakens your case. You DID mention your disgust at the mention of race, and then you DID reference that daft piece of nonsense. Furthermore, I'm not impressed by your challenge to discuss native American history. As far as I'm concerned, the facts I mentioned aren't worth disputing. While there's plenty of evidence to support my claims, it's not very relevant to the point at issue. The only reason I brought it up at all was to emphasize what a load of rubbish such an analogy was.
Truthfully the continuous mention of race long ago became a tired subject, but given the numbers, failing to address it means falling to address a large part of the problem. Playing ostrich serves the public even less than outright bigotry. All the education and jobs in the world won't erase certain cultural tendencies. That sort of change has to come from within the affected communities.
TP -- of course it's scary. People are often afraid when confronted with the facts, but that won't stop me from presenting them. Political correctness, newspeak, and propaganda may have replaced logic, fact, and rational thinking as the order of the day, but there will always be some left to carry that torch. For now, I will.
March 19, 2008 at 12:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
akkomplished (anonymous) says...
OMG!! Reading these posts always amuses me! I just knew that the race card would be pulled out after this article. What we have to realize is that Blacks aren't the only race that commits crime. But Blacks do commit alot of them. There are many young black men in prison now for the stupid crimes that they have commited. I don't think that Blacks should be offended everytime a statement about race is made. The stats prove this to be true. We need to learn to come together and try to help these children get out of the streets. We need to help our education system so that our children can get a better education and better jobs. If you aren't doing anything to change the situation then you shouldn't be offended by the comments!
Now... Ticket347... it seems that you have had some problems with Black men but please note that Blacks aren't the only race that commits these types of crimes. So I guess now everytime you see a Black person you get nervous and try to protect you belongings... LOL! Get a grip on life. If you or anyone else chooses to waste your time in fear of a black person then be my guest... it's really not that serious. And why is it that we are only focusing on the crimes that Blacks are more likely to commit...! Why aren't we talking about the white kids that shoot up the schools or the white kids that shoot up the mall or the white kids that buy the drugs from the black kids. If we're going to talk about crime let's talk about ALL crime committed by ALL races!
But the fact of the matter is we all need to do our parts on making our state safe again. Pointing fingers will not solve our problems. Race will always be in issue in America but I pray that we are all mature enough to put that to the side and focus on the big picture!
March 19, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mominthesouth (anonymous) says...
I would like to know who takes these polls. If you look closely, there are only 20 states listed. Where is New York, California, Texas and the other 27 states? It is the same in our school rating. We are compared to states (like North Dakota) that have 25 students in their Senior class.
We have on the average of 600 seniors. Our state is one of the few that require an exit exam. Every student has to pass this exam to graduate with a diploma. We are one of a handful of states that require our students 24 credits to graduate. All colleges in the southeast require an SAT score. Do some research and look at other states. I know for a fact the state of Missouri does not require SAT scores. The use ACT but not all colleges require that score. The credits required are so much less for graduation. The students are not even required to take 4 English courses, 4 math courses and 4 science courses. These so called "ranking" professionals need to compare apples to apples. This also goes hand in hand with the crime in our state. Compare it correctly; size, population,etc. You cannot say S.C. is the worst for black on black crimes compared to New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont and others. I usually just laugh at the ratings and think how narrow minded these people are to compare us with a very sparsley populated state like South Dakota.
As far as the race issue is concerned, I think we all got a glimpse of how it is kindled.....The Rev. Wright. I have never heard a minister use the Lord's name in vain over and over again. How does he get by with saying N....r and nothing is said or done. It is truly a disgrace. How can we move forward when there are "leaders" that keep dragging us down. I was very embarrassed with his actions. Maybe if he asked God for guidence and compassion instead of cursing Him, he would find peace.
March 19, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Akhenaton06 (anonymous) says...
Mayor, if you look at the states which ranked safest, yes there are hardly any Blacks, but guess what? There are hardly any WHITES, either; they are sparsely populated states, period. And how do you explain Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and Alaska(?) ranking so highly? Oh yeah, a bunch of Black folk moved there over night and f$%&*# it up for the good White folks of those states (because they're all law-abiding, tax-paying citizens). And thirdly, why are two of the states with the highest Black populations (Alabama and Mississippi) not in the top ten? You need to get over pointing fingers at Black folk and be a part of the solution (moving would be a good start--don't need your vitriol being spouted here).
March 20, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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