Letters to the EditorTuesday, October 7, 2008
Solve jury issue Regarding a recent Post and Courier article about a local woman who served as a juror 10 times in 13 years: Not one person — neither a legislator nor a member of the S.C. court administration — has suggested a constructive solution. Serving on a jury is a privilege in a democracy, and yet it must be recognized that it is a burden. It costs lost wages, time from work and family, and an emotional toll. Attorney Geoffrey Waggoner responds in his letter to the editor with no solution. Instead, he offers a story in which he bashes a juror, and then quips that perhaps we need a professional jury. I disagree. Perhaps we need a system more respectful of citizens and more able to tackle problems brought to the public's attention. Perhaps we need some serious suggestions so that a juror does not feel the need to withdraw voter registration to avoid such frequent jury duty. Perhaps, by using a computer, we could cross-reference jury lists from the different courts so this no longer happens to people. KAY MCNEILL HARKINS Vote convictions I have been very active in the private and public sectors for most of my adult life, and I have supported the ideals of good government and have supported trustworthy, qualified candidates who possess high morals and ethics. I am thrilled to see more women taking their rightful places in various occupations of influence and importance. This is true at all levels of government — from town halls to the White House. As a charter member, a former president and a current member of the S.C. Association of Countywide Elected Officials (non-partisan), it is apparent that we have to encourage more women to run for more positions in our counties, cities and state. There are two outstanding women seeking office today whom I admire: Gov. Sarah Palin, who is running for vice president of the United States and Nancy Harrelson, a candidate for Congress in the 6th District. I believe their leadership would help restore faith and trust in our government, which we need so much. These women, from all indications, are well qualified and would serve to put God, country and citizens before self-interest. We have to know the difference before we can make a difference. Vote your convictions, but please don't pull a straight lever for a party unless all the candidates are in agreement with you on the issues. If not, someone else is telling you how to vote. Remember, many of my fellow military service members died or stood in harm's way so you and I could have that special privilege to say, "I voted as an individual American; not for a special party or group." Thank God that you have that privilege and honor because someone cared. WADE C. ARNETTE Grave concerns Whether by design or serendipity, the adjoining columns on Sarah Palin by David Brooks and R.L. Schreadley on the Sept. 17 Commentary page of The Post and Courier were significant and indicative of the existing schism within the conservative movement. David Brooks' column on the qualifications of a vice president is relevant and indicative of grave concerns regarding Sarah Palin's lack of experience and prudence. As he states in his column, the past eight years are characterized by a populist and pervasive attack on reason and logic. What Sarah Palin offers is more of the same, and that is cause for grave concerns. R.L. Schreadley's commentary does not address the virtues, knowledge and wisdom of Sarah Palin. What the column focuses on is Sarah Palin, the victim of "media frenzy." Although Mr. Schreadley feels that only the top of the ticket really matters, the significant factor in the choice of Sarah Palin for vice president should be whether she is qualified to lead the country in a time of crisis if some unfortunate event were to happen to John McCain if he becomes president. After reading both columns and facing the current economic, political, international and financial crises, it is clear the choices for president and vice president should involve a careful, reflective personal process regarding who are the best candidates to lead us out of our present crisis and offer hope for the next four years. The two candidates must show practical knowledge, acquired skills and prudence. A "populist" focus will only lead us to the same errors that took us to our present crisis. DANIEL FIFIS Secular nation I assume the recent writer who contends that the United States was founded on Christian doctrine gets her history from her preacher rather than historians. Contrary to this view, it is well documented that although many of the founding fathers were deists or theists, they were rabid secularists. Thomas Jefferson was passionate in his stand against organized religion as reflected in many of his letters and notes. He once wrote that "Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man." George Washington wrote a treaty that was later ratified by John Adams that began with the following sentence: "As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion ... ." Jefferson in a statement following his inauguration said: "To talk of immaterial existencies is to talk of nothings. To say that the human soul, angels, god, are immaterial, is to say they are nothing, or that there is no god, no angels, no soul. I cannot reason otherwise. ..." John Adams was apparently strongly anticlerical and called Christianity the most bloody religion that ever existed and when referring to the Christian cross wrote: "Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced." James Madison in a critique on Christianity wrote the following: "What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride, and indolence in its clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution." Finally, one of the most influential founding fathers of all, Benjamin Franklin, referring to churches, stated that "lighthouses are more helpful." There is no doubt, except perhaps within the religious right, that this country was founded on secularism, and it is with that great forethought that our founding fathers secured this country's greatness. I suggest that it only takes a look at history and at other countries where theocracy prevails to see the dangers of inflicting religion on government (as well as religious license plates on its citizens). JOHN MANZI Drilling study We are all familiar with our nation's oil and natural gas shortages and with the resulting high price of fuels, as well as South Carolina's shortage of funds to build and maintain infrastructure roadways, schools and utilities without increasing taxes and fees. Many states, counties and municipalities greatly benefit from high-paying job opportunities and low taxes that result from offshore oil and gas wells drilled 50 miles or more from the shoreline. Considering the job opportunities and financial benefits, I was pleased to see in the Sept. 26 Post and Courier that members of our S.C. Legislature have decided to call a meeting for the purpose of establishing a study committee to answer the basic question: How extensive are oil and natural gas reserves along the state's 187 miles of coastline, and is it worth it to drill? Also, they will ask, from a S.C. perspective, what is available to us and what are the inherent dangers? Mother Nature releases more oil and natural gas through subterranean leaks than mankind. Thus, it is time South Carolina investigates the plausible quantities of fuels that exist, and if they do exist, whether they could help resolve the current fuel shortage problems and our dependency on foreign supplies that easily could escalate without warning. The study committee's results and any new job development could potentially improve our state's infrastructure and financial position without further increases in our taxes. J.R. STOWE Fair Tax works I'm writing in response to the recent letter by a foe of the Fair Tax. Obviously, the letter writer is uninformed about the Fair Tax proposal. The Fair Tax would have the opposite effect of making the rich richer. The Fair Tax plan is simple, very workable and will enable workers to keep all the money in their paychecks. I suggest actually learning about this movement proposed by 76 economists from across the nation. A book titled "Fair Tax: The Truth — Answering the Critics" sells for $15, or is available at a local library. JIM THOMPSON Great exercise The theater was booked weeks in advance, all seats were sold out and people arrived more than an hour in advance to choose their seats. The ticket price was only $10, and no popcorn was served, just water. What am I describing? Simply one of the most fulfilling exercise (and for some, spiritual ) experiences I've ever had. Two of the best spinning instructors in the country led the 50-plus riders on a 90-minute journey that for me was a combination of a "Cirque du Soleil" performance and the best sermon I've ever heard while riding a spin bike. Kudos to ECO fitness for promoting and supporting this hobby and allowing its instructors to run with their imagination. You really should see this show (the Rhythm Journey Ride) if it ever comes to a theater near you. BANKS WANNAMAKER Smoking ban In response to the Sept. 24 letter to the editor about a smoking ban in several North Charleston restaurants: I would like to say that the last paragraph disproves the argument in favor on an enforced ban. If Cracker Barrel and Red Lobster can ban smoking without the city of North Charleston making a law banning smoking, why do we need a law? There is no law that says businesses have to allow smoking, and there's no law banning it. Yet these two businesses have taken it on themselves to choose the ban. Are these two businesses special? Do they know something the rest of us don't? No, they're not special, but they do know something the rest of us have forgotten. It's called freedom. In America, we have the freedom to run a business. We have the freedom to patronize or not to patronize a business. Laws that restrict personal freedom and individual property rights are unconstitutional, or have we forgotten what that is, too? CRAIG McLAUGHLIN Pay for ideas The writer of a Sept. 30 letter to the editor titled "Proud liberal" will be happy to learn that we conservatives also advocate most of the ideas he holds so dear. However, we believe that one should pay for those ideas. We wouldn't be in the current mess if we had been more fiscally conservative and less socially liberal. TERRY WILLIAMSON 'Non-leaders' Sens. Harry Reid and Carl Levin led an effort that killed a resolution commending Gen. David Petraeus and our military personnel for their service in Iraq. What kind of Senate does this great nation now have in Washington? With leaders, or non-leaders, such as these two, no wonder we are in the mess we are in. They don't understand what will happen in the Middle East if we bring the troops home and walk away from the war we started. We promised the South Vietnam army our support when we pulled out our troops and look what happened. The countries that stepped in were from the other side. China and Russia resupplied North Vietnam with new tanks, ammo and all the war supplies it needed to roll over South Vietnam, while we sat idly by not honoring our commitments. Well, I'll say it to Gen. Petraeus and our military men and women: Thank you for your hard work. I just hope and pray history does not repeat itself. Be careful how you vote in November. SFC JOSEPH H. WOLFE Jr. |
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