Letters to the Editor

More excuses

Here we go again. In response to the investigative reporting done by The Post and Courier regarding the illiteracy problem we have in Charleston area schools, Dorchester 2 superintendent Joe Pye and Berkeley superintendent Anthony Parker object to the method used to evaluate the problem. They don't object nearly as strongly to the illiteracy problem itself, nor do they seem to be all that driven to find or attempt solutions.

I cannot express the fury I am feeling as are, I am sure, many other parents. To be trapped in a public school system that is systematically excusing itself from its responsibilities is beyond frustration. Yet, as taxpayers, we are continually asked, and in most cases forced, to pay more and more taxes to fund a failing system.

When will this stop? For the sake of our children's futures, and that of our beloved country, let us all take a look at the problem honestly and forge head-on into the ugliness of it all. School officials, teachers and parents working together as a team is the first step in finding a solution to illiteracy. If excuses are all we are going to get, God help us.

CAROLE THOLEN
Sound View Drive
Mount Pleasant

Jet engine

Last month I had the opportunity to "fly" the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in a simulator at the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. Quite simply, this jet is amazing.

After I went through this program, I was surprised to learn that there are two engines by different companies that are budgeted for this project. This just doesn't make fiscal sense to me.

The military says it wants the F-135 Pratt & Whitney engine for the new fighter, but Congress has funded more than $400 million a year for the last few years to pay for an alternate engine by GE. In troubled economic times, our nation can't afford to build two different engines by two different companies with two different streams of contractors.

The House has already included millions in its authorization bill for this unneeded engine. The Senate is considering a similar measure.

I urge you to contact your congressman to tell them to withhold support for continuing funding of GE's alternate engine program. As the folks at Citizens Against Government Waste have said, it's a bad idea to keep the alternate engine program alive.

JOHN RAMA
Tile Drive
Mount Pleasant

Preserve McLeod

Thank you for the June 21 editorial reminding us to stay vigilant in the preservation fight for our beloved Angel Oak. Many of us feel the same way about McLeod Plantation.

It's interesting that while the dedicated people who opposed the Watson Hill plan and those who oppose the development at Angel Oak do not own the land, they do understand the significance of what could be lost.

History does belong to everyone, and we are losing too much of it. In fighting to preserve a place like McLeod, we have long known that the educational benefits of this sea island plantation are great. Children of all ages must see and understand the treasure that is McLeod.

In hopeful anticipation of holding a grand homecoming at McLeod Plantation this fall, the Friends of McLeod sponsored an afternoon of memories of the plantation in March to learn more about the people who were born, were raised or grew up on McLeod. We had videographers to tape recollections from the McLeod family, descendants of slaves and others who had lived in the cabins.

Through his genealogical work, author Eugene Frazier located many people who came and shared their stories. Another board member, Ivy Stanger, traced the McLeod family tree. We scanned photographs and other documents, and now we have a baseline of history.

People came with delightful stories, interesting facts and wonderful recollections. They educated us. Seeing the tapes makes it clear that memories can be powerful and meaningful.

On July 25, we will present Memories of McLeod, Part II, for the many others who have called and want to share information. We'll meet at James Island Baptist Church for another afternoon of discoveries. Anyone who would like to share a story is invited. Telling a story your grandmother told ensures that tale is not lost or forgotten.

McLeod Plantation is the last plantation on James Island. Like Watson Hill or Angel Oak, its heritage and cultural significance must not be compromised.

CAROL JACOBSEN
Wampler Drive
Charleston

College 'criminals'

When people knowingly violate our federal and state laws they are criminals. If the laws are found to be wrong they should be changed, not ignored or disregarded. Therefore, why are some people on the State Board of Community Colleges so eager to enroll criminals in our state colleges, taking spaces that rightly belong to bona fide American citizens?

Some people like to refer to these criminals as "undocumented students." I cannot buy this because our country is one of the most generous in the world regarding immigrants. Getting documentation is not that difficult if you are not a criminal. Citizenship takes longer. Our USA, like the world in general, has enough people. We certainly don't need any more criminals. Let's take care of our own people first for a change.

KENNETH ANDERSON, Jr.
Planters Curve
Mount Pleasant

Ambassadorships

This is in response to a recent Post and Courier editorial on politically appointed ambassadors. As a career diplomat, I have been engaged with several such individuals. As professionals, we have definite opinions on the subject, but in principle we do not oppose political appointees per se.

What we object to are those without legitimate background being assigned to a position when it would be more advantageous to national interests for that particular assignment to be filled by a professional diplomat rather than a presidential crony.

Most of us begin our diplomatic careers with an end-game goal of at least one ambassadorship before retiring. As more of these positions are handed out as political rewards, fewer opportunities remain for talented and experienced professionals.

Admittedly, the pressure on a new president to show his gratitude to wealthy backers is intense. These people are expecting rewards.

Well, how about the professionals who have been involved in safeguarding our nation's interests for two decades or more? Shouldn't these individuals be recognized for their service to their country and "rewarded" with ambassadorships on the basis of their competence and abilities?

A posting as ambassador to London, for example, is generally considered in the political plum category. But even there, some individuals have failed the litmus test and caused embarassment to our country and our president.

I have worked with dedicated and effective political appointees, some of dubious diplomatic ability and others of wavering interest in the country of assignment. One-such individual in the last category told me quite frankly that the only reason he sought (and was granted) an ambassadorship was to use the title for personal gain after a brief assignment.

Third World countries used to be reserved for career diplomats who spent the better part of their service in such countries. These were staging areas for professionals to prove their mettle as ambassadors for future postings. Recent presidents have been undermining this long-standing tradition with appointees who have personal agendas that outweigh national interests.

WILLIAM J. BOUDREAU
Foreign Service Officer (Retired)
Cobby Creek Lane
Seabrook Island

Reform expensive

Health care reform that includes a government option is going to be expensive, but not as expensive as leaving things as they are.

Republicans complain that a public option will put a bureaucrat between us and our doctors, but the fact is we already have insurance company bureaucrats controlling the doctor/patient relationship of millions of us, and this results in an uncontrollable escalation of costs for our national and individual budgets.

Right now, private insurance programs are far too heavily weighted with administrative costs and produce results that are woefully ineffective compared to the efficiency of government programs like Medicare, the veterans agencies and programs that all our congressional representatives and other government officials enjoy.

My question is: Why are Democrats so silent about the inefficiency of the private sector and so reluctant to tout how much better the government run programs are?

This is the 21st century, folks. We can't afford to ignore the limitations of free enterprise any longer.

What we need is exactly what President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders propose — a creative partnership between public and private sectors. The claim that going that way will stifle innovation and cut back quality of care is dead wrong.

JOHN FISHER
Crooked Creek Lane
Edisto Island

Cries of tyranny

On a nearly daily basis since President Barack Obama was inaugurated, I have heard cries of "tyranny" from the vocal right-wing in this country. Mainly it comes from people like Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and the rest of that bunch, and it's dutifully repeated by their ardent followers. That word is used in discussions about the stimulus package, the national debt and a public plan for health insurance.

Tyranny? Really? These people need to watch some videos from the streets of Tehran on June 20. Watch the video of the group of people huddled around a young, innocent girl dying in the street after being shot in the throat by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. This brave girl died because she wanted her vote counted. That's tyranny.

People who use that word to describe the allocation of money to build a new bridge or to give someone access to a doctor should find a new way to express their objection. They clearly have no idea what tyranny is.

JEFF TOMPKINS
Rifle Range Road
Mount Pleasant

Mid-life crisis

In my opinion, Mark Sanford was and is suffering from a mid-life crisis, and instead of doing what most men (and some women) do, he chose to have an affair. He should have bought a new, expensive car or a new muscle boat, complete with lights, bells and whistles, both American-made, of course. Our local economy would have an influx of money, and local businesses would reap a lot in endorsements.

Did he even bring his wife and kids souvenir tee shirts, or did he just abandon his family, our state and me, a registered, staunchly Republican voter who believed in him? Did he spend my tax money when my family is in crisis over loss of jobs and home?

Even though we may be in a pinch, my children have a father and mother who consistently show honor, high moral standards, ethical behavior and common decency. And we have been married over 48 years. What legacy is he leaving? A tearful "sorry" and a nice suit probably selected by his wife.

M. M. HOLT
Trinity Place
Ladson

Step down

If the cashier at my neighborhood grocer or the greeter at Walmart abandons their posts for six days, I dare say they would be dismissed.

In a state rich with military installations, are we not primed to become the next ground-zero? Especially with the network news organizations reporting that our chief executive is missing? Not to mention it is hurricane season. Just how long would it take to get a lane reversal with no one in charge?

Do the right thing, Gov. Sanford. Your lack of good judgment and incredible irresponsibility to the people of South Carolina are not excusable. Step down, while you focus on repairing your personal life.

JOYCE MASTERS TULLIS
Swan Avenue
Charleston