Letters to the Editor

Unfair treatment

So, as long as Danny Cizek (June 23 "James Island man deportation because of 34-year-old felony") was working and paying taxes as well as paying money into his Social Security fund, he was appreciated by the U.S. government.

But now, when he retires to a quiet life with his family able to enjoy the "golden years" with his grandchildren, the U.S. government has decided he should be deported. How can this be, in the land of the free? Though he was not allowed to become an American citizen, he contributed his share over his lifetime to this country.

He paid for his infringement of the law 34 years ago. He settled down and became a good citizen. Why should he be prosecuted at this late date?

Is the government afraid that repaying a man who is only asking for his due through the Social Security system will break the country? And the answer is to prosecute and deport? This immigrant is not illegal. He has been a legal immigrant who has, like any upstanding citizen, contributed to this country through hard work and taxes withheld.

With all the illegal immigrants within our borders, how can the U.S. government justify this action? Who needs to be notified about such an injustice? Who with power will step up to face the legal system, which is overreaching its bounds? Who can help this man who has lived a decent life since a one-time encounter with the law — an encounter for which he paid the price?

This should not be happening.

ALFRED F CROUCHER III
Riverland Drive
James Island

Iranian uprising

The president has taken the perfect approach to the uprising in Iran.

If he wants to stop this behavior all he has to do is start getting deeply involved and draw the attention to America and away from Iran. President Barack Obama should continue to encourage with rhetoric primarily intended to elevate the Iranian desire for freedom. He knows how to do this very well, and I hope that it is the course he continues to take.

RAYMOND NESTER
Sumner Road
Summerville

Be creative

As a Mount Pleasant resident, I've been reading with interest about the town's branding efforts.

Instead of spending six figures to hire out-of-town "experts" to conduct a survey to determine what's unique and special about Mount Pleasant and to develop a new town slogan, why not tap into the talent of Mount Pleasant residents, instead?

The town could hold a slogan contest and offer a $5,000 or $10,000 prize to the winner (with the express understanding that the winner grants full permission to the town to use the slogan in any and all ad campaigns). I bet the talented and well-educated residents — who know best what is great about living here — can come up with fantastic ideas at a fraction of the price of the consultants.

The prize winner might even be a creative person who was recently laid off. The money would be a blessing, and the distinction of winning the contest listed on his or her resume might help land the next job.

DIANE OWENS
Twickenham Place
Mount Pleasant

Famous sayings

The theme of a recent New York Times crossword puzzle concerned actual words (some touching, some ironic and some downright funny) spoken by famous people just prior to their death.

"I have not told half of what I saw." (Marco Polo)

"Eva is leaving." (Eva Peron)

"My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go." (Oscar Wilde)

"Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub." (Conrad Hilton)

"That was the best ice-cream soda I ever had." (Lou Costello)

About 30 minutes on the Internet yielded some additional authentic last words.

"I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have." (Leonardo da Vinci)

"The ladies have to go first. Get in the lifeboat. Goodbye, dear. I'll see you later." (John Jacob Astor IV, aboard the Titanic)

"KHAQQ calling Itasca. We must be on you, but cannot see you. Gas running low." (Amelia Earhart)

"I have never felt better." (Douglas Fairbanks Sr.)

"I'm just going outside and may be some time." (Lawrence Oates, Antarctic explorer)

"They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist ..." (John Sedgwick, Union General, during the Civil War)

H.J. BEAUJON, Ph.d
Cessna Avenue
Charleston

Health-care focus

The first principle of U.S. health care is this: Make sure the insurance giants and the pharmaceutical interests make tons of money. There is utterly no concern about whether Americans can get the health care that they need.

Thus the health industries have campaigned mightily against a public option in the proposed U.S. health-care program. A nonprofit program would be a threat to their profits.

The whole business of costs is just another scare. So what if we spend a trillion or so over the next 10 years? We are going to spend over $5 trillion on the military in the next 10 years. Even though the bulk of military spending goes for waste and pet projects, we don't hear of much concern about that money. And if Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., or Kent Conrad, D-N.D., are so concerned about spending, suppose they first eliminate farm welfare, such as agricultural subsidies.

BRIAN SCANLON
Oakhurst Drive
Mount Pleasant

Flags to fly

I would like to respond to the June 20 letter to the editor titled "No flags."

Thanks for noting the absence of the American flags in front of Summerville Town Hall on Flag Day. The Summerville Lions Club has been supplying and flying the American flags for over 20 years. The letter writer was the first person to acknowledge the flags, and I thank him.

Due to the redesign of the area, the pipes to hold the flags had not been replaced. Hopefully the flags will fly again on July 4th.

ROSEMARY SUTTON
Summerville Lions Club
W. Carolina Avenue
Summerville

Expensive shelters

Where is the most expensive real estate? Is it in Hong Kong or Tokyo? No, it is right here in Charleston.

According to a recent Post and Courier article, CARTA is spending $725,000 for 25 bus stop shelters. That is $29,000 each. Figuring the bus shelters are about 50 square feet, that is $580 per square foot for a three-sided shelter that has no air conditioning, no heat, no electricity and no plumbing. I did not realize construction costs were so high here in the Lowcountry.

JAMES F. BEVIS
Wharf Landing Court
Charleston

For smokers

I believe that many people who throw cigarettes onto the ground are simply unaware of the fact that filters are not biodegradable and can take as long as 15 years to dissolve.

Typically, wind and rain carry the cigarette into the water supply, where the toxic chemicals leak out into aquatic ecosystems. They also pose a hazard to animals and marine life that often mistake them for food. Littering cigarette butts also carries a minimum fine of $200.

Perhaps putting a coffee can with sand in it wherever you commonly smoke, such as in your car, outside your office, or at your home, will help. Ashtrays in the car don't seem to be very popular; nobody seems to use them. Maybe someone can invent something people will use besides a coffee can, but until then, it might be worth a try.

KAREN ANDERSEN
Somersett Hills Court
Mount Pleasant