The Boeing family

Reading your paper and the Seattle papers, it almost sounds like a couple of 2-year-olds. Not all Boeing employees were surprised by the outcome, and some of us actually would like to welcome you to the family. Some of us are proud that Boeing will uplift an area of our country ravaged by unemployment and lacking educated workers.

Many of us are proud the company chose to put American workers first rather than send jobs overseas.

It is time for gloating to stop on your side and for the doomsday outlook to be lifted from this side. After all, we are a team working for a common goal and should conduct ourselves as such.

So welcome aboard. I am glad you are now part of the Boeing family. Let's see how we can work together to make history and profit our country, our customers, ourselves and Boeing. I am a loyal Boeing family member.

Warren Weber

53 Place West

Edmonds, Wash.

N. Charleston pride

Ron Brinson's column about North Charleston was great. I was born there and have always been proud of the area.

My father opened a drug store there in 1922 and operated it until his death in 1949. The store was a meeting place for the CEOs of plants and businesses (including the superintendent of District 4 schools).

These men met every weekday morning for coffee and discussion of all things pertinent to the area. After my father's death, my husband and I bought and operated the business (including the coffee club) until we sold it in 1966.

As a child, I was never aware of prejudices of the 'downtown' people. However, my mother had cousins there who shunned her on many occasions. My first encounter was at age 13 when I was left alone on the dance floor at the downtown YWCA. My partner asked which high school I attended. Of course I answered 'North Charleston High,' and that ended the conversation and the dance. I have always felt that those people simply did not know what a fine place North Charleston could be.

I never felt threatened for my safety. Most of our social lives centered around church and school. I was fortunate to have lived on the 'car line' (O'Hear Avenue) so named because the streetcar from Charleston traveled on that street. I like to drive newcomers to that section to let them see the house in which I was born and the neighborhood in which I grew up.

My pride in the area is intensified by the forward movement taken by the current city administration in beautifying the old areas on East Montague as well as Park Circle. I now live on James Island, but my heart will always remain in North Charleston.

Ruth Califf Coyle

Bishop Gadsden Way

Charleston

Gaillard update

As a musician, I am delighted to learn of the plan to update Gaillard Auditorium. It is now a fire hazard, like the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, without a center aisle. Also, many of us will not attend the North Charleston facility because eating and drinking are permitted there during the performances.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley is to be thanked and congratulated for his commitment to this beautiful, extensive renovation which we will all enjoy in our beautiful downtown. And the lovely exterior for the Gaillard will certainly enhance that downtown beauty.

Virgil H. Wilson

Ashley Villa Circle

Charleston

Diluted standards

I wish to echo the sentiments of the Nov. 1 letter, 'Cadets' behavior unacceptable.'

It appears that the erosion and relaxation of cadet regulations and traditions along with the reduction of formal inspections and parades have resulted in lower standards of discipline. Have we put these former high standards 'on sale' for the sake of increased admissions?

It is true that our academics have risen to higher standards and national acclaim over the last several decades, and our graduate program has been a huge success and a distinct asset for the school. But I do not think that these improvements have come at the expense of cadet discipline. Instead, the erosion has come from a steady deterioration of discipline and toughness throughout our nation and a soft lifestyle of too much largesse.

Accordingly, Citadel standards have fallen in step instead of leading the way toward toughness and being proud of it. These compromises have lowered the expectations of new cadets.

I, and other Citadel alumni, urge the re-instatement of those disciplines that make a cadet proud. We also urge swift and severe punishment for those who disgraced our Alma Mater during the recent brawls downtown and on the campus.

H. Rivers Jacobs Jr.

Citadel Class of 1949

Cathedral Lane

Charleston

Ring tarnished

I will continue to wear 'the ring,' although it has been tarnished.

Sam Payne

The Citadel

Class of 1950

Vincent Drive

Mount Pleasant

Up, up and away

I have read a lot of opinions about the two pilots who overshot the airport by 150 miles. I, too, have an opinion.

However, my pappy once told me if I complain, I should offer a solution, and that is what I plan to do.

There has been a lot of finger-pointing as to who may be at fault. The controllers have their say and the pilots have theirs. My solution is simple: Putting a camera in the cockpit will take care of any questions that may arise.

Justin Tyme

Midland Park Road

North Charleston

Schools booster

I am a staunch supporter of South Carolina's education system. I play the lottery as often as I can.

H.J. Beaujon

Cessna Avenue

Charleston

Copyright © 1995 - 2009 Evening Post Publishing Co.