Letters to the Editor

Aging horses

What is to become of unwanted horses? I stopped by Petsmart on a recent Saturday afternoon and happened upon a dog adoption event. There were stacks of cages, some containing multiple dogs, with each animal named, aged and priced. In addition to the sad-eyed dogs in cages, there were several dogs available to pet and hold.

As difficult as it is to place dogs, imagine the problems trying to find homes for horses. If you want to own a horse, your only two options are to have lots of land and lots of money, or to have lots and lots of money. That's why Colleton County has spent over $120,000 (at discounted prices) to care for 47 horses they seized last May. This is a local incident, but the problem of unwanted horses is nationwide as owners who once could afford horses can't anymore. Compounding the problem are the 2,500 wild mustangs being removed from the overpopulated Nevada range. The adoption rate for wild horses has dropped over the last 10 years and these horses will join 32,000 others in holding pens.

The cost for the wild horse program, run by the Bureau of Land Management, is about $50 million, up from $36 million last year. Costs are expected to rise to at least $85 million by 2012. Anybody want a horse?

My business provides an opportunity to keep animals off the unwanted horse rolls. I'm able to provide quality care to 43 horses and mules as well as over 100 jobs to the community and a sizeable contribution to the city's operating budget. I believe that animals, like people, are much better off as contributors rather than wards of society. Please remember that the next time you feel sorry for one of my horses or mules.

Tom Doyle

President

Palmetto Carriage Works

Guinard Street

Charleston

Open discussions

Why does the College of Charleston want to buy McLeod Plantation when there is an undeveloped piece of land two blocks away? From my view, if they buy McLeod, $4 million is only the beginning of the cost. It will cost to restore or care for the house, outbuildings and slave cabins, which have had very limited upkeep, plus conversion of the field for athletics. A "For Sale" sign is currently in place on 22 acres of undeveloped property facing Maybank Highway.

The Historic Charleston Foundation previously sold the property to the School of the Building Arts for less than $1 million. They have been offered more than that by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. If the PRC offer is too low, why not make a counter offer?

It seems to me PRC and the College of Charleston could agree on mutually beneficial ways to use McLeod for educational purposes.

In addition, a Dec. 30 letter to the editor suggested encouraging gardeners to work the field. I think this suggestion is an excellent one though I can't seem to visualize the C of C carrying this concept to fruition.

Mr. McLeod wanted the remaining portion of the plantation to remain intact, with its plantation field behind the house to remain a plantation field. He told me this himself. I can only hope that the College of Charleston will decide wisely on this issue. My vote would be for Historic Charleston Foundation to open discussions again with PRC if PRC is still willing.

Jane Brown

Tennent Street

James Island

Voter ID

I can't believe people are against voter IDs. We need picture IDs for all important things. Why not to vote? This would ensure that those who vote using the name of a dead person or vote in the wrong precinct would be caught. No cheating.

If the Democrats are so worried about voters being disenfranchised, they should set up a fund to help pay for picture IDs.

Jeanne Lantz

Dorchester Road

North Charleston

Inclusive faiths

A Jan. 23 letter takes issue with President Obama's statement that we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation. The letter writer states that the situation in Haiti would be much worse if our aid is comparable to the aid offered "by the other nations of the world, including the oil-rich Muslim nations."

People of all faiths in this nation have contributed to the aid for Haiti, not just Christians. Although Muslim nations' contributions are notable by their absence, Israel, in proportion to her population, has contributed as much, or more, than we have.

Irving Rosenfeld

Simpkins Street

James Island

Muslims in military

An attorney friend of mine has the best idea I've heard yet for the problem of Muslims in the military. "Don't send them to the Middle East -- don't even think about it." he said.

Just the thought of going to the Middle East caused U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hassan to snap. He allegedly had pleaded for permission to stay stateside, but to no avail.

A Muslim GI going to the Middle East is basically a Muslim helping infidels to kill other Muslims in the Holy Land. This does not go over well with either the villagers or the terrorists. All they need is a little push to make them an enemy combatant, and that push is available on line. There are plenty of Muslim hate geeks masquerading as holy men and spiritual advisers who would love to have a "kill robot."

I don't have a problem with Muslim-Americans, but I do have a problem with Muslims who stand only for Allah and Islam and not God and country -- this country.

After 9/11, there was a resounding silence from the Muslim community and they suffered vandalism and threats as a result. The Muslims could've minimized this by vocalizing their outrage and extending their condolences like the rest of the civilized world. They chose not to, and they paid a price for their apathy. Thankfully, that is changing for the better.

Jack W. Swan

Riverbreeze Drive

Charleston

John Coussons

Captain John Coussons loved The Citadel and the pomp and ceremony of life there. As cadets, we were on the lookout for him when he would roam the barracks at night during study hall.

Anchors Away would come over the loud speakers announcing his presence in the barracks. Later I, along with two friends, roomed with him at his home on Talon Court. We were day students for our fifth year and the commander ran the home as his barracks. He made sure our rooms were in order and our appearance neat, and he encouraged pride in ourselves and in our school. Having no money, I was the designated cook and grocery purveyor.

Dinners were on an antique English dining room table with silverware and crystal. We felt and acted like princes at the table with King Couss at the head. The commander made us feel good about who we were, the real reasons we were going to graduate from The Citadel and what we should do once we graduated.

John Coussons left a mark on me, which always makes me think better thoughts and be a better individual. He will be missed.

Rodney W. Engard

The Citadel, Class of '68/'69

Coggins Point Road

Hilton Head Island

Try liberty

In response to The Post and Courier's Jan. 20 article titled "Husband for Lady Liberty" and the Jan. 21 column titled "Liberty dude won't fly here":

The idea should not be so quickly dismissed. This can be an opportunity for the state of South Carolina to atone for its past sin of impporting slaves.

Mr. Liberty could be the likeness of Denmark Vesey who planned a slave rebellion that was supposed to occur in Charleston on July 14, 1822. Mr. Liberty could take on the likeness of Robert Smalls who freed himself and his family from slavery on May 13, 1862, by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, the USS Planter, to freedom in Charleston harbor.

Or Mr. Liberty could take on a national appeal. Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass and John Brown would be good candidates.

Joseph McGill Jr.

Elon Drive

Ladson