Letters to the Editor

Affordable plan

It is interesting to note that the 39 Republican U.S. senators who are against the reform bill are labeling it "socialism." What should we call their government-run health care then?

It is a well-known fact that members of Congress have an extremely generous and affordable health care plan.

They also have access to another form of socialized medicine at the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP) right under the Capitol dome. The OAP is a full-service state-of-the-art medical facility run by government employees exclusively for members of Congress.

Why have we heard no complaints from these 39 senators about their government-run health care?

I guess what's good for the goose ain't good for the gander.

FRANCES MONACO
7th Green Drive
Hollywood

Half-truths

Americans are not tired of debate in Washington. We are a fairly hearty people, and it is unlikely that the sound of a few senators disagreeing about health care or climate research or the economy is going to upset anyone.

We revel in spirited confrontations about ideas and principles. We respect vigorous debate. We admire the adversarial process that separates good ideas from bad ones, and helps our representatives see those differences.

What Americans are tired of are devious half-truths and those who voice them. And what we will not stand for are legislators whose votes, and honor, have a price.

GEORGE READ
Gillon Street
Charleston

No shame

A message to Rep. Jim Clyburn, Sen. Ben Nelson and Sen. Mary Landrieu: Have you no shame?

KENNETH S. ANDERSON
Planters Curve
Mount Pleasant

Principal for a day

I was lucky to participate in the Principal for a Day program that the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce's Education Foundation organized recently. My assignment was to "lead" Laing Middle School, a partial science and technology magnet, with the guidance of Deborah Price, the actual principal. What I observed was a very respectful student body as shown by the dozens who said "good morning" and "yes ma'am."

I saw teachers passionately inspiring students while addressing strict state academic standards, administration personnel meeting with parents and students to ensure those students' success, as well as specialty classes in forensics, pre-engineering and marine biology.

Frankly, I was surprised. While I walked in as a believer in public education and as a Charleston County School District parent two times over, I was surprised at the magic happening at this school. I suspect the same occurs at schools throughout our tri-county area.

As a member of the business community, I learned that while great things are happening in our schools, there is a need for consistent and sustained involvement by the business community. I urge schools to clearly communicate how best businesses can help you (mentoring, tutoring, field trips, career day speakers, etc.) And I encourage my colleagues in the business community to reach out to local schools to find how you can help. Our public schools are already doing great things. Imagine how we can make them even better by collectively leveraging the resources we already have.

JUDY DIXON, AIA
Stubbs Muldrow Herin Architects, Inc.
Hibben Street
Mount Pleasant

Charleston snow

In regard to Brian Hicks' Dec. 20 article titled "Recalling a snowfall that lifted our spirits":

I recall that Christmas holiday quite differently. I returned home from graduate school to enjoy Christmas with my parents who went through Hurricane Hugo some months earlier.

Yes, the snow was quite beautiful. But on the downside, people couldn't move around the city as Charleston doesn't own a snow plow. Neighbors with small children couldn't get disposable diapers or baby food. Others couldn't get to stores for groceries.

The real annoyance was when the City of Charleston's water main broke. There was no water downtown for three days after Christmas. Water pipes in homes froze and broke. No toilets. No washing dishes. It was a white mini Hugo.

So my two-word review of the column is thus: Bah Humbug!

JOHN NUSS
Anson Street
Charleston

Lighten up, Gene

It was not very gentlemanly of Gene Sapakoff to put down Nashville, as well as most of the South, in his column regarding the Music City Bowl. In a surprisingly lengthy tirade he put down the bowl game, Johnny Cash, Clemson fans, Kentucky, the SEC, Vanderbilt, I-40, North Carolina, Tennessee, Tanya Tucker, Atlanta/Chattanooga (the route), not to mention Nashville waitresses.

Is he from the South? I think not. He placed Nashville "along the banks of the Tennessee River" that actually goes nowhere near Nashville, never has, probably never will. Since he was writing from Nashville (home of my alma mater, Vanderbilt), I suggest he take a tour of the "Capital of the South -- Music City USA." The best way would be to go downtown to the warehouse district on the Cumberland River waterfront.

Along the riverbanks, he should partake of the fun and drink a little (or a lot) of Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey, listen to that Nashville guitar "twang" he referred to and then maybe he will soften up a bit and become a Charleston gentleman (who doesn't say bad things about neighbors if for no other reason than it is bad manners).

Gene will find that Tennesseans are very nice. They have a lot of fun at that Music City Bowl, with all the cornbread, BBQ, sweet potato pie, country music, bowl team bands and cheerleaders, merriment and Southern belles.

Maybe he will even meet the likes of Tanya Tucker or Taylor Swift. They are there, too, along the banks of the Cumberland River where a nice, new, warm, LP Field suite is waiting for him to watch the game.

Gentleman Sapakoff, you probably would not like it if a Tennessee-bred sportswriter like Grantland Rice put your fine town of Charleston along the banks of the Savannah River, now would you?

JOHN KUHN
Church Street
Charleston

Lack of concern

While driving to work Sunday night I had a flat tire. Luckily I had my cell phone with me and I was able to call the Highway Patrol number *HP for assistance.

As I sat in my car alongside Highway 17A near a little tackle shop, much to my dismay, not one single person bothered to stop to see if I was all right. Car after car drove by, and a few had the audacity to honk at me.

Countless times I have used my cell phone to call for help for a motorist. At the holiday season I was disappointed in the lack of concern and the way people kept right on speeding along without offering any assistance.

Folks, please remember that if you are afraid to stop and assist someone, you can use your cell phone to ask someone to check on the person.

I believe in old-fashioned kindness toward human beings and will continue to show it in the upcoming year.

JERI BURCH
Heatherglen Court
North Charleston

Global warming

Simplistic Course 101 in global warming:

Men argue. Nature acts.

C.W. BENSON
Indian Street
Folly Beach

'A fitting song'

I suggest a fitting song for the Democrats of the U.S. Congress would be Tennessee Ernie Ford's "16 Tons" which says in part:

"I owe my soul to the company store."

DOUG McDANIEL
Riverfront Drive
Charleston