Letters to the EditorTuesday, May 13, 2008
Goodwill's mission You might think, as many do, that Goodwill Industries is simply a place to donate blue jeans you can't squeeze into any more or the books your children have outgrown. You think it's a worthy place to donate your gently used things so that others might be able to buy them at an affordable price — and you're right. But that doesn't begin to scratch the surface of how Goodwill is changing lives here in the Lowcountry. Goodwill sells your donations and uses the proceeds to fund job-training programs for people who live in poverty, are homeless, or lack education and experience, as well as those with disabilities. Last year, more than 12,300 people benefited from Goodwill's career programs. As we celebrate Goodwill Week 2008, we want to say "thank you" to the people in the tri-county area whose continued support allows us to help people find and keep good jobs and enjoy the dignity and power that work brings. ROBERT SMITH Roads to nowhere A recent news article titled "Pleas submitted against I-526 extension" describes material submitted by the Coastal Conservation League to the SCDOT, including an alternative to the completion of the Mark Clark Expressway that bears the name "New Way to Work." Readers were encouraged to visit a league-sponsored Web site to "find out more." If you visit this Web site expecting to find anything that improves regional mobility or reduces congestion between the mainland and the west islands, you are in for a disappointment. What you will find is a red herring that should have been titled "New Way to Nowhere." This scheme, as laid out in sketches, is nothing more than a dreamy concept for adding small side roads around several major intersections on Savannah Highway and Folly Road. The text accompanying the sketches is worthy of the name "New Way Around the Block." Under the Coastal Conservation League's alternative, the new way is the same old thing. If you are southbound on the Mark Clark Expressway and your destination is the west islands, you are still going to get dumped onto the Savannah Highway. If you are on the James Island Connector headed for Johns Island, you are still going to get dumped onto Folly Road. Ironically, the "alternative" provided by the Coastal Conservation League serves to reinforce the obvious: Regional mobility requires the completion the Mark Clark Expressway. WALTER SEWELL Where's advantage? The Elder Law Project of New Jersey, composed of service providers and recipients, examined the drug needs of seniors and the best ways to provide them. They concluded that the single-payer plan of the government's Medicare program — able to bargain with manufacturers as does the VA — would be the most effective, efficient and least expensive. A representative of the group testified before the congressional committee writing the Medicare prescription drug legislation. He returned to report that the drug and insurance company lobbyists had beaten others and had already written a proposed law that Congress would pass. It includes prohibitions against Medicare's bargaining for the price. In the industry sponsored bill, the price is whatever the drug companies say it is. Insurance companies produce lists of certain drugs they cover under their respective plans. The next prescription one's doctor may order might not be on a plan's approved list. Those with significant drug treatment needs reach a donut hole in the plan that allows no coverage. Now, the rising cost of government-funded, private-company plans for Medicare Part B services is increasing the cost of Medicare premiums (AARP Bulletin, April, 2008). More choices (of private plans) were alleged to lower costs through competition. There are newly created private plans among which one can make a choice, but the plans limit physician choices. Further, the Government Accounting Office found that in 2006, Medicare paid $7.2 billion more for medical services under these private insurance company plans than it paid for identical services under the traditional government-operated Medicare program. The government-funded, private-company plans are called Medicare Advantage. Where's the advantage? Medical insurance programs, intended to assure coverage for all Americans, must not legislate built-in, for-profit corporate third-party costs to be paid through taxes. P. COKER STOGNER 'Designer dogs' If I see one more ad for "designer dogs" I think I'll scream. People have to be out of their minds to pay $600 for "designer dogs" when there are plenty of them at the local shelter. Better yet, adopt a dog from a reputable rescue group. Millions of adoptable dogs and puppies are euthanized each year in shelters across the country while people with more dollars than sense pay $800 for a "labradoodle." What a shame. There are two kinds of Chihuahuas — short coat and long coat — with a breed standard of six pounds. These extra tiny Chihuahuas generally have serious health problems as their body is too small to support their organs. Additionally, they have a much shorter life span. Save yourself a bunch of money and a lot of heartache, and adopt your "designer dog" from a shelter or rescue group. JO ANN MONTROY Just drive the car I disagree with a letter writer concerning left-lane drivers. I agree they should move to the slow lane, but is there not a speed limit at which we are supposed to be driving? The slow drivers can cause accidents, but so can fast drivers. Some drivers go fast to beat the next traffic light, but usually don't succeed. I've seen many go through red lights. It's not safe for people coming from cross streets. The speeders could hit other cars or they could be hit, or a person walking through the intersection could be hit. There have been drivers doing a U-turn in the middle of the road in front of other cars, or fixing their hair, putting on make-up, reading the paper, or talking on that all-mighty cell phone. How can these people know what's going on when they are trying to do more than they should be doing, which is driving the car. ELLEN KASTENMEIER Lane switching A May 1 letter to the editor got my goat. I am getting tired of people saying "slower drivers should be in the right lane" for their own benefit and especially those saying law enforcement should ticket those who stay in the left lane. The following quote is from the South Carolina Driver's Manual. My copy is circa 1998, but I doubt it has changed. "On a highway with four or more lanes, slower traffic should always use the outside lane (closest to the shoulder). Traffic should use the two right-hand lanes except when passing. When traffic is heavy in all lanes, it is better to stay in your lane and move along at the speed of other traffic, not exceeding the speed limit. Avoid the dangerous practice of unnecessary lane switching." I am frustrated by those who insist on slow traffic moving to the right lane and who try to tell me I'm wrong for: 1) going the speed limit in the left lane; 2) staying in my lane once I got there if that was the lane I needed to be in to get where I was going; and 3) avoiding the dangerous practice of unnecessary lane switching. The next time someone says people doing the speed limit are breaking the law by being in the left lane, they should check for blue lights — they're probably speeding. SHARON YOUNG Park and talk Regarding the April 20 article titled "Bill to teen: Shut up and drive": Our legislators in Columbia have sought to single out 15- and 16-year-old teens on cell phones. I don't usually disagree with something the legislators do, but in this case, I have to. It is unfair to single out this age group. What about the 17- to 21-year-old age group or all age groups? I have seen many adults on cell phones who are more concerned about what was being said on the phone than about driving. It has been proven that the reaction time of someone on a cell phone is that of a 70-year-old person. Studies have also shown that someone on a cell phone drives at least two miles per hour slower than the flow of traffic, according to a recent news article. I think the legislation doesn't go far enough, and it needs to include all age groups and needs to be enforced. I used to drive the Mark Clark Expressway (I-526) to and from work in Mount Pleasant. Invariably there would be an accident on the west-bound lane in the afternoon. I wonder how many of these accidents were caused by some adult on a cell phone who was not watching traffic. These adults are conducting business or socializing on their phones while trying to drive. If you can't complete your business in the office or socialize on the phone at home, maybe you need to look at your use of time and make changes. Your family needs you at home, safe and sound, not in the hospital or worse. So, hang up and drive or park and talk. JOSEPH A. OHORODNYK Lack of coverage Flowers are blooming, shops are opening and sunbathers are soaking up the UV rays as spring begins in the Charleston area. Annual festivals rekindle spirits and make smiles reappear. May 3 was an exciting day for tourists, cancer survivors and Charlestonians. The beating of drums, the splashing of paddles and the chants from teams filled the air at Brittlebank Park. Men and women of all ages set aside their own lives for the lives of those who have suffered and are suffering from cancer as they raced against other teams in the worldwide Dragon Boat races. However, for more than 3,000 people, the excitement turned to disappointment the next morning when no article appeared in The Post and Courier about the event. Because I want to become a journalist, I am learning about the importance of human interest and news coverage. I understand that it is a busy time across the Lowcountry, but there is no excuse for not featuring a fund-raising event as big as the Dragon Boat Festival. ELISABETH KILROY Broken promises The April 28 editorial titled "Raise military education benefits" states that we should provide members of the armed forces easy access to higher education by improving the G.I. Bill. Everyone would agree this is long overdue, and my guess is that our political process and resistance from the Pentagon will delay the upgrade for several more years. Unfortunately, what many Americans don't realize is that our senior military leaders have continually broken promises over the past five years to our young troops on earning a free education while on active duty. This is the same benefit and recruiting tool employed today by recruiters to encourage our youth to enlist. Most members of the armed forces state one of the top reasons they joined the military is to get a free education while on active duty. The truth of the matter is that these young airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines rarely get to pursue an education during their first enlistment as they are constantly being deployed and working long hours. So how do they get an education? Many don't. They just don't have the time between work and family commitments. In most cases, they put off their education to their second or third re-enlistment. Compounding this problem is that tuition assistance benefits for active-duty military haven't increased in almost 10 years, yet college costs in most cases have almost doubled. This means the few who can pursue a degree while on active duty must pay more of their educational expenses as the maximum annual tuition has stayed at $4,500. It is time this benefit reflects rising tuition costs. Senior military leaders need to start advocating and ensuring young troops have an opportunity to use tuition assistance benefits during their first enlistment. It can be done, but it needs the same support and visibility as other initiatives. It can be done if leadership makes the commitment. Since recruiters continue to use educational benefits to lure young people to military service, our leadership has a moral obligation to make sure troops have the opportunity. Anything less is a broken promise. JIM JUREWICZ Waiting for workers Back in February, Charleston County School District's building management team, Southern Management Group, presented its schedule for construction of the new Mount Pleasant Academy. The time line, ambitiously given, stated construction was to start on April 15 with completion by April 14, 2009. I was assured in front of an audience by project manager Ed Strack that on the morning of April 15, I could stand in my driveway and the contractor and supplies would roll in. This was written on May 9. Where is the contractor? R. BUBBA GILLARD Great VA care A few days ago, I thought I was experiencing a heart attack. I was rushed to the Ralph M. Johnson VA Hospital emergency room. From the moment I arrived, I was given the greatest of care in a most compassionate manner. Dr. Jeffery Grimes and his very talented staff need to be congratulated for their fast action and professional bedside manner. I thought people should be made aware of such an outstanding group of professionals. R.L. MICHAELIS Malcolm Crosland I read with sorrow of the passing of Malcolm M. Crosland, who had retreated to Tennessee to live his own unique lifestyle. While practicing law in Charleston, Malcolm became aware of a family problem involving a will. My mother and aunt were being called to probate court where the ownership of a large parcel of waterfront property in southern Charleston County was being contested. Malcolm quickly saw the problem and the possible loss of ownership. Malcolm appeared before the court and had no problem solving the situation in favor of my mother and aunt. Malcolm did all this on his own initiative and at no cost. Perhaps Malcolm's larger claim to fame happened one afternoon when "Big John" Cannady rode by in his white Cadillac convertible. Malcolm, Philip "Flip" Chevrier and I were standing in front of a drug store on King Street. "Big John" called to us, saying he was finally opening his bar on East Bay Street. We hopped in Malcolm's car and followed. When the door opened, Malcolm was first through the door followed by Philip. I brought up the rear. Customers 1, 2 and 3. I found Malcolm several years ago in Tennessee. We spoke of old times at Porter Military Academy, at "Big John's," the Anchor, the Bridge Club and at Shrimp Ahoy, etc. I offered to pay Malcolm for all the hours he worked on the probate case long ago. He just laughed and said he enjoyed doing it and that everything was fine with his life. Malcolm was my friend in good times and bad. He was a good man, and I and many others mourn his passing. FRANKLIN SAMS 'Yankee' team? Being a proud Southerner, there are certain things that get under my skin. One is, as a proud Southern town, how can we allow our local minor-league baseball team, whose baseball park is named after very Southern Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. to be part of the New York Yankees farm system? Do we not have any pride in our heritage? Granted, while our team was an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays, we did not fare very well, and now the team appears to be decent. However, many other parent clubs could have given us competitive teams, but it looks as though the South has lost again. I'd like to thank the very Northern Mike Veeck for allowing this to happen. I've got an idea for a game day promotion for Mike. He can get in his car and make the drive back up Interstate 95. TERRY HEAD Railroad memories In reference to a letter about the Seaboard Air Line Railroad: I didn't know much about the Seaboard but was familiar with the name. My father, George E. Fender Sr., worked for the Southern Railroad from 1914 until he got sick in 1961. He died in 1969. His first cousin Brantley Herndon worked for the C&WC in Yemasee. I remember going to visit them a number of times when I was a small boy, probably in the late 1940s, I was born in 1937. The letter writer also mentioned the "Boll Weevil." I remember the rail car that carried passengers, mail and small freight from Miley to Hampton. This was operated by Lightsey Brothers Lumber Co. I rode on the "Boll Weevil" when I was about 10 years old. This railroad was the H&B, Hampton & Branchville, owned by Lightsey Brothers Lumber Co. This article interested me, so thought I would comment. My father was a "depot agent" from the old Morse code days. He worked at Ladson, Ridgeville and Reevesville and worked Branchville some when the operators there were on vacation. I just gave my dad's "bug" (Morse code sender) and Hamilton railroad watch to the Branchville Railroad museum. HARRY L. FENDER |
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