Once again, our leaders are forcing a false trade-off between public security and business investment.
First, they stood with their arms crossed while spilled plastic balls washed on our beaches.
Senator Sandy Senn introduced a bill that would require basic safeguards, such as containment and spill reporting. It has not yet obtained support to move forward.
Instead, lawmakers are promoting a bill that would exempt chemical plastic recyclers from paying for cleaning in the event of an accident.
Instead of taking a sensible “polluter pays” approach, they want citizens to live with the contamination and taxpayers to pay the cleaning bill.
Our natural environment contributes more than $ 20 billion a year to the state’s economy. Clean air and water directly impact our quality of life. We must welcome the industries that enhance these assets, not encouraging their destruction.
ALYS CAMPAIGNE
Wayne Street
Mount Pleasant
Cold climate turbines
I am not aware of the type of wind turbines in use in Texas. I have, however, traveled a bit and seen turbines in areas that have a much colder climate than Texas.
Were any of the Texas turbines purchased without regard to freezing weather conditions?
Most of Germany has wind turbines, as well as much of the Midwest, and they don’t seem to have a problem with the cold.
People who are trying to blame green energy for current problems need to be educated.
It’s not green energy, it’s people who buy windmills without researching their susceptibility to cold.
Learn a lesson from Cervantes. Do not tilt on windmills.
M. LYNN MOUT
Gray lane
North Charleston
Scott wrong in education
Senator Tim Scott’s comment on Friday shows he is still wrong in education.
Public funds must be used for public schools. Religious schools and other private schools must be financed with private funds.
And Mr. Scott must know that it is important to hear what teachers think.
JOE MCFALLS
Lazy River Drive
Charleston
Absurd impeachment
Senator Lindsey Graham’s justification for her ex-president Donald Trump’s acquittal vote is not as absurd as the House’s justification for its impeachment.
ROBERT G. CURRIN JR.
Palmetto Pointe Lane
Edisto Island
Cruz did the right thing
Although I disagree with Senator Ted Cruz’s policy, I must defend his family’s vacation in Mexico during a deadly winter storm in his home state of Texas.
Having been commander of the fire department in my hometown for 28 years, I came to the conclusion that a high-ranking politician cannot help at all during a natural disaster.
Having politicians with their security details at the center of a disaster restricts the emergency personnel that are urgently needed to help those in desperate need.
If your decisions or approval are necessary for certain actions, an online call or meeting would work.
I recommended that any family that could travel safely leave the area and wait until the infrastructure is restored and let the professionals do their job.
Senator Cruz’s actions are judged politically, but technically he did the right thing.
MARKUS DAMWERTH
South Boulevard
North Charleston
Every heartbeat is important
The state legislature passed a bill that bans most abortions and Governor Henry McMaster signed it on Thursday.
This law says that after the first eight weeks of conception, it is illegal to terminate the pregnancy, except in the case of incest, rape or a risk to the mother’s health.
I am against abortion and believe that all life is sacred and should be protected and nourished.
There is, however, the question of quality of life.
For several years, I have testified in court in cases dealing with child abuse and neglect charges.
In addition, I worked with foster families where children were placed for their own protection.
Why don’t we start with children who have already been born?
As with so many other statistics, South Carolina is almost at the top in the percentage of children in foster homes. The reasons are numerous, but, as is often the case, most of these children come from low-income families.
Why punish women who suffer from an unwanted pregnancy?
Why doesn’t our state legislature address the real reason for child abuse and neglect, which in many cases is related to poverty?
I am sure that my few words of caution will do little or nothing to change minds. But perhaps some will agree and see the big picture.
In addition to the fetal heartbeat, let’s agree that all heartbeats matter, especially those that are already here and are not wanted.
Rev. HARTMUT FEGE
Bent Tree Lane
Pawlyes Island
Navigation connector
Friday’s editorial supporting the new Palms Island connector connector must have been written by people who don’t use the connector regularly, especially in the summer months.
First, there is already access for walkers and cyclists, and if a trail for them works at Ravenel, why not here?
The editorial says it’s time for people to have an alternative way to get to the beach. Send me pictures of all the big families going through the connector while they are transporting refrigerators, chairs, tents, skimboards, fishing poles, etc., on a 95 degree day, avoiding cars and trucks at high speed. At the top of the connector, traffic usually stops and accidents occur regularly.
To say that this is not related to the dispute over parking is, at the very least, hypocritical.
The state Department of Transportation is making it clear that the island needs to do business in its own way or face the wrath of bureaucracy.
I live on PIO and also walk and bike. I can find out how to do this very well, without making the connector an exclusive bike trail.
RICK FURLANO
Waterway Boulevard
Isle of Palms
Humans are viruses
Recent articles and opinion pieces on the removal of the 300-year-old “reunion tree”, the clear cutting of trees on the I-26 central site and several road widening and development projects in the Charleston area reinforce something that has long he suspected: The human race has become a virus that spreads across the face of the Earth, and outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19 are examples of nature’s immune system trying to protect itself against us.
LOUISE BRITTON
William Battle Court
Edisto Island