Archive By Section - Editorials
Oversigning
We confess to be followers of big-time college athletics, but we acknowledge that it's out of hand in many ways. One of its sore points has been the practice of "oversigning" -- offering scholarships to more players than allowed by the NCAA, the governing body of college sports. In too many cases, schools over-offer grants-in-aid, which leaves them in the position of having to get rid of some players who have already been there for a year or two or three. Coaches are always able to rationalize this -- "bad attitude" is one reason they give -- but it's not an ...
Civil lawsuits
When Gov. Nikki Haley delivered her State of the State address recently, she promised to try to create more jobs in South Carolina, block unions from expanding and a few other things. As you might expect, her speech was generally met with approval from fellow Republicans (though there's no love lost between Haley and many GOP legislators) and criticism from Democrats. But of all the things she mentioned, the one with the most potential for improving the climate in this state was her proposal for a "loser pays" system of civil lawsuits.
Noted and passed -- Jan. 30, 2012
• The concept of youth and job shadowing has been around for years now, and its merits are as valuable as ever. Kershaw County middle-schoolers will be allowed to accompany a parent, relative or neighbor on the job Thursday to learn more about the workplace. The primary goal is to allow these seventh- and eighth-graders to find out about careers and jobs and the expectations that come with them. For students who are unable to participate, the Kershaw County School District provides virtual job shadowing activities in the classroom. The job shadowing experience can be an enriching one, and we hope ...
Casino in S.C.?
We'd ordinarily favor a proposal that would bring a couple of thousand news jobs to South Carolina as well as a healthy capital investment and the potential to lure more tourists to the Palmetto State. But in the instance of a proposed casino near Hardeeville in the Lowcountry, we have to say, "Thanks, but no thanks." That's apparently the same reception the idea is getting from Gov. Nikki Haley's office.
Incivility in politics
Voters here in Kershaw County and across South Carolina were subjected to an endless diatribe of political poison in the days and weeks leading up to Saturday's Republican presidential primary. This endless vitriol is nothing new, of course, as the entire process seems to have degenerated into an endless bout of mud wrestling. If you need evidence that not many people in Washington are concerned about the direction of politics and civility, we'll pass along an item that we discovered not long ago.
Noted and passed
• We're glad to see that Alzheimer's Disease is finally getting the attention it deserves as far as efforts to combat it. Health experts met recently in Washington to make plans for the first national plan to fight the horrid disease. The top goal in the early draft of the National Alzheimer's Project Act is to prevent and effectively treat the malady by 2025. Finally, public funding and attention could rival that given to cancer and heart disease, and that, of course, is a good thing for the millions of families affected.
Truck route
We're glad to see that another hurdle has been cleared in the city of Camden's efforts to get a truck bypass of the downtown area established. The Santee-Lynches Council of Governments recently voted unanimously to approve all three segments of the proposed truck route, and the vote also means about $17 million worth of state and federal funding will be released for the project. Obviously, that's a big step forward and puts the project into "when is this going to happen" status rather than "is this ever going to happen?" condition.
Independents
With the Republican primary on the near horizon here in Kershaw County and across South Carolina, there is a stereotype that still exists nowadays -- fueled in part by the national media, no doubt -- that the GOP is the organization of the wealthy and the Democratic Party is made up of the working class. But an analysis of voting trends in the recent New Hampshire primary and in the rest of the country, enumerated by a column in The Wall Street Journal, has helped shatter that image.
Noted and passed
• Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich vowed that he would conduct a positive campaign for the presidency, and he did just that -- until his numbers started dropping. Gingrich, who polled well both in Iowa and New Hampshire at one time, unleashed a series of vitriolic ads against Mitt Romney as Gingrich's star began to fade. Other GOP candidates on the right have done the same as Romney has gained strength. These days, a positive message seems to last only as long as a candidate is doing well.
S.C.'s turn
Now that the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary are over, the political focus of the nation is going to turn to South Carolina, where the Jan. 21 primary is the next major event in the presidential sweepstakes. The Palmetto State has a track record of predicting with its vote the eventual nominee, and it appears that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is on a roll heading into South Carolina.
Voter ID
Here in Kershaw County, we're like other Americans who live in a world in which we have to prove who we are. Before we are allowed to board airplanes, we must provide identification cards with our pictures on them. When we cash a check at the grocery store, the clerk usually asks for picture ID. When we pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, we're often required to show similar proof of identification. Yet U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has blocked a South Carolina law requiring voters to show picture IDs when they go to the polls to ...
Noted and passed -- Jan. 9, 2012
• South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier usually says what he thinks. We liked his comment regarding punter Joey Scribner-Howard following the Capitol One Bowl victory: "You never see me yell at our punter when he kicks one of those 25-yarders. He does it in practice, too." Of course, Spurrier could afford to be whimsical since the Gamecocks had won; his analysis might not have been so good-natured had they lost.
Stay home for the holiday
During the Christmas season over the past three decades, presidents of the United States have shown admirable fiscal restraint as well as concern for their staffs when they've chosen their holiday schedules. Most have spent their Christmases either at the White House or nearby Camp David, the presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains just outside the District of Columbia. That has avoided expensive travel to faraway places and has allowed countless government staffers to spend time with their families rather than having to be on the road. Then along came President Obama, who has chosen to pack up -- at ...
USC victory
There certainly are University of South Carolina football fans here in Kershaw County who probably thought the so-called "chicken curse" would never die. There were decades of gridiron mediocrity, a 21-game losing streak back in 1998 and 1999, and even many moments of doubt after USC hired Steve Spurrier, one of the great college coaches of all time. But the curse was laid to rest Monday when the Gamecocks won a resounding victory over Nebraska in the Capitol One Bowl.
Noted and passed -- Jan. 2, 2012
• News reports of the funeral of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il -- filmed by that country's government-controlled media, of course -- featured common citizens wailing in grief over the death of their beloved leader. Problem is, there didn't seem to be any genuine tears, just lots of contorted facial expressions. Think there's any chance that was all staged?
Articles by Section - Editorials
Tax Time
With the April 15 tax filing deadline having past earlier this week, Kershaw County residents can breathe a sigh of relief – except for those who filed for an extension, of course. But a more important day, when it comes to your money, is Tax Freedom Day, which is the day the average South Carolina resident finally earns enough to pay his or her income tax bill. This year it was April 9; because of South Carolina's tax structure, which is lower than some states, Palmetto State residents pay their share earlier than the nation as a whole, which is ...
The Easter egg hunt mentality
Easter. Go ahead and let the word resonate in your mind. Let all the memories and fond associations come rushing over you. Easter is such a lovely holiday. The Biblical story behind it teaches people to be hopeful, that there is the possibility of redemption, unconditional love and eternal life. The natural season is a time of blooming and birth and renewal. The earth wakes up from its winter slumber and the air feels softer and warmer.
Kudos to the UWKC
It was good to see dedicated volunteers and staff members recognized at last week's annual United Way of Kershaw County dinner. While there are many, many people who push together to make the United Way the superb organization that it is, a few special people were singled out for recognition. Dr. Frank Morgan, superintendent of the Kershaw County School District, received the Jake Watson Award, and Camden Deputy Fire Chief Phil Elliot was given the Anne Dallas Volunteer of the Year award. Other plaudits for volunteer efforts were given, and staff member Margaret Lawhorn was singled out for her ...
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