Archive By Section - Editorials
Ho Chi Minh
Largely ignored by the mainstream media has been the comment made last week by President Obama that former Vietnamese dictator and mass murderer Ho Chi Minh was inspired by Thomas Jefferson and the ideals of independence as espoused by the Founding Fathers of the United States in the Declaration of Independence. While it is true that back in 1945, Ho did frame the Vietnamese constitution on some of the same principles -- or claimed to -- that concept was left by the wayside as he killed hundreds of thousands of people in his successful quest for power.
Noted and passed - July 29, 2013
• When it comes to professional golf, there's probably not a more popular player than Phil Mickelson, who's always nice to people and is incredibly conscientious about signing autographs and making himself available to his fans. So it was a popular victory he achieved recently at the British Open, when he shot 66 in the final round to come from behind and win. Tiger Woods once again got to the weekend in contention but his putter failed him, as it seems to do in every major championship.
The 41st
George H. W. Bush just might be the best ex-president this country has ever seen.
Blue light blitz
We're glad to see law enforcement officers, especially state troopers, blanketing Kershaw County roadways this week in an effort to help stem a disturbing trend in traffic-related deaths this year. From today through Saturday, troopers will saturate the area, and they will be assisted by cooperating officers from the Camden Police Department, Kershaw County Sheriff's Office and Elgin Police Department.
Noted and passed - July 22, 2013
• Just last week we were patting Sen. Lindsey Graham on the back for his efforts to forge compromise in Washington, but his idea to boycott the winter Olympics in Russia if that country grants asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden is unwise. The last American of power to use the Olympic games as a political tool was President Jimmy Carter back in 1980, and that didn't work out too well -- like many of Carter's other initiatives. Graham's idea is a lousy one, which was noted by House Speaker John Boehner.
License plate readers
We're aware, of course, that in an age of terrorism and violence, law enforcement officials need all the help they can get in dealing with potential incidents. The recent bombing at the Boston Marathon is yet another piece of evidence that people with ill intent can strike at any time. And one of the factors that led to that crime being solved was the presence of security cameras in the area.
Sen. Graham
We often bemoan the lack of bipartisan effort in Washington these days, a sad set of circumstances that leads to gridlock. Partisanship is at an all-time high now, and there are only a few people in Washington who are willing to reach across the aisle to help forge compromise. Now, because Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is one of those people, some in the Palmetto State's Republican Party want to mount a primary challenge to him. Some in the right wing of the party want to see no compromise whatsoever, which is basically like saying, "We really like ...
Noted and passed - July 15, 2013
• With all the hoopla over online retailing, it's surprising to see figures indicating that of all 2013 first-quarter sales, only 5.5 percent of them involved e-commerce; further, many companies which started selling products on-line are now starting to build brick-and-mortar stores. The predictions of the death of traditional retailing have obviously been overblown.
A different case
So-called "stand your ground" laws have been a matter of controversy around the country in the last couple years, but no case involving such a law is more puzzling than the S.C. Supreme Court's agreeing to hear a matter in which a confessed murderer who kicked in a door and then killed his robbery victim claimed he should have immunity because he was fearful for his life, thinking the victim he was robbing was about to kill him.
Our schools
Amid recent reports from the National Council on Teacher Quality that finds "an industry of mediocrity" and asserts the country's teacher training system is badly broken, there is good news in the Kershaw County School District, and we don't blame Superintendent Frank Morgan for tooting the district's own horn in a recent column in this newspaper.
Noted and passed - July 8, 2013
• The automobile business in the United States has had its ups and downs over the past few decades, suffering through recessions and profiting mightily during good times. But over the last 60 years, one thing's been constant: the allure of the Corvette, which began in a humdrum fashion but became a "hot" car when it was redesigned into the Stingray in the 1960s. The Corvette, recast for 2014, is still a head-turner.
CMA verdict
A civil jury didn't take long this week to find in favor of Camden Military Academy officials who had been sued for allegedly fostering an atmosphere of bullying which the plaintiff claimed led to a sexual assault in 2008. Given the extended nature of the trial and the serious accusations, the quick verdict obviously proved that jurors gave little credence to the claims. The testimony was at times sordid and no doubt painful for the three CMA officials who had been named -- Col. Eric Boland, headmaster; Lt. Col. Pat Armstrong, commandant of cadets; and Command Sgt. Major Vertis Wilder.
Ambassadors
There's a way government works, and a way the public thinks government works, and the two often don't resemble each other. For instance, many Americans naturally assume the State Department picks its best and brightest people as diplomats, performing the important function of acting as liaison between the United States and the countries to which they have been posted. That would make sense and would help ensure healthy relations with other countries around the world.
Noted and passed - July 1, 2013
• With "Lake Wateree season" in full swing and the July 4 holiday approaching, the recent drowning deaths of two people at nearby Lake Murray and a close call at Camden's Kendall Lake serve as a stark reminder that swimming can end tragically. Safety procedures should always be used, and people should remember that alcohol and swimming don't make for a good combination.
President Clinton?
Netroots Nation, the largest gathering of liberal activists in the country, was held recently in San Jose, Cal., and while Hillary Clinton was not there in body, she was apparently there in spirit. The uber-lefters booed Clinton back in 2006 when they decided they'd rather cast their lot with Barack Obama; they saw him as a true liberal, whereas they didn't like Clinton's support of the Iraq war and were still seething about her husband's move to the center during his presidency. That was a move, by the way, that was one of the most shrewd ...
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 ...
Noted and passed - April 14, 2014
• The news that the city of Camden plans to install an elevator at Camden City Hall is quite welcome. It is especially so to the city's disabled citizens who have found it difficult to come to court or attend Camden City Council meetings, both of which take place on the second floor. Many years ago, the city installed a chair-lift system attached to a railing of the building's main stairwell. It hasn't always worked and some people find its appearance a bit daunting. Installing the elevator -- which will also allow employees and visitors to reach offices and ...
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