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Willie,
I couldn’t care less about whether Heloise is in the paper, but I do truly wish this paper equally represented the thoughts of people beyond just conservatives. I know, I know, conservatives are the majority in this area, but that does not mean the paper has to continually appease these people. You seem to note the vocal minority in your column, but your paper just tries to market them by working these people into a frenzy. Could you try the fair and balanced way of reporting the news rather than trying to be the print version of Fox News’ “fair and balanced,” please?
Willie says:
I’m confused. What are my friends at the paper doing to cause a “frenzy?” The news is the news. Here’s the explanation I was offered regarding the “opinion” page: The columns and opinions that appear are the opinions of the writers or, in the case of the “our opinion” editorial, the opinion of the paper. In general, the paper’s opinions should reflect the community, although once in a while the paper will differ from the community at large. Current regular columnists — Kathleen Parker and Patrick Moynihan — tend to be conservative. Woman-to-Woman expresses both sides of an issue. Consideration is being given to introducing a new column that might tend to balance things a bit. All letters to the editor are printed that are not libelous, regardless of the opinion stated.
Willie,
All the Chevrolets and Chryslers were made by American workers, and you see how that ended. Do you reckon those same workers making $70 per hour contributed to the result?
Willie says:
Wages and benefits, particularly to retirees, contributed to the current crisis in the U.S. automotive industry. That said, autoworkers have historically contributed big time to the economy through their purchasing. When you reduce the purchasing power of the American people, no matter what they do for a living, you hurt the American economy. Also, did high wages drive the textile mills out of the South? Did high wages in Tennessee contribute to the demise of Saturn? Willie suspects there’s more to this auto crisis than high wages.
Willie,
Is there a Web site for free Oconee County public records? I have visited dozens of free sites, but when I put in my information there is a charge for the answer.
Willie says:
Many Oconee County public records are online through the various offices on Pine Street, and more records are being put online all the time. You can obtain local information through the various departments listed on the county Web site at www.oconeesc.com. In some cases, you will be linked to local records that can be obtained only through the state (primarily judicial records).
Willie,
Please explain why whenever Clemson University is in need of money it seems they always raise tuition and/or any related services connected to the students.
Willie says:
Clemson’s not alone. A quick check revealed that upwards of 90 percent of colleges and universities in this country increased tuition and other student charges this year. Even with cuts in staff and services, most public universities and colleges have also had massive cuts in state and federal assistance. Unfortunately, they have few options other than to increase student fees. The government has made some additional money available for student loans, but that hasn’t come close to covering the money schools have lost to the current rotten economy.
Willie,
Did you know that in Oconee County that there is no requirement for builders to make driveways accessible by automobiles? According to Mr. Chambers, as long as a “two wheel” drive SUV can traverse the driveway, then it is good (the county drives SUVs to inspect driveways). No matter the fact emergency vehicles cannot negotiate the drive and any emergency service has to carry
its equipment and you, should you require a stretcher. Also, if you do not buy an SUV, then you park on the street and carry everything, including food and any furniture that you might want in your house either up or down a steep grade. Is this what you want if you pay more than $300,000 for a home? Seems Oconee County is more worried about not upsetting builders at the expense of the people of Oconee County. Maybe we should ask the county what SUV they recommend the residents of the county buy so we can visit our neighbors without having to walk from the street?
Willie says:
I asked a friend at the paper to check this out with Mr. Chambers. Here’s what he said (and why I deleted a portion of your comment that misrepresented the facts): If you are building a home in a subdivision, the subdivision ordinance standards apply. Otherwise, the only ordinance that applies is the fire ordinance, which basically says the drive must be accessible by emergency vehicles. The phrases “two-wheel,” “four-wheel” or “SUV” don’t appear in any ordinance. The county can’t impose standards that are not in an ordinance. As for me, I wouldn’t be buying any home that I can’t drive my car into. There are plenty of homes for sale where you don’t have to lug your groceries from the road. If builders want homes to sell, they will build what the consumers want.
Willie,
I’ve written you a couple of times on various topics, some amusing, some not so amusing. One thing, though, that I’d like to raise with your readers is what appears to be a lack of any public concern about the use of meth in Oconee County. I hear anecdotal comments from friends and read articles in the Greenville paper and the Daily Journal that lead me to believe that meth is a growing problem in South Carolina, but I am unaware of any concerted efforts to address it in our state. In case our public officials read your column (and I hope they do), I’d like to recommend that they take a look at the Montana Meth project. It was begun a couple of years ago and appears to have been pretty successful in cutting meth use in the state of Montana. Information about it is available on the Web at www.montanameth.org
One of the interesting discoveries of the project is that what seemed to dissuade young people from using meth were ads that highlighted the impact on a person’s physical appearance; people look to be 20 to 30 years older than they should due to the impact of the drug and its side effects.
Willie says:
You’re right. We have way too much meth production and use going on in South Carolina, but I’m sure we’re not alone. Local governments and police agencies are battling it, but, I agree, a concerted effort might at least drive some of them out of our communities. Hopefully, the people making these decisions are learning about good programs that are working elsewhere.
Willie,
I’m a senior citizen and wear glasses and the only way I can do the
Wonderword puzzle is with a magnifying glass. I called once before, but I think it’s time that somebody at your publication makes it easier to do these puzzles.
Willie says:
Puzzles are popular, but so is everything else, apparently. The editor tells me that every time they test whether to remove a feature they get calls. The problem is, the economy is tight and so is the space available for news. The only way to make the puzzle bigger is to cut another feature and we know what that leads to … more calls.
Willie,
Certainly Syrian Clemson teaching assistant Tharwat Alasadi is a nice person because her students, teachers, sponsors and husband say so. But nice people should not get a pass when they violate our immigration laws even if unintentionally. She and her husband are well educated and knew the conditions under which she entered the U.S. required her to return to Syria for two years. Maybe if we enforced laws consistently there would be fewer broken.
Willie says:
You make a point.
Willie,
The reason longtime residents resent newcomers who live on the lake is rooted in human nature and goes far beyond irritation at just those folks. People fear change, especially if they had no part in bringing it about. Envy and jealousy are sometimes unspoken reinforcements to their feelings. And, of course, when we bring our own values to a community from somewhere else that’s an issue — but it’s especially irksome when we insist upon inflicting them upon others. Examples: clean up your property; zoning is the answer to all problems; leash your dogs; and speak in a way we can understand the words you say. The saying that your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins cuts both ways. Without sensitivity to others’ feelings and lifestyles, we will all continue to seethe about each other’s differences.
Willie says:
I couldn’t have said it better myself. The folks who have lived here their whole lives are entitled to try and maintain their lifestyle as much as those who move here are entitled to bring their lifestyle with them. Reasonable people will figure out how both groups can do that, but calling each other names isn’t a civilized option.
Willie,
Today, July 23, the Lifestyle section of the paper had a front-page article about Booksmith in Seneca. When will a similar article about McClure’s Bookshop in Clemson be featured in the Messenger?
Willie says:
The story was not about the book store as much as it was about reading trends, getting children interested in reading at an early age and what local folks are reading these days. There was information about the book store and its anniversary but that was not the focal point of the story.
Willie,
The other day I went shopping for some more veggie plants for our garden. I picked up two tomato plants, sorely in need of water, but healthy nonetheless. A young worker immediately tried to stop me saying that all these plants were going into the garbage. I was at first stunned, then politely outraged. He was not in the least concerned that he was throwing out “food” that could help so many in our community. He told me that was the store’s policy. Well, I was not about to give back those two plants and placed them on the counter. Then I noticed that he had already filled one
big cart higher than his head and was just then loading up a second cart. To assuage my concerns, they gave me a free bottle of plant food. But I had to pay $4.97 for each of the tomato plants and $3.48 for the basil plants — a total of $16.90. How in the world can anybody make such outrageous decisions when people are so in need of daily food?
Willie says:
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to throw out plants that could produce food. Perhaps the store and wholesaler should review their policy and consider giving the plants to nonprofit organizations that could plant gardens and help feed the hungry.
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August 1, 2009
7:57 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Sounds a lot like a place I used to work. We trashed bicycles, power wheels, furniture and food every day that could have gone to a needy family or a charity who could repair some of them to make a child happy. There excuse is of course that it is a legal issue. Seems like such a waste to me. Maybe if people in this country weren't so sue crazy things like this wouldn't happen.
August 1, 2009
9:43 a.m.Report inappropriate content
To the person or persons who are unhappy about this paper and our conservative community.If you are not happy with the news in this paper because you feel it is not liberal enough for you, I suggest you subscribe to a New York paper or better still tune in to MSNBC, CBS, etc. Those resources of news should completely satisfy your liberal tastes. You might consider a more liberal community where you can find like-minded people. Liberals always tell conservatives if you don't like something on television, it has an on and off button. Got the picture.
August 2, 2009
9:40 p.m.Report inappropriate content
In regards to the slam against the UAW. We have all contributed to our own demise. We demand the highest wages for our labor and then we refuse to go out and purchase the product our company produces. Case in point are the high priced textiles that are American made, which is mostly due to labor costs. Likely no one reading this owns any American made clothing and if you do, it only accounts for a small amount of your wardrobe, or you are above middle-class, or a clothes-horse.
The collective we allowed ourselves to get priced out of the world labor market. We refuse to buy high-priced American goods AFTER allowing the various trade practices and changes to occur which allows near slave labor wages to produce our goods.
Worst example is using illegal immigrant labor inside our borders with the ultimate example being our housing. We want the best house for the cheapest price. Who believes the cheapest price will be with $20/hr legal labor vs. $10 illegal?
We want it all and we can't have it. Not in a world market.
Shame on us all for allowing us to get where we are. Question now is "Do our current government leaders have the smarts and ability to reverse this trend?"
August 2, 2009
10:08 p.m.Report inappropriate content
"Certainly Syrian Clemson teaching assistant Tharwat Alasadi is a nice person because her students, teachers, sponsors and husband say so. But nice people should not get a pass when they violate our immigration laws even if unintentionally. She and her husband are well educated and knew the conditions under which she entered the U.S. required her to return to Syria for two years. Maybe if we enforced laws consistently there would be fewer broken."
Nice people should not get a pass, just illegals. Had Mr. David not provided their physical address by attempting to go through the legal process...the real question would be would ICE have found them? I thin the many illegals here now provide the answer to that. Nevertheless, Davis tried to go through the legal process and slipped in the process, leading to subsequent arrest of his wife. I don't know if it was intentional, yet you left out the fact that his wife became pregnant after they married, and then he found out his wife and newborn would be born in a country the US State Department has issued numerous warnings for being a danger to US citizens. Not to mention the US embassy has been shut down on numerous occasions dues to anti-American protests and has been bombed once already by Hezbollah who have a presence in this country. Are you seriously with a straight face going to tell the readers here that after marrying and pregnating your wife, you find that she has a mandatory two year stay (with your baby) in a county that your own government categorizes as a terrorist state, that you would do nothing?
If laws should be upheld consistently, then Elliot Abrams under the Reagan administration who was found to have lied to a congressional court should not have been pardoned and received a promotion in the National Security administration under George Bush Senior's administration. Those who violated the Boland amendment in the Iran Contra Affair, those guilty of abusive powers under COINTELPRO, and more should all have been reprimanded :)
Let's also add onto the fact that Luis Carrilles Posada wanted in numerous Latin American countries for bombing civilian businesses and a civilian airline is granted political asylum within this country. Who are we allowing into our countries? Teachers with outstanding records?
Moreover, the claim that her husband and her were well educated...well Mr. Davis is a history major and Mrs. Alasadi a educational teacher...they couldn't afford a lawyer. Can you as a journalist function effectively in the legal field? I have more to say, please respond :)
August 3, 2009
9:42 a.m.Report inappropriate content
real bugleboy, great comment and i agree.
August 3, 2009
1:38 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Regarding Clemson university needing more money:
It seems strange that with the short fall of funds the university still spends 1 million + dollars to transport students between the ages of 17 - 22 yrs of age on campus 1 to 10 blocks to classes, at a time when as a nation we are concerned with the obesity and lack of physical activity of our youth, and cash is in short supply
I guess you have to have a Phd to understand this.
August 4, 2009
9:58 a.m.Report inappropriate content
i believe it's the ever expanding girth of the average american that has determined what goes to the lot. most of us can't fit into a compact car anymore, and in everything we do, we think that bigger is better. we're the ones (well, actually, you're the ones. I am still driving my old VW bug) who looked at a Suburban and thought, "well, I could use more room". the unions didn't have anything to do with what YOU decided you wanted to buy, while the rest of the world was staying small, economical and gas-efficient, which is SO un-american!
but you're right, it is greed that caused this death. greed to have it all, have it bigger. but it is the greed of the average american as well of the ceos of the mega-companies, not of the average auto-maker.
August 4, 2009
2:51 p.m.Report inappropriate content
stinks, where have you been? Been missing you.What in the world did you say to make jenn remove your comment?LOL
Rosy is a real american driving around in a German car.
I'm with you stinks, I love my BIG ride, and not just because it can accommodate my spreading rear. It can also hold several tables, a load of luggage, several grand kids and a ginormous dawg.
August 6, 2009
9:04 a.m.Report inappropriate content
What about the obesity and lack of physical activity of all americans?...There are alot of people that don't get enough physical excercise, not just 17-22 yr old college students..
August 17, 2009
10:47 a.m.Report inappropriate content
get a grip. hondas and toyotas are made in the usa. union members are americans. fords and chevys are made with foreign-made parts.
but the bigger the vehicle, the more resources go into it. that includes plastic, and the manufacture of plastic is extrememly toxic. so it's okay with you if the air and water is polluted with these toxins just so you can get your big patooty into it? so you can feel big and powerful on the highway? over-compensating are we?
oh, and how about the resource OIL? (which is also required for the manufacture of plastic)... how many lives per gallon is your SUV getting? how many americans have died protecting your "right" to drive a polluting behemoth? you feel good about that? you sleep okay at night?
my mama was able to get all of us kids, the (big) dog, all the groceries for a week and a few stray neighbor kids into our station wagon when i was a kid. that station wagon was as smaller than today's subaru forester. you don't have to drive a mack truck to fit this stuff unless you're as big as a mack truck.
really, look at yourselves. what is your bmi? you're a bunch of fat butts who want more, more more. more potato chips, more big fat yeast rolls, more junk in your big house, a bigger car in your driveway, a bigger tv in your house. where does it end? how much is "enough"?
what does that prove? what does that say about you? that STUFF defines you? to me it defines you as greedy and shallow. consuming consuming and eating up all of the earth's resources.
where does your Bible endorse this? quote me the chapter and verse where "Jesus says, "go and consume!"
i'm not impressed.