Willie,

Just a correction to the tirade by the admitted liberal Democrat who did a good job of bashing both Democrats and Republicans over lying in politics. Bravo! But then he blew it by calling Bush a liar over weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Saddam did pose WMDs. Sadam used them (poison gas) on his own people. How convenient to forget. Actually the U.S. has found about 500 chemical weapons in Iraq since 2003, and we are likely to find more. Also, Fox News interviewed one of Saddam’s generals who admitted seeing some of Saddam’s WMDs shipped to Syria for safekeeping. Of course being a liberal, I doubt the writer watches Fox News for fair and balanced reporting, and the other liberal networks are not going to tell the truth if it will make Bush look good.

Willie says:

I’m no flaming liberal, as you might have guessed, but it will take more than Fox News to make Mr. Bush look great. Sorry.

Willie,

I heard a rumor that the old JP Stevens plant is being used to videotape porn and wanted to see if you’ve heard anything about it or if you could check into that.

Willie says:

Say what? Get a life dude!

Willie,

Over in Pickens County, as well as Greenville County, the school boards allow for individuals 65 years and older to receive a sports card that enables them to attend certain sports functions at the high schools. I have tried lots to find out if it’s available in Oconee County or at least find someone who would say that it’s a good idea and we need to do that, but I have never had any response. Could you help me find out?

Willie says:

In Oconee County, that is the Gold Card, which is issued to any senior citizen (age 65 and older). It’s good for admission to any school sponsored event! Interested persons can pick up their card at the School District of Oconee County’s administrative office at 414 South Pine St. in Walhalla. It’s a great perk for senior fans!

Willie,

Back in May, I got a stimulus check from the federal government. It’s nice to have, but my problem is my son is practically destitute with two children and has not received a penny. Do you have any idea if these checks are still arriving and is there a number we could call to check the status of his check?

Willie says:

It turns out there is a number. The IRS has set up a hotline so you can check the status of your rebate check. That number is 1-866-234-2942. Select option two when prompted.

Willie,

Isn’t there a leash law in South Carolina? I live in Newry. It’s very small and the law doesn’t seem to apply here like it does everywhere else. I’ve complained several times to the animal control, but they tell me every time I call to come and file and complaint. When I do, they never do anything. Then they told me that they came here, but they couldn’t catch any dogs, but isn’t it their job to try and catch them? Dogs roam free everywhere down here and you can’t walk out on the street for them. And no one seems to care.

Willie says:

Stray dogs in Newry? Who’d a thunk it? Actually, there are stray dogs everywhere. South Carolina does have a law against allowing dogs to roam free. It also has a law requiring leashes in parks and a law that allows dogs to run free while hunting. Laws we got. Enough animal control people to catch them all? Well, that’s another thing.

Willie,

I wonder if people are really talking about the right things in the health care situation. I wonder if our health care may actually decrease because all the people without insurance are going to the emergency room when they get sick. Then the hospitals pass on the extra costs to the people that actually pay for their insurance. We know the emergency room care is expensive, so any system that provides normal care may actually cost less. Nobody actually talks about that, and I can’t seem to get the answer on that.

Willie says:

Check out Editor Brett McLaughlin’s column in the Oct. 10 paper or online. That’s exactly what he was talking about. Health care costs are out of control as doctors and hospitals are trying to pay for the folks who have no insurance and can’t afford it.

Willie,

I know that it’s only a game, and as a parent I have taught my children that winning isn’t everything, but I have to tell you that it broke my heart on Friday night to see the deflated souls walking off the football

field at Seneca High School. These kids are playing their hearts out and still can’t seem to get a “W” in the win column. We are proud of our boys no matter what and know that it’s tough to go out there week after week feeling like you’ve been fed to the wolves. We have talent on this team; now we just need the coaches to get it together, work together and work towards a common goal.

Willie says:

You probably noticed I trimmed your comments a bit. I’m not getting sucked into that “coaching from the sidelines” thing. If you have reasonable concerns with athletic program, take it up with the administration or your school board representative. Otherwise, go cheer on your kids and practice what you preach … winning isn’t everything.

Willie,

Can you find out how the town of Salem can afford two part-time employees and can’t afford to hire a full-time or part-time police officer to help our chief? He can’t do it all up here in town.

Willie says:

This has been asked and answered a hundred times. But, here we go one more time. If you are a resident, go to the next town council meeting and voice your concerns. If you’re not a town resident, get a life. Personally, Willie thinks Mayor Diane Head is doing a great job in Salem.

Willie,

I have been in the financial world since the early 1980s. The county must think that all residents of Oconee County are ignorant, backward rednecks. The huge surplus of funds came from one source ... over-taxation. Their claim to underexpending for several years really means over-budgeting ... ie: overtaxation. Now they are trying to come up with potential needs to justify the large balances. Of course they can find ways to spend it. If it were federal funds, they would have to return them if they didn’t spend them. Wake up, Oconee County, you are being taken. You voted in several cronies claiming to fix the problems. Are you satisfied? Call them and let them know your feelings or if they venture out in public, give them a piece of your mind. They surely need it.

Willie says:

I’m one of those folks that thinks the county has been collecting too much money. If they can’t spend it all, it must be too much. I like earning a little interest as much as the next guy, but I guess the government’s doing that for me now.

Comments contained in the Tell Willie column are not intended to reflect the views of management or staff of The Journal. They are the opinions of readers who have submitted Willie items. The Journal makes no guarantee of the accuracy of comments contained in Tell Willie. As for the answers, Ol’ Willie does his best to get it right.