RSS FeedsSanford doesn’t get it on tobacco tax In “Real vs. explicit taxes: The cost of opportunities lost” Sunday, James R. Hebert clearly seems to get what Gov. Mark Sanford does not. Tax increase or not, all South Carolinians will shoulder more of a financial burden in one way or another because of his veto of the cigarette tax.- 12:13 AM
Olympics brought world together Our family would like to congratulate NBC on what a great job it has done to bring the Olympics to us.- 9:20 AM
As a high school history teacher for 30 years (I retired from Ridgeview High in 2007), I have watched the public school system erode year by year. Any teacher of experience will tell you that the system has been dummied down tragically.- 1:46 AM
Hospital wants heart unit for the revenue As a South Carolinian born with a congenital heart defect, once again, I find that my decision to travel to an out-of-state hospital for cardiac care is completely justified.- 1:46 AM
Three Rivers could become nasty stew The slow response by the Department of Health and Environmental Control to an obvious problem in the Saluda River, while typical and maddening, is just a precursor of things to come.- 1:46 AM
Knowledge-based Legislature needed Our legislative leaders recently attacked Gov. Mark Sanford’s economic development efforts and stressed that South Carolina needs to build a “knowledge-based” economy. I say that in order to do that, we need to start with a “knowledge-based” Legislature. What is that, you ask?- 12:14 AM
Life does not begin at conception Robert Ariail’s cartoon Thursday making fun of Sen. Barack Obama’s response regarding abortion and the recent letters regarding the graphic pictures on signs of the anti-choice folks picketing the State House once more bring up the question of when life begins.- 12:16 AM
As my midsection thickens with age, the waistband of my pants increasingly rolls south. And if I take off my shirt for yard work during these sweltering dog-days, the top of my underwear sometimes shows.- 12:16 AM
Forest Lake should open doors to all While contemplating the story of the positive steps toward inclusiveness taken by many of Columbia’s social and professional clubs, my overwhelming sentiment was one of grief and disappointment when I learned of Forest Lake Club’s continuing practice to deny membership to African-American citizens, while simultaneously demeaning women with nonvoting memberships.- 12:14 AM
Your Tuesday editorial raised questions about a survey the Legislative Audit Council planned to conduct of employees of the state Department of Corrections. The Audit Council was conducting the survey in an attempt to answer questions raised by the Legislature, in particular “whether there is a perception by SCDC employees that a culture of harassment, intimidation, and favoritism pervade the employment practices of SCDC.” The most appropriate methodology for measuring employee...- 12:14 AM
State Museum scores hit with birthday bash “Thanks for the great day, Daddy!” is what my son said to me after spending all day at the State Museum’s 20th birthday bash. It was music to my ears.- 12:17 AM
Is Georgia invasion renewal of Cold War? Forrest Gump, idiot savant, got it right: “Stupid is as stupid does.”- 1:48 AM
South Carolina, like many states, is facing a very real and potentially dangerous problem — a rising number of metal thefts that affect every South Carolinian.- 1:43 AM
Focus on long-term to solve energy crisis While the international heroes of the Olympic games are achieving the highest accolades of their respective sports, after years of sweat, toil and sacrifice, our leaders are squabbling about the quickest ways to solve our energy problems.- 1:43 AM
S.C. not trying to solve problems I’m a native of Alabama, but being here reminds me of home. I enjoy the political atmosphere, which is amazing to say the least.- 1:43 AM
Midlands can support another heart center I don’t know what the big fuss is all about. There are enough people with heart problems in Lexington and Richland counties to support several heart units.- 12:13 AM
I’m all for freedom of speech, but I have to admit that I was deeply disturbed by the display I encountered in front of the State House Thursday morning.- 11:28 AM
District 5 fighting progress and past Warren Bolton was right on with his Wednesday column, “Lexington-Richland District 5’s ongoing drama.”- 12:16 AM
Don’t miss Hydrogen Road Tour Saturday Ladies and gentlemen, start your fuel cells! As the date for the National Hydrogen Association’s 2009 conference in Columbia draws near, spring training has arrived. On Saturday, Columbians will get a chance to preview the technology that some say will change the future of the automotive industry.- 12:16 AM
Police forces can have some bad apples Ron Morris must not actually read The State, or he would have noticed the best-trained, best-equipped police department in the state was found to have rogue members who were out of control and that top management knew it and didn’t separate them from service.- 1:47 AM
