Have your say

We have begun asking for your comments on selected stories posted on myrtlebeachonline.com after about a six-month hiatus. Those of you familiar with our website remember that the comment function was a staple until last spring's motorcycle rallies. Sadly, several contributors posted virulent racial screeds rather than contributing thoughtful commentary on the two bike weeks and their impact on the Grand Strand or other subjects as well. We have restored commenting and invite you to share your views and thoughts. Comments can enliven the public debate and shed new light on topics and events.

If you choose to comment, please observe our rules:

No name-calling or personal abuse.

No profanity or vulgarities. Some people use them in their speech regularly, we know, but they still offend.

Back and forth exchanges between posters irritate other readers if they go on too long.

Make your point succinctly.

Don't pretend to be someone you aren't. Don't make threats.

Comments

[mr. exclusive]

Mrs. O'Connor,

If you'd like people to participate, you might want to avoid using words like "screeds" that virtually no one outside of a lexicographer would understand. I myself only know what "screeds" means thanks to my recent studies in journalism. Perhaps a more common, less esoteric word or phrase might be substituted. Or better yet, why not just say "a long monotonous post?"

[Thomas Pokorny]

As a registered democrat living in Florida, I will not have any say in the Democratic primary process. Therefore, I wanted to voice my support of John Edwards and hopefully convince your other readers to support him as well.

Out of the current crop of democrats, I believe that Edwards is definitely the best option to represent the Democratic Party in the national presidential election. Further, I believe he is the best candidate to represent the needs and concerns of regular Americans in South Carolina and the rest of the country.

First, the electability question should be addressed. According to a recent CNN poll, of the three major democratic candidates, it is John Edwards who has the best numbers against the spread of Republican candidates (http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/12/11/tue6ampoll.pdf). Not Senator Clinton and not even Senator Obama. Clinton especially tends to bring out an “all-or-nothing” attitude in people, polarizing many would be democratic voters (including myself). If she ends up being the democratic nominee, I believe many voters will feel as I do and cast their ballots for a different candidate.

In many areas, it is Edwards who speaks for those who truly have no other voice. His policies affect not just those who can help him obtain office, but can truly benefit the underprivileged and children as well. Edwards has a simple plan for health care that is both feasible and applicable to every American. The Clinton plan, on the other hand, comes off as confusing and impractical. Senator Edwards also appears to be the only one of the three who realizes how much the major Health Insurance and drug companies will be a roadblock to the success of his plan. Senator Obama says he will give these groups “a seat at the table” (but not the head). I think most Americans will agree they have lost the privilege to “sit at the table” based on their dismal track record at doing what is in everyone’s best interests.

On education, Edwards is also the one candidate who will truly stand up for the poorer school districts and young people who can not afford college. He realizes the limitations of the No Child Left Behind program and the importance of getting the best teachers to the worst schools. He has proposed a revolutionary “College for Everyone” program already successful in Greene County South Carolina. He has proposed many more important and ambitious (but achievable) goals. These include ending poverty in the US within a generation, and getting our troops safely out of Iraq within a year.

John Edwards is the “Native Son” and I believe this helps him to best realize the interests of South Carolina voters. As a Floridian, I also believe he best represents the interests of our nation as a whole. As a moderate democrat, it is for these reasons I plan on voting for Edwards in November. I thank you for your time and for your support of John Edwards this weekend.

Regards,
Thomas Pokorny
Thomas_pokorny@yahoo.com

[Gerald Swennes]

Here we go again. Another policeman kills someone (Chris Collins) almost like the policeman that ran down the motor cyclist. We will get another investigation and of course another exoneration. How many times must this happen before we wake up to another careless act by the Horry County police. I have a couple of questions: 1) Was the shotgun actually owned by Collins? 2) Why is the only female present put on LIGHT DUTY? 3) If the incident was so dangerous WHY DIDN'T ALL THE POLICEMEN FIRE ON THE VICTIM? It probably doesn't make any difference because another careless act will be covered up by the BLUE LINE.

[Patty Blum]

It is truly sad to read that someone who has a police record like Luzenski Allen Cotrell is being 'handled with kid gloves'.

What are the S.C. Judges thinking? This guy has been convicted/sentenced for 2 other murders. Why should he be given any leeway?

The case was presented, the facts were heard, and the jury made a good decision.

There shouldn't be anything to discuss.

My heart goes out to the McGarry family.
They have suffered enough, and this is definitely a slap in the face.

[Moofy]

The DHEC Legal Notice in today's, January 30th edition of the Sun News had an error in it.
The date of the DHEC meeting in regards to the Southern Asphalt Air Permit was not published.
Was this the error of the paper or of the envirronmental agency ???
Because of a call, it will be corrected for tomorrow's paper.
A question, How come the paper does not post thse kinds of legal notices ???

[David X]

Despite the Sun News apparent bias toward allowing illegal aliens and the employers who hire them, the editorial board is ignoring a dirty little secret regarding Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

This requirement has no teeth and is a shield for the less than innocent to hide behind. Why?

Form I-9, if completed and verified at all, is kept on file at the employer's place of business. The only requirement is that it be available for inspection by U.S. Government officials.

Instead of presenting the completion of this form as a de facto exoneration of employers, perhaps a more accurate editorial would have included the fact that the form will rarely, if ever, be inspected and enforcement of this requirement is practically non-existent. The only way to hold employers accountable and protect them at the same time is to have a true verification of eligibility to work.