The Opinion Blog

Rally for a wonderful cause

Via my email. If you can take a day off in January, this cause could certainly use your support. We wrote an editorial about this group's efforts back in April, but so far nothing has changed. Here's hoping the upcoming legislative session will be more productive.

Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries, and it happens right here in South Carolina. Children, adults, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals can be victims of human trafficking who experience horrible physical and psychological abuse, as well as a complete loss of freedom. But you can do something about it.
Please mark your calendar to join human trafficking advocates from around the State on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, for the South Carolina Lobby Day to End Human Trafficking!

Legacies to Learn From



Saturday’s editorial looks at some of the lesser known, but still important people that the Strand lost this year:

The year 2011 has come to a close, and as we enter 2012, we do so having lost the assistance of some giants in our community. Tireless Grand Strand promoters and area leaders David Brittain and Woody Crosby died far too early. One of the driving forces behind Coastal Carolina University, Joseph Kenyon East, also passed away, as did former CCU Chancellor Dick Singleton. Both left an indelible imprint on the school they helped foster to its current success.

Other notable losses included Archie Dargan, whose construction company built many of the local landmarks residents and visitors pass every day, and Sister Peterkin, an unyielding advocate for Murrells Inlet, author, activist and the fishing village’s unofficial mayor. The loss of these well-known leaders – and more we don’t have room to list – will be keenly felt in the coming year.

SATURDAY OPEN FORUM

Be civil and enjoy.

FRIDAY CARTOON EXTRA

By Robert Ariail, RobertAriail.com

Hang Up and Drive



A guest editorial for Friday, provided by The Chicago Tribune:

The National Transportation Safety Board wants all 50 states to ban cellphone use by drivers. No texting, no tweeting, no talking – not even on a hands-free phone.

It’s a standard that goes beyond anything on the books in any state. The board has no authority to impose it. The data on accidents involving cellphones is inconclusive, the government is not our nanny, and eating a chili dog while driving is dangerous, too.

FRIDAY OPEN FORUM

Be civil and enjoy.

In your crystal ball

I'm working today and tomorrow on our annual editorial that outlines our goals and priorities for the coming year. See last year and the year before for examples. Thinking about big topics, like accountability, transparency, etc., subjects that stretch wide and touch almost everything we talk about. But I'm also thinking specific, like funding for public education or higher education. Or even, as we wrote about today, better science on fishery stocks from NOAA.

I'm sure I'll probably miss something, though. What are your priorities for our leaders in the coming year? What would you like to see changed, worked on or kept at the forefront?

Work on the Count, NOAA



Thursday’s editorial:

Christmas is over, but local fishermen still didn’t get what they could really use: Better numbers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

Struggling with choking catch limits and what many perceive as a federal government actively trying to put them out of business, fishermen have also run smack into a wall of maddeningly frustrating data. To sum it up very quickly: NOAA says some fish stocks are overfished. Local fishermen say otherwise, pointing out that they’re still seeing plenty of fish when they take their boats out. But NOAA is the one that sets the rules and limits how much fish can be harvested by both commercial and recreational fishermen, and the agency stubbornly insists that those rules rely on the best available science, even if best available means appallingly poor.

THURSDAY OPEN FORUM

Be civil and enjoy.

Back in the race

Just in my inbox. Been a while since the debate I saw Johnson in, but I remember being fairly impressed. Sounds like they're pushing him as the backup to Ron Paul. Best part of his announcement? The applause meter on the streaming video right now. Other thoughts?

Libertarians Welcome Governor Gary Johnson to Party, Presidential Race

Today at 10:00 am MST, Governor Gary Johnson is expected to announce his candidacy and to join the Libertarian Party with Mark Hinkle, Chair at a press conference at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

The event will be live streamed at the Gary Johnson for President web site.