California oil spill illustrates perfectly why we must protect our marshes, coastline
Protect our islands
Please print the gory details of the current oil spill off the California coast to remind those here who have promoted offshore drilling on the Carolina coasts as safe.
Today’s drilling technology is foolproof, they say.
Couldn’t happen with all their safeguards, they say.
However, out there, the spill is miles offshore, at least 125,000 gallons of crude oil spilled, and affecting miles of local beaches.
Can you imagine that coming into our marshes, creeks, and beaches?
It would never be cleaned up -- a forever disaster every day.
Everyone should learn from this and never forget we need to protect these emerald isles.
Jerry Floyd, St. Helena Island
Fly American
Our American flag is a symbol of pride and freedom for all Americans, ideally viewed by the world as a symbol of diplomacy and democratic principles while giving hope in the face of diversity.
As individual citizens, we are limited in how we can support these ideals, particularly during these challenging times to our democracy; however, here is something we can do: Display the American flag in a prominent location on your property.
In our gated community, more and more flags are now seen hanging permanently from a private owner’s tree or building. A majority of my neighbor’s homes are “flagged;” mine has been flying for 15 years.
Be part of this spirit of unity. Purchase a flag kit at your hardware store and mount it.
If mounting the kit is too challenging, I will mount it free of charge in my gated community. Hopefully, other handy volunteers will come forward in theirs.
Be a proud American every hour of every day.
Earle Everett, Hilton Head Island
Let the children lead
When the Beaufort County School Board voted against masks for students, I was at work caring for an unfortunate, unvaccinated patient suffocating with COVID-19 pneumonia. His case was so advanced he would only have a few days to live.
My gravely ill patient was infected by a school-aged child who brought the virus into the home. Not the child’s fault by any means, but something that could have been prevented. When I learned the school board missed the opportunity to protect similarly unvaccinated children, I felt like I was living in a different world. The COVID-19 virus is most contagious just before the onset of symptoms, the cruelty of this disease. It’s also a primary reason why universal masking in a closed classroom is so important. A mask can prevent a virus from filling the air and prevent an infected child from infecting classmates.
Children are charitable by nature. They prefer a world in which their friends are kept safe from getting sick. They showed us last year by wearing masks when COVID-19 was much less of a threat. Let’s let them lead the way again so we can all be safer.
Stephen Larson, M.D., Hilton Head Island
Support SSI changes
People with disabilities have historically faced significant barriers to employment and economic advancement.
To move toward a society that is truly equal for people of all abilities, outdated policies should be reevaluated and revamped, including the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which impacts thousands of individuals.
As it stands, the current SSI benefits make it difficult for people with disabilities to enter the workforce. These individuals are afraid of losing much needed financial support. Many live below the poverty line.
Members of Congress recently introduced the SSI Restoration Act which would adjust the total amount of allowable benefits for people with disabilities. Passage of the SSI Restoration Act would make it easier for people with disabilities to gain employment without fear of losing benefits.
National support for the enhancement of the SSI Program would positively affect millions of people with disabilities and create a ripple effect that would lead to true inclusion for all.
Regional Hughes, North Charleston