Letters to the Editor

Lahaina wildfire underscores our need to consider who to avoid similar tragedy here | Opinion

By Staff

August 20, 2023 6:00 AM

A woman digs through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Hawaii increasingly seems under siege from disasters, and what is increasing most is wildfire, according to an analysis of Federal Emergency Management Agency records by The Associated Press. There were as many federally-declared disaster wildfires this month in Hawaii, as in the 50 years between 1953 and 2003. Rick Bowmer AP

Plan now for wildfire danger

Tragedy struck at the historic Hawaiian town Lahaina from deadly wildfires and strong winds.

Could this happen to our area with buildings so close together?

Answer: Yes.

What should be initiated now to minimize this risk?

Anyone have recommendations?

Looking forward to reading your thoughts.

Richard W. King, HHI

Equine landscape changing

In June of 2023, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 into law, granting the N.C. State Lottery Commission the authority to legalize sports and horse wagering exclusively for North Carolina residents.

This development introduced a new dynamic to the equine landscape with unique impacts to South Carolina’s equine industry.

The passage of H.347 creates a competitive environment, placing South Carolina at a disadvantage as we work to retain jobs and attract investment in our equine communities.

Our neighbor to the north joins a growing list of Southeastern states, including FL, KY, and VA, that have embraced gaming on horse-related events.

This move has enabled these states to grow their equine industries by offering large purses and attractive incentives for key stakeholders such as jockeys, trainers and horse owners.

Our state’s equine industry remains unable to replicate such incentives, meaning trainers, horses and owners will continue to move to neighboring states with more attractive financial climates.

It is crucial for the S.C. General Assembly to take meaningful steps to support S.C.’s equine community during next year’s legislative session.

The S.C. Equine Advancement Act is a promising foundation that will allow our state to build a proactive strategy to keep our horse communities vibrant and successful.

Kurt Gerald, Conway

Candidates need to show courage

A recent McClatchy article compared South Carolina’s presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Tim Scott, focusing primarily on their policy differences.

I think it’s important to mention that both candidates so far are in lockstep in lacking the courage to address one of our country’s greatest national security threats. Russia, China, North Korea and Iran each pose varying degrees of threat to our national security.

And many now agree with Trump’s former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who has said that another serious threat to our country’s security is Donald J. Trump.

There’s still time for Nikki Haley and Tim Scott to prioritize our country’s security over their timid short-term political strategies by addressing the serious threat the former president poses to our country’s security.

I sincerely hope both will find the courage to do so soon.

William Q. Brunson, Sumter

Pilots track better than politicians

Raising the retirement age from 65 to 67 years of age prompted the ridiculous article about the safety risk in the U.S. allowing pilots to fly after 65.

I am trying to understand how 67 is so old.

A safety risk? For the U,S.?

Stop picking on the pilots – 99% would never fly if they did not feel well, knowing their life would be lost as well.

But how about the U.S. president, both sides of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, etc.?

They have no age limit and, sadly, they control a lot more than our pilots.

Pilots have a much better track record.

Charlotte Tilton, HHI

What about the winning states?

How come Mr. Trump doesn’t have a vote count\irregularity issue in any state that he won?

To me, that says it all.

Joel Lerner, Bluffton

Support for Haley

I have followed Nikki Haley since she served as my governor here in South Carolina. I loved the work that she did as our governor.

It was easy to see the improvements in our state during that time. We had a lot of business that was good for the economy, and it seemed everyone wanted to move here.

I can tell you from personal experience that having Nikki as governor increased the quality of life for South Carolinians.

I have no doubt that the same would happen if she became president.

Nikki is used to being the underdog. She thrives on it.

The time for a female president may have come. Go, Nikki.

Mary R Mitchell, Beaufort