Unfair coverage

Your lead headline Monday, "DEDORDIEU SEWAGE WILL GO INTO RIVER" constitutes slander of the worst kind.  What causes such hatred?  Sure, we are a privileged class behind guarded gates, but we produce a huge portion of the tax revenue of this county, after which your paper is named.

The lead paragraph asserts there are "repeated requests from residents and environmentalists to deny it (the permit)".  This is a misleading and inflammatory statement.  Those who objected, such as the Waccamaw River Keepers and the Winyah Rivers Foundation, had only asked for more information, more time, or in some cases an attempt at extra treatment.

Meanwhile, those who are more expert at assessing such permits, have approved it overwhelmingly.  "It should not have an impact on the river," comes from the Georgetown Water and Sewer District.  "The plan will protect the river" is the basic statement from DHEC.  The Baruch Marine Lab and SCDNR approve.  Even, for the first time ever, Nancy Cave of the Coastal Conservation League is in favor of an environmental permit by DeBordieu.

Perhaps the term "TREATED SEWAGE"  didn't fit your headline count.   As a life member of the Society of Professional Journalists, I will report this careless and hateful reporting.

George Vickery

DeBordieu Colony

Selfishness, immaturity

Do you ever get the feeling that we, Americans of The United States, are some of the most selfish, self-centered, and immature brats that ever lived ?

I am not claiming to be guilt-free, but look at our national situation as a whole !

 We have supposed “leaders” in Washington, D.C. that will not agree to “take-care-of-our-own” in the form of health care reform, but they continue; well over seven years; to send U.S. Troops in harm’s way and to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on two un-necessary wars in countries that are reported to have very corrupt governments !

 We have probably ten to fifteen percent of the richest; most powerful people in the world, yet these brats are the very “Americans” that are sending our jobs; and perhaps our very future stability; to other countries !

 At what point in unemployment and under-employment will these so-called “Americans” understand the very real damage that they are causing to the very country that they call “home” ?

 The over-whelming majority of us are not guilt-free, either.  When are the parents and grand-parents of our generation going to understand that you can not always treat yourself and “little Johnny and Sue” to every brand-new do-dad that comes along ?!

  There are probably millions of Americans who are absolutely so immature in their finances that they have very little savings; in the bank; yet they treat themselves to every monthly billing service amenity available !

In closing, I believe I heard, on the news, that the U.S. government is technically in debt to China by over 300 billion dollars !

 I truly pray that the rampant selfishness, self-centeredness, and gross immaturity in our nation will subside before we all are totally indebted to foreign powers !

Timothy Monroe Bledsoe

North Augusta, SC

Global warming

The opinion article by Professor Brock  in the "Waccamaw Times" of Jan. 14 seems to need further examination.  At the outset, it should be said that by any chance if "some scientists" are correct about man's contribution to global warming, we  should be trying to do something ameliorative.

[Brock] says that  "some scientists are dedicated to claiming that mankind is destroying our Earth..."  What is the scientific consensus?  How many people with solid credentials line up on each side?  More details with a solid basis should be provided.

He says, "We need more convincing evidence than the admonitions of folks who claim we are precipitating our demise."

  Do not any of these folks form their claims based upon observed phenomena?

 Are they all charlatans coming up with wild claims just because the polar ice caps are diminishing and the last decade was the warmest on record.  See google — global warming for reference.  

Although global warming is a complicated issue, when will the pure scientific evidence be sufficient to warrant conserving steps?  

Yes, some industries and livelihoods will be harmed, but some will flourish.

  Do we cut down all the trees, catch all the fish, and yes, it has been colder than usual hereabout for the past three weeks.

The assertion that most Americans (according to recent polls) agree that "our earth will cease to exist unless we throttle our industries; turn off our electricity and and stop driving automobiles" needs to be backed up with fact or at least a credible appeal to experts.

  What polls conclude that most Americans believe our earth will cease to exist?  The hyperbole is a bit much.  More precision please.

The professor does recognize that there are sensible steps that can be taken to aid "Mother Earth" — that's a good thing.

It is noted that because there is a chance that a traveler on an airplane might have designs on blowing it up, everyone has to be patted down and remove their shoes.  

There is no absolute proof that the plane will be blown up, but yet it is prudent to take precautions.  

Me thinks we should err on the side of caution and take sensible steps with Mother Earth.

Stewart Walls

Pawleys Island