Published on 7/3/2008
'Don't Tread on Me'
Had the recently aired HBO miniseries "John Adams" been produced as a movie and released on July 4th weekend, it surely would be deserving of several Academy Award nominations. Honors for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Costume Design, Make-up, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Best Director and Best Movie would be in order. Let's hope the Emmy voters feel the same.
For those of us fortunate enough to view the series each Sunday evening for seven consecutive weeks, it gave us a greater understanding of the development of our nation. It would behoove our present-day leaders to reflect upon the conduct of our founders as they make decisions today.
For example:
* Men and women with great courage went to war to protect their freedoms, but they also lobbied against war when it had no efficacy and was only proposed or brought about for the personal benefit of a misguided few.
* Diplomacy and cooperation with other nations was essential to the respect, prosperity and protection of our nation.
* The founding fathers respected and protected all men and created them equal. Without the common man sacrificing his all, the Revolution never would have been won.
* Leadership was based on integrity, wisdom and virtue -- not personal gain, arrogance or privilege.
* Political parties ever since the Declaration of Independence always have seen things quite differently. But they never lost focus of us as a United States of America.
* Strong women give inspiration, guidance and fortitude to nation they love and support with all their strength and conviction.
* Families always have personal issues that, when left unaddressed or avoided, can cause significant hardship.
* Friendship, if founded on trust, honor and integrity, always survives, even if challenged.
* A sound economy is founded and sustainable only with a strong agricultural and industrial base.
* Disease, hardship and disappointment are part of every man and woman's life. It's a matter of how we can accept it, deal with it and survive it.
* Hard work, self-esteem and taking risks make the difference in life.
Fellow citizens, in the age of uncertainty and ambiguity that we are now facing our leaders might well use history to assist in charting our present and future course. Unfortunately, few have even studied important chronicles like the Jeffersonian Papers or the writings, diaries and personal letters of the world's former great leaders. Take the opportunity to watch "John Adams" when it runs again or read the book. You, your family, your friends and mankind will be well served.
Gary Henry Minck
Georgetown
Other hospices
I would like to respond to a recent front-page article titled "Winyah Hospice: Bringing hospice care home."
I am sure that Mr. Cooper appreciated the free advertisement; however, I feel the need to speak for the other 26 hospices available to patients in Georgetown County. If the article was intended to educate the community about their options for hospice care, these other hospices should be included.
For over five years, there has been "another choice" for hospice care in Georgetown County. Many of those hospices, including Tidelands, have done an extraordinary job in caring for the terminally ill and their families. Mr. Cooper's comment "we are in it for the right reasons..." leads one to believe that the other hospice agencies are in it for another reason other than the "right" reason.
Anyone who knows anything about hospice care and reimbursement for care will tell you that the "right reason" is their only motivation. We are one of the other hospice providers and we love caring for the residents of Georgetown County as well 24 other counties in S.C. I feel it would be negligent of your paper not to list the other hospice agencies that can provide quality care to the residents of Georgetown County.
Michael R. Stewart
Outreach Coordinator
Advantage Hospice and Home Care
BEACH Singers
The Strand Theater, home of the Swamp Fox Players, would like to take this opportunity to thank Olivia Huggins and the BEACH Singers for appearing at the theater the evening of June 26. The singers come for all over the county, giving up their free time to share their talents. Over 200 enthusiastic persons were in attendance. It was truly a wonderful evening of choral music.
Warren Umstead
Member, Swamp Fox Players
Board of Directors
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