It’s time for an honest conversation
After reading Jim Dickson’s (January 4) column, it is clear we need to have an intelligent and honest discussion on immigration reform and the crisis at the U.S. southern border.
Since President Biden was inaugurated in January 2021, his administration has repeatedly reached out to Congressional Republicans offering to work on a bipartisan immigration reform package. Even though the Republicans claim this is a matter of national security, they have steadfastly rejected all offers from the Biden administration.
The reason for their rejection is glaringly obvious. They saw what happened in 2023 when Republicans suffered a string of embarrassing defeats across the country (Wis., Pa., Ohio, Va., Kan., Ky., etc.). Whenever reproductive choice was an issue, Republicans lost. 2024 figures to be even worse for Republicans unless they find something to at least partially counteract the unpopularity of their position on reproductive choice. They have chosen the border crisis as their key issue in 2024 and they absolutely need to keep it alive, even if it means jeopardizing our national security.
As voters, we must not allow ourselves to be fooled by this dangerous and disingenuous ploy. We must reject politicians who knowingly put our nation’s security at risk just so they can score cheap political points.
– Peter Birschbach, Port Royal
Enough
We’re a military town and I’m proud of it. I stop, look up and smile whenever F-18s or F-35s pass overhead. Out of interest I’ve attended graduations at Parris Island and been to the Marine Museum several times.
However, the frequent Marine-related articles in your paper are AWFUL! They read as if written by a crudely programmed AI bot. Full of stilted military speak that leaves the previously interested reader totally uninformed.
If you want me to read it, write it in the language I speak. Humanize it. De-jargon it. I doubt that even Marines talk this way to each other. As a physician, I guarantee I could write an article for your paper that would be totally technically correct and totally unintelligible to any reader except a physician. A waste of paper space and reader time.
Perhaps hire an editor.
– Tom Downs, Beaufort
My minority view?
But, wait! Is it? Compared to Jim Dickson, I am as far to the “left” or Democratic side as possible, yet I am sure we agree on many things. Great Beaufort Hospital system and docs, yes. Great American democracy, yes (worth protecting in 2024).
But, Jim, it is not public school teachers and librarians who are “woke” (who are the problem) — but a minority who wish to deny teachers their right to teach the truth, or librarians the right to offer first amendment reading rights to students.
It is so good to hear you affirm the presence of “far right wackos” in the Republican ranks, but then you buy into the false narrative of “millions of illegal immigrants” at our border — when in fact those wackos you mention hold (funding) for both Ukraine and border needs hostage to an extreme agenda. On another note, I was offended when you granted the local Republican leadership of South Carolina credit for the impending fix to part of I-95. That funding is coming from Biden’s Infrastructure bill — which both Senator Tim Scott and all six South Carolina Republican U.S. House members voted aganist!
Finally, Jim, you cannot echo the extremist views of border issues on the one hand then mention why the world’s oppressed masses wish to come here, while not demanding the Republicans negotiate on just that issue alone, in good faith. Besides, we have not even begun to see the potential for climate-related human migration we will all face when we do not deal forthrightly with climate change and our role in it. My mind says we likely agree more than disagree on many matters, and it wandered somewhere and the lyrics of Joni Mitchell’s 1967 “Both Sides Now” came to me. So all in love and kindness, hope we can see both sides of the vast ideas we debate. Happy New Year!
– Tim Dodds, Lady’s Island
Tell me why
Why is it rich Republican lawmakers want to strip away voting rights; strip women’s right to make their own decisions about their body and health care; not allow expanded Medicaid; block military promotions; fight aid to Ukraine; block Democratic presidents from Supreme Court Justice nominees so they can pack the court; believe in the lie that 2020 election was stolen despite the fact states did multiple recounts and 61 federal courts threw out frivolous lawsuits protesting the vote?
Republicans … try reading the Constitution and be more human. There are three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. The Bible is not one of our government branches. Keep your religion to yourselves!
The United States has more gun and mass shootings than the rest of the world combined. But Republicans are not concerned. They want NRA campaign money – sweet, caring guys.
John Schneider: He made a public threat on Biden’s life and his son. He said its was his First Amendment right. Comedian Kathy Griffin did a set with a mask and fake blood about Donald Trump and she lost her job and endorsements. Schneider said she was much worse than him. Really? She does comedy and you threaten the life of a president. But again, Republicans living in an alternate galaxy.
The Crew: This story brought me to tears. So many service men and women fall through the cracks either because they don’t know or are too proud to admit they need help. God Bless the Crew.
– Don Cass, Beaufort
