We the people
Our democracy is known as “government for the people, by the people.” The concept is established in the Preamble of the Constitution. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Billionaires: donating to campaigns, inside the government directing this and that, threatening the People, and generally promoting anything other than Tranquility and Liberty is not consistent with our democracy.
Eric Swalwell spoke to the threats, as follows: “That is real, because when Musk tweets at somebody, or Trump tweets at somebody, or calls somebody out, their lives are turned upside down. When he tweets at you, people make threats, and you have to take people at their word. And so that is a real thing that my colleagues struggle with.”
Swalwell was speaking from experience and how it impacts Republican colleagues. Musk and Trump commonly make threats and direct the MAGA mob toward others. Musk has threatened to use his wealth to fund primary challenges against any House or Senate Republicans who vote against Trump’s agenda. This is precisely the problem with the 2010 Supreme Court decision that the prohibition of all independent expenditures by corporations and unions in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Actviolated the First Amendment. Our government is no longer “We the People,” it has been taken over by billionaires.
Where are the checks and balances?
— Gerald Blount, St. Helena Island
Open letter to elected public servants
I am writing you to demand that you show some moral fiber, rather than kowtowing to Trump’s every whim, and I promise you that you will feel better about yourselves and can quit having to apologize for your every move.
I feel I can make a demand of you to perform your civic duties as they affect me. I am a native of South Carolina, born at Davis station in Clarendon County where I lived until my family moved to Sumter in 1950 during my second grade.
In 1957, I became an Eagle Scout and earned the God and Country Award at Trinity Methodist Church and was elected to the Order of the Arrow. I used the $100 that Mr. Henry Shelor gave every boy who made Eagle Scout to attend Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
In the summer of ’58 I worked at Camp Coker Boy Scout Camp for $3 a week plus room and board. In the fall of that same year, I got a job with the Sumter City Recreations Department working at a center for young children every afternoon after school and Saturday mornings. I began paying into Social security and did so every year for the next 50 years.
I worked for a construction company every summer during my four years at Clemson, and then when I went to law school I was appointed as a Page in the South Carolina senate where I served three years for Senator Edgar Brown. I continued to pay into Social Security.
After graduation from law school, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and attended basic training at Fort Dix, where I was selected to be platoon guide. I was also selected as the most valuable trainee of the cycle and scored a near perfect score in the proficiency test we all had to take at the end of training. I continued to pay into Social Security.
My first duty assignment was at Fort Sill, Okla., until Valentines Day when I received my order to Vietnam, and I had to leave quickly since my wife was six months pregnant. Forty-five days later I was in Vietnam attached to the 101st Airborne division at Camp Eagle about 25 miles from the DMZ. I was exposed to Agent Orange and rocketed on a regular basis until I returned home to see my 10-month-old son. I continued to pay Social Security.
After my service was over in 1972, I moved to Beaufort where I practiced law until retirement in 2008 and was also active in community service, the schools, Boy Scouts, church, and Bar Association positions. I continued to pay Social Security.
I dare say you all owe me much more for my service to this country than you do Trump who was a draft dodger, a liar, a felon, and a traitor to this country with his buddies all of whome he has pardoned. What has he ever done for you?
I expect you to guard my Social Security payments, my Veterans Benefits, and my Medicare. This is a demand and not a request. You owe me.
— James S. Gibson, Jr., Beaufort
Thanks from Zonta
The Zonta Club of Beaufort wishes to express our heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who dedicated their time, talent, resources and energy to make the 2025 Bands, Brews & BBQ event such a success. This event wouldn’t have been possible without their generosity and unwavering commitment.
Special thanks to the Town of Port Royal for providing the perfect stage for MC Brandy Gray and the bands, police services throughout the weekend including overnight security for food truck safety and for allowing us to block off four blocks of Paris Avenue to create a safe and welcoming location for the event.
Kudos to the awesome S.C. BBQ Association cook teams led by Keith Hilliard, SCBA District Marshal, who travel from across the state to compete and prepare their specialties for us to enjoy. Praise also goes to the generous businesses who Sponsor and make this event possible.
What would we do without the awesome musicians from the Parris Island Dirty Boots Band led by Gy.Sgt. Michael Barnette or the local talents of Chris Jones, Peach Patrol, SoundHoundz & Rick Rudd bands.
Our gratitude to the dedicated volunteers, especially BHS USAFJROTC cadets led by Lt. Col. Eric Thompson, USAF (Retired), our families, friends and supporters. Special shout-out to Rick Larsen, Garvin Stone, Jim Kamppi, James Frasier, Dan Whitaker, John Hedden and Donn McDaniel-Woods for all the work behind the scenes. Our Hometown Heroes who offered to judge the Wing competition on Friday loved their assignment!
We especially thank the Port Royal citizens and businesses for their cooperation and patience, especially The Smokehouse, Safe Harbor & The Shed.
Lastly, to all the folks who came out and enjoyed the days with us, hope you had as much fun as we did, many thanks.
— Marie Larsen, President, Zonta Club of Beaufort
