To the Editor:
After the recent killings at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, I overheard someone say “Did you hear Obama’s statement? You know he only speaks out when the victims are blacks, never when they’re whites.”
Several other people quickly agreed with this assertion.
Have they forget his statements after Ft. Hood in November 2009; Gabby Gifford in Arizona in January 2011; Aurora, Colo., in July 2011; Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in December 2012; the Boston marathon bombing in April 2013; Washington, D.C. Navy Yard in September 2013; and the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom in Overland Park, Kans., in April 2014 where the victims were not solely African-Americans?
I’ve read that there are 14 specific presidential statements issued after instances of shootings and many involve other than black victims.
I would clearly admit that, when the victims are black, the President does necessarily bring up the issue of racism and its continuing affect on our society when that appears to be a factor leading to the tragic outcomes. Isn’t that fact clearly demonstrated in some of the shootings and other tragedies when the victims are apparently singled-out merely because of the color of their skin?
To allege that the President is interested only in these instances and the victims because of the color of their skin is, in my opinion, just factually untrue, outrageous and further proof that racism is truly alive and well today.
Michael F. Vezeau
Bluffton
To the Editor:
Much has been written about the growing accident rate on our roads, but little has been said about two contributing factors: signage and lighting.
Rarely are upcoming intersections indicated until one is on top of them. Signs are usually small, unlit and suspended on a wire above the intersection itself. A bold roadside sign about a quarter mile in advance would be a great asset.
Businesses on Fording Island Road rarely display the number assigned to their location by the postal department.
There should be a requirement that all business signs have the establishment number posted to be easily seen from the roadway.
Foliage overgrowth often obscures stop signs and oncoming traffic to a driver’s left side, as well as speed limit and other directional signs. Try seeing the stop sign as you exit Lowe’s in Bluffton to Malphrus Road (north exit). It’s completely obscured by a batch of palm bushes.
Then there’s the lack of overhead “down-lighting” at major intersections. Newer traffic signal arms could easily support adequate lighting but rarely has this been used to advantage. Bluffton Parkway and Buckwalter Roads are prime examples of this dangerous condition, especially with unlit islands separating lanes.
Improved signage and lighting are no panacea, but will undoubtedly go a long way toward helping traffic safety.
Bob Alberti
Bluffton
To the Editor:
I would like to thank all the wonderful nurses for the very good care I received on June 18 at the Okatie Outpatient Center.
Leonora Raggi
Bluffton
