Proposed opt-out form offers parents sensible alternative to school board book bans | Opinion
Support opting out
I feel compelled to write this as a parent, grandparent, and retired teacher.
My concern is the Beaufort County School Board’s decision to ban several books in our schools, including some that are classics.
We want children to develop the ability to make informed decisions and to encourage their curiosity about many topics.
Teens typically spend time on social media and playing video games with friends, not reading. They need critical thinking skills to succeed in the future. Books can help them develop these skills.
Do you want a school board, however well-intentioned, to decide what our kids can read?
This is clearly the role of parents.
Supt. Frank Rodriquez is proposing a parental opt-out form.
This rightly gives parents the option of making the decisions about the books their children read. (We know that not all books are age-appropriate.)
Please take the opportunity to let your board members know that you do not want them to make book banning decisions. Support Supt. Rodriguez’s opt-out form.
Marcia Budarz, Bluffton
Great care given
A prior writer seemed unhappy with the medical care here in Beaufort County. My experience has been the opposite, the latest being a knee replacement surgery.
Besides my physician’s sterling educational background, he is board-certified and fellowship trained in orthopedics as well as being an associate professor of orthopedics at UNC Medical School where he was instrumental in building their busy joint-replacement program.
Prior to my surgery and with my physician’s guidance, I did pre-therapy for a month, along with adhering to all his recommendations.
Imagine my surprise when on Day 1 after my surgery I was able to walk without a cane or walker.
One month later, I am walking and biking around my neighborhood. Pain free.
In addition, after giving up hope and deciding I would have to live with seemingly unknown medical problems, I had my problems solved by Hilton Head, Bluffton and Beaufort doctors. My life is so much better with fewer pain issues. I could not be more grateful.
From my experience, the Realtors showing homes here should feel free to state without reservation that we have exceptional medical care.
Veronica Hunter, HHI
Ethics code needed
The recent news about Clarence Thomas’s financial entanglements with GOP megadonor Harlan Crow should be alarming to every American.
This is what happens when the highest court in the land is given free rein to police itself. Clarence Thomas isn’t the first justice to engage in unethical behavior. And if Congress continues to ignore the need for a Supreme Court code of ethics, he won’t be the last.
Of the nine justices currently on the bench, four have been called out for unethical behavior and connections in the last year.
Neil Gorsuch sold property to the head of a law firm with cases in front of the Supreme Court.
Samuel Alito dined with anti-abortion activists and allegedly leaked decisions on reproductive health.
John Roberts’ wife has earned millions of dollars from law firms with business before the Supreme Court.
Congress has a constitutional duty to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system. It’s time they act and pass a Supreme Court code of ethics.
Theresa Deery, Bluffton
Report obscenities
While stopped at a traffic light on Lady’s Island Drive, I noticed a pickup truck with a very derogatory statement directed toward President Biden posted across the truck’s rear window.
My first thought was that this truck also had numerous Marine Corps decals and surely the Marines would not find this acceptable.
Next I thought about all the young children in Beaufort who no doubt have seen this display.
And what must our tourists think of Beaufort when they see such?
Does the owner of the vehicle (or any other South Carolinian for that matter) realize that S.C. law, Section 56-5-3885, makes it unlawful to display obscene material on a vehicle visible to the public?
Beaufort, we are better than this.
If you see such obscene material on public display, report it to law enforcement..
Yes, there is a fine for this crude behavior.
Christopher Uhall, Beaufort
