SUPERMAN, OR SUPER ILLEGAL ALIEN?
Though usually cogent in elaborating his conservative views, I fear that Michael Graham, in his piece “The American Way,” (The Usual Suspects, Views, July 5) has been compromised by the liberal media, and the liberal media’s interpretation of Superman. Truly, to depict this character as, in any way, American is ludicrous and borderline offensive. It is disturbing to imagine that even our greatest conservative voices can be duped. Here was such a voice, not but one month ago faithfully railing against the tide of illegal immigration drowning our country. How can such a voice then be persuaded into defending the “Americaness” of Superman, that poster child of illegal aliens?
Mr. Graham, America never asked for Superman.
America — even a fictional America — was instead burdened with the responsibility of raising this illegal entrant. We must always keep in mind his nonofficial status here, his penetration to the heart of our beloved Kansas. We must remember his true (undoubtedly foreign) name: Kal-El. One adopting an Anglicized moniker does not an American make. Nor can the lives that Superman saves, the work he puts into this
country, negate the fact that he came here in the bosom of criminality. The old, true Michael Graham would immediately recognize that this alien deserved to die in the freezing depths of space, rather than be upheld as some sort of “hero.”
What’s more shocking is that Mr. Graham views a resourceful, up-by-his-bootstraps businessman like Lex Luthor as villainous or, what’s more, capable of consulting for the UN. If anything, Mr. Luthor was the only one of us not to be fooled by Kal-El’s immigrant trickery — seeing this alien as the potential WMD he most certainly is. All in all, it is disappointing to see Mr. Graham air his treacherous about-face in what was once a worthwhile conservative column about true, important matters facing real Americans.
Eric Kingrea
Charleston
BEATING THE RACIST DRUM
Will Moredock’s article, “The People Have Spoken,” (The Good Fight, Views, July 5) concludes with “Republicans don’t have to be unified or humble. They are white and whites are in the majority.” This is a very catchy conclusion to his displeasure with the Republican control of the state.
On the other hand, I recently moved to Charleston from the banana republic of Hawai’i. For those not familiar with Hawai’i, both houses of the assembly, both Senators, and both Congressmen are Democrats and have been since statehood. Governor Linda Lingle (R) fills the only significant state office after surfacing above some bizarre actions by her competitors in 2002. Ms. Lingle is the first Republican governor of Hawai’i in 40 years.
Today, Hawai’i is 36th in graduating ninth graders compared to South Carolina’s 50th, or, on another scale, Hawai’i is 42nd from the best and South Carolina is 29th. South Carolina’s crime rate per capita is number 3 in the nation while Hawai’i is number 2. Hawai’i has the third highest tax burden compared to South Carolina’s ranking of 33rd. As to poverty levels, South Carolina ranks 13th from the highest while Hawai’i ranks 31st.
From personal experience, Hawai’i’s harbors, government services, and parks are in shambles. Petty crime — stealing from tourists — is a given and printed in the welcome kits. Violent crime is rare. Meth and alcohol abuse are rampant and eased by the ability to “live” under a blue tarp on the beach for free. Charleston surprises me with the number of violent crimes — often black against black. I’ve lived in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, and a dozen other cities, but I’ve never experienced racism like in Hawai’i. While I’ve been in Charleston only a few months, the “Old South” racism is not apparent. As I walk about town, I’m pleasantly greeted by people of all colors.
From my experience, the difference between a state controlled by Republicans versus a state controlled by Democrats isn’t worth a fiddler’s fart! Neither is capable of managing a state and were they put in charge of a corporation or had a REAL job — isn’t a state as big as a small corporation? — they would be ousted at the next board meeting. Is it time to farm out government?
Racism is the drum of the ignorant.
Dennis K. Biby
Charleston
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