I read with interest your article concerning the high crash rate at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Columbia Road. As someone who travels through this intersection frequently, I believe this junction would be the perfect place for a roundabout.

A roundabout is a circular intersection in which all traffic travels around a central island. Modern roundabouts are much safer and take up less space than older traffic circles commonly seen in northern cities. While they are not appropriate for all situations, the traffic level and volume of left turns seen at the Chestnut Street/Columbia Road intersection could be well handled by a roundabout.

An additional roundabout at the intersection of Chestnut and St. Matthews Road would provide a safe place for drivers to U-turn instead of crossing multiple lanes of traffic to complete a left turn. The conversion of the left turn lane into a landscaped median between the two intersections would then be possible. Not only could roundabouts reduce delay, but also make the entire corridor safer and more aesthetically pleasing. They should be considered by the city and SCDOT.

--Dale Padgett Jr., Bamberg

n McCain should admit

he’s out of touch on Iraq

Being a Marine and Army veteran and having served in Iraq, it is painful to hear Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin say the surge in Iraq has succeeded. I always wonder how naive do they think the American people are?

If the surge has succeeded, then so many American soldiers, sailors and Marines would not still be in Iraq. So many American families would not still be losing loved ones. How many times has McCain been to Walter Reed and faced soldiers without limbs or vision. It was real easy for George Bush to say the invasion of Iraq was a success three and four years ago when he had the nerve to board an American aircraft carrier and announce it on the news for the world to hear.

I am currently a contractor in Iraq and work side by side with the Iraqi people. I hear stories of how they only have three hours of electricity per day. No regular plumbing. They lose family members. Most are businessmen and cannot open their businesses because of the violence.

Maybe in some parts of Iraq, violence is down, But for how long? How do we define victory in Iraq. I believe this is a constant that cannot be measured. The failing economy is a cost the American people have to pay for eight years of George Bush. McCain should admit he is really out of touch with the American people and so many different realities we call life.

— Patrick Finklin, New Ellenton

n  S.C. State impresses

Clemson supporter

I would like to start out by saying that I was very impressed by the following of the fans for South Carolina State University at Saturday’s game in Clemson. I had several of them stop by my tailgate after the game, as well as before, and would like to say all of them were even more classy than the ACC as well as SEC fans that we face.

For that I congratulate you all. Even though the game did not turn out well for you, you all were very polite and cordial. If we shall ever play again, I will be there and all of you are welcome to stop by and get a bite to eat. And to the 101, I was highly impressed by the performance. I look forward to seeing you all again soon/.

I have been going to Clemson games for 15-plus years and have never seen the stands as full at the half. I would have preferred the 101 perform the hole halftime show.

For the players, best of luck in the MEAC and bring the state of South Carolina home a title. Once again, thnak you S.C. State fans, players, coaches and the 101 for a very nice Saturday.  

-- R. Galiano, Sumter

n Memorable sayings

President Nixon: “I am not a crook.”

President Bush the elder: “Read my lips.”

President Bush the younger: “We’re not in a recession, we’re in a slowdown.”

I admit voting for President Nixon and still think he did better in the areas of national and foreign policy than most who followed. We would not be in the mess we’re in now if he were president.

Definition of a recession: a temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced.

-- John Gerlach, Orangeburg

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