Category Archives: Opinions
Voting by mail in SC would save time and money
After deciding to vote early in last year’s election, my wife and I stood in line for more than three hours at a Charleston shopping center early voting facility. The first hour was spent huddling in line under 
an umbrella to ward off the rain.
What is now proposed in our legislature is the state spending more than $500 million for new voting machines that would include a paper trail for every vote that is cast. A far better alternative would be a vote-by-mail system, as already proven in Oregon, a vote-by-mail pioneer in 1998, and since adopted by the states of Washington and Colorado.
When you’re voting at home, there’s no standing in line or having to rush to the polls after getting off work. This explains in part why the
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Major win for the environment
Feb. 26 was a good day for conservation and the environment. President Donald Trump has an opportunity to make it even better.
Nearly five months after Congress allowed the critical Land and 
Water Conservation Fund to expire, the House followed the Senate and permanently reauthorized the fund as part of a massive public lands bill. President Trump should sign the bipartisan measure into law as soon as possible.
In South Carolina, the fund is an important supplement to land conservation and outdoor recreation efforts. The fund has contributed almost $300 million to the state over the past 50 years.
Losing support of that magnitude would be a terrible blow to South Carolina, where the fund has aided land and historic site projects in all 46 counties. Among those are Fort Sumter and more than 20 parks in Charleston, including Waterfront Park, as well as Congaree National Park in Columbia, Falls Park in downtown Greenville, and
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Don’t be seduced by romance scams
Romance can be lovely … except when it isn’t. Disaster can be part of the package if the new “perfect match” is a scammer. There are far too many ways for thieves to con seniors.
Online Dating Sites — You can’t really know who’s on the other end of the ads you view, but there are some warning signs that a potential date might not be honest. He or she might profess love all too quickly, or send photos that don’t look real. You
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Why not go to the source?
Public schools face lots of problems in South Carolina. And there are lots of reasons for this situation. But one problem in 
our state is how those in charge come up with solutions.
If you have a car that isn’t running smoothly, do you try to fix it on your own? Or do you take it to a good mechanic?
If you need an operation, do you get a committee of elected officials together to perform surgery or go to a medical professional?
There’s no question our education system needs overhauling. But shouldn’t we get the people who know what the issues are
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
South Carolina pensions still
The Legislature made an important stride two years ago when it agreed to pump more money into the state pension system, but it stopped short of shifting new employees to 401(k)-style 
retirement plans, a move most experts agree is the only way out of a multibillion-dollar hole that taxpayers would ultimately have to fill.
Though public agencies and their employees are plowing more money into pension funds, a process that will take five more years to be fully phased-in, unfunded liabilities — the projected gap between assets and future payouts — stood at an incredible $25.47 billion at the end of fiscal 2018. That’s closer to an abyss than a
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Injecting faith into our doubt
Soon after Jesus had resurrected, we find a beautiful passage in John chapter 20 that is a wonderful example of how much God loves us and wants to encourage us. The friends and family of Christ were gathered together after his horrific crucifixion and were still grieving over his death when all of a sudden, he appears in their midst!
Even though they remembered how he had promised to return, I’m sure they were still awestruck. Jesus stretches out His hands and reveals his wounds, and of course, they are overjoyed to see him again. He spoke peace and breathed on them, and
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Do you feel a spark of joy?
There are two shows I occasionally watch on television. Don’t ask me why.
One, “Hoarders,” is appalling, but something about it makes me want to know if these poor people can be helped.
The other reason I benefit from “Hoarders” is that it is so reassuring. I say to myself, “Well, the house is a little messy, but at least it isn’t as bad as that.”
So, I get to feel righteous for a little while.
But the other show I’ve seen, and I’ve only watched it twice, is called “Tidying Up.”
It features a tiny Japanese lady who is an expert in organizing your home and making it easier to keep that way.
Now this show is a real bummer. If you enjoy feeling inadequate, this is for you.
She comes to the home of some overwhelmed family who are exhausted, overworked and overwhelmed.
They need to get rid of stuff, but are too exhausted to deal with
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Letters to the Editor 2-20-19
Drag queen event an eye-opener
Dear Editor,
Drag Queen Story Hour at the Five Forks Public Library was an eye-opener in more ways than one.
On one side of the police barriers, you had men dressed up as women, men dressed up as nuns with bizarre makeup on, and the LGBTQ community shouting “love not hate.”
On the other side of the barrier, you had men dressed as men and women dressed as women shouting “child abuse.”
There is clearly a stark contrast. Depending on your ideology, it
The dream within us
Our destiny is the core of our purpose and constantly urges and drives our responsibility to make sure we are doing everything we can to accomplish our mission. This divine calling fuels our thoughts and imaginations as we ask God to help keep us going forward and to never give up.
Once we discover our vision, our goal will not be easy. Dreams and faith go hand in hand. May we also consider that working a temporary job might be necessary in order to support our family while we are developing our skills and waiting for our dream to manifest.
Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “By failing to prepare, you are
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Old pro joins the Courier family
Hello, Pickens County!
I’m Ron Barnett, and I’m the newest contributor to the Courier, Pickens 
County’s only locally owned newspaper.
Some of you may know me. For one thing, I’ve lived here most of my life and you could have seen me around Clemson, where I grew up and went to school, or run into me at the grocery store in Easley, where I live now.
Or if you’re a local government gadfly, you may have even seen me at a meeting of the Pickens County Council or school board or one of the city councils in the county.
I was a reporter or editor at The Greenville News for 29 years. Until last month. That’s when I entered into my Golden Age, in which I don’t have to get
