A better idea for U.S. 278 corridor on Hilton Head Island | Letters

Still not sure what the cost will be on the U.S. 278 corridor project? It seems all government projects these days never are completed on budget or on time.

A less expensive option, with much less traffic disruption, would be to increase to three lanes each way the existing roadways on each side of our four-lane bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. That includes the causeway section on the mainland side, which will need to be renewed because of its structural weakness and age.

Then put in a system to change the lanes on the bridge to three eastbound in the morning rush hour and three lanes westbound for the afternoon traffic leaving Hilton Head Island.

This system could be employed for the Saturday morning westbound weekly renters departing and Saturday afternoon renters arriving.

Using three lanes westbound on the bridge is now used during hurricane evacuations which seems to work well.

In more congested cities around the country there are many configurations of lane-sharing systems that could be studied for use here.

Also, thanks to the Hilton Head Island Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. It has done a wonderful job of getting tourists to visit our area. Now we could save about $700,000 per year by ending the use of their service.

The main point of the gun-control op-ed was agreement

A recent letter criticized an op-ed column by two conservatives and two liberals who found some common ground for agreement on gun safety. The letter writer missed the whole point of the column, which was that four citizens who took the opportunity to exchange differing views on a highly divisive national issue, demonstrated that there could be agreement on some areas for both conservatives and liberals.

The four observed that “Americans with different points of view must be able to talk to each other respectfully ... in order to reach agreement on public policies” and encouraged others with “open minds ... willing to learn regardless of their political views or party” to join them in dialogue. That four citizens could come to some agreement on so contentious an issue as gun safety is itself a commendable achievement. They should be complimented, not attacked.

The letter writer argued that a right established in the Constitution’s Second Amendment cannot be restricted by laws, the same way laws regulating “doctors, beauticians or liquor and cigarette sales” do, which he describes as “privileges.” Later, he accuses the four columnists of “confusing a constitutional right with privileges.” The Supreme Court doesn’t agree. In a 2010 opinion in Washington, D.C. v. Heller, Justice Scalia specifically held that “reasonable regulation” of guns is permissible. “Privilege” versus “right” was not an issue.

I’m sure that the authors of the op-ed column would welcome the letter writer to their group, that is, if he has an “open mind.”

Character does matter

Does character matter? Character is defined as the moral and mental qualities distinctive to an individual.

Experts generally agree that there are at least six pillars or traits that affect the ethical qualities, good or bad, of our decisions and thus define our character. Good character traits include: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Bad traits include: not dealing with conflict well, power-tripping rather than empowering others, failing to recognize strength in their team, failing to accept accountability, failing to listen, and vulnerability.

Further, how does one’s character differ from one’s personality? Character refers to a set of moral and mental values and beliefs that differentiates one from another; e.g. inner traits hidden from sight. On the other hand, personality is the outer appearance and observed behavior of a person which may change over time.

Psychology Today identifies a person of good character as “someone to look up to and admire.” Distinguishing between personality and character is trickier. Personality is easier to read: extroverted, energetic, optimistic, confident – or not. Character, on the other hand, takes longer to puzzle out. It includes honesty, virtue, kindness, etc.

UShistory.org lists four professional character traits of an effective president. They are: honesty, commitment, charisma and cool-headedness. An analysis of good character traits generally, and those specifically for a president, do not speak well for our current commander in chief. Enough said.

Yes, character does matter. Good character traits, including integrity (my addition), should be everyone’s goal, including yours and mine.

Power comes in voting booth

Has anyone thought that the “sign of the times” might be very good for our country? This “United” States of America survived a Civil War with bullets and bayonets, survived a quasi-war in Vietnam fought with fear of nuclear war, and now we are brainwashed by all media into thinking that somehow, this time, we won’t survive the current political chaos fought with words and accusations and personalities?

What is all this doing for the national anxiety levels? What if we choose to think that there are good conservatives and liberals? Both sides believe the other side is crazy. That’s just not true. Why do we think we have the power to blame half this country’s population?

I think history is going to show that this country will survive, even this, and become much stronger for it. My mindset is one of hope, not fear. And I know there will be turmoil along the way. Isn’t that how it works?

I will leave you with this. In many countries, people would wonder where “So and So” went when that person disparaged the president or dictator. Alternatively, many presidents and dictators commit actual human crimes without the slightest mention.

In the future, we should all be sure that a worthy outcome of all this is that our future leaders will be smart to keep their noses clean and do the work of “the people – all the people.”

On Nov. 3, 2020, we, the people, will have actual power. Until then, it’s just talk.

Use your turn signal

Turn signal – you know, that lever on the left side of the steering column that makes a blinking light go on, right or left, to indicate that you are leaving the road you are currently on or that you are changing lanes. Do you remember where that lever is? Did you know that deputies can and have stopped drivers who fail to use this device, charging them appropriately with either failure to use the turn signal or making an improper lane change?

Signs on virtually every traffic circle on Hilton Head Island state that drivers should use turn signals when leaving the circle. Try watching the next time you’re in a traffic circle and see how many people actually follow that suggestion. Actually, it is a reminder of the law, not just a suggestion.

If drivers get in the habit of constantly using turn signals, even when they feel they are unnecessary, they will use them when they are absolutely required. That can only make for better drivers, fewer accidents, and less aggressive driving.

And are you aware that South Carolina law states that when it is raining and you have your windshield wipers going, you are also supposed to have your headlights turned on? More drivers seem to obey this law than the turn-signal law, but occasionally there is that driver who drives a car that blends into the rainy atmosphere, traveling at a goodly clip, windshield wipers going full-blast – and no headlights. Just an accident waiting to happen.

This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 9:55 AM with the headline "A better idea for U.S. 278 corridor on Hilton Head Island | Letters."