Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Rants & Raves: On Lindsey Graham, school day start time, and Trump's Hilton Head visit

On U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham dropping out of the presidential race:

Who knew he was even running? Bruce Twyman

Thank God ... another faux conservative. Dora Whited

An early Christmas gift. Edward Sueta

Wait, he was running for president?!?!?! Evan Stiner

Finally! Suzanne Turner

Now if we could just convince him to resign his Senate seat, it would truly be a Merry Christmas! Erin Elam Bonnett

I don't agree with much of his politics, but he was the only adult running on the Republican side. Michael Young

I do not like that man! Kim Taylor Boruk

Guess this clears the way for him to be Hillary's running mate! Hamp Greene

Great! Tara Fullington

On some schools starting later in the morning to allow students more time to sleep:

Later start times are an excellent idea that Beaufort County should adopt for all schools. The science backs the overwhelming benefits -- better academic performance, improved school attendance, higher graduation rates, better health, less depression, anxiety, less illness. Additionally, teachers are also better prepared. Alicia Avery Salyer

It's a double-edged sword. I know I suffered from insomnia in my teens and then that made me drowsy at school all day because of my early wake time. And my grades suffered. But teens tend to be more involved in sports and get jobs. So earlier release time makes that easier. Plus districts sharing buses. Amy Middlebrooks Tapley

Another way to increase the gimme gimme route our country has taken. Get them up, get them out and get them ready for the real world. Pete Cormican

Great idea. Linda Keller

On restorations being planned for Bluffton's Garvin House:

Half a million to rebuild a slave house, (that's) maybe 500 square feet? Funny. Eric Burns

I love this old house. Guadalupe Cruz

On Donald Trump announcing a Hilton Head campaign stop:

The one candidate who I don't want to hear from. Barbara Carkenord

No one likes Trump because they are afraid of the truth and they are used to being lied to by politicians their whole life. Well, keep living the lie. Tom Wilson

On a local colorblind teenager being given specialty glasses for Christmas that finally allow him to see colors:

I just cried ugly tears! This is beautiful. He will have a whole new perspective now! Merry Christmas, sweetie. Malinda Williams

Merry Christmas, James! What an awesome moment to share with us. Thank you. Jennifer Polk Mader

Awesome, James! Merry Christmas! Darren Jones

How amazing! Groucho's Deli

On the president approving a 1.3 percent raise for federal workers:

With no raise for the seniors living solely off Social Security! Mary Lipe Baskerville

I was thinking the exact same thing. Rosalie Lane

Because our government workers are so efficient, honest and underpaid. Paul McGovern

1.3 percent is pitiful, nothing to brag about. It amounts to $650 for someone making $50K per year, a whopping $54 per month. Big whoop. Lori Hutson

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This story was originally published December 27, 2015 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Rants & Raves: On Lindsey Graham, school day start time, and Trump's Hilton Head visit."

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