We can't change history
By Warner M.Montgomery warner@thecolumbiastar.com
      There is a movement afoot, prodded by The Other Paper, to remove the statue of Pitchfork Ben Tillman from the capitol grounds. The reason? Tillman was a racist. Benjamin R. Tillman (1847- 1918) led a populist revolt in S.C. and became governor in 1891.
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The City should go paperless
      The City of Columbia said in 2002 or 2003 they were going to use paperless billing for some of their water bill customers. As usual, politicians and government employees tend to stretch the truth. I listed some of the reasons for going paperless, e.g., no postage, eliminated envelopes and not to...
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"Shrimp" Hasell is remembered
      It was with delight and great interest to read Dr. Montgomery's article on Pineville (February 15, 2008) about my father, "Shrimp" Hasell, and his work with malaria in the 1920s and 1930s and especially at the Santee- Cooper Project.
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Thirty-something speaks
Promises to God
Mike Maddock
      Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. My five- year- old son is trying to spend 40 days without picking his own nose. I wasn't aware my son's nose picking had risen to biblical proportions, but apparently he thought it was important enough to give up for the season of Lent. He also promised God ...
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It's not a criticism, it's an observation.
How's my driving?
Mike Cox
      Driving south on Highway 21, just before it widens into four lanes, I noticed a van approaching me. The driver swerved off the road to the right, swung hard left and executed a ragged 180 heading into the direction I was going.
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Two miles to the nearest liqour store
      It's 2:30 pm on a snowy afternoon when Stephano is pulled over by the police. It takes him a while, but Stephano finally manages to stop. There's a paper bag on the floorboard between his feet. The cop asks Stephano if he'll give permission to look in the paper bag. Stephano nods affirmatively. Th...
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