Area residents: N. Korea rattled
saber on holiday to get attention

July 6, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER and LESLIE DRAFFIN
Of The Index-Journal staff

At the same time Americans were celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks and cookouts, the North Korean government, disregarding warnings from the United States and Japan, test-launched at least seven missiles on Tuesday and Wednesday, setting in motion an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council and calls for economic sanctions against the impoverished communist regime, The Associated Press said.
The missiles, which included short-range rockets and at least one long-range rocket capable of reaching United States, apparently landed in the Sea of Japan, the AP said. Korea’s most advanced missile, the Taepodong-2, which has a range of more than 9,300 miles, failed 35 seconds after launch, and smaller missiles, including Scuds and Rodongs, which could reach Japan, were tested as well, according to the State Department.
Though the missiles’ ultimate destination was a body of water thousands of miles away, some people in Greenwood on Wednesday said that did little to prevent concern that a more dangerous threat from North Korea could be on the horizon.
“I feel less safe,” Dory Whittle said. “I was shocked when I heard about it (the tests). I knew North Korea had not been obedient in the past, but I thought they had backed off. I was surprised they went ahead and did it.”
Like others, Whittle said she thinks the date of the tests, the Fourth of July, and the timing, within minutes of NASA’s launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, carried symbolic significance. “I think they did pick that day for a reason,” she said.
Bob Bogan, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, said he was not surprised at the missile launches.
While stationed on the 38th Parallel in the 1960s, Bogan said he learned a lot about North Korea as he patrolled the area with his fellow troops.
“Anything he (Kim Jong-Il, leader of North Korea) does doesn’t surprise me,” Bogan said. “He’s a nut. He’s just trying to get attention, like a little child.”
Bogan, however, said he didn’t feel any less secure after the test launches, especially after the long-range missile, which posed the most danger to the United States, failed after launch.
“I don’t think they have the technology to reach us ... I’m not worried,” he said.
But Gartell Hamby said the missile’s failure shouldn’t give Americans a false sense of security.
“If North Korea does not have the technology now, they soon will,” Hamby said. “We (the United States) should do something about it so we can learn from our mistakes. If we have the technology we say we do, then we should knock down the missiles if they launch them.”
Hamby also thinks troops should be kept at home as much as possible and feels “no more threatened now than earlier since I knew they’d get the missiles sometime.”
The tests followed weeks of speculation that North Korea would launch missiles, the AP said, and, earlier this week, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) went on a raised alert.
“We should just shoot the missiles down if they shoot them,” Mike Runyans said. “The U.S. is not the only country involved, China is watching too.”
Benny Leopard said the missile test, though a defiant step by North Korea, could give the United States an opportunity to prepare itself before more severe actions are taken.
“I’m glad to know that North Korea has missiles,” Leopard said. “That way, we won’t be surprised if something does happen. I’d rather be prepared than not know.”
Leopard, who doesn’t agree with sending troops to North Korea in response to the tests, also said he thinks North Korea is just trying to show what they have “like Russia did when they had missiles.”
David Harvley said North Korea’s decision will have consequences that affect the United States in its military operations in the Middle East and elsewhere.
“I can’t stand it,” he said. “It’s prolonging the war.”
Some people who were approached by The Index-Journal said they think the United States is doing the right thing by playing the “wait and see” card rather than immediately responding to the North’s launches.
But Harvley said he thinks a use of force by the United States would be the most effective response to what some high-ranking U.S. officials have called “provocative behavior.”
But Whittle said she doesn’t know how the United States should respond to North Korea’s missile launches. Whether the response is the placement of troops in North Korea or a use of force by the United States and its allies, the choice will be a difficult one to make, Whittle said. “I wouldn’t want to have to make that decision,” she said.

Shutting them out

Miller tosses one-hitter as Post 20 blanks Greenville, 10-0

July 6, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Under ominous, rain-threatening skies, the Greenwood Post 20 baseball team faced Greenville Wednesday at Legion Field.
The game was stopped after seven innings because of the mercy rule, with Post 20 winning, 10-0. With the win, Post 20 wraps up the Region VII title and is guaranteed a first round playoff game at home.
USC commitment Brandon Miller had a strong outing on the mound for the host.
“Brandon threw well tonight and we wanted him to get one more start before the playoffs,” Greenwood coach Billy Dean Minor.
Miller finished the night with five strikeouts, while only allowing one hit through six innings in the win.
“It feels good to win the region after a long season and get to have another home game,” Miller said.
Greenwood jumped on top early in the contest. With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Cruse Tollison drove in Trey Wimmer giving the host a 1-0 lead.
Tollison got his second hit of the night in the fourth inning and Keith Hill drew a walk before a pitching change by Greenville. Following the change, Matt Titus drew a walk and Josh Lovvorn approached the plate with the bases loaded.
Lovvorn wasted little time driving in two additional runs giving the host a 3-0 lead.
For those in attendance who missed out on a chance to see fireworks on the Fourth of July, Post 20 provided them one free of charge beginning in the fifth inning with two runners out. Keith Hill picked up two RBI’s on a 3-2 pitch to bump the score up to 5-0.
Hill helped maintain the crowd’s excitement when he stole third base. Matt Titus would make sure that Hill made it home safely on an infield RBI single giving the host a 6-0 lead.
As if sensing that a 6-0 lead might not be enough, Nick Milford got into the swing of things and picked up an RBI on a double to end the inning.
After Greenville ended Miller’s attempt at a no-hitter in the top of the sixth inning with a single, John Wilson made a diving catch to get the next batter out before Miller picked up his fifth strikeout of the night.
In the seventh inning, with the bat barrels still smoking, Greenwood would pick up their eighth run of the night on a Nick Milford sacrifice fly followed by a two-run double by Kyle Behrendt that ended the game.
“At the beginning of the year we did what it took to win,” said Minor. “We had people step up when injuries hit.”
Greenwood will host Belton tonight at Legion Field. The League VII game will be Post 20’s final regular season home game.

Opinion

Observations ... and other reflections

July 6, 2006

Taxes are necessary, that’s absolute. They fund every public service and/or facility, from courts to schools to garbage pickup to police protection to ... everything, it seems.
Sometimes, though, the tax system can tax the imagination, too. It’s just that we don’t think about it very often.
Take income, for example. We work. We pay taxes on what we earn: income tax. We spend what we earn, which supports the economy, from Greenwood, to Columbia to Washington. When we spend, of course, we pay a sales tax of one percentage or another.
We pay when we earn it, we pay when we spend it. Of course, if we invest what we earn and it earns interest, we also pay when we keep it. Taxpayers complain. Wonder why?

* * * * *

Five U.S. soldiers have been the subject of investigations in the alleged rape of a young Iraqi woman and the subsequent killing of the woman and three members of her family to cover up the crime. One has been charged. All are members of the same platoon as two U.S. soldiers who were kidnapped, tortured and beheaded by nsurgents.
These are individuals, of course, and all Americans can’t be blamed. However, it should go without saying that if these five are found guilty they should face the maximau punishment.
Otherwise, how can we, who bill ourselves as a nation of laws, validate any kind of “practice what we preach” approach to anything we do in Iraq, or even at home ... especially at home. * * * * *
After the U. S. Supreme Court ruled against the Bush Administration in the Guantanamo Base prisoner situation, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was asked to help write legislation to overcome the ruling. It is needed to address the court’s objections to military commissions set up to try prisoners held at the base.
Graham would give the president authority that could not be overturned.
Under the circumstances, where there is a declared war against Americans by terrorists without a nation or borders, new legislation should be on the top of Congress’ list of things to do ... without delay.

* * * * *

Quote to ponder: “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within. The essential causes of Rome’s decline lay in her people, her morals, her class struggles, her failing trade, her bureaucratic despotism her stifling taxes her consuming wars.”- Will Durant

Obituaries

Tommy Cason

HODGES — Tommy Cason, 60, of 107 N. Hodges School Road, died Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at his home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Jerry Ledbetter

Gerald Timothy “Jerry” Ledbetter, 64, of 312 Fawnbrook Drive, husband of Elizabeth Streetman Ledbetter, died Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Olivia D. McCasson

GALLION, Ala. — Olivia D. McCasson, 80, of 106 Peppermint Drive, widow of Sim McCasson, died Sunday, July 2, 2006 at Tuscaloosa Hospital.
Born in Greenwood County, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Sarah D. Robinson. She was a retired nurse, a member of Gilfield Baptist Church in Gallion and a former member of Old Field Bethel AME Church, Greenwood.
Survivors include a sister, Vernice Daniel of Greenwood; two brothers, James Daniel and Arthur Lee Daniel, both of Greenwood.
The family is at the home of a brother James Daniel, 1303 Florida Ave. Extension, Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.

Charles Cornelius Norman Jr.

ABBEVILLE — Charles Cornelius Vashawn Norman Jr., 28, of 110 Spencer St., died Tuesday, July 4, 2006 in Ware Shoals.
Born in Abbeville, he was a son of Charles Henry Norman Sr. and Barbara Wharton Norman. He attended Abbeville High School and was employed at Electrolux of Anderson. He was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include his father of Anderson; his mother of Greenwood; three brothers, Rico Norman and Charles Norman II, both of Anderson, Sherman Norman of Pelzer; four sisters, Carol D. Killingsworth of Ware Shoals, Stephanie Norman and Tiffany Norman, both of Abbeville, Evenlyn Norman of Greenwood; paternal grandmother, Louise McCullough of Abbeville.
The family is at the home of his mother, 722 White Oak Lane, Greenwood and the home of an aunt Annie Smith, 7 Oak Grove Road, Abbeville.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home.

Charles Piontek

GREENWOOD — Charles R. Piontek, 67, resident of 412 Hunters Creek Blvd., husband of Margaret Mary “Peggy” Belanger Piontek, died July 4, 2006 at his home.
Born in Detroit, MI, July 4, 1939, he was a son of the late Stanley Paul and Lillian Mary Pasco Piontek. He was a graduate of the University of Detroit earning a degree in Electrical Engineering and later received his Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. Mr. Piontek retired from Capsugel as the director of manufacturing.
A member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, he was also a member of the Senior Men’s Golf Group at Hunters Creek.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are six sons, Randy Piontek and wife, Karen, Rick Piontek and wife, Tiffany, Greg Piontek and wife, Angela, Gary Piontek and wife, Pam, Steve Piontek and wife, Vickie and Scott Piontek and wife, Jill, all of Greenwood; eighteen grandchildren, Christopher, Stephanie, Nicholas, Andrew and Joseph; Mason and McClain; Michael, Jacob and Kayla; Mary Kathryn, Anna Grace and Morgan Claire; Cody, Matthew and Connor; Tyler and Nathan Piontek; a sister, Pat Padot of Orlando, FL
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 am Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Rev. Father Richard Harris officiating.
Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Norm Belanger, Joe Belanger, Nelson Belanger, Jeff Casper, Jeff Doston and Darren Miles.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home where the family will have a Rosary at 6 and will receive friends from 7 to 8 Thursday evening.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Building Fund, 915 Mathis Road, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Piontek family.
PAID OBITUARY

George Sellars

George Dewitt Sellars, 31, of 525 Circle Drive, died Monday, July 3, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Baltimore, he was a son of Robert Hopson and Barbara Levister Freeman. He was self-employed, formerly owned his own roofing company and was employed with several local contractors and construction companies. He was a member of New Life Worship Center.
Survivors include his parents of the home; four children, Kelsie, Buck, Evan and Maisie; six brothers, Russell Sellars, Brad Branham and Anthony Sellars, all of Greenwood, Robert Sellars, Tim Sellars and Brian Sellars, all of Abbeville.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. Friday at Oakbrook Memorial Park, conducted by the Revs. Jerry Lewis and Bobby Cutter.
Visitation is 7:30-9 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of a brother, Russell Sellars, 527 Circle Drive.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Valeria Teasley

CROSS HILL, SC — Valeria Motes Teasley, age 62, of 132 Teasley Dr. died Tuesday, July 4. 2006 in the Self Regional Healthcare.
She was born in Joanna and was the daughter of the late George Washington and Effie Morgan Motes.
Mrs. Teasley was a home-maker and is survived by her husband, Fred J. Teasley of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Curtis Everett and Pamela Teasley of Cross Hill; three sisters, Gertrude Garland and Juanita Vanderford both of Greenwood and Mary Leopard of Cross Hill; two grand-children, Chad Teasley and Makayla Teasley; a step-son, Wayne Proctor of Cross Hill; three step-grandchildren, Des-tiny Proctor, Kacy Proctor and Brodie Reardon all of Cross Hill; step brother and sister, George McCallum and Joyce Hill both of Newberry.
She was predeceased by two sons, William Douglas Teasley and John Michael Teasley and a brother, George Lawson Motes.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Gray Funeral Home Chapel in Clinton with interment in the Rosemont Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family will be at the home of her son, 11743 Hwy. 72 W, Cross Hill.
Condolences may be expressed at www.grayfuneralhome.com
GRAY FUNERAL HOME of Clinton.
PAID OBITUARY