Local officials say comments show need for violence education

April 22, 2005

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

A state legislator’s comments this week during a television interview highlight the diverse need for domestic violence education in South Carolina, local officials say.
State Rep. John Graham-Altman, R-Charleston, drew fire Wednesday after criticizing victims of domestic violence during an interview with WIS-TV.
“There ought not to be a second offense,” Altman said. “The woman ought not to be around the man. I mean you women want it one way and not another. Women want to punish the men, and I do not understand why women continue to go back around men who abuse them.”
“There’s still a lot of myths and ignorance in our legislators,” said Martha Busterna, director of Greenwood’s Sexual Trauma & Counseling Center. “It’s outrageous to think we’re that far behind, but we’re one of the leaders in the country for domestic violence numbers.”
Monday, the House Judiciary Committee tabled the Protect Our Women in Every Relationship (POWER) Act, which sought to make Criminal Domestic Violence crimes a felony for the second offense. The decision to table the bill essentially delayed further action on it for the remainder of the year.
In a tape of the committee meeting obtained by The (Columbia) State newspaper, Altman asked why POWER specifically protected women.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Richland, suggested calling the bill the “Protecting Our People in Every Relationship Act” — or “POPER” — the newspaper reported.
A voice on the tape is heard pronouncing it “Pop her.” Then another says “Pop her again” followed by laughter.
“And they wonder why we rank in the bottom on women in office and we lead in women getting killed by men,” state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, who sponsored the bill, said later.
“It was done in bad taste and the wrong message was conveyed,” state Rep. Gene Pinson, R-Greenwood, said of Altman’s comments. “Although I think there was some substance to his words. It was not what was said, but the way it was verbalized.”
Pinson said many people don’t understand why victims of domestic violence return to their abusers.
“I’m around different abuse situations enough to know why people go back,” Pinson said. “Some of it’s economic, some of it’s to protect the family unit. Some of it’s in hope that it will be better next time. But we’re here to protect people from being battered and abused, not to encourage it.”
“I think it’s just a matter of people not having an understanding of domestic violence,” said MEG’s House Director Alice Hodges.
MEG’s House is a shelter for abused women and services McCormick, Edgefield and Greenwood counties.
“We have people that don’t understand the dynamics, they don’t understand why women stay or why women choose to go back,” she said. “This is not a woman’s issue, this is a family issue. It doesn’t just affect the woman, it affects the children. And, of course, we have men who are victims.”
Busterna said she was “appalled” by Altman’s words, but believed they may have positive repercussions.
“It’s opened up some new avenues for domestic violence to be discussed among advocates and legislators in this state,” she said. “It’s really brought attention to our need to improve domestic violence laws. Something good has come from his ignorance.”
In South Carolina, criminal domestic violence acts are classified as misdemeanors for the first three offenses. A bill is expected to be introduced in the House next week to make a third CDV offense a felony.

Annie Mae Christian

NINETY SIX — Annie Mae Harter Christian, 89, of 3514 Highway 246, widow of Hewell L. “Bill” Christian, died Thursday, April 21, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late William Henry Harter Sr. and Sallie Ellenberg Harter. She retired from Greenwood School District 52, where she was the principal’s secretary at Ninety Six High School, and was formerly employed by Star Mercantile. She was a member of Ninety Six Church of God and the Sanctuary Sunday School Class and Monday Night Bible Study of the church.
Survivors include three brothers, William “Dick” Harter and W.J. “Buddy” Harter, both of Ninety Six and Thomas B. “Bill” Harter of Augusta, Ga.
Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by the Revs. Wilton Scruggs and Greg Holladay. Burial is in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Wade Harter, Rick Harter, James Milton Harter, Ronald Lowery, Donald Lowery, Randolph Williamson and Donald Bagwell.
Honorary escorts are Ninety Six Church of God Monday Night Bible Study members, along with Dewey Lowery, Steve Harter, Jerry Horne, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Black, Hazel Bennett, Kay Griffin, Gene Williams, Bill Davis, Bobby Rippy and Connie Hicks.
Visitation is 6:30-8:30 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the Ninety Six Church of God, P.O. Box 297, Ninety Six, SC 29666; Cambridge United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 328, Ninety Six, SC 29666 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Ruth Culbertson

WARE SHOALS, SC – Ruth Redden Culbertson, 87, widow of Luther Theron Culbertson died April 21, 2005 at Beverly Healthcare, Atlanta, GA. A native of Laurens County, she was the daughter of Berkeley Robert and Rosalee Godfrey Redden. She was a member of Noonday Baptist Church, Marietta, GA.
Surviving are a son, Luther Dale Culbertson and his wife, Phyllis Balentine Culbertson of Marietta, GA; three grandsons, Nathan Dale Culbertson, Atlanta, GA, Jarod Redden Culbertson and Trent Philip Culbertson both of Marietta, GA. She was predeceased by a brother, George Ansel Redden.
Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday at 3 PM at Poplar Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Bruce Ostrom, Rev. Dr. Marcus Bishop and Rev. T.T. Faucette officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Nathan, Jarod, and Trent Culbertson, George Redden, Jimmy Redden and Danny Culbertson.
The family will receive friends at Poplar Springs Baptist Church Saturday, 2-3 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund, P.O, Box 124, Ware Shoals, SC 29692.
Parker-White Funeral Home.
PAID OBITUARY

Thomas Harris

Thomas Christian Harris, 78, of 108 Heritage West Court, husband of Tommie McCrorey Harris, died Thursday, April 21, 2005 at his home.
Born in St. Louis, Mo., he was a son of the late Floyd Christian and Amelia Boremann Harris. He was a World War II Army veteran and a graduate of St. Louis University. He retired as comptroller, secretary and treasurer of Royal Buick in Tampa, Fla., and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Floyd Christian Harris of Greenwood; a daughter, Margaret H. Edwards of Darlington; a granddaughter of the home, Shelby Harris; a grandson of the home, Mavrick Harris; two other grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
A memorial service is 3 p.m. Saturday at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, conducted by the Rev. Tim Ervolina. Private inurnment is in the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Columbarium.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 700 S. Main St., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Barbara Smith Huss

ACWORTH, GA – Barbara Smith Huss, 72, of Acworth, GA, passed away on April 19, 2005. She was born and raised in Mt. Airy, NC to Zachary and Katie Lee Smith. She was married to Webb Hunter Huss, Jr., of Gastonia for 47 years. They both lived in Greenville, SC for 28 years prior to moving to Acworth. She is survived by her four sons, Webb Hunter Huss, III of Concord, NC; Richard Madison Huss of Mt. Pleasant, SC; John Avritte Huss of Charleston, SC and Hoke Christian Huss of Greenwood, SC; one daughter, Barbara Huss Bush of Acworth, GA and 14 grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held April 30, 2005 at 9:00 A.M. at James Island Presbyterian Church in James Island, South Carolina. The Family request donations to Wellstar Community Hospice, 770-732-6710. Please send all flowers to The Church for the Service. The Cremation Society of The South, 770-420-5557 is in charge of the Arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Ruth Stone Loftis

GREENWOOD, SC – Ruth Stone Loftis, 89, of Greenwood, formerly of East Crescent Road, Spartanburg, died Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at Self Regional Medical Center. Born May 2, 1915, in Gramling, SC, she was the daughter of the late Herbert Lee and Maime Eubanks Stone and wife of the late Esley L. Loftis, Sr. She was a seamstress and a member of Southside Baptist Church and the Shade Tree Musicians. She was also a member of the See Saw Square Dance Club.
Survivors include two sons, Esley L. Loftis, Jr. of Conyers, GA, and Kenneth L. Loftis and his wife Florence Loftis of Greenville; two daughters, Elaine L. Dukes and her husband L. Brabham Dukes of Hodges, and Susan L. Stouffer and her husband Clarence Gibson of Greenville; two sisters, Mary S. Arnold of Spartanburg, and Louise S. Yates of Salisbury, NC; a brother, Lewis Stone of Salisbury, NC; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2005, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2005, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens conducted by the Rev. David M. Blanton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 316 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; or to a charity of one’s choice.
The family is at their respective homes.
An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com
Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel
PAID OBITUARY

E’maseo M. Morris

ABBEVILLE — E’maseo Montez Morris, 18, of 1013 Secession Ave., son of Brenda Morris and Robert Ray, died Tuesday, April 19, 2005 in Calhoun Falls.
Born in Abbeville, he graduated from Abbeville High School and attended Piedmont Technical College. He was an employee at McDonald’s in Greenwood and a member of Springfield Baptist Church, Greenwood.
Survivors include his mother of Abbeville; his father of Chicago; a sister, Krystal Morris of Abbeville; five brothers, Maurice Morris, Antonia Morris, Calvin Gray and Demario Brown, all of Abbeville and Reggie Jackson of Chicago; maternal grandmother, Rosetta Morris of the home; and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ray of Abbeville.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Olive Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Andy Young, assisted by Adrienn Robinson. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in Harbison Cemetery.
Viewing is 1-9 p.m. today at Abbeville & White Mortuary.
The family is at the home of Rosetta Morris, 1013 Secession Ave.
Abbeville & White Mortuary is in charge.

Della Robertson

McCORMICK — Graveside services for Della Robertson, of Bronx, N.Y., are at noon Saturday at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Parksville, conducted by the Rev. E.M. Gordon, pastor.
The family is at the home of a sister, Mary Frances Wells, Collier Street, Plum Branch.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Vikings rout Capitals

April 22, 2005

By RON COX
Assistant sports editor

The Vikings overpowered the Capitals in every phase of the game.
The Emerald High School baseball team pounded out 14 hits, getting at least a hit from all nine starters. Columbia batters managed only three singles, while none got past second.
The three Vikings pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and no walks. The two Capitals pitchers failed to fan even one of the 13 Emerald batters, while issuing eight free passes.
The Region III-AA champion Vikings (18-4) scored all of their runs in the first three innings in a 15-0 blowout of the Capitals Thursday night at Emerald in the first round of the Class AA state playoffs in a game called after 4 1/2 innings because of the mercy rule.
“We scored runs early and we got them out,” Emerald coach Chad Evans said. “The thing that we talked about before the game was that we should win this game. We’re a one seed and they’re a four seed.”
“The thing that you have to do is stay focused, swing at strikes and make plays on defense.
“It would have been real easy for us to come out flat, but we didn’t do that.”
The Vikings move on to face Region II-AA runner-up Chapman at noon Saturday. Chapman knocked off Abbeville, 18-8, at home Thursday.
Evans knows his team’s second-round opponent will be a much stiffer challenge than the Capitals (9-6) proved to be.
“I think regardless of who we play Saturday it’s going to be a very good game,” Evans said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about Chapman.
“We’re going to come here and practice tomorrow (today) and we’ll get ourselves ready.”
Junior starter Blake Moore (4-2) pitched the first three innings, striking out five for the win.
Only two Capitals reached base against Moore: one on a single and the other on an error.
Corey Barnes and Justin Lovvorn each threw a scoreless inning to close out the win.
Lovvorn, eighth-grader James Childress and Barnes – Emerald’s 4-5-6 hitters – each finished with multi-hit performances. Those three combined to go 6-for-7 with seven RBIs and six runs.

Graham textile tariff idea gets attention of Chinese

April 22, 2005

It’s not surprising that Chinese trade officials object to legislation introduced by South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer. After all, they hold a distinct advantage and this would add a little fairness to the unbalanced trade situation.
The measure, which has actually been around for two years, would put a 27.5 percent tariff on every Chinese export to the United States. That upsets the Chinese because the U. S. is their biggest market. It would make Chinese products more expensive and that worries them.
Knowing how Chinese textile goods have undercut the American textile industry, particularly in Greenwood and other South Carolina communities, Graham is likely to have a lot of support. Graham and co-sponsor Schumer say while they don’t really favor tariffs, something has to get the attention of the Chinese.

THEY ARE RIGHT, OF COURSE. Nothing else has had much of an impact. China still floods the American market with a variety of products that undercut others’ prices. They can do that, for one thing, because of cheap labor.
White House officials don’t agree with Graham and Schumer. They would rather use diplomacy to try to negotiate a trade agreement that would improve the situation. But, as Graham says, “Quiet diplomacy is the mode of operation but quiet diplomacy is not working.”
That’s obvious, and has been for some time. The legislation may or may not be approved, but there’s enough hope to show it’s getting a better reception than in the past. There was an effort in the Senate two weeks ago to kill the measure. Surprisingly, though, it failed, by a bipartisan vote of 67-33.

THAT, TOO IS ANOTHER reason the Chinese are concerned.
Graham, it seems, is getting more involved in trade issues these days. Again, considering how an imbalance in foreign trade has affected South Carolina, it’s a made-to-order issue for the state’s congressional delegation.
In fact, Graham said, “There’s going to be a moratorium on trade agreements until we deal with current trade abuses.” That’s yet one more move showing Graham has taken a more independent approach to critical issues. China and some other nations, along with the White House, may not be all that appreciative of Graham’s stance. In South Carolina, though, he’ll be applauded. That’s how it should be.