U.S. Supreme Court in dire need of ethics code to restore faith in judicial system | Opinion

Ethics code needed

The recent news about Clarence Thomas’ financial entanglements with GOP mega donor Harlan Crow should be alarming to every American.

This is what happens when the highest court in the land is given free rein to police itself. Clarence Thomas isn’t the first justice to engage in unethical behavior. And if Congress continues to ignore the need for a Supreme Court code of ethics, he won’t be the last.

Of the nine justices currently on the bench, four have been called out for unethical behavior and connections in the last year.

Neil Gorsuch sold property to the head of a law firm with cases in front of the Supreme Court. Samuel Alito dined with anti-abortion activists and allegedly leaked decisions on reproductive health. John Roberts’ wife has earned millions of dollars from law firms with business before the Supreme Court.

Congress has a constitutional duty to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system. It’s time they act and pass a Supreme Court code of ethics.

Theresa Deery, Bluffton

Lead for tolerance

A coworker’s close friend recently committed suicide. She happened to be gay.

A person’s identity as LGBTQ does not in and of itself cause an increased risk of suicide; however, bullying and other social pressures can increase this risk.

It is known that states with hate crime laws have lower rates of LGBTQ suicide.

On the other hand, states with uninclusive or blatantly discriminatory laws do have higher rates of suicide among LGBTQ people.

The Trevor Project ranks South Carolina as low in its acceptance of LGBTQ people.

At a minimum, I urge my elected officials not to follow other right-leaning states by enacting anti-LGBTQ legislation.

To improve the health and well-being of the state, my legislators could speak out against the blatantly political demonization of LGBTQ people occurring in red states all over the country.

South Carolina could lead as an inclusive and accepting state (unlike Florida and Texas).

I urge my elected officials to do the right thing and help stem the tide of bigotry surging through the country.

Lee Hugar, Columbia

Keep Cola fashionable

Note: Juliette Muller is the CEO and Owner of Columbia Fashion Week, a platform that showcases emerging designers and promotes local businesses.

Columbia is a city with a rich history and a vibrant culture. Despite the potential for growth and development, the city has yet to establish a thriving local fashion industry. By creating a local fashion industry, we can promote business and opportunities for creatives while also showcasing the unique style and spirit of our city.

Currently, many of us rely on big-box retailers or online shopping to find the latest fashion trends. This leaves local designers, boutiques, and creatives at a disadvantage as they struggle to compete with larger companies that can offer lower prices due to economies of scale. By creating a local fashion industry, we can support small businesses, promote entrepreneurship, and create new job opportunities.

Creating a local fashion industry doesn’t have to be difficult. We can start by supporting local designers, boutiques, and fashion events. We can encourage entrepreneurship by providing resources and funding for small businesses. We can also collaborate with local schools and universities to develop programs that foster creativity and innovation in fashion.

Let’s work together to bring fashion to the forefront of our city’s culture and economy.

Juliette Muller, Columbia

Report obscenities

While stopped at a traffic light recently, I noticed a pickup truck with a very derogatory statement directed toward President Biden posted across the truck’s rear window.

My first thought was that this truck also had numerous Marine Corps decals and surely the Marines would not find this acceptable.

Next, I thought about all the young children who no doubt have seen this display.

And what must our tourists think when they see such?

Does the owner of the vehicle (or any other South Carolinians for that matter) realize that S.C. law, Section 56-5-3885, makes it unlawful to display obscene material on a vehicle visible to the public?

South Carolina, we are better than this.

If you see such obscene material on public display, report it to law enforcement. Yes, there is a fine for this crude behavior.

Christopher Uhall, Beaufort