Phone pests
When Mississippi more than 15 years ago adopted a law to cut down on the nuisance of telemarketers, it provided some relief — for a while.
But it didn’t last, as telemarketers — some representing legitimate organizations, some scam artists — exploited the law’s loopholes or just ignored it, employing deceitful technology to try to avoid detection.
Beginning next month, the state is strengthening the law by narrowing the loophole for charities, allowing businesses to register on the no-call list and making it illegal for telemarketers to try to hide behind a fake number.
The changes are good ones and may reduce the nuisance some. As long, though, as there is money to be made bothering people on their phones, don’t expect the calls to stop.
Tim Kalich
Publisher, Greenwood Commonwealth
U.S. Open winner already was a champ
Few sports fans had heard of Gary Woodland until this weekend, when the 35-year-old pro golfer took the lead during the second round of the U.S. Open and held onto it over the weekend.
Woodland earned his first major championship with some crisp shooting on Sunday’s back nine, fending off a brisk challenge from Brooks Koepka, the hottest golfer of the last three years. But far more people are likely to remember Woodland for his kindness to a Down’s syndrome golfer during a practice round in January.
More than 20 million people have seen the online video of Woodland’s encounter with Amy Bockerstette at a tournament in Phoenix. He and playing partner Matt Kuchar welcomed her to a par-3 hole. She hit her tee shot into a bunker, then got the ball onto the green and, with Woodland’s encouragement, sank an 8-foot putt for a par to loud cheers from the gallery.
It was fun Sunday to watch a fresh face win one of golf’s majors. But as the Phoenix video proves, Woodland was a champion long before this. Sometimes nice guys do finish first.
Jack Ryan, Enterprise-Journal
Naming buildings can be tricky
The Florida philanthropist who became persona non grata at the University of Alabama after his call for a boycott of the school made a good point as his name was being chiseled off of the university’s law school last week.
“You probably shouldn’t put a living person’s name on a building, because at some point they might get fed up and start talking,” said Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr.
Or even if they don’t say something that riles an institution’s feathers, they may do something that tarnishes their name, such as going to prison.
The safer course is to wait until benefactors or public officials have been dead a few years before naming a building after them. Even then, it’s not a guarantee because, as society evolves, sometimes behavior or attitudes that were once accepted are no longer.
Tim Kalich
Editor and Publisher
Greenwood Commonwealth
