Boat casinos still afloat
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   Video poker is in its death throes, but South Carolina's other gambling menace, casino boat gambling, is still very much alive off the Palmetto State's coastline, particularly in Charleston -- at least for the moment.

	Grand jury's mission
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   As Augustans seek a better quality of life for a new century, let's remember that the conduct and stewardship of our public officials have much to do with our community's future. That's why the special grand jurors recently empaneled to probe governmental operations and possible corruption have such an important task.

Sisler: Lawsuit could be costly rush to judgment

Web-posted 1/14/2000   The law suit did not settle the question of who has the ``better ingredients'' and the ``better pizza,'' only who could not say they did. Pizza Hut sued Papa John's because of the latter's slogan, ``Better Ingredients, Better Pizza.'' The penalty, announced a few days ago, declared that Papa John's must stop using the slogan and pay $468,000 in damages. The ruling, based on a claim of deceptive advertising, says it is okay for Pizza Hut to say that they have the ``best pizzas under one roof.''

Blasts publication of funeral photo

Web-posted 1/14/2000   When my husband died just a few years ago, I was cloaked in grief then and I still am today. However, if I thought that someone would ever have taken a picture of me in the saddened state I was in the day of the funeral and put it on the front page of a newspaper, I believe I would have immediately found a lawyer who would assist me in suing for invasion of privacy. Helen P. Villasor, Augusta

	Doubts reasons cited for abortion rate
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   I found the Jan. 7 front page article entitled ``Abortions continue to decline'' rather interesting and it normally would have been pleasing to many of us who believe that even one abortion is too many. Unfortunately, I am less excited about these statistics as I have significant problems with the assumptions upon which the conclusions are based. Vern Simon, Evans

	Defends pitcher's freedom of speech
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   If Roberto Alomar can spit on an umpire and continue to play baseball in the United States of America, then big ol' country boy (Braves pitcher John Rocker) should be able to express his own personal opinion. It is commonly called freedom of speech. Amanda Rabun, Wrens

	Hits forum for 'public incivility'
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   There has been much written regarding Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker's recent comments. In just a few statements, Mr. Rocker was able to offend a large majority of Americans. Unfortunately, his comments, however offensive, seem in keeping with much of the negative stereotyping The Chronicle chooses to publish every day in its editorial pages. William T. Browne, Evans

	Slams opinion poll on S.C. flag issue
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   Your Jan. 10 news article indicating that over half of South Carolinians want the flag removed from the Statehouse is another example of people keenly constructing polls to covertly sway public opinion. Public opinion polls can be orchestrated in a way to insure that the pollsters get exactly the results they want. Jason Goings, Graniteville

Asks humane treatment of employees

Web-posted 1/14/2000   Americans are experiencing record setting prosperity, yet many employees have become nothing more than faceless statistics with company ID numbers. Many employers have forgotten that their employees are people with real feelings that impact their families and co-workers. This is especially true for retirees. Many companies simply forget about retirees who were dedicated employees for many years. In some instances retiree benefits are taken away or reduced after retirement. Anne Cook, Augusta

	Wants referendum on S.C. flag issue
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   The headline in the Jan. 10 paper said, ``Survey: Most people want flag removed.'' I was a little surprised considering every poll conducted in recent times says just the opposite. Glenn Dedmondt, Johnston

	Rips `intolerant' language in letters
	Web-posted 1/14/2000   I would like to take issue with Anna Fellows' Jan. 9 letter defending the Rev. Timothy Fellows Sr., who in his Dec. 1 letter equated Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims to ``savages, pagans, and barbarians.'' Robert Linsenmayer, McCormick