The political future of S.C. Rep. Thad Viers, R-Socastee, would be bright if not for his propensity to threaten public figures whose decisions are not to his liking. Learning to accept defeat on issues where you lack leverage to win is one quality of successful public officials.

Viers led the citizen effort to get the Horry County Board of Adjustments and Zoning Appeals to roll back its 2002 decision to allow a methadone clinic to open in Fantasy Harbour. After the board declined 4-1 to do that Thursday, Viers told The Sun News he "would not be surprised if [the board majority] were replaced very quickly."

Does this mean the young gentleman is working behind the scenes to get Horry County Council to throw majority voters off the zoning board? That's how some will take his remark.

It's OK for Viers to express disappointment at the failure of his grass-roots effort to keep the clinic out of Horry County. But to threaten the members of this quasi-judicial board for refusing to ground a legal decision on negative emotion was immature - a turnoff for many voters.