The attitudes and opinions of parents, peers and role models all contribute to help shape one's own perspective on life's issues. But the sexual orientation of one's parents cannot determine that of the child.

Sexual orientation is something that is biologically determined; it is not a choice we make due to social influences. A homosexual parent has no more influence on making the child homosexual than a prostitute raising a child of her own.

Brent Catekista

Cruise passengers want to have gambling

I took a 10-day cruise on the Norwegian Sky last month, and I believe that our elected representatives have once again successfully let us down by passing ignorant laws that help no one.

During the cruise (mostly when we were at sea for five days) I heard many, many disturbing comments to the fact that had the passengers known that Hawai'i did not allowing gambling on cruise ships that use our ports, they would have gone somewhere else — and most definitely will the next time they cruise.

When are our legislators going to wake up? I can (almost) understand someone complaining about not having gambling "in my backyard," but whose backyard is a cruise ship in? Is our economy doing so well that we can afford to let 9,000 people a month spend their money elsewhere just so we can maintain our "no gambling" halo — and continue to help Las Vegas pave its streets with our money?

I'm sure there is a way for Hawai'i to collect "something" from the gambling on ships instead of forcing people to go elsewhere.

I predict that if the no-gambling law, at least as it pertains to the open sea, is not repealed, the Norwegian Star will be looking for a more profitable home — and a lot sooner than most think.

John M. Kavanagh

Post-attack world needs healing, reconciliation

We grieve for those several thousand unique, precious and irreplaceable people who were lost in the Sept. 11 disaster. We mourn with all those who have lost loved ones and give thanks for the heroic efforts of the rescuers.

For over 300 years, Quakers (the Religious Society of Friends) have endeavored to build a just and nonviolent society. We have a profound belief that every human being is a creature of God and has been put here for a very special purpose.

We encourage a focus on people as well as politics and on peaceful ways of including all groups and hearing their needs. In the wake of this tragedy, we will continue to strive for increased international understanding and cooperation.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of a humane and rational response. The security of nations and peoples must be based on human well-being, strengthened international cooperation and norms, and respect for the rule of law. We call on all individuals and decision-makers to work with the global community to prevent further violence.

In the short term, focus needs to be on securing the arrest and trial of those responsible and assuring fair judicial process in collaboration with the international community. In the long term, the difficult process of addressing the anger, resentment and hatred that fueled the attack must begin.

We pray that the citizens and leaders of the world will rise to this challenge and move with generosity toward healing and reconciliation.

Marjorie L. Cox
Clerk, Honolulu Friends Meeting

Airport 'express line' would lure them back

I believe part of the current reason for the drop in people flying is not so much fear of terrorists anymore but simply the dread of enduring the long delays and hassles of the new airport security procedures.

A way to alleviate some of the delays would be to establish a separate "express line" for those who qualify by meeting two requirements: 1) obtain a specially designed, foolproof ID card, with photograph, fingerprints, electronic security scan, etc.; and 2) agree to bring only two pieces of specialized pre-approved baggage (one cargo and one carry-on). These bags would be of simple and uniform design, able to be searched and moved quickly and easily.

Frequent flyers might especially welcome this. Other passengers would soon see the advantages and switch also. They might be further induced by discounts or frequent flyer miles credit.

The easier it is to fly, the more tourists will come back to Hawai'i.

Michael Van Dorn

ACLU's Jekyll/Hyde personality is showing

Here they go again. The local ACLU is now supporting Portland, Oregon's very correct refusal to interrogate those on Attorney General John Ashcroft's McCarthyesque list of "individuals with non-immigrant visas ... in relation to ... Sept. 11 attacks."

Yet the chapter refuses to disassociate itself from the Virginia ACLU's successful court case lifting the half-century law against Ku Klux Klan cross-burning to terrorize African American and Jewish citizens.

No wonder so many former and potential supporters are increasingly turned off by their arbitrary sense of justice.

David Roth

False Alarm Ordinance should be rewritten

I have been told that on Dec. 12, the City Council will pass Bill 83, the False Alarm Ordinance, requested by the Honolulu Police Department. This bill is going to inflict financial pain on any business or resident who owns an alarm system or is intending to buy one to protect themselves from the out-of-control crime in our state.

The bill would require all present and future alarm owners to purchase a permit for $15 and register the alarm. A business with multiple alarm systems would buy a permit for each system. If you didn't buy the permits, you would be fined $100. Thereafter, you would be allowed three "free" false alarms a year and be fined $50 for each subsequent false alarm, even if the alarm were caused by a technical problem. If you cannot pay your fines, the police reserve the right not to respond to any of your alarms until you do so. The cost of running the program would be paid by taxpayers.

State and federal government agencies with alarm systems, which contribute to hundreds of false alarms every year, would not be subject to permitting or fines. I was told that the city cannot enforce any city ordinances with them.

We do need a false-alarm ordinance. The police waste time responding to a few repeat business offenders who will not fix their alarm systems because it would cost them money to do so. That being said, the ordinance needed is one that targets only those repeat offenders and does not affect the regular alarm owner.

Before obligating the citizens of this state to pay the city for having to protect their own property because the police cannot, the city needs to rewrite this bill to target the worst offenders. I guarantee that this will reduce false alarms dramatically, without financially burdening the innocent.

Mary Paulson
Owner, Security One Inc.

Arafat has already had his 'last chance'

Regarding your Dec. 4 editorial discussing Yasser Arafat's "last chance" for making peace: I couldn't help but recollect an image emblazoned in my mind ever since visiting Israel a day after a suicide bomber killed 22 people in Tel Aviv in the fall of 1994. Posters displaying a picture of Arafat lined the walls throughout various parts of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. One word beneath his image: "terrorist."

Another thing I will never forget from my visit — being nudged in the back by the butt of a machine gun. I was dancing in a Jerusalem nightclub and a plainclothes soldier danced behind me with the gun strapped over his shoulder — a scene so common that none of the locals even noticed.

Israel has been terrorized by Arafat for long enough. Arafat should not be given a "last chance" — he has had too many already. The Palestinians need to find new leadership or face the same fate as the Taliban and their supporters.

Dan Melmed

It isn't unreasonable to sunbathe in nude

One concept of law is based on "a reasonable person" standard. I think we can all agree that a reasonable person would not put on clothes to lie on the beach and soak up sunbeams, nor would a reasonable person put on clothes to go swimming, knowing that clothing quickly becomes water-logged and presents an unnecessary risk to the swimmer's safety.

Intolerant people rant and rave nonsense such as, "Native Hawaiians are offended by nudity on our public beaches," although, as everyone should know, native Hawaiians, being sensible people, lauded nudity in song and dance and especially on the beaches.

Despite the law and the claims of intolerant people, Native Hawaiian children can be seen today running along a beach and into the surf without the burden of clothing, and their parents are not the least bit shy about discarding their own clothing when an opportunity arises.

The problem with such illegal behavior is that it opens a wide door to deviants who get their thrills displaying degenerate behavior in public, especially where it is difficult for law enforcement officers to respond in a timely or cost-effective manner.

Sept. 11 reminded the newly unemployed just how much Hawai'i relies on tourists to stoke our economy. People in the travel industry know their business accounts, tourists and honeymoon clients can sip champagne at sunset on any beach in the Caribbean, go topless on most beaches and romp nude at others.

Hawai'i reminds the tourist industry that we don't want tourists like that and we certainly don't want any tourists who enjoy a cigarette after their meal in a restaurant.

Rico Leffanta

Showering stadium with confetti shameful

On Saturday, the UH Warriors will take on BYU in what promises to be one of the most exciting games of the year in a nationally televised event.

And once again, Hawai'i fans will shame us with their practice of shredding paper and showering it onto the field. I am aghast with each Warriors game I watch to see the field littered with thousands of scraps of paper.

In the first place, this practice is dangerous for the players. Can you not imagine how easy it is to slip on a piece of paper on artificial turf?

Second, what image does it present of Hawai'i? Litter all over the place.

I cannot recall ever watching any other team in any other sport that finishes the game ankle-deep in refuse.

I applaud Hawai'i fans for their outstanding support of the Warriors. It is obvious that their hearts are in the right place. Perhaps stadium management could allow them to at least wave banners and signs, as is allowed most everywhere else. Since they allow other advertising all over the stadium, it seems a bit ridiculous to prohibit fans from showing their support.

After all, without the fans, the stadium would be empty each week.

Lee Gray

Commentator left out teachers' low pay

Hey, everybody, do you know of anyone else besides legislators who treat their profession as an avocation on payday?

Hmmm ... let me see. In the Dec. 2 Advertiser commentary by Bob Dye, he asks, "Who in their right mind would spend their time and money for a full-time job at part-time pay?"

Starting part-time pay is $32,000 for a legislator, $43,000 for a City Council member and ... who is that over there by the chalkboard, who started out at $28,000 a year? You guessed "teacher," didn't you? Ring a bell?

John Nippolt

George Harrison tributes appreciated

Thank you for your stories about the late, great George Harrison.

It was gratifying and interesting to read the impressions of his friends and neighbors on Maui and see what George was like.

I play his songs every weekend as the bassist for the Daytrippers, Hawai'i's all-Beatle tribute band. I've often wondered what would have happened if he ever dropped in on one of our shows on his visits to O'ahu. Sadly, we will never know.

We'll miss you, George. Thanks for all the great songs and fab guitar playing.

Jim Smart

Shame on cane thief

To the person or persons who stole my disabled husband's cane from Hale'iwa Beach Park on Dec. 1: What else do you do in your spare time? Push little old ladies out of their wheelchairs? Where's your aloha? Shame!