Letters to the editor
Cost containment only works if all targeted
The decision of HMSA and other medical insurance plans to increase rates because of rising drug costs should not surprise anyone familiar with the health industry's problems in this country.
As an eye physician and surgeon, I hear many complaints from my patients that a single bottle of eye drops costs $68, which is more than the cost of the exam by a physician. What is not widely known (except by physicians) is that HMSA also recently lowered the surgical fees paid to doctors by another 5 percent.
The problem with "cost control" in only one sector of the health industry, physician's fees, is that unless there is an across-the-board price control, there will never be any real health insurance cost containment.
Controlling doctors' fees alone will not successfully curb healthcare costs while the public has to pay for the advances in medical technology and drugs.
There are no easy answers, but eventually we will all have to realize that we will not be able to have the best, most advanced medical care and have low prices for health care in a free enterprise society.
Malcolm R. Ing, M.D.
Ophthalmologist
Being responsible is key to dogs on beach
In response to Robert Owens' question in his May 11 letter, "Why do dogs need access to the beach?": Obviously, Owens is not a dog owner. There is nothing more playful for a dog owner, be he an adult or child, than to bring a dog to the beach and enjoy the simple pleasure of playing fetch.
Responsible dog owners are the key. People are basically the pigs, leaving dirty diapers, broken bottles, half-eaten food, etc., lying on the beaches for others to step on, cut their feet on and then have to pick up. I have seen more unsanitary rubbish on the beaches in my lifetime here in Hawai'i than messes from dogs.
I have four dogs and find it unnecessary to bring them to the beach for the above reasons. The owners of the animals should be cited for littering and fined. All we need do is have a government employee policing the beaches to issue tickets. Maybe the fines generated would pay for the issuing officer and make people wake up to picking up after themselves, dog owner included.
I would rather have a dog on the beach with a responsible owner than a screaming kid who leaves rubbish and kicks sand in my face as he or she runs by.
Tina Jensen
Pupukea
Bob Dye commentary much ado about nothing
I must again object to the privileged publication rights accorded to a single member of the public, Bob Dye, or disguised columnist, by your newspaper.
This is not a one-time event, as I also objected to the writer's and your paper's previous propaganda to influence public opinion with respect to the former Bishop Estate trustees. This is in reference to Dye's weekly articles on the Bishop Estate trustees when this was a "hot" issue.
It has now been at least three straight weeks that Dye has published a "commentary" on the upcoming gubernatorial race. As with the series of articles on the Bishop Estate trustees, Dye's current writing does not engender much public discussion, in terms of reader reactions in Letters to the Editor or competing commentaries by others. By posing as "objective" analysis by a "writer and historian," inherent political arguments insidiously pass as simple commentary by an ordinary member of the public.
Edmund M.Y. Leong
Female nude dancers are making a choice
Regarding the May 17 letter from Stephanie Darrow: It never ceases to amaze me how people will automatically jump to conclusions.
Nude dancing, however offensive it may be, is a choice.
Yes, there are a few illegal clubs that run in the child slavery/prostitution ring. Not all of them are so extreme. You rarely hear of a woman being forced into nude dancing. It is her choice. They make great money, and if she is comfortable in doing her job, then by all means let her. It is entertainment.
Degradation to women? No. There are rules in clubs and guards who try to keep things in line.
For the record, there are male strippers. I assume you feel that men who strip aren't being degraded? That's hypocritical.
Feminists fought for a woman's choice to do what she wants as a job, equal to a man. And now we make degradation rules for women, but not men?
True, women aren't as equal as we'd like, but making these little rules doesn't help. Equality can only truly happen when it is fully in support of both sides. Not just one.
Catie Martin
Farrington High's journalists honored
Congratulations to the co-editors, the staff, the newswriting class and adviser Ellen Manago of "The Governor" newspaper of Farrington High School for winning "Overall High Quality of Work" at the 32nd Annual State High School Journalism Awards ceremonies held on May 10.
A special "well done" for Cherry Cachero, co-editor, for "Most Valuable Staffer."
For us alumni, pride is what we feel for our school in Kalihi.
Roy E. Shigemura
Class of 1953
