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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 10, 2002

Letters to the Editor

Ed Case a man of his words, actions

I'm on the horns of a dilemma. My fellow travelers have chosen to support D.G. "Andy" Anderson and Mazie Hirono. And if I extrapolate the 2000 presidential showing of President Bush in Hawai'i, possibly 35 percent of the voters may now favor Linda Lingle this year.

The private unions will have an easy time choosing sides, but I pity the public sector unions. The public sector unions still undecided are noticeably coy and reticent.

True, I believe there is strength in numbers, and an injury to one is an injury to all. But I also believe in the power of one. And when one is right, that is a majority of one. I look for a candidate whose past actions verify their current language. I also look for a candidate whose recent actions don't contradict their subsequent statements.

It is easy to yield to the temptation to pander to the public to get elected, but the voters aren't looking for a candidate who tells them only what they want to hear. It's not happy talk or pep talk they want. They want the real McCoy.

Tell it like it is. "It's going to sting a little."

That is why I am persuaded more than ever to vote for Ed Case in the primary election. Case is the only Democrat so far who has demonstrated a "blueprint for real change." Case has a verifiable independence of thought without being strident or pointed. He represents reform, open governance and the speaking of truth to authority. His party need not fear him as another biblical Samson bringing down the pillars of its institutions.

In public and in person, Case is a humble, deliberate, thoughtful and soft-spoken "politician." And I mean that in a good way.

Arvid T. Youngquist


Drug war does not promote family values

Mike Coleman's Aug. 4 op-ed piece was on target. The drug war is not the promoter of family values that some would have us believe. Children of inmates are at risk of educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not only do the children lose out, but society, too. Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is the equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in anti-social behavior.

Turning recreational drug users into unemployable ex-cons is a senseless waste of tax dollars. It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin treating all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public health problem it is.

Destroying the futures and families of citizens who make unhealthy choices doesn't benefit anyone.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.
Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance
Washington, D.C.


For added safety, keep muzzle on dog

In regard to J. Frei's Aug. 5 comment about keeping dogs properly leashed, I could not agree more.

However, dogs will often sniff and greet each other in passing. During one of these encounters, my leashed golden retriever was attacked by a pit bull, thereby needing stitches.

My point is, no matter how much you think can "control" your dog, once a pit bull takes hold, efforts are futile to make it release.

Please, if you own a dog breed that is known to have unpredictable or aggressive behavior, keep a muzzle on it while walking it. This is not just for the safety of other dogs, but children and adults, as well.

L. Konn
Kapolei


Reserve front row for senior citizens

The next time you ride TheBus, show more consideration for our senior citizens. The front row of seats are reserved for them and the disabled. On some days, when the bus is full, they don't get to sit in those seats while younger and stronger people choose to sit.

When I was young, I would give up my seat because that's what I was taught. Today, people don't show any respect or consideration for the elderly.

Maybe TheBus should make it mandatory. The posted signs about the reserved seats should be lowered so they are in plain view.

We need to take care of our elderly. They were once our age and someday, if we are lucky, we will live to be their age. When you give up your seat, you should realize what a wonderful thing you have done and other people will notice, too. Show that you care for others.

Therese Ngirturong


Democrats stifled campaign reform

The July 26 Island Voices article concerning money in politics by left-wing liberals is stunning. These hypocrites continue to beat the drum of reform and then sit on the sidelines when it comes time to take a stand against the Democratic legislators and governor, who have stifled meaningful campaign reform.

The best example is the recent bill on campaign funding reform passed by the Legislature, and at the lawmakers' urging, vetoed by the governor. Republicans did the responsible thing and called for a veto override.

The writers of your article, however, seemed to lose their voices and pens when the legislation fell. This duplicity reveals their real agenda and complicity in working with the Democratic Party operatives to prevent actual reform

John Turner
'Aiea