This phrase was conceived years ago to differentiate the so-called "public sector" (government) from the "private sector" (public). It's typical government-speak, twisting words around to put a better-sounding name on something they are embarrassed by.

There are indeed two sectors. There is the "public sector," which includes all of us out here. Then there is the "government sector," which includes all of them in there. There is no "private sector."

Larry Bartley
Kailua

Why should voters elect Ann Kobayashi?

Ann Kobayashi is apparently the odds-on favorite for the vacated City Council seat of Andy Mirikitani in tomorrow's special election. Can someone please answer something for me? Why, after Ms. Kobayashi's role in re-electing Gov. Ben Cayetano as his campaign chairperson, would anyone even give her the time of day?

Gov. Cayetano is not only the most unpopular governor in Hawai'i's history, but also the least effective; even worse, though, was the deep wound he inflicted on our state's social fabric with the ridiculous teachers' strikes of last year and the resulting dispute over their terms of settlement.

And Ms. Kobayashi was the head of the effort to re-elect this feckless failure?

I will be voting tomorrow, but not for Ann Kobayashi. How can we trust her judgment on the City Council when it was so flawed in the last election?

Lee Black

When laws don't make sense, say so

In reply to Marijane Carlos' letter of Jan. 22 and others like her who support government harassment of drivers: Most of us responsible, law-abiding citizens want to support our government and its laws. The problem is when the law doesn't make any sense, then we rightfully voice our concerns.

In this case, the law — i.e., the posted speed limits throughout most of this island — doesn't make any sense.

You say that "our highways are not conducive to 60-65 mph." There isn't a stretch of highway on this island currently tagged at 55 that couldn't be safely driven at 65. And your suggestion of the safety benefits of these cameras is grossly exaggerated. You say that these cameras "will save lives." No, they will not save lives. Ticketing people for going 60 mph on the H-1 will not save lives.

There are much more serious problems we face that these cameras do nothing about. Inattentive drivers, drunk drivers, reckless drivers, aggressive drivers and drivers who simply don't follow the rules (e.g., not signaling when they turn). I submit that a guy going 65 is safer than a guy going 55 and yapping away on his cell phone.

The irony in all this is that these cameras will not distinguish between slow drivers and fast drivers. What I mean is that every driver exceeds the speed limit occasionally, even if we try our darnedest to stay below the posted signs.

Samuel Chinnapongse

Speeding doesn't save that much time

Let's do the math, people.

Driving 15 miles (over the Pali) at 45 mph takes 20 minutes. The same trip at 55 mph takes 16.4 minutes. Difference? About 3 1/2 minutes.ow about this one: Driving 20 miles (from town to Pearl City) at 55 mph takes 21.8 minutes. The same trip at 65 mph takes 18.5 minutes. Difference? About 3 1/2 minutes.

Where's the beef? Who's ever on time in Hawai'i, anyway?

Richard Lavin
Wai'alae Nui

Let's 'clean house' on traffic cameras

Wake up, people — something is wrong here. We have been complacent.

It is we who elect the policy-makers.

It is they who work for us and must represent us.

It is they who must respect our opinions and concerns.

It is they who must earn our respect and admiration.

It is they who must be outstanding examples for the community.

They should not go laughing to the bank or jail because they got one over on us.

If we must live with the camera vans, then they should live without their political offices. It's time to "clean house." Remember, Alaska repealed the cameras.

L. Higa

Too much ado about nothing on cameras

It is inspiring to see so many people actively involved in the biggest, most important issue of the new year. Homeland security? Education? No. Speeding.

People are losing their mind over the state's attempt to use cameras to thwart speeders. It seems most of us want to preserve that God-given right to speed and break the law as long as there are no cops around.

People are going nuts over this, seemingly the most obtrusive government-sponsored program since the creation of the IRS. They are buying $400 radar detectors. They are buying $30 covers for their license plates. They are writing letters to the editor. They are hiring attorneys. They blame the vendor. They blame the governor. "It is an atrocity," they scream.

Me? I just don't speed. I live in Kapolei. Assuming there is absolutely no traffic, a 25-mile trip into town at 55 mph takes 27 minutes. That same trip at 65 mph would save 4 minutes. Someone driving at 70 mph would save 6 minutes. Is this what everyone is freaking out about?

Come on, everyone. Get a grip.

Mark Middleton
Kapolei

Mayor Harris being singled out unfairly

Jeremy Harris has done a great job as mayor of Honolulu. Until a week ago, I felt like he was a shoo-in to be our next governor. Now who knows if he will even have a fair chance of running?

It is going to cost the state a lot of money to do a thorough investigation into the finances of Harris' 2000 campaign. I can already tell you that investigators will find that he is doing the same as every other politician in the country.

Harris is being singled out because he has political enemies who are not satisfied with the ballot box and instead want to decide the outcome of elections in dark, smoke-filled back rooms.

Mary Malia

It's a dog's life, depending on view

Dogs are (pick one):

• Loving family members. They are loyal, friendly, share the lives of shut-ins and the disabled and childless. Demand little, give all. Good for the emotional and physical health of owners. Working partners since the dawn of man. Have sense that we have lost, instincts that we prize. Earn their keep as security partners at airports and keep prowlers at bay in the home. Great conversation pieces for attracting friends and even potential life partners. Take small resources, satisfied with scraps. Stand by their owners in sickness and health, prosperity and recession. (Lose your job and your dog still licks your hand.) A benefit to the community. Good healthy outdoor recreation for handlers.

• Unpredictable and predatory mammals descended from wolves and hyenas. They are vectors of disease, leaving feces, ticks and fleas in parks and beaches. They contribute to bickering and arguments and dissension in their communities as they despoil parks and sidewalks. They infringe on owner's rights of property. Each year they bite, injure, maim and frighten the young. Even cause deaths. They chase cats and smaller mammals and knock over the elderly and infirm. They consume an unreasonable share of community resources and time. They are noisy (rivaling roosters, which at least fertilize eggs), waking us from slumber and howling at all hours. They drive us nuts. Like some kids, almost.

Gerald Siegel
Mililani

Mechanism for birth control also important

Dr. Landis Lum did a good job in presenting various forms of birth control in the Jan. 13 article "Contraception requires you to be informed."

I agree that we need to keep our patients well informed regarding their care. However, Lum forgot a very important and critical piece of information about the use of birth control: the mechanism of action. I find that many patients have no idea how these methods prevent pregnancy, and if they did, they might choose an alternative.

For example, one function of the IUD is to attempt to prevent fertilization; however, it also will cause an embryo to be aborted by preventing implantation. Patients must understand how these methods work so they can make informed decisions that agree with their values and beliefs.

Steve Dorsey, M.D.
Phoenix

Longer school year should pay more

I wonder how well thought out the questions were in the Jan. 18 letter "Too much time off."

In 1997, the "school year" was increased by five days, which means that students now attend class more than at any time before.

I agree that more instruction time may be of benefit, but, on the other hand, for a good part, more parental involvement in children's academic progress and achievement is also needed in the home.

If the author of the letter would like the number of days increased in the "school year," would he also be willing to have the teachers' pay increased proportionately, or would the teachers be expected to teach for the increased number of days for the same salary?

If the author now works a five-day-a-week job, would he find it acceptable working a six-day-a-week job for the same salary?

B.G. Judson
Kapolei

Bus color scheme is really 'so Eighties'

In your article on the new buses and their color scheme, Managing Director Ben Lee made a remark about the present bus color scheme being "so Sixties." He might have made that statement because it seems to be that old, but it is actually only 20 years old.

The present color scheme with its running stripe was introduced in 1980 with the new buses of that era. Eventually all buses were painted with those colors.

As for TheBus itself, it is only 30 years old, having been founded in 1971 during the last strike of the Honolulu Rapid Transit Co. The first paint scheme of TheBus had white windows, a thick orange stripe and tan sides.

Dexter Wong

Legislative opposition to fluoride welcome

The Advertiser poll of state legislators published in the Jan. 13 issue demonstrated the overwhelming opposition (46 to 3) in the Legislature to fluoridation of our water.

The plentiful common sense and fairness demonstrated by these numerous "No" responses in both the Senate and House should ensure that we will now be saved from heavy lobbying by both industry and government and from adding potentially harmful — and probably useless — chemicals to our lovely water.

Given The Advertiser editorials in favor of fluoridation, the state government officials who support it and the ill-conceived ad campaign, it's very comforting that "we the people" are finally being heard and heeded. Those of us who want to maintain safe drinking water will optimistically anticipate our legislators following through according to these stated beliefs.

Tina Uris

Riverboat gambling allegations all wet

James Grimes, from Kansas, is dealing from the bottom of the deck when it comes to his information, or lack thereof, concerning riverboat gambling in Missouri.

The first error in his Jan. 17 letter occurs when he claims that casino owners convinced politicians that it would be unsafe for the gambling boats to actually cruise the river.

In fact, it was the Army Corps of Engineers that protested the plan of sending these boats into a swift (and, in some areas, a narrow) channel. Its greatest concern was that it would be disruptive of the barge traffic that flows up and down the river, and since it controls the river and maintains the miles of dikes and levees, the Army Corps had the final say on the matter.

I don't know where Mr. Grimes was in 1993 — probably safe and dry in Kansas. In Missouri, and up and down the Missouri River, we experienced the greatest floods since the 1950s. I guess some people would rather build something right in the middle of harm's way, just to make a point.

The most absurd thing that Mr. Grimes writes is about the money that was supposed to go to the schools. He says he hasn't seen it. Well, I hope not.

Wake up, Toto, you're not in Kansas any more. Missouri gambling revenues go only to Missouri schools. In fiscal year 2001, the total amount of Missouri lottery and gaming revenue that went to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education totaled $287,379,718 — approximately 7 percent of the department budget.