Letters to the Editor
Cloning scientists tampering with life
I strongly feel human cloning is wrong. After the cloning of the ewe Dolly, a poll taken of Americans indicated that 88 percent felt cloning of humans would be morally wrong. Moreover, 74 percent of those surveyed thought human cloning went against God's will.
I believe that procreation, whether it be for humans or embryos, is sacred. Scientists are tampering with the powers of life. An embryo is the start of human life. The embryo has the right, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To destroy an embryo is to deny it of its God-given rights.
President Bush has stated that "Life is a creation, not a commodity. ... Research cloning would contradict the most fundamental principle of medical ethics: that no human life should be exploited or extinguished for the benefit of another."
Pi'ikea Everett
Liberal paternalism permeates our state
With all the flap over the Democrats' choice of gubernatorial candidates, it's easy to lose sight of the fundamental problem with government in Hawai'i: the general mentality, among too many Democrats, that the government institutions are somehow separate from and superior to the citizens; that those in government know best what the state and its citizens really need.
For the lack of a better term, I call this liberal paternalism.
What are the indicators of liberal paternalism in Hawai'i government? The Hurricane Relief Fund treated as though the government "owns" the money. Resistance to parental involvement in a minor child's abortion decision. Condemnation of private property for private business use. A seat-belt campaign that punishes citizens for not protecting themselves. A government regulatory and tax environment (and mindset) generally hostile to small business and entrepreneurs. And finally, barely disguised political cronyism regarding government contracts and lucrative trust board memberships.
Too much power for too long.
The Republicans may or may not do better, but it seems to me that unless we create a better balance between the two parties in the next election, we'll just have more of the same.
Jeff Pace
Other candidates will take Harris' place
As I read the news coverage of the Democratic "distress," I can't help but think that it seems as if there is too much focus on the wrong things.
Sure, Jeremy Harris is out, and sure, that feels like some kind of void. But people need to realize there are other candidates out there who are just as enthusiastic and willing to step up to bat to be our governor.
We need not be so concerned about one person. We need to feel happy that there are many other people who want to take care of this state and who are trying to do it the best they can.
Harris dropping out is a shame, but accept it and move on.
K. McKeague
Pigeons in Waikiki are indeed diseased
In response to Randy Zellinger's June 5 letter on the pigeons in Waikiki being "disease-free," perhaps Zellinger should trap and catch each one of these flying rodents. That way he could perform a more accurate assessment of the risk to the public's health regarding these sick birds.
It is obvious that these birds, along with the doves and sparrows in Waikiki, do have a disease. The problem? These birds are consuming human food processed with vegetable oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, etc. The birds that do consume the leftover food or raid the trash cans or feed on french fries and the like cannot digest the oils in these foods.
It is apparent in the health and look of them. Their feathers are saturated in an oily base. In time, these birds die because of this condition.
The city and state should make a stronger, conscious effort to curb this problem and have in place a program to eliminate the excessive numbers of pigeons in the Waikiki area.
Tom Aki
Memorial Day is not a 'happy' holiday
They did it again. Television anchors, both local and national, kept saying "Happy Memorial Day!" as they ended their broadcasts.
Memorial Day is not a happy holiday. It is a somber day: a time to honor the dead, a time of remembrance, reminiscence, reflection and repose.
In my long-ago youth, it was called "Decoration Day," and that is what we did, placing flowers on family graves. We spoke softly. Then we went on a family picnic ... a quiet picnic.
David W. Eyre
Seat-belt crackdown is not a waste of time
Regarding Shelly Brown's June 5 letter: The seat-belt crackdown is not a waste of time. Federal financing is paying for the enforcement, and we are not the only state doing this. There are at least 26 other states participating.
She says, "Those people who choose not to wear a seat belt seldom cause harm to anyone but themselves." How can she say that? It affects everyone. So many people die every year because they chose not to wear seat belts. Somebody's mother, sister, father, brother would be alive today if they simply chose to wear that seat belt.
Is the enforcement of seat belts a high priority? You bet it is, if it's forcing people to remember to put them on. How devastating it is to a family to lose a loved one.
I commend this state and the HPD for participating in this National Seatbelt Enforcement Program.
Josie Kaanehe
Kapolei
Hawai'i prisoners on Mainland doubled up
Our state has sent many of our loved ones and friends who are incarcerated to the Mainland to serve out their sentences. But does the state really know what is going on there?
For example, in Arizona, according to several of the inmates, they are being doubled up in cells that are too small. But overcrowding here was the reason we sent them there.
The government needs to do something to make sure they are being cared for properly and not being discriminated against.
Charlene Keola
Project Graduation at Kalaheo a success
Kalaheo High School's Project Graduation was a great success this year. We had 98 percent of our graduates participate in this alcohol- and drug-free after-graduation celebration.
It was gratifying to get parent, teacher and student support for this positive event, and heartwarming to receive great corporate sponsorship as well. I'd like to thank some of our generous donors, including Mike McKenna's auto dealerships for their donation of a vehicle as our grand prize, and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Friends of Hawai'i Charities, Ameron International, the Honolulu Police Department, Castle Hospital, Hardware Hawai'i and HMSA for their generous support of the youth of Kailua.
Congratulations to all our graduates of 2002, and remember to party safely.
Tina Shaffer
Chairman
Kalaheo High School Project Graduation
Slater's columns are getting boring
I wish someone at The Advertiser would explain why Cliff Slater is retained as a regular columnist. Simply put, reading Slater is like listening to a broken record.
Based on Slater's Web site, the June 3 diatribe against light-rail transit marks the 15th column in which he has blasted rail transit or glorified roads and automobiles over the past few years. Guess what. Slater was opposed to BART on July 10, 2000 ... and he's still writing to oppose it in 2002.
How about public schools? In 30 different columns, he has repeated the same mantra: Schools need competition, vouchers, etc. Guess what. Slater was disgusted with the Department of Education on April 14, 1994 ... and he's still disgusted in 2002.
Todd Shelly
Gasoline prices are creeping up again
I'm confused as to why I can buy a gallon of gas in Wahiawa for $1.429 but I have to pay $1.829 in Honolulu.
Do the petroleum companies think we don't notice the prices going up again? The only people complaining about the upcoming price caps are station owners. I couldn't be happier that their price-gouging ways will soon be over.
Michael Young
Let's have coverage of upcoming football
Summertime in Hawai'i is known worldwide for having blue skies, warm oceans and cooling trade winds. But to people in Hawai'i, summer means a huge void in sports. Pages full of Major League baseball and professional golf scores (big yawn) give us no reason to buy a paper. What drives sports interest in Hawai'i is UH athletics.
It seems the sports writers are on summer hiatus and the UH sports information director is asleep on the job.
Traditionally, UH starts selling season tickets for football, then promotes sales later. Sounds backward to me. Interviewing one coach a week will take us to fall practice. Interviewing a player a day will bring interest to a boil. Knowing something about each player will bring the community closer to the team.
Give me a reason to buy a paper, please.
Roy Kamisato
Finish what you started
Regarding Jeff Alexander's June 5 letter: He states, "I finish what I start, and do not give up!" So do start your trash pickup and finish what you started by throwing it away.
Looks like Alexander is doing this all for "looks." I'm not impressed at all.
Kailei Clarke
'Ewa Beach
