Letters to the Editor

Coach Jones showing lack of professionalism

I've been a Coach June Jones supporter since the first day he got the job. He's proven himself to be extremely knowledgeable about football; however, he has shown an obvious lack of professionalism in his comments regarding the Nov. 23 melee.

I was surprised to read his comments downplaying such a complete lack of self-control. He speaks of a lack of discipline of the Cincinnati team, but says nothing about the lack of discipline shown by his own players. When athletes are given a "free pass" to assault another person, it sends our children the wrong message. They believe it's OK to punch someone in the face.

But in the real world, if one of us struck someone, we would be standing in front of a judge. Jones needs to take responsibility for the actions of his players and make things right.

Mike Young

Don't blame UH, fans for Cincinnati melee

I resent the editorial, column and letters denouncing the UH players and fans for what happened at the game Nov. 23. I doubt if Lee Cataluna was even there.

Let me inform her that 99.95 percent of the fans should be commended for their support of the team, especially the magnificent defense — and roundly congratulated for its help in this significant win. Let the Cincinnati crybabies criticize us, but we know they have the dirty players and they were obviously the ones who provoked the melee. If you were there, you would know this.

Consider these facts: No fans from the stands rushed the field. The few drunken fans who threw water and paper at the UC players entering the tunnel got a dose of pepper spray within minutes. Security was tight. That's why no dangerous projectiles were available.

I do agree with the UC critics on one point: A few WAC referees should retire. But they are not why UC lost the game.

Pat Balvin
Waipahu

Cincinnati committed foul after personal foul

Your Nov. 26 editorial and accompanying selection of letters on the football brawl were amazing to some of us who attended the game. Did you?

Did you see Cincinnati players commit personal foul after personal foul? Did you see the cheap shot that threatened Timmy Chang's career? Did you see Cincinnati's incredibly dumb flagrant hit in the game's final minute that sealed its loss?

Coach June Jones had it exactly right: Cincinnati's lack of discipline and sportsmanship was spectacular in the extreme and obvious throughout the game.

No doubt the fight should not have happened and UH players will be counseled about their conduct, but as you assess who's to blame, don't commit a flagrant foul of your own by implying that Hawai'i bears most of the responsibility.

Doug Carlson

Enduring music wasn't written for the critics

Gregory Shepherd, your "classical music critic since 1987," has deftly managed to find something to offend almost everyone in his review of the recent Vivaldi/Sibelius offering by the Honolulu Symphony.

Enduring music was not written for effete small-town music critics. Music that is written for critics doesn't seem to endure. Vivaldi still makes people smile (young people and adults) after more than two centuries. Who listens to John Cage?

I suggest that Shepherd ought to visit Finland — the midsummer holiday would be a great time — before attempting to broaden his journalistic horizons to travel writing.

Come on, give the poor guy a vacation; he seems a little stressed. Might I suggest two weeks in Duluth, Minn., and an Ipod filled with the complete works of Sibelius with a little Arvo Part thrown in for variety?

Jim Petersen
Mililani

Another dual mode system is available

I enjoyed and agreed with Randy Leong's article "Car or rail? Both is best." We have another dual mode solution that deserves mentioning: the Advanced Vehicle Transport (AVT). The AVT is also listed on Jerry Schneider's Web site.

The AVT approach eliminates high-speed switching and other problems of dual mode solutions by combining the advantages of high-speed trains with dual mode. The AVT provides private, secure, efficient travel with restrooms, TV and refreshments — a must for any future transportation system.

Please visit the AVT Web site, www.avt-train.com, for more information. Click on "Media Room" to hear an NPR News story and see some fascinating animation.

Frank Randak
President, AVT-TRAIN.COM
Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Lingle's got the best

Linda Lingle is in good hands with Laura Weldon Hoque, local-born director of Kapi'olani Breast Center. She is skilled, bright and truthful. She brings just the right personality to the patient, and when it comes to this kind of effort, she is the best.

Fritz Amtsberg