Taking issue with primary election

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Columnist

That's easy: Put some sports issues on the ballot.

Amid the important decisions, toss sports fans a bone by giving them a say on some of the sports questions of the day — the designated hitter, Neighbor Island pay-per-view for University of Hawai'i events, conference affiliation, Major League contraction, etc. — and watch traffic to the polls pick up.

Here are a few issues that probably should be put to a vote but won't be — at least not on Saturday.

Proposition 1. Shall the state turn over year-round operation of Aloha Stadium to the University of Hawai'i?

Proposition 2. Shall William "Hootie" Johnson be required to play in next year's Jenny K. — and offer membership at Augusta National to anybody who outshoots him?

Proposition 3. Shall a sucker's tax be levied on all future Mike Tyson pay-per-view fights?

Proposition 4. Should the football games of Alabama, Kentucky and any other Southeastern Conference schools currently on NCAA probation appear on "America's Most Wanted"?

Proposition 5. Shall local television stations show the major league playoffs and World Series games live?

Proposition 6. Shall UH be compelled to limit its athletic program to no more than two nicknames?

Proposition 7. Since a trip to Khabarovsk, Russia, doesn't seem so long when you've been to Louisiana Tech, shall the Samorodok volleyball team be invited to join the Western Athletic Conference so the Rainbow Wahine can be assured of some competition every year?

Proposition 8. Shall the governor sign an executive order allowing the UH football team to "draft" up to five players each from the rosters of De La Salle, Kahuku, Long Beach Poly and St. Louis School for next year's recruiting class?