Letters to the Editor

Lingle missed the mark with her defense of trip

In her recent television interview on KITV, Gov. Lingle hit the mark with her criticism of the local media — especially the broadcast media — as ambulance and accident chasers instead of in-depth, behind-the-scenes news reporters. In my opinion, the stations just fill time slots with whatever is available.

The governor missed the mark with her self-serving opinion that paying the expenses for a KITV reporter to accompany her on her trip to Japan did not violate any ethical standards and that any opinion otherwise is just politics. One would think that a person who promised to bring honesty and integrity to government with "new beginnings" would have seen at least a possible conflict of interest and therefore would have decided not to risk eroding further the public trust of the media or the office of the governor.

And, is it possible that KITV did not know the error of its ways until after the matter became public?

Has any politician ever at the outset of a controversy just apologized and promised not to do the same thing again?

'Outcome democracy' a good in good hands

I found Robert Rees' description of "outcome democracy" in his July 6 commentary interesting. The opposite of what he describes as outcome democracy is mob rule.

For example, there was a time when anti-lynching laws qualified as outcome democracy, since they were opposed by significant majorities in the states where they were most needed. There was a time when desegregation was outcome democracy.

Rees seems to be saying that there is no right or wrong, there is only majority opinion, an ironic position to take when criticizing liberalism, since liberals are so often accused of taking that position.

In fact, it is because of liberal moral certitude that we have enjoyed the progress and prosperity of the last half a century, progress and prosperity that are now being threatened by a political party that placed its candidate in the White House through actions that fit Rees' definition of outcome democracy perfectly: "due process of law and constitutional guarantees are of value only if they produce the desired results." When due process of law and constitutional guarantees did not lead to the election of George Bush, his friends on the Supreme Court suddenly became judicial activists in order to produce the desired results.

There are devotees of outcome democracy across the political spectrum; in fact, any political activist has to admit to working for his own favored outcome. The question you have to ask, though, is what sort of outcome is being favored? Is it the liberal one of distribution of power and opportunity, or the conservative one of accumulation of power and denial of opportunity?

Let's settle gill net debate with experiment

Regarding the article about the decline of reef fishes that appeared in the July 14 Advertiser: Let's settle the debate of gill nets versus other causes with a simple experiment. How about banning gill nets in a large enough area to really determine if they are the main cause of the decline of reef fishes?

I propose banning gill nets from 1 mile north of Kalaeloa/Barbers Point Harbor to 1 mile north of Kane'ohe Bay for five years. These areas have the most problems with residential runoff in the state. With this experiment, we can at least determine if gill nets are the main cause for the decline or if runoff, pole fishermen and divers play a bigger role.

I'm probably dreaming if I think this experiment has any chance of being implemented. As I have stated in a previous letter, the state will not even ban gill nets during the closed seasons for moi and mullet, which I think is ridiculous.

Bike paths would help to beautify Honolulu

As I was riding my bike alongside last month's King Kamehameha Parade, I spotted Mayor Jeremy Harris in the motorcade. I called out, "Hey, Jeremy, think bicycle paths." He shouted back, "Talk to the City Council." I am writing this letter based on the theory that it probably makes even more sense to talk directly to the City Council's constituents — i.e., the public.

This year the Harris administration included a proposal and budget item in the city budget for an extensive system of bicycle paths. The City Council knocked it out, and once again we are left without any ability to implement this critical element of modern urban planning.

Bike paths are more than just a convenient means of transportation for "eco-eggheads." Opening up broad promenades and user-friendly pedestrian and bike thoroughfares can set the tone for the beautification of an entire city.

O'ahu has the most beautiful shoreline anywhere, and in order to emphasize the overall beauty and tourist draw of our city, it should be highlighted whenever possible. As anyone who has been to Vancouver lately can attest, the bike paths that are strung along the shores of virtually every ocean frontage area throughout that city have helped turn it into a beautiful and user-friendly tourist mecca.

Honolulu should do likewise immediately.

Bus riders should be grateful for good deal

The cost of operating TheBus each year is over $100 million. Fare revenue brings in about $30 million. That means the actual cost of getting on TheBus is not $1.75; it is about $6; and the true cost of the monthly pass is not $30; it is over $100.

(Hmmm? If I can park downtown for $8 to $10 per workday and the true cost of riding TheBus is $12 per day ... um, nevermind.)

Bus riders should be grateful that they are getting such a bargain. Don't forget to thank those who pay property taxes for making up the difference. It is only a $70 million loss each year.

Tell me again, how much is the BRT going to cost?

Get law enforcement out of drug problem

Would you like to see Hawai'i's property crime reduced by 90 percent? How would you like to see that along with cuts in spending for law enforcement, a halving of our prison population, improved public health, drugs out of parks and schools, and less chance your kid will get addicted?

These things are achievable if we get law enforcement out of drug fighting and turn the problem of addiction over to health authorities, as is being done in Europe.

Addicts could obtain drugs from competent medical authorities under the safest conditions at minimal cost. They'd have access to social workers who can help them find employment, manage their addiction and help them quit using drugs when they're ready. They'd not be allowed to share their drug allotment with non-addicts.

The profits and the motivations to steal and to spread drug use to non-users are eliminated by switching to this model. Addiction would be the only problem related to drugs. You and I would no longer have to be victimized — and taxed — due to someone else's habits.

If you want less crime and less taxes, it's time to let addicts, not the rest of us, be responsible for their addiction problems.

Scooter ban welcome

Motor scooters: annoying, loud — and did I mention loud? I would like to thank the City Council for banning motor scooters. People were driving them around my neighborhood a lot, and since it took effect, they are gone.

Tyler Omura
Ninth-grade student
Kane'ohe