honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 26, 2004

Letters to the Editor

Police chase shooting endangers all of us

Your March 20 article about the police chase reports, "The officer ... fired five rounds at the fleeing car, hitting it three times." The use of gunfire by our police in public areas involving vehicle stops needs to be examined more closely. This was unnecessary and unlikely to do any good in the circumstances reported.

It reminds me of the recent incident in which our Kane'ohe neighborhood was sprayed with over 100 rounds of police gunfire to stop a vehicle. The suspects are on an island, and the vehicles can only go so far. There is no good reason for this shooting, and it endangers all of us.

Mark Thomason
Kane'ohe


Hamas death editorial was anti-Semitism

Your March 23 editorial "Spilling more blood prolongs blood feud" is an anti-Semitic attempt to portray an assassination of the head of the Hamas as an "extreme policy." Racism and anti-Semitism are evident when the similar actions by one group are condemned while other ones are ignored or treated as a "par for the course."

Perhaps I missed your editorial a few short days ago when Hamas assassins blew up 10 Israelis in the port of Ashkelon.

I also missed your editorials condemning Hamas bombers for infecting themselves with the AIDS virus so that their blood carried by ball bearings, screws and bolts, fashioned around an explosive vest, would infect their victims.

Equally, I regret missing your editorial that explained to us the "fact" that, as of today, not a single son, daughter, nephew — not even a distant cousin of a PLO, Islamic jihad, Hamas, Hesbollah or al-Qaida leader — had become a suicide bomber. Two of Sheik Yassin's sons were wounded in the attack. Why did he fail to send his own sons to achieve the glory of Shaheed (martyr)?

Eliminating the head of Hamas is the equivalent of our desire to eliminate Osama bin Laden, another "spiritual leader." Would The Advertiser argue that eliminating Osama bin Laden is out of bounds because it will perpetuate the "age-old folly of attempting to end a blood feud by spilling more blood"?

Anti-Semitism of the left is nothing new. Transparent lack of logic and facts in support of an absurd position is a sign of racist arrogance.

Greg Sheindlin
Salt Lake


Talk of Waimano Home brings good memories

Regarding your March 23 editorial on the old Waimano Home and Hospital: Yes, I agree that the proposed Hawai'i Artspace will be a very positive use of the Waimano campus, giving disabled citizens new opportunities. But I take exception to the derogatory remarks in the first paragraph of your editorial. Talk of Waimano Home does not "dredge up bitter memories" for me.

As former medical director there, talk of Waimano Home reminds me of a large, dedicated staff who lovingly served an often difficult population; of disabled citizens who even with community placement would have had no safe place to live; and of several residents like Danny, whose paintings hang in my office because some staff member cared enough to see that his talents were expressed.

Yes, deinstitutionalization did mainstream many residents appropriately, but it is not the panacea it is touted to be. The Hawai'i Artspace is yet another example of how creativity can reach all citizens. I hope all the art community will participate in its success.

Sharon Shay Bintliff, M.D.
Waimea, Hawai'i


Gas cap: Sometimes government must act

That was compelling commentary by Brian Barbata about the price of Hawai'i gasoline being in line with Mainland prices (March 18). But until someone is able to fully explain the outrageous discrepancy between the gas companies' percentage of sales in Hawai'i and the percentage of profits coming from Hawai'i, I remain unconvinced and will continue to view them as money-sucking greed machines.

Guaranteed, a gas cap will be another level of bureaucracy, but sometimes an industry is unable to police itself and leaves the government little choice but to intervene.

Barbata couldn't be more right when he talks about the high gas taxes in Hawai'i and how our gasoline taxes are often misused for other purposes. Maybe a little more accountability from both oil companies and politicians is the answer.

Pat Kelly
Honolulu


H-1 off-ramp proposal would hurt some of us

Regarding the H-1, Vineyard Street, Lunalilo Street on- and off-ramp proposal: I use these streets and ramps daily. Since I live at Pi'ikoi and Young streets, for me to get onto the H-1 under the proposal, I would go down Pi'ikoi, turn right onto Wilder Avenue, down to a right turn onto Punahou Street to the H-1 entrance — a distance of two miles to get on the freeway instead of the 3,000 feet I travel now.

It seems to me that's a long way for Makiki residents to go just to get on the H-1.

This would take me an extra seven or eight minutes of drive time daily, times 20 per month, an extra 160 minutes monthly and a yearly total time of 1,920 minutes or 32 hours extra drive time per year just to get on the freeway. The state's solution is wrong, as I will be paying more in the end.

Norman Ching
Makiki


Schofield story should have mentioned Lingle

I want to thank The Advertiser for printing a front-page story about the deployment ceremony for our Tropic Lightning active and reserve troops at Schofield Barracks ("Middle East mission 'a first' for division," March 19). The story contained a glaring omission, however. There was no mention of the ceremony's keynote speaker, Gov. Linda Lingle, who received a rousing ovation for her inspiring remarks.

More than any other governor I have known, Linda Lingle is loved by our troops. She makes frequent visits to their bases to discuss the important issues of the day, gladly accepts invitations to their special events, and wants to reduce the tax burden on citizen-soldiers serving in combat zones. Moreover, her risky mission to Iraq brought a welcome dose of aloha to our men and women in uniform.

Lingle is a tremendous supporter of the military. Let's give her credit.

Maj. Gen. Robert Lee
State adjutant general


Mahalo to newspaper for soldiers' postcards

I just wanted to thank you for your support of our troops in Iraq. My cousin's son, Shane Kahuanui, was in your newspaper March 16. I was able to pull up the article online. It is really heartwarming to see him.

Like his 'ohana in Hawai'i, we in California are praying for his safe return and are grateful to him and all the service men and women for their sacrifices.

I live in Alameda, Calif., and none of the newspapers truly supports the war. Even though they say they support our troops, it is not apparent in the coverage they provide. I applaud your newspaper for your support of our troops in your actions.

Your newspaper provides not only a comprehensive accounting of what is happening in and around Iraq, but it provides us with features like the "postcards" from Iraq. These postcards bring these men and women to life. They are our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, cousins, uncles; they are our 'ohana.

Jo Kahuanui
Alameda, Calif.


Unhappy? Just move on

Regarding Kai Takayama's March 20 letter on the pay raises of police officers, concrete workers and bus drivers: It seems that Mr. Takayama is very unsatisfied with his job as a social worker and complaining of those union workers who "complain" about pay raises. If Mr. Takayama is dissatisfied with his current occupation, might I suggest that he find another vocation?

Rick LaMontagne
Honolulu