Posted on: Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Letters to the Editor

Advertiser Staff

Let a burger flipper try substitute teaching

I cringed as I read this quote of Jeanetta Ma, who manages the substitute teacher's program at the Department of Education, in the March 21 paper: "Where are you going to go out and find a job that pays that per hour ($17)? I know McDonald's doesn't, for sure."

If Ma is comparing apples with apples, why isn't she actively recruiting fast-food workers? Would she also do away with a bachelor's degree as one of the many requirements to become a substitute teacher?

State labor director was anything but fair

In his March 11 commentary, Department of Labor Director Nelson Befitel tried to represent that his proposal for workers' compensation reform is fair, balanced and includes all those involved in the system. He stated he has done so because his job is to be the "steward" of the system and to make changes that will protect the interest of the owners of the system — the employees and the employers.

The problem is that Mr. Befitel has never made an attempt to include or even listen to one of these groups, the employees, the injured workers. He stated that he opened his doors to those involved with the system and sought their input as to what changes were needed. While a select few found the door slightly ajar, once through that door, they found deaf ears on the other side.

If "countless" hours were spent in formulating changes, why were they so similar if not identical to those submitted during the preceding legislative session? The three-pronged approach Mr. Befitel mentions completely left out any review of insurance carrier practices and profits. Research has shown that the reason for high costs of workers' comp lies in this area.

A "steward" of the system should not be looking for any way possible of removing benefits from those who need them; he should be looking for ways to improve services and assure benefits are available.

Where are voices of support for Arctic bill?

I was shocked to see in your March 18 paper an editorial and seven letters to the editor dismayed over the Arctic oil drilling vote. Were there no voices of support for our senators or did you just not print them?

I strongly support this vote and the courage it required of our senators to side with the Republicans.

In your editorial, you say that the senators' vote "pushes our energy policy in the wrong direction by increasing our dependence on oil." What kind of nonsense is this? Drilling where there is oil does not increase our dependence on oil, it increases the supply to meet the demands in our state. We are already researching and creating new sources of energy that we all hope one day will replace oil, but at this time we need oil and we are paying dearly for it!

Technology has advanced in a way that drilling can be very environmentally friendly as evidenced by the oil pipelines already in Alaska that have not harmed the environment. Our senators made a wise and courageous decision to vote for this bill; they should be applauded for it.

Not in best interests

I am very disappointed that our two senators voted for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration and drilling.

If the best interests of the indigenous people were truly the reason for their votes, then they would have voted against extracting an oil reserve that's been estimated to last only six months and start working toward a more aggressive policy for alternative, renewable fuels.

Doors on bathrooms?

I am a fourth-grader at Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School. I am writing this letter because my friends and I would like to ask Gov. Lingle to put doors on our bathrooms. Some of my friends complain that they don't get their privacy. I agree with them. Sometimes I am afraid of going because someone might look at me while I am using the bathroom.

Give Hannemann a longer honeymoon

I note a gradual proliferation of "former" Mufi Hannemann supporters reporting that they regret they had voted for the current mayor.

Sour grapes, Monday night quarterbacking and second-guessing are easy to do. What I'd like to know is where were the voters when Mufi told everyone that the guide for city expenditures will be "Do we need it; can we afford it; and can we maintain it?"

When priorities go toward resurfacing over landscaping, city sewer repair and replacement over Brunch on the Beach, and canceled projects instead of those that are perpetual and never get completed, some residents feel the growing pains of rude awakening.

Of course, it is simpler to say "no" over saying "yes" to every project in town. If you remember Mufi from back in 1986, he's made saying "no" a cornerstone of his political career.

I would like to give Mayor Mufi Hannemann a longer honeymoon and growing room, well past this first budget cycle, which was largely formulated by the former administration. I have the same message for this administration as I did for the last: Stay the course.

Story, letter misleading on Uluwehi Apartments

We would like to set the record straight regarding the Uluwehi Apartments development in Wai'anae. A March 14 Advertiser article and a March 16 letter to the editor regarding this housing facility contained misleading information.

The goal of the state Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai'i (HCDCH) is to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for our residents. The Uluwehi Apartments were built in 1978 using inferior, experimental materials. Unfortunately, the complex has been allowed to deteriorate over the past 23 years. We have been in consultation with contractors and other professionals and decided to demolish the structure because we believe it would be more costly to refurbish the existing building than to rebuild it.

We have been working with Rep. Michael Kahikina, chairman of the House Housing Committee, the Hawaii Coalition of Christian Churches and members of the community to develop a plan for the site. The Legislature is also considering a $1.8 million request by the administration to help build a much-needed emergency, transitional and affordable housing complex at this location.

The March 16 letter states that "Habitat for Humanity has offered to do the organization and community-based rebuilding of this affordable housing complex." According to Anne Marie Beck, executive director of the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, her board has never discussed the Uluwehi Apartments and her organization is not involved in any proposal regarding the apartments.

The March 14 article "Architect rips state plan to demolish apartments" expresses the ideas and opinions of several volunteers who are working independently of the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity.

Terri Schiavo case stirs readers

How long must she remain a 'vegetable'?

Heaven must be a really terrible place. How ironic that "good" Christians believe that going to heaven is a reward for Christian faithfulness, then prefer to stay on Earth as a brain-damaged "vegetable."

The Republicans keep saying that "pulling the plug" on someone with little or no hope of recovery is cruel. They apparently ignore the fact that many people would prefer that than to linger indefinitely with little or no hope and that it is done thousands of times every year.

Ask any practicing doctor. After 15 years, how much longer must Terri Schiavo linger before she is allowed to pass on to heaven — 10, 20, 30 years?

Quadriplegic's view: Terri deserves her life

After being paralyzed from the shoulders down 10 years ago in a swimming accident, I sometimes contemplated the value of remaining alive when I learned I would not be restored to my previous physical state.

Going through rehabilitation, I learned that nothing in life is perfect. After meeting inspiring people who had survived a variety of life-altering experiences, including brain injuries from strokes, epilepsy, birth defects and major accidents, I became inspired to count my blessings and tackle whatever obstacles came my way.

Anyone who knows me can say that life has never been easy. Besides not being able to move, I have had to deal with bladder infections, pressure sores, lung infections and other health problems that have often landed me in the hospital. Although times were hard, the one constant in my life was the love of my family. When I felt like giving up, they sacrificed time and again so that I could continue to be a part of their lives — perfect or not.

That has been a blessing that many of my friends don't have, but apparently Terri Schiavo does.

Yes, I was not left brain-dead, but neither is Terri Schiavo. Removing her feeding tube is the equivalent of my caregiver choosing to deny me food and water and dignity: preconceived murder. Whether or not she should be pitied and put to sleep like a dog is not the issue.

Schiavo has been abandoned by many

There are huge "elephants" in Terri Schiavo's room. No matter how people try to ignore those elephants, others can see them.

One of the elephants is her husband who, after getting the $1.3 million insurance settlement, discontinued Terri's rehabilitative therapy in 1992. She has not had the usual physical therapy. Her decayed teeth and skin ulcers are classic signs of neglect.

Another elephant is Dr. Ronald Cranford, relied upon for Terri's diagnosis of PVS based on a 45-minute examination. Cranford is prominent in the physician-assisted suicide movement. In a 1997 op-ed article in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune, he advocated the starvation of Alzheimer's patients. Cranford's record as a biased "expert" is detailed at NationalReview.com in an article titled, "Starving for a Fair Diagnosis." The author surveyed 50 neurologists who were horrified that standard tests, such as an MRI and PET, were forbidden by Michael Schiavo.

But the largest and most dangerous elephant is Judge George Greer, who has consistently ruled against any standard diagnostic testing. He has denied almost every motion Terri's parents raised, some without hearing any arguments or evidence. Appellate courts look only at the law and not the facts.

'Perpetual vegetative state'? Try Congress

I've never seen Congress act so fast!

As President Bush and congressional members interrupt Easter vacation and hasten back to Washington, scrambling to voice what side of the "right to life" issue they're on, Terri Schaivo becomes a political lightning rod.

While the United States still has the death penalty and engages in proactive wars killing thousands in the name of "freedom and liberty for all," this sad tale of Ms. Schaivo's fate lies now in the federal courts.

She has been bedridden for 15 years, unable to eat except through a feeding tube, hands curled up, blinking occasionally. The argument is whether she is "alive" or in a "perpetual vegetative state." That's life?

All I know is 535 elected officials can't get anything moving around those sacred halls of Congress. Amazing it takes a fire-hot issue like Terri to ignite their collective butts.

I guess one has to join Congress to know what a "perpetual vegetative state" is.