DUANE 'DOG' CHAPMAN

The reality show star shows his true colors

Well, "The Dog" showed his true colors.

Even if it was a private conversation, his tirade was worth more than raising one or both eyebrows.

All the crying and all the apologies will not fix it because Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king's horses, and all the king's men" ... you know the rest of it.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR USING THE RACIAL EPITHET

It has taken four years of fame before Duane Chapman revealed himself as a bigoted and racist person. His use of the N-word to describe a person's character in a private conversation is ugly, inflammatory, and unforgivable. No series of explanations can clarify the use of such an incendiary word in public or private speech. It only shows the user to be an uneducated bigot.

And so, if it has taken four years to find out that Duane Chapman uses such epithets, how long will it take until we find out how he really feels about the rest of us non-Caucasian, mixed-race people?

SUPERFERRY

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE FACTS ON THE SUPERFERRY

Let's check the facts and then decide. The people on Maui are against the Superferry because of the whales; they say the Superferry will injure the poor whales and destroy the environment. If this is really their concern, then why aren't they in court suing the tour boats that are constantly running into the whales and harassing them every season when they take tourists to see the whales?

How many documented cases are on file and were in the newspaper about tour boats running into the whales? But you don't hear anything from these people.

If they are also concerned about the environment, then why aren't they fighting contractors who are bulldozing down all the trees and stripping the land to build subdivisions, make money and run?

Protesters on Kaua'i seem to forget who came to help when their island was devastated by hurricane Iniki, and who came to help clean and rebuild their homes. The Superferry would have been able to have equipment and supplies to them the very next day, but of course, they don't look at that.

They say they don't want the coqui frogs on Kaua'i. The Superferry didn't bring the coqui frogs or all the other alien species to the Big Island.

It seems that there is a more sinister reason for them to pound on and threaten people in cars, risk their lives jumping into the water and breaking the laws than just to save the environment and the whales.

SUPERFERRY'S CAPTAIN SHOWED SKILLFUL MOVES

Before the ferry issue is lost in the courts, I want to thank the captain of the ferry on that fateful day on Kaua'i when he had to back that ship out of Nawiliwili Harbor.

As a veteran of the sea, I commend his skills and the dedication of the ferry owners to employ such a skilled captain and crew.

Protesters may have terrorized some islanders, but the captain and crew of this vessel skillfully avoided environmental disaster and possible loss of life. My hat's off to you, captain, and I hope to sail with you some day.

DEVELOPMENT

ANOTHER VIEW ON GROWTH IN EAST O'AHU

Comments in Thursday's paper from Todd Shelly do not express the feelings of many of us in the community.

This concerns one of the last large parcels of land already zoned for multiple dwellings of almost 300 units, and that had been approved for 150-foot height limits. That height was downzoned to 60 feet, and the community had already spoken at a neighborhood board meeting by approving a higher height limit if more green space was placed toward the street.

We have seen what some builders have done by building as close as they can next to the sidewalk. Most of us want attractive developments in our neighborhood.

Councilman Charles Djou listened to the community and those of us that are happy with the decision that was made by all members of the Council. The number of units has not changed, and we will have green areas near the street.

Our councilman has done a terrific job representing us, and some of the opinions expressed at that nighttime meeting were out of line.

HIGH-DEF DEBATE

TWO ELECTRONIC GIANTS BATTLE FOR CONSUMERS

This shopping season is bringing to a head two electronic giants in a battle for survival. Sony's Blu-Ray and Toshiba's HD-DVD formats both promise greater sound and picture quality when viewed on a high definition display. Sony and Toshiba are duking it out for supremacy in the next-generation, high-definition format to replace dwindling sales of regular DVDs.

Toshiba — currently the only manufacturer of HD-DVD players — promises cheaper hardware ($200 and up) and claims it owns 60 percent of the player market. Movie studios supporting HD-DVD include Paramount, Dreamworks, Universal and Warner Brothers.

Blu-Ray is backed by Sony (Columbia/TriStar), Disney/Buena Vista, MGM/United Artists, Fox, LionsGate and Warner Brothers (Warner is the only studio presently supporting both formats, although it has hinted this may change).

Blu-Ray claims that it sells twice as many movies as compared to HD-DVD and has a larger manufacturing base, from Panasonic, Sharp, and Philips. Blu-Ray also claims higher market share for players (when the Sony PlayStation 3 is factored in, which also includes a Blu-Ray drive. Toshiba does not consider the PS3 as a dedicated player).

Consumers must think twice before buying into one of these formats. Analysts do not expect one format to survive by the end of next year. Warner is contemplating supporting only one format shortly; whichever loses is not expected to survive, as Warner has the largest number of titles available. Filmmakers will not release "blockbusters" until the format war is decided.

While one can expect to see "fire" sales in an attempt to increase market share, it does not guarantee that you will not end up with a obsolete device in the end.