The past two months have brought us depressing news about the collapsing global economy, the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, and the devastating impacts of climate change.

March is the bearer of good news about the advent of spring, blooming flowers and the Great American Meatout (meatout.org).

Now in its 25th year, Meatout has grown into the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. It provides each of us with a superb excuse to kick the meat habit and get a fresh start with a wholesome, nonviolent diet of vegetables, fruits and grains. The date is March 20, first day of spring, symbolic of renewal and rebirth.

The Meatout diet is touted by major health advocacy organizations and leading health authorities. It's made so easy now by the rich selection of delicious meat and dairy alternatives in our local supermarkets. It's supported by free information from www.tryveg.org and www.chooseveg.org.

B&BS

NOISE NOT ISSUE FOR PROPERTIES BILL TARGETS

Sandy Shimmon (Letters, March 2) doesn't quite understand what she's talking about. The B&B bill before the City Council is only addressing B&Bs where someone lives on the property full-time.

B&Bs have no complaints filed against them due to noise issues. This is understandable, since someone lives on the property and, if ever there were ever a noise issue, the owners would handle the disturbance swiftly.

Ms. Shimmon suggests that these rentals are going for $1,200 a night, but the truth is that the average one-bedroom Kailua B&B rental goes for $85 to $150 per night as evidenced by scanning prices posted online. Perhaps Ms. Shimmon is referring to the house Obama stayed in or an equally extravagant accommodation in her Lanikai neighborhood.

I must also say, shame on you, Sandy Shimmon, for sending your 86-year-old mother over to ask party-goers to keep it down. Next time, do what the rest of us do and call the police.

CIVIL UNIONS

'98 AMENDMENT WASN'T 'DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE'

The Advertiser's editorial (Feb. 24) on the civil unions issue said that the bill "disregards the 1998 vote in which about 70 percent of voters passed a Constitutional amendment setting up a definition of marriage as between one man and one woman." You may be glad to know that your editorial was cited by opponents of the bill during the Senate hearings.

However, you spread misinformation. The amendment is this: "The Legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples." As you see, it doesn't contain any "definition of marriage." By voting "yes," the people of Hawai'i agreed that it was the prerogative of legislators to define marriage in '98, as it is now, and will be in 2010.

If you truly support "public sentiment," start asking for referendums on the Akaka bill, the ceded lands and the Kamehameha Schools' admission policies. Why not put on the ballot the rights of the minority that are "cool" to defend as well rather than only those of sexual minorities? You might get a surprise.