DOCUMENTARY

WATCH ‘SICKO,’ URGE HEALTH SYSTEM CHANGE

You can love or hate Michael Moore, but his fifth full-length documentary film is a must-see if you are a Democrat, Republican or in-between.

Affordable healthcare for everyone should not be a political issue, but it is because our politicians are virtually owned by the huge for-profit HMOs and the drug companies.

“Sicko” is both funny and sad, entertaining and moving and is a wake-up call to just how bad our current health system is.

Michael Moore shows us that affordable healthcare is not a communist plot, is not unpatriotic and France’s healthcare system is a reason to give up eating freedom fries.

The end of the movie suggests in a funny way that Americans may have to resort to marrying Canadians just to get their health benefits. It is not amusing that you can have a good job with health coverage and get sick and become bankrupt because the HMOs will either deny the insurance claim or only pay a portion of a possible huge medical bill.

Please watch this movie and demand change to our healthcare system. You may save the house you live in.

HOUSING

BUILD AFFORDABLE UNITS, NOT LUXURY CONDOS

I don’t understand how Hawaiçi can be considered the Aloha State anymore when it doesn’t seem to be showing aloha to the people who live here.

It seems as though there are constantly stories about the dramatic increases in the median cost of homes, the development of new luxury condominiums and the closure of affordable housing complexes.

It’s great to see the state taking some action on the homelessness issue in the Islands, but with less affordable housing, the homeless population is only going to continue to grow.

We don’t need more luxury condominiums; what we need are affordable homes for the people who live and work here.

Without taking care of our own, how can we call ourselves the Aloha State?

MUSIC

NEW IZ CD DIFFERENT, BUT ALSO VERY GOOD

I listened to the Iz CD, when The Advertiser had it posted on its Web site for free.

I liked it so much that I went out and bought one.

It is vastly different, but it is also very good. Jon De Mello did a great job of blending the orchestra and Iz. Iz's voice and riffs can be clearly understood.

I am a fan of orchestra music, but more so, Hawaiian music and country music, reggae and rock. The CD is heavy Hawaiian with orchestra.

My granddaughter plays bass in the Seattle Youth Orchestra, and this CD will be one of her Christmas presents.

WHY NO MENTION OR PHOTO OF STATUE OF IZ?

Wow! Mahalo for the superb coverage on Bruddah Iz and for enclosing the CD in our Sunday newspaper (June 24).

However, we wondered why there was not a photo or even mention of his statue in front of the Wai'anae Community Center across from the beach where his ashes were spread?

We bought his new CD to add to our whole collection and love the orchestration that was added. We can close our eyes and see him sitting on the stage with the Honolulu Symphony playing there with him.

COMMUTATION

LIBBY WAS CONVICTED OF OBSTRUCTION, LYING

In the July 5 editorial, "White House message to public loud and clear," the author grossly misrepresents the charges, conviction and subsequent presidential action concerning a prison stay by "Scooter" Libby.

"At a time when national security is top priority, the leaking of a CIA agent's identity by any American, let alone a high-ranking White House official, is beyond reprehensible."

Mr. Libby was never charged or convicted of "leaking." The charges were lying to authorities and obstructing the investigation.

You can be angry with the president's actions. You can be angry with Mr. Libby's actions. But please do not rewrite the truth in the editorial column; to do so is reprehensible.

SPORT

ALOHA STADIUM DRIFTING DISTRESSES NEIGHBORS

Kudos to Rep. Lynn Finnegan for expressing our displeasure at the noise and pollution that result from cars "drifting" at Aloha Stadium.

We live a block up and across Kahuapa'ani Street from the parking lot, where blood-curdling squealing of tires is audible for hours on end.

It's like hearing the screech of tires just before the crunch of metal in a bad accident — except the crunch doesn't happen and you're on edge the whole time.

At the same time, thick black clouds of smoke created by the burning rubber drift out over the Stadium Mall parking lot.

Please find another venue for this "sport," and keep our neighborhood's peace and quiet.

FIREFIGHTING

FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT WORK WELL ELSEWHERE

Mike Sowers was right on the mark with his letter on July 6 ("Fixed-wing planes could help fight fires").

I have seen this work, and in our situation amphibian aircraft will definitely work the best.

In the summer of 2003 while working in Italy, a drought had made the countryside extremely dry. I was staying in a small village called Vietri near Solerno in southern Italy.

From my hotel I could see large brush fires burning in areas that were difficult to reach. I observed amphibian aircraft landing in the smooth Mediterranean Sea, taking on water, taking off and then swooping over the fires dumping huge quantities of water with pinpoint accuracy.

Where helicopters with huge sling-loaded buckets did little to stop the fire in two days prior to the arrival of the amphibian aircraft, the fixed-winged craft performed flawlessly and put out the major fires in very little time.

This allowed the helicopters to concentrate on smaller hot spots and effectively put out the entire flaming mess in a very short time.

ALA MOANA

MAHALO FOR SAFE AND SECURE FIREWORKS SHOW

I just have to say, what a show! I've been going to the Ala Moana fireworks for many years, and the past three years were miserable because so many people were setting off fireworks nearby.

Crossing the park from the shopping center to the beach was like crossing a war zone, and there was smoke wherever we sat.

Last week's show on the Fourth was the best ever.

Police secured the park, beach and street areas. There was a helicopter continuously scanning the area with search lights, police on bikes, scooters and cars everywhere making sure no one set off fireworks.

I had my grandchildren with me and felt very secure that they wouldn't get hurt by flying fireworks.

Thank you, thank you to the Honolulu Police Department for a job well done.

BUSH

TWO BIGGEST BLUNDERS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION

Declaring the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a national monument is the second biggest blunder of the Bush administration, the first being the unlawful occupation of the sovereign nation of Iraq.

ALOHA SPIRIT

ISLE RESIDENT GRATEFUL FOR RETURN OF WALLET

The aloha spirit still lives.

Whoever found and returned my wallet by mailing it to my address, thank you very much.

On July 1, I lost my wallet. It possibly was lost in the vicinity of a hospital parking lot, or in the waiting area of the emergency room. Although cash and some pictures were missing, other important items were still intact.

Once again, thanks to the individual or individuals who found the wallet and took the time to mail it to my address. God bless you.

UH BASKETBALL

JOAN WALLACE THANKED FOR SUPPORT OF TEAM

Mahalo nui loa to Joan Wallace for her support for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team and students over the years.

Behind every good man is a great woman, and Joan Wallace is that woman. Riley would be the first to agree.