JERSEY DISPUTE

WHAT MESSAGE ARE WE SENDING TO CHILDREN?

I was appalled to read about the disagreement between two families over soccer star David Beckham's jersey.

What message are these two families sending to their children? The children are learning selfishness and greed instead of sharing and generosity.

I suggest the families auction the jersey on eBay and donate the proceeds to charity.

On second thought — they may never be able to agree on a charity either.

GIVE SHIRT TO CHARITY, IMPART GOOD LESSON

In response to the front-page article on the families involved in a possible lawsuit over David Beckham's shirt, I had to write in with a suggested solution.

Please put aside your misunderstanding, get together as a team, find a local children's charity and give the shirt to them.

I'm sure any charity could find a way to raise money with this shirt to provide services for those who have real issues, such as the children and families at Shriners Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House or Special Olympics Hawaii, where I have seen these children handle serious problems with grace and dignity.

I'm sure David Beckham, a big giver to charities, would much rather know his kind gesture of giving away his shirt taught two kids a lesson in giving to their community.

Now that would make a good front-page story!

NFL DRAFT

WISHES COLT BEST, CAN'T CHEER FOR A REDSKIN

I returned to Hawai'i after living in the Washington, D.C., metro area for a long time.

I got here in September 2006 just in time to watch Colt Brennan throw for huge numbers.

I had always hoped that Indianapolis would draft Brennan, or even the Denver Broncos. Think of all the marketing possibilities with a name like that.

However, I grew up cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, so when I moved to Washington I had difficulty dealing with all the Redskins hoopla. Now, it'll be even harder.

I wish Colt the best; he's a good kid. But come September, I'm still cheering for America's team.

TRANSIT

DISGUSTED AFTER GOING TO COUNCIL RAIL HEARINGS

I am a heavy-equipment operator and have been attending the City Council hearings to support the rail system. I believe it is the best for all of us, not only in Leeward O'ahu but all of us.

I took a half-day off from work to testify at the City Council hearing on April 16 and got totally disgusted.

I do not get paid like Councilmember Charles Djou for confusing the council members and public. He is responsible for returning late to his family and should not ask for any sympathy. I have to be away from my 4-year-old daughter to attend these hearings.

I'm glad that Mayor Mufi Hannemann is taking matters into his own hands, and he is making the right decision. The experts recommended the steel wheel on steel rail technology, so just do it. I am glad I did not attend the hearing on April 23. Nuff already!

STOP RAIL NOW IGNORES A GROWING PROBLEM

What is Stop Rail Now up to? Are they totally ignorant of our growing environmental problems largely caused by combustion engines (cars, buses, trucks, etc.)?

The stark truth is that they are a group of people who never will have to depend on mass transit.

RAIL WILL OFFER OPTION OF LEAVING CAR AT HOME

Folks who oppose the rail continue to say that "it will not reduce the traffic problem." True, it will not directly reduce the number of cars on the road, but it will give a lot of drivers the option to leave their cars at home.

The problem that we face today is the number of cars on the road and the projected increase in the number of cars on the road.

Managed lanes and tollways will not change the number of cars and buses on the road. It will just make it more expensive for some of the drivers to get to work. Others who today have difficulty affording rent, medicine and food will have to deal with tolls and suffer even more.

If we don't begin building traffic alternatives like the rail, then the solution might be to wait until gas prices hit $6 or $7 a gallon. At that point, maybe, people won't be able to afford to drive, and we may begin seeing more people riding the bus, walking, biking or carpooling.

Gas prices are going to continue to go up. Count on it.

OFFICIALS SHOULD NOT FEAR RESULTS OF RAIL VOTE

The current impasse over the type of rail system to use misses the point entirely. The question should be whether or not a rail system is necessary or desirable. No one who lives on O'ahu is oblivious to traffic or the high cost of fuel and time.

But it seems to me that the question should be voted upon directly by way of referendum.

A rail line is enormously costly, and the money it consumes might well be spent on food and education for people who are the victims of an increasingly slippery economy.

It would also be a blight on an already overdeveloped island.

Whether it is a necessary eyesore is something residents of O'ahu should decide for themselves.

If the mayor and the council are convinced that we want a rail system, they should not fear the results of a referendum.

EAST O'AHU RESIDENTS DON'T UNDERSTAND NEED

I noticed in reading the April 22 article about the anti-rail initiative that two of the individuals who commented that rail is not needed here do not even live in the central, western or north side of O'ahu. One came from Hawai'i Kai and the other was Waikiki.

I would surmise that they are not experiencing the traffic horrors that we (I live on the North Shore) are dealing with in our daily commutes to Honolulu.

So, why don't they ask us what we think about it? How would they like it if we refused to pay our taxes that are allocated for their police, fire, road and public school funds?

Obviously we don't benefit from the money that pays for their services.

DUI ARREST

WHY NO COMMENT FROM HPD ON MENOR?

Why does HPD have no comment regarding state Sen. Ron Menor's sobriety test, and his blood-alcohol level, when he was arrested on DUI charges on Sunday?

Why is he not afforded the same luxury of others who have been arrested for possible DUI — having his sobriety test and blood-alcohol level splashed across the local news media pages and airwaves?

And, yes, we the citizens of this state do expect our public officials to hold themselves to a higher standard of conduct.

I say get with the program, or get out!

HEALTHCARE

LEGISLATURE HELPED TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE

In a year when the Legislature had to figure out how to deal with Hawai'i's most critical issues while downsizing the budget, they rose to the occasion with health bills that will protect the most vulnerable. These include: