TEXT MESSAGE BAN

DRIVING AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES JUST DON'T MIX

Kudos to Council member Charles Djou and the rest of the City Council for moving forward with a bill to ban text messaging while driving.

It's still a shame on them and the incapacitated Legislature for failing to pass a ban on cell phones while driving except with a hands-free device. With the technology readily available and affordable, why wouldn't they do this?

In case anyone hasn't noticed, we are in an epidemic of poor driving because of the use of electronic devices.

We've all seen it. People floating over into lanes, not moving when the light turns green and, most dangerous of all, crossing over into oncoming traffic.

You don't even have to look anymore, it's almost a given the driver is using a cell phone.

And it's not going to get better any time soon. I've seen two drivers with their computers online, presumably searching for how to drive and go online at the same time.

And smart phones don't actually make users smarter.

This reminds me of the '70s and '80s when drinking and driving was regularly done with a social nod and a wink.

Enough mothers finally lost enough children and the MADD movement gained sufficient national momentum that the laws regarding driving while impaired finally got some teeth.

The question I ask to our timid lawmakers is how many of Hawai'i's children will be killed and maimed before they make laws to protect them?

MEDICAL USE

STUDIES HAVE VERIFIED MARIJUANA'S EFFICACY

Hawai'i's medical marijuana law has done enormous good for thousands of suffering patients ("Hawai'i medical pot use up 87 percent," Nov. 24).

However, it's unfortunate that Keith Kamita of the Narcotics Enforcement Division sees a problem with use of marijuana to treat severe pain.

In the last two years, three published clinical trials have verified marijuana's safety and efficacy for treating pain caused by nerve damage related to multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and other causes. And marijuana is far less toxic and addictive than commonly used pain drugs.

Mr. Kamita should familiarize himself with the medical literature before stating opinions on medical issues.

Meanwhile, Hawai'i residents may find that implementation of the law becomes much easier after the inauguration of Barack Obama, who has promised to end federal interference with state medical marijuana laws.

CIVIL RIGHTS

DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE IS ANY CLOSE UNION

In response to Ken Chang's Nov. 23 letter on Proposition 8, I wish to point out that my dictionary also defines marriage as "any close union," and also that there are many marriages (men to women) in this world that have nothing to do with the Bible.

Some states have had marriages (termed "common-law-marriages") defined only by the length of time the two persons were co-habitating.

The purpose of requiring registration of a marriage and issuing a marriage certificate is basically to formalize a contract between persons to help meet various requirements that arise from our laws. It has nothing to do with religion.

I personally believe that, in this age, it is a violation of civil rights to define marriage narrowly as "between a man and a woman" only in the legal sense.

No doubt a man can form a close union with another man or a woman with another woman. I believe such unions should be called "marriage" just as much as "marriage" between a man and a woman. They should not be called the euphemistic "civil union" but "marriage."

I think gay and lesbian relationships probably have many of the same joys and hardships that arise in a marriage of man to a woman.

TRANSIT ROUTE

LET RAIL RIDERS VOTE ON SALT LAKE VS. AIRPORT

The Nov. 20 headline said: "Bigger boon seen with airport to rail." This boon turns out to be for development. Did I miss seeing any boon for the people who will ride the train?

We voted "yes" for rail based on the Salt Lake route. The City Council wants to railroad us into a different route.

It seems that for the greater boon for the riders — what the whole thing is supposed to be all about — we need another ballot to vote on: Shall it be the Salt Lake route or the airport route.

PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

MARK INAUGURATION WITH ISLE CELEBRATION

How about a huge Waikiki celebration for the inauguration of our native son, President-elect Barack Obama?

We could begin with a parade led by the Punahou Marching Band and include the flavor of Hawai'i's color and values that started Obama on his way to the highest office in our country and perhaps the world.

Hawai'i with its diversity and aloha has produced a person of history, let's celebrate and enjoy and let the whole world know "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."