OBAMA MADE SOME INTERESTING REMARKS

During President Obama's speech in which he attempted to justify our commitment — or sort of commitment — to commit and then de-commit 30,000 more American souls to fight in yet another war against terror, he made two comments that need comment.

First, he stated that the 9/11 attack was essentially launched from Afghanistan. The more truthful analysis would find it significant that the vast majority of these terrorists were from Saudi Arabia. Maybe we should ask the Saudis permission to go in and take care of the Muslim jihadists and al-Qaida sympathizers in that country.

Second, Obama proclaimed that "Right makes might." What does he mean by making this statement while he escalates the war? Is it that we are a righteous nation and therefore have become the No. 1 military power in the world — and are therefore justified in using that force because we are a righteous nation? Pretty soon we will have a new war slogan: "War makes peace."

ROMAN LEVERENZ | Honolulu

BULKY TRASH

PROPOSAL TO FINE HOMEOWNERS GOOD

The mayor's proposal on the introduction of a bill to fine property owners $500 is in order. Property owners have been reminded many times as to when it is time put out bulky items on the curb.

Bulky items left on the curb for a long time are an eyesore and unhealthy, and they attract rodents and other pests and take up parking space, where passengers in automobiles are unable to open their vehicle doors.

Property owners should be happy they are not charged to remove their bulky items from the curb. I have been a property owner practically all my life and know what is right and wrong on dumping bulky items on the curb.

A law of this kind should be enforced, and I am hoping the City Council will agree with the above proposal of the mayor's bill.

LEHUA McCOLGAN | Honolulu

TRAFFIC CAMERAS

LEEWARD COAST NEEDS ATTENTION

Recently the city announced that traffic cameras will be installed in Kailua or Käneohe, but based on the recent traffic tie-ups in Nänäkuli, Mäili and Waianae, why are they given higher priority?

I have not heard of any major traffic tie-ups in Kailua or Käneohe.

If the cameras are to help improve the flow of traffic, then during these incidents on the Leeward Coast they would help greatly.

Greater preparation and planning need to be made to evacuate the Leeward Coast during an emergency.

The traffic tie-up on Dec. 1 during the repair to a broken water line illustrates the need for more planning to this section of our city.

The residents of the Leeward Coast deserve better treatment.

LEONARD K.P. LEONG | Honolulu

NATATORIUM

GOOD COMPROMISE REACHED; JUST DO IT

I am a Waikíkí resident and I am very interested in what goes on in my area. The issue of the Natatorium has gone long enough with no solution in hand for the past two decades or more. I am a taxpayer and it is sickening that everybody wants it their way. How about meeting somewhere in the middle?

I understand the preservationists want to preserve everything at any cost. I also understand the beach lovers who want miles and miles of beaches.

I find the proposal of the Natatorium Task Force to retain the arches and build a beach a very good compromise. So, I hope that this time around everyone on both sides of the spectrum come together and make it happen! Enough bickering and wasting my tax money. Let's just do it.

TP WONG | Waikíkí

PLAN HOLDS HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

The historic significance of the Waikíkí beachfront predates the War Memorial Natatorium. "The indigenous Hawaiian pastime of ocean swimming" (Island Voices, Dec. 4) did not include a concrete pool.

Let us be finished with this foolish, money- and time-wasting argument. The panel has heard and seen testimony and has made a decision. We will be rewarded with a beachfront as close to its original as possible.

MANDY BOWERS | Honolulu

RAIL TRANSIT

PARSONS CORP. IS NOT RELATED TO PB

The commentary "Rail system still faces many hurdles" that appeared Nov. 27 discussed the involvement of Parsons Brinckerhoff with the city's rail project. In that commentary, the repeated use of the name "Parsons" has created some confusion and inquiry. Parsons is a name often used in referring to Parsons Corp., which is not, and has never been, part of Parsons Brinckerhoff. The two corporations are entirely separate and unrelated organizations.

Parsons in its own right is an active member of the Hawaii business community with significant city, state and federal contracts.

As you can imagine, because the two companies are in the same industry, have a similar name, and are both working in Hawaii, this erroneous reference has been repeated many times and continues to create confusion for both those in the industry and the public.

To help make a distinction, people in the industry commonly refer to Parsons Brinckerhoff as "PB" and Parsons Corp. as "Parsons."

TOM McCABE | Senior VP, Parsons