Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Letters to the Editor
For Sunday, October 28, 2012
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 28, 2012
Why we must keep church from state
"All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell." — Paul Broun, Republican congressman from Georgia.
"I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen." — Richard Mourdock, Indiana Republican candidate for the Senate.
This is why we need to separate church and state. When elected officials and candidates allow religious beliefs and dogma to pervert, corrupt and pollute their way of thinking, it sets a precedent that America should not be a part of. Just look back at history. The rise of the Ayatollah Khomeini and Afghanistan under the Taliban regime are examples of religious zealots repressing their people.
And you thought Halloween was scary. This is even scarier.
Robert K. Soberano
Moiliili
UH investigation served public well
After reading the article, "Legislative interference threatens long-term viability of UH," (Star- Advertiser, Island Voices, Oct. 22), I found Larry Geller's comments utterly and completely wrong and misleading. I cannot believe that someone in prestigious positions such as president of Kokua Council and member of the local board of Common Cause Hawaii, has such poor judgment.
Geller failed to understand the turmoil in the community stirred up by the Wonder Blunder. I believe the majority of University of Hawaii supporters welcomed state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim's committee's investigation of the matter. It was very thorough, and something the Board of Regents should have done but didn't. Kim represented the public, which clamored to get to the bottom of the Board of Regent's rubber stamping of President M.R.C. Greenwood's actions. Kim's committee acted on behalf of the public who elected them. It was not legislative interference, as Geller claims.
Albert B. Fu
Honolulu
Provide more parking for state employees
The state of Hawaii vacated the Kamamalu Building at 1010 Richards St. many years ago. Today, the building stands empty and graffiti adorns the outer walls.
Parking for state employees who work in the downtown area is at a premium with many workers walking one to two miles from designated state parking areas to their surrounding destinations. Presently, the wait list for state employee parking is five years.
Why not put this vacant building to much-needed use and build a parking structure for state employees? What a godsend that would be for those who keep our state up and running. It goes without saying that a fee for parking would be required, but make such a fee reasonable and within reach of a state employee's pocketbook. And why not set up a cafeteria for state employees and the pubic on the lower floor at street level, serving reasonably priced meals, and have interested parties bid for the concession?
Barbara Van Dine
Honolulu
Rail will help those who need help most
I agree with former Gov. George Ariyoshi that no group should carry an unfair burden of the negative environmental, social or economic impacts of public policies.
Many residents from Leeward communities are there because city planning policies encouraged development in those areas. These communities are also home to large numbers of lower-income workers who must rely on transit because of its affordability.
Using a car is not an option for many young, handicapped, elderly and low-income individuals, because of their inability to operate a vehicle or the cost of gasoline, insurance and parking. The amount of time consumed by traffic congestion also creates a barrier for many types of employment.
The rail system can make reliable transit available to all public transportation users, but would be a quantum leap for Oahu's disadvantaged populations. We should heed Ariyoshi's advice and ensure everyone has a fast, reliable and affordable transportation option.
Jun Yang
Nuuanu
Not all pardons led to other crimes
I wish to express my feelings about the very negative advertising being put forth by Pacific Resource Partnership in the current race for Honolulu mayor. According to PRP, the number of pardons issued by Cayetano was 203. I am one of those individuals. Did PRP check out my personal history when they say that some have gone on to commit other crimes? That could be an invasion of my privacy. Did PRP check out everyone who received a pardon? Perhaps not.
As an individual who has received a pardon, I know that my hard work to overcome early struggles in life being Native Hawaiian, as well as being a Vietnam veteran, has meaning. This is probably true for many other people. The current advertising by PRP is insulting to anyone who has taken the initiative to turn their life around for the better. Don't believe what you see on TV.
Michael "Manu" Mook
Candidate for lieutenant governor, 2006 Waikiki
FROM THE FORUM
“Honolulu Hale halls decked 11 weeks before Christmas” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 22
>> It is actually nice to see the decorations … although it is way early. We all could use some holiday cheer right now. Too much Grinches about.
>> OK, so no decorating between Oct. 17 and Nov. 9. What about between Nov. 10 and Nov. 30 — decorating couldn't take place then? Putting decorations up more than eight weeks before Dec. 25 is a travesty. Remember what the holiday is supposed to be about?
———
“Long pilgrimage ends with canonization” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 22
>> Wish I could have been there. Brava, Saint Marianne Cope!
———
“Cayetano libel suit pursues multiple goals” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 23
>> Appears this lawsuit is timed for the election. Expect this frivolous suit to be dismissed soon after the election is over.
>> Any group that stands to benefit by lying in advertisements should be held accountable for misleading the public and damaging whoever dares to oppose them. We're with you, Ben.
>> When the election is over, I would like to know what individuals and entities, other than construction contractors, contributed funds to the PRP campaign.
———
“Low voting rate in Hawaii draws national interest” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 23
>> I vote but I hate election years. I hate the phone calls, the flyers and the ads.
>> People see the same ol’ faces each election and none of them generates excitement as far as being the candidate to turn things around. In other words, same ol’, same ol’. Voters get frustrated, then apathetic. BTW, not voting is also a right and it’s a vote for frustration with our elected officials.
>> Embarrassing. Voting is a civic responsibility. Many of us would not always have had this right; exercise it.
———
“Hirono, Lingle differ on value of the president’s jobs initiative” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 23
>> We are voting Mazie. She may not be worth much but Lingle’s dishonesty scares us.
>> When was the last time you heard from Mazie, on anything? While she was in office? When was the last time Mazie sponsored, or co-sponsored a bill? Answer: Never. Mazie needs to be outed.
———
“DOE plan would give all pupils computers” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 24
>> So who is going to cover the replacement costs of any laptop lost, stolen or otherwise missing in action? We already have seen our schools targeted by thieves taking anything not nailed down or locked up like Fort Knox.
>> Buying a tablet or computer for every student means less money for other things. How about funding early childhood education? Much more bang for the buck than buying electronics.
>> I am dismayed by the comments of people who think computer and other technology education is not needed in public schools. It is slowly becoming apparent that there is no industry that will not utilize computer technology in some way, and a working knowledge of computer operation is needed for any future job.
———
“State pursues investments in food production” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 24
>> Those building proposals are horrendously ugly. I think we should stick to the 400-foot limit. if all the other buildings adhere to the limit, why do we need one that’s ridiculously high in comparison?
>> If Kakaako is to represent the vision of Honolulu for the future, where is the visionary design, the exciting new ideas, the remarkable architecture that would compensate (if only a little) for turning our South Shore into a small version of Hong Kong? These designs are dull and uninspiring.
How to write usThe Star-Advertiser welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (~150 words). The Star-Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number.
Letter form: Online form, click here |
Sheen to star in 'Anger Management series'
TV producer Al Masini dies
Possible presidential candidate Trump doubts Obama was born in Hawaii
'The Voice' is cutting in on 'American Idol's' young viewers
The solution to traffic congestion exists in other cities of the US where the DOT of their respective states installed a Traffic Management System that employed an idea that relieves traffic congestion whereby the idea is implemented by modern technology. F.A.S.T. intends to bring into Honolulu the concept of Traffic Management System employed in other cities to bring Traffic Relief.
As for an alternative to traffic congestion for commuters in the West Side, we do not need Rail for that. Because the State has lined up three projects which in combination with the AM contra-flow Zipper makes commuting virtually traffic free. According to Peter M. Rogoff, FTA administrator, Rail is extremely expensive when it comes to Rail Asset Replacement compared to BRT or the bus.
IT COSTS TOO MUCH
IT DOES TOO LITTLEand,IT SERVES TOO FEW
IT DOES EVERYTHING RAIL CAN DO, BUT MUCH BETTER;
FAR SOONER and,FOR ONE-FIFTH ( 1/5th) THE COST.
VOTE for BEN to stop the runaway train insanity and SAVE BILLIONS from being wasted on rail.
$10,000,000,000.00 and Counting.
BTW, by comparison, the $77.4 million is 10-times the $7-million the City said they were trying to save by cutting TheBus routes recently.
Or, nearly 40x the $200-thousand lost in the Stevie Wonder Blunder. And look how much publicity the S-A gave those two events..... but ZERO coverage about the $77.4 million "play" money doled out to the "New Big-5" and other "payers".So why spend 5-times as much on something not even as effective as a solution that works better, can service more people, and can be in place much sooner?
RAIL NO MAKE SENSE FOR HONOLULU
We can't afford anymore of Mr. Young's "advice".
Wherever the jobs are in the corridor, rail is needed for transport. That's been part of the plan for a long time. Democrats and Governors-- Democratic as well as Republican-- have faught over this issue for decaqdes.
The latest flap in terms of PLDC procedures to use in developing public lands is another of these things. Rather than talk about procedures to expedite development, we are talking about elimination of the law.
Also just a warning to other posters seems that this Forum is a little unstable today. Perhaps they are testing new software. I have multiple windows open from links in the "headlines" email I get from the Star-Advertiser ordinarily when I open one, I log in and the others later open up in a logged in condition. I'm not sure but today I assumed that I was logged in because the second window had the full article and comment box when I opened it, but my postings came out as "Anonymous". So I went up to the top and logged in. At this point the window mashed into the same window as the one which I had logged in. I had two identical windows.... Now I open a new window from the link, and log in. I'm sure this discrepancy will be fixed. Just a warning.
When elected officials and candidates allow religious beliefs and dogma to pervert, corrupt and pollute their way of thinking, it sets a precedent that America should not be a part of.
And who decides what is correct religious ideology and what is correct political ideology, Mr. Soberano? Explain to me which of the Ten Commandments you find offensive or objectionable. We have plenty of political zealots on both the left and the right who threaten our individual liberties and a way of life that is defined by relativistic cultural and historical norms, which are not always based on reason and truth.
Karl Marx once wrote that "religion is the opiate of the people". His followers in communist Russia and China outlawed it, and attempted to substitute the state in its place. Our founding fathers recognized that moral authority comes from a higher power than Man and his temporal political institutions.
But you make my point. Who decides which ideology is the "right" one? Mr. Soberanto seems to think he should be the judge, while delusional bender fails to see that he, too, is ideological.
I won't tell you who and how to worship and I would appreciate the same courtesy in return. Nor should either of us get to legislate that "word". This is a land governed by the Constitution, not a religious doctrine.
‘Soul Sessions’ feat. RootHub
