Fuel standards are good policy

I found Friday’s Insight article ("Torrent of regulation is raising prices, discouraging economic growth," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 29) a simplistic political rant against the Obama administration rather than an insightful analysis of economic and political reality. How can anyone living in the 21st century consider the improvement of the fuel efficiency of our main mode of transportation "bad policy?" Whatever happened to less dependence on foreign oil?

Modern athletes seem too rowdy

It was such a pleasure watching the University of Hawaii football game against Utah. What I saw took me back to 1953, when I last saw football players shaking hands, hugging each other when good plays, field goals or touchdowns were made, instead of slaps on the helmets, jump-ups to clashing bodies and dances.

I pray that the university continues these acts of true sportsmanship and continue being gentlemen on the playing field.

Alleged terrorist not ‘Hawaii man’

Regarding your recent articles about Abdel Shehadeh and his arrest for terrorism activities, I believe your identifying him as a "Hawaii man" is completely inappropriate and misleading. This individual was born and raised in New York and had been here only 18 months. I do not see how that qualifies him as a Hawaii man unless it helps to sell newspapers or have others listen to the news.

I can think of other monikers that could have been used to more accurately describe him — a New York native, for instance. But to describe him as a Hawaii man makes it seem as though he was a permanent or lifelong resident, which he clearly is not.

Politics does not belong on NPR

John Barbour’s well-intentioned effort to make a strong case for PBS and NPR would have been wonderful if it didn’t include an attack on Sarah Palin ("Public radio is a national treasure," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 29). This demonstrates precisely why there is certainly a need for some sort of change. Politics does not belong on PBS and NPR as long as they accept public funds, unless they make transparent efforts toward balance or neutrality. Recent events have certainly proven that.

The idea that Sarah Palin wants "Sesame Street" to disappear is ludicrous. I have a distinct feeling that Barbour’s attitude toward publicly funded radio shows would be reversed if Sarah Palin was hired as a commentator. 

One person’s ‘pork’ can be to others money well spent

I found the article on the Ford Island tower preservation and restoration project interesting ("Federal funds to fix Ford Island tower," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 18). But even more interesting and a bit disquieting were some of the readers’ responses online claiming the project is a poor use of taxpayers’ dollars.

The tower, in addition to quite a few other structures on Ford Island, has been designated as a National Historical Monument by the National Historical Society as mandated by Congress. As such, the caretaker — the U.S. Department of Defense — is required to maintain the tower (and other Ford Island structures on the Historical Register) in their original and historically significant condition as they were during World War II. It is obvious to the most casual observer that the tower has not been given sufficient attention over the years. To comply with the law, work is urgently required.

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor leadership approached the Navy with a plan to lease the tower and accept responsibility for its preservation and maintenance.

Taxpayer contributions amounted to a bit less than 50 percent of what the initial restoration effort will cost. The museum is committed to raising the additional $4 million to complete the project while managing and maintaining the property.

This onerous obligation by a group of highly respected and dedicated community leaders, all of whom serve pro bono as the museum’s board of directors, strikes me as a darn good deal for our community, state and nation. One person’s "pork" can, to others, be money well spent to comply with the law while preserving an important historical monument which attracts many thousands of visitors.