Some ‘discipline’ seems insane

I just can’t understand the theory that in a previous case of a boyfriend of the mother of a 17-year-old boy who was kicked and slapped when he failed to correctly grate cheese for tacos, it was ruled to be discipline ("Judges split on ruling on parental discipline, Star-Advertiser, June 20). How can this be discipline?

I’m sure there are thousand of people out there who grate cheese differently, but to physically abuse someone for what they consider "correct grating" is insane.

Joe Carini
Nuuanu

Discipline laws here are archaic

To say that I am shocked to learn that, under our state law, parents or guardians are justified in using physical force against their children, could be considered the understatement of my life ("Judges split on ruling on parental discipline, Star-Advertiser, June 20). And your snapshot of past court rulings was even more abysmal.

Sickening enough when a grown adult with the title of mother or father "kicks" and "punches" and "hits" children in the name of "discipline," but to learn that boyfriends or uncles who did so were not locked up but let off by the courts with a discipline ruling angers me beyond words.

How old are our judges and in what era were they born? It’s time to kick this archaic law off the books.

Wylma Robinson
Honolulu

Why limit fees to just baggage?

With Hawaiian Airlines seeking to create new ideas for more revenue (as if $50 million in baggage fees wasn’t enough), here are a few ideas it could possibly use: Air-conditioning vent, $10 an hour; overhead light, $1 a minute; seatbelt, $25, or $200 and you get to keep the belt. Last but not least, free air sickness bags, but there would be a $50 disposal and use charge should you need to use it.

Erick Leong
Pearl City

Asking officials to resign is OK

Courtesy resignations are common practice and I favor this practice in government. The governor, like the mayor, should have the right to have his own people serving on various commissions and boards so that everyone is on the same page. After all, who wants to have carryovers from a previous administration that has accomplished very little in two terms?

Just look at our Third World-country state roads, our outdated airport and the huge deficit as some of the problems the former governor left us with.

We need a new start to fix all these problems.

Tom Sugita
Pearl City

Abercrombie doesn’t listen

Two years ago I went with a group of credit union volunteers to our nation’s Capitol. While there we met with all of our Hawaii representatives. It was very telling. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye was so professional in speech and appearance. Sen. Daniel Akaka was friendly, and he knew someone from everyone’s family. Rep. Mazie Hirono came with a notebook and pen. She asked us questions, listened and took notes.

Then Rep. Neil Abercrombie came in and lectured us, did not listen and generally impressed me as being arrogant. I did not vote for him and have not changed my mind about him.

Now Gov. Abercrombie wants board and commission members to resign so he can have his way. Never mind their experience, he doesn’t listen anyway. Does he think he was elected dictator? Don’t resign!

Kristine Westmoreland
Kaneohe