Instant runoff voting not necessarily better

I was surprised to read the editorial on Councilman Tom Berg and the suggestion that Hawaii consider enacting an instant runoff system ("Berg’s district deserves better," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Dec. 3).

Your reasoning is instant runoff voting (IRV) would control the antics of individuals such as Berg.

There isn’t any evidence that IRV increases the quality of candidates; in fact, the evidence is contrary.

There are many examples of where IRV elected candidates that make people wonder about how they got elected.

In Pierce County, Wash., perennial candidate Dale Washam was elected with 33 percent of the counted vote and not by the majority, as IRV supporters state the system produces.

He won due to second/third place votes providing his margin of victory. Studies showed he would have lost in a runoff, but there are no runoffs in IRV elections and so he won.

He was subject to many lawsuits and eventually Pierce County repealed IRV; other communities also repealed IRV after using it on only one occasion.

Anthony B. Santos
Former mayor, San Leandro, Calif.

Tebow is just showing his love for his muse

The Denver Broncos quarterback has been the subject of many discussions regarding his awe-inspiring performance during the last two minutes of Sunday’s game with the Chicago Bears.

What motivates Tim Tebow is not a mystery. Religion, magic or athleticism has nothing to do with his hiki no attitude. Tebow acknowledges each beyond-words performance with a humble gesture of gratitude to the source that inspires him.

Jesus, God, Buddha, Krishna, Ke Akua, Love, Mother Nature, All That Is — whatever. Inspiration has no name or identity.

Any attempt to define, describe or explain a power beyond our human awareness is futile.

Let the so-called experts debate and ponder while Tebow continues to entertain and inspire sports fans.

Football is just a game. So is life. To play and/or not to pray is a choice.

Bobbie Pidot-Guffey
Kaneohe

Even honorable Japan doesn’t use honor plan

Japan is viewed as one of the safest and most honorable countries in the world.

The main transportation company, Japan Railways Group, has what could be the most gigantic lost-and-found department in the world. Citizens just don’t take things left behind by others. Shoplifting is virtually nonexistent, even in this poor economy. Spend some time there and you are sure to witness many "Abe Lincoln" moments.

To anyone here in Honolulu dreaming of implementing an honor system, please take note: They don’t do it in Japan. If this misguided plan goes through, it’s not train stations we will be building, rather really expensive homeless shelters.

Mark Ida
Salt Lake

Rail will be worst case of isle visual pollution

Congratulations to Bob Loy and The Outdoor Circle for finally getting into the fight against rail.

Voodoo economics and misleading statements aside, the visual pollution of rail is going to be something we will all come to regret.

Where are the other environmental groups on this? Can they really believe this is a worthy tradeoff to fossil fuels?

Where is the Hawaii Visitors Bureau? Does it really think this is what visitors want to see when they come to Hawaii?

Visual pollution should be a major EIS issue, as it has been elsewhere.

In the 1950s, San Francisco built an elevated freeway in front of its iconic Ferry Building (think Aloha Tower). In 1991, the city took it down, and everyone went "Wow! You can see the Ferry Building and the Bay!"

I doubt you can find a city where an elevated transportation system has improved the area around it. Honolulu is going backwards visually with rail.

Brian Barbata
Kailua

3 from Hawaii among 2011 football brainiacs

Did you know there were three 2011 football Academic All America first team selections from Hawaii?

One from Division I, one from Division II and one from the College Division; two from the Big Island, one from Kahuku; two with 4.0 GPAs.

Google it and be proud, Hawaii.

Emily Atherton
Big Island