Thieves sorry only after they’re caught

I just finished reading the article, "Police suspect toy thieves in other crimes" (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 30), and it leaves me sick to my stomach.

Where did these lawyers come from, and how do they come up with trying to justify their clients’ criminal actions?

One lawyer suggesting that his client and the other thieves are now being "picked on" because they were caught doing something wrong is beyond logic.

Even crazier is that he also says they did it because some are "single, unemployed mothers who wanted to meet their children’s Christmas expectations."

It sets an example for their children that it is OK to steal.

If these individuals were not caught stealing the items, I bet they would never step forward, return the items and admit their thievery — let alone feel guilty.

I guess when you are caught red-handed with no real defense, it’s time to find a lawyer who can come up with excuses and attempt to justify criminal actions.

Robert Rock
Kakaako

Christmas is not about stealing

Please stop my head from spinning, or at least have the attorneys for the five adults stealing from Toys R Us slow my head down.

Legal counsel is painting a picture of the women and man who stole merchandise on Dec. 1 as "nice, polite and very embarrassed." Is this because she and the others were caught?

Attorney John Schum hopes Toys R Us will not press charges because all the merchandise was returned. His "human beings" statement made my head spin the other way.

Then attorney Myles Breiner stated the reason the thefts occurred was the fact that, "the women took the items because they are single, unemployed mothers who wanted to meet their childrens Christmas expectations."

Whatever happened to the meaning of Christmas? Theft is theft.

Joe Carini
Nuuanu

Churches can’t have it both ways

In regard to the article "Federal lawsuit targets isle civil unions," (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 30) about two churches suing to discriminate in property rentals for weddings and other events: If an organization discriminates based on sexual orientation, where does it logically stop?

What is to stop an organization from discriminating against people of certain races, religions, or national origins?

No one can be forced to offer their property for rent. However, if an organization chooses to make money by renting out its property, it has no business claiming tax-exempt status.

If the issue is principles versus profits, then these churches are behaving in a greedy, unprincipled way. They make money and the rest of us pay higher taxes.

I, for one, do not want my taxes subsidizing organizations that discriminate against my fellow citizens.

Dr. Michael J. DeWeert
Kailua

Feds still want more details on rail plan

I find it very interesting how the paper selects wording that favors the rail on the front page.

The main article on Dec. 30 states, "Rail project cleared for federal funding." Then back on Page A6 it continues: "Though FTA gives its initial clearance, agency says better financial plans needed."

Only at the end of the entire article does it elaborate on how the people of Oahu are going to have to pay more money for the rail via taxes. This is pure manipulation of print in favor of the rail.

Teresa Tugadi
Mililani

Pull together to keep Oahu coqui-clean

Your editorial ("Now’s the time to combat coqui," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 29) hits the frog target right on its tiny head.

Coqui are a noisy nuisance and a harmful invasive species. There are places on Hawaii Island where coqui can now be considered a permanent resident, affecting property values and the tranquility of neighborhoods.

However, it is possible to contain this infestation if people step up their vigilance. On Oahu, coqui monitoring should be on the agenda of every neighborhood board meeting.

The state Department of Agriculture should have the funds necessary to respond efficiently to coqui reports. The Oahu Invasive Species Committee is available to give invasive species presentations upon request. And vulnerable neighborhoods should have a phalanx of volunteers trained to locate the chirping coqui frogs. This may be an ideal experience for the environmental programs in our schools.

Let’s do our part, and support a coqui-clean Oahu.

Robert Schmidt
Manoa

Tough times appear to affect Santa, too

How tough are things in our fair city?

Santa’s boot, stripped off for a respite at the fountain in front of City Hall, is also stripped of its sole, the gaping hole for all to see.

With the economy on a slow upward creep, can we expect to find Santa’s boot re-soled by next Christmas?

Rike Weiss
Niu Valley

Honolulu Marathon a big imposition

Once again the Honolulu Marathon, just like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summmit before it, heavily inconvenienced the very people who host and pay for the events: the taxpayers.

We all know what APEC traffic was like, but Kalanianaole Highway, Waialae Avenue, Diamond Head, and the Kapiolani Park areas were all but impassable well after 2 p.m. — literally nine hours after the start of the race.

The race is a great thing but you simply can’t tie up part of the city for that long.

Of course these events pour millions into the local economy, but the truth is that most of that goes straight to the tourism industry. The only trickle-down seems to be the traffic.

Pat Kelly
Kaimuki