Thomas’ mea culpa was cause for hope

I am a liberal and proud to proclaim it. The only reason I ever read Cal Thomas’ column is because I think it is wise to know the enemy.

My opinion of Mr. Thomas has changed completely since I read his column in the paper on Thursday ("Stop seeing people as labels and we might all get along," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 16).

It takes a big man to apologize after saying what he said about Rachel Maddow "and the rest of the crowd at MSNBC" just to pander to the CPAC crowd.

If he can look upon those with whom he disagrees "as persons with innate worth" and "stop seeing them as labels," then I should think I can follow that lead.

And if all members of both political parties can begin thinking the same way, maybe there is hope that they can get together and accomplish something.

The alternative, I fear, is paralyzing polarization and endless gridlock. Our country deserves better. Maybe there’s hope.

James A. Hildenbrand
Waialae Iki

Disability permits being abused

Why must we be the ones to be discriminated against and deprived of our pleasure of enjoying the beaches and the parks?

Haven’t we paid enough taxes already for the use of roads, our parks and other things?

The city should look into the abuse of handicapped parking permits. How often do you see people with those permits come out of their automobile and seem picture-perfect healthwise? How often do you see young teenagers using the permit at theaters and shopping mall?

The city should start charging more for these permits, as it does with driver’s licenses, fireworks permits and other permits. Applicants should bring a doctor’s certificate and proper identification. A photo of the handicapped person should be put on the permit.

Philip K. Ho
Honolulu

Rail will cut waste for businesses

The rail transit system will stimulate our economy and provide jobs, but it will also improve productivity for Honolulu businesses and reduce congestion-related costs affecting many local companies.

Traffic congestion is costing businesses real money. The time workers spend stuck in traffic is wasting countless work hours and a staggering amount of time paid for work that cannot be done.

Congestion imposes a serious negative effect on transportation-related businesses, including delivery services, freight companies and those bringing cement and other supplies to construction sites.

Delays caused by traffic congestion increase expenses and problems for those sending, receiving and transporting goods.

The investment in rail will have a variety of benefits, but the savings to business will be among the most important financially.

Jon McKenna
President, West Oahu Economic Development Association

Cayetano should change view on rail

I am thrilled to hear the rail transit project will begin construction soon. This is great news for our economy to have the immediate boost of jobs. And, it is great news for our future that we will have an alternative to sitting in traffic.

I have been riding the bus every day for 10 years. Transit officials try hard to make bus transportation a viable option, but it, too, is entangled in the same problems as cars.

I cannot emphasize enough the travesty it would be to see this project killed, as our politicians have done in the past. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano brings experience and credibility with him to the mayoral race. However, I sincerely encourage him to reverse his opinion on the rail project. We are counting on the rail to keep our island moving.

Ray Salmon
Honolulu

Church following protocol on iwi

The University of Hawaii students and other Hawaiians need to study their Hawaiian history.

The ancient kapu were found to be false when it was observed that nothing happened when the early Europeans broke them.

They were officially broken when Queen Kaahumanu ate publicly with males. When the missionaries converted many alii to Christianity, they were broken again. In recent times we read of iwi being moved to make way for public or private improvements.

Kawaiahao Church knows and practices the acknowledged protocols for handling the iwi and will prepare a proper final resting place for them, as they have done in the past. Imua, Kawaiahao!

Alfred Rogers
Kaneohe

Spiking is not a ‘management issue’

Rep. Karl Rhoads is preventing the proposed legislation against pension spiking on the basis that it is largely a "management issue" ("House panel rejects measure to end state ‘pension spiking’," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 17).

That is false.

A state employee once described to me an agreement with his fellow workers. When a friend reached the age where his compensation became critical to his pension, other employees would report in "sick."

Of course they were not. Management would then have no choice but to give the older employee overtime.

The younger employees knew that when they were near retirement, the same courtesy would be extended to them.

Star-Advertiser reporting on this issue shows that their plan has been successful. Individuals create overtime pay in a critical year. This overtime pay greatly increases their total compensation, which therefore increases their pensions.

This outrage against the taxpayers has to stop.

Richard J. Saas
Honolulu