Anti-homeless rants appalling

The breaking-news article online highlighting city actions toward the homeless and protesters is bad enough ("City crews return to Occupy Honolulu protest site," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 29).

But the reader comments show how contemptuous we are as a society toward our fellow man. Some of the comments:

» "This is getting old really fast. A few large local males with baseball bats should solve this problem."

» "Time to take prisoners. Start arresting them and have them do the time. No community service, jail time."

Turning off the reader comments will not alter their mindset. But then again, what do we expect? Just like any family or business, attitude is set from the top down.

When the city is openly hostile toward people and creates laws to punish the poor, do we really expect the public to have any compassion either?

I am appalled and disgusted by how our society is degrading, and our own local reader comments show we are on the same path.

Curtis J. Kropar
Executive director, Hawaiian Hope

How much will more seats cost?

Those out there in ewa and Kapolei are lucky dogs because they get first crack at the 76 seats on the two-car train, and the rest of the 242 passengers will have to stand. Well, it’s better than driving, isn’t it?

And will the addition of 12 seats per two-car train become a change order, meaning that Ansaldo Ho- nolulu JV will be asking for more money? Ansaldo’s $1.4 billion contract with the city surely has to go up, as well as the projected $5.27 billion for the entire project.

Fred Gartley
Kaneohe

Rail proponents unconvincing

With a poll showing a majority of Oahu residents opposing rail but a state and local political hierarchy committed to it, we can expect an expensive mayoral campaign spinning pro- and anti-rail positions. When voters weigh the issues on both sides through the filter of intellectual honesty, there are two principal results: Neither side can assure that rail will relieve traffic, and neither can accurately project the cost.

As an environmentalist generally in favor of rail, I cringe at the vision of stations seven stories high and the projection by an independent study that car use will increase even with rail. With all the arguments against, the pro-rail alliance must convince us to take a huge leap of faith that rail will improve our lives and not be a huge tax burden.

Paul Lerman
Liliha-Kapalama

Pension caps insult officers

Public pension caps are an insult. It’s not an insult just to our police officers, but to all of our first responders. I cannot speak for the brethren in the Honolulu Fire Department or Emergency Medical Services, but I’m pretty sure they are like the Honolulu Police Department: shorthanded, always on a pay scale way below their mainland counterparts, and taking whatever they can in the one benefit left — retirement.

Also, we contribute to the retirement system faithfully; we did not take the funds out. That was our own City and County of Honolulu, which is why we are under-insured. Don’t blame the workers who have their retirement benefits automatically deducted from their pay. We assume the powers that be are doing what they should with our retirement benefits.

It’s so ludicrous and sad that now they want to punish those who contributed to that very fund.

Moana Higa
Kapolei

Shapiro writes great columns

I want to say, David Shapiro is doing a wonderful job on his Volcanic Ash column. He tells it like it is, his columns are most interesting and always bring a smile on my face. What he says is the truth and his comments are recognizable to be true facts. I am sure others see the same. Congratulations, Mr. Shapiro. Keep up the good work!

Lehua McColgan
Honolulu

Contraception is never ‘free’

There sure has been a flap recently about Catholics and free birth control for women. But what’s most disturbing about all the huhu is the absolute lack of discourse on the concept of "free." Rest assured that if you as an individual or a company presently pay for medical insurance or pay taxes, you are paying for this free birth control, not the medical insurance companies.

As a fully contributing member of society, perhaps I should request free condoms from my health insurance carrier. Hey, it’s only fair, and I could always use something for "free."

Fred Fogel
Volcano