Religious tolerance is GOP race winner

A remarkable, although little-noticed, aspect of the current national election campaign is that two Catholics anda Mormon are vying for the Republican presidential nomination. (The fourth remaining candidate, Ron Paul, is a libertarian, a philosophy that seems to substitute for religion for him.)

Anti-Catholic prejudice has long been present in this country, dating from before the American Revolution. It was probably a factor in Al Smith’s defeat by Herbert Hoover in the 1928 presidential election and to a lesser extent damaged John F. Kennedy’s bid in 1960, which he won by a razor-thin margin over Richard Nixon.

Yet, today, conservative Protestants accept two Catholics, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich. As forMormons, their history is one of relentless persecution until they finally won acceptance. Even today, some question whether Mormons are really Christians.

None of this seems to have hurt Mitt Romney. This is unqualifiedly good news for supporters of religious tolerance.

Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake

‘Racing’ to the top is not how to learn

There is an urgency to develop a system of education that prepares learners for a dynamic and fulfilling life. "Racing" toward higher test scores is the antithesis to what we know about good learning.

Research tells us that experience, repetition, integration, synthesis and mainly, reflection are keys to internalizing information in meaningful and lasting ways.

The idea of racing to boost test scores may encourage the side consequence of a linear approach to learning.That is the old factory model, which incorporates didactic instruction and worksheets — information in, correct answer out.

In this approach, application, reflection and higher-level thinking are not part of the equation. Teachers are stressed and learners are discouraged, even bored, as we endeavor to make them test-ready, instead of nurturing their learning journey with creativity and higher-level thinking challenges.

The latter approach, over time, might result in enthusiastic educators, happy learners and solid, relevant test scores.

Jan Young
Kailua

Rail system plan fraught with flaws

A rail system could be great, if it was done right. But, as planned, our new rail system will hurt the beauty of our island, keep residents awake at night and ruin the quiet tranquility of many of our streets where the city now plans to run the rail.

I believe we’ve been purposely lied to, including in the environmental impact statement for Kakaako.This area is not primarily industrial. It’s residential and small business, and is soon to become more residential.

Monorail, a much better alternative, is still best by the freeway, not dividing off the oceanfront or running on tree-lined streets with homes, parks, restaurants and outdoor cafes.

Who wants more ugly gray cement columns covered with mildew and graffiti in these areas we all enjoy? Now we find there won’t be enough seats and there are very few parking lots for those wishing to take the rail.

Do it right or get off the rail.

Judy Rasmussen
Kakaako

Rail critics take opposing positions

Much is being made by the anti-rail coalition that the city’s rail system will be so crowded during rush hour people will have to stand. At the same time, it makes the argument that no one will ride rail.

It also argues that we can’t afford rail’s maintenance costs, when it knows the alternatives analysis report stated the cost to maintain an equivalent bus fleet is about the same.

The same report concluded elevated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit/managed lanes would cost more to build than rail. This forces rail critics to go on the cheap and modify their BRT solution, which would take lanes away from cars and still force buses to enter traffic gridlock in town.

The purpose of taking several countervailing positions is the age-old technique of confusing the voters when your case is weak. By the latest poll results on rail, it appears to be working.

Roy Kamisato
Niu Valley

Promoting book was unthinkable

I always look forward to reading "5 Things We Love" in Friday’s Today section. Imagine my dismay when I saw your paper promoting the hardcover comic book "Marijuana Man" ("Get high off laughter with ‘Marijuanaman,’" Star-Advertiser, March 23).

It’s unthinkable to me that your newspaper would tout something so detrimental to our community already struggling with one of the nation’s worst drug problems. Those of us who are parents, grandparents and teachers struggle daily to model to our youth what a law-abiding, productive life-style looks like.

How can you as a media leader publicly promote illegal activity pitched precisely at our vulnerable young people? Why aren’t you using your influence to present us with positive things?

Judith Dill
Nuuanu

Bikers’ biggest risk is all the bad drivers

Evan Shirley advanced a powerful and persuasive argument for the mandatory use of helmets for motorcycle riders ("Motorcyclists need helmets," Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 14).

As safe as modern automobiles may be, their drivers are not. Hawaii motorcyclists today have to contend with inattentive, angry, aggressive and law-violating motorists.

How is a motorcyclist to contend with car drivers who are taking their eyes off the road to yell at other drivers, yell at their kids, take a bite of the food they just bought at the nearby drive-through window, adjust the radio, talk illegally on their cell phone, and on and on?

Perhaps if motorists showed a bit more aloha, and if everyone simply slowed down to obey the speed limits, it would become less of an issue whether or not a motorcyclist wears a helmet.

P. Gregory Frey
Hawaii Kai