Damien High is outstanding

I concur with Catholic Bishop Larry Silva’s position on sexual child abuse ("Bishop seeks prayers amid new charges of sex abuse," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 2).

As a 1967 graduate of Damien Memorial High School, I thought I received an outstanding education by the Confraternity of Christian Brothers. I admired them and staff for their leadership and simple lifestyle. I wrote to one of the law firms representing alleged abused clients stating my position. I found Damien Memorial High School to be outstanding. One of my sons also attended and graduated from Damien.

At the same time, I’m confident the diocese will do its utmost to investigate and correct any wrongdoing, though alleged occurrences took place decades ago.

I, too, pray for the intentions of Bishop Silva. May there be healing for the oppressed, the perpetrators living and dead, and the Roman Catholic Church.

Lawrence M.O. Chun
Kailua

PFM’s tax study was worthless

The PFM Group’s recommendations on ways to raise taxes are insulting ("Proposal to raise taxes opposed," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 12).

Even my former colleagues in the majority party agree: Hawaii’s citizens are already taxed too much.

Our taxes are regressive and cruel and stifle economic opportunity. Hawaii even taxes the hungry and sick, because the general excise tax is levied on food and medical care.

We must shift the debate from how to raise taxes to how to reduce spending.

I served on the Senate Ways and Means committee and I know there is too much duplication, waste, inefficiency and, yes, fraud in state spending.

Our state government can reduce spending and pass on meaningful tax deductions to all workers.

If the Tax Review Commission really wants to help, it can start by getting a refund from PFM Group.

Fred Hemmings
Candidate for state Senate District 25

BRT can receive federal funding

I hope Federal Transit Administration officials, when they met with the city’s rail delegation, asked our delegation the following:

"Are you aware we have a better deal for you that allows you to scrap your rail project and go with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system instead? Have you held any hearings on our new law supported by President Barack Obama that will let you put buses on your fixed guideway? If you decide to go with a BRT system at this juncture, you will not lose your place in line for New Starts funding, you will not have to forfeit any federal funding already received or expected, and we will subsidize your BRT system at 80 percent. What say you?"

The City Council refuses to hold a public hearing on the new FTA offer for Honolulu. Why?

Tom Berg
City Councilman, District 1

Obama did not gloat about death

Rhoads Stevens’ letter is way out of line ("Obama spiked football too early," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 15).

The war against Muslim terrorists is against the ignorant, brainwashed fundamentalists who hate America. This is a war that will continue for many years.

President Barack Obama did not "spike the football." He calmly related that Osama bin Laden had been brought to justice and that this would not be the end of terrorism against America.

He blamed the president for a lack of human intelligence for the embassy attack, but I don’t remember anybody blaming George W. Bush for the failure to root out the 9/11 attack.

Americans are dying. This is no game.

Peter Chisteckoff
Mililani Mauka

America a nation of many cultures

Concerning "Muslims hurting own reputation with violence, leader says" (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 20), thank you very much for this thoughtful article.

May one day soon we Americans recognize that we are a nation of many cultures and religious beliefs deserving of respect.

Happy Islam Day!

Hawaii is to be commended for passing the resolution three years ago.

Patricia Blair
Kailua