Politicians put off judicial nominees

The Judicial Selection Commission, primarily through one of its very esteemed members, Jeffrey Portnoy, opines that pay (or lack thereof) discourages applicants for vacant judge positions ("Judicial posts lure fewer applicants," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 31).

Allow me to offer another equally influential factor. No highly respected, reputable and successful attorney wants to be bullied, pushed around, disrespected and/or yelled at during the legislative vetting and voting process.

Politicians seem to think that their constituency will be impressed by heavy-handed and big-body tactics. The same essential information can be gleaned from applicants via polite, appropriate and respectful questioning. Inquisitions at the hands of politicians who at this very moment are begging for our votes have created a substantial chilling effect, as the article so clearly demonstrates.

P. Gregory Frey
Hawaii Kai

Students must eat the lunches they get

It is good that the schools are trying to provide a more healthful lunch, but the real value of these lunches is that the children actually eat them rather than toss them in the trash.

Caroline Steele
Kapolei

Case will advance civil rights laws

Gerard Lales claims that his supervisor called him a "stupid Frenchman," and he was fired after complaining ("Workplace bias case heads to high court," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 28). The employer says Lales was fired because of his misrepresentations. The Court of Appeals reversed because the case should have gone to trial rather than be decided by the judge.

We can all agree that employment discrimination is wrong. The Hawaii Constitution has a specific clause on civil rights that says, "No person shall … be denied the enjoyment of the person’s civil rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of race, religion, sex or ancestry."

It is through these cases that our civil rights protections are enforced. They will make employers train their employees to not discriminate. Then there will be fewer cases and our constitutional guarantee of civil rights will be realized.

John Ishihara
Waialae

Unleashed dogs a threat on beaches

The beaches in Kailua are supposed to be free of unleashed dogs, but many people ignore the rules. Recently, my friend took her two sons, ages 3 and 6, to Kailua Beach, and a dog jumped on the 3-year-old, scratching his chest badly and scaring him even worse (he’s already afraid of dogs.) The next day, my friend and I took our kids down to the beach together and another dog jumped on him, scaring him (and us) to death, "play biting" his arms. Apparently the dog was on a leash but got loose.

The owners in both cases were apologetic, but it’s extremely frustrating that some dog owners don’t understand that kids and dogs don’t mix. Dogs make the beach a stressful and fearful environment for young children and their parents. Not to mention the risk of fecal bacteria.

Kathy Martin
Kailua

Hospital treated elderly mom badly

Why do many health care professionals who deal with the elderly treat their patients with disrespect and are so quick to write them off? Each time my mother went into the hospital and until the last time, I got the "it’s best to let her go" speech. On top of that, they always spoke in front of her, as if she couldn’t hear all the grim reaper comments.

When I instructed them that I’d like to keep a positive atmosphere, one nurse said in a loud voice, "She cannot heah anyway." Where is the compassion, the respect? I was fortunate to be at the hospital every day, but there are families who cannot afford to be at their loved one’s side all the time. I feel that all hospital/care facilities should have mandatory classes to retrain their staff to be more compassionate and respectful to these elderly patients. One day, it will be you in that bed.

Christine Kaneshiro
Manoa

Obama hiding truth about Libya attack

Where is the information about the ongoing lies and deception concerning our ambassador and the other men who perished working for our country in Libya? Why hasn’t the president used the bully pulpit to clear this up? Why isn’t the information coming out as quickly and truthfully as he says it is?

Every day the investigating reporters at Fox News bring more and more information that the administration and other news media continue to cover up and avoid. Where is the transparency, the honesty, and the concern for our men and women? This is just another example of the lack of transparency and the deceit of this administration.

Larry Wilson
Aiea

Thanks for reports on canonization

I thoroughly enjoyed the media coverage on the Franciscan nun’s canonization. I particularly liked Dan Nakaso’s Star-Advertiser coverage and Tannya Joaquin’s coverage on Hawaii News Now. Their coverage was informative on a complex subject (canonization), factual and quite inspirational. The canonization of Mother Marianne was historical for Hawaii. Great job!

At the same time, mahalo nui loa to the Franciscan sisters for their health care services to Hawaii’s people since their arrival in the late 19th century. St. Marianne Cope was the leader who brought the nuns here from Syracuse, N.Y. Hawaii has been blessed and graced by the sisters’ presence and health care services for more than a century.

Lawrence M.O. Chun
Kailua