Most pet breeders are humane, caring

The American Kennel Club tracked 99 bills in Hawaii with the potential to affect dogs last session, second to New York with 192 bills.The most controversial bill was House Bill 108, victim of Sen. Clayton Hee’s "gut and replace" tactic, which took a dog-fighting bill and replaced it with a dog-breeding bill.

Responsible dog and cat breeders do not condone the actions of David Becker or the Luke family.We go to great lengths to obtain the healthiest breeding stock, breed true to the breed standards, and make sure that each life we bring into this world is given a good home.

We volunteer countless hours rescuing dogs we did not breed, providing public education on selecting breeds, purchasing animals and training dogs — work that goes unrecognized by the public.

I opposed HB 108 and will continue to oppose bills that rely heavily on discriminatory and unconstitutional enforcement measures promoted by Humane Society of the United States.

Lynn Muramaru
Kapolei

Second Amendment is misunderstood

The discussion about guns is over the cliff.

Has anyone read the Second Amendment? It says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

What did the Founders mean? Either the right of the country to have an army, or the right of the people to rebel against the government, if it became tyrannical.

The right of the people to keep and bear arms is for the purpose of a "well regulated Militia," not so that we can all carry weapons which fire 100 bullets in seconds.

The NRA blames mental illness, video games, movies and other extraneous causes for the problem. They want good guys with guns chasing bad guys with guns. Armed guards at Colum-bine failed to stop the murders there. Let’s start thinking about this, and talking with intelligence and rationality.

Nancy N. Grekin
Makiki Heights

Let’s be realistic about gun control

There is a sadness in the loss of life in the recent shooting in Connecticut.

However, Vice President Joe Biden, who is supposed to set thecourse forgun control,said, "Even if we can only save one life, we have to take action."

I suppose we should outlaw bathtubs, swimming pools, chairs, bedsand other similar killing machines and get all the cars off the road.

Really, let’s approach this issue with a little realism.

Rob Rietow
Nuuanu

World didn’t end, so let’s enjoy it

Now that the world hasn’t ended, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. It was just a big amusing misunderstanding. The Maya never said that "the world is going to end," but rather it was the end and beginning of a calendric time period.

As depicted in Mel Gibson’s cult film "Apocalypto," far-fetched theories and western misinterpretations have given the Maya, and often indigenous peoples in general, a bad rap.

But the Maya get the last laugh. Their culture was one of the most sophisticated in history. So rejoice! We should enjoy our extra time on Earth.

Tony Castanha
Palolo

Sen. Inouye left imposing legacy

The late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye was raised in a culture which made him too modest and mannerly even to correct the media or members of his own august Senate body on the mispro- nunciation of his surname.

For that reason, we heard the Senate president eulogize "Senator In-a-way" in the Capitol rotunda last Thursday.

This American hero’s legacy of bravery and honor served as proxy for the entire greatest generation, and as well for an entire community of Asian-Americans. With his passing, more than the imagined power and seniority of Hawaii’s congressional delegation is changed forever.

It is now up to a new generation of leaders from Hawaii to carry our torch before the world’s eyes. May they be strong enough to carry on his legacy of opposing every U.S. war during his Senate career.

Daniel Inouye knew a righteous war when he saw it — and he nearly gave his life fighting it.

Ritxard Weigel
Hawaii Veterans for Peace

Why must taxes here always go up?

The headline on Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s budget said, "An updated revenue forecast in January will help determine whether tax hikes are needed" (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 21).

Am I to understand that the governor is saying, "This is my budget, and as this is what I want, you are going to pay for it?"

In a state that goes back and forth between being the first or second-highest taxed states in the whole country, I am still amazed at the lack of considerationand respect for the heavy tax burden and the forever-increasing taxes that Hawaii residents are all forced to endure.

This is how our state taxes us all on a regular basis. When was the last time you heard taxes are going down? Anyone?

Why don’t I just hand over all my paychecks to the state of Hawaii? Or better yet, why don’t I just lay off all my employees and shut down my business?

Mike Gallagher
Kailua