Norquist pledge violates oath

The negotiations between the Republicans and the Democrats are a sham because the overwhelming majority of the Republicans in the House of Representatives have signed a pledge to not increase taxes — no matter what the circumstances.

Grover Norquist, who is not an elected official, is using this pledge to control tax policy in the Congress, but those who honor this pledge could be in violation of their oath of office:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

James Growney
Diamond Head

Snag fireworks at the docks

Last year, the fireworks ban seemed to work. It waspretty quiet here on the North Shore and wedidn’t have to sedate our dogs.

This year was terrible. The neighbors in our subdivision were setting off aerials and "bombs" as early as 7:30 on New Year’s night.It was so bad we did have to sedate our dogs and one went into seizures from the medication. What a nightmare for us and the animals.

There is no way to enforce the ban unless the police see the person setting off the device.The only way to stop illegal fireworks from getting to our neighborhoods is to catch them at the docks in the containers.Really, there is no other way, and the inspectors are the ones to do the job.

More money needs to be alloted for this service and to ensure the ban is just that: a stop to illegal fireworks here on Oahu.

Tina Jensen
Haleiwa

Tax gun owners to pay guards

The suggestion offered by the National Rifle Association to station armed guards in all of our schools may now be the only realistic means to deter murderous rampages like those at Newtown and Virginia Tech.

But who should pay the cost of hiring these guards, as well as the other costs our country and its citizens may incur as a consequence of the widespread ownership of semiautomatic weapons and large-capacity ammunition clips?

The obvious answer is an annual tax on all the owners of these weapons, calculated to cover these costs based on the prior year’s record of the expenses attributable to the use of these weapons.

Surely no citizen who has declined to acquire such weapons should be called upon to pay for these new and likely very substantial costs.

John Madey
Manoa

Abercrombie gets one right

I have been a critic of Gov. Neil Abercrombie for a long time, but I think he finally got one right in his appointment of Brian Schatz to U.S. Senate. If you put emotions aside, it’s easy to see why.

We got into this mess in the first place because we had two senators the same age. If Abercrombie had appointed Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, 20 years from now we would be in the same place again. We would have both senators in their 80s.

So I say good job, governor. Ed Case was right.

Sid Tsubaki Jr.
Keaau, Hawaii

Gabbard shows real leadership

B.J. Reyes’ article about U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard reminded me of what a refreshing leader Gabbard is and why so many of us believed in her, despite the long odds against Mufi Hannemann ("Focus on service propelled Gabbard," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 2).

Gabbard is down to earth and confident, and shows real leadership on important issues — for example, her stands against Wall Street corruption and the need to get our troops out of Afghanistan.

I’ll be rooting for her and all of Hawaii’s congressional delegation as they work to conquer the important issues facing our state and our nation.

Naomi Hedge
Kaimuki

Hamlisch surely a notable figure

What a disservice to your readers by the blatant, unfortunate omission of Marvin Hamlisch in the Associated Press article on notable figures who died in 2012 ("Notable figures left enduring legacies," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 31).

As I write this, I am watching the "Live From Lincoln Center" production on PBS, "One Singular Sensation: Celebrating Marvin Hamlisch." He won Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, a Tony and a Pulitzer. But, I guess that isn’t enough for you.

Lynne Matusow
Downtown Honolulu