Right to guns can be limited

The debate over gun control has reached a level that promotes panic and hysteria.

Opponents of gun control believe the Second Amendment provides citizens unlimited rights, free from government interference, to own virtually any gun, including the military-style assault weapons.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court, in District of Columbia v. Heller, ruled that the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. The court recognized the right of citizens to possess guns but rejected the notion that government can’t regulate gun ownership. The court believes that even a fundamental right can be regulated, and gun ownership is no different.

Opponents of gun regulations have intensified their doomsday rhetoric about President Barack Obama’s plan to destroy the Second Amendment and take away our freedom. It is time for them to stop this crazy talk and join others in the search for sensible gun control measures.

Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani

Everybody calls teams the ‘Bows

My suggestion for our men’s University of Hawaii-Manoa sports teams is to call them the Rainbow Kane.

This is consistent with Rainbow Wahine for the women and keeps our beloved "Rainbow" in their name.

In a recent Star-Advertiser sports section, three out of four headlines used "’Bows," while only one used Warriors. And while we are renaming our teams, please bring back the Rainbow logo.It truly represents Manoa rather than a jazzed up "H".

Go ‘Bows.

Brice Conquest
Kahala

Tesoro refinery should stay open

The Tesoro refinery in Kapolei was originally built to address the high price of imported fuels and other supply-related issues.

Now Tesoro wants to turn it into a terminal and import the transportation fuels and fuel oil for electrical generation that the refinery once made.

Closing this facility without finding another buyer to operate it creates a set of unnecessary problems for Hawaii residents.

Closure would bring layoffs from the refinery, from companies that do business with the refinery, and from businesses frequented by refinery employees. Fewer taxes would be paid to support our local schools and to local, state and federal governments. Fuel prices would rise as our state competes for fuel with other countries in Asia and elsewhere. The increased demand in Asia for fuel could possibly decrease the availability of these imports.

It will take decades for Hawaii to develop renewable fuel sources that are economically viable. In the meantime, we need the Kapolei refinery to provide us with a secure supply of fuel.

Judy Au
Ewa Beach

Patients need an advocate

Thank you to Richard Borreca for calling attention to Fred Rohlfing’s sad and frustrating experience with a hospital emergency room ("Call for ER patient advocate is personal to ex-lawmaker," Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Feb. 10).

Unfortunately, I believe that experience has been a familiar one with many elderly patients. The article brought back memories of negative and stressful experiences that involved my elderly father and mother during their stays in hospitals and nursing homes.

Both my dad and mom are gone now, but while caring for them I often wondered who looks out for hospital patients who are alone and have no one to look out for them, such as retirees who have moved here from the mainland.

Often our elderly and frail are treated without dignity and as if they are not human.The existing situation is not acceptable.Patients need an advocate and a "patients’ bill of rights."

Les Goto
Kaneohe

Animal cruelty treated lightly

We do need mandatory sentencing for those convicted of animal cruelty, and it needs to be strong enough to deter people from committing these heinous crimes.

Unfortunately, we cannot leave it to the discretion of judges, as shown in the Waimanalo puppy mill case. The presiding judge, Glenn Kim, showed total disregard for the animals that were treated so inhumanely, and was more concerned about the discomfort of the perpetrator of these crimes for having had to spend six months in prison awaiting trial for crimes for which he pleaded no contest.

I am very thankful that we have people in our Legislature who understand that animals have feelings too, and suffer as we do.

Ginny Tiu
Hawaii Loa Ridge