"Schofield deployments to Afghanistan in doubt," Star-Advertiser, March 11:

» When the Soviet Union called it quits and got out of Afghanistan in 1989, there were celebrations in Washington that the U.S. and the "allies" (Osama bin Laden and friends) had defeated the Russians. But where the Russians left off, the U.S. took over. (And Russian Afghanistan vets now are laughing).

» The Army and Marines are going to be downsized as the focus shifts to Asia. The committee on reducing the budget said that personnel benefits increased by more than 100 percent in the last five years and that will be their major focus for reducing costs. The role of policing the world will also be reduced to focus attention on immediate threats to national security.

» Get our troops out of Afghanistan. Whatever happens, happens. Just get our guys out of that sand trap.

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"Club wants paddles cleared for takeoff," Star-Advertiser, March 11:

» In the past, when there was no TSA (U.S. Transportation Security Administration), we would carry our paddles into the cabin. The flight attendants would allow us to place them in the overhead bin, or they would take them from us and place them in their "coat" closet and give them to us on the way out. It worked out beautifully, and I hope they allow it again.

» Are you kidding me? Ski poles are allowed and canoe paddles are not? Who makes up these rules? Time for TSA to go.

» Paddles should definitely be allowed. In the event of a water landing, they could be used to row the plane to shore. Pilots and flight attendants should be trained to paddle an aircraft as part of their safety training.

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"Pacific head of Air Force apologizes for cuts," Star-Advertiser, March 12:

» The general should not be apologizing for what politicians have inflicted on this country, especially those Republican politicians serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

» It is so sad that the mainstream media have been able to convince Americans that the GOP is causing all the trouble in D.C. In basic terms, the GOP is trying to hold the line on taxes and reduce the size of our government while the Democrats are attempting to raise taxes and fees in order to use that money to pay for more government programs.

» People who believe the Republicans are responsible for the sequester are the "low information" people. Either they believe it because they don’t know any better or they are drinking the Obama Kool-Aid.

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‘Bows can’t close out," Star-Advertiser, March 12:

» So after 16 games, this is Hawaii’s first home run of the year? I wonder if there’s any other team in the country that hasn’t hit a homer yet? The hitting is just horrible. I don’t know if it’s coaching, lack of effort or plain lack of talent. Actually probably all of it contributes to Hawaii’s beyond-anemic offense.

» The University of Hawaii should take this 1-15 opportunity to sign coach Mike Trapasso to a long contract extension. He is having a little bad luck this year (as Norman Chow did in his first unfortunate year as head football coach), and with this record Coach Trap could be signed to bargain terms — perhaps $300,000 a year for seven or eight more years.

» Tough year for our guys. Hang in there. The sun will shine soon.

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"Schofield contract workers get reprieve," Star-Advertiser, March 13:

» So the Army "found" $495,000. I venture to guess that any government department — federal, state, or county — could "find" money if it looked and, heaven forbid, stopped waste and fraud. Time to clean house instead of merely asking the taxpayers to supply more money.

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"City pulls permits for houses after state urges review of site," Star-Advertiser, March 13:

» If there are historic sites on this property, they need to be surveyed and protected. Please honor Hawaiian culture.

» Isn’t everything in Hawaii historic? Sounds like a "not in my backyard" excuse.

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"HPD gives up old guns for Glock 17 pistols," Star-Advertiser, March 14:

» The gun is easy to clean and requires little maintenance. HPD will be happy with it and it will lighten the load an officer must carry.

» Before the city or the Honolulu Police Department gives or sells the guns to out-of-state people, the people of Hono-lulu should get a chance to bid on or buy the weapons at a reasonable price.