Obama library best in Chicago

Talk of a presidential library in Hawaii has grown silent.

Might it be due to attacks on our First Amendment in the ongoing scandals involving the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Justice? The assault on religion by the Defense Department? Lies and misleading arguments for political gain on Benghazi? Troubling management at the departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services? And a president hopelessly out of the loop?

Columnist Ron Fournier said, "He lied to us on Benghazi and lied about the IRS." Another, Carl Bernstein, stated, "He needs to clean house in the White House." Dana Milbank calls him, "President Passerby." These are from respected liberal pundits, not Fox News.

Will the Star-Advertiser, which supported President Barack Obama, ever weary of the "I know nothing" routine? Obama says all too often that he just learned about these issues on cable news.

Chicago is the appropriate site for this president’s library.

Jim McDiarmid
Mililani

Depoliticize Memorial Day

Memorial Day is around the corner and once again, politicians are invited to speak.I believe it is time tradition is changed and politicians not be invited to speak at Memorial Day services.

It is the politicians who send troops in harm’s way, yet pat themselves on the back when the conflict is over.In some cases, these politicians even show disdain for the individuals who did their country’s bidding.

As a 72-year-old from a family whose military roots go back to the Revolutionary War, and a veteran oftwo combat tours in Vietnam,I believe politicians and their empty speeches belong on July Fourth, not on a day honoring those who have served and those who have died in service to their country.

This day should be reserved for the public to honor the memory of these special people to whom we owe so much.

David Leatherman
St. Louis Heights

Mall should not let bookstore go

Hang in there, Barnes & Noble — you’re worth it!

Our islands need you to balance out the total dependency on our handheld gadgets and screens.

I drive 40 minutes from Kaneohe to simply discover a touchable book, a new CD, magazines and the perfect gift in the inviting surroundings of your shelves.

Where else is a place to offer me such choices and give an hour or two of pure pleasure? Yes, libraries are nice, but not the same experience.

Ross stores are fun when looking for bargains, but enough already. Besides, in upper-class Kahala Mall, it just doesn’t seem like a good fit.

Kahala Mall managers should reconsider letting Barnes & Noble go, or before they know it, they might have an empty parking lot.

Nancy Conley
Kahaluu

Seat-belt law not broad enough

The latest laws about seat belts and use of cellphones while driving are great, but how does that affect riders in the back of pickup trucks?

I think that as many are killed in trucks as in cars.

Also, they should have enacted a law about cameras at intersections, because drivers are not obeying the laws and continue to run red lights.

Oliver McGuire
Pearl City

Rail taxes going down black hole

Last year, the state got $21 million of easy money from Oahu’s half-percent general excise tax surcharge.

For those of us who have to pay for the train but will never ride it to work, it’s disheartening that this money gets sucked into the black hole that is the state’s general fund. This money should be applied exclusively toward the upkeep of Oahu’s highways.

Speaking of which, the Pali Highway is a disaster. We forgotten Windward commuters have spent the last several years desperately dodging potholes on the way to and from town. It’s dangerous!

Our new mayor has gotten a lot of good press lately for his paving program. It’s now the governor’s turn to shine — repave Pali Highway now.

Ned Dewey
Lanikai

Our priorities seem off kilter

A serviceman or woman dies in battle and he or she receives a flag and a letter.

A pro basketball player comes out of the closet and he’s called personally by this president, who congratulates him for bravery?

Dave Verret
Mililani