New Police Commissioner Loretta Sheehan’s position appears to relate to the Honolulu Police Commission’s oversight duties (“New member wants more inquiries by police panel,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 4).
According to its website, the commission “receives, considers, and investigates charges brought by the public against the conduct of the department or any of its members and submits a written report of its findings to the Chief of Police.”
What happens when it’s the chief of police who is accused of misconduct?
Commission Chairman Ron Taketa’s wait-and-see response attempted to resolve possible misdirection. However, Sheehan’s position should not be censored. A commissioner representing a position counter to other commissioners is healthy.
The public is relying on the commission’s oversight as it evaluates the chief. Sheehan is much needed to strike a balance within the commission.
Kahala Motoyama
Manoa
State workers treated special
Our state needs to get out of running any kind of business. Everything it touches becomes such a costly, convoluted entity that it ends up costing the taxpayers more money (“Suit filed on behalf of retirees,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 10).
The decision to provide severance benefits to Maui hospital workers could have an adverse effect on everyone who is part of the state Employees’ Retirement System, not just those on Maui.
When privately owned businesses close or sell, the employees become a casualty. If the employees are lucky, the company may offer them severance pay equal to a month’s salary. When the state is involved, it seems like we owe the employees a job — and if we can’t find them one, we have to pay for them not having a job.
Why don’t they apply for unemployment like the rest of us, then start looking for a new job?
I’m sorry this is happening to them, but it happens to other citizens, too.
Claudia Torres
Aiea
Gabbard treated poorly in article
Is the attack against U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard really front-page material (“Gabbard’s looks cost campaign thousands,” Star- Advertiser, Aug. 8)?
One must read to the end of the story, buried in final paragraphs, to learn that analysts agree such expenditures “appear permissible.”
In a campaign season where attacks on the appearance, physical attributes and dignity of women have reached shameful lows, the Star-Advertiser might have sensitized readers to the unfair “grooming penalty” imposed on all women in public life. Where is the conversation about the crushing pressure of “beauty” standards the media inflicts on women?
What part of “media prep” doesn’t the Star-Advertiser get? Or is this what citizens can expect from its monopoly paper: doing its part to undermine what fragile public trust is left in political life — trust, by the way, that Gabbard has earned with her courage, intelligence and commitment.
Nancie Caraway
Manoa
More candidates could use ‘glam’
It’s no surprise U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard needs a “glam squad” for her public appearances (“Gabbard’s looks cost campaign thousands,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 8).
Good on her for trying to look good.
It was reported that the funds came from her campaign coffers and not taxpayer dollars, so there should be no problem with that.
I guess the only question is why doesn’t she share her beauty team’s talents with some of the others running for office?
Mark Ida
Salt Lake
How can Trump be face of GOP?
At a recent rally in North Carolina, Donald Trump suggested that if Hillary Clinton becomes president and gets to “pick her judges” for the Supreme Court, the Second Amendment will be abolished and there will be nothing anyone can do — except “Second Amendment people,” that is.
By “Second Amendment people,” he clearly meant gun owners. So the obvious deduction is that he meant a gun owner could do something about that by — yes, folks — assassinating Clinton. How can this man possibly be the Republican nominee?
Furthermore, he again showed his ignorance of our democratic process by stating Clinton would get to “pick her judges.”
The president doesn’t get to “pick” a judge. The president nominates a judge and this nominee is then put through the wringer by way of Senate hearings and may or may not be confirmed.
Jim Howard
Manoa
