I was intrigued by Sunday’s article explaining the new “kitchen service” charge (“A tip on tipping,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 7).
I’m concerned that restaurants are not including the floor moppers, cashiers and all other employees needed to operate a restaurant. I wish there were some way to make all those services a part of the cost of the product, adjusting the price upward accordingly, and eliminating this whole silly, no-longer-optional so therefore meaningless, practice.
Otherwise, I’m afraid Macy’s is going to catch on, lower salaries, and start adding an “unload the truck” service charge, a “stock the shelf” charge, and one that is to me much more compelling than a waiter’s tip: a salesperson-who-helped-me-find-what-I-needed charge.
Robbie Brandt
Makiki
Police should trace origin of seized pistol
What is anybody on Kauai doing with a MAC-11 machine pistol?
As reported in The Garden Island newspaper, an anti-social, often-arrested felon and parole violator was busted in possession of such a gun.
This is a powerful, dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. It is not used for hunting pheasant or pigs.
It can empty a magazine of 32 nine-millimeter cartridges in less than three seconds.
We have memories of recent terrible events in Orlando, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, and a Colorado movie theater. A crazy loser can cause a lot of misery.
The people of our little island have a right to ask if the ownership history of such a weapon can be traced, and if not, why not?
Also, can the gun be destroyed, or at least decommissioned before being returned to its rightful owner?
I shudder to think that guns such as these are obtainable on Kauai.
Jack Lundgren
Kapaa, Kauai
Clinton’s gender not a reason to vote for her
We constantly are told that gender should not be a consideration when judging people. Yet the press and liberals are lauding the nomination of a woman to the presidency of the United States, calling it momentous.
There have been many world leaders who are women; what’s the big deal? If a qualified person filling a leadership role is a woman, there’s nothing to tout, unless this is an affirmative-action game.
Liberals might say it’s a victory over opposition groups that allegedly stifle women, such as Republicans, a vast right-wing conspiracy, the tea party or evangelicals. They should review history: Women have and will hold high positions in these organizations when qualified.
Republicans have had women as Republican National Committee chairpersons, as secretary of state, as governors and in other leadership positions, including contenders for the presidency and vice presidency.
So what is it about Clinton the liberal elites know that we do not?
John Faris
Waikiki
Middle Street ending wouldn’t be so bad
Has anyone considered that stopping the rail project at Middle Street might be a good thing?
It might give time for the anger, frustration and disenchantment with rail to subside enough to allow some real substantive planning to take place.
Maybe we could figure out how to make the “Macy’s Express” (Kapolei Macy’s-to-Pearlridge Macy’s-to-Ala Moana Macy’s) a really useful transit line all the way to Waikiki, with a spur to the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Maybe we could use the time to figure out a more equitable way to pay for it.
Maybe we could take time to figure out how much it will cost to operate it (and who will pay for that chunk of change).
Yup, maybe holding it up at Middle Street for now wouldn’t be so bad.
Dave Young
Makiki
Europe should bear its own defense costs
After World War II, Europe was a shambles.
The United States instituted the Marshall Plan, spending billions of dollars to resurrect the European economies. We helped create NATO and stationed the V Corps in Germany and planes in England and Italy and naval bases in Spain and Italy. This cost us billions more.
In return, the European nations decided to minimize their defense expenditures and prop up their socialist welfare programs.
It is about time the U.S. demanded that Europeans live up to their obligations under NATO to properly fund their own defense.
Andrew Rothstein
Chinatown
FROM THE FORUM
Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.
“Gabbard’s looks cost campaign thousands” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 8:
>> Women are put under so much more scrutiny than men when it comes to their appearance, especially when they appear on television. Tulsi Gabbard knows this and is just doing what she has to do.
>> A woman in politics need only present herself clean and dignified. She can wear the same suit over and over and her voters will not give a rip. Shower in the morning, put on makeup, brush your hair and you’re done.
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“Kalihi man’s garden provides fresh food and sanctuary” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 8:
>> Awesome and inspiring!
>> Heart-warning story.
>> I have been warned.
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“Hanabusa harangues rail officials” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 9:
>> Colleen Hanabusa has been on the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board for a little over a year, and I’ve heard her ask a lot of questions. My question is — with the exception of the resignation of Don Horner — why is it that things just continue on as they have?
>> This is pure grandstanding to score points in the congressional run.
>> She’s a politician with chameleon- like ability to make herself look like a champion in the people’s eyes during an election year. All politicians are like that.
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“State pension fund finishes fiscal year with a 0.9% loss” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 9:
>> It’s an incredible story that the pension fund lost any money on a $14 billion portfolio.
>> So how did your portfolio do the past year?
>> Nine-tenths of a percent is manini. Look at the gains of past years. Very good overall performance, and the officers guiding the huge ship should be commended. Be grateful for what you are seeing. You can’t make positive gains every year. Remember, the loss is less than 1 percent.
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“Suit filed on behalf of retirees” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 10:
>> We should also be asking why do we still fund a defined-benefit pension when virtually all private companies have moved to defined-contribution programs? Defined-contribution programs, like 401(k)s, would remove the under-funding issue, which will someday require taxpayers to make up. Yes, defined-benefit programs are generally better, but why should government employees get a better benefit than the people who pay for it?
>> Because that’s how the unions want it.
>> We are our own worst enemy: pension, educational, rail, infrastructure money pits all over the place.
>> Hawaii will be the first U.S. state to declare bankruptcy, following in the steps of Puerto Rico.
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“Gambling case against 3 men is dismissed” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 10:
>> Legalize gambling already.
>> One also has to question the judgment of Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, if he thinks pursuing this illegal gambling case for over two years is the best allocation of the finite resources of the prosecutor’s office.
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“Obama might return to Hawaii to talk at conservation summit” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 11:
>> Of course he’s going to come. Any reason to get on Air Force One on the taxpayer dime.
>> Free advertising for the tourist industry. Why not?
>> If they really cared about conservation of nature, it would be a teleconference. That would eliminate the billions of tons of planet-destroying greenhouse gases the delegates’ jets will expel into our fragile atmosphere. And save Hawaii’s hard-working taxpayers some money at the same time.
>> Excellent idea. Currently it sounds like nothing more than a big party.
>> Welcome, Mr. President. As a last trip to your birthplace, please bring the ekahi ohana. Shave ice, poke, body surfing and golf — part of the perks being the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth. We are proud of the keiki o ka aina.
