I strongly suggest state Sen. Will Espero keep his mouth shut. He is not the spokesperson for the governor’s office, the police department or the sheriff’s office and should not be giving out information regarding an ongoing investigation about the dog shot at the airport (“Guard who shot dog is investigated,” Star-Advertiser, March 31).

The information he received from a senior sheriff’s deputy about the investigation was not his to give to the general public and could cause prejudice against the individual being investigated.

It should be remembered that Espero is anti-gun and proposed legislation to put legal gun owners who committed no crime on the FBI criminal watch list. Espero supports additional restrictions and regulations against legal gun owners, while nothing apparently is being done to confiscate guns owned by illegal gun owners. That should be Espero’s primary responsibility if he wants to eliminate crime.

Anthony R. Tepedino

Ewa Beach

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Travel ban challenge could hurt isles

I am sure that Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin and U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson did the right thing (“Isle judge extends halt on Trump’s travel ban,” Star-Advertiser, March 30). This nation has never been about turning people away due to religion or race or origin; that’s just the way we are and we live with the few that might do us harm for the greater good.

They also have to realize that they are perceived as politically motivated. They are dealing with a petulant and vengeful man who surely will put Hawaii on the back burner when it comes to funds and consideration.

While I praise Watson and Chin, I fear that in today’s political climate, the consequences of their actions only will hinder Hawaii’s access to much-needed federal assistance for a myriad of programs.

It might be worth it, however. We’ve never been about turning people away, and we shouldn’t start now.

Jacob Vinton

Aliamanu

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Taxpayers pay for political spending

I loved White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney’s comment: “You’re focusing on recipients of the money. We’re focusing on recipients of the money and people who give us the money in the first place” (“More losers in isles,” Star-Advertiser, March 18).

For those who may not understand (like our congressional representatives), we the taxpayers are the ones who have contributed to the slush fund that politicians try so lavishly to increase and spread around.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and her cohort must understand that we all contribute, including to those entities favored in her comments. That means tax cuts and reductions for all, not just her select few.

Joanne H. Fong

Ewa Beach

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Trump has run out of second chances

Until now, although I’ve hated almost everything about President Donald Trump, I’ve been willing to “give Trump a chance.”

I don’t want Democrats to be the obstructionists that Republicans were with President Barack Obama. And I fear Vice President Mike Pence’s political agenda almost as much as Trump’s (maybe more).

So I’ve rejected calls for impeachment.

But today, I think we need to stop this man, and that only impeachment will do it. He has provided ample proof that far from keeping America safe, he is putting her — and the whole world — in danger.

Besides angering Mexico and China, he has now endangered our relationship with Great Britain, our most important ally.

His lies have destroyed his — and our — credibility here and in the world. He has essentially validated North Korea’s excuse for acquiring and using nuclear weapons.

He clearly uses all the tactics of a dictator. We need Congress to remove this president as quickly as possible.

Jean S. Gochros

Kahala

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Parole guidelines too lenient in Hawaii

I just saw, on television, another sham conviction of a criminal by the Hawaii judicial system.

Why does the media find it a must to lead a story, “So and so was sentenced to life in prison,” followed by the caveat, “with the possibility of parole”?

Why does the Hawaii Paroling Authority have to get involved in the sentencing of criminals? Rarely does a prisoner sentenced to life in prison serve anything like a life sentence.

When the public forgets the murder for which the criminal was sentenced, the paroling authority sees fit to grant parole. The family of the victim has to suck it up and move on.

What a great justice system we have in Hawaii.

Don Chambers

Mililani

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Galera should try again for DOE post

I am incensed at all the negative publicity surrounding Darrel Galera’s application for Hawaii Department of Education superintendent, which led to his withdrawing from consideration.

Galera was asked by Gov. David Ige to chair the ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Task Force, and later to serve on the state Board of Education.

In a small community like Hawaii, it is difficult to find people qualified and willing to serve on these positions, without pay.

It seems that no good deed goes unpunished. Yes, perhaps his putting his name forward as a candidate for the superintendent’s position was ill-timed. But no one is asking the real questions: “Is he a qualified candidate? Could he lead the DOE in a new direction?” Not, “Is this an inside job where he has an unfair advantage?”

Finding a candidate who has school-level experience and understands the culture in Hawaii is a small set of people indeed.

All by June 30.

The search committee should be asking Galera to reconsider.

Linda Stringer

Retired counselor, Moanalua Middle School