This latest federal shutdown was the result of President Donald Trump failing to follow through with a promise to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer to save Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and prevent the deportation of Dreamers.
This continuing resolution is only until Feb. 8, so we’ll be in this situation again before we know it. Before Feb. 8, I expect U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell to play the role of Lucy in the cartoon strip “Peanuts.” She’ll be holding the football for Charlie Brown to kick. The football will be a “deal on DACA,” and Lucy will pull the ball just as Charlie Schumer tries to kick it.
Creighton W. Goldsmith
Nuuanu
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Pray that nuclear war never comes
On that Jan. 13 morning, my sister-in-law called and informed me that a bulletin was flashed on many island cell phones about a ballistic missile attack being imminent, and we should seek shelter immediately. I told her that if a nuclear bomb is dropped where we live in the Salt Lake area near Hickam and Pearl Harbor, we have no chance of survival.
I was more concerned about the people who survive the blast, that they would endure pain and suffering beyond description. Those who are exposed to the radioactive particles will eventually suffer from radiation burns and may result in catastrophic casualties.
Let’s hope and pray that no human being ever experiences nuclear attacks like the people in Japan suffered.
Robert G. Hatakeyama
Salt Lake
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No point in planning to survive attack
Will we continue to beat the dead horse of the false alarm? The state asking everyone to “prepare” is laughable at the least, and inept at worst.
Does anyone in office in this state know the power of a nuclear weapon? I don’t either, but are they suggesting we “shelter in place” in our little crackerjack, cinderblock homes?
There is no survival of an event as contemplated. So you survive the blast, only to get sick within a day and suffer that fate? No thanks.
While admitting it was a mistake, officials also should inform the public correctly about what to really expect after the event. There will be no help forthcoming in a time frame that will save anyone.
Just stop.
Jacob Vinton
Foster Village
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Why was no one fired over alert?
As a young waitress, I was once fired for not being immediately available to a customer who wanted catsup. Yet no one has been fired for the false missile alarm that seriously affected so many people. What gives?
Merle Stetser
Makiki
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‘Live Well’ provides valuable information
Kudos for the excellent selection of articles in your “Live Well” section (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 23).
Especially helpful: aging and getting rid of stuff your children may not want; a new customized knee procedure; and Alice Inoue’s column, “Have a happier relationship with your body.”
This section is also rich in resources. The Savvy Senior includes finding satisfying volunteer opportunities, and another article has tips for teaching students about credit card usage.
Mahalo.
Jim Wolfe
Nuuanu
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We can accept risk of no fire sprinklers
There was a sigh of relief when the bill that would require sprinkler installation in over 150 residential buildings was tabled. Mayor Kirk Caldwell said in a December TV news report: “Legislation has gone in, but there’s a big debate about who pays and it dies there.”
Where have we seen this before? Rail? This bill had the hallmarks of a continuing city philosophy of bloated projects without a clear way to pay for them. The potential $35,000-per- apartment cost would have fallen on many fixed-income senior owners with no way to get a loan or finance without selling their homes and being forced into a high rental market. The new sprinkler homeless?
We accept risks of all kinds every day. We can purchase cars without air bags and automatic braking systems. We can eat unhealthy food if we want and we purchased condos without sprinklers. We knew and accepted that. We don’t need “Big Brother”; we need leaders with creative ideas who will not send their constituents to the poor house.
Peggy Canonigo
Moiliili
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Seniors can’t afford sprinkler systems
In the article, “Half of Hawaii residents face financial hardships” (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 10), the Aloha United Way’s ALICE report showed nearly 50 percent of residents are below survival budgets and can’t cover basic needs due to high living costs and low wages. These are hard-working people like me. I’m 77 years old and still working to make ends meet.
The city’s Bill 69 would have mandated that I would have to install sprinklers in my apartment at a cost of over $30,000. Doesn’t the city know the economic hardships most of us are facing? If passed, I would have had to sell my apartment and rent in this super-expensive market. Stop spending our money; we can’t afford it.
Patricia Paterson
McCully-Moiliili
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Neglected ti leaf plants struggle
At the Federal Building there stands a sturdy, lovely New Zealand pine in honor of our late Patsy Mink. At the base of the tree is a large container of dirt that nourishes the growing tree, a wasteland of dirt with five or six desperately struggling ti leaf plants.
Most of the leaves are dead from lack of care; the dead leaves are mute testimony to neglect, the most pathetic plants or former plants that anyone would ever care to see. We can’t compete with some of the world’s grandest memorials of exuberant flower growth. But is it possible to help five ti leaf plants survive and perhaps thrive? Or will they struggle on a few more weeks as testimony to our wanton neglect of nature?
Rosemarie Tucker
Aala
