If NRA can lobby, so can students

Jim Hochberg commented that the Parkland high school students march was “the result of particular political interests using the students as props to work political efforts on gun control” (“Marching students had some guidance,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 27). This, along with Glenn Beck’s rant on his ultra-right wing, conservative outlet, “The Blaze,” claiming massive liberal financial backing for the demonstration, accuses gun-control advocates of exploiting an identified constituency and using money to advance their agenda.

So what? The other side of this issue, the National Rifle Association, has been using, lobbying, and influencing Congress with tens of millions of dollars in “donations” to advance their agenda for decades. Why should one perspective on this issue be questioned or castigated?

In this case, it’s our children, while adults elected to government to promote the general welfare of our citizens get a pass for pocketing the loot and looking the other way.

William E. Conti

Waikiki

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Djou knows GOP going nowhere

In a stroke of genius, Charles Djou has suddenly discovered that the party of Donald Trump is not the party of Abe Lincoln (“Djou leaves Republican Party due to Trump,” Star-Advertiser, March 20). He clearly knows which side his political bread has any chance of being buttered on. And it won’t be as a member of Hawaii’s moribund Republican Party.

So what now?

Will he join the Democrats or will he present himself as an independent? Is he considering himself a possible alternative to, say, Gov. David Ige and U.S. Rep. Coleen Hanabusa? If so, he’d better be quick about it.

Steve O’Harrow

St. Louis Heights

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Wong courageous to take a stand

I applaud Rachael Wong for her courage in speaking up publicly for herself and on behalf of all women who have been sexually harassed in the workplace but have been afraid to say anything for fear of retribution (“Souki to resign,” Star-Advertiser, March 21).

I know her personally, trust her explicitly and know she would not have taken this action to acknowledge that she was sexually harassed by a very powerful political figure unless it was absolutely the truth. It also reflects her deep love for and commitment to serve Hawaii and our broader community.

I join her in supporting this effort to create a different status quo for Hawaii that allows people to speak freely when they have been sexually harassed, bullied or coerced in the workplace.

May this serve as a positive springboard for all of us as we join in supporting the #MeToo and #UsAll movements.

Karen Murashige

Kaimuki

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Rolovich should ask for help

Professor Dumbledore told Harry Potter, “You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”

I am hopeful that University of Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich is humble enough to call upon the likes of June Jones, Mouse Davis and John Jenkins. Jones had asked Davis and Bill Walsh and both gladly helped out.

In the same way, Jones was probably hinting to Rolo that “you will always also find that help with the run-and-shoot will always be given at UH-Manoa to those who ask for it.”

Von Kaneshiro

Downtown Honolulu

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Council worked well with Menor

We are disappointed about the City Council reorganization. Much was accomplished under the leadership of Council Chairman Ron Menor, including the Council’s work on transportation, affordable housing, public health and safety issues. And it was done without the drama, political rhetoric and confrontation we’ve seen in the past. Our personal experiences run counter to vague claims of discrimination by the leadership team.

Menor has always shown genuine appreciation and respect for the women who participate in and lead civic and community initiatives.

We want to remind the new leadership of what we face should rail fail to materialize. There are more than 22,000 housing units that are fully vested but not yet built in Central and Leeward Oahu. The absence of a fixed-rail alternative at buildout of these units would result in unimaginable commuter times from Mililani to downtown of between three and four hours each way.

Marion and Richard Poirier

Mililani

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Recycler doesn’t get full value

Before I take my bottles to the local recycling center, I count them and mark on the bag how many bottles are in each bag. Most of the time I cannot get the worker to count the bottles. The last time they were weighed I received $3 less than I would have if the worker had counted them.

Now the government wants to raise the fee? Why? So the redemption companies can make more money — $3 from me times the thousands of people who recycle?

Peter Chiswick

Kailua