Prediction came true for aid in dying

Prediction came true for aid in dying

In 2005, after several failed attempts to pass an aid-in-dying law through the state Legislature, an op-ed I wrote was published in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, in which I predicted Hawaii, and all states, would eventually legalize aid-in-dying. That prediction for Hawaii now seems a reality.

Since my op-ed appeared, five other states and the District of Columbia have enacted aid-in-dying laws and many more are considering the option. Decades of empirical data show such laws work. They are rarely used, there are no proven cases of abuse, and for many just knowing an option is available brings peace and comfort.

I am both thankful and grateful my friends in Hawaii now have a choice. But this victory is bittersweet knowing there have been others who were denied this option because the legislative process took so long. To them we can only ask forgiveness and hope they are in a better place.

Roland Halpern

Former executive director of Compassion in Dying, Hawaii

Denver

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Lethal drugs could be used wrongly

After passing the state House, House Bill 2739, the assisted-suicide bill, was passed by the state Senate on March 29 and sent to our governor, who said he was ready to sign it.

If the bill becomes law, it would allow a person, diagnosed with a terminal illness and a short span of time to live, to receive a prescription for a drug they could take that would end their life immediately.

Once this person received this prescription and obtained the drug, there would be no controls to prevent the drug from being given to someone else without the patient’s knowledge or, worse, for a child to get hold of this drug and ingest it by accident.

Several senators admitted that the bill was “flawed and problematic” but that they should pass it and fix it next year. Please speak out against this future law.

Barbara Ferraro

Pahoa, Hawaii island

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Souki failed to meet terms of agreement

I don’t get it.

Former state House Speaker Joe Souki signed a settlement with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission on March 15 admitting that while serving as speaker, he “touched and kissed more than one woman in ways that were inappropriate and unwelcome” during meetings in his office.

He agreed to resign from office, pay a $5,000 administrative fine, not seek public office again for two years, and issue a public apology for his conduct.

But then, on March 21, Souki’s public statement was that he has “‘absolutely no memory of ever acting inappropriately with any woman at any time, as a member of the House or in a private setting” (“‘No memory’ of bad behavior, Souki says of sex harassment allegations,” Star-Advertiser, March 22).

This hardly seems like the required public apology. Souki is not taking responsibility for what he did to numerous women, nor is he expressing any kind of remorse.

He clearly is not meeting the requirements of the settlement agreement that he signed.

I hope the Ethics Commission is going to follow up.

Marya Grambs

Kailua

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Guns can make the world safer

In today’s world, I feel much safer with guns around. If violence came upon me, I want a gun present — maybe not in my hands, but in the hands of a police officer or a good citizen who would come to the aid of his fellow man.

No one can stop the violence in this world. Bad people use guns, bombs, cars and other forms of weapons to do harm. Does anyone feel safe?

Guns not only cause harm. They also serve to protect the innocent and deter violence. Guns are here to stay.

I would prefer that it be a registered legal gun, rather than an illegal one in the hands of a person intent on criminal activities.

Clarence Chun

Kalihi

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Second Amendment should be amended

Gun rights advocates repeatedly quote part of the Second Amendment — “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” — while ignoring the key prefacing clause: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State.”

What constitutes a militia? Article 6 of the Articles of Confederation sheds light on the question: “every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia …”

Recent tragic events have prompted some to advocate repeal of the Second Amendment. Instead, might we simply amend the second part of the amendment?

Original: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Proposed: “The right of Militia Members to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Doing so would not deny firearms to non-militia members, but would allow governments to regulate firearm sales, characteristics, ownership and possession.

David Cleveland

Kailua

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Why does city need $5 trash pickup fee?

In his longstanding quest to stealthily raise property taxes by beginning a charge for curbside trash pickup and $10 per cubic yard for bulky-item pickup, Mayor Kirk Caldwell tries to legitimize the new fee by claiming it will free up cash in the $2.61 billion operating budget ($5 trash pickup fee advances,” Star-Advertiser, March 29).

Is the city really so strapped for cash with a $2.61 billion budget it needs to squeeze households another $5 per month to take away our trash? It almost wants you to start a gofundme page to help the city avoid bankruptcy.

If the city is in such dire straits that it needs to pretend to find money to pay for a trash pickup system already being paid for through our property taxes, what will it do to pay for the $140 million per year subsidy for rail’s operation and maintenance?

Earl Arakaki

Ewa Beach