Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, August 13, 1996

From the mouths of babes:
What makes people 'bad'

On hearing the news that a local man had kidnapped and tied up his girlfriend in a hotel room closet, my 9-year-old son asked me why people do such things. I asked what he thought about it. He answered, "Well, Dad, you know that conscience thing? Maybe the side with the angel was broken."

He is very smart. All of us have good and bad in us, but some people might be so bad that their angels seem to be beyond repair.

Unless society can find economical ways to fix broken angels or somehow replace them altogether, the chances that we will be victimized will only increase as our population grows.

Locking up criminals and throwing away the key is not going to decrease the odds that we will be victimized in the future. We must think of creative ways to bring out the angels in some of these damaged souls. Very few human beings are absolutely evil.

Herbert J. Almeida


Morgado has some nerve
blaming Harris for crime

Arnold Morgado holds Jeremy Harris responsible for the increase in crime. Even if Morgado's political motives weren't completely transparent, his argument still rings hollow.

Morgado is ignoring the obvious explanations (more drug use, lack of juvenile programs, etc.) for the rising crime rate as well as the comments of someone who knows more about the topic on Oahu than anyone else, Police Chief Michael Nakamura.

I find Nakamura's argument compelling - that the failure to impose consequences for lesser offenses fosters contempt for all laws and convinces delinquents that they can commit any crime with impunity. And since the state refuses to build facilities to detain offenders, criminals know the chances of being locked up for anything but the most serious offenses are remote.

Statistics clearly show that the rise in crime is a statewide phenomenon. County prosecutors, including Keith Kaneshiro and others in law enforcement, place the blame where it clearly belongs: on state government.

Of course, since he's not running for governor, no one expects Morgado to blame Ben Cayetano.

Rose Aquino
Waipahu


Presidential campaign is like
reprise of musical

After listening to the rhetoric of our presidential candidates, it occurred to me that each has the makings of a stage star. Indeed, the campaign process could well center around the musical play, "South Pacific."

Bob Dole would warble an inspirational "Younger Than Springtime," and Ross Perot could cheerily chirp, "I'm Just a Cockeyed Optimist." Bill Clinton would bring down the house with a credible "There is Nothin' Like a Dame," supported by Paula Jones singing a spirited "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair."

It remains to be seen what candidate-actor will occupy center stage in the triumphant solo, "Some Enchanted Evening," and what mournful duo will remain in the wings for the show's finale, "This Nearly Was Mine."

Wanda Kulamanu Ellis Au


We'd better not start voting on civil-rights

I would like to be included in the 72 percent of Oahu residents who are opposed to same-sex marriage. My feelings on the matter stem from my religious beliefs. However, how I feel should definitely not influence the outcome of the debate.

This is an issue which should be decided by objective law. There should never be a majority rule when it comes to civil rights. Those who are opposed, on religious grounds, had better pray that community tolerance of their religious practices and preferences are never put to a vote.

I would have thought that a community as ethnically diverse as Hawaii would realize the danger of having the majority dictate just who is entitled to civil rights.

My heart tells me that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But my head tells me that, if I wish to continue to have the freedoms and individual rights I enjoy, I'd better not listen to my heart this time.

Alice M. Teehan


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