State shows its arrogance
in sending Foley to jail

Tom Foley did an awful thing: We all know that. One dead, one maimed because of his misbehavior -- driving while intoxicated. But now we have the ultimate injustice via Judge Watanabe speaking for an arrogant, uncaring state of Hawaii.

Foley was helping the wronged family financially. They liked that and said so. Now he goes to jail where he cannot work for equivalent pay. Who suffers? Foley of course.

But more tellingly, the wronged family suffers financial deprivation. Why? Because the state wants to punish Foley. But who was wronged? The state? No, a family was wronged by Foley.

The state believes its purpose is of a higher nature than that of the family. Plainly stated, that's sick. The only reason for government to exist is to protect the individual or family. Any other purpose is illegitimate and contrived to increase state power.

Equally awful, the newspapers, the so-called watchdogs of our society, were sleep-walking through the whole sordid mess.

Richard O. Rowland
Chairman
Libertarian Party of Hawaii

Genetic discrimination
is a serious problem

Your March 5 editorial, "Genetic information," troubled me greatly. It makes the point the "privacy rights are not the issue" and that "insurance companies should have the right to require as much information as they need to assess health risks."

There are more than 5,000 genetic disorders, many of which are not life threatening. Despite this, many patients throughout the country have been discriminated against because of their genetic history.

One study on genetic disorders (Science Journal, Oct. 25, 1996) involved 332 members of genetic support groups with one or more of 101 different genetic disorders in the family. It was found that, as a result of a genetic disorder, 25 percent of the respondents or affected family members believed they were refused life insurance, 22 percent were refused health insurance, and 13 percent believed they were denied or let go from a job.

We have no control over our genetic makeup and what we are born with. As more genes are identified by the Human Genome Project, the potential for abuse and discriminatory practices will become even greater.

Alfred Torres Jr.
Aiea

Don't distort drug use
to sell more newspapers

I was encouraged to read the positive report in your March 21 issue on the first graduating class of Hawaii's Drug Court, which offers a sensible alternative to incarceration to a few non-violent drug law offenders in our state.

However, it was disturbing to read egregious distortions in the story. I am referring specifically to the story's statement, "Instead of dealing cocaine . . . to support a $3,000-a-day crystal methamphetamine habit . . . " and then eight paragraphs later, a reference to a person with a "$1,000-a-day drug habit."

Anyone with passing knowledge of illegal drugs knows that $3,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine is enough to supply at least 20 heavy users for one day at today's prices. I challenge your reporter to find one person capable of consuming $3,000 worth of ice in one day, or even in one week.

It is this type of irresponsible reporting that contributes to the demonization of drug users, making them out to be larger than life predators on society. Sensationalism sells newspapers, but it does not foster understanding.

Donald M. Topping
President
Drug Policy Forum in Hawaii
(Via the Internet)

Tourism won't be helped
by $10 million expenditure

Thank you for the March 19 story on the Council on Revenues. While Governor Cayetano criticized its members for being too pessimistic, I predict they are too optimistic about the steadily declining state economy.

Current budget projections have not calculated the negative effect of a videotape recently shown on Japanese television of a tourist being dragged while trying to hold onto her purse in one of our infamous drive-by thefts.

We also have not calculated the shortsightedness of increasing hotel room rates to offset a decline in tourism. This trend will discourage future visits.

A major remedy being considered is $10 million for more tourism advertising. Why not spend that amount instead on improving our beaches and parks?

Other top priority projects should include dredging and cleaning the Ala Wai Canal and following through on the talk of a botanical garden at Diamond Head.

These things would begin the process of restoring the aloha spirit.

Wally Bachman
(Via the Internet)

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