Repeal of Jones Act would mean lower prices
Regarding the respective View Point columns of Gene Ward (Dec. 5) and Robert Pfeiffer (Dec. 26) on the topic of the Jones Act: Ward is an elected representative and should have the best interests of the people of Hawaii at heart. Pfeiffer is a representative of Matson shipping and probably has Matson's best interest at heart.Both use figures to illustrate their points. Their numbers do not relate. One says, "There are less ships now than there used to be." The other replies, "Ships are larger now."
As I see it, most of these numbers mean little and only serve to confuse the issue. You pick who you believe.
The only problems I can see with repealing the Jones Act is that it would mean lower prices to consumers. This, in turn, would mean less tax money collected and therefore more headaches for elected officals.
I do not expect our current government representatives to do anything that will lower the cost of living in Hawaii.
Joel Thompson
Volcano, Hawaii
(Via the Internet)
There's no comparison between pot and crack
In his Dec. 26 letter, "Pakalolo users are just as bad as crack dealers," Reid Seino displays a twisted vision of drug policy. The fact that California voters approved a statewide initiative that allows patients to possess and grow medicinal pot, while following a physician's advice, is mistakenly described by Seino as "an atrocity and marks the decline of ethical standards."The issue of how cannabis can provide unique relief to those suffering from the ravages of cancer chemotherapy was eloquently presented on a Nov. 5 episode of "Murphy Brown" starring Candice Bergen.
What someone puts into his or her own body is nobody's business but their own. Remember the concept of privacy?
Only 10,000 people a year die from illicit drug use in the U.S. This must be compared to the 500,000 who die because of alcohol and tobacco, drugs that are taxed and supply a hefty sum of tainted money to public coffers.
The Rev. Dennis Shields
Captain Cook, Hawaii
(Via the Internet)
Don't blame group prayer for problems at school
According to a Dec. 31 letter by Michael Quinn, youth gangs are congesting the fronts of public schools, drawing attention to themselves with daily incantations on the steps. They are intimidating others with their inappropriate and disruptive behavior.What kind of behavior is this? The students are praying in public. According to Quinn, it is our duty to prevent youths from praying in public school. Praying does not belong in schools; it belongs in a closet (Jesus said so).
What should be done about this "menace" to society? Should we establish "prayer-free zones" around our schools? Should we send "anti-prayer patrols" to break up any group found praying on school grounds?
Drugs, guns, teen pregnancy and a host of other problems facing our youth are far more dangerous than students who pray.
Instead of banning them, we should cheer, encourage and even follow the example of young people who take advantage of the freedom to pray.
Nathan Lau
(Via the Internet)
Separation of church and state distorted
I was pleased to see that all four members of the Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church were able to compose a Jan. 6 letter criticizing the tax-exempt status of churches. They note that, according to government reports, churches on average give less than 1 percent to charity.They do not calculate how much is used for charitable purposes, only the amount given to other charities. They also state that the state receives nothing from churches.
Unlike Mitchell Kahle, a secular humanist by his own admission, most people do not believe that they are the last best word in the universe. If there is no God, then may I bash the skull of Mr. Kahle and, if not apprehended by the police, expect no penalty?
What is most astounding to me is that a tiny, whining group is able to bend the majority to accept its will using the "separation of church and state" as its anchor. The founding fathers didn't intend for there to be no religion, only no government religion.
Kahle and the HCSSC pray at the altar of liberal government.
Bill Casey
Kailua
(Via the Internet)
Economy could improve by legalizing gay marriage
This year begins with a pallor of economic gloom painted for Hawaii. The governor is seeking yet more reductions in expenditures due to declining revenues. Personal and business bankruptcies continue to climb and the overall economic picture is described as "flat."But in a very short time, all that can be reversed with the Supreme Court decision regarding the state's appeal in Baehr vs. Miike in favor of the three same-sex plaintiffs.
A study in 1995 by Dr. Susan Brown of USC indicates that there is a $4 billion pent-up demand for (same-gender) marriages and Hawaii is now poised to reap that prize.
That demand won't last forever. But it certainly could be the needed economic "shot in the arm" that we all so desperately need.
Martin Rice
Kapaa, Kauai
(Via the Internet)
Pope is scapegoating gays, lesbians, single parents
According to a recent Associated Press report, Pope John Paul II is now blaming "nontraditional families" for "poverty, unemployment and the shortage of housing." Yes, the policy of blame, the art of scapegoating, are still alive and well in the 1990s.Alarmist propaganda and conspiracy theories abound in our society. People fear change and will always blame the underdog, or so it seems.
Gays, lesbians, single parents, unwed couples, these are the demons to be derided by the powers that be.
However, evidence is not necessary, or even useful to these purveyors of fear and blame. Maintaining the status quo is the all-important factor.
It doesn't matter who is repressed, or whose rights are denied, as long as the present regime maintains its lofty position.
Ken Scott
(Via the Internet)
Bishop Estate Archive
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