Gas price investigation is obvious campaign ploy
I've been paying 30 to 40 cents per gallon too much for my gasoline and drive around enough for that to make a big difference. If I'm driving 20,000 miles a year, that means I've been ripped off to the tune of $300 a year or $1,200 in the past four years.Why didn't Governor Cayetano do something about this four years ago? Why wait until election time? It's not as if he didn't know what was going on.
Karin Ireland
Daily newspapers are blatant Lingle boosters
Unlike contributing editor A.A. Smyser, I cannot observe an ability by Mayor Lingle to "articulate issues clearly" (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 1).She does not venture beyond the safety of her campaign script, nor is she challenged a whit by Honolulu's two daily newspapers -- to whom partisan boosterism is more important than good journalism.
Juliet Begley
Underage drinking must be dealt with seriously
MADD commends the decisive action of the president of St. Louis School, which sends a message that underage drinking is a serious concern. It is important to acknowledge that the football players' other behavior on that evening emanated from the consumption of alcohol.The punishment -- forfeiture of a football game and suspensions -- is reasonable and meaningful for this group of students and coaches.
In addition to blaming the school administration, chaperons and students, we need to fault:
Whoever sold the alcohol to the underage students.
With alcohol the No. 1 drug problem for our youth, such irresponsible advertising and publicity encourage the abuse of alcohol by our young people.
Theresa Paulette
President, MADD-Hawaii
Two men embracing is made to seem disgusting
I saw the presentation made by Messrs. Alexander, Stonebraker et al last Thursday and was struck by their sincerity and their certainty. I was also saddened by their apparent insensitivity to what has been generated in the community by their ad campaign.If one sees a picture of two males embracing, they are a) brothers greeting each other, b) good friends renewing acquaintances or c) queers engaging in a disgusting display of public affection. But what I see in this campaign is an attempt to portray honest affection as somehow perverted. Am I alone here?
Perhaps a reminder is needed for these people that stone-casting is reserved for those who are immaculate. We all need to work on our own shortcomings and become immaculate, if such is possible. Perhaps even before we get there, we can look at two males embracing and say, "Ah, such tenderness." We could all use more of that.
William S. Chillingworth
Kamuela, Hawaii
A 'yes' vote keeps sanctity of marriage
If anybody asked me if marriage should be between a man and a woman, I'd say, "Yes."If anyone asked me if I'm for traditional marriage, I'd say, "Yes."
If someone asked me if I wanted the Legislature to reserve marriage for opposite-sex couples, I'd sure say, "Yes."
If I'm asked how to vote on the marriage amendment on Nov. 3, I'd say, "Vote yes."
Olga Waterhouse
Kailua
Ken Starr, Larry Flynt share king of porn title
We believed Penthouse publisher Larry Flynt was the king of porn. Alas, we were wrong. Larry, move over, because your real competition is here.Ken Starr's investigation, with its secret leaks and detailed descriptions, could generate more revenues than Penthouse.
When we are all obliged to pick up a $44-million price tag for Starr's published reports and leaks to the media, what better place for the Starr investigation than in a porn magazine?
Louis Agard
Double standard about 'private behavior' abounds
What if the president of Stanford University had fooled around with a student, Chelsea Clinton, in the school's locker room? Would President Clinton and all of America then say this was a personal matter? I don't think so.Julie Ohara
It's a sad day when we can't respect the president
Before I could watch the taped grand jury testimony of the president, a disclaimer appeared on the TV informing me that some people might be offended by its content. So my son, 6, was not allowed to watch.I am trying to teach my son that there are consequences for lying and poor behavior. How can I possibly teach him these lessons when his president contradicts these basic values?
I do not want to see the president impeached, however Clinton has left me no alternative. If I believe in the Constitution, in goodness and justice, and that my son has a right to grow up in the best country in the world, I have no choice.
As a child, I remember listening to Nixon's resignation as a consequence for his poor behavior. What will my son remember?
Tina W. Tow
Mililani
(Via the Internet)
Write a Want to write a letter to the editor? Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think. Please keep your letter to about 200 words. You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com or you can fill in the online form for a faster response. Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509. Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.
Letter to the Editor