Pot is illegal even to decorated veterans

In his letter to the editor ("War hero's discharge is disgraceful," May 6), Eric R. Anderson wrote about the Air Force lieutenant colonel who will be dishonorably discharged because he was caught with "less than a gram of marijuana." Marijuana is illegal. It is a drug that impairs one's perceptions and reactions. This officer was entrusted with a multimillion-dollar aircraft. OK, he was a highly decorated war hero. That does not allow him to go above the law, to do something unlawful and just receive a slap on the wrist. He deserves a dishonorable discharge.

It's hard for me to fathom how a "professional" could get wrapped up doing such an idiotic thing. No sympathy from this "professional" soldier.

Danny Barlow

U.N. is quickly losing its credibility

I was very happy to read about how a U.S. delegation walked out of a United Nations meeting as a protest against Cuba's re-election to the U.N. Human Rights Commission (Star-Bulletin, April 30).

This action reminded me of how the late Patrick Moynihan, as U.S. ambassador to the U.N., used to verbally attack the pretentious spokesmen for all these sleazy dictatorships who would criticize the United States and Israel. Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, put it well when he said that Cuba sitting on the Human Rights Commission (as does Libya) is like "putting Al Capone in charge of bank security." I also noticed how this Human Rights Commission blocked a move to spotlight human rights abuses in the Sudan, where many Christians are being brutalized.

Another outrage is that of all the 189 members of the United Nations, only one, Israel, is not allowed a turn to sit on the Security Council. Libya, Syria, Iraq under Saddam Hussein and North Korea have all been eligible to sit on the council, but not Israel.

Where is the outcry among the free nations of the world to these totalitarians who are subverting the very ideals of the United Nations?

Bob W. St. Sure

Pali speed strips cause unnecessary danger

Your editorial regarding the Pali Highway rumble strips ("Safety should trump drivers' comfort," Star-Bulletin, March 5) was off the mark. The half-inch strips caused unacceptable shaking of cars at any speed, and were especially dangerous to motorcyclists.

It is incorrect to state that the drivers who complained were probably going too fast. I drove over the Kailua-bound strips at 10 mph and still the car rattled far too much. The town-bound strips were not as bad because they were spaced further apart.

I am pleased that the Department of Transportation took rapid action to trim the strips. I am not pleased that the DOT didn't get it right the first time.

Richard Wainscoat

Pali speeders should quit complaining

I can't believe people are whining over something so trivial as the rumble strips on Pali Highway! I have a Mazda truck and a Toyota Corolla and I could barely feel the strips when I traveled over them at two different speeds -- the actual speed limit and again at 5 mph over the limit.

My advice? Grow up, people.

Our local government would not have to spank you if you just followed the law. In the last few years two pedestrians have been killed on the Pali Highway because of speeding. Something needs to be done to discipline those who break the law.

Our police are spread too thin to babysit you. Think about what you are complaining about before opening your mouth.

Chico Ruiz

President deserves to wear military uniform

In reply to Paul Pollitt's May 5 letter, "Public ignores Bush's tarnished record," I did not see President Bush "strut" among the heroes in a flight suit; I saw our commander in chief thanking those heroes for their service. What would you have him wear, a jogging suit?

Give me a break. Pollitt should research his facts first about Bush's service record. It seems he is just repeating what the Democratic National Committee put out as truth. I don't recall seeing any facts cited in the letter about Bush's so-called failure to serve honorably in the Texas Air National Guard.

Sandra Anderson
Hilo, Hawaii

To be fair, OHA must renounce Akaka Bill

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is setting out to restore a nation. It claims to be open to all options. Great! OHA can convince us that this is true by pulling all its pro-Akaka Bill television, radio and newspaper ads.

OHA must now spend thousands of dollars to educate Hawaiians on the benefits of the other options. Only this type of action can be seen as fair and neutral.

Steve Tayama
Waimanalo

Ewa residents doomed to sit in traffic

Due to lack of state legislative leadership, Ewa residents will continue to be held hostage on the traffic-clogged Fort Weaver Road. Almost two years ago the Ewa Neighborhood Board also passed a moratorium on construction to communicate to developers the seriousness of the traffic problem in Ewa.

Now our area developers step up to the plate, and none of our state leaders had the vision, knowledge, or cared enough to prevent the bill from dying. In fact, Rep. Romy Mindo, who is a member of the Finance Committee, failed to put it on the agenda. Ewa Beach residents, think about that while you are stuck in traffic.

Tesha Malama
Ewa Beach