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Abortion ban puts women at great risk

The so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 that passed in Congress this week will outlaw medically necessary abortions needed by women who have serious medical conditions like kidney failure, diabetes and risk of stroke. This legislation could put doctors in jail for providing the best possible health care to women.

The Supreme Court ruled three years ago that women -- in consultation with their families and doctors, not politicians -- should make decisions about the best way to provide medical care to protect a woman's health and life.

The Supreme Court, Planned Parenthood and the medical community agree that women and doctors -- not politicians -- should make serious medical decisions.

This politically driven, unconstitutional abortion ban should be struck down.

Barry Raff, MPH
CEO, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii

Military must abide by environmental laws

The military seeking exemptions from environmental laws appears to be an all-out war on endangered species. Perhaps Pentagon intelligence learned of Abutilon menziesii recruitment and thought it was a terrorist leader, rather than an endangered species.

In Makua Valley, live-fire training nearly caused the Hawaii state flower to become extinct on Oahu. The military was found in violation of the Endangered Species Act. Now the military must try to prevent rampant fire from consuming the endangered plants, snails and birds in Makua Valley with responsible explosions within the established firebreak.

Since the Department of Defense already benefits from a national security exemption under the ESA, and the Pentagon has failed to provide evidence that laws protecting Hawaii's endangered species hinder military readiness, it is not absurd to suspect that the Pentagon has the definition of biological warfare all confused.

Tell Hawaii's congressional delegates that you support the protection of our endangered species and our military as they co-exist, without the unnecessary exemptions.

Naomi Arcand
Vice chairwoman
Sierra Club Oahu Group

Scooter riders should leave their pets home

I am happy that University of Hawaii volleyball player Tony Ching is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery from the serious injuries he received in his May 23 mo-ped accident. But I am saddened by another part of this story -- the death of his six-week-old puppy, Paiea. The puppy was being carried in Ching's backpack and did not survive the accident.

A person can choose whether to wear a helmet, but an animal has no choice. Its owner is responsible for its well-being.

Taking responsibility for a pet requires us to exercise good judgment and do our best to make sure we keep it safe, including when we take it traveling with us.

A wonderfully caring family has given Ching a new puppy, named Butterball. I hope she and Ching have a long and happy life together.

Leslie Hayashi

Awards show should give winners their due

Mahalo nui to columnist John Berger for his well-thought-out comments and his sensitivity to the Na Hoku Hanohano award winners whose remarks were not allowed to be heard by those viewing on television ("Tradition reigns -- contemporary sounds receive little recognition at Na Hoku Hanohano award," Star-Bulletin, May 29). For those of us who are friends and fans, it was both disappointing and hurtful not to hear what those winners had to say. We're particularly disturbed that John Keawe, whose Ki Hoalu award was both well- deserved and long overdue, was denied that opportunity.

We can only hope that in the future the producers of the show will see fit to allow all the awardees to be heard.

Hinano and Ellen Akaka

Ceremony brings back Campbell Saber pride

On May 30, Campbell Sabers pride gleamed at the Aloha Stadium. More than 500 students graduated as Principal Gail Awakuni presented her seniors to state Superintendent Pat Hamamoto. The class of 2003 took pride in boasting about winning the state math bowl, excellence in ROTC, football, and more than $2 million in scholarships.

I felt blessed to be invited to participate in the graduation ceremony. As I sat on the stadium floor I thought back 20 years ago to when I graduated from Campbell High School and such a powerful sense of Saber pride came over me.

Congratulations to everyone in the trenches! Our community is so proud of you and our grads.

Tesha Malama
Ewa Beach
Class of 1983

Integrity, dedication guided state librarian

Thank you for your timely editorial supportive of Virginia Lowell's effort and dedication to our state library system ("Public library system loses a fine leader," May 29). Her decisions were not easy but she toughed it out because she believed in what she was doing. Her own illness, a dangerous blood clot, as well as her mother's decline in health came at difficult times.

The Board of Education and the public must not take public libraries for granted. We must continue to push for the quality Lowell expected.

Shannon Ajifu
Member, Board of Education

Teens wrong to target tobacco companies

As an ex-smoker, I am sympathetic to the cause of teenagers trying to reduce the number of their peers who smoke (Star-Bulletin, June 1). But my sympathy ends when they try to place the responsibility on the tobacco companies for targeting them. Tobacco companies have every right to advertise their lawful product.

Smoking is a choice. Unfortunately, because of some misguided court settlements, tobacco companies have become convenient and potentially lucrative targets of people who refuse to take responsibility for their choices.

If these teens and their parents were really serious about this issue, they would redirect their efforts toward our lawmakers and get tobacco products outlawed. Our society, and parents in particular, must provide an example and teach their children that responsibility for lifestyle choices rest with the individual, that consequences of such decisions must be accepted and that blaming others for their actions is irresponsible.

James Roller

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How to write us

The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (150 to 200 words). The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number.

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E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com
Fax: (808) 529-4750
Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813




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