Don't waste money on traffic center

The City and County of Ho-nolulu wants to spend $28 million on a seven-story traffic management center that I think is a great idea. I do, however, believe that the location of the new facility should be put in a more advantageous place. I think they should build the new expensive facility at the H-1/Moanalua Freeway, not so they can manage traffic, but so that the drivers stuck in gridlock can verbally express their disgust as they inch by.

Am I the only one who believes that $28 million can better be used somewhere else? I have no faith that the state remotely understands or cares about the traffic problems on Oahu and a handful of other problems like affordable housing. Why not spend the money on a seven-story affordable apartment building on that site? Never mind, I'm talking logically and we all know that logic is something our state officials rarely use when making decisions. Let's build that seven-story building in downtown so we can add even more vehicles to the already horrible drive in and out of town.

Don't base nationhood on bloodlines

Understanding "sovereignty" is important for issues ranging from America removing Saddam Hussein to the debate of the Akaka bill, and that makes understanding America's world-shattering redefinition of nationality and sovereignty even more important.

First, America's founders changed the meaning of nationality by defining America's nationhood in terms of commonly held principles instead of a common bloodline. As a result, even though none of my grandparents were born Americans, everyone accepts that I can stand in a room full of people whose bloodlines do not cross mine since Adam and Eve and say, "We Americans." Had my grandparents gone to, say, Japan or Africa, few today would accept my saying "we Japanese" or "we Africans."

Second, the founders reversed the world order by declaring, as a matter of principle, that the Creator placed "sovereignty" within the individual, not in a king, tribal chief, monarch or other "sovereign." Therefore, only governments that serve with the consent of the governed legitimately represent the sovereignty of a nation's citizens.

So Saddam Hussein is a kidnapper, not a "sovereign." He was removed like any criminal should be to restore the consent of the governed. That is very different from governments such as India that rule with its citizens' consent, and must be respected as sovereign.

Annexation simply invalidated one man's claim, based on war against his neighbors, to all Hawaii for his bloodline forever. It replaced that claim by making these islands shared by the collection of people who live on, develop and protect them. No land owned by an individual was taken by force as part of the annexation.

Doesn't it seem that a nationality based on common principles and sovereignty flowing up from people who live together in peace is best for the billions and people yet to come? It's better than the Old World concept of bloodline-based sovereignty that seeks to exclude forever billions yet unborn.

Hee's efforts for schools really pay off

While campaigning for the state Senate seat in my home district of Hauula, Clayton Hee took the time to listen to my concerns about education in our community. As a parent of a student at Hauula Elementary and former chairwoman of the state Board of Education, I know how difficult it has been for our rural schools to get the attention they need from the Legislature. Yet, in only his first year back in office, Hee successfully secured more than $2.5 million to upgrade Hauula, Kahaluu and Waiahole Elementary schools' electrical and telecommunications infrastructure and provide for the construction of a new portable classroom at Kahuku High/Intermediate School.

These projects might not draw the fanfare that a new library or administration building would, but I know these funds are greatly appreciated as they directly affect the learning ability and environment of our students. We need elected officials who genuinely put children first. Mahalo nui loa, Senator Hee.

Nimitz should bypass Hawaii for Guam

There are 3,700 reasons, or should I say miles, why the aircraft carrier Nimitz should be based on Guam ("Isles court aircraft carrier," Star-Bulletin, May 30). It would take a week longer to get to any potential conflict, namely North Korea; and in future years, possibly, China if it were based in Hawaii. In that time frame; there could be a lot of damage done to our national security and our allies in the region.

The cost of housing in Hawaii has just about priced any seaman from even thinking of investing in a house here. The only ones who could afford to buy here would be captains and admirals. Anyone else would have to depend on base housing, if there's any available.

Mayor, not officer, behaved badly

I am a visitor to your beautiful state. I am not familiar with your politics but I find your May 28 article, "Mayor irked by questions after wife's speeding ticket," very interesting. It appears that your mayor may be trying to intimidate the police department.

If Mr. Mayor was truly interested only in discussing the "policy and procedures" of the police department, he could speak to the police chief at another time. Is it necessary to do so right after Mrs. Mayor got her speeding ticket? Wouldn't his time be better spent dealing with the city's $4 million budget deficit?

The line of questioning, unless the two officers were unprofessional or rude, was hardly "inappropriate." Had the officers pulled Mrs. Mayor "out of the car and given her a breathalyzer," as the mayor suggested, then he might have reasons to allege "fishing for DUI." It appears to this visitor that the mayor was flexing his muscles and wanted to make certain that city employees know who he is.

Yes, this is indeed a beautiful state, but far from a "paradise."

Grudge motivates Watergate players

Vanity Fair magazine ended decades of speculation by outing "Deep Throat," who is finally revealed as Mark Felt, former second in command at the FBI.

Immediately, the remaining Nixon gang, who all served jail time, come forward to condemn Felt, who's now 90. Labeling him a "traitor," Nixon operatives still don't understand that lies and coverups aren't the American way.

Republicans never got over the Nixon resignation, and that open wound drives their every agenda -- most notably, the impeachment of Bill Clinton over consensual sex.

Sadly, American politics is driven by petty grudges and historical grievances, not by moral character, truth and justice our Founding Fathers envisioned.

Shed a few pounds in the name of science

I just read Kelly Rosati's May 22 column on stem cell research. Why must scientists take on a Dr. Frankenstein stance? Why start human life just to end it?

I was enlightened by her remark that adult stem cell research can be done with body-fat cells. With the many new articles about the increase in overweight and obese people, I would think fat-cell research would be the answer. I would like to be the first on the contributors' list. Put me down for 20 pounds.

If someone is doing research on converting human flatulence into auto fuel, I'd like to donate to that cause, too.

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. Letter form: Online form, click here 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