Unhealthy policies endanger us all

Corky's Aug. 31 cartoon depicting the White House under water (think New Orleans) with the comment "Now do you believe in climate change?" should be printed in every newspaper in the country. The only things missing were ostriches floating around in the floodwaters.

The blatant disregard for healthy environmental policies will have seriously deleterious effects on us all. President Bush did not sign the Kyoto treaty to curb CO2 emissions which effect global warming, and he is trying to pass legislation that would allow more mercury particles in the air we breathe. We are already being warned about the amount of mercury in ahi and other fish, and if the Bush administration has its way, we'll be breathing more of it, too.

National Guardsmen are needed at home

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina it is now clearer than ever that it was a big mistake to send the National Guard overseas to Iraq. This is not only because it was an inappropriate use of the National Guard, but because it left us less secure at home. Not only were the personnel needed to restore order and rescue marooned citizens who weren't able to evacuate before the storm, but their equipment is exactly what was badly needed.

As citizens of Hawaii, are we more secure with Hawaii Army National Guard's Company A, 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry stationed in Iraq? I am proud of their service. However, how prepared are we in the event of an unpredictable catastrophic event such as a tsunami? We were hit by one 30 years ago. Are we more vulnerable now because our National Guard are stationed in Iraq?

In case of disaster, rely only on yourself

After viewing the disaster in the Gulf states, one thing seems clear: We cannot rely on the government for everything. Regardless of whether you think aid to the Hurricane Katrina victims arrived quickly or not, it is important to note that it did not arrive immediately. When disaster strikes, there is a period of time when you must take care of yourself.

My wife and I are preparing an "emergency kit" with enough supplies to last one week. The kit contains water, food, medical supplies, flashlights, a cook stove, fuel and more. Packed in two sealed boxes, it will be easy to throw into the trunk. We will have a meeting point on high ground in case we get separated and cell phones do not work.

If our infrastructure here (water, electricity, telephone, transportation) goes down, it may take longer than on the mainland to restore, especially if the airport and piers are out of operation.

Let's work together and be prepared.

Gas cap doesn't force prices higher

Hawaii's gas cap law does not set a minimum wholesale price that the oil companies must charge. It only sets a maximum price. So if the oil companies' actual costs are such that they can reasonably charge a lower wholesale price than the baseline figure calculated by the law's formula, they are certainly allowed to charge that lower price.

So why do people keep saying the new law is responsible for higher gas prices? The law cannot force prices higher. Only the oil companies can raise the prices! The law just prevents them from raising the prices in Hawaii too exorbitantly, as historically has been their wont.

Gasoline price cap had opposite effect

Do our Democratic state legislators have the slightest idea about how economic competition works? And that maybe the best approach to limiting prices is to encourage competition instead of trying to artificially control prices? Sadly, the answer in Hawaii is usually no.

Only in Hawaii could a law designed to decrease gasoline prices result in increases. When gasoline prices jump next week, look to our inept legislators for explanations. But be alert for the weasel factor. We voters get the government we deserve.

Shouldn't all 'zones' be designated rape-free?

I get a kick out of the obnoxious euphemisms we create to fit current trends, however when I read about the University of Hawaii creating "rape-free zones" on their campuses (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 27), I had to wonder: Is this like "smoke-free zones" where we designate areas where smoking is forbidden and where it is allowed?

Are there "rape-allowed zones"? Has political correctness and trendy euphemism gone too far? This one takes the prize.

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