Warrior fans treated Trojans with aloha

I want to extend a sincere mahalo to the fans who attended the University of Hawaii vs. USC football game at Aloha Stadium on Sept. 3. While Warrior fans had hoped for a better outcome in terms of the final score, I would like to acknowledge the exceptionally positive fan behavior prior to kick-off and throughout the entire game.

UH supporters demonstrated to the 10,000-plus visiting Trojan fans and the millions of nationwide ESPN-TV viewers that the warmth of the aloha spirit and Hawaiian hospitality remains alive and stronger than ever. Mahalo nui for making all of your fellow kamaaina very proud to live in the 50th State.

Forget gas prices and focus on other needs

We now know that the "gas cap" was no more than a cleverly concocted name, and now lawmakers are saying we will enjoy parity with the mainland instead of lower prices as the name implies and as taxpayers were promised.

A look at other necessities provides a dose of reality. Residential electricity costs are also highest in the nation. We pay double, about 17 cents per kilowatt, while the national average is 8.4 cents. Our median home price is triple the national average of $200,000. Wednesday's news revealed Hawaii had reclaimed the dubious distinction as having the highest priced gas in the nation at $3.46 per gallon. Compared to the national average of $2.95, that is only 17 percent higher.

Annually I expect to pay $1,800 for gas, $2,600 for electricity, $20,400 in mortgage and $25,000 for tuition for three kids. As one can see, gasoline is not my family's problem.

My conclusion is twofold. First, lawmakers, leave electricity and home prices alone, they're bad enough. Second, abandon the fight with oil companies in favor of the free market and redirect your efforts toward improving our schools, stopping illegal drugs and toughening laws to put criminals behind bars. If you can manage that, you will get my and probably many others' votes next year.

If you cancel gas tax, make bus rides free

Just a little note to the governor and City Councilman Charles Djou about cancelling the state gas tax. It would be OK with me if you also made riding the bus free. Lots of friends with cars are nice about offering me rides, and I do appreciate it, but I don't think it's fair for bus riders to subsidize automobile drivers.

Police should not be allowed to break law

In response to the Chicago cop's letter about giving cops the benefit of the doubt, simply because they are cops ("Police might have good reason to run lights," Letters, Sept. 15): Cops need to be held accountable, just like everyone else. I don't care if they're heading somewhere important. If they need to speed, run red lights or otherwise break the law, they need to give a good reason. I will not just assume any longer that cops are always acting justly. That time has passed.

I often see cops breaking the law -- jaywalking, speeding, parking on sidewalks -- and when asked why, they simply say, "I'm a cop, you get beef with that?" Never any explanation, never any reason. Just "I'm a cop."

Cops are vested with our trust, and they abuse it. I don't trust them any more. Neither do many of the citizens. Why do you think cops need SHOPO (the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers)? If they were on good terms with the people they wouldn't need an entire organization devoted to making them look good. That would just happen naturally.

Rich people already pay plenty in taxes

I was amused by the Sept. 16 letter from C.W. Griffin regarding the estate tax and the welfare of the rich. We should be thanking those people for the 65 percent of the total taxes that they do pay. Sure, they have a lot of money. So what? Many worked hard to earn it, and most whom I know give vast amounts of money to causes with quiet anonymity.

Why should I have to pay a tax on money that I have already paid state and federal taxes on? Because I made sound investments, again paying taxes on the gains all along the way? I created my own wealth, along with many others along the way, paying my dutiful share of taxes, without complaint. All this, so that you can bleed my cadaver dry for more taxes right after I go into the ground? I don't think so. Enough.

Grow a carrot and pea for brave troops

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers' Aug. 25 analysis of the situation in Iraq is something all Americans should take to heart. As he indicated, the media are misleading us by ignoring the tremendous progress we are making in that country.

The Iraqi people have welcomed our troops, who are busily building schools, pumping oil, giving candy to children, repairing bridges, showing locals how to play soccer, restoring electric power and bringing the blessings of peace, prosperity and democracy to a grateful people.

The only problem that remains is that Americans at home are not giving our young soldiers the backing they deserve. As Meyers indicates, we aren't planting victory gardens the way the people on the home front did during World War II.

So, let's get busy. Magnetic ribbons on our cars aren't enough. We need to raise carrots and peas to show that we really support our troops.

Roberts shouldn't have to answer specifics

Requiring Supreme Court justice nominee John Roberts, or any other candidate for any judgeship, to answer questions about how he is going to vote on an issue would put him in a position equivalent to saying, "My mind's made up. Don't confuse me with facts!"

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