Why do schools need new report cards?
New report cards are ready to be used in elementary schools in our public school system (
Star-Bulletin, Nov. 4). Wonderful.
Let's overwork our underpaid teachers to complete this multipage report for each of their students every grading quarter.
To all the people trying to re-invent the educational system: Just give my child a letter grade and if I need to know absolutely everything about what he is doing in class, I'll call their teachers for a parent-teacher conference.
Alex Glauzunov
Aiea
Two-newspaper town benefits readers
Probably one of the hardest things is reporting on issues that encompass all sides of that issue, giving the readers enough information to form their own educated base. I totally empathize with Barbara Guss' frustration (
Letters, Nov. 3). I was very frustrated with the Star-Bulletin's "Women in Hawaii" series, which portrayed women and girls as victims struggling in a seemingly unfair world of carefree men and boys ordained with privilege. I was sure this series was just a campaign for another state-funded "Women's Coalition."
I sent many e-mails asking for a fair assessment of gender inequities. I've since noticed that the Star-Bulletin has printed different perspectives on various issues.
Hawaii benefits from having two major newspapers, and while everyone may have their own opinion on how issues should be represented, it's good to know that the Star-Bulletin listens to their readers and tries to report conflicting views. Guss may not be impressed by this newspaper now, but I'm sure many are because this newspaper has shown the potential in becoming a reliable resource of information.
Gerald Nakata
Kapolei
'Scooter' will be old news soon enough
"Bush administration reeling from Libby indictment," the headlines scream. Who are we kidding? I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Cheney's former right-hand man, is just the fall guy. If he is convicted, he'll get a presidential pardon.
In a few weeks, Libby's indictment will be old news, just as the Iraq war doesn't even make the front pages anymore.
In a few months, it will all be forgotten.
John A. Broussard
Kamuela, Hawaii
Jaywalking a bigger factor than speeding
I share the Ackerman family's grief over the tragic loss of their son, who was killed while crossing Makakilo Drive ("Speed still a concern on Makakilo Drive,"
Letters, Nov. 2). I share their concerns regarding pedestrian safety on Makakilo Drive. The intent behind their sign-waving campaign, aimed at motorists and vehicle speed on Makakilo Drive, is noble.
However, I believe that their efforts, despite being well intentioned, would be better served by educating pedestrians about the dangers of jaywalking. At the risk of appearing insensitive, the truth of the matter is that speed did not contribute to Nathan's tragic death. Had he elected to walk an additional 100 meters and cross in the relative safety of the crosswalk, he would be alive today.
Rather than wave signs at passing motorists, our community would be better served if the sign wavers instead directed all potential jaywalkers to the nearest crosswalk, especially the children. There is good reason why jaywalking is illegal -- that fact is not lost on many in our community.
Richard Daley
Makakilo
Curbside recycling is the best way to go
I was very sorry to see
the curbside recycling program cancelled. Hawaii residents are very conscientious and will almost certainly respond well to a convenient, sustainable recycling program. What could have been simpler or more convenient? Just put cardboard, glass, plastic bottles, aluminum cans and old Star-Bulletins into one container and take it to the curb on specified days. I would imagine 70 percent compliance or better would've been achieved. Contrast that to the very cumbersome bottle bill program. Use water to wash containers, use space to store containers, use gas to return containers, and use up a lot of time to get 5 out of 6 cents back.
Why don't we cancel the bottle bill, but continue to charge 1 cent per container as a recycling fee (about $7 million per year) and use it to fully fund the curbside recycling program? The result would be more recycling (the bottle bill's rate to date is only 49 percent) for less effort, less time wasted, less water wasted, less gas wasted and less money wasted (1 cent versus 6 cents for 51 percent of us) by consumers.
Bill Hicks
Kailua