Airline investors lack aloha for employees
The story "A judge upholds (Aloha Airlines') plan to terminate pensions" (
Star-Bulletin, Dec. 16) was very saddening.
The employees who helped build Aloha Airlines stand to lose everything that they worked so hard for. They will lose a lot of their pension benefits and if Aloha sells its assets, they will lose their medical and flying benefits.
Shame on the new investors to not work with the aloha spirit as Hawaiian Airlines investors did. They are not thinking about the employees it seems; they are more interested in self-gain.
Pretty soon they will dump the union. Shame on you!!!
Betty Fernandez
Aiea
Foes of Navy research need dose of reality
These professors who oppose military research at the University of Hawaii should step out of their ivory towers and face reality. As we all know, there are many foreign entities who have hurt us -- the 9/11 event -- and even now must be itching to do likewise or worse. So we must do everything logical to protect ourselves.
Military research in academia is one of the logical avenues, utilizing our many capable scientists with their expertise in developing theories, principles and applications that may aid in the nation's defense. The irony of the professors who oppose military research is that they are now enjoying the protection resulting from past research, much of it done in academia. And, they implicitly expect/assume to continue enjoying such protection, but at the same time opposing such research! I just don't understand their logic.
If we expect to maintain the military capability that deters our enemies from attacking us covertly or overtly, then we must encourage and continue military research as part of our national defense effort.
So we encourage University President David McClain to approve the pending Navy contract for the good of America.
Henry Uehara
Honolulu
Senate needs to take hard look at Alito
Is Samuel Alito the right person for the important position of Supreme Court justice? Why did President Bush think Harriet Miers was more qualified? What qualifications were lacking then that now make Alito the right choice?
As a woman in my 60s, I have experienced the days when civil rights barely existed and people were punished because of their race, gender, or disability. I saw women die of botched illegal abortions or horrible self-inflicted injuries because they saw no other options.
Do we really want a relatively young man to be appointed to the bench who has some disturbing history that is known only because some people have looked deeply into his record instead of taking his word for it?
Please pressure the Senate to put politics aside and fulfill its responsibility to the American people.
Judith S. Bowman
Honolulu
Drugs met to help pets can sometimes hurt
Christmas is coming and most of us are shopping for gifts for our friends and family members. For millions of Americans, our family members include four-legged furry animals. We will buy treats and toys and other gifts that are advertised to make our pets happy. The idea of "continuation" of life never occurs to us as a gift to an animal. In my opinion, it is a gift that we must give our pets.
Annual re-vaccinations and their disease-producing effects and toxicity of pet drugs are two areas in which we must educate ourselves. As "parents," we cannot blindly trust and follow orders. Our furry family members' lives depend on us to make an informed decision.
For my family, trust had a deadly price. This Christmas, my household will be missing two members. Tragically for my 140-pound senior dog, he had to endure wrenching abdominal cramps, anorexia and dehydration as he helplessly became paralyzed in both hind and front legs while he internally bled from his osteoarthritis drugs.
Shortly after consuming an antibiotic, my rabbit's little 5-pound body wasted down to 2 pounds despite voraciously, desperately eating dandelion, parsley, romaine, cherries, pear and hay. His little body twisted with convulsions as he died from massive liver and kidneys failure. The drugs were suppose to help heal, but the treatments were more lethal than their conditions.
Be educated, make informed decisions regarding your pet's treatments.
Georgie Fong
Haiku
Show us proof that Iraq is being rebuilt
I keep hearing about all of the reconstruction being done in Iraq. I have yet to see any proof of buildings or schools being rebuilt.
There have been no TV news showing any new schools, or stores or shops or markets! No reporters following stories of water systems or electrical systems now in operation. With all the money, (our tax money) pouring into contractors in Iraq, why can't those efforts be shown via our news media? Maybe this could give us something to believe in. If I sound like I doubt that reconstruction is happening in Iraq, you are right! Is there anyone out there in media land who could show me the proof?
Roger A. Hutchings
Portland, Ore.
Former Hawaii resident