So Senate Democrats do have a back room

You have to love Democratic Party Chairman Mike McCartney's statement, "People think we have a back room where we make decisions, but, honestly, the guys in the back room are wondering, too." ("What the Heck," Star-Bulletin, July 16). Essentially, he denies and admits the back room's existence in the same sentence.

Anyone watching Senate Democrats in session will note their panicked retreat to a "back room" to decide issues every time a controversy arises. Observers know the truth. Democrats' constant avoidance of open debate on the Senate floor, leaving Republican senators to sit and wait and wonder, is just one more reason to throw the bums out in November.

Telcom is asking for too much information

Hawaiian Telcom strikes again. First it was the billing fiasco, which is still not fixed. Now included with the latest incorrect invoice is a "Customer Proprietary Network Information -- Special Notice." In short, to restrict Hawaiian Telcom from bombarding its customers with telemarketing calls for its many services, we must register our restriction by completing this postage-paid postcard form and return it within 30 days. The postcard requests, among other things, phone number, billing name and address, and signature. Either Hawaiian Telcom has not heard about identity theft or figures this way no one will return the form and they can telemarket at will.

Hawaiian Telcom President Mike Ruley and his minions have a lot to learn about good will. His PR spin will fall on deaf ears if Hawaiian Telcom's bungling persists.

Turn off loudmouths, turn to Olelo instead

I've turned my TV off. Well, not completely. It is just that I'm very tired of hearing Chris Matthews, Lou Dobbs, Bill O'Reilly and others inviting people onto their programs to give two opposing views. After the interviews, the pundits sum up the views of their guests and then give their own spin, which is the one we as viewers are being programmed to think is the "last word." I've heard so many of my friends say they're also not listening.

I offer an alternative: "Democracy Now" with host Amy Goodman. She can be found on Olelo at 7 a.m., channel 54, repeated at 10 p.m. on channel 56. Her in-depth reporting consists mainly of telephone interviews. She has no commercials nor does she ask for money. If you want the news of the day delivered without rudeness and summing up by the cable news host, tune in to Amy Goodman. The show reminds me of the good ol' days of news broadcasting, which dates me.

Have homeless grow veggies to go with pigs

Sharon Pomroy's letter on Friday suggesting arming the houseless with spears to kill the pigs hit the spot with me. I would add that half of those houseless who are not hunters be gathered and made to clean the beaches and freeways. Surely these people can pull weeds; it's good for their mental health and for them get good exercise at the same time. Also provide them with a piece of land where they can grow vegetables. Then they can be fed at the hunters' gathering with the harvested veggies.

If the legal/illegal immigrants can do these jobs, why can't the homeless population do them as well? Or are the welfare checks too good?

Drastic action needed to solve homelessness

Homelessness has become an increasing problem over the years. With such high living costs and the shortage of houses, it does not surprise me that we have so many homeless people.

A recent survey titled "Illegal to be Homeless: The Criminalization of Homelessness in the United States" ranked Hawaii the ninth-meanest state in the country. That doesn't really show our aloha spirit, does it? Hawaii moved from the 19th spot to the ninth with Act 50, which makes living on public property illegal.

The government needs to help out, but it doesn't. Instead it moves the homeless from park to park. When the City and County of Honolulu closed Ala Moana Beach Park, it ended up kicking out 200 homeless people who lived in the park. The city did, however, open a temporary warehouse for the homeless to stay in. But after the renovations, the homeless are back in the park. Some dramatic changes are needed to solve this growing problem.