Arresting Chapman is the real crime
Duane Chapman, aka "Dog the Bounty Hunter," did a service not only to this country but to the world when he captured Andrew Luster In Mexico. He removed from the streets a man who had victimized many women and felt he had a right to do so.
The crime here isn't that Dog arrested him in a country that didn't allow bounty hunting; it's that after three years of being quiet, they issued a warrant for Dog, his son Leland and Tim Chapman. Warrant or no warrant, there was no reason for the U.S. marshals to handle this the way they did.
I feel so upset about what my friend Beth Chapman and her family are going through right now. When will real justice actually step up to the plate here? I can't really say that I feel safe in a place that will arrest someone who rids the world of a serial rapist.
Penny Clark Babson
Wells, Vt.
Jealous authorities target bounty hunter
Why on Earth would the U.S. government arrest a citizen like Dog Chapman at the behest of the Mexican government? All he has done is try to help make the world a better place for every American to live in. He was arrested three years ago in Mexico for "kidnapping" Andrew Luster, a convicted rapist and was convicted of such crimes.
Just because U.S. officials were incapable of finding or apprehending Luster is no reason to re-arrest Dog now. Mexico has not earned the right to ask the United States to extradite its citizens.
Free Dog Chapman!
Mike Lloyd
Los Angeles, Calif.
Marines swap aloha with flight passengers
Having arrived home last weekend from a trip to Alaska on a United Airlines flight half-loaded with Marines returning to their base in Kaneohe, I felt I had to share with your readers the joy, respect and love the other passengers on the aircraft showed the troops during our flight home.
It started with the United captain introducing the troops as returning from Iraq, which brought a fantastic applause from the rest of the passengers and crew. It then went on with shows of affection from all of the ladies on board and respect from the men during the entire flight. I was thanked by a Marine for wearing an American flag pin in my coat lapel.
To end the fabulous flight, we were met by wives and babies, friends and just plain onlookers, all cheering, and to top it off, a roaring Marine band that brought chills to all. Leis for all and aloha like it hasn't been seen around here for years. It was indeed a moment to treasure.
I wish that you all could have been there to share the moment, which will not be forgotten in my lifetime. I also will not forget the beautiful little T-shirt on one 2-year-old that stated, "My daddy is a hero," to which I completely agree.
Don McDiarmid Jr.
Kailua
Don't let altered plan derail transit system
In the Sept. 8 article
"Rail plan cuts $4B cost, routes," a shorter route does not necessarily mean the system cannot work. Rail systems were never meant to be "door to door" transporters. They are designed to move masses of people from area to area. Our bus system will still play a major role in solving our ever-growing traffic problem. In working with the rail system, bus routes should be localized to "hubs" along the railway shuttling people from various neighborhoods to these hub stations. There, commuters can easily take the rail to the bus station nearest their destination.
Singapore has a great transport system in place whereby rail and bus systems are integrated. Bus stations are strategically located along the rail route allowing passengers to easily get off the railway and walk over to a bus station. There, they can board a bus to their final destination. The best part is that you use a transit "debit card" for both the rail transportation and the bus by simply swiping the card at the entrance to the rail station or aboard the bus itself. Major stops also have park-and-ride lots.
So let's not be short-sighted. Just look at the rail system as our "traffic savior." It will take more than just a rail system to ease the pain of commuting on Oahu. Let's hope our legislators have the vision to look beyond just what is in front of them.
Steven S. Fukunaga
Mililani
Case would start out with little clout
Rep. Ed Case's position that he is running as a service to build seniority for the "next generation" doesn't stand up to closer scrutiny.
If he wins, as Hawaii's junior senator, he will start with zero seniority, immediately decreasing the significant clout that Senator Akaka's seniority now brings us.
There is another issue. Building seniority assumes winning re-election.
In six years, Case could be running against Linda Lingle.
If you think he's a good debater, wait till you see him against someone who is verbally quick and likely to be more effective in the live debate forum.
Case would have better served Hawaii by staying in Congress and building on his three-year seniority there.
Harry Palmer
Honolulu
Senators aren't thinking of our future
Hawaii people cherish loyalty. Indeed, many say that they are voting for Sen. Dan Akaka because they value loyalty.
Loyalty is truly an admirable ethic, but it goes both ways. Akaka knows that the importance of seniority in the Senate can hardly be overstated. He must also know that according to government longevity tables (like those used by insurance companies), he has only about a 1-in-2 chance of surviving another six-year term in the Senate. Senator Inouye is in the same boat. Therefore, both must know that Ed Case is right; Hawaii having two octogenarian senators is foolish. So the question that can't be escaped is:
Do Senators Akaka and Inouye really think that having Akaka remain in the Senate will be better for the future Hawaii of 2015 or 2020? Where is their loyalty to us? I'm just asking ...
Mike Rethman
Kaneohe
Schatz has grasp of local, national issues
The person we elect to represent us in the U.S. House of Representatives must have a clear understanding of not only the issues that affect Hawaii but the issues that affect the country. Our representative will have to be well versed on the position of the United States both locally and globally. How the United States behaves in the world directly and indirectly affects us here in Hawaii.
The only person running for this seat who clearly sees and understands all of this is Brian Schatz. He is outspoken and clear on both national and local issues. I can't think of a better person to represent us in Washington.
Jane Thompson
Spreckelsville, Hawaii
Local DJs updated listeners on traffic jam
I must strongly protest your
Sept. 10 editorial comment that no local radio station was providing traffic updates during last week's traffic jam. We at KSSK were providing information from the time of the incident until well past 4 a.m. Wednesday. Stefani was giving constant updates from 7 p.m. to midnight, and I was offering updates from midnight until the roadway was re-opened just past 4 a.m. On both KSSK-AM and KSSK-FM. Kathy with a K, Curt Williams, Chris Peters and Dick Wainwright all fielded numerous calls throughout the day and constantly reminded drivers of the situation and possible alternate routes. Traffic reporter Jason Yatsuda and the KSSK posse also offered updates.
If you didn't hear any local traffic updates, you weren't listening to KSSK.
Denny McPhee
KSSK DJ
Honolulu