Ivins brought passion to op-ed pages
It was with great sadness that I read that Molly Ivins had lost her battle with cancer. Her life was too short -- she was only 62 -- but she surely left her mark. Her columns were full of wit that was both sharp and good natured, and her passion for the ordinary people of America shone through in everything she wrote. I shall miss her columns, and the profession of journalism will be much the less for her passing.
Thomas Graham Gans
Honolulu
Funny and political, Ivins will be missed
I am sure that I am one of many thousands who always looked forward to Molly Ivins' columns. Her political columns were humorous, satirical and thought provoking. I really enjoyed them and wondered why we haven't heard from her a long time. Wednesday we got the sad news that she lost her battle with cancer. She was one of my favorite commentators and we will all miss her a great deal. Our deepest condolences to her family.
Gary Takashima
Waipahu
Lawmaker should stop hunting for taxes
In reaction to Gov. Linda Lingle's State of the State address, House Democratic Rep. Maile Shimabukuro says she hopes the governor will consider a proposal to increase taxes for real estate investors. (Source: KHNL News 8)
While she's at it, I hope she introduces a bill to increase taxes for doctors, lawyers, heck, why not teachers too? Oh yeah, don't forget to raise the taxes for liberal House representatives. Shimabukuro's agenda is to redistribute the wealth from my pocket to hers.
Justin L. Tanoue
Kaneohe
Overhead walkways would aid pedestrians
A
Star-Bulletin headline on Jan. 21 was "Pedestrian deaths to be fought on 3 fronts." I have an idea that can perhaps be considered to fit into the third front, that's the improvement at intersections.
I recommend that my idea be applied at especially the most heavily used intersections -- that is, to build underground tunnels and/or overhead walkways. I believe there is an overhead walkway in Pearl City over a heavily used roadway.
In the case of overhead walkways, the height must be considered to prevent vehicles with extra-high loads to strike the bridge. Obviously signs must be properly posted to warn drivers ahead of time. Perhaps high loads can be rerouted.
Paul Maligro
Ewa Beach
More info needed on speeding tickets
Regarding your
Jan. 26 headline "New speeding law nets 88 drivers," I would like to know how many of those drivers had received previous citations or had been in accidents involving critical or fatal injuries. If the answer is none, then this is another bad law passed with good intent.
I would also like to know if alcohol use was noted and if it was, whether the suspects were underage. Additionally, I would like to know if there were any outstanding bench warrants for the drivers. If the answer is any, then greater enforcement of the current laws between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. would be a sufficient addition to the paper tiger 24/7, as is being promoted.
Carl Jacobs
Aiea