Overriding veto was entirely self-serving
Once again our elected officials demonstrate that they are concerned only about their own welfare. The only reason they would ignore all logic to pass Senate Bill 1642 is to protect their jobs and garner union votes. How can any manager do their job efficiently when they would have to ask permission of a union before they could move their workers around to be more productive? This will only waste more of our tax dollars and benefit these self-serving "public representatives."
Do you think any of our senators and representatives are personally concerned with the cost of living, medical coverage and retirement? There is always enough money to cover their wages, medical and retirement while they "run out of money" to provide tax relief to the people they represent!
John Nagasawa
Honolulu
Veto of HB 910 preserves privacy
Credit is due Gov. Linda Lingle for vetoing House Bill 910 requiring that the annual financial disclosure forms of members of certain state boards and commissions, currently filed with the state Ethics Commission, be available freely to the public.
The system in place is an appropriate balance between protecting public interests and respecting personal information. A citizen's right to privacy and due process, as protected by the Constitution, should not be unwillingly denied to those currently volunteering to serve the public.
Michael Goshi
Chairman,
Hawaii Community Development Authority
Drug-test reasoning similar to internment
Some of the phrases in Bill Martin's
April 29 letter jumped out at me.
Random drug testing is "only the tip of the iceberg" and "is a long-overdue requirement"? Scary thought.
I've heard it said that the internment of the Japanese was a "minor inconvenience," to ensure "peace of mind" for the rest of the nation that there were no enemy spies around them.
While the scope is different and times have changed, it's still about preserving our basic rights.
I don't want to live in the world that Martin envisions. I pray my kids don't have to.
Realistic? Probably not. Idealistic? Always.
Karen Corpuz
Honolulu
Drug tests a form of unreasonable search
I applaud those teachers who yesterday voted against the contract offered by the state that tied a random drug-testing policy to pay-raises.
Those teachers with the fortitude to not compromise their dignity and rights with their no-vote to this un-American policy have demonstrated that we are the "home of the brave." It appears the rest have forgotten that America is the "land of the free."
Law enforcement and other authorities are not allowed to randomly search your pockets, your car or your home for anything. Probable cause is required and, in most cases, approval from a judge in the form of a search warrant. It's in the Bill of Rights (the Fourth Amendment); its purpose, of course, is to protect Americans from unfounded and unwarranted searches brought on by corrupt officials.
Would you favor allowing authorities to randomly show up at your house and search it, or randomly stop you as you drive to search your car, or randomly stop you as you walk to search your purse, wallet and pockets? If not, why then would you approve of a random, more intrusive search of your bodily fluids?
Mel McKeague
Ewa Beach
Hawaii's homeless can take some control
To the homeless living on the beach:
I'm sorry you have such difficulties being able to have housing. Hawaii has become a place where you are either going to mortgage your life or live on the beach. Part of it is that you are not connected to the mainland and are therefore at the mercy of tourism and its offshoot industries. Part of it is your fault.
I used to hang out with many of you at Ala Moana Beach Park, partying and drinking. This is destructive behavior because it becomes a way of life and demotivates you from making anything of yourselves. In today's economy, even if you qualify for Hawaiian Home Lands, you still need to have motivation. Smoking pakalolo dumbs you down and doesn't get you to build a life for yourself. There are many opportunities to get schooling to develop skills that will get you a job better than minimum wage.
Another option: Move to the mainland! Your kids will have more of a chance to either go to college or apprentice in an industry. Think of your keikis!
Kalena Chang
Formerly of Hawaii
Olympia, Wash.