Rule by dictator is Iraq's destiny
We are all in a dilemma as to what the solution should be in Iraq. It appears that President Bush wants to create a democratic Iraqi government before withdrawing the U.S. troops. Religion is the obstacle to this. The Sunnis and Shiites will never come to terms for a peaceful coexistence. Both sides have brainwashed the younger generation, saying "if you die in the name of God or fight a holy war, you'll go to heaven."
Gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops would be the only solution to this civil war. In the end, the Iraqi government will once again be ruled by a dictator, hopefully a benevolent one.
Toshio Chinen
Pearl City
Non-Hawaiians give aloha a bad meaning
In response to "Let death be penalty for harming visitors" (
Letters, May 13): The Hawaii Tourism Authority, the settlers and tourists have redefined the word "aloha" to mean "an act of slavery."
My contemporary definition of aloha is "Aloha means get lost!"
Eric Po 'ohina
Kailua
Easy formula would lower property taxes
The property tax issue has been a hot topic for the last couple of years. The people have been pleading to their government for relief. Their government replies, "The issue is complicated, expenses are up and relief is in the plans for next year." This is nonsense.
Relief can be had very quickly. Instruct the director of finance to roll back assessments to those of 2004 (just prior to the recent trend of excess); and limit assessment increases to 2 percent, unless the property in question has been sold since 2004. In such cases, the sale price of the property represents a fair assessment to the new owner, as that is what was paid.
These actions will provide immediate relief. Property owners will no longer be subjected to an unjust and inequitable abuse. The county will no longer be burdened with the chore of deciding how to burn the peoples excess money (OK, a little "tongue in cheek" here). But in all seriousness, the county will not see a decrease with this, only a fair leveling of revenue.
For the long haul, the entire Real Property Tax Ordinance, Chapter 8, deserves a complete review by a committee of competent and capable citizens, with the assistance of government as needed.
Dave and Chris Lubeck
Haleiwa
The old days were different in many ways
In response to Polly "Granny" Grace (
Letters, May 17), the Hawaii I grew up in didn't have homeless. Classroom size was 40-plus and we had the necessary books and school supplies. We learned from our parents respect for elders; "please" and "thank you"; looking out for cars before crossing the street; being home for dinner and conversations about our day; and help with homework, housework and yardwork. We had family day on Sundays; schools that were clean and upkept that we could be proud of; teachers who were allowed to spank if we were disruptive or bullying; mail that had well wishes and not just bills and solicitations. Now we have computers and cells phones with which to communicate.
In a world that is so high-tech, Hawaii is in the rat race even though we can only go around this island. The idea of ohana has changed. Few have time to be neighborly or know their neighbors, perhaps because wages have not kept up with inflation or increase in taxes on everything!
Elaine Hoffman
Honolulu
Two ways to fight school massacres
For every tragedy, there is a lesson to be learned. What have we learned from the Virginia Tech University massacre and other school killings?
Students with suppressed anger and low self-esteem, who perceive themselves being bullied and alienated by their schoolmates and society, realize that the only way for them to get public attention is to shock the nation with schoolground killings. We need to develop a workable plan to solve this lethal problem, before more students are murdered. Following are a couple of suggestions:
» The killers will remain anonymous. Their names, faces and messages will not be exposed to the public. They can no longer use the media to gain their 15 minutes of infamy, which is their major motivation for the massacres.
» Mental health education in grade schools and colleges. Students are taught how to cope and adapt to the challenges and difficult situations in life. Bullying other students no longer will be tolerated. Parents, teachers and counselors work together to identify mentally and emotionally disturbed students, and provide them with emotional support and counseling early, before they cause problems in this society.
Cecilia Graybeal
Honolulu
Try scholarships to solve the problem
A real fast way to solve the "admissions problem" for Kamehameha Schools is to make the tuition $50,000 per year. Then give scholarships to those who have Hawaiian blood so they end up spending what they spend now for tuition. If someone is stupid enough to want to spend $50,000 a year for their child to attend Kamehameha, then take the money! If there are too many at the $50,000 price, then move it up to $75,000 the next year until you price them out. Keep Kamehameha Schools the way it has been -- for those with Hawaiian blood.
Brent Hancock
Formerly of Hawaii
Gilbert, Ariz.
Falwell finally free of all he derided
With the passing of the Rev. Jerry Falwell, the evangelical Christians have lost one of their most radical brethren. Falwell is finally up in heaven where there are none of those darned feminists, homosexuals, HIV-positive people, women who have had an abortion, women who need an abortion, doctors who perform abortions, those who favor the right for a woman to choose an abortion, liberals in general, and most importantly gay Teletubbies!
I'm sure Falwell will be missed, but not by me.
Michael Lauck
Honolulu
Is university logo such a pressing concern?
I have great respect for the University of Hawaii as an institution of higher learning. The people of Hawaii and the entire university ohana have reason to be proud of their school. As neither a student nor alumnus, I have no loyalty to any logo ("UH updates logo for more modern look,"
Star-Bulletin, May 16).
With all the pressing issues facing UH, why is logo redesign an agenda item? I have never heard anyone, anywhere, articulate the need or desire for a new logo.
John Felleisen
Federal Way, Wash.