According to John, traffic's no fun

I sit in traffic day in and day out
Drives me so batty, I just want to shout

In dollars and cents, global warming and oil
The costs are horrific, causing me to recoil

Good for Mayor Hannemann, building a train
At last, a government leader who feels my pain

Joe Gedan lives in town, so go ahead, catch the bus
You don't understand life on the West Side for the rest of us

When traveling H-2, car or bus doesn't matter
Traffic still stalls, getting folks even madder

A fixed-rail system now that will make a difference
For me, Mufi Hannemann -- he's a real prince

Case holds little allure for Democrats

In regard to your recent mini-coronation of Ed Case as our senator in 2012 (Editorial, July 20), aren't you a little premature? The last time I heard about Case, I think he was opposed to increasing the minimum wage for our nation's poorest workers and he was in favor of a war in Iraq that was creating more Hawaii widows.

What would any Democrat see in him; even if they have five years to forget what he believes?

Eliminating bus stops confines seniors

As much as I would like to attend the Senior Fair to be held soon at the Blaisdell Center, I cannot go because Oahu Transit Services (TheBus) took away our neighborhood bus stops. Oahu Transit will have a table at the fair, and I want them to put out a piece of paper where people can voice their opinion of the bus "realignment."

I would walk down there if the organizers would let me circulate a petition, but they said I would have to rent a table at $275. Anyone living on Social Security want to chip in?

If I find 274 people who can spare a dollar we can rent a table, but I'd rather see the transit company provide the piece of paper.

Friendly staff makes license renewal easy

This is my birthday month and I was faced with the inescapable need for driver's license renewal. I dutifully reported to the city license renewal office on Dillingham and immediately became one of many standing in a zig-zag configuration. While in that long line I had the chance to observe how the city's staff handled the routine function of renewing licenses. There were five open windows manned by courteous staff members with smiling, friendly faces.

Each applicant approached their window with a "let's get it over with" attitude only to be completely disarmed by the receptive person behind the window. Not only that, but I saw each applicant helped, some more than others, to complete the ordeal. Applicants arrived in a tense, anxious mood and without exception left in a happy relaxed condition, joking at their new card photos.

This is all due to the upbeat atmosphere created by the licensing staff.

Congratulations and thanks to this staff for turning a routine, mundane task into a pleasant experience.

Golfer's success should give lawmakers pause

What an inspiration 16-year old Tadd Fujikawa is with his great golf games. Good luck to him as he turns pro. Born at 22 weeks gestation, he and his parents are definitely encouraging to all parents with "preemies."

Premature babies like Tadd deserve every chance to grow up. Unfortunately, in the eyes of our congressional delegation, other babies at 22 weeks, not yet born, are considered non-entities. Our male delegation opposed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (the Laci Peterson law) and opposed the ban on partial-birth abortions.

In the House, Rep. Abercrombie (and Case) voted against the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2006, despite testimony of neonatal neurologists that infants born as early as 23 or 24 weeks react negatively to painful stimuli. They refused the opportunity for women undergoing abortions to be offered pain relief for the unborn baby. The addition of Mazie Hirono to Congress promises more of the same.

As they watch Tadd's progress, may they reconsider their opposition to protection of other late-term babies.

School funding loop makes another pass

» The Department of Education requests money for building maintenance and construction.

» The Legislature approves funds.

» Funds are allocated (in the General Fund).

» The governor waits until near the end of fiscal year and then either withholds disbursal of funds or releases a only a portion too late for DOE to act.

» Legislators state that they will address the problem in the next session.

» The governor and citizens criticize the DOE for poor conditions of school facilities.

» The DOE requests money for building maintenance and construction.

Where is it going to end? When will the blame for poor facilities be properly directed (and not on the DOE)? There are critical needs for improvements. When will students no longer have to "hike" to a restroom because closer ones are in disrepair, attempt to learn and study in classrooms with only 40 percent to 50 percent of the light fixtures operating (and the only windows are narrow jalousie windows with only wooden slats), sit in classrooms where temperatures are close to unbearable and many of those rooms are without adequate fans (in numbers or electrical systems to support their operation).

Where are those staunch supporters of education when drumming for votes, yet seem to forget until the next elections?

Remember, the students of today, and their successes in education, represent out future.

School repair projects always get delayed

Why is it that the funds are held for school repair projects, but not repairs or purchases for the state Legislature and administration buildings? Guess we know who's more important.