Plastic bags reusable, keep things dry

Those who attempt to ban plastic bags say that most plastic bags are never used again. But I, as well as some other people, reuse those bags. I usually carry my water bottle in a plastic bag because it's easier to carry it that way. Also, if I enter a store that bans beverages, my water bottle is covered. It's also good when I enter a store that sells beverages to have my own water bottle in a plastic bag, so the store employee knows I had it before entering the store.

I also like carry my rain jacket in a plastic bag. Also because it's easier that way. Why not carry them in paper bags? Because paper bags are useless in wet conditions.

Those who complain about plastic bags need to understand that banning things usually isn't the best way to go. If you don't like plastic bags, then don't use them. Otherwise, leave everyone else alone and mind your own business!

Ghetto factors make Hawaii less appealing

I have read several articles and letters recently about the concerns of how to get the tourism numbers back up, and with that, many people sounding off as to what is causing the decline. Some people speculate that it is the smoking ban. Others speculate that it is higher rates for hotel rooms. Finally, others are introducing laws to make being homeless illegal, saying that begging is causing the decline.

Maybe if we want to get tourism numbers back up we should, you know ... consider focusing on the bigger problems that we face. For instance, pimps on every corner, more prostitutes than you can count, drug deals going down in plain sight and people using assault rifles to hold up stores.

Would you purposely make plans to take your family and children on a vacation in a ghetto? No? No one else wants to, either. Clean out the ghetto and your tourism numbers will go back up.

Let homeless people camp in and clean parks

The City and County of Honolulu certainly has a challenge with the large population of homeless people on Oahu. Here is a proposal to give them a chance to help themselves.

Instead of clearing homeless citizens off public property, why not establish locations in public parks where they are permitted to camp legally? Instead of treating them as criminal vagrants, let us treat those who are honestly attempting to make a life for themselves and their families as valued members of society?

Most of these families can afford small fees, which would grant them legal use of publicly owned land. Hire members of the camping community to clean the restrooms and park, encourage them to elect representatives to the local community counsel and generally let the long-term camping community serve as a catalyst for individuals to regain their self-worth.

By designating the approved campsites, the City and County can ensure that portions of the parks remain open for those of us who only use these public facilities for day time activities while providing legal housing options for those who cannot afford an apartment in the Oahu housing market.

How does anyone learn this language?

The title of a movie is the bait; it's what first gets your attention. I have often thought the perfect name for a movie would be "Closed for Remodeling." Many times I have seen that signage on many marquees of theaters and was always disappointed that they were actually closed and not featuring a movie titled "Closed for Remodeling."

It was after my disappointment that "Closed for Remodeling" was not playing that I took my favorite bus home, "Out of service." The out-of-service bus took me right where I needed to be.

I got home and it was raining cats and dogs; this comes after a day of shopping where I spent an arm and a leg.

It's no wonder foreign visitors have such a hard time with the English language even though we speak American.

Psych exam needed for UH applicants

The contract for the next athletic director at the University of Hawaii needs to include a new clause, not previously considered -- the addition of annual psychological evaluations. After all, anyone considering a position in administration at the University of Hawaii should have their head examined. Considering the treatment afforded former UH president Evan Dobelle and now Herman Frazier, it is clear that national and international managerial experience is insufficient to fit the qualifications for this niche position. So dispense with the formalities and give the AD job to whoever is the football coach at Waialua High School, as that experience is proof of the requisite "local knowledge" necessary to win over support of the mobs of boosters and other yokels without whom the job cannot be accomplished.

Just realize, next UH AD, that you will not be the one in charge anyway. The real power in UH athletics belongs to the sports columnists, bloggers and the bulletin board posters -- the ones who began depicting Frazier last summer as a character from the film Planet of the Apes. With this understanding, how long can the line be -- to step up to the psychiatrist's couch on UH's lower campus?