Drug dealers should face tougher laws

The tragic death last week of toddler Cyrus Belt, allegedly at the hands of a drug user who was on crystal methamphetamine at the time of the killing, brings to light two important principles.

» If you are not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem. There are probably some readers of this story who are genuinely appalled at this senseless killing and, upon putting down the newspaper, make calls to their drug dealers to purchase illegal drugs. If you are using illegal drugs, then you are a part of the problem of supporting a seedy underworld that has caused too much pain and suffering for too many good and innocent people.

» Each of us is responsible for our actions and the consequences of those actions. When will our Legislature have the courage to pass laws that make drug dealers responsible for the consequences of their actions?

Focus on the accused, not on the mother

Drug abuse runs rampant in Hawaii. Nancy Chanco, mother of slain toddler Cyrus Belt, fell into the clutches of this epidemic ("Drug use haunted tot's home, state says," Star-Bulletin, Jan. 20). She and others like her probably always will be fighting against the icy grip of crystal meth's hold on her.

With that much said, the real story is about 23-year-old Matthew Higa, who has been charged with murder. Higa could have been a neighbor to any one of us! He should be scrutinized though the press more so than baby Cyrus' mother at this time. Higa is the one who allegedly threw that baby off the freeway. His mother did not. Mother might have neglected her son, but Cyrus was murdered in a horrific manner.

May God bless baby Cyrus' soul and other children like him who are caught up in their parents' drug-addictive lives.

Credit to this unspeakable horror is also given to the "ice" dealers in our communities. They should face stiffer penalties and longer incarceration times.

Driver who hit child needs compassion

I feel so much sorrow for Cyrus Belt losing his life at such a young, tender age -- especially since this episode was initially brought on by drug usage. However, the person my heart goes out to is the driver who first witnessed something being thrown off the pedestrian bridge and then hit it with his/her automobile, then found out that it is a precious child. Such a tragedy is compounded to that person who, through no fault of his/her own, was brought into this horrific situation.

Hitting a pedestrian is bad enough, but to hit a child through no fault of your own is absolutely hideous. I hope that person is seeking and getting help. My heart goes out to you.

Whales bring their own invasive species

A few days ago I and many others were watching na kohola about a half-mile offshore of the lookout below Mahelona Hospital. There were eight or more of them and at least one calf. As they would breach everyone did the customary oohs and ahhs. Some kohola were pounding the water with their tails, creating large splashes and garnering more cheers and applause from the crowd gathered there. It was, as usual, a spectacular sight.

After some minutes of the breaching and tail and fin pounding, I asked my mom where were all the protesters. She gave me a "what are you talking about?" response, and I explained that the reason na kohola did their leaping and pounding was to remove the encrusted growth of barnacles and other parasites that had grown on their bodies. I'm sure those parasites and other things could well be invasive. In that case, why aren't the Superferry protesters demanding na kohola produce an environmental impact statement before they enter our waters in Hawaii? Why aren't they jumping in the water with them and chasing them back north where they came from? Sked da mano oa wat?

A candidate's past can be learning tool

Unlike Wendy Pollitt ("Candidates' drug use isn't irrelevant," Letters, Jan. 19), I believe Barack Obama's drug use is relevant in that he was able to see that using drugs was not the answer. His ability to build a life of service and currently be a candidate for president of the United States is the true measure of the man.

I belong to no political party and find no relevance in examining the past misdeeds of candidates, especially if those deeds in no way would interfere with their ability to govern. In reviewing our history, many men who have governed had more than some drug use while growing up in their past.

This election is crucial to our nation for so many reasons. We need to focus on issues in order to make an informed decision, and to do that the focus should be on the candidates and the plans they have developed to best lead us.