If you're impaired for any reason, don't drive
Let's give Sen. Ron Menor the benefit of the doubt and accept his word. He wasn't driving blind drunk. He was just driving blind. What part of "impaired" does he not understand?
Here's a small truth that I am sure he recognizes very well now: Even if it costs you $100 to take a cab, and it is almost impossible to run up a fare that high on an island as small as this, it's worth it to prevent risk to yourself, your passengers and, more important, other road users.
And, of course, to keep your stupidity off the newspaper front pages and out of the prime-time news.
Russ Lynch
Kailua
Mass shootings more likely with more guns
I am encouraged by the recent study showing Hawaii has very low gun deaths per capita. I think it is true that criminals do not pay attention to the laws, but then, what is the point in having any laws in the first place? Some people argue that more guns, less crime. I think the opposite is true; if we have a proliferation of small guns and arms, then they are more likely to be used more and more often with tragic consequences like the Virginia Tech massacre.
Phil Robertson
Honolulu
Statistics don't lie -- or tell the whole story
Your recent article quoting the Violence Policy Center is a perfect example of anti-gun radicals and the anti-gun media that assist them.
I noticed the article did not mention the fact that Washington, D.C., has a lower handgun ownership rate and much tougher overall gun laws and is considered to be the murder capital of the United States. Where is the Violence Policy Center when the truth is needed?
Fair and balanced reporting would be a breath of fresh air.
Michael Sakalauskas
Kailua
McCain plan would lower the price of gas
Gas prices are at an all-time high and are hitting the pocketbooks of all Americans. While Sen. Barack Obama sits back and opposes gas tax relief for working families, Sen. John McCain has proposed a detailed plan which will jump-start our economy and provide relief at the pump.
Hard-working American families are suffering from higher gasoline prices. Under McCain's plan, families would save 18.4 cents on every gallon of gas. McCain calls on Congress to suspend the 18.4-cent federal gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
On the other hand, Obama opposes tax relief. Last Monday at a community college in the Philadelphia suburbs, Obama rejected a tax holiday as bad economic policy. "I've said I think John McCain's proposal for a three-month tax holiday is a bad idea," Obama said, warning consumers that any price cut would be short-lived before costs spike back.
Voters need to know and remember facts like this when they go to the polls in November, should Obama be the Democratic nominee.
Al Eisner
Frequent Hawaii visitor
Wheaton, Md.
Parks for the homeless are a pretty good idea
Regarding Elaine Hoffman's letter yesterday about the homeless: Some of them are actually homeless due to circumstances beyond their control. These people would appreciate a place to be able to use indoor toilet facilities and a shower so they could go out to look for a job. Then there are those who actually like being homeless -- I know, I've talked to them. They don't want any rules in their lives. But they also might like to be able to take a shower and use indoor toilet facilities. Then there are the mentally unstable, who should be in mental institutions, but the "do-gooders" decided long ago that we could not unilaterally place these people in institutions -- where, by the way, they would have received treatment, health care and other needs.
So encampments with fences and facilities would be an good way to help those among us who are unfortunate enough to be homeless. It should be away from the beach areas so that taxpayers and tourists could have free access to those areas. It should also be away from residential areas but near bus stops. I'm sure that the Democrats in the Hawaii government could find such places that would be good for all. After all, they are the party that cares.
Gordon "Doc" Smith
Kapaa, Kauai
Star QB almost worth switching teams for
I returned to Hawaii after having lived in the Washington, D.C., metro area for a long time. I got here in September 2006, just in time to watch Colt Brennan throw for huge numbers. I had always hoped that Indianapolis would draft Brennan. Or even the Denver Broncos. Think of all the marketing possibilities with a name like that!
However, I grew up cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, so when I moved to Washington, I had difficulty dealing with all the Redskins hoopla! Now it'll be even harder.
I wish Colt the best; he's a good kid. But come September, I'm still cheering for America's Team.
Cecilia Kramer
Honolulu