Oil companies keep raking in big profits

This just in, hardly to the amazement of the American people: The first-quarter profit for Exxon-Mobile is $10.5 billion, Shell is $7.8 billion and BP is $6.6 billion. These are just for the first four months of 2008!

As Americans watch the soaring prices at the gas pumps, these oil companies are bandits.

I'm sure the CEOs will defensively say the revenue is needed for R&D, but could someone just show these pirates a map of the Middle East and call it a day?

I'm sure President Bush and Vice President Cheney feel really bad for the people as soon as they get over their sorrow for the 60 dead U.S. soldiers in April.

Pope offered hope and possibilities

The times are out of joint -- a possible worldwide recession, wars, global warming, a food shortage in various nations, and oppression of the Tibetan and Burmese people.

In America the Democratic presidential race has turned from a civil "issues only" competition into negative ads and personal attacks. Campaigns focused on race, gender, class and age may leave permanent wounds on the national psyche.

In sharp contrast was the visit of Pope Benedict to the United States. He stood in the shadow of the beloved and charismatic John Paul II. He was an 81-year-old quiet, humble church intellectual, and seen only as a transitional pontiff. But surprisingly he struck a chord with Americans.

He was able to connect spiritually and emotionally with Roman Catholics and non-Roman Catholics. For Americans feeling adrift and fearful, the pope offered an alternative: a return to faith, not only for Roman Catholics, but for all Christians and all religions.

With faith people will have a spiritual rock to rely on. Hope returns and all things are possible. Americans will once again rise to the challenges and overcome.

Abandon outdated ideas of Boomers

It seems an irony of history that as the Baby Boom generation plods toward retirement it meets that one foe it can't avoid. The generation that chose to turn on, tune in and drop out on places like Vietnam, not to mention our own children and families, now faces an implacable foe in radical Islam.

What Generation Y, X and Millennials need to know is they don't have to cater to Boomers' silly phobias about an ever-imminent global environmental disaster or hippie attitudes toward international conflict. Like our parents before us who built the mines, roads, bridges, power plants and that we have so carelessly enjoyed, members of this generation can make their own way, build and use the resources they need to thrive with confidence and abandon the Luddite mindset of so many Baby Boomers.

A great place to start would be to demand that Social Security entitlement doesn't begin until age 75. That would go a long way toward easing the burden of the many unfunded mandates we've placed on their backs.

Thanks to Hee for stopping homebuilders

We are writing in behalf of our small Ahuimanu community to express our gratitude to state Sen. Clayton Hee for his help in halting an intrusive housing development in upper Kahaluu Valley.

Proposed as The Woods of Ahuimanu, the 46-plus small lots on 15 acres of rough terrain would have been out of character and disastrous for the area. Individual wastewater systems would have affected Kahaluu Stream, one of the most pristine streams left on Oahu. Furthermore, well over half the subdivision would have been inside the Waiahole Forest Reserve boundary.

Hee met with us repeatedly, gave us support from his staff, arranged sessions with officials and passionately pursued a sane and lawful path for the right outcome.

Inappropriate developments such as the one defeated do nothing to enhance small communities like ours.

We are grateful for the senator's concern and leadership as we endeavor to protect the aina and wai of the Koolau Poko districts.

Straub ER treated visitors warmly

I'm writing about my experience at the Straub Hospital Emergency department. From the moment we walked in the door, we were made to feel very welcome and comfortable. Though they are busy, they take each patient in turn.

I especially noted the way each team player carried out their duties with compassion and great aloha spirit.

I especially thank Dr. William Lee and the entire staff at Emergency for the excellent care and compassion given to both myself and my husband. Their kindness will never be forgotten!