'Bodies' exhibition is macabre, offensive
I am deeply disturbed and offended by "Bodies: The Exhibition" at Ala Moana Center, and in particular by the full-page graphic advertisement folded around the front page of the
June 13 edition of the Star-Bulletin.
If people chose to attend this macabre, glorified sideshow of horror, that's their decision and none of my concern. Personally, after 38 years as a law enforcement officer, I have seen more than enough dead, dying and mutilated human beings.
Please keep in mind that these are real human beings, not plastic models. They had lives, families and souls. I doubt very much that any of them chose to have their bodies skinned and treated this way. Would any of you have chosen to have your parent's or children's mortal remains displayed in such a manner?
I firmly believe that all of those involved in this abomination will eventually have to answer to the spirits of those who have been so desecrated. I would be reluctant to shop at Ala Moana Center again.
Gary F. Anderson
Waimanalo
America held hostage by 'watermelon people'
High gasoline prices? Blame yourselves! Senior citizens freezing to death because they can't afford heating oil? Blame yourselves! High airfares? Lost jobs? High food prices and food shortages? Blame yourselves! Oil resources off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, oil in ANWR, shale oil in Western states, clean, safe nuclear energy, coal resources; no to all of these!
Thanks to the "watermelon people" (green on the outside, red on the inside) the United States can't explore or develop its own natural resources. Windmills? NIMBY! Besides, it blocks the view of hoity-toities. America is being held hostage by the "watermelon people," so thank yourselves for letting this happen. As a diversionary tactic, we continually hear the mantra "It's George Bush's fault." When we pay in excess of $4 a gallon for gas, blame yourselves!
Steve Baker
Kahului, Maui
Handicapped need to reclaim parking spots
I am amazed at the lack of respect for handicapped/disabled parking spaces and the overwhelming number of people who illegally park in them. I am a disabled person who cannot walk long distances, and often I cannot park in a handicapped parking space because someone has illegally parked there. It is both frustrating and annoying, and it seems to be a growing problem.
I notice it a lot at the post office in Haleiwa, where there is only one designated space for handicapped parking. People will often illegally park there while they are dropping off mail in the mailbox or running inside to check their mail. And last week, I was at the Goodwill location in Pearl City when I noticed an armored security vehicle parked in the handicapped space while the courier went inside to collect his pickup. I was astonished by this lack of respect. It is a negative reflection of the security company as well as the driver.
Handicapped parking spaces are designated for people who need them; not for people to use while running in and out of a building, or someone who wants to park closer due to inclement weather. More attention should be focused on this problem.
Jenn DeBellis
Wahiawa
'Stop rail' critic failed to convince
I cannot find even one clear, logical or convincing argument in Al Chase's article Sunday opposing the rail petition drive.
He says the petition is "repugnant," as though it is a foul deed for citizens to exercise their rights and duties under the law. Strike one.
He says those who oppose rail "never give a reason," are "myopic" and have done a "hatchet job." Chase cannot have done the slightest research on this question. Extensive work is documented at honolulutraffic.com, stoprailnow.com and in the research of Panos Prevedouros at the University of Hawaii. More efficient and less expensive alternatives are at hand. Who's wielding the hatchet? Strike two.
Worst of all, Chase questions whether petition volunteers, even care about their fellow citizens, while "invading" their neighborhoods to get signatures on a petition that will "adversely affect their lives."
In fact, the Stop Rail Now volunteers are giving their time and money to stop the biggest boondoggle, the biggest source of graft, the most expensive and least effective public works project ever put forth in Honolulu. Strike three, he's out.
Michael G. Palcic
Honolulu
Poor foresight leading to tourism crash
Las Vegas and Honolulu are both facing a tourist crash. Neither Hawaii nor Nevada took advantage of the booming visitor economy of the last decade so there is no money in the state Treasury to meet the financial needs of 2009. Las Vegas casino moguls are now all directing their efforts to Macao and investing their money there where gambling is gaining momentum daily. They have escaped.
The decline in Hawaii automobile sales is the first statistic that gives a true measure of public concern. They see a tsunami coming.
If the politicians had been serious about the visitor industry, they wouldn't have built the Convention Center on a busy street corner in a bad neighborhood ... no convention planner wants to come there.
Meanwhile, there is much pondering on the Akaka Bill and the monarchy return ... and rail.
Edward Kelly
Lake Isabella, Calif.