Online readers are able to respond immediately to Star-Bulletin stories through our Web forum, which can be accessed at the end of stories, editorials and columns at starbulletin.com. Below is a selection of forum comments that appeared last week. Most forum contributors use pseudonyms; their "names" have been omitted here.
"Anti-rail effort wins in court," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 15: Excellent and correct ruling. Thanks to the judge, we can proceed to have it put on the ballot. Hopefully, there are enough valid signatures. There should be no overtime or hiring of extra employees for City Clerk Denise De Costa's office as a result of this fiasco. Voters signatures should be verified in a timely manner. Let the voters decide on this rail situation.
It is fair to put this rail question on November ballot. People's clamor for justice has prevailed. The costs of rail is so expensive; it takes 10 years or more to build; and the city leadership's intention has been tainted. The city government has spent money on unnecessary research and advertisements, which has rendered the project questionable. Frugality and economy should be practiced by our leaders. It is a lesson for all. This is just a small victory, but it is a significant one. There are more things ahead to tackle.
Once the public finally gets to vote FOR rail, will these people go away? Or, when they say "let the people decide," do they mean specific people?
It should be left to the people, but we property taxpayers keep footing the bill. A couple of major problems are that potholes are left unrepaired and there are way too many cars in the islands. Eventually traffic will be much worse. Then what? Do we still continue to foot the bill to resolve an issue that should already be resolved?
"Minorities are future's majority, Census finds," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 14: Let's be glad that our values and way of life here are attractive to the rest of the world! Doesn't that, in itself, show that we are at least trying to live up to our intentions expressed in (our founding) documents? Long live America!
These numbers are worth little without strict traditional definitions being used, which was how past data was obtained.
So according to some, Barack Obama counts as white? His mother was white. He looks black to me. Then again, why does it even matter what race a person is? We now live in the post-race era. Save for a handful of ignored wackos, racism is dead in America.
When whites are no longer the majority, who will everyone blame for all of their problems?
"CVS to buy Longs for $2.9 billion," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 12: I'll miss the 3 for 99 cents Vienna sausages and the 2 for $1 Coral tuna.
I hope they don't take local control away from the Hawaii district. If they do, say goodbye to the Longs that we know.
There is also concern from all the local vendors that have been supported by Longs. They too have a lot to think about as well. Will CVS allow us the opportunity to service them?
"U.S. women's volleyball team falls," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 12: Cuba vs. USA, wow!
Cuba proved to be a world class team! They were gelling. They appeared focused, determined, rested, prepared (mentally and physically), confident, at ease and also seemed to enjoy the game. The U.S. lacked it all, hence the outcome. The serve and pass game will hurt you every time!
Bad calls happen more times than anyone can count. It all evens out in the end. The fact is USA this time was not ready. Cuba looked like they had every answer for U.S. Head Coach Jenny Lang Ping. Passing and defense was really, really, really bad. Can't hide from that fact. USA can come back and still medal. Watching it was hard.