Give performers a sidewalk stage

Many of the most attractive, popular tourist cities in the world have entertainers and mime artists at specific places where tourists enjoy them and take pictures.

There must be a way to allow this in the Waikiki area. Consider the attraction for tourism and a way for the talented but unemployed to help support this income-producing source for Hawaii.

Don't waste time on 'lie' outburst

First I will state that I am not a Republican, not a Democrat, not a party member of any brand; I am registered as nonpartisan. That said ...

Rep. Joe Wilson is much in the news for words he shouted out, words that I can only assume were not planned but blurted out in anger, in frustration. No matter. He has apologized to the president, and his apology has been accepted. Common courtesy and the manners we try to instill in our children would demand that the apology having been tendered and accepted, there is no more to the issue.

The House may argue that Mr. Wilson's behavior was an infraction of House rules, and had this outburst occurred during a regular House meeting, that might hold true. But this was a joint session of the House and Senate, and they do not.

Any one politician who pushes this further will not get my vote in the next election. Why? Because what Rep. Wilson did was reprehensible, but to pursue the matter further is vengeful and political, an action to be deplored. So please, let's move on to serious concerns such as achieving viable health care reform, getting out of the two wars we are mired in, improving education in this country — and the list could go on.

Time may be dithered away in debate over this apology the way Obama dithered away the summer letting Congress show itself as pretty inept at getting important business attended to, but I don't want to see that happen.

Swayze's career, impact honored

As an expatriate Texan, I was deeply shocked when I learned that Houston-born Patrick Swayze, 57, lost his battle against cancer. He was an inspiration to myself and many young people throughout his successful movie career, with dynamic roles in films such as “;Uncommon Valor,”; where he played the son of a pilot who had been shot down over Vietnam, and “;Red Dawn,”; where he portrayed a high school student who rose to defend America as a freedom fighter against Soviet occupiers. It is so tragic that in recent months America has lost many entertainers, culminating most recently with Swayze.

No public option, no vote from him

I have Kaiser Permanente insurance now. I don't like it but it is the only thing I can afford. For those of you in public office, you can be sure that if you don't support a public option, I will not be voting for you.