Those falsely accused of rape
deserve sympathy
It is as if it would have been better if the men had raped the woman!
Chang further rhetorically asks, "What's worse than being raped?" Well, I'll tell you a close second is being falsely accused of rape, molestation or sexual harassment. In this politically correct world, you are guilty until proven innocent.
R.D. Greenamyer
Mililani
Tips to avoid the risk
of being date-rape statistic
Set limits. Decide what you want to do sexually. How far is far enough? Be aware of peer pressure and stereotypes. Forced sexual activity is not "cool" - it is a crime punishable by up to a 20-year prison sentence.
Communicate and be assertive. State your limits. If your date cares for you, he will respect your feelings. Say what you mean. If you don't like something, say so, clearly and definitely.
Observe your date's behavior. Warning signs of a potentially dangerous relationship include jealousy, the need to control your behavior or what happens on the date, not respecting your feelings or frequently being angry.
Be alert and in charge. Know that drugs and alcohol can affect how you and your partner make decisions, and that many date rapes occur in this context.
Be aware of non-verbal messages. You have the right to dress and act as you choose, but be aware of the signals you may be sending and possible misunderstandings that might result.
Trust your feelings. If a person or situation makes you feel uncomfortable, trust your gut feeling and get out quickly. Don't worry about creating a scene.
Adriana Ramelli
Director
Sex Abuse Treatment Center
‘Gay community’
didn’t publish list of demands
The truth is that opinion piece was written by a single gay person and not representative of gays nationwide. I wasn't surprised that Judd did this. It is an old trick used by religious political extremists in their crusade to deny gay Americans the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and impose their religious beliefs upon all Americans.
It's time for Judd to reread the Ten Commandments, especially the part about bearing false witness.
Todd W. Ruopp
Washington, D.C.
Murderer of Don Gillis
should be behind bars
The reporter's inclusion of statements made by Stagg's mother-in-law, Kathi Cavaco, which are clearly impertinent to the context of the article, is disturbing.
I do not question your newspaper's right to print opinions praising this criminal. It is disturbing, however, that Cavaco is sidestepping the evidence that her son-in-law attempted to harm her own daughter as well.
Don Mike Gillis was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather, my brother-in-law's best friend, and a strong and gentle uncle to my sons. He was a valuable human being.
Our family is just one of hundreds touched by the life and loss of this man. We will miss him terribly.
The media have compounded our grief with insensitivity and innuendo. I hope the next time we read about Duane Staggs, it will be nothing more than informing us that he has served the maximum penalty possible.
Leo Anderson Akana
Kapolei
City restroom facility
is disgusting to tourists
Since Nov. 1, the only public men's restroom from Fort DeRussy to the zoo at Kuhio Beach has had a toilet partition and door missing, and a sink missing (There are only two men's toilet stalls!).
Repeated calls for repair to the city's Waikiki park superintendent, managing director's office, park's maintenance director, Willy Chang's office and the mayor's office get no results.
Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went with this vital public facility not fixed. Still no repairs as of Jan. 13.
Random checks often show from 10-20 anxious males waiting in a line to use the one toilet. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Mayor Harris!
R. Rodman
Waikiki Residents Association