Trash fee should be borne by those who use it

I support the mayor's plan to charge for weekly trash pick-up. To me, it's much more fair than what we have now, which amounts to taxation without representation.

I live in a condo where my trash pick-up is included in my maintenance fee. I also pay for private trash pick-up at my business. So right now I'm paying twice for trash removal as part of my property taxes, even though I don't use the service.

A refuse charge for private residents would place the burden where it belongs. I would also recommend that the city find a way to allow citizens who do not use their trash service to get a break on their property taxes.

Both ideas are aimed at a more equitable distribution of the cost of running the city -- and that's something we can all support.

Dick Botti
Kailua
(Via the Internet)

Legislators are generous with taxpayer money

In its rush to spend our money, the Legislature is now considering allocating money in the budget for a new movie studio. One of our legislators said that, with the new studio, there might be an opportunity for us to snare "Baywatch" to film in the islands.

Has this legislator checked the ratings for this T&A show? Are our legislators willing to invest our money in a project based on one television series, which could be canceled at any time? Haven't they learned their lesson concerning the "build it and they will come" theory, with that vacant white elephant sitting on the corner of Kapiolani and Kalakaua called the Hawaii Convention Center?

The financial rape of the taxpayer by state and city government continues unabated and unchecked.

John Shupe
(Via the Internet)

People of Japan aren't denying Nanking

The writer of your Feb. 25 editorial, about the publishing problems the book "The Rape of Nanking" is receiving in Japan, seems to be indicting an entire country for the backward thinking of a few.

The end of your editorial said, "Japan is still unwilling to accept the truth." This is somewhat misleading, implying that the entire country is living under a rock, refusing to accept what happened. This couldn't be further from the truth. It sounds more like a few publishers and some media are having a hard time dealing with it.

From my experience, people in Japan know very little about the Nanking incident and, even then, wouldn't have much to say about it. Others would be upset at what the publisher is said to be doing. Many young people probably wouldn't even know what went on there, and most likely don't care.

For some reason, your editorial writers display a surprising ignorance of the real situation in Japan. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Richard Walker
Kanagawa, Japan
(Via the Internet)

QUOTABLE "The so-called problem of China stealing military secrets from the United States is like a tale from the Arabian Nights." --Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji. "If you go across that bridge, don't sneeze. That's all I can tell you." --Abba Lichtenstein, a world-renowned authority on historic bridges, about the Hanalei River Bridge that shows its age, dating back to 1912. "Picture a bus packed with children, careening down a hillside. Five individuals are fighting with others and among themselves over the steering of the bus. Don't you think the interests of the children require new drivers?" --The authors of the "Broken Trust" essay -- Gladys Brandt, Walter Heen, Samuel P. King and Randall Roth -- demanding the immediate removal of all five Bishop Estate trustees for breach of their fiduciary duty.

Quarantine fees must rise to pay government workers

Will somebody just explain to pet owners why they are being ripped off and why the state wants to charge them higher quarantine fees? It's because there are 10 public union workers for each pet, so someone has to pay their salaries.

Go unions! Destroy this state!

Donald Dean
(Via the Internet)

How cruel to deny medical marijuana

Medical marijuana should definitely be available. To deny medicine to the sick and dying is the most fundamentally arrogant and hateful thing humans can do to each other.

Why should AIDS patients waste away and die when they can smoke a little pot and not have to worry,"Will my food stay down today?" Why should chemotherapy patients endure horrible pain? Why should asthma and glaucoma sufferers fight to breathe and see?

Religions preach about love and compassion, yet no one listens. Narrow-minded and mean-spirited are those who cannot set aside their prejudices for the greater good.

Would you deny your grandfather marijuana if he needed it? What if your sister had AIDS? If politics are more important to you than the health of a loved, I am lucky not to be in your family.

Todd C. Wetmore
(Via the Internet)

Smoking pot shouldn't be anybody's business

We don't need a new prison. It's ludicrous to lock up people for smoking pot. They are not violent and are no threat to anyone.

Why don't the police go after drunk drivers? They actually kill people.

Thanks to the folks who made the laws, my doctor will not give me the pain killer pills I want to end my pain, for fear that the state will take away her medical license or even send her to prison.

I don't use pot because the cost is too high and I don't need the extra pounds. But for those who want to use pot, let them.

Jerome Hein
Ewa Beach

Stop trying to suppress people's religious beliefs

How ironic that letter writer Don Bremer (Star-Bulletin March 10), in the very act of preaching diversity, attacks and tries to suppress Sen. David Matsuura's personal cultural and religious display!

Perhaps we now learn what diversity means in this Orwellian newspeak. Such opposition would have been appropriate only if the senator had intended an establishment of his religion.

A personal advocacy or promotion is quite distinct, and should be allowed for Matsuura as well as Bremer.

Walter F. Wild
Waimanalo

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