Natatorium will be another F.L.O.P

It is disgusting that millions of dollars will be spent on restoring the Natatorium. Talk about selling iceboxes to Icelanders. Do we really need a salt-water pool on a beautiful beach?

This sounds like another project of F.L.O.P. (Funds Loosened for Oldguard Politicians).

Look at the Kakaako Senior and Community Center. It opened three years ago for seniors to have a place to take classes, see movies, have functions, hear speakers on issues affecting them, and to just socialize and meet new people.

But the center is another F.L.O.P.! It is now closed -- because of a toxic smell that made people sick and that resulted from chemically treated wood being used throughout the building.

Who was minding the store when this bad wood was brought in and used? How many more F.L.O.P. projects must we endure?

Donald D. Graber

Guardianship can protect abused children

Family members, hanai family, neighbors and adults worried about children need to know that the Child Protective Services and/or a police investigation are not the only two options to protecting children from the fate of Reubyne Buentipo Jr.

Hawaii guardianship law authorizes a Family Court judge to substitute a competent and willing adult for a dangerous or neglectful parent -- even over the parent's objection. The best interests of the child are paramount, not "family preservation."

Guardianship gives parents a "time out" from the daily responsibilities of parenthood, so they can (hopefully) get drug treatment, housing, psychological care or education and later resume daily care of their children. It's the kids who are at risk. Loving adults can become guardians and maybe even save a life in the process.

Judith A. Schevtchuk

Teamsters' chief is not loved in Hawaii

I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or hit something after reading how Teamsters leader Leo Reed almost blew the "Baywatch" deal for Hawaii.

Reed said that he was willing to take the heat: "If people want to blame me for losing jobs for 17 drivers, so be it. The people in Hauula and Laie still love me." Well, thousands of people in Hawaii who want the show to come here don't love Leo Reed at all.

His arrogant, self-serving, short-sighted attitude shouldn't shock the "Baywatch" producers. It is just business as usual in Hawaii.

J.M. Lanin
Kapolei

"She's from Kahuku. She's a tita. No disrespect but she knows how to fight." Michael Green ATTORNEY FOR LOKELANI LINDSEY In final arguments in the trial to oust Lindsey as a Bishop Estate trustee "I'm glad that things worked out. But if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the front porch." Leo Reed HEAD OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 399 IN HOLLYWOOD Angered by comments by the producer of "Baywatch," which will be filmed in Hawaii despite acrimonious negotiations with the union.

Don't blame unions for bad economy

Union negotiations are difficult to explain to anyone who doesn't know the details. In the case of "Baywatch" -- and the decision of Local 399 Teamsters boss Leo Reed not to make wage concessions -- members of IATSE Local 665 support and wholeheartedly respect his decision, because we understand the details.

To blame Reed, as well as all unions, for Hawaii's bad economy is ridiculous and highly unfair. I don't see any of these bashers taking money out of their own pockets to support this project. Yet it's OK to place it on the hard-working backs of dedicated union members.

A last-ditch effort, supported by Governor Cayetano and with creative renegotiation by Local 665, saved the "Baywatch" agreement. For that, I thank the members for their highly responsible support. Yes, we will go to work. But don't forget, this is helping all of Hawaii.

Albert A. Burns
Business Representative,
IATSE Local No. 665

Don't let counties control fireworks

Attention, state lawmakers: What part of "deadly," "dangerous," "catastrophic" and an "accident waiting to happen" don't you understand?

All of these terms were used to explain the very serious consequences that could occur if fireworks control is returned to the counties. They were contained in letters sent to all local newspapers, and to the sergeant at arms of both the Senate and House to be distributed to all members of the Legislature.

This is not a minor piece of legislation! It is a serious change of law that could be "dangerous," "deadly," "catastrophic" and "an accident waiting to happen." It will be life-threatening and, if anything happens (God forbid), legislators will be responsible.

Table the fireworks bills or ban fireworks altogether, but don't return control to the counties!

Bryant Neal
Honokaa, Hawaii

Lingle as head of GOP is good for Democrats

Well, folks, we're pau with the recount brought on by Linda Cutter Lingle and, guess what, Cayetano won again. Yes, Hawaii, the fraud charges bore no fruit.

Now I remember Lingle's so-called concession speech the night of the election. She just wouldn't concede! We all savored it in living color on TV, ol' "sour puss" introducing all her family and friends on stage at her campaign headquarters.

This was a sad example of a crybaby who sounded more like Richard Nixon than Nixon did in 1953, '60, '68 and '74. Now she wants to be chairperson of the Republicans' grand old party.

That means we'll have Democrats in power until the year 2050, at least.

Michael E. Powers

Doctors don't deserve adulation

In response to Diane Chang's Feb. 26 column "celebrating" scientific medicine, sure, doctors might "make a lot of money" and "go to school and intern for years," but their skills and knowledge level are that of an architect.

The reasons that medicine rose to such a lofty social position and is so highly remunerated are political and are well documented. Their decisions to pursue techniques such as "computer image-guided sinus surgery" are the driving force behind the medical industrial complex, which today approaches $1 trillion or 15 percent of the gross domestic product. In large part, it is why employees and employers pay such vast sums for health insurance.

Appreciate doctors?Why should we, when all they want are docile visits from unquestioning patients who go away and don't complain?

William J. King
Via the Internet

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