Adult businesses are part of the community

The sex industry is an integral part of life in Hawaii, the nation and the world. Some indulge in it, some ignore it, others deplore it. The fact remains: It exists, legal or not.

So when a politician like Honolulu City Councilman Andy Mirikitani leads a battle against the sex industry, only he wins. To get re-elected, he must keep his name in the newspaper.

Regardless of his motives, Mirikitani's grandstanding might drive a tiny percentage of the industry underground or into different neighborhoods, but he will effect no real change.

Since the sex industry is an inevitable part of society, it should be integrated into our master plan.

Jay Redondo

Pauline deserves harshest punishment

Frank Pauline Jr. was found guilty in the Dana Ireland trial. There is justice. What that animal did to that poor girl is beyond comprehension.

It is unfortunate Hawaii does not have the death penalty.

Sheila Heathcote-Arthur
Kalaheo, Kauai

Dana Ireland Archive

Center is at its best in weak economy

We really enjoyed Russ Lynch's Aug. 20 article, "It takes more than a village to make Polynesian center." It was on the Polynesian Cultural Center, and what the Church of Latter-Day Saints is doing to help thousands of young people in Hawaii and across the Pacific Rim get an affordable education.

It's impressive how PCC has gone about reducing costs in such a considerate fashion to its employees, while increasing sales in an economic downturn. This is precisely the kind of positive education news that we need. Thank you for such an insightful article.

Colin and Renee White
Via the Internet

Premise of school vouchers is problematic

The idea of vouchers, paid for by tax dollars, for enrollment in private schools has been in the news lately, with various poll results running about even for and against them. Those in favor of school vouchers, however, should consider the following.

It is a fallacy to think that those who send their children to private schools are "paying twice." Public schools were created to ensure a reasonably educated electorate. Responsibility to support this does not vanish just because you wish to indoctrinate your children in a particular way.

I am retired and my daughter has graduated from college, so we have already reaped the benefit and no longer "need" the public schools, but I have no problem with doing my share to support public education.

It is also a fallacy to think that public funds can pay for the "reading, writing and arithmetic" part of education at a private school. Without this burden, private schools will shift funds to indoctrination, so in effect the public funds are paying for indoctrination.

Third, and perhaps most important, have you considered that there are more "isms" out there than, for instance, Catholicism? Are you prepared to pay for Ku Klux Klan schools teaching racism? How about skinhead schools teaching fascism? If properly accredited, they will have an equal right to raid your tax funds.

John Coleman
Via the Internet

Quotables "People assumed I was the wife or daughter of the owner. The thing that used to bug me was that people thought I didn't know what I was talking about." Marian Yasuda 39-YEAR-OLD IWILEI WOODWORKING ARTIST On how she has pushed to the forefront of Hawaii's highly competitive male-dominated woodwork industry "Final four? I'm not even thinking about it. But that doesn't mean we don't have a chance to be there in December." Dave Shoji UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL COACH As the Wahine team opens its season tonight against the California Golden Bears

Why are we still arguing over evolution?

I thought we had buried the creation vs. evolution debate long ago. The conservative Christians could believe their creation story and others could believe the evolution theory.

Why does one have to negate the other? Maybe evolution is God's plan for creation. Of course, that gets us into the no-win debate over how long a biblical "day" is.

I believe in evolution. What motive would thousands of scientists all over the world, getting the same results of tests, arriving at the same conclusions, have in lying? Some kind of mass satanic conspiracy?

The creationists have no facts or science to back up their theory, only their Bible. But this is nothing but a collection of writings and selections by fallible people, just like all of us.

The scariest part is what happened in Kansas. A group of born-again Christians got to be a majority on the school board, which gives them the power to decide what can be taught in the schools. This could happen anywhere.

Chris Wells

Republicans are acting shamelessly

George W. Bush wants to be forgiven for his "youthful" drug indulgences, as if 30 is too young to know better. He is the governor of one of the country's harshest state penal systems. There are many "youthful" drug offenders in Texas who must spend the rest of their lives behind bars for crimes no worse than the governor's.

Such Republican hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me, like how former Speaker Newt Gingrich was having an affair with one of his aides at the same time he was trying to impeach the president. It's hard not to become cynical about politics.

Brad White
Via the Internet

Pay-at-the-pump premise is illogical

As a North Shore resident, I have an opinion on pay-at-the-pump insurance. I drive almost 100 miles each day to and from work, and have never been involved in an accident while driving.

Since most accidents occur within one mile of your home, why am I supposed to pay more for the same insurance than the guy who drives a mile and crashes into a tree or another vehicle near his house? I'm a good driver, so why am I being penalized?

I realize that this idea has not yet been implemented, but the thought of having to pay more for my insurance when I have a good driver rate now is unthinkable. It's not fair and makes no sense.

Pay-at-the-pump is wrong, and a legal fight would prove it, as well.

Stephen Luke
Via the Internet

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