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Lingle is being choosy in her endorsements

The Hawaii Republican Party is supporting congressional candidate Russ Francis against his primary opponents, yet it isn't supporting Mike Gabbard against his primary congressional opponent, even though Gabbard has the better chance to win.

Gabbard has proved he can get crossover votes from independents and Democrats. He can attract people of different political parties, races and religions on a common platform. Remember the 70 percent vote for traditional marriage in 1998?

Gabbard has strong grass-roots support, yet GOP Chairwoman Linda Lingle is not able to see this potential. She is withholding the party's support in the primary.

As a Republican, this doesn't make any sense. Lingle is missing the boat, and I have a hunch she's doing it for personal reasons. She is making decisions based on her personal ambitions versus actually attempting to get a Republican elected to Congress.

J.E. Goodman
Kailua

How long should civil service reform take?

Rep. Marcus Oshiro conveniently overlooks the need to reform a defective civil service system by proclaiming in his May 12 View Point column that it takes years to undo what is wrong or to come up with a correct diagnosis.

Hawaii has been ailing for more than a decade. The state is like a sick person who has developed a gross appetite, feasting on a diet that's too rich for a small society.

Possibly, like some quack doctors, legislators prefer to close their eyes, prescribing placebos or resorting to palliatives. But a good doctor knows how to stop an ailment from festering, immediately.

Jovita Rodas Zimmerman

Dump 14 senators who dumped Bronster

"Remember BRONSTER!" my bumper sticker proclaims. But, in case some memories may be short, I would like to remind voters of former Attorney General Margery Bronster's ouster last May at the hands of 14 arrogant senators. They refused to reconfirm her after a huge groundswell rose up to demand her renomination.

As an organizer of the rally for Bronster at the Capitol a year ago, I am hoping the groundswell will, once again, rise up in November to "throw the bums out." We must put an end to the dealmaking at the cost of the people! Down with the old-boy network!

Let us express our gratitude to our heroine, Ms. Bronster, by dumping these 14 incumbents: Marshall Ige, David Ige, Whitney Anderson, Colleen Hanabusa, Carol Fukunaga, Rod Tam, Joe Tanaka, Brian Kanno, Jan Buen, Jonathan Chun, Cal Kawamoto, David Matsuura, Bob Nakata and Norman Mizuguchi.

M.E. Welte

Law will be windfall for government

Contrary to the general consensus that this year's fireworks bill is a dud, I think the Legislature and the governor actually love the new bill.

While it won't curtail fireworks activity, the permit fee is actually a tax of at least one-half cent on every firecracker sold in the state.

Robert R. Kessler

Quotables "They're starting to call me Captain Disaster...I see myself as a chunky guy from Palolo Valley who gets information and releases it." Richard Soo HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN On his job as the department's first full-time public information officer "We have learned that the community and our youth are safer and healthier when they don't start using alcohol until after age 21." Bruce Anderson STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR Lauding the local sting operation which uncovered 116 Oahu businesses illegally selling alcohol to underage youths. The enterprises, cited by Liquor Commission investigators, may have their licenses revoked or suspended.

Those who like Harris don't know the facts

Interesting opinion poll about Mayor Harris' popularity in your May 18 edition. I wonder how voters opinions will change as they become educated about the facts.

Mayor Harris has been raiding/selling city assets to pay for operating expenses. Examples of Harris "doing more with less" include:

The property tax rate increase last year that they called "revenue neutral."

Raiding $70 million from the HPOWER Plant.

Bulk trash pick-ups going from 13 times per year to 12 times annually.

Using tens of millions of federal housing dollars to pay for non-performing city properties instead of building new affordable housing and creating jobs (examples: Kekaulike Courtyards and Ewa Villages/Unity House).

Repaving 39 miles of roads in 1999 versus 214 miles in 1994.

The $12 million uncollected on Harbor Court since 1996, $5.7 million uncollected for Ewa Villages Area A, and at least a $22 million in losses at Ewa Villages, along with $745,000 in annual debt service.

Paying millions for a police communication system that doesn't even work (he blames the officers for not knowing how to use it).

His touted Vision Team meetings, which are only for those who have time to go. Too bad if you have to work, feed the kids or coach Little League.

Give the voters these facts, and then ask them your survey question again!

Craig Watase

Girl athletes prove value of Title IX

Several Saturdays ago, I had the good fortune to attend a varsity girls' high school basketball game between Kamehameha and Sacred Hearts. Both the coaching and caliber of athletes are a tribute to what Title IX is about: equality, fairness and eliminating barriers in the school curriculum.

The final score did not determine the winners. They were all winners! The journey was filled with excitement, anticipation, struggle and heartaches that made both teams and women's programs winners.

Go see an OIA or ILH girls' event and you won't regret it. You go, girls!

Wendell Hosea

Everybody's tired of flag controversy

"How dare they fly that flag over the state capitol! My ancestors struggled long and hard to break the chains of bondage that held us oppressed all those years. I now take the pledge -- and I would hope that others would join me -- to boycott that state and all of its businesses."

What's that? You thought I was talking about South Carolina? No, I'm referring to Hawaii that so flagrantly flies the British Union Jack over its state Capitol. We shall overcome!

Now aren't you as tired of this silliness as I am?

Spencer R. Rackley IV
Charlotte, N.C.

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