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Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Lack of affordable housing plagues state
Rob Perez's June 19 article, "State seeking to end affordable housing policy," deserves public attention and concern.Hawaii has the second-worst level (54 percent) of home ownership in America. Ending our affordable housing policy will make Hawaii home ownership the lowest in the nation.
We need to ADD many more affordable homes.
Jerome G. Manis
Marijuana will improve society's disposition
The next logical step in this over-prescribed, over-the-counter, pill-popping culture -- although 30 years late -- is to legalize marijuana.The herb improves quality of life for seriously ill people. Isn't it reasonable to think that marijuana could also improve the quality of life for those with minor ailments and daily stress, too?
In the name of justice, end this war on those who choose to use marijuana in pursuit of their happiness.
Steve Reiff
Kalaheo, Kauai
Bay plan needs more women's restrooms
Among existing buildings at the rim of Hanauma Bay, one is very much in need of expansion: the restrooms, especially for women.When a tour bus pulls up, the lines are long. With a mere 15 minutes to peer over at the bay and to take care of needs, who has time for a look at our beautiful Hanauma?
Standing in line is hardly aloha. State Board of Land and Natural Resources, please take note.
Juel Gustafson
Honolulu daily must not be allowed to fold
So a number of groups are interested in buying Star-Bulletin. Yes! Wonderful!I would be heartbroken if your newspaper and its marvelous online edition weren't rescued.
I hope your employees will continue to do their excellent work for many years to come.
Maybe there is justice in this world.
Bill Taylor
Sacramento, Calif.
Quotables
"We're pleased the court is
putting the brakes on a fishery that
has been operating in disregard of
environmental laws and killing
endangered turtles on
a regular basis." Paul Achitoff
ATTORNEY FOR THE EARTHJUSTICE
LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
After U.S. District Judge David Ezra
ruled that all longline fishing boats in Hawaii
must have a federally trained observer on
board to protect leatherback sea turtles
"It will be cheese and crackers
instead of poke for parties." Guy Tamashiro
TAMASHIRO MARKET MANAGER
Lamenting that Judge Ezra's ruling will essentially kill
the state's longline fishing industry
and hurt consumers
State is wrong to support discrimination
Hawaii has chosen state's rights as the rationale for its decision to file an amicus brief in support of Alabama's position that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act is unconstitutional.While I am a firm believer in state's rights, every right comes with a responsibility. What signs of responsibility has Hawaii demonstrated that would give assurance to residents with disabilities that:
Their rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness will be protected without the support of the ADA?
Does the fact that voters in the disability community are not significant in number possibly have anything to do with this decision?
Mary F. Jossem
State should withdraw its amicus brief
Hawaii is committing a grievous error toward its citizens who have disabilities by filing an amicus brief in the case of Garrett vs. University of Alabama.People with disabilities have had to fight long and hard for their civil rights and finally attained some protection when the Americans Disabilities Act was passed 10 years ago.
Now our state is muddling the issue. Through its actions, it is saying that it is more important to protect itself from being sued -- even when the ADA is violated -- than to support the basic civil rights of people with disabilities. This is shocking.
Prior to the passage of the ADA, citizens with disabilities faced tremendous discrimination in numerous activities of their daily lives.
When they required government services and were unable to access them because they were blind, deaf or mobility impaired, it was "too bad for them."
When they couldn't physically access a building to eat in a restaurant, take their children to the movies or shop in a grocery store, it was again deemed "too bad."
When they went to a company to apply for a job, they were told, "We don't hire your kind."
We would never, ever consider taking away civil rights from other citizens based on their color, race, religion, sex, age, national origin or other grounds protected under federal and state laws. What about the civil rights of people with disabilities?
The state of Hawaii should reconsider its position and withdraw its amicus brief.
Laura Robertson
President/CEO
Goodwill Industries of Hawaii
Medal winners were rightly honored
Thank you for having your newspaper on the Worldwide Web. I read your online edition almost every day.My wife and I both retired from the Army last year and we were fortunate enough to have had two tours, with eight years in Hawaii.
Reading about the Army veterans who finally received their Medals of Honor was great. God bless these brave men and their families, and God bless America.
Tim Dotson
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Democrats didn't bring prosperity to Hawaii
In an attempt to generate some interest in his desperate campaign, Vice President Al Gore has launched a "progress and prosperity" tour.Let's see now. If the Democrats are responsible for America's robust progress and prosperity, and Hawaii has been controlled by the Democrats for 40 years, then we should have the best economy in the nation.
I feel better already.
Michael Parry
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