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Stop complaining about every little thing

My wife and I have been residents of Honolulu for only about six years, but we know one thing about this place: It is full of whiners. No matter what is done to try and make life better for the majority, someone is always unhappy with the proposal.

For example, we rode down to Kapiolani Park to check out the new bandstand. What an awesome difference. The city did a first-class job in the design and implementation of the structure and surrounding areas.

Yet we've already heard from those who don't like the ponds, and some who are complaining about access for the handicapped. Personally, I think the ponds give a small-town feel to the area and, as for handicap access, the builders integrated a ramp into the steps without disturbing the look.

Bob Leeper
Kapolei

Fans should protest loss of UH mascot

By caving in to a few vocal critics of the Rainbow Warrior mascot and dropping it from the football program, University of Hawaii and athletic department administrators have displayed none of the courage and character they expect from students and athletes.

The Rainbow Warrior brought no shame or disgrace to any of the people or residents of our state.

If UH football fans have any class at all, they should show up dressed as Rainbow Warriors for this season's opening game at Aloha Stadium.

Miles Baidack

You can't please all with choice of mascot

With respect to your Saturday article, "UH kicks mascot off team," it's a shame that political correctness has replaced reason, tradition or majority opinion.

I hope the new UH Rainbow mascot doesn't offend Hawaiians. But I guarantee that it will offend someone.

Then we'll waste our time again trying to find the unachievable nirvana of consensus.

R.D. Greenamyer
Mililani

Quotables "It's great because it's the millennium Wimbledon. There won't be another millennium Wimbledon for another millennium." Venus Williams TENNIS SUPERSTAR Capturing the women's doubles crown with sister, Serena, two days after winning the women's singles championship in England "Money does not make you who you are. Money just reveals who you are." Robert Kiyosaki HAWAII-BORN AUTHOR OF "RICH DAD, POOR DAD" Whose bestselling get-rich guide is based partly on the life of his father, Ralph, a former teacher, superintendent of schools and political candidate

BOE rules already protect gay students

I am sick and tired of certain members of the Board of Education, homosexual activists and their sympathizers trying to depict those of us who are against the BOE's policy change as being opposed to children being protected from harassment in schools.

No child should be harassed on campus, which is why there is already a policy against it. Yet some people are being extremely dishonest by making it seem that gay students are not protected under the present wording of the policy.

The fact is we are the ones who care about our kids. We want to protect them from both physical and spiritual harassment. We're concerned that they all be protected for any reason, as the policy already states.

Mary Melia

There should be surfing-only spots

We have about 100 surf spots throughout the islands. They are open to surfers, bodyboarders, bodysurfers and other wave riders.

The problem for surfers, though, is that there's no spot only for surfers. Meanwhile, bodyboarders get two all to themselves, Walls in Waikiki and Makapuu in Waimanalo.

Over the years, surfers have never been happy to be surfing alongside bodyboarders. Maybe someday surfers like me can have a surf spot all to ourselves.

Jamey Steiner
Age 14
Kailua

Longline ruling deserves respect

Recent letters have accused our federal court of running amok and ignoring the best interests of our community because it required full compliance with certain federal laws affecting the longline fishing industry.

Supposedly, the court acted irresponsibly by not allowing federal regulators to ignore their regulatory duties and by forbidding longliners from operating without federal oversight.

We are often adversaries in court and have no interest in the longline litigation. However, we share a common sense of respect for the wisdom of the constitutional system of checks and balances, and know the importance of a strong and independent judiciary. Therefore, we are compelled to set the record straight.

These attacks on District Judge David Ezra were unwarranted and misguided for four reasons.

Judges are required to enforce the law, and they take an oath to do so. Judges and the government agents and agencies that appear before them cannot disregard all or part of the law in the name of "fiscal responsibility," convenience or popular opinion.

Similarly, the notion that Judge Ezra should have asked himself whether his decision was "the best possible solution to the dispute" ignores the fact that judges cannot second guess the wisdom of federal laws. Those political judgments are made in Congress and in the White House, not the courthouse. Judges cannot "make" law.

If people think it is too costly to comply with a law, they should try to change that law through Congress, where the problem began. It is unfair to criticize the courts and judges for enforcing the law, as written. If the longliners and their supporters do not like how the law affects them, they should try to change it, not make irresponsible accusations against a judge who is upholding his sworn duty.

In the real world it would be a disaster to allow bureaucrats to pick and choose which laws they will enforce based upon concerns about cost and convenience. This is plainly not what the constitution contemplates.

Finally, the notion that Judge Ezra has somehow run amok in this or any other case is nonsense. He and his colleagues past and present have brought great credit to the federal judiciary in Hawaii precisely because they are careful, thoughtful and concerned with dispensing justice, regardless of public opinion.

Paul Alston
Attorney at law

Editor's note: This letter was also signed by attorneys Joel August, Mark Davis, William H. Dodd, Jack Dwyer, Burnham Greeley, Susan Ichinose, David Louie, Eric Seitz, Rick Clifton and Diane Hastert.

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