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Xerox shouldn't be sued for dereliction

I make the following comments with the utmost respect and sensitivity to the families of the men who died in the Xerox shootings.

Since having left Xerox, I have had many opportunities to see how other business "get it done." I can tell you that few companies in Hawaii or the United States run better than Xerox, especially when it comes to human resources. It may not be perfect, but it's as close as it can get.

In citing Xerox for any workplace violations, any state agency should also apply the same standards to other state agencies, including itself. Furthermore, hindsight is 20-20 and a certain plaintiff's attorney, Michael Green, would have us forget that this filing of lawsuits is mostly for his gain. Would he be parading around before TV cameras if there were no deep pockets to be had? Unlikely.

Craig Watase

Xerox killings
Uyesugi verdict

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System protects small states like Hawaii

I saw differing items on the Electoral College on your Nov. 10 editorial page, with an interesting contrast of opinion. It seems you have some differences within the staff -- an editorial writer saying one thing and editorial cartoonist Corky saying another.

Most of the criticism seems to come from people who do not know or understand their history. That's why I was so pleased to see your editorial position in favor of the present system.

Hawaii, like other small states, gets scant attention from the powers-that-be in Washington. If the president were elected on the basis of popular vote, no candidate would ever bother with Hawaii.

Why spend the time and money to pursue the few votes here? Much better to devote all campaign efforts to California, New York and other more populous states.

We should be glad the founding fathers had such political acumen to devise the balanced system they did. As you said in your editorial, they wanted to protect the minority as well as give power to the majority. Isn't it amazing that 18th- century thinkers were able to devise a system that continues to work in the 21st century?

Lanny K. Williams

Quotables "I don't mind being in the public eye as long as they give me time to recuperate. I'm no good in a bad mood." Angela Baraquio MISS AMERICA 2001 During a trip home to Hawaii to see her family and friends, and to make a whole slew of public appearances after winning the national crown "I don't think the country is going to collapse with George Bush in there." Governor Cayetano On the possibility that Bush, after mainland recounts are through, may become the next president of the United States

Mahalo for supporting Libertarian candidate

I would like to thank the courageous 410 people who voted for change last Tuesday.

As I went door-to-door and held signs, almost all the people I spoke with said they liked the fact that I was talking about education, traffic and the poor business environment -- in short, the issues. Issues and solutions are what's important, not who moved which candidate's trash bags.

Knowing that I would not win, that I had no money for advertising or mailouts and for the most part was ignored by the media, people asked me why I wanted their vote. My answer was to bring awareness to future candidates, those who want answers to our problems, not those who launch personal attacks and say fluff like, "I care."

With the closeness of the presidential election, it shows that a few people can make a difference. I hope it opened a few eyes.

Wade Thode
Libertarian Candidate
20th Senate District

Voters weren't 'stupid' to elect Gabbard

When 70 percent of Hawaii's people voted to save traditional marriage, homosexual activists and their supporters in the media essentially said that the reason was Hawaii's people didn't have the aloha spirit anymore, that we're homophobic bigots.

Now, after Carol Gabbard, wife of Mike Gabbard, who led the fight to save traditional marriage, got elected to the Board of Education with 100,000 votes, her opponents say this happened because people were not educated enough to make an informed decision.

So, according to the opponents of the Gabbards, not only are the people of Hawaii small-minded, backward, homophobic bigots, we are also extremely uneducated and stupid.

Rock Riggs

Why is Bush objecting to accurate vote?

As an American voter who respects our democratic system, I believe George W. Bush is morally bound to call for a revote in the Florida precincts where ballots were confusing. Any person who would lead America as president and says, "I trust the people," should be happy to allow concerned citizens to vote their minds.

Someone who says he wants to "restore honor and dignity to the White House" should not allow himself to come into power in such a questionable and possibly illegitimate way. Since Al Gore won the popular vote, Bush should acknowledge that every step be taken to ensure the true will of the American people is heard.

We have to look at why we vote in the first place -- to express our desire for how the country should be governed. If thousands say they were not able to accurately express themselves, it should be our moral obligation to make sure this is corrected.

Dan K. MacGregor

Political parties should offer ride to polls

I couldn't vote last Tuesday. It's a nice walk or a short bus ride. But my aging legs couldn't take the waiting in line on top of the effort to get there.

I stayed home and wondered about legendary political machines -- how in New York and Chicago, the party faithful knew everyone in their district. They saw to it, personally, that everyone turned out to cast a ballot. They banged on doors and manned telephones. They even drove old ladies to the polls.

Seventy-two percent of Hawaii's eligible voters didn't bother to vote. I wanted to and couldn't. Are the Democrats so arrogant, the Republicans so witless and the Greens and Reform parties so clueless that they don't take the trouble to comfort the afflicted by seeing that they get to the polls before closing?

I should have used foresight and voted early and absentee when I felt well. But I didn't. And when election day came and I needed help, I didn't know whom to call. Perhaps Providence did me a favor by keeping me homebound.

For the next four years I can look at political activity at all levels and know that I participated in the circus only by default.

Beverly Kai

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