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Animal abuse foretells problems later on

Thanks for reporting on the Honolulu Zoo incident in which a 9-year-old boy lobbed a good-sized stone at Bob the Alligator, injuring him (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 30). As a psychiatrist, I hope the youngster promptly gets the corrective help he needs.

Instances of animal cruelty always warrant serious attention. Psychiatric research clearly shows ties between animal abuse and later violence against people. Yet, the omens often go ignored until higher-profile tragedies strike.

A rogues gallery -- from Albert ("The Boston Stranger") DeSalvo and David ("Son of Sam") Berkowitz to Charles Manson and Jeffrey Dahmer --repeatedly tortured animals before becoming serial killers. Sure, most animal abusers don't go that far. But many perpetrate a broad range of aggressions.

Oddly enough, a triad of predictive symptoms (animal cruelty, fire-setting and bedwetting after the age of 6) often foretells who is likely to shoot up a schoolyard, beat a spouse, get into brawls or wind up dead after a standoff with police. These three symptoms reflect an inability to control impulses.

Most children express a natural affinity with animals. We should reinforce those compassionate instincts and red-flag for special help all troubled youngsters. Such acts should never be shrugged off as "part of growing up."

Humane education must also become an integral part of classroom instruction, in Hawaii and elsewhere, right from the start. All of us, humans and our animal friends alike, would benefit greatly.

Certainly, our society abuses animals in a great many ways. Those who relish it or encourage it cannot be trusted to act differently toward humans. We ignore animal abuse at our own peril.

Neal D. Barnard M.D.
President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Washington, D.C.

Quotables "Let this new millennium be characterized by an empowered populace, where people can make a difference, where their contributions and ideas are not only readily accepted by government, but actively solicited." Jeremy Harris MAYOR OF HONOLULU In his inaugural speech at the Kapiolani Park bandstand "I've always said we need a total ban." Lee Donohue HONOLULU CHIEF OF POLICE Citing the difficulties of enforcing only a partial ban on fireworks, like the one against aerials

Many are to blame for Palolo woman's death

The din has subsided, the stench has dissipated, but a somber pall lingers over our Palolo Valley neighborhood. A neighbor died on New Year's Eve. She, like so many of us, probably hoped to preserve her health and to comfort her beloved pets from the evening's mayhem.

Instead, she died because some people set themselves above the law. The perpetrator stockpiled or bought, then shot illegal aerial fireworks. He or she is directly responsible for this tragedy.

But numerous others share in the blame:

The scofflaw's family and friends who likely cheered as those aerials were shot into the air, further encouraging the illegal activity.

Island families who continued to buy and use illegal fireworks, providing incentives to lawless sellers and importers.

Sellers of illegal fireworks who pocketed the illicit money without a twinge of conscience, contending they simply filled a demand.

Importers of illegal fireworks who brought them into the state by air, water or who knows what means, jeopardizing hundreds of innocent people in the process.

Politicians who clutched at specious excuses to avoid banning all fireworks except for carefully regulated cultural, religious and public events. This New Year's Eve, their failure to pass strict laws was responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, numerous serious injuries and an innocent life lost.

Have this year's tragedies finally made the case?

We cannot allow this incident to be whitewashed with banal excuses like, "It was a tragic accident." Shooting illegal aerials was a deliberate, criminal act that ended in someone's death.

Law-abiding residents should demand a thorough investigation, swift prosecution and harsh penalties for everyone involved.

Kerry A. Krenzke

Aloha Bowl was a disappointment

As a resident of Maui and an avid college football fan, I've had the good fortune of being able to attend many Christmas Day Aloha Bowls on Oahu over the years.

Having spoken to many people who just returned from this year's Aloha Bowl, however, there was much disappointment with the game.

Many things were missing from previous games -- the most noticeable being the general excitement and people in the stands.

In addition, the entertainment was poorly coordinated. Plus, people said they couldn't find a place to buy a program even though they saw others walking around with them.

It is my understanding that the former operators of the Aloha Bowl are no longer involved with the game and moved to Maui early this year to focus solely on the Hula Bowl. We welcome them to the island and know that the Hula Bowl will be an even greater experience now that they are on Maui full time.

With regards to the Aloha Bowl, I suggest its new management address some very fundamental issues and make an attempt to maintain what has been a great tradition for nearly 20 years.

Otherwise, we will be saying "aloha" to the Aloha Bowl and spending our Christmas Day on Maui.

Gregory Koestering
Kihei, Maui

Future for agriculture looks bleak under Bush

President-elect George W. Bush has just announced a 31-member Agriculture Transition Advisory Team that will be responsible for setting up the structure and function of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nearly all are agribusiness officials or former agribusiness-funded political officials. There is not a single advocate for the interests of consumers, hungry people, small farmers, the environment, or 10 billion animals that are tortured and killed for food each year.

So much for Dubya's post-election reconciliation rhetoric. It's back to government of corporate interests, by corporate interests and for corporate interests.

Mark Newman
Haiku, Maui

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