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Corky cartoon insulted Latino Americans

As a Mexican American, I am extremely offended by Corky's Jan. 10 political cartoon. While I read and enjoy his cartoons and often laugh at the cynicism behind them, I was appalled by the derogatory nature of this one.

The term "wetbacks" is offensive, uncalled for, dehumanizing and a step beyond the boundaries of a political cartoon. Is this cartoon saying that all alien foreigners are Latinos? Is Corky prejudiced against Latinos? Perhaps your newspaper is prejudiced against Latinos for allowing him to print this.

"Wetbacks" refers to illegally migrated Latinos. It is a derogatory term used to slander Latinos, regardless of origin, in the same way as "nigger," "gook," "kike," "harbor bomber" -- shall I go on?

While I understand that the cartoon was trying to depict Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft as a racist, do it in another way or just refuse to print something so tasteless.

You owe an apology to your Latino readers.

Marisa Vasquez

Quotables "The administration needs to look at themselves.They are losing money through their own mismanagement." Mamo Kim PRESIDENT OF THE GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII On a proposal to raise tuition from 1-3.5 percent annually for the next five years at the various UH campuses "For somebody to think a tuition increase isn't necessary, (the person) is either ignorant or delusional." Chris Garnier PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII Supportive of the tuition hikes because he believes they are needed to be more financially independent from the Legislature

Research helps clears the air on smoking info

A 15-year trial conducted in 40 Washington state school districts by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center recently revealed that anti-smoking school curriculums are ineffective when used alone in a school setting.

The American Lung Association of Hawaii applauds this research trial and what this study has to teach us about social-influences curriculum when used alone.

While the findings raise questions about one type of curriculum, the public health practice implications are consistent with the Centers for Disease Control Guidelines and Best Practice.

The National Centers for Disease Control and the 2000 Surgeon General's Report agree that teen smoking can be reduced only by parent and community involvement, cessation services for students and school administrators and cooperation with the media.

Peter Flachsbart
President, American Lung Association of Hawaii

Coach shouldn't have hired his son

For the past eight years, Mike Wilton has benefitted from perks he has received as head coach of the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team. One of them is the 12 season tickets (premier seats) he gets annually. They cost the university $2,124 each year.

Those tickets have not been used for Wilton's recruiting purposes but for his family and friends to sit in. He does not follow head football Coach June Jone's example of "giving back" to UH. Wilton has shown that he is a taker and not a giver.

Now Wilton has included nepotism to his resume by hiring his son, Aaron, as an assistant coach. This is despite the fact that his son, who is just two years out of college, has no prior volleyball coaching experience at any level.

Many former UH volleyball players would have loved the opportunity to return to their former school to coach, but they were not considered for the job. Former UH star players Pono Maa and Rick Tune, as examples, have coached volleyball at local high schools and have done excellent jobs with their programs.

What is the UH athletic department going to do about this? Attendance has been steadily declining these past years.

People are not happy with Wilton, as shown by many fans who did not renew their season tickets.

Henry Kim

Why is gasoline cheaper on Guam?

It's interesting that Chevron dropped its prices after questioning by your reporter (Star-Bulletin, Jan 12).

If it is true that the market dictates pricing, then why are gas prices on Guam nearly 30 cents cheaper per gallon than on Oahu? Chevron has stated that the remoteness of Hawaii dictated higher costs while at the same time Guam, more remote than Hawaii, enjoyed greatly reduced prices.

Ken MacDowell
Aiea

Filipinos can be proud of role models

I congratulate Jovita Rodas Zimmerman on her Jan. 13 View Point column, "Filipinos in the state Senate." Through her books and articles, she gives the general public the opportunity to appreciate the journalistic and literary abilities of Filipinos. She ranks among the few Filipina role models in the field of communication.

As for the newly elected Filipino-American senators featured in her column, their accomplishments bring pride to Filipinos in Hawaii and the rest of the U.S. All of their achievements, strengths and how they overcame adversity sends a powerful message to young Filipinos, who need role models outside their immediate families.

In their significant positions in state government, these lawmakers are able to straddle two cultures, searching for their identities and places in society.

These state officials should capitalize on their positions to enable our youth to be proud of their heritage, to define themselves and to better the community they live in. More power to them!

Bernie Bernales

$125 ticket price was for more than lecture

In response to a Jan. 11 letter by Matt Nakamura regarding the visit of John Loring of Tiffany & Co., we want to correct the misimpression that the $125 price was simply to attend a "slide lecture."

The event was a reception and dinner benefit for the Hawaii Theatre Center and included a champagne reception in the theater mezzanine, a three-course formal dinner with wines held on stage, and a personally autographed copy of Loring's exquisite coffee table book, "Tiffany Jewels."

He is a world-renowned writer, accomplished designer, artist and author. Prior to joining Tiffany, he was the New York bureau chief of Architectural Digest, as well as one of the magazine's principal editorial contributors. He also served as a professor of art at the graduate school of the University of California.

We were fortunate to have him in Hawaii as part of our event.

Sarah M. Richards
President, Hawaii Theatre Center

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