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Collision might have followed delayed ascent

Here's a plausible scenario of the events leading to the USS Greeneville/Ehime Maru accident.

The seas were moderate. The submarine rose to periscope depth to survey the area. Because of the swells and still-distant fishing boat, the latter did not appear to be a problem.

Meanwhile, the boat was under way in the direction of the sub. The sub descended and it was decided who would man the switch to execute the maneuver. A civilian volunteered and was briefed in the operation.

This took maybe 5-10 minutes. All the while, the fishing boat maintained its speed and bearing, which took it directly over the sub. It was totally unaware of the sub.

When the sub executed its move, the boat was directly over the submarine. The rest of the story became history. A chronological tape recording of the exercise could pin down the facts.

Leonard K. Chun

Federal officials should re-create sub accident

The Navy and National Transportation Safety Board should take the USS Greeneville (or a similar submarine) and a target like the sunken Ehime Maru, to the accident location.

They should re-create the periscope scanning maneuver with the various target distances (in the 2-3 mile range) and estimated angular velocities on the periscope motion. It appears it was not as effective a surface vessel detection method as performed.

Richard Elms
Savusavu, Fiji

Congress is focusing on wrong issue

Instead of probing former President Clinton's pardon of Marc Rich, Congress should be spending its time on a more important and pressing matter: the recent sinking of a Japanese fishing vessel by a U.S. submarine off Oahu.

Is the equipment such as the sonar and the periscope the best we have? Was the surfacing procedure of submarines followed? Was the crew trained and supervised? Why were civilians allowed on the sub? Should this practice be terminated?

Aside from the apology, what about any compensation to be paid to the ship's owner, the fishing crew and famillies of the survivors?

Congress should summon the sub's crew and the civilians who were on board the sub, and find out what they did.

They should be granted immunity, if needed.

Our government and the Navy should get to the bottom of this matter.

They owe everyone an explanation and must establish a sound procedure to prevent a similar accident in the future.

How Tim Chang

Quotables "I really wanted to go back to school. (But) UH was expensive." Michelle Donaldson CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND CURRENT HONOLULU UNIVERSITY STUDENT Who doesn't care that the university is not accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. A bill before the state Legislature would eliminate the requirement that schools disclose their unaccredited status. "No one can be compelled to talk. Everyone has that constitutional right." Ted Lopatkiewiscz SPOKESMAN FOR THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD Saying that Scott Waddle, commander of the U.S. submarine that sank a Japanese fishing vessel, has the right to decline an interview with federal investigators until the conclusion of Navy proceedings

Parents should support teachers on picket line

As a parent whose children spent most of their school lives in public schools, I am a Parent In Suppport of Teachers. I invite all other parents to be P.I.S.T., too.

We have a lot of problems in our schools. We don't have money for computers, air conditioning and books. We have some teachers who really should be doing some type of work other than teaching.

But in my experience of working as a private-sector volunteer for several schools, I can say that most are competent, hard working and dedicated to their careers.

If our teachers go on strike, take the time to stand with them on the streets with your own picket signs. If we don't support our teachers, who will support our children?

Michael E. Duncan
Kaneohe

Trim government and increase pay

The governor is warning of massive layoffs if the state Senate proceeds with a plan to give public unions the full pay raises they are seeking.

Right on! We've been complaining for years that a major cause of our stagnant economy is a bloated bureaucracy. Let's trim government and give the remaining workers the compensation that they want and will then deserve.

Robert Chanin
Kailua

Lottery, selling stadium name could raise money

As an island-born local boy, I still consider Hawaii my home in my heart. I read your online edition regularly.

I see that the governor and Legislature are at odds over state employee pay raises and all the budget issues surrounding it. I also note that one faction is proposing a tax increase and that legalizing gambling is being ruled out.

Why? If the state needs to raise money, why doesn't it institute a lottery? Other states have done so and they are big money-raisers. Unlike casino gambling, a lottery can be played by anyone without "mortgaging the house." For $1, anyone over 18 can participate.

Also, how about selling the name rights to Aloha Stadium to some corporate entity? Maybe for $1 million per year, Chevron, Hawaiian Electric or some other business would cough up the kala to have the stadium named after it. Would it really sound that bad? Imagine: Chevron Aloha Stadium.

Pius M. Kang
Lansdale, Pa.

Eminem's message shouldn't be rewarded

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has nominated Eminem, whose songs glorify brutal domestic violence and murder, for four Grammy Awards. Among the categories is the prestigious Album of the Year, in which one of the songs on his "Marshall Mathers LP" talks about him killing his wife.

Violence against women and gay people is a consistent theme throughout his music. On both of his albums, he sings about murdering his wife, Kim. (Last year, Eminem filed for divorce from his wife, who tried to commit suicide.) He has written lyrics in which he fantasizes about raping his mother, who is suing him for these and other inflammatory lyrics.

CBS should cancel Eminem's Grammy Awards performance and stop the unjustifiable receipt of awards for his music. Instead, CBS should run public service announcements during the Grammy Awards, addressing the dangers of domestic violence.

Carol C. Lee
Executive Director
Hawaii State Coalition
Against Domestic Violence

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