Editorials
Sunday, May 27, 2001
A little message
for the graduates
The issue: All across Hawaii and America
at graduations this month and next, speakers
will ladle out learned advice. Here's some
that's a bit different.
CONGRATULATIONS are in order for those graduating from high school and college in this spring season. An extra pat on the back for those who have excelled in their studies or on the athletic fields or in student governments, newspapers and clubs. Applause, too, for those who have struggled but done their best and have never given up.Many speakers at graduation ceremonies will advise you to think big, and that is not bad advice. Someone may have the makings of the doctor who will discover the cure for cancer or the scientist who will conquer AIDS. One will become a splendid scholar, another a business executive whose company will provide hundreds of satisfying jobs, a third a courageous general or admiral. It would be grand for anyone to aspire to write the great American novel or to capture the beauty of Hawaii and her people as a photographer or artist.
Even as you think big, however, take some time to think small. As a saintly woman no longer with us often said: "It is the little things in life that count."
A clergyman giving a simple but memorable sermon put it another way. "Do not concern yourself with the extraordinary things of life but do the ordinary things exceptionally well."
That was echoed by a gruff Army colonel, a leader whose soldiers would follow him through hell: "Attention to detail, lieutenant. Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."
An ancient touch of philosophy of unknown origin holds: "It is better to light one candle than to curse the dark." The bumper sticker version is more succinct but just as eloquent: "Be guilty of random acts of kindness."
The Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, then president of Notre Dame, summed it up in a graduation address nearly a half century ago: "Make something of yourselves lest your teachers will have suffered genteel poverty in vain."
Have a good summer and a great life.
Don’t let gambling
proposal slip past
legislative scrutinyThe issue: Governor Cayetano has
suggested that voters be asked to vote on
a constitutional amendment allowing
one or two gambling casinos.
HAWAII LEGISLATORS wisely have rejected the temptation to sanction gambling as a source of revenue, recognizing the harm that would be caused to residents as well as to the tourist industry. Governor Cayetano is suggesting that the issue be put to the voters, which would open the gates to an ambitious promotion of what the gambling industry prefers to call "gaming." The governor's proposal is a desperate attempt to circumvent the legislative process, and it should be slapped down.This issue is highly emotional and conducive to such a promotional campaign. A poll by the Star-Bulletin and KITV-4 in January found that 40 percent of Hawaii residents would not support gambling in the state under any circumstances, but 46 percent would support it under certain conditions. Only 13 percent indicated their support for legalized gambling under any circumstance. A poll taken in May showed that 37 percent preferred gambling to a tax hike as a way to increase funding for education, while 29 percent opted for a tax increase.
A more sober look at the issue can be gained from other figures, compiled two years ago by the National Opinion Research Center in Chicago:
>> Nationally, 2.5 million adults are pathological gamblers, and an additional 3 million are considered problem gamblers. Those proportions decline among people with college educations and in households with incomes over $100,000. Fifteen million adults are at risk for problem gambling.
>> The prevalence of pathological and problem gamblers doubles when casinos are situated within 50 miles -- versus 50 to 250 miles -- of the potential gambler's home. Add 2,000 miles of ocean and the disparity can be expected to increase dramatically.
>> Pathological and problem gamblers in the United States cost society $5 billion a year in productivity reductions, social services and creditor losses, not to mention costs associated with gambling-related divorces and other family disruptions. Community leaders nationwide agree that gambling increases indebtedness and, in turn, youth crime, forgery, credit card theft, domestic violence, child neglect and substance abuse.
Cayetano suggested that the Legislature propose a constitutional amendment allowing one or two exclusive licenses for gambling. A minority of those showing up at polling booths could legalize gambling if they constituted a majority of those casting votes on this particular issue, and such an occurrence would not be a surprise considering the highly charged nature of this issue.
What is surprising is that a revenue strategy as regressive as gambling -- a greater lure as personal incomes decline -- should be given a nudge by a governor who has been progressive in other respects.
Published by Oahu Publications Inc., a subsidiary of Black Press.Don Kendall, President
John Flanagan, publisher and editor in chief 529-4748; jflanagan@starbulletin.com
Frank Bridgewater, managing editor 529-4791; fbridgewater@starbulletin.com
Michael Rovner, assistant managing editor 529-4768; mrovner@starbulletin.com
Lucy Young-Oda, assistant managing editor 529-4762; lyoungoda@starbulletin.com The Honolulu Star-Bulletin (USPS 249460) is published daily by
Oahu Publications at 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
Periodicals postage paid at Honolulu, Hawaii. Postmaster: Send address changes to
Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.
