Lawmakers don't want vote on gambling

Governor Cayetano's idea to put the gambling issue before the people sounds like the best idea I've heard in a long time. But it does not surprise me to hear that our elected officials don't like the idea. Sounds to me like our elected officials think they know what is best for the people and don't want to know what we have to say on the issue where it counts -- at the ballot box.

Jerry Okamura

Lingle's leadership is strong and fair

The impression one gets from the pages of your paper is that GOP Chairwoman Linda Lingle bosses Republican members of the Legislature around and is over-bearing and heavy handed. That is an erroneous impression.

I cherish my cordial working relationship with Lingle. As House Republican floor leader, I have never found that she has told me or any members of my caucus what to do. We share a great deal in common in goals, political beliefs and leadership style. I say she's a strong leader -- and it's about time that we have such leadership.

If she were a man she would be praised for her strong leadership. Because she's a woman, Democrats have nothing but negative things to say about her as a leader. We must banish that sort of bias from Hawaii. Look at the gains we've made as a consequence of her steady hand coordinating with elected Republicans.

Democrats can only envision a system where members are forced to toe the party line. Republicans by contrast are naturally independent. Linda Lingle unifies Republicans as we work together for true reform. Hawaii's last best hope is a revitalized two-party system. I'm proud to work with her for the people of Hawaii.

Rep. David Pendleton
House Republican Floor Leader

[Quotables] "We were definitely treated differently than 'the group' and excluded from 'the group,' and the group was men." Sydney Zalopany, One of two female supervisors with the Department of Public Safety who were awarded $4.1 million in damages in a gender discrimination suit against the department. "Working the crowd like a good sheepdog...There's a lot more to it than passing out the bulletin and collecting money." Dan Chun, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, conducting a training workshop for church ushers and greeters.

Work on Hanauma center continues

Your May 24 editorial on the Hanauma Bay Education Center includes several errors. The building was designed so that it could not be seen from the beach. As promised, you would look up and see a rocky ledge. Reducing the building structure by 5 feet was an idea that came from the architects and is a good one that will make the project better.

The project was not halted; work has continued, allowing time for the revisions to be made, as often occurs during construction.

You say taxpayers will foot the bill. This is incorrect. The Hanauma Bay revitilization project is funded from entrance fees. We have opened an account not to exceed $80,000. For an $11 million project, this is a small amount to expend to make things better around the world.

Eric G. Crispin, AIA
Assistant Director
City Department of Design and Construction

UH 'guards' at ADB were never at risk

There have been several comments regarding the use of University of Hawaii students in a security capacity at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) conference. Royal Guard Security is a strong supporter of the UH athletic department and has used UH students for many years as part-time employees.

The news media overplayed the role of the UH students, many of whom are members of the football team.

With intelligence reports indicating the possibility of violent demonstrators and protesters, the safety of the Royal Guard Security (RGS) personnel was foremost in our minds. Extensive meetings and planning sessions were held with key city, state and federal agencies, all addressing the possibility of violence and the proper response to address any outbreak.

Each student went through at least 16 hours of special training provided by the Department of Public Safety, Attorney General's Office, the Honolulu Police Department, federal agencies and RGS. In addition, they attended sessions on cultural sensitivity and protocol with foreign dignitaries. Our security responsibility was to verify that any one entering the premises had proper credentials. At all times, the danger to RGS personnel was minimal.

The descriptions released of husky guards, more than 6-feet-tall were not descriptions of the UH athletes. These are our front-line supervisors! It was agreed that these professionally trained supervisors would respond to any threats or acts of violence. Predetermined response by the appropriate law enforcement agency or units were in place to address any needs of support.

Our employees, who included UH students, were placed in the roles of "Ambassadors of Aloha" and attired in uniforms to amplify that theme of "Aloha." These employees displayed restraint, maturity, discipline and good-natured attitudes towards their roles and responsibilities. Because of the positive approach to a potentially explosive situation, all things turned out well and the conference ended without any violent incidents.

C.E. Rags Scanlan
President and CEO
Royal Guard Security Inc.

Oahu population looks too Caucasian in film

In the aftermath of the film premiere of "Pearl Harbor," rather than worry about possible anti-Japanese sentiment, wouldn't it be more appropriate to protest the inaccurate portrayal of the population of Oahu in 1941?

In every preview we've seen, the civilians in the film appear to be white (haole). This is striking and right away we had a feeling that something was amiss. Perhaps the film will be more accurate than we anticipate and not just another exercise in special effects.

Annette and Ben Berry

Food-fascists think they know best

It doesn't take much to draw the neo-fascist out of the closet. So people are fat, then something must be done ("Fat crisis prompts some to blame fast-food...," Star-Bulletin, May 12).

Never mind that most of the obese are overweight because they over-eat and are under-active. Individuals are responsible for their physical condition. Busybodies, of course, don't see things that way.

The politically correct food-fascists prefer to blame anything except the real culprits. They will advocate government-mandated eating programs and fat-food taxes to stem the tide of fat.

More than a few authorities claim that fat foods are not the problem. Rather, they say it is carbohydrates and their penchant for spiking insulin levels that is to blame for fatness. Carbohydrates, as we know, are the staple of the low-fat diet.

Only our lives, liberty and property suffer at the hands of those who "know" what is best for us. In advancing the cause of saving a few people from themselves, we all will be subjected to the will of fascist-food experts and dupes in government who swallow their drivel.

R.S. Weir
Kapaa, Hawaii

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