Senators should speak up for Clifton

Senators Inouye and Akaka have real power to quickly fill the federal judicial vacancies in Hawaii. They are now in the majority and the Republican minority will surely vote for President Bush's nominees.

Rick Clifton's nomination to the Ninth Circuit is the first opportunity. Everyone who has practiced with or against Clifton knows he is an excellent nominee and completely qualified for the position.

Apparently our senators weren't extended the usual protocol by Bush before he announced Clifton's nomination. Senator Inouye has said he wants to know why "for the record." As long as Bush makes excellent nominations, I ask our senators to make "the record" quickly and get the judicial vacancies filled. We can't delay until there is a new president.

Justice delayed by crowded dockets and too few judges is often justice denied. May our senators use their power to fill not only the Ninth Circuit seat, but vacancies in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii and the U.S. Attorney of Hawaii.

Gary G. Grimmer

[Quotables] "I felt surprised. It was so shocking I couldn't even think at that time. And then after that, everything started going my way so it was very lucky." Stephanie Kono, 11-year-old golfer, after sinking her first hole-in-one on the way to defeating former University of Hawaii golfer Desiree Ting, 6 and 5, at the Hawaii State Women's Golf Association Match Play Championships. "We always have mixed feelings because you're taking away someone's livelihood." John Spierling, Chairman of the Honolulu Liquor Commission, on revoking the liquor license of a Honolulu strip club for numerous violations, including hiring an underage dancer. "It's putrid. It's disgraceful." Karen Alexander, Ewa resident, on the accumulated trash piled up at a temporary waste dump near the Ewa Villages Golf Course. The city said the site would be cleaned up by today

Women lawyers' group does not endorse

Brian N. Durham's letter published in the June 27 Star-Bulletin incorrectly states that Hawaii Women Lawyers endorsed Rick Clifton's nomination to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Hawaii Women Lawyers does not endorse judicial candidates.

Melissa Pavlicek
President Hawaii Women Lawyers

Where will our future teachers come from?

I am the husband of a teacher. Through the years I have observed her performance and commitment and have seen my love, appreciation and respect for her grow.

We have three well-adjusted and academically terrific daughters. We are very fortunate. However, we have one disappointment. Despite observing what a wonderful teacher their mom is, none decided to become a teacher.

They observed the hard work, long hours, low pay and constant disrespect exhibited to teachers by the state administration and others. The damage over the years, even when a contract was finally agreed to, have formed a lasting impression on them.

I also wonder what the effect of the recent strike and current contract dispute will have on tomorrow's future supply of Hawaii's teachers. Will we lose more of our state's human treasure to a better life on the mainland and have to rely on recruiting (and sometimes deceiving) short-term teachers from outside our state?

We need more leaders with the vision to resolve this ongoing and tragic problem.

Clinton T. Yamasaki

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