Will Clinton's bio be a true story?

Bill Clinton's future book will not only make history from a financial standpoint but also as the first bestseller to top the non-fiction and the fiction lists at the same time.

Russell Stephen Pang

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When Bill Clinton finishes his candid and thorough memoirs for $12 million, are we supposed to believe it, if we're nuts enough to read it?

For the life of me, I can't think of anything that he did that's worth more than a $5 paperback about how to seduce an intern and lie about it.

The gall of this man is beyond me, and apparently he still requires major therapy, not to mention the publisher.

John L. Werrill

Let's hope Dobelle brought his wallet

Who rang the DOBELLE, and let that Evan guy in the state coffers?

F.A. McCafferty

How would we get to Kapolei on game day?

Has anybody figured out the proposed 60,000-seat stadium in Kapolei?

With about 40,000 cars headed toward the "ball park" from as far away as Mokuleia and Waimanalo, there's bound to be a couple of accidents involving ambulances, police cars and a helicopter or two.

A few cars will overheat while moving at the speed of a microbe; there will be a complete standstill. So why not just turn it into a tail-gate party from downtown to Kapolei, grill a few steaks in the fast lane and forget about the game?

Rosemarie H. Tucker

Mental health court is humane solution

The nursing cap that I have had the privilege of wearing for 40 years goes off to the judiciary for its exploration of creating a special mental health court. This has become a very great need since the '60s when the pendulum swung to the extreme for civil rights vs. treatment of illness.

Patients that used to be found in psychiatric facilities are now found defecating in front of a storefront or in our jails and treated primarily like criminals.

Is this civil rights?

Having worked in the psychiatric setting in Honolulu for 10 years, may I commend Sharon Black, crises intervention coordinator for the Honolulu Police Department? She is a gutsy woman. Over the years, I have heard her bad-mouthed by both her colleagues and mine. May we all develop just some of the courage she has to stand up for what she believes is right -- especially to stand up for that population that cannot stand up for themselves.

Meredith O'Brien
Certified psychiatric nurse

Over-consumption editorial was welcome

Please accept my "two-shaka" salute for the Star-Bulletin's Aug. 7 editorial, "Money doesn't always make us happy or content," wherein you recognize that increased incomes and material possessions have not resulted in increased happiness for Americans. Congratulations for "getting it" at last.

In fact, surveys show the least-satisfied occupational groups are two of the best-compensated, doctors and lawyers. Now what stronger indictment of our Western economic order can there be but to realize that the system is so badly broken, it is unable to satisfy the needs even of its biggest winners?

Some would diagnose America's "affluenza" as nothing more than yuppie self-indulgent whining. However, this would ignore a current economy and culture that glorifies the individual and promotes endless consumption, while deriding sustainable cultures as underdeveloped and primitive.

Now that you understand the harmful effects of the dominant paradigm of political economy at the microeconomic level, it should be easier to appreciate the activities of those who are working to reform the system on the macroeconomic front.

Today's anti-corporate globalization and fair-trade movements are working to improve lives in both the developed and developing nations. But their success depends on a democratic transfer of economic power, from a global elite to the greater benefit of communities, workers and the environment at local levels.

Richard Weigel
Aiea

[Quotables] "I know it's against the law...I'm sorry I had to push it so far to get some attention, but if that's what it takes, I'll do it every time." Mindy Jaffe, Republican state representative (Diamond Head-Kaimuki-Kapahulu), on her public announcement that she would paint a crosswalk herself at a busy intersection near a bus stop in her district. The city, which had denied her requests for crossing stripes, painted the crosswalk Friday. "I lived up there for a few months. It worked on my nerves, so I pulled out." Roy Kimoto, Former resident of lava-damaged Royal Gardens subdivision on the Big Island, on watching lava flow downhill near his home. Kimoto, who is still lured by the hot rock, was watching lava push into the sea along the Puna Coast where the county will open a gravel road next week so the public can get a better view.

Pearl City ball players impressed Indiana

I was fortunate enough to be involved recently with the 10-year-old baseball World Series held in Vincennes, Ind. The Oahu Warriors, led by Randall Stevens, are a class act, a wonderful example of good sports and true athletes. We commend the families and parents of these fine athletes. They set a higher standard for youth athletics for the rest of the world.

Julia Riggins
Vincennes, Ind.

Tax rebate is only beginning of relief

I was stunned at the recent Star-Bulletin article in which everyone interviewed by the paper expressed disappointment over the coming tax rebate. My first reaction was, "Where did they find so many whiners?" I just couldn't understand it.

But it became obvious that we don't all appreciate what this rebate check represents. If congressional Democrats had won the tax debate, this "disappointing" check would be all we get. End of story.

But thanks to the Republicans and the president, this check is just the down payment on long-term tax relief. We're going to get even more of our own money back.

If you're still not satisfied, ask for more. After all, it is your money. The people to ask are:

>> Rep. Neil Abercrombie --neil.abercrombie@mail.house.gov.

>> Sen. Daniel Inouye -- senator@inouye.senate.gov.

>> Sen. Daniel Akaka -- senator@akaka.senate.gov.

Robert R. Kessler

Beware of electing 'Trojan Horses'

The Aug. 10 letter from Sen. Fred Hemmings makes a case for balance in Hawaii politics by electing more Republicans.

I remind readers of the California experience. In 1990, Californians elected a moderate Republican governor, Pete Wilson. By the end of his term, his administration had become one of anything but balance. His wrecking crews were working feverishly to undo the progressive policies that years of effort had forged.

Every progressive voter should be aware of the Republican's "Trojan Horse" approach to winning elections.

George Casen

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