Religion has nothing to do with test scores

Andy Parx (Letters, Nov. 25) would have us believe that the low science test scores are due to the new members of the state Board of Education, Carol Gabbard and Sherwood Hara in particular, and their religious convictions.

Low scores are not due to the debate on the origin of man, but more likely to the lack of academic attention given to our students.

Parx's logic that a BOE member serving one or two years could affect an eighth-grader's test score is incongruent, especially when the topic of debate has not been introduced into the schools.

Why does Parx fear creationism? Scientific process has been used to prove or disprove theories for a long time. I think fear of validation to biblical claims are at the core.

Parx uses his anti-Christian view to criticize Christians. Our state has a real problem with the way they educate our children. Science has nothing to fear from the Bible.

Terri Mathews

America has become a police state

As a result of the Sept. 11 emergency, America lives in a police state. Big Brother rules this country. We've lost many of our civil liberties.

In our country's quest to protect itself from foreign terror, we've lost the freedom for which the United States stood.

Mike Chun

Snowman the best salesman for Hawaii

Hawaii's best salesman hit the mainland this week. The snowman delivered a foot of the white stuff to Minnesota. Hawaii's advertising should follow the snow with TV spots that say, "Come to Hawaii, we are warm, wonderful and safe."

Meanwhile, let's help our number one industry. Give hotels and retailers a 25 percent tax credit for renovations and new construction without the red tape. Modify the Waikiki Special Design District so that more businesses will reinvest in Hawaii like Outrigger hotels is doing. Restore Waikiki Beach.

By improving Hawaii statewide, we make it a better place to visit and expand our tax base by encouraging businesses to reinvest here.

Rick Gray

[Quotables] "It's a feel-good decision, but the reality is, it's not and the public will be harmed." Earle Partington Attorney, on the state Supreme Court's ruling allowing the parole board to set minimum terms equal to statutory maximums. "To the extent that this helps an insurance company identify who should have a higher rate and who should have a lower rate, I think the safer driver will come out in the long run." Tim Dayton GEICO insurance general manager, on the effect traffic cameras could have on vehicle insurance rates.

UH Warriors get no national recognition

I watched ESPN "Game Day" show this week and just about every game was mentioned except one.

There was no mention of a quarterback with back-to-back 500-yard games and 11 touchdown passes, no mention of a receiver with 285 yards and no mention of Chad Owens' 100-yard kick-off return. However, there was a lot of talk about teams winning six games and being "bowl eligible."

After one of the most exciting University of Hawaii football seasons ever, with an incredible coach and staff and a group of young men who never gave up, here we are at 8-3 (maybe 9-3 after today) and WAC'ed again.

It seems to me I heard UH hired a top-rated marketing company on the mainland. What are they marketing besides advertising? Certainly not the team. What does it take to get copies of the game into the right hands at ESPN? If somebody has to get on a plane with the video, then do it. UH players deserve that much.

It's time to stop blaming it on time zones and a late Saturday night game. If I am wrong about this, Hugh Yoshida, please correct me.

Roger A. Hutchings

Campaign violation ended with reprimand

On Tuesday, Nov. 20, the campaign spending commission met to discuss various campaign expenditure violations. Your paper addressed many of them.

However, one violation not reported was the letter of reprimand against Republican Pam Lee Smith of Ewa Beach for illegal campaign activities last election. The minutes of the hearing will verify the illegal mail-out that she conducted.

The campaign spending commission could have made her pay back the taxpayers' public funds she received.

Fortunately for her, the campaign spending commission showed some compassion with an official reprimand which is on file at the State Office Tower building.

Tom Berg

ACLU gave Kawaiahao Church free publicity

Brent White and the ACLU have just provided free publicity for the religious service at Kawaiahao Church on Saturday as part of the Honolulu City Lights program.

I would like White to specifically show me the exact words in the United States' or any constitution that prohibits such activity.

I believe that these people have really stretched the provision in the U.S. Constitution to their own bias.

Lloyd P. Ignacio

Isle teachers driven from their jobs

The situation under which public education in Hawaii labors is bad, and its future does not look better. Consequently two special education teacher colleagues of mine plan to be in Alaska teaching this time next year. They want to go because of a combination of malaise and salary.

Test scores go down. Teachers are expected to work miracles with children from home environments that don't support learning.

Perhaps the governor's apparent unspoken decision is right: Provide educational force in the public schools equal to the tourist industry and unskilled labor needs. Privatization of public education might be the only strong response. Become competitive with the private schools and draw back the sons and daughters of teachers, principals and others.

One wishes the system had not been allowed to get so big. I read two articles recently about stalwart, effective teachers who are continuing full-time on the mainland at age 82 and 70 because they love teaching.

Meanwhile, today or tomorrow teachers in Hawaii will leave to teach on the mainland. Some will return years from now on a more secure financial footing. That's how it is in Hawaii public education.

Nandarani Evans

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