Editorial, story erred in lobbying references

I'm writing to correct an error in your editorial of Thursday, Jan. 10, titled "Legislators should keep prohibition of gambling." Once again I'm referred to as a lobbyist for Sun International, a proponent for the establishment of a casino at Ko Olina. Charles Memminger, in his humor column of Monday, Jan. 14, also referred to me as a lobbyist for Sun International.

For the record, I would like to make it absolutely clear that I am not a lobbyist for Sun International. In addition, I have never been registered as a pro-gambling lobbyist, nor have I ever been compensated for my services by any pro-gambling interest.

Charles T. Toguchi

Slaying of officer's wife is hate crime

The 2002 Hawaii killing fields have begun. The evidence is the article "Big Isle detective arrested in killing" (Star-Bulletin, Jan. 6). The alleged intentional chase, blocking of the wife's car and the repeated shooting of the victim is the first death of a police officer's family member this year.

Officer Albert Pacheco was reportedly arrested in his wife's death. She is the first victim of a Hawaii hate crime in 2002.

What does this horrific death show to Hawaii? That women are dispensable. Women are fair game.

One witness wondered, "What makes people's lives so bad they fly into a violent rage?" Hate motivates most horrific deaths.

One prayer for both the victim and her husband is for justice. No one deserves to be chased, cornered and shot repeatedly. Only when women are safe in their homes, workplaces and cars will all citizens be safe.

Carolyn Martinez Golojuch
Makakilo

[Quotables] "At my age everyone deserves an adventure or two." Jack Seigle Co-founder of Starr Seigle Communications, on living part-time in Medellin, Colombia. The 68-year-old Seigle says Medellin, which is famous for its drug lords and rampant violence, is a "friendly and fascinating place." "One guy almost ran me off the road. People have swerved in front of me and slammed on their brakes. One woman came up on the side of me and matched speeds and just glared at me." Doug Pyle Oahu resident, on other drivers' reactions to his white Toyota Sienna, which resembles a traffic photo enforcement van. Pyle, who is not affiliated with the photo enforcement program, has asked the Department of Transportation and the Senate Transportation Committee to mark the traffic vans so personal vehicles such as his are not mistaken for the vans.

State must stand up to road bullies

For years I've been harassed, tailgated and even been given the "finger" by other drivers as punishment for my decision to follow the speed limit. These same drivers are now harassing and giving the finger to the state. I've had the guts to stand up to these road bullies. Now it's time for our leaders and our police to show similar courage.

Jean Polly
Kailua

State should ensure fluoride is never used

At last the tide is turning. It is becoming obvious that fluoridation is not the solution to our alleged woes of tooth decay, and some clear-headed and courageous City Council members and legislators are willing to take a stand against pouring this poisonous industrial-waste product into our water supply. These people should be commended and re-elected.

The 2002 Hawaii State Legislature could be immortalized in Hawaii's health history if it were to ban fluoridation or put an indefinite moratorium on it. Otherwise, we might see a reoccurrence of the 1950s elections, when a strong coalition of nisei plantation workers went to the polls and voted against all union-backed politicians who endorsed fluoridation at that time.

By the 1980s, most European countries discerned that fluoridation is mass medication and have never considered it an option since. It is time for Hawaii to restrict or totally eliminate the use of dental mercury and fluoride.

Melissa Yee
Hawaii Citizens for Safe Drinking Water

Dual diagnosis calls for treatment

Dual-diagnosed individuals have two medically diagnosed conditions. An example in the mental health arena would be manic depressive/drug addicted. Manic depressives experience mood swings from deep despondence to high anxiety. Some manic depressives self-medicate with alcohol or "downers" to relieve anxiety and "uppers" -- speed, cocaine or crystal meth -- to elevate themselves out of depression.

Suicides and other forms of self-harm often occur when a rapid mood swing occurs. It is similar to an airplane that runs out of fuel mid-flight. The result is a rapid descent resulting in a crash. Many of history's most talented inventors and artists were undiagnosed manic depressives.

Unfortunately, many in our society have closed their eyes to the plight of the mentally ill. They feel that mental illness and the tendency to become addicted are results of ungodliness or the products of a weak mind. Actually, both are hereditary.

Isn't it about time we opened our hearts and minds to the plight of the mentally ill and the suffering addict? Through education, prison reform and the enlightenment of our Legislature, these members of society can receive medical rather than penal treatment.

With this approach we may witness the birth of many a new da Vinci, van Gogh and Toulous-Lautrec.

Michael Spiker
OCCC

Merger will kill soul of Hawaiian Airlines

For 55 years combined, my son and I have served the traveling public as pilots for Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian offered professional, economical and safe air service. Hawaiian has survived tough economic times to become an airline the state can be proud of.

The employees have rebuilt Hawaiian with their own sweat and blood. Simply put, we have sacrificed to make Hawaiian the airline it is today. Now that we are competitive and profitable, a corporate robber has arrived, traveling on tracks greased with political favors and questionable scheming. Together, we employees and the traveling public will pay.

To the senior senator from Washington, our governor, Walter Dodds, Paul Casey John Adams, Smith Management and Jeff Watanabe, you have ripped the heart and soul out of Hawaiian and her employees, and taken a great mode of transportation from the people of Hawaii.

Ed White
Captain
Hawaiian Airlines

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