Kali's intimidation of police won't fly

Let's see, state Department of Transportation spokesperson Marilyn Kali says there will be no mercy for speeders. One mile over the speed limit and you will get a ticket -- unless you're one of her people, in which case the police officer must be lying or has some kind of vendetta.

My question is this: Why is Kali or the state involved in this matter? The speeder was pulled over and given a ticket. This should be between the police and the individual who got the ticket. Let him take the day off without pay to go to court and plead his case at his expense.

We need to investigate this intimidation of the police by Kali and her troops. This is an election year and Kali will turn out to be a sore political issue with those seeking re-election. I am sure that politicians will not want to be associated with the speed camera program in its present form. My 2002 prediction is that Kali and the traffic camera program will be put out of business in six months. I can't wait.

Brian Benton
Kaneohe

Cameras bring sanity to Oahu's highways

I noticed in the paper that there are concerns about the safety of the traffic cameras and for people driving too slowly. I wonder if anyone has gone outside to look.

Yes, people are driving slower and yes, occasionally there is a bunched-up group of cars, but overall there has been a night-and-day improvement in traffic. Drivers seem to be more courteous and far less aggressive. It's almost as if we had been given permission to drive more sanely.

It only takes a few pushy drivers to raise the ambient speed. A week and a half ago driving was like stepping into a war zone. For a habitual non-speeder it was self-defense and ducking blows. I don't feel that way now. There are still the guys who want to go faster but they are allowing me to drive way slower without shoving. I haven't been tailgated in a week; that was a twice-daily occurrence a week and a half ago.

Please note that bunched-up groups of cars are less hazardous at 40 mph than at 60. This is the net change. The cars that are following too closely are doing it at far less speed and seem not to be as close as before, and the bunches are groups of two or three cars, not seven to 10.

I think the opposition to the traffic cameras comes mostly from the few flagrant violators. We have a habit of appeasing our tantrum throwers, our spoiled brats. We don't need to do this.

Let's have more cameras.

Grant W. Merritt

[Quotables] "After his death we got a box of his things, and there were our letters and my picture, which he never got." Priscilla Murashima Sister of Joseph Matsunaga, one of 73 soldiers from Hawaii missing in action in Korea, recalling the pain of losing her older brother. Murashima attended a military briefing last week for family members of missing soldiers from World War II, and the wars in Korea and Vietnam. "I want him here for 20 years, (but) will he stay here for two years?" Evan Dobelle University of Hawaii president, on how long UH football coach June Jones will stay in Hawaii and whether a state transfer of the ownership of Aloha Stadium to the university will entice Jones to remain in Hawaii.

Public outrage about cameras misguided

It is inspiring to see so many people actively involved in the biggest, most important issue of the new year. Homeland security? Education? No, speeding.

People are losing their minds over the state's attempt to use cameras to thwart speeders. It seems most of us want to preserve the right to speed and break the law as long as there are no cops around. People are buying $400 radar detectors. They are buying $30 covers for their license plates. They are writing letters to the editor. They are hiring attorneys. They blame the vendor. They blame the governor. "It's an atrocity," they scream.

Me? I just don't speed. I live in Kapolei. Assuming there is absolutely no traffic, a 25-mile trip into town at 55 mph takes 27 minutes. That same trip at 65 mph will save 4 minutes. Some driving at 70 mph will save 6 minutes. Is this what everyone is freaking out about? I waste more time in the bathroom.

Mark Middleton

Raising limits won't stop speeding

Before politicians raise the speed limits on state highways, remember that speed is relative and when drivers come off the highways into more congested residential areas there will be an increased inclination for them to go over the speed limit.

I find this happening to me. After getting off the freeway or driving over the Pali and going into some of the side streets where speed limits are lower and traffic is moving slower, I often find myself going well over the speed limit. But at the same time I feel like I'm going quite slow. This is because I was going so fast when I was on the highway.

So if you're going to increase speed on the highway or if you're going to continue to allow people to speed on those highways, then you should expect the people to continue to speed when they drive on neighborhood streets.

Mark Lee

Now it's 'unlucky you live Hawaii'

As a 23-year resident of Hawaii, I am fed up. We have a state government that has no concern for the wishes of the people. It is only concerned with the welfare of the government and it workers.

A prime example is the wonderful traffic cameras. It is evident from public discussions, readers' viewpoints, radio shows and other media that the traffic cams are not wanted by the majority of the people of Hawaii.

Yet the government insults our intelligence and tells us it's a safety issue and then puts the camera vans in speed traps.

We also have the real property tax valuations issued by our wonderful city government. They are way out of sync with reality. I would gladly sell my condo to the government for its appraised value -- surprise, no takers from the government.

Now the state has settled the oil company suit for overcharging the people of Hawaii. The money recovered will go to --who else -- the government.

In addition, we learn that it appears our mayor and his political machine are raising campaign money by whatever means possible, legal or not.

It is now time for the people of Hawaii to speak with their vote and remove the existing government that will not follow the will of the people. For the first time in 23 years, I am thinking of moving to the mainland.

Gary G. Osterman

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