People with day jobs can't watch live sports

I would love to watch the NBA or any other sports event live in Hawaii. There's just one problem: I work. All these people who every year complain about watching games delayed -- do they work?

I finish work at 4:30 p.m. The games usually start at 3:30. It takes me an hour to get home. By the time I get there, it's the end of the third quarter.

So please, TV stations, don't show the playoffs or finals live. Some of us in Hawaii work.

Charles W. Santiago Jr.
Wahiawa

Political sign-waving builds character

The huge and exaggerated controversy resulting from Pearl City High School football coach Onosai Tanuvasa's attempt to create camaraderie off the field with his players is absolutely ludicrous ("Pearl City coach reaps criticism for taking players to fund-raiser," Star-Bulletin, May 29). Politicians are focusing too much on pointing fingers rather than creating policies and solid platforms from which we voters can decide.

In my days of student government participation at Leilehua High School, we participated in activities such as sign-waving as well as volunteering at hospitals and flower shops (to help with Mother's Day orders) as a community service.

I don't know all the details behind this incident with the Pearl City football players, but I feel that the parent who incited this outcry needs to realize that doing things for the community builds character. It gives youths an opportunity to see different sides of society, and the roles we as citizens can play in our community.

Whether Tanuvasa coerced the players or not is another issue. However, if the players feel that they don't want to participate in such activities, then they should voice their preferences. As are all of life's experiences and obstacles, stating one's opinion and making choices also are important in building character.

Jan Ventura

Seat-belt law should be repealed

The seat-belt law is a classic example of busybody government regulation. Sadly, there are those who actually welcome government micro-management and manipulation in their lives. I see the seat-belt law as a hurtful "witch hunt" and an unwelcome form of taxation. What happened to personal choice and freedom in our over-regulated country?

State lawmakers should repeal the seat-belt law and stop meddling in our personal lives and choices.

John Di Virgilio
Kailua

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