Sign-wavers don't cause traffic hazard

What is all the fuss about restricting political sign-wavers because they cause a traffic distraction?

These sign-wavers are no more distracting to us drivers than trying to read the regular traffic signs posted along our roadways.

Michael Nomura
Kailua

Screeners are forced to follow inane policies

I sympathize with Air Force Maj. William C. Grund ("Airport security policy can be nonsensical," Letters, June 24). I believe that anyone in the military shouldn't have to go through the same airport screening that civilians go through. That also goes for nuns and senior citizens.

My wife, a 59-year-old Asian woman, went through the screening process recently. They checked her shoes, with half-inch heels, like they were going to explode in their hands. I couldn't help but laugh while watching her get the third degree. I know it's not the screeners' fault; they get their marching orders from none other than Norman Mineta, the head of the Department of Transportation.

President Bush should have a good talk with Mineta and get him to change these idiotic policies. If he doesn't want to change, Dubya should wish him luck and tell him sayonara.

A good move would be to put the airport screeners under the Justice Department, with John Ashcroft in charge, so that they can screen the right people and not waste a lot of time on screening nuns and members of the U.S. military.

Fred Cavaiuolo
Waikiki

'Direct filing' would improve legal system

When you visit our state or city courts, you often see uniformed police officers standing or sitting in the hallways. They are just cooling their heels while they wait to appear before a judge to reiterate what they have already said in their written reports. This antiquated system is a huge waste of police officers' time, a waste of our tax dollars and provides the bad guys with one more loophole to slither through.

Crimes against our visitors can become a major inconvenience to the visitor and, in some cases, a breakdown in our legal system. Many visitors do not return to Hawaii for fear of being traumatized again. It's pretty clear that this old system works in favor of the criminal.

Honolulu City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle wants to bring Hawaii into the 21st century by getting rid of this inefficient system. In November, you will be asked to vote on an important amendment to our state Constitution. It is referred to as "direct filing." This amendment will make our legal system more efficient and our streets safer for everyone.

Direct filing is the rule, not the exception, in most of America. It is now time for Hawaii to catch up. This amendment to our Constitution is good for everyone but the criminals.

Vote yes on this amendment in November, and help make Hawaii's legal system work.

Bob Hampton
President Waikiki Beach Activities

We need tax relief and gas price caps

Martin Rice knows what he's talking about ("Lingle's looking out for Big Business," Letters, June 17). Hawaii consumers and our fragile economy definitely need relief from excessively high gas prices. After years of public complaints and no action by the oil industry via voluntary controls, regulation by the state has been proven to be necessary.

Avarice, created by a rich and powerful industry operating in a noncompetitive market, is the essence of the problem here. Imagine all that excess profit sent to the mainland year after year, not reinvested back into our economy. Does anyone wonder why our economy has remained so sluggish for so long?

Hawaii needs both tax relief and gasoline price caps, not one or the other. I will be casting my vote for the candidate who is most willing and best able to look after the interest of Hawaii's consumers and taxpayers.

Terumi Kanegawa
Wahiawa

Story on priest's life of devotion refreshing

Mahalo to Star-Bulletin religion writer Mary Adamski for the beautiful tribute to Father Arsene Daenen ("A funeral for the Rev. Arsene Daenen stirs memories of how he touched many lives," View from the Pew, June 22), and to the many dedicated men like him who have given most of their lives serving the people of Hawaii. It was a loving and refreshing piece.

Patrick Downes
Spokesman
Hawaii Roman Catholic Diocese

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