Waianae mom should be a parent, not a pal

In the story "Two students in Waianae uniform controversy" (Star-Bulletin, Aug 8), their mother is quoted as saying, "I'm not going to say, 'Put on the damn shirt and go to school.'"

With these words, one parent has done more harm to her children than one can imagine. Children need discipline, guidance and boundaries. They don't need a parent being their buddy and supporting them in a dispute with authority, particularly when the authority is demanding the same behavior from the rest of the students. No one is being singled out.

This attitude will extend into adulthood. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is a stepping-stone to larger issues. This is the same thing as saying to your child, "Never mind that red light, you don't have to stop if you don't want to," or "You don't have to listen to what that policeman tells you."

If it were my child, I would say, "Put on the shirt and go to school. When you are an adult, you can make your own decisions. Period."

James Roller

Adults must teach kids to be responsible

What are we teaching kids?

I ask this partly in reaction to something that happened recently at our neighborhood park. My wife and I finished playing tennis and as we returned to our car (my first brand-new car), we noticed foul balls were flying over the short fence. Our fears were confirmed when we saw a dent in the hood of our car. Because the team was practicing in the outfield -- not using the home plate and backstop -- we asked the coach for an explanation. His only comment was that "someone forgot to unlock the batting cage" for them. No apology.

Do we want our kids to grow up placing the responsibility for their actions on others? In our society of lawsuits and misplaced blame, can we ever hope for change? Our minor experience is a reflection of many situations I read about in the news: the obese man who is suing fast-food companies because he ate their products; speeding and drunken drivers who complain about getting caught (by cameras or otherwise).

Do you think one day people who do something wrong, intentionally or accidentally, will own up to their actions?

I'm not scheming for extra money. I'm not waiting for any apologies. What I hope is that we -- as parents, aunties, uncles, coaches -- do our best to model responsibility by first being responsible for ourselves.

Patrick Nakamura
Aiea

TIPS program sounds like McCarthyism

I am aware of the continuing threat from terrorists. My heart bleeds for all involved. We must and are doing many things to help insure that another Sept. 11 doesn't happen. But TIPS -- the federal Terrorism Information and Prevention System -- is crazy. Recruiting people to report any suspicious activity smacks of McCarthyism. How about Arizona internment camps for all those who are Muslims?

What's next -- neighborhood committees that promote dime-dropping on their family and friends in the name of the state? Sounds a lot like what we were all so appalled by when East Germany was liberated.

Why is it the first thing Republicans do when dealing with crisis situations is to strike out parts of the Constitution that they think get in the way of controlling things?

This is scaring me to no end.

Ken Lang
Kamuela, Hawaii

Some incumbents think they're above law

Is anyone else sick and tired of government officials who think they are above the law? I was appalled to see that Governor Cayetano thinks it is OK for him to use government employees to analyze Linda Lingle's "Agenda for a New Beginning," to use taxpayers' money for personal gain.

I am tired of this behavior and we all should be. To let our government officials know how we feel, let's vote new people into office and kick out all incumbents who are doing a bad job. This will show our government officials that we want changes to be made in Hawaii and that we will hold them accountable for their actions.

Alan Kim
Aiea

Outdated quarantine rules punish pets

I'm disappointed in the state Board of Agriculture's decision not to end or shorten the pet quarantine time for vaccinated dogs and cats in Hawaii (Star-Bulletin, July 26).

Pets that are under the supervision and care of state-licensed veterinarians and that can provide written documentation of vaccinations, heart-worm pills and sterilization procedures from any state should be accepted for a shorter quarantine time.

Today's medical technology on testing for specific diseases is quicker and less expensive then keeping a pet locked up for 30-120 days.

If my pets are to be quarantined, and owners have to pay for all the expense, I'd strongly request a 24-hour camera with Internet access to make sure my family pets are not neglected or treated badly.

Day-care centers have these cameras so parents can make sure their loved ones are kept safe and treated well; I'd want the same for my family pets.

I was born and raised in Hawaii. I'd love my pets to come back home with me and enjoy the beautiful islands.

Joselynn Loiselle
Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

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