Democrats should trim their bad ideas

Your article "State briefing lists ideas to make kids less fat" (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 19) was hilarious. Our Democratic leadership wants to reduce childhood obesity by raising taxes on alcohol and cutting back on high school physical-education programs? Please.

Jim Henshaw
Kailua

Pendleton should have fought van cams

I would like to remind Oahu voters about the van cams and those who brought them to us. My senator, Bob Hogue, after hearing his constituents' complaints, rallied against the van cams like he was supposed to. My House representative, David A. Pendleton, supported the cameras to the very end.

Last Friday I saw him sign-waving and stopped to ask him why, when the majority of his constituents seemed not to want the van cams, he supported them anyway. He ran away from me. His supporters defended him, saying, "He is a good man."

A good man he may be, but as a representative of the people he stinks. Shouldn't he represent his constituency? I ask all Oahu voters to remember who would have had us under the eye of the Talivan.

Remember the Alamo and the van cams.

Joseph Bussen
Kailua

Even 5-day quarantine is too long for pets

I am in full support of eliminating the pet quarantine in Hawaii. I've lived in Hawaii for more than 13 years and have heard nothing but horror stories of people moving here and having their pets go through that experience, with many pets even dying.

I had to leave Hawaii in 1998 and I took my dog with me. I returned in 2000, but my precious dog is still living with my son in Phoenix. I want to bring her home, but I will not put her through quarantine. It would kill her.

I do not understand why this law is in place when there is much documentation showing that pets receiving their proper shots would not bring rabies into Hawaii. I do not want to see the security of Hawaii changed. That's why I live here. My children and grandchildren live on the mainland, but I choose to live on Molokai because of my love of Hawaii's lifestyle and security.

I understand Hawaii's state veterinarian has considered lowering the quarantine period to five days. He said the only reason for this five-day period is to process paperwork. There should be no reason for this.

Quarantine is animal cruelty. I'm reaching out to all animal lovers for support to eliminate the current state law and let people bring their precious pets without going through this nightmare.

Diane Nichols
Kaunakakai, Molokai

Avoid all the hassle, vote absentee-by-mail

Hey, you registered voters, don't wait until Nov. 5 to vote. Take advantage of the new system of voting absentee-by-mail. It's simple; just telephone the city clerk (523-4293) or Office of Elections (442-8683).

Ask for the application for the general election ballot. Simply fill out the form and mail it to the city clerk. In a few days, you will get your ballot. Fill that out and mail it to the city clerk.

The deadline for the applications is Oct. 29. The sooner you do it, the better.

The advantages of this system include:

>> No waiting in line.

>> No driving around looking for a parking space.

>> Filling out the forms in the comfort of your home.

>> Completing the whole process before Nov. 5.

What are you waiting for? Do it!

Roy E. Shigemura

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