Bush's speech also should be aired later

I was hoping to watch the State of the Union Address yesterday. I called the around to ask when it would be aired. It was to be aired "live" at 4 p.m. by the four major TV stations. Because of network rules (according to KGMB), they could not rebroadcast the address last night.

So, my programming options for last night included "Crocodile Dundee" (1986!), "Swing Vote" (1999), "Copycat" (1995) and Oprah Winfrey. Surely none of these brought in big money from advertisers. Why would the stations choose not to show the address when most people are able to watch it?

How many State of the Union speeches by President Clinton did we miss at night? I don't remember missing any. This decision seems driven purely by political agendas.

Putting Crocodile Dundee ahead of the president of the United States (even if he is a Republican) in a critical time for our nation is ludicrous.

Rick Waffird
Makakilo

Kids are the spittin' image of their dad

While relaxing on the beach in Waikiki, I noticed four kids ranging from about 6 to 17 years old. They were accompanied by Mom and Dad.

My attention was raised when the oldest of the kids spat on the portion of the Star-Bulletin I had not yet read. Conveniently, the spit landed on Richard Borreca's "On Politics" column.

The other three kids followed suit, watching each other like it was cool. Dad said, "Oh, brah," and Mom just smiled.

I asked the father where his sons picked up that nasty habit. He responded, "Probably from me," and launched his own salivary surprise at a pigeon. The tourist sitting beside me looked disgusted as she packed up and left the beach, probably with an indelible picture of Hawaii's families and their values.

Come on, Moms and Dads, pay attention. I realize an overactive salivary gland doesn't mean family values are nonexistent, but when will you begin to instill sound values in your children? It needs to be done while you still have the chance.

Joe Ferraro
Waikiki

Religion does belong in suicide discussion

Your editorial of Jan. 24 on physician-assisted suicide indicated that "Apart from such arguments, opposition is largely based on religious beliefs that do not belong in the legislative arena." Churches played a major role in our country's fight for independence. Should this effort not have been made? People with strong religious beliefs are citizens and have just as much right to express their opinions as any other citizen.

Your editorial is also bereft in stating the reasons for opposition to physician-assisted suicide. You are correct that the most important reasons are to relieve pain, which current technology can adequately do for all terminally ill, and to provide adequate end-of-life care. Should our aloha-based community do less?

The Dutch experience has shown that legislative protections are gradually loosened, resulting in horror stories. Many terminally ill, when learning of their condition, enter into depression. It takes more than the 15 days allotted to treat depression so the individual can make a competent decision. Increasing costs also will prompt individuals to choose suicide. What dollar value does the Aloha State place on life?

Andrew J. Gerakas

People losing sleep over rooster rationale

Old Hawaii, like many states across the mainland, was primarily an agriculture-based economy. Rural living was transformed by the industrial revolution; populations increased, towns grew into cities.

The City Council's nostalgic rationale in regard to owning backyard roosters as pets in densely populated areas is seriously misplaced. These animals announce themselves at all hours of the night and day, creating a powder keg scenario with sleep deprivation being one of the more serious consequences. Sleep deprivation creates tension among family members and neighbors, undermines scholastic achievement, impedes job performance, and impairs driving abilities.

Adequate sleep is a necessity. The Council's indifference to this most basic of biological needs is a curious brand of cruelty bordering on criminal.

The Council should ban the keeping of backyard roosters as pets in densely populated neighborhoods and restrict the owning of these shrill noisemakers to designated rural areas andor agriculture-based land. This is a common sense issue-- a health concern, actually -- in which nostalgia should play no role. The population density of Oahu requires the Council to take action against the prevailing notion of poultry as pets.

Elise Owen

Casinos diversify mainland economies

I recently returned from a three-week trip to the mainland. I went to New York (my home), Connecticut, Las Vegas and San Diego. I went to casinos in the last three, plus Atlantic City. During the week, the crowds were mostly retirees (like me) who like to have some fun and meet like-minded people. Weekends have more diverse crowds.

I was talking to a pit boss (craps) in Atlantic City who was telling me that a new casino will be opening there later this year. It will employ at least 5,000 people. That's just one casino.

Last spring I read an article in The New York Times that said the casinos in the Midwest have revived a lot of towns and cities. They create jobs, bring in tax revenue and attract tourists.

Our Legislature should put the matter to a vote and let the people decide. Governor Lingle is against legalized gambling. I wonder what magic wand she's going to wave to create thousands of jobs and tax revenue? I voted for her twice; but I won't vote for her a third time.

Fred Cavaiuolo

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