Brainstorm! Challenge

---

Poindexter would do well in isle tourism job

We have to salute Adm. John Poindexter for his innovative stock-market-style system in which investors would bet on terror attacks, assassinations and coups (Star-Bulletin, July 29). His agency was praised by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz for doing worthwhile, "brilliantly imaginative" research. Apparently the research got a little too imaginative, resulting in the admiral's resignation.

It is unfortunate that Poindexter's resignation wasn't submitted earlier. What with his resume of imaginative, out-of-the-box thinking and convictions for conspiracy, making false statements to Congress and obstructing Congressional inquiries, he would have made an excellent candidate for the recent vacancy as president of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Peter Knerr
Kailua

Steeplechase offers action, new industry

Regarding Raymond Noh's Aug. 2 letter, "Horse racing would be a boon to Hawaii": Seabiscuit notwithstanding, Hawaii should consider the European gaming sport of the steeplechase rather than mere horse racing, which, in my experience, filters down to mostly beer and betting by the third race.

A steeplechase, which combines jumping ability and flat-track speed, is much more exciting for adults to watch and wager on. For children, who can't place bets, it can be a fun game, since their visual alertness and close attention to action have already been honed by video games.

A steeplechase takes much more skill by both rider and horse, for the animal needs both the lungs for running and the legs for jumping. The races last longer and have two competitive stages on which to win.Additionally, a new industry in steeplechase training for both horse and rider, as well as new breeding farms to meet the prerequisite anatomy of steeple-chase horses, could develop. It's a good choice for a new video game, too.

Marjorie Scott
Kailua

Bush a poor example of a 'manly man'

Two articles in the Insight section of the Aug. 3 Star-Bulletin are closely related. Syndicated columnist Ann McFeatters states that President Bush's re-election campaign has begun and that he is "a manly man," when actually he is a poor example of a mature man.

Then, Star-Bulletin columnist Richard Borreca cites the fact that gay marriage was revived as a classic wedge issue by Bush last week in a rare press conference. Bush and his aides are devilishly clever and greedy politicians who will stop at nothing, and proved it in 2000.

Nancy Bey Little
Honolulu

[ Quotable ] "I believe everything I read about us. ... We have a good offense, good defense, a lot of good guys coming in. As a player I believe in it, and (in) showing it to the people and making them believe it." Justin Ayat University of Hawaii Warriors junior kicker, on the high expectations for the football team's success this season.

Where's proof Bush is burying WMDs?

We Americans are lucky to be able to criticize our government and its leaders, but this freedom should be accompanied by individual and media responsibility. Printing rants containing baseless and unsubstantiated claims against President Bush almost daily in the Letters section does a disservice to your readers and the president. The Star-Bulletin should be more discerning in selecting the letters it prints.

Case in point: The letter by Smokey Guerrero (Aug. 4) accuses Bush of having "people working around the clock ... to bury (WMD) so it looks authentic when they are found." To Mr. Guerrero: show us the proof. To the Star-Bulletin: no proof, no letter printed.

I feel secure with Bush leading our country. I would shake in my boots if a liberal Democrat were in charge.

Kelly Dean
Honolulu

Public will pay for bus employees' gains

Regarding the looming bus strike on Oahu, I'd just like to say to all the officials involved, both union and management: I hope none of you intend on taking too many coffee breaks while deciding the fates of all your passengers who pay all your salaries!

The gains that will occur for the employees regarding their stated concerns ultimately will become another burden that John Doe and Mary Q. Public will have to embrace, cost-wise, as they are the ones who will be shelling it out.

What has happened to our mass transit system? It used to be one of the best in the country. Now it's not even mentioned in the top 20. Perhaps all those grandiose ideas of modernization have come back to bite us where it hurts the most -- the pocketbook.

Gerald Sylvester
Wailuku, Maui

Surfing isn't essential to students' growth

With all due respect to Sen. Fred Hemmings and his letter "Surfing belongs in high school sports" (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 3), I must ask: If the state (Legislature and administration) cannot identify and allocate enough money to support the academic education of our children, repair and maintain public school facilities, hire the number of teachers required (some 1,400 short this year?), hire education aides (who are needed, particularly in special education classes), why do we even talk about adding surfing?

Let the students have their surfing clubs, but, for now at least, keep it outside the regular school day, and at no cost to the Hawaii taxpayers.

Do we want public schools for the purpose of educating our youth in academic subjects or for organized recreation (read "fun and games")? If the economy was good and money plentiful, then perhaps I could agree with having surfing in the curriculum. As I see it now, children go to school to learn those subjects they will need in the real world. I do not see surfing as one of those essentials.

Bernard Judson
Kapolei

---

BACK TO TOP
|

[ BRAINSTORM! ] "What can be done with utility poles and lines to improve the view from our highways? Is legislation necessary, or perhaps some sort of invention or new technology?" Send your ideas and solutions by August 14 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame 529-4750