Brainstorm! Challenge

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Students should take more responsibility

I am writing in response to the constant criticism of our schools. I have been reading how it is the schools fault the students are failing or not meeting standards.

As a teacher I want to point out that when teachers use classwork as grades and give students 100 percent just for turning it in and still have many of the students failing it is their fault not ours. Also when we give tests too many students "try" to answer one or two questions then leave the rest blank, again their fault. After all, you can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink.

Gary S. Williams
Teacher
Waipahu High School

Hawaii must get tough on air polluters

If we care about the health of our people and our island, we ought to enforce strict standards for vehicle users to limit the amount of pollutants emitted from their exhaust systems. Every day I notice trucks, buses and personal cars emitting thick, dark exhaust fumes.

We have to protect our health, our island, our ecological surroundings and our planet. Breathing in everyone's fumes -- including those unseen -- has tremendous effects on humans, animals and the Earth.

Even though we don't have obvious signs of pollution such as the smog evident over many mainland cities, the effects of air pollution are the same and will be just as grave as time goes by. The Environmental Protection Agency's Web site has myriad information about it.

The EPA already has standards that just need to be followed. If you can't afford a newer model of a vehicle that complies with environmental protection standards, you should not be allowed to use one. In fact, I think they should be taken off the streets.

Recently, I drove behind a pickup truck that huffed and puffed so much I was ready to call the authorities on him. If I had known the number to call, I would have done so. I find it offensive, even criminal, to drive such a vehicle.

We need to help eliminate the large number of air pollutants. Many significant benefits are associated with the reduced exposure to them. Please, if your vehicle stinks, don't drive it.

Evelyn Seiler
Honolulu

World-class beauties promote our Hawaii

Kanoe Gibson, our beloved Miss Hawaii 2003, is living proof that Hawaii is not only beautiful naturally, but its people also complement the beauty of this state. When it comes to grand-slam beauty pageants, Hawaii is a powerhouse, having produced four Miss USAs (Marcel Wilson, 1962; Tanya Wilson, 1972; Judy Anderson, 1978; and Brooke Lee, 1997), two Miss Americas (Carolyn Sapp, 1992 and Angela Baraquio, 2001), and a Miss Teen USA, Kelly Hu (1985).

Even international beauty pageants are intrigued by the women of Hawaii, as the Miss International and Miss World allow Hawaii to send its own delegate to compete against these women around the world, while the other 49 states are not allowed. All of Hawaii's Miss USAs competed in Miss Universe as semifinalists, with Anderson as first runner-up and Lee the eventual winner in 1997.

With Hawaii's small population, its success is amazing, with California and Texas being ahead by a small margin. The efforts, ambition and intelligence of these women promoted Hawaii and placed our state on the map nationally and internationally. Thank you, ladies, and congratulations, Kanoe! You made our state proud.

Flo Jayar Daguio
Honolulu

Veterans deserve their full compensation

I am now drawing a 10 percent disability. I just had a total knee replacement and filed for an increase in my disability. If HR303, which pertains to veterans' disability compensation, is defeated or watered down, I will never support the Republican Party again, no matter what the issue is.

I served this country for 22 years while on submarines and have a total of three years submerged time. I did it because I thought that this country's cause was just. It seems that the Republicans do not think that MY cause as a retired veteran with a disability warrants the passing of HR303. If this bill fails, Republican Governor Lingle will not get my vote again, and I will never vote Republican again. President Bush said that he will not sign it. I urge all veterans never to vote Republican if HR303 is defeated or watered down.

Carlton Perry
Pearl City

Rude mayor was wrong about bus transfers

I was appalled be the treatment the last caller received on the Oct. 8 "Ask The Mayor" radio show. The caller tried to point out that there are flaws in the way transfers are issued and used by the bus-riding public. The caller tried to explain that people are using transfers as if they were round-trip tickets rather then a means of connecting from one bus to another.

The mayor disputed this by saying transfers are directional, which they are not, and that there is a one-hour time limit for use of a transfer, which is untrue. I have checked with Oahu Transit Services directly and read the rules regarding the proper use of transfers posted on its Web site.

Everything the mayor said was dead wrong and he should have his facts straight before making statements on live radio. His treatment of this caller humiliated her and made her sound foolish to those listening. The mayors' support staff should have checked out www.thebus.org before allowing him to place his foot in his mouth.

The mayor owes the caller an apology.

Charlie Doremus
Honolulu

Democrats covering all the bases

Shooting yourself in the foot, Parts 412 to 413:

The Democratic Party, still licking its wounds from the Dukakis-in-a-tank debacle, this time recruits a four-star general for president ...

... who, to gain traction in the primary, veers hard left and says he opposed the Iraq war ...

... while the other Democrats in the race, also trying to gain traction, say he's lying and supported the war earlier.

Jim Henshaw
Kaneohe

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] What can be done to disguise or beautify those hulking steel utility boxes found in parks and other locations around town? Send your ideas, drawings and solutions by Wednesday, Oct. 15 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