Tough punishment will brake speeders

Automobile speeding does kill people ("Speeding kills most on Oahu roadways," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 14). Outcry about speeders and what to do about them plagues all states. Taking a car away from a speeder is absurd, for that teaches nothing. We need to educate all about the ramifications of speed and use it as punishment of those convicted of speeding or racing. A documentary about traffic accidents, deaths and their effects on families is needed to educate offenders. A horrifying documentary showing how bodies and metal are torn apart should give anyone an idea of the consequences.

My recommendation would be threefold for those convicted of speeding or racing. First offenders would be fined and have to watch the documentary. Second offenders would be fined, plus endure 30 days' driving suspension. Third offenders would have their drivers licenses suspended and surrender their vehicle license plates for 90 days. A fourth conviction would be treated as a felony, with prison time.

Speeding in a car is and will be a challenge. How you learn to respect your right to drive and stay alive is the learning part. This is where parents, schools and friends need to speak out, for the sake of loved ones. Speak out today, not tomorrow; that may be too late.

Lawrence Barr
Honolulu

Tragedy is when racers take innocent lives

Another day, another traffic fatality as more people choose to turn the streets of Oahu into their personal race track ("Racing suspected in fatal car crash," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 13). We've all seen these idiots zigging and zagging their way through traffic, tailgating and cutting people off at every opportunity, inevitably paying the ultimate consequence. When the madness will end is anyone's guess, but let's hope that if our street racers continue to choose suicidal games, they don't take innocent lives or property with them.

While the tragedy could certainly have been avoided, there are two fewer street racers we'll need to tolerate.

Spike Nishii
Waipahu

Bus pass renewals are getting easier

A number of readers have expressed dissatisfaction with the city's handling of the bus pass renewal process for seniors and disabled residents. I apologize to everyone who was inconvenienced by this process, especially those who tried to renew their passes at the Blaisdell Center on Oct. 6, the day they were first available.

The truth is, the system we put in place for the bus pass conversion process was overwhelmed that day. Some 9,000 seniors renewed their passes during the first week of conversion alone, and during that time we made daily adjustments in an effort to make it easier. By midweek no one was being turned away and the time required to get a new pass had been reduced to less than an hour.

The Department of Transportation Services has done everything possible to streamline the conversion process. Anyone who has not yet renewed his or her bus pass should be aware of the steps taken at the Blaisdell Center to make this process as convenient as possible:

>> Everyone in line is given a seat while they wait.

>> Ushers and staff are available to answer questions and offer assistance with the forms.

>> People with wheelchairs and special medical needs are brought to the head of the line.

>> Twice as many cameras are available, cutting in half the waiting time.

>> Complimentary coffee and water are provided.

>> When we are out at community and shopping centers, customers in line are given numbers so they can do errands while they wait.

Again, I deeply regret that some of our citizens were inconvenienced when the passes were first distributed. City workers and other staffers at the Blaisdell Center are very caring, and have been responsive and respectful of seniors and those with special needs.

As we continue to monitor and make adjustments to the system through the remainder of the month, I want to thank our bus-riding public for its loyal support. Without you, we wouldn't have the best bus service in America.

Cheryl D. Soon
Director
Department of Transportation Services

Schools would win with weekly lottery

With the Department of Education neglected by the Legislature and struggling to obtain money for public schools, the state should consider holding a lottery every week to raise education money. Considering the number of Hawaii residents that travel to Las Vegas, a lottery would be suited to fit everyone's predilections.

Stores ranging from supermarkets to liquor stores to gas stations to convenience stores could sell these tickets. People could purchase as many as they desire. The state could generate money from the sales of tickets, with 40 percent going to the winner, 15 percent to the costs and expenses of this operation, and the rest (45 percent) could go straight to the DOE.

Let's not forget the state, which is entitled to some of this money. The winner is taxed perhaps 50 percent of his or her winnings. Let's say, hypothetically, the lottery generates $1 million a week. The winner and the state would get $200,000 each and the DOE would get $450,000. The leftover $150,000 would be more than enough to cover the expenditure. In one year, the DOE would have approximately $25 million to fund public schooling.

Elia Tanga
Kaneohe

Blaming 'illness' for crimes is unwarranted

A.J. Calabro (Letters, Oct. 12) says the woman who had the "ice baby" who died does not have a criminal mind. Although that may be true and she may have shown rehabilitation since the tragedy, she should still pay for her crime. The fact that she had a medical problem is irrelevant when it comes to justice.

Using Calabro's reasoning, I guess we should let rapists, serial murderers and pedophiles out of jail, too. After all, some doctors say medical problems cause their criminal behavior. The flaw in this kind of liberal idealism is that sympathy clouds sound judgment, and if one set of ideals is used in one situation then, to be fair, it must be used in all situations. That is the real "croc."

Greg Smith
Honolulu

Gay bishop enjoys double standard

Regarding the article "Episcopalians discuss schism over gays" (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 8), about the ordination of a gay bishop, I would ask my Episcopalian friends: If the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, divorced as he is, would live outside matrimony with a female partner, he surely would never be allowed to stand for election as a bishop of New Hampshire. Then why can he, living with a male partner, be elected a bishop?

Michael Klimenko
Honolulu