Brainstorm! Challenge

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Life in Finland must not be that great

Regarding Nancy Bey Little's extravagant praise for Finnish over our American society (Letters, Dec. 12): No one has to be "radical right-wing" to "sniff 'socialism'" when it comes to their government. Finland is what it is, and if one's raison d'etre is to live to work for funding government socialist largesse, there's the door.

The latest data available from the World Health Organization reflects that Finnish men are choosing to kill themselves at double the rate of American men. When it comes to women, the number rises to two-and-a-half times that of American women.

Obviously, all isn't heaven in Little's Helsinki.

Kevin Pololei Gagan
Mililani

Neglect turns bike path into hazard zone

For cyclists seeking alternatives to risky highway travel a viable option once was the Pearl Harbor bike path.

Today, still uncompleted, neglected maintenance has tarnished its cycling value as the path becomes more segmented. A wooden bridge west of Waipahu is gone, replaced by a concrete barrier; between Waimalu and Aiea are two sinking sections where tidal waters inundate the path. Tree roots create unexpected ridges cracking the asphalt, pipes embedded in the path's center protrude two to six inches, just waiting to cause nasty falls. Cars on the path contribute their debris and shattered bottles. Early morning cyclists are at risk as few bike lights can adequately illuminate these dangers. One also questions the credentials of engineers who allow stubs of pipes to stick up into the path of walkers, joggers and cyclists.

The use of public funds to build ostentatious projects is leading to a daunting maintenance burden, adding to neglect of less-visible bike paths.

Larry H. Dote
Waipahu

All great cities have rail-transit systems

The funds needed to build a light-rail system on Oahu should not be considered a tax increase, but a wise investment into the future well-being of Honolulu.

All the great cities of the world -- New York City, Paris, London, Tokyo -- have rail systems that move people around quickly and efficiently. People love to live in and visit these cities.

If the naysayers of the proposed Oahu project have their way, Honolulu will never come close to matching those great cities in attracting new businesses and jobs, increasing our share of visitors to sustain our economy and stemming the out-migration of residents to other cities where vehicular traffic is not in gridlock.

I am encouraged by the planning of the State Department of Transportation's team of traffic engineers and experts who appear to have the "can-do" spirit.

Al Chun
Honolulu

'Weasels' shouldn't profit from rebuilding

In response to Stephen Geimer's Dec. 11 letter, "Bush drags down Americans' reputation": Speak for yourself. This American is proud of the example set by President Bush.

The French, Germans, Russians and Canadians are upset that they can't profit from the $18 billion in U.S. taxpayers' money for the reconstruction of Iraq? Excellent! Frankly, I would be outraged if the "Axis of Weasels" received a single penny of my tax dollars.

They did everything possible to obstruct the removal of a murderous tyrant and a terrorist regime because they supplied weapons and technology to a rogue state in defiance of U.N. sanctions, and because they were afraid of the wrath of his terrorist operative and allies. Afterward, they refused to contribute a cent to the cost of reconstruction, or one soldier to keep the peace. Now they want a payoff on the backs of U.S. taxpayers? The devil take them all!

The 63 nations that supported the liberation of the Iraqi people with courage, steadfastness and the lives of their troops and technicians shall receive their due. The Axis of Weasels is due no more than a middle-finger salute.

Gary F. Anderson
Waimanalo

Story on evaluation of Dobelle was unfair

The headline on your Dec. 6 story, "Dobelle changes tune on evaluation" and the story you based it on are inaccurate, misleading and unfair. UH President Evan Dobelle never had the "tune to change." It is the Board of Regents that chooses how and whether to comment on the president's evaluation. Former board chairman Bert Kobayashi opted for a longer separate news release following the evaluation of Dobelle's first year in office. In the most recent evaluation, the current chairwoman, Patricia Lee, dictated a short statement that was added to the regular monthly board press release.

As far as releasing the evaluation in total, there is no precedent for that action at UH or at universities on the mainland. Your article correctly points out that "university governance experts say it is not normal or productive to release the results of a personnel evaluation, even the evaluation of the president of a public university." Curiously, the information and quotes from experts on the topic of university presidential evaluation was buried at the conclusion of your story.

Dobelle's actions during his tenure at the University of Hawaii are clear and consistent. He stands for openness but also fairness.

Paul Costello
Vice President for External Affairs & University Relations

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Dirty gutter talk Those orange rolls that highway engineers have been shoving into storm drain openings -- there must be a more efficient or practical or attractive way to filter out road debris. These things are about as useful and pleasing to the eye as huge, discarded cigarette butts. Send your ideas, drawings and solutions by Thursday, Dec. 17 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