Brainstorm! Challenge

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Saddam would love to get American 'justice'

Now that Saddam Hussein has been captured, I say we show him American-style democracy and justice in action:

>> First, hire Johnnie Cochran as a defense attorney and plead "not guilty!"

>> Post your $100 million bail and hit the talk-show circuit while your attorney is working on your defense: that the WMD evidence was planted, and discrimination against Arabs. The Los Angeles Police Department obviously was involved.

>> Get interviewed by Katie Couric on in the morning, Oprah in the afternoon and Letterman and Leno before sunset.

>> Geraldo Rivera, Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters will stand in line to do a primetime TV interview where, teary-eyed, you can talk about your abusive childhood in Baghdad.

Book deals, movie rights and golf are right around the corner. You'll get a hung jury since 12 Americans can't agree on anything. Have O.J. pick you up from the courthouse. You two have so much to talk about.

Paul D'Argent
Kihei, Maui

Make Saddam dig up his past crimes

The verdict: guilty.

The sentence: to be put into a portable cell, which will transport Saddam Hussein around Iraq. Each day for the rest of his life, he will be given a shovel. After a sustaining breakfast, he will dig up the human remains of his victims from all of the mass graves.

Roger A. Hutchings
Honolulu

Volunteers made big difference at Palama

We want to extend our deepest appreciation to the men and women from Prudential Locations, Prudential Financial, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Hawaiian Building Maintenance and the soldiers from the HHC 65th Engineer Battalion at Schofield Barracks for making a difference at Palama Settlement on Oct. 25, "Make a Difference Day." The 90 volunteers from these various groups spent the day with us making a difference for the community. The Prudential and Wells Fargo crew hosted a mini-Halloween carnival for the 400 youths in the neighborhood, providing games, races, inflatable jumpers, story times and many other exciting activities for the keiki.

While the children were having a great time, our volunteers from the military and Hawaiian Building Maintenance were busy giving Palama a good sprucing. They cleaned and waxed the floors at our Family Service Center at Mayor Wright Homes, removed old carpeting in our Learning Center and gave our Blackfield Center game room a good scrub-down. The soldiers from the 65th Engineer Battalion were determined to spend this year's Make a Difference Day at Palama since they may not have another opportunity for some time as they are preparing to leave soon for Iraq.

We enjoy many blessings living in this great nation and being part of such a caring community. We thank all volunteers from these companies and especially the men from the 65th Engineer Battalion for their gifts of aloha and their contribution to this neighborhood on Make a Difference Day.

Robert T. Omura
Executive director
Palama Settlement

Man-made runoff devastates marine life

I want to express my outrage at the muddy runoff into the ocean from the site of Dowling's One Palauea Bay luxury resort complex, as well as reports, if true, of similar negligence at Kalepolepo in Kihei and from Dowling's Kulamalu subdivision in Upcountry Maui.

Muddy runoff has turned into a perennial problem in Hawaii. It is because of heavy rains, such as the ones this month, that we have regulations seeking to prevent the harmful effects of man-made runoff to the marine environment.

The effect of such runoff on marine life in the affected waters is devastating, as a study produced by the Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program shows. Muddy runoff damages the reefs and other sea creatures, degrades fishing resources and ruins the recreational quality of our coastal waters.

We expect the federal government, the state and the county to enforce our clean-water laws. Avoidance and enforcement measures adequate to the possible harm should be in place, and stiff sanctions should be promptly levied against those who presume to intrude on and damage the delicate, complex and irreplaceable marine regions along Hawaii's shores.

Ralph Johansen
Kihei, Maui

Third World countries have better roads

I'm sick and tired of bitching about the condition of our roads and the danger to us taxpayers who choose alternative modes of transportation. It amazes me that Honolulu's main thoroughfares are Third World. I've visited Tijuana, Mexico; Bangkok, Thailand; even Manila, and their roads are in much better repair. They respect bicyclists.

Let's fix 'um! If my councilmember gives me a runaround, I'll vote for the person who cares about both the condition of our roads and the competence of our law enforcement officers. We the people of the City and County of Honolulu deserves no less!

Michael E. Powers
Honolulu

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] What should the city do with the elegant old sewage pump station? It's empty and fading, and now it's taking a beating from all the construction going on around it. The O.G. Traphagen-designed sewage pump station on Ala Moana Boulevard, more than a century old, is a monument to the glory days of municipal architecture, when city fathers took such pride in their community that even a humble sewage station became a landmark structure. Millions of tourists drive by it every year, and it's an embarrassing reminder of how poorly Honolulu treats its historic landmarks. Over the years, dozens of uses and excuses and blue-sky speculations have been suggested for the striking structure. Now we're asking you, Mr. and Mrs. Kimo Q. Publique, what should the city do with the elegant old pump building? Send your ideas and solutions by Jan. 15 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750