Brainstorm! Challenge

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Case's slick brochure was a waste of money

I went out to my mailbox recently and found a slick brochure from Congressman Ed Case. I wonder why I and my other taxpaying brethren need to pay for this junk mail.

It must have cost at least $50,000 in tax dollars for Case to send this brochure to all his constituents. This money could have been used to house the homeless, fight the "ice" epidemic or fix the potholes in our roads. But instead our tax dollars are basically being flushed down the toilet to make Ed Case look like he's a saint.

Jeannie Bishop
Kailua

Drug use is a choice, not a disease

I totally disagree with the legislative task force's conclusion that crystal methamphetamine use should be classified as a disease. A disease is something that happens to an individual without his or her knowledge or consent. Drug abuse is self- inflicted, not an involuntary illness. Ice addiction doesn't happen to you unless you choose to use.

Calling "ice" use a disease is a copout that allows the abuser to easily excuse what clearly is inexcusable behavior.

Having said that, I agree that we should offer treatment to those who have become addicted -- and bear in mind that it only takes a few times of using ice to cause addiction. However, we need real treatment, which means spending as long as 12 months in a drug treatment facility for hardcore users.

Treatment alone will be of no avail without also working on the flip side: interdiction of the supply of ice and harsh penalties for those who manufacture, import, sell or promote it. Ice users should be viewed as pariahs and those who sell drugs as criminals. Only then will we make any headway.

Mary Keith
Kailua

Elected officials let the homeless languish

Homelessness is growing daily in Hawaii but our elected officials seem uncaring and unconcerned.

Mayor Harris's homeless committee has not met in more than six months, and our parks and beaches are overflowing with the homeless.

The Honolulu City Council members have ignored the problem, perhaps in the hope that it will magically go away and they can continue their petty political infighting.

The Hawaii state Legislature has refused to declare homelessness a crisis in Hawaii or act to resolve the problem.

Governor Lingle has cut state funding for homeless projects and has shown no interest in solving the problem.

So what is going to happen to the homeless of Hawaii? They are going to continue living on the beaches and in the streets, eating out of trash cans and being harassed by the police because our elected officials care so little about them or the problem!

David Bohn
Honolulu

Don't let library sit idle for another year

It's a shame that days, months and years have passed while our hopes for our children are once again shattered by the pathetic procrastination in funding Kapolei Library.

While there is exciting news about other communities that receive funds for community projects and activities, Kapolei and the rest of the Leeward Coast do not see the library filling with books. It's a new year and I hope not another one will pass with the Kapolei Library sitting empty.

Cris Kaeo
Kapolei

Crackdown is needed on uninsured vehicles

My heartfelt thanks to your for your Jan. 24 editorial, "Create system to nab uninsured motorists." I wholeheartedly agree.

I've always felt that the police simply don't give this matter the priority that it deserves.

We're told often that there are probably 100,000 or more uninsured vehicles on our roads. Yet the police do nothing to remove these vehicles.

My daughter was involved in an accident about two years ago in which the other driver provided the police with an insurance card that was no longer in effect.

This whole matter riles me. I simply do not comprehend why the police and legislative authorities have done nothing to resolve this continuing problem. Thank you again for the jumpstart.

Patrick M. Elisary
Honolulu

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Can you design a quarter that represents Hawaii?? Some states have issued collectible quarters that commemorate their entry into the union. The front of the coin looks the same but the eagle on the back has been replaced by something that represents that state. For example, Georgia's quarter has a peach on it. If you could design Hawaii's quarter, what would it look like? Send your ideas and solutions by Feb. 17 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