Brainstorm! Challenge

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Illegal gambling joints should be shut down

One has to wonder what's up with our law enforcement procedures. The chief of police reported that the Honolulu Police Department expended approximately $160,000 searching for Kevin Gonsalves, one of the alleged Pali Golf Course shooters (Star-Bulletin, Jan. 21).

The chief indicated that his officers had searched various illegal gambling houses around the island. What I find curious is that he didn't mention that any were shut down. And we did see long lines of folks being arrested for illegal gambling.

Gonsalves was eventually found under the bed at his girlfriend's house. From what was reported, she was his girlfriend for about 14 years. Gee whiz, why not search there first?

I guess the cops can't multi-task; one thing at a time must be the rule. Otherwise, it just doesn't make sense to taxpayers who paid police overtime expenses and didn't get too darn much for their money.

Tom Swindell
Kailua

Horror of car accident left lasting impression

Although it occurred more than two years ago, I vividly remember Elizabeth Kekoa's husband talking about the speeding car approaching from the rear just before it collided with their van and killed his wife.

That memory is with me as I drive on our streets and highways. It made me think, "The death angel comes from the rear." With that phrase and the Kekoas in mind, I try to stay alert to what is happening around, and especially behind me, as I drive.

That tragedy continues because street racing has not abated and, in fact, has worsened.

Kenneth L. Barker
Honolulu

[ QUOTABLE ] "You can't have a Canadian-style system in America ... The success of American medicine is it costs more and we pay more." Chris Pablo Kaiser Permanente spokesman, testifying before House members on a legislative proposal to study the feasibility of a universal health-care system in Hawaii.

Excessive speeding is a serious crime

I am impressed with the Feb. 3 editorial titled, "Speeding excessively should be a felony." No pandering to speeders and no inconsistencies between the headline and contents of the editorial. It was good and thoughtful writing.

The best part was your answer to the state public defender's argument that making excessive speeding a felony is unfair because it makes the offense comparable to first-degree terroristic threatening. In response, your editorial deadpanned, "Actually, it is not a bad comparison at all!"

Case dismissed!

George Avlonitis
Honolulu

Getting involved with schools is easy

I am amazed by those who say that local school boards would help them become more involved with their public schools. If they want to get involved with the decision-making in their community schools, they don't need to wait; they can contact their local Parent, Teacher, Student Association, school School Community-Based Management council or school principal right now.

Getting involved now would save the citizens of Hawaii the cost of printing more election materials in order to vote on a constitutional amendment to create more boards. And it just might allow us to talk about what really matters -- the needs of our students.

Jan Turner
Honolulu

A glimpse of breast causes such distress!

I am experiencing a delayed reaction to seeing the bare boob of Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl. I am sure that someone, somewhere is offering counseling and/or colored pictures of the slightly torn costume bearing Justin Timberlake's fingerprints and DNA. It took a few days for the pain to set in, and now I can barely bring myself to the table for a meal.

So, with Michael Jackson abandoning his Neverland and Janet baring her Everland, I am forced to cease watching CNN and FOX news programs. I feel that I am in danger now because I might miss out on the president's color terror alerts.

Despite my distress from knowing that millions of people around the world, some of whom have never seen Janet's bare breast, are now forced to live with this vision every time they close their eyes, I believe that Janet and Justin should be given an award. Never, in the lifetime of that game -- the Super Bowl game, not the sex game -- has anyone gotten so much publicity over such a small vision of flesh.

Arnold Van Fossen
Waikiki

EMS worker Shiraki was true professional

While serving Hawaii almost 20 years as an emergency physician, I had many interactions with Mandy Shiraki, the emergency services district chief who died in the Hawaii Air Ambulance accident last weekend.

Such work is extremely challenging, both emotionally and physically. Many practitioners suffer "burn out" as their early passion is overrun by daily despair, tragedy and bitterness.

I will remember Mandy as one of the EMS professionals who maintained optimism, integrity and a sense of humor. He was a superb leader and professional despite intense pressures.

No less than our soldiers in Iraq, Mandy, Ron Laubacher and Joseph Villiaros, are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our health, happiness and way of life.

Wes Young, M.D.
Past President
American College of Emergency Physicians
Hawaii Chapter

Civil unions consign second-class status

As a two-tour Vietnam veteran, as a Democrat and as a civil rights activist, I find Mary Papish's remarks ("Dems' doublespeak supports civil unions," Letters, Feb. 3) extremely offensive.

Going overseas, we were told that our actions were making democracy in this country stronger. However, the continuing attack on my civil rights as guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Hawaii belies such high-mind ideals.

Heterosexual supremism, fueled by religious intolerance and bigotry, and politically manipulated by Republicans, have weakened those ideals by creating second-class citizenship in the form of civil unions for more than 10 percent of the nation's population.

One must ask, why the obsession? Does it really matter to anyone else if I have a civil, legal relationship with my same-sex partner?

Martin Rice
Legislative chairman
Civil Unions -- Civil Rights Movement

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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