Brainstorm! Challenge

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Get tough on speeders, not on their cars

News has it that state legislators wants to confiscate cars from speeders. How absurd. Cars do not cause speeding, it is the drivers. If you change the law such that it is a felony to speed excessively, then that may have merit. Laws need to be changed to discourage speeding, but taking a car away from a driver is no more effective than taking dope away from an addict -- it has a Band-Aid effect.

If you want to be effective, change laws so that drivers convicted of specific types of offenses three times will get mandatory jail time. That way, the driver pays the penalty and the car can stay parked.

Lawrence Barr
Honolulu

We should all speak about a taboo subject

Let's talk about death.

Most of us are squeamish about any frank discussion of that subject, but few matters can be of more significance, and few allow us so little choice.

That could and should change, and the readers of the Star-Bulletin can do something to bring about that change Senate Bill 391 (the Death with Dignity bill) is now before the state Senate. If enough voters want this almost forbidden subject brought out into the open and freely discussed, a letter, e-mail, fax or phone call to your senator could make that possible.

Think about it. Do something about it.

John A. Broussard
Kamuela, Hawaii

Replicate what works in other public schools

We may not do everything right in our educational system, but until now we have never divided our children and our schools in a way that instills a "yours vs. mine" mentality.

Can't we think of a better way of helping our students to achieve than pitting community against community? Instead of replicating the number of school boards, what if we were to focus on replicating in every school the facilities of the Kapolei schools, or the school size of Nuuanu elementary, or the sizes of our K-2 classes?

Let's stay away from the "division" that multiple school boards will cause.

Mel Ho
Honolulu

Filipino veterans see progress toward parity

Patrick Esclito (Letters, Jan. 9) is right to demand equal treatment for Filipino veterans. We fought shoulder to shoulder with our American comrades in arms, suffered the same hardships and sacrificed in the same cause. Simple justice demands that our equal contributions are recognized with equal veterans benefits.

Hawaii's congressional delegation heard that cry for justice and acted. The members of our congressional delegation have actively supported this goal for many years. Progress recently was made toward that goal, when two important bills were signed into law last month.

The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 increases Veterans Administration benefit payments to U.S.-resident Filipino World War II veterans and their survivors to the same levels as those paid to U.S. veterans and survivors. Under previous law, these benefit payments were only half the amounts paid to U.S. veterans and survivors.

The Veterans Health Care Authorities Extension and Improvement Act of 2003 authorizes VA medical services for U.S-resident Filipino veterans on the same basis as U.S. veterans. Prior to this change, Filipino veterans were eligible for VA medical services only if they were disabled and receiving VA payments.

Our congressional delegation strongly supported both bills. We are still working to raise pensions for low-income vets and extend full equity for those living in the Philippines, but these new laws provide relief right now for Filipino veterans and their families living in Hawaii and the mainland.

Domingo Los Banos
Waipahu

Only lawyers will gain from Wal-Mart suit

I beg to differ with former Miss America Carolyn Sapp's assessment of the benefits that will be reaped in a class action lawsuit by 1.2 million women who have worked for Wal-Mart and claim men received better pay and promotions ("First Sunday Conversation," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 1).

In reality, a successful lawsuit will make multimillionaires of about 12 lawyers and provide each female plaintiff with enough money to take her family to dinner. Class action lawsuits are notorious for making attorneys rich and plaintiffs little if any better off. Why do you think law firms spend so much money advertising for class action clients?

Kelly Corns
Honolulu

Powells protect public from breasts, WMDs

I thank my lucky stars we have Michael Powell, the federal communications commissioner, to defend our children against an "outrage," the exposure of Janet Jackson's breast on national television.

Well yes, we are speaking of Super Bowl XXXVIII, not Sesame Street Live. But think of the millions, celebrating with brewskis and bean dip, who had their digestion ruined by the sight of a woman's naked breast.

If only the commissioner would defend us from the "classless, crass and deplorable" sight of grown men stripped to their waists, their hairy breasts flapping in the icy wind, their faces painted a fearsome black and red and crowned with cheeses. Alas, that is not to be.

Michael Powell promises a "thorough and swift investigation" into this "stunt." Bless you, commissioner. I shall sleep soundly tonight. I pray the FCC has better intelligence than his daddy had about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Carol Hartley
Honolulu

Residents can't take more tax increases

During the past year all I've read about is tax hikes. In spite of the financial beating isle residents have taken from the Bush administration, many Hawaii lawmakers continue their attempt to relieve us of what little monetary resources we have left. Isn't it bad enough that a lot of us have been financially decimated by investment losses such as 401(k), pension and retirement funds drained; trust funds wiped out; and college investments gone?

It's a shame lawmakers can only think of raising our taxes. Raise the vehicle tax to give the police a pay raise, hike the property tax to boost city revenues, elevate the excise tax to pay for the rail line, and raise the state tax to fight the ice war.

Our leaders spend more time thinking of excuses for inadequate spending decisions and ways to take more money from us than how to relieve an already overtaxed state community. They think "no big deal, they won't miss a penny here or a dollar there." For most of us, it is a big deal and we do miss every cent because it has make-or-break potential. What good are minimum-pay raises if the government is taking it back in the form of a tax hike and turning around and giving tax breaks to those on top?

Raymond Feliciano
Mililani

Air ambulance crash leaves great void

As the sun sets behind a flag at half staff, I am struck by the loss this world has suffered ("Wreckage found," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 3). I take great comfort in knowing our loss is a gain to those fortunate souls in heaven. Pilot Ron Laubacher's humor and generosity touched those of us fortunate to have known him. We shared flight time, office time and casual time with Ron. Now we know it was all precious time.

Paramedic Mandy (Shiraki) was a wealth of knowledge, talent and skill. He was a leader in the EMS community, a friend to all who knew him, a mentor to almost every paramedic in Hawaii. Mandy shared his knowledge with everyone.

The last memory I have of Mandy was of him holding his grandson after getting off work at Hawaii Air Ambulance. Mandy's grandson had the smile of pride, pride in his papa, and rightfully so.

Although we know he is with us, Danny's bunk sits empty tonight at station 38. Danny Villiaros, another skilled and talented paramedic, was a dedicated firefighter. He cared deeply for the community he served. He also shared his knowledge, teaching incumbent and recruit firefighters in Emergency Medical Technician classes.

During our 24-hour shifts together, Danny brought so much to our lives here at the station. We share so much in the firehouse; we are like brothers. Tonight we share the loss of our brother Danny, a loss that cannot be measured in words.

As the song says, "Go rest high on that mountain, son, your work on Earth is done." Ron, Mandy and Danny, your work on Earth is done. You have made us better people for having been blessed with your friendship. We will miss you all.

Robert Thurston
Firefighter, paramedic
Haleiwa

Physicians, public support assisted death

Why is it that the Hawaii Death with Dignity bill may not get a hearing in the Legislature this session? I am a physician, retired after more than 40 years in practice in Hawaii. I was a co-founder and the first president of Hospice Hawaii and the founder of Hawaii Physicians for Assisted Dying.

I recently sent a letter to more than 2,000 Hawaii physicians outlining the specifics of the DWD bill and included a reply form asking, "What is your position on the proposed Hawaii Death with Dignity Act?"

Surprisingly, the response revealed a much larger percentage of support than I had anticipated. I sent a report of these findings to the Hawaii Medical Association Journal, which will publish them in its February issue. The bottom line is that 73 percent of the physicians who responded were in favor of DWD and 27 percent opposed. Public polls show that a similar percentage of people support the DWD Act.

Last year the DWD bills did not get a hearing in either the House or Senate. If our legislators truly represent their constituents, I think the least they can do is to hold hearings on a bill that has such overwhelming support from the public and physicians. Legislators, are you listening to the people?

Robert Nathanson, M.D.
Waialua

Why show movies to students in class?

I would make two small changes in the education process, at least in my sons' schools. First, please eliminate the showing of theatrical movies during class time. My sons have seen "Finding Nemo," "Holes," "Addams Family," "Volcano" and "Harry Potter 2" during class time. Maybe the teachers were substitutes who can't teach. Maybe the teacher was doing the grades and wanted quiet students. I don't care about the reasons; I just think it is a bad idea and a waste of my children's precious class time. If I want my kids to see a movie, I will provide it. That is not why they are in school.

The other problem is that my 8th graders do not have any history books, but use photocopied handouts with no maps or pictures. How boring is that? They are studying American history and it could be so much more interesting with a decent textbook.

Instead of big changes in the education system, focus on the small, important things that can be easily fixed.

Sandy Brewer
Kapaa

Too much development causes water shortage

The Board of Water Supply's warning that about the possibility of water restrictions in the summer ("Oahu sees drop in water supply," Feb. 2, Star-Bulletin) is almost unbelievable.

Short-sighted thinking by the board, the City Council, state Legislature and the Lingle administration continues to amaze me. The obvious reason for higher consumption figures is the result of rampant and uncontrolled residential development without serious requirements for supporting infrastructure, water supplies being one of them.

I am certain that the average usage by people connected to the water system through 2001 is as low, if not lower than it has been. The increased number of connections is what accounts for the higher usage.

Water rationing, voluntary or required, is not the solution. A moratorium on new construction until a dual-water system -- one potable and another for nondrinking uses such as irrigation -- is. Recycled and desalinated water are good sources for the nonpotable needs. A number of our local golf courses are showing us that.

Bernard Judson
Kapolei

Mandatory minimums only harden criminals

Mandatory court-ordered minimum sentences do nothing more than tie the hands of Hawaii's judiciary.

Simple nonviolent, possession-only drug offenders spend three to five years in prison. Often no treatment is given until lengthy and years-long waiting lists are completed.

A simple paraphernalia (pipe) offender receives a five-year term for the pipe and a five-year term for the drug's residue. When there is a second offense within a five-year period, repeat offender statutes are applied. Mandatory minimums are 20 to 40 months, depending on the crime's degree -- A, B or C felony. This sentence of five years with a 20-month minimum is most often increased to allow years-long prison treatment wait lists. A 36-months tentative parole date is the norm.

This is approximately $100,000 to the taxpayer.

The removal of mandatory minimums would cut to the chase, untying the hands of the judiciary and sending nonviolent, otherwise noncriminal offenders to treatment before they become hardened prison inmates.

Michael Spiker
Inmate/addict

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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