TV show proved value of paper vote backup
Fans worry about "power dialers" cheating on "American Idol" voting. Citizens worry about a possible 50 million e-voters using new touchtone machines that now are paperless, making recounts impossible.California recently banned e-voting due to problems with malfunctions, possible fraud and hacking. The new machines must be fixed to produce a tangible paper record like an ATM slip that would be reviewed by the voter and placed in a lockbox.
It is incredible that any state approved a voting system without a paper record of each ballot. See verifiedvoting.org. Urgency is needed to solve this problem.
"Trust but verify with paper backup!"
Tom Sebas
Honolulu
Congrats to Jasmine and goodbye to 'Idol'
Congratulations to Jasmine Trias. She did us all very proud. She is, forever, "Hawaii's Idol."So much for "American Idol." I don't really care who wins now, and I suspect I'm not alone. The really good singer is gone. The hometown hopeful got short shrift from the show's judges. Guess that means I won't be watching much of KGMB any more. Oh? It was KITV? No, KHON? KHNL?? Whatever.
Whichever station it was can kiss this viewer goodbye. So much for the ratings sweeps. Back to the regularly scheduled programming. They might as well run "Friends" reruns.
Maybe we need a "Jasmine Show" live from Maryknoll, every Tuesday night!
Blaine Fergerstrom
Honolulu
Lingle should decline trade agreement
Governor Lingle has voluntarily agreed to comply with the Central American Free Trade Agreement, but does anyone in her administration or any legislator realize that vendors from these countries will be treated equally as local vendors?This is not to exclude outside vendors, but with our economy struggling we should help out our local companies first. Under this policy, many of our state procurement polices will be negated in favor of outside international vendors, to which our tax monies will be flowing.
Lingle should reconsider her decision, as the governors of Pennsylvania and Ohio, have and reverse her position.
Sandra M. Barker
Honolulu
Governor disappoints with political motives
Like Linda Smith of the governor's office (Letters, May16), I and many others had hoped that Governor Lingle would help lead us into a constructive two-party government. Disagreements would be expected but with the well-being of the people of paramount concern.After a slow start, her failure to join the Legislature in approaching solutions to problems, without offering useful contributions of her own, marked her as redundant. Then she moved into her antagonistic mode and is now known by many as Governor Veto.
Her term to date has been one long political campaign for self and party. I suspect that she is positioning herself to exploit an opening in the Hawaii delegation to the U.S. Senate the instant such becomes available.
The governor's penchant for travel has been marked by a trip to Iraq to support the president's war and then a high-profile visit to Israel. Her activities seem to be intended to enhance her own political career with little regard for the citizens of Hawaii. I am disappointed.
Michael E. Derieg
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Attitude needed more than precise degree
In regard to Kelly Baird's comments (Letters, May 17), there are many individuals throughout the state who possess undergraduate and graduate degrees in the social sciences. Many of these caring people work within many social service agencies providing needy people critical services.Why shouldn't these individuals be recognized as human services professionals? Just because a person has a master's degree in social work does not make him or her more competent than someone with a degree in a related field. Many quality workers within the state Department of Human Services don't possess M.S.W. degrees but do have other advanced degrees.
The bottom line: A caring attitude helps people, not just a degree.
Ryan Tin Loy
Honolulu
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[ BRAINSTORM! ]
The ponds at the state Capitol are full of icky green stuff. What, besides holding an election, can we do to get rid of all that scum at the Big Square Building? Or should we just replace the ponds with something else?Tell us what you think, whether you know of a way to clean the ponds or if you'd rather see a remodel of the Capitol grounds. Anything would be an improvement.
Send your ideas by June 16 to:
Or by mail:
Brainstorm!
c/o Nancy Christenson
Star-Bulletin
500 Ala Moana
7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813Or by fax:
Brainstorm!
c/o Nancy Christenson
529-4750
