Iggy sparkles with symphony column
We have so enjoyed Iggy's "Crescendo" column on Mondays during the Honolulu Symphony season. In addition to learning a lot about the music to be performed each series, the whole community got to know our beloved concertmaster, Ignace Jang, and his quick wit, even to the point of telling stories on himself, such as the time his bow went flying into the audience.Our orchestra is richly blessed by this talented artist; however, most folks knew only of his musical talent until now. With these weekly epistles, we now understand and appreciate Iggy's journalistic bent.
I hope the Star-Bulletin doesn't intend to hire him away from the symphony! We couldn't fathom being without him there.
Susan Bright Spangler
First vice president
Honolulu Symphony Associates
Principals must be responsible with funds
Hooray for state Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto, who is not afraid to attempt to change things in the Department of Education! "Is this doable?" she asked (Star-Bulletin, June 15). "I'm convinced it is."However, when principals like Eileen Hirota, of Ewa Beach Elementary, are quoted as saying, "We have to really rethink what our students need to learn. We have to learn budgeting. We have to be open and flexible."
If she was quoted accurately, her comment gives some sad insight into how huge the task is. Imagine, principals needing to think about how money is spent and needing to plan for spending. Hirota's comment shows how weak many school administrators are. Several times in the past, the state auditor has been critical of DOE accounting and lack of accountability.
How can things ever get better if DOE is not accountable for the money it receives?
I taught at Campbell High School a few years back under a different principal from the one now there. The waste was just absolutely incredible -- $22,000 in lost textbooks alone in one year and no attempt to recoup losses. The math department of 13 used more paper for copying than the entire faculty of 40 at another school where I taught. Four days of school lost to poorly executed and monitored contracts, and on and on.
If expenditure control is still this poor, the task Hamamoto faces is daunting.
Joseph Gardewin
Kapolei
Why pity Limbaugh and vilify Aiwohi?
Why is the prosecution of Tayshea Aiwohi warranted and compassion, prayers and drug rehabilitation demanded for right-wing mouthpiece Rush Limbaugh? Why is Attorney General John Ashcroft justified to subpoena medical records from women's health clinics and Florida investigators are unconstitutional when Limbaugh's medical records are subpoenaed for "doctor shopping"?The hypocrisy and inconsistent application of the mandatory drug "laws" is the problem. Those who have the least power and money are usually the ones who are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
It is widely recognized that alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases. Do we, therefore, as a society and as a community, have any obligation to those who need help or is it every man/woman for him/ herself?
Karen Klock
Kalaheo
Anti-freedom forces spew their venom
The United States of America is the leader of all nations on Earth that defend and expand democracy for those who love freedom, peace and prosperity. We are the only superpower in terms of military might, wealth and moral standing. But there are groups or forces that want to destroy our way of life and democratic civilization. And some of them within our government and society unwittingly spew out their acrid and venomous conviction against our present administration.For example, most of us saw on TV recently the former vice president of the United States with all his might and strength of his lungs telling his viewers that President Bush betrayed his office as leader of our country. It would have been appropriate if some responsible person would have examined his medication before the speech.
And then Rep. Nancy Pelosi, minority leader of the House, telling the American people that President Bush is incapable of leading his country.
And the notorious hero of Chappaquiddick, the cowbell critic of our involvement in Iraq, never gets tired of telling the Americans that Bush is in a quagmire, like what we experienced in Vietnam. Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia is in the same boat with the senator from Massachusetts. And with our own Congressman Abercrombie who really has acrid and venomous feelings against our president and everything he does deserves to be retired with the rest of the above pessimists to our peaceful efforts, expansion of democracy and unlimited prosperity.
Bernardo Pascua Benigno
Mililani
Letters cut through Reagan hype
Thank you for publishing some of the truth about Ronald Reagan (letters by Daniel Grantham and Bill Honer, June 13) after a long week of hype and historical revision.As one who lived for 16 long years under Reagan, I find the incredible lionizing and quest for memorials to be extremely crass. Actually, he was a mediocre and harmful president.
Nancy Bey Little
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
