Crime-scene photo showed grim reality

Jennifer and Rob Marrone (Letters, June 23) criticized your front-page photo of the scene showing the body of the man killed by police. They must be very tender souls to feel repulsed, injured, offended by something that exposes them to reality. Publishing that picture is what newspapers are supposed to do -- give the readers a taste of what people on the scene are getting. The reader can do the same thing people on the scene do if they can't cope with the sight, and walk away -- turn the page!

There is a moral or two to be drawn from that photo:

>> This is what happens when you shoot at police with intent to kill.
>> Don't run; you have a chance to beat the rap.

Both men involved had long criminal records, but were free and could have cleaned up their act if they had wanted to.

Ted Chernin
Honolulu

Back up e-votes with paper copies

Computers do not always do what they are supposed to do the way they are supposed to do it. I know, I've had computers for many years. I would not deposit money in the bank electronically without a paper copy of the transaction.

We must have paper copies from our electronic voting machines by our next national election. Please, start now.

Robert G.Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii

Licenses, conservation will save Hawaii's fish

Fishing licenses are a necessity if we are to repopulate our shorelines and near-shore waters with catchable fish. The funds from licenses on the mainland go towards fish hatcheries, wardens and other conservation programs. That's what is missing from our state.

All we have done all these years is take, take, take.

The folks against licensing are short-sighted. Look at the success on the mainland for examples of what can be done to re-establish sport fisheries. Striped bass, snook and redfish are prime shoreline sport fishes there. All were once nearly obliterated by overfishing. Licenses, size limits, catch limits, hatcheries and a reduction of net fishing have restored shoreline sport fishing in many areas.

Hawaii needs a common-sense attitude about this issue. I remember as a youngster looking forward to the seasons for oama, papio and moi, when the runs of these species produced spectacular catches. When was the last time we had such a run of these species? Look at what happened recently when a huge run of aweoweo hit our shores. Hordes of people went fishing and decimated the schools.

Licensing will go a long way toward replenishing fish populations, especially on Oahu. I no longer shorefish as often as I once did. Spending the entire day to catch one or two fish is frustrating. I have been "catch and release" fishing for some time now. The way I figure, if I don't do that, I have no right to complain.

Gary Suzukawa
Honolulu

Dobelle was con man who was stopped short

The state of Hawaii got taken by a very good con man. Evan Dobelle came. He told us what we wanted to hear. He embellished on our hopes. He was knowledgeable and glib. He held those carrots out there and led us after them.

And, as all good con men do, he got us to pay up front for his promises -- a huge $400,000-plus salary plus education allowances, travel benefits, entertainment, automobile, housing and more, and it appears he found it difficult to pay back to the University of Hawaii those personal expenses he should have paid for. And how about the $1 million housing renovation? Wasn't that also supposed to be paid back?

Sen. Donna Mercado Kim should be congratulated for stepping up and questioning Dobelle about his failure to make good on his promises and for raising the red "danger" flag. What would Mazie Hirono's position be if Dobelle had come out for Lingle and not her? She should do what Dobelle failed to do: shut up. And isn't it amazing the number of Democrats who immediately jumped in to blame Lingle for this, just as they blame her for the bad school system, potholes, gas prices, you name it.

There is no nice way to fire anyone. The best way is to make it short and to the point. After the decision was made, immediate dismissal was necessary or leaks and distorted facts would have made conditions worse. According to the regents, he was fired for cause. Will we get our million dollars back and any other monies Dobelle may owe? Does anyone go to jail?

Robert W. Levy
Hawaii Kai

Regents independent in firing of Dobelle

Based on my experience and knowledge of the strong character of each University of Hawaii regent, I am confident that their unanimous decision to terminate Evan Dobelle from the presidency was derived independently and based on a thoroughly objective process. To surmise that their decision was somehow related to what Dobelle did two years ago for Mazie Hirono is far-fetched at best.

There is absolutely no direct or indirect influence being exercised by the Governor's Office over a board member after he or she has been appointed. I speak from personal experience because after being appointed to the Board of Education by Gov. Linda Lingle, I was never asked to take certain positions on education issues, nor was I ever asked to consult with her or anyone at her office on any issue before making a decision. Hence, it is unlikely that any of the regents ever consulted with or spoke to the Governor's Office before taking action. Each regent probably based his or her independent decision solely on the facts before them and the advice given by their legal counsel.

It is not easy to fire someone. It is always easier to avoid confrontation and take the path of less resistance. But when the circumstances warranted courageous action, I believe each regent followed his or her judgment regardless of the potential backlash. I know the regents did what they believed was best for UH. Rather than rushing to judgment or placing uninformed and premature blame on the regents, we should wait until they have had the opportunity to disclose their reasons for firing Dobelle.

Shelton G.W. Jim On
Attorney at law
Honolulu

It is up to parents to rear decent humans

In his June 22 letter, Eric Ryan really hit the nail on the head regarding negligent parents. As a military wife and mom, I turned out good kids, despite little support from the community. We moved too many times and never had time to make many friends (they moved before we could get to know them), but my sons and I managed -- with the help of good schools, athletics, common sense and caring -- to contribute positively to society.

This takes work, which many of these parents are too lazy to do! They blame the schools, government and so on for their own lethargy. They are too lazy to even practice birth control, so they have more children than they can care for.

To all the responsible parents out there, keep up the good work!

Nancy R. Jones
Foster Village