Brainstorm! Challenge

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Under Saddam, Moore would be doomed

I have not been able to see "Fahrenheit 9/11" yet and probably won't until it is on DVD. But from what I've read about it, I want to make the following comment.

The war in Iraq is about freedom for the Iraqi people.

Moore should remind himself that if he had even talked about making a movie about Saddam Hussein similar to the movie he made about President Bush he would have been killed.

Moore should thank the president and all Americans that he has the freedom to make such a movie.

Otto Cleveland
Pearl City

Never have so few disrupted so many

Regarding the tugboat operators strike:

It took a lot of hard work during the past 40 years for the Democrats in Hawaii to set up a system whereby 60 people can strangle an entire state.

Can you feel the aloha from the unions of Hawaii?

Roy Dean II
Pahoa, Hawaii

Money won't fix all of the DOE's problems

I would be unsure about releasing $2.1 million of our tax dollars to the Department of Education under the circumstances dictated by our spendthrift state Legislature ("Release money to hire teachers," Star-Bulletin editorial, July 2). Let the DOE bring its case-by-case appeal for funding to the governor.

Simply throwing tax dollars at the equation, where a new teacher is needed to maintain the 25:1 student-teacher ratio, might not be the only remedy.

Dennis Egge
Salt Lake

HSTA casts its vote before filing deadline

If you've ever wondered why Hawaii ranks dead last in the nation in SAT scores -- worse than Alabama, worse than Mississippi -- a recent incident gives a hint.

As a candidate for elective office, I recently received an e-mail from the Hawaii State Teachers Association informing me not to bother contacting the organization asking for an endorsement; it plans to endorse the incumbent in my district. So a month before the filing deadline, before it knows who all is running, without interviewing anyone and with contested Republican and Democratic primaries in my district, the teachers union has already made up its mind.

The message that HSTA inadvertently sent: If you are tired of the status quo, if you want better public schools, vote against anyone endorsed by the teachers union.

Jim Henshaw
Candidate
Senate District 23 (Kahuku-Kaneohe)

Tom Gill was Hawaii's best public servant

Thank you for the July 1 "Hawaii's History" column on Tom Gill. I knew him as the most honest, intelligent elected official our state has ever had, one of the extremely few who truly had the interests of our people at heart.

As one of our finest attorneys, he represented me (and won) when Mayor Frank Fasi tried to fire me for not supporting his political efforts. All of today's politicians would do well to try to emulate him. We would all be better off if they did. I will always hold Tom Gill in the highest regard.

Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii

Ask the governor to restore arts funding

Many parents keep a painting or drawing posted on the refrigerator door as a personal reminder of their child's creativity and self-expression.

Unfortunately, by cutting $730,000 out of $1.2 million allocated by the Legislature for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the governor does not appreciate the value art plays in a child's education and development.

Museums, theaters and cultural centers where schools participate will be affected by the governor's cuts. One cannot quantify the importance of art, as it is a great way to develop our children's creativity and entrepreneurial skills.

Also, the Legislature has been focused on improving our tourism industry by emphasizing local culture through the arts. The funding cuts will hamper development of cultural tourism.

If you want to support Hawaii's art programs, appeal to the governor by calling 586-0034, faxing 586-0006, e-mailing gov@gov.state.hi.us or writing to her at State Capitol, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu
Vice chairwoman
Committee on Tourism & Culture

Soon there may be no fish to catch

Really? A saltwater fishing license "would sully a priceless cultural experience," says Connie Florez in her guest column ("Gathering Place," July 1).

If something isn't done soon, there won't be any fishing left for any culture to experience.

Ask any fisherman and he will tell you the fishing is terrible and getting worse. As a member of the "Let's Go Fishing" TV show, I've fished every island from Midway to South Point during the last 35 years. It is to a point now, I've given up and don't waste my time shore fishing any more.

Subsistence fishing to feed the family? Even if you used hand grenades and illegal gillnets, you'd starve to death.

Expensive? A saltwater fishing license would probably cost less than one fishing lure, a good plate lunch or a new CD. Kids under 16 fish free, retired people and Hawaiians -- no charge. Too expensive?

I will gladly support a saltwater fishing license. I only hope we can work together to change something, so my kids can one day enjoy the kind of fishing I experienced 10, 20, 30 years ago.

Stan Wright
Kaneohe

Ban personal use of fireworks on July 4th

Fireworks use is a sensitive subject. There is a lot of public resistance to banning fireworks on New Year's Eve, based on tradition and the diverse cultures of Hawaii.

However, the same is not true for the Fourth of July. No million-dollar study is needed to determine that there is far more use of fireworks on New Year's Eve than on July 4th.

Although the recent requirement for fireworks permits has reduced the use of firecrackers, it does not deter the use of other novelty items that mostly spark and make smoke. The health and safety hazards remain with the use of these items, especially in July when the grass is dry and the potential for fires increased. Children are usually the ones setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July, and many times they are unattended. The negatives far outweigh the positives.

With all the public displays of fireworks available on the Fourth of July, and because the majority of the citizens would favor it, the use of fireworks by the general public on Independence Day should be banned.

Mel McKeague
Ewa Beach

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] The city owns a large, underground facility at Fort Barrette in Kapolei that is sitting empty. What could it be used for? Some sort of archive? A place to stash gigantic holiday decorations? A temporary storage site for Evan Dobelle’s ego? Send your ideas -- include your name, address and phone number -- by July 16 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or by mail: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Or by fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750