Hawaii roads are lousy compared to mainland

In response to the state transportation director's Aug. 17 letter on highway maintenance, I strongly disagree with his contention that highway maintenance is a high priority here.

I recently returned from a 4,500-mile road trip that took me through eight Western states. I traveled on interstate, state, county and city roads, often hundreds of miles from the nearest sizeable city. I have never experienced the road conditions like I have on a daily basis often within the city itself.

The maintenance of H1, Pali, Kalanianaole and Kamehameha highways is deplorable. Recently, Pali Highway was closed overnight for road maintenance. The next morning, I could not find any difference in the condition of the highway. Pavement, shoulder and highway signage seems almost Third World to me.

By the way, the safety barrier installation at Olomana Golf Course is pitiful. The unsafe condition still exists.

With Hawaii having the highest taxes, both in income and fuel, it just doesn't show. Hawaii deserves better.

Teachers ready to help students build careers

As the school year begins for many teachers, I would like to acknowledge the dedication of four. Robert Samson and Wendell Tashiro of James Campbell High School, and Telefoni Aumua and David Forrest of Kahuku High School spent four weeks out of their precious summer immersed in a construction industry internship program ("4 teachers set to learn building trades," Star-Bulletin, July 8).

These teachers signed up for the Pacific Resource Partnership Teacher Internship Program in order to share with their students the educational requirements necessary for the broad range of jobs available in the construction industry.

The Pacific Resource Partnership partnered with leaders in the construction industry and the Department of Education to launch this pilot program in response to a high failure rate of those taking math tests to qualify for job training. Our hope is that some students might better understand the importance and relevance of reading, writing and arithmetic if framed within the real-life application of exciting jobs.

Mahalo to Robert, Wendell, Telefoni and David for taking part in our pilot program and for their dedication to our students. We look forward to expanding the program to more schools next summer.

Why doesn't Inouye condemn all 527 ads?

Where was Sen. Dan Inouye these last nine months when ads from liberal 527 groups were blasting the president, calling him a liar and thug ("Inouye condemns Swift Board attack ads," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 26)?

George Soros and his mob have funded liberal ads to the tune of more than $35 million. Where was Inouye when the Hollywood celebs trashed the president at Radio City Music Hall? I know where Sen. John Kerry was; right on the stage, saying it was their First Amendment right to curse and lie about the president.

So the Democrats want to have their cake and eat it too? I'm sorry, but the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth have First Amendment rights also. Where was Inouye when Michael Moore put out the pack of lies in his film, "Fahrenheit 9/11"?

What the Democrats and Republicans should do is take all 527 ads off the air, as the president and Sen. John McCain have suggested, and let the two candidates discuss the issues that are important to the American people.

Kerry tries to silence Swift boat veterans

It seems the Democrats have very thin skin. The criticism of John Kerry by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth brought out a bunch of lawyers to intimidate the TV stations to not show the commercials. I didn't see George Bush try to take any legal action against filmmaker Michael Moore or any of his critics. All Kerry has to do is produce his medical records and settle this dispute. His credibility is in question.

Bush doesn't learn from his mistakes

I believe that America must be strong, and that our leaders must be decisive. But I also believe that it is important that we choose our fights wisely and admit our mistakes.

Tragically, many of President Bush's bad decisions about Iraq have cost American lives and harmed our country's position of leadership in the world. Failing to take the time to build an international consensus, jumping into a war based on overstated fears, disbanding the Iraqi army (putting tens of thousands of angry young men on the streets) and mobilizing too few American soldiers are just a few of those bad decisions.

And even more dangerous, Bush cannot admit that he has made any mistakes, and so his decisions continue to harm America.

Sen. John Kerry is a proven leader whose thoughtful decisions have served America well, both in the heat of battle and in the halls of Congress.The John Kerry-John Edwards team has a plan for America's security that is based firmly on the facts, a plan that will evolve when the good of the country requires it.

Kerry's behavior hurt fellow veterans

As a Vietnam-era veteran, I take exception to Smokey Guerrero's letter (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 29) stating that Vietnam vets should be thanking Sen. John Kerry. The suggestion is at best misinformed.

Kerry had no altruistic motive for testifying before a congressional committee after he returned from Vietnam. He had his own personal agenda. His traitorous actions against his fellow veterans should have landed him in jail, not the Senate.

Because of him American POWs were treated more harshly and kept in captivity longer by the North Vietnamese. He deserves our contempt, not our thanks.

Had the military been allowed to fight the war without being hindered by politicians and those like Kerry, who gave moral support to the enemy, the war would have been over long before Kerry went to Vietnam.

Our thanks should be directed to those men and women who served honorably in, and after, Vietnam.