Traffic problem needs a whole-island cure

We have a doctor running for Honolulu mayor who has "ideas" about traffic. Mufi Hannemann thinks a flyover above Nimitz would be ugly.

Isn't movement of traffic a project to be handled by people qualified to make such decisions? Band-Aid solutions that involve one short section of the problem will not solve the overall traffic problem. An island-wide study should be done first.

In addition, at what point do the needs of the public outweigh a few highly vocal activists? Some ancient farmer's taro field doesn't have any more value or need for preservation than a pig farm or a field of pineapples or sugar cane, a lot of which has disappeared in the interests of development and progress.

At what point do we get smart, accept that Hawaii is going to continue to change and build to accommodate those changes? Our economy tanks because we don't encourage business, and one of the ways to encourage new business is to have an installed infrastructure.

By the time some politician gets his pet project into place it is already obsolete.

Why not tackle to a few new tunes?

The "tit for tat" that is going on between Joe Moore and June Jones ("Warrior fight songs have Jones and Moore fired up" Star-Bulletin, Aug. 27) reminds me of the "tit for tat" between Evan Dobelle and Governor Lingle. Does that mean then, that one is destined to be fired or asked to resign?

The proactive thinking would be to support those things that will energize our football Warriors and bring both the players and school success and positive recognition.

I am in the same age group as these men, and I too thought the reason to change the team name from the Rainbows was weak, but I am happy everything has worked out well for the school and those in the program. I look forward to hearing some new music as well as the old. But then, that's only my opinion.

Bush's wrongs should return him to Texas

Like Carol R. White (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 22), I am also "amazed at the depth of madness afflicting Bush" lovers in their "lust" to excuse his administration's failures. White also states "Democrat crazies have mischaracterized every Bush policy so that one can barely identify the original issue."

To help everyone identify some of these issues, a short list would surely would include:

>> The thousands of American and Iraqi lives lost in Bush's war of choice.

>> The huge deficits future generations will have to pay off caused by Bush's tax cuts for the rich.

>> The environmental damage caused by the relaxation of protective laws and regulations by Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress.

>> The damage to the health of Americans caused by the Bush ban on stem-cell research.

>> The damage to America's reputation as a world leader caused by Bush's unilateralism.

In every way, America is far worse off today than it was when Bush took office. I hope American voters will reject Republican spin and return Bush to Crawford, Texas.

Only the rich prosper under Bush regime

In other industrialized nations, all segments of the population share somewhat equally when the economy prospers. In the United States, the wealthy prosper inordinately and the gap between the rich and the poor widens.

How can anyone concerned with the general welfare of individuals and the nation support an administration whose policies result in an increase in poverty and a loss of health- care coverage in relatively good economic times.

Owners should be responsible for pets

The shooting of the dog in Wahiawa prompted me to write this letter. It is time for people to take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their children and pets and stop criticizing the police for doing their job.

HPD provides mandatory pepper-spray and training in its use to their officers. They have learned the following:

>> Pepper spray is not effective on some dogs.
>> It must be sprayed directly into the eyes and nose to be effective.
>> It takes several seconds for the spray to take effect. There is no immediate result and aggressive dogs do not stop when sprayed.
>> Wind, rain and distance are only a few things that prevent the affect of the spray. Pepper spray is not recommended when the target is close or the weather is windy because the user could be affected by blowback.

In the Wahiawa case the dog ran back into the house after being shot with a pistol. Had the dog been sprayed with pepper spray, the spray on his coat could have affected anyone who touched him.

The dog owner is responsible for allowing an aggressive dog loose in the neighborhood.

God created us all, even those who are gay

James Roller criticizes Rep. Ed Case for not supporting the federal marriage amendment (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 10).

Praise God that Hawaii's people still have the intelligence to vote for someone based on their qualifications rather than their denial of rights to a group of people who are different.

God does not discriminate against race, religion, class or political party. Gays are created by God for God's reason. We don't choose to be gay; we're not masochists. Perhaps before one judges, one should step into the other's shoes. All of us should be working together to help the poor, heal the ailing, and sharing peace and goodwill. This is real Christianity, and I applaud Case for representing all Hawaii's people.