Gender-equity policies lower standards for all

"If genes prove it, women X-cell over men," Maureen Dowd's column in the Sunday, March 20, Star-Bulletin, basically manipulates selected data to purposely hypothesize female superiority by degrading men. Men and boys seem to be fair game to be degraded by feminists; thus males become conditioned to ignore women's opinions as gibberish, and God forbid anyone should say anything discouraging against women.

Only weeks ago the president of Harvard was under fire for suggesting that one of three possible reasons that women are behind men in math and science is due to genetics. This had women demanding his resignation.

Ignoring gender and enforcing gender equity is dangerous. Example: Brian Nichols, who shot three dead after overpowering a female guard and taking her gun. He was a huge man. Why was he guarded by a woman who probably got her job through "gender equity" rather than "best qualified?" Why aren't factors relating to guard qualifications not an issue? It's because we'll find proof that lowering standards so women can qualify for physically demanding jobs might cost innocent people their lives. There should be only one standard open to men and women, and qualification should come before gender equity. If women indeed have superior genes, why don't they know this?

Let's scrap bottle bill for curbside recycling

In an effort to further discussion on recycling in Hawaii, I would like to respond to Robert Boesch's March 5 criticism of curbside recycling by suggesting that we focus on what is best for consumers and the environment rather than worrying about who's going to pay the bill. Ultimately, the most efficient means of recycling will be the least expensive, and the bottle bill is hardly efficient.

Whether you pay for recycling through property taxes or HI 5, consumers are paying tax to get their trash recycled. The system as it is now gives consumers no incentive to recycle because it is inaccessible and unprofitable. Curbside recycling would get things recycled and clean up our environment, which is the goal.

With property prices skyrocketing, families can afford less and less space. Considering that 200 bottles will get only $10, consumers are paying more money on rent for the space the bottles occupy than they are making recycling. It will never be in the best interest of those consumers to make room for bottles, pile them in their cars and drive to a redemption center even if stores offer them on site.

We need to clean up Hawaii. If the bottle bill's not working, let's scrap it and get something that works. Stop trying to fix what's already broken.

Public funds shouldn't be used for salaries

While Mayor Hannemann and the City Council debate a proposal to pay for the salaries of city employees with borrowed money, it is interesting to note that the state government has paid salaries with borrowed government funds for many years.

Governor Lingle's budget proposal for Fiscal Biennium 2005-2007 recommends taking significant steps to eliminate the long-standing practice of paying certain state employees' salaries with borrowed funds.

Using borrowed money to pay for salaries is like using your credit card to give your child an allowance when you have the cash in your pocket. Just as a businessperson would not on a regular basis pay for employees' salaries with borrowed funds, the state government should not borrow money to pay for government employees' salaries.

The governor is proposing to replace these bond funds with cash from the state's general fund or special funds for certain positions in the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaii Community Development Authority.

The affected employees will see no difference as a result of this change. They will continue to be paid for the good work they do. However, taxpayers will benefit by having the added assurance that their money is being spent wisely, and that the state is making sensible decisions when using public funds.

Death-row inmates should go to war zones

What a ponderous dichotomy as brave men and women of the United States armed forces sign up on the dotted line to go to war and pay the ultimate price, their lives.

Perhaps it would even be unfair for the likes of Scott Peterson, who takes the supposedly ominous journey to join the ranks as the 644th member on San Quentin's Death Row, along with the other 4,500 or so spread around the nation's death rows; to be given the option of fighting on the front lines in Iraq or elsewhere, to at least die a speedy death in lieu of their heinous deeds. And if they survive, simply return and continue their endless appeals, languishing with a roof over their heads, perhaps air conditioning, heating, a bed, three meals a day, soap, a towel, a small TV, a radio, a toilet, full medical care ... need I go on?

While we are at it, let's also include the 2 to 3 million lifers, or others with lengthy terms, who enjoy homely comforts required by law on our tax bill.

Dental students gave excellent care

On behalf of my fellow veterans and myself, I commend and thank the University of Hawaii School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene students for the unparalleled professionalism, efficiency and genuine courtesy that was extended to us veterans participating in the U.S. Vets Initiative Program at Barbers Point.

The attention and skill level of this community service exceeded all expectations. I personally have never been treated with the sincere respect and incomparable service that the students and staff showed to me and my fellow veterans. Upon arrival at Hemenway Hall at UH, we were catered to by caring and unbelievably skillful students. They charted, examined, x-rayed, deplaqued, scraped, flossed, polished and fluorinated our teeth with the meticulous attention one would expect at the most expensive dental service provider in Hawaii.

After spending close to four hours working on my grill, my hygienist genuinely and sincerely thanked me. These folks have positively affected the community and our veterans at Barbers Point.

If your dentist's hygienist is a graduate of the UH School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, your teeth are in good hands. Oh, by the way, the nominal fee of $25 was waived for us veterans; they provided this service for free and thanked me. Wow!

ANWR vote joins a long tradition

Senators Akaka and Inouye did indeed serve a huge slap in the face to the environmentalists and to their own Democratic Party by supporting the Republican push for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as your March 16 editorial warned.

I hope it will mean political suicide for both of them and the "Akaka-Stevens Bill," which is riddled with "deals" between Hawaii and Alaska, mainly because these two bills have the poor native Hawaiians and native Alaskans "trapped again" like trimmings on a package deal!

It's not very different from how Hawaii got swooped-up with the Monroe Doctrine to be annexed to the United States in the first place.

Neither is it very different from how the Hawaiian Homestead Act of 1921 didn't really help "to rehabilitate a dying race," but did set aside the prime agricultural lands and all the waters -- for the sugar industry!

I'm just glad the truth is starting to bubble up like crude oil, rising up to the surface for all to see.

Hui aloha aina.