Ad money could be used for necessities

I think allowing advertisements on campuses to raise money for our children's education is a great idea (Star-Bulletin, June 19). I've spoken to a dozen of my fellow college students, and they all agree. The steady inflow of money can go toward new text books, supplies, air conditioning, landscaping, maintenance, new buildings, teachers' salaries, the possibilities are endless!

I bet there will be a lot of protesters who are against the idea. They will be the same people who protest at every forum where improvements and innovation are proposed. But I hope those in charge of making the decision whether to allow advertising also will take into consideration the side of the silent majority, who have better things to do besides protest.

What's more important? New textbooks for our children or pleasing the special interest groups?

Ads would be visual blight in schools

The Outdoor Circle believes school advertising is a bad idea. It's bad for numerous reasons relating to the education of our kids, and we believe it's bad in other ways that are also extremely important to the people of Hawaii.

School advertising could violate state or county sign laws. Schools might find ways to get around the law, but they need to know that The Outdoor Circle is watching. We will monitor campuses, report each and every violation, and push for enforcement. Besides, educators should not be teaching kids it's OK to find ways to dodge the law.

School advertising also is a threat to Hawaii tradition and culture. For more than 80 years Hawaii residents have been imprinted with the belief that inappropriate outdoor advertising is an assault on our visual environment. That's one of the main reasons we've been able to fend off relentless pressure from advertisers to bring the blight of billboards to paradise. School advertising will begin to unravel that tradition.

We believe our schools should be a sanctuary, free from the influences and pressures of the advertising industry.

The absence of ugly, inappropriate and illegal advertising is one of the things that most distinguishes Hawaii from the rest of the nation and world. We should do everything in our power to keep it that way.

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Everyday people are the rude ones

I feel compelled to respond to Rose Norberg's June 21 letter, "President creating a rude America." Rose, no elected or appointed official creates a rude America. Rude Americans create a rude America.

In earlier years on Oahu you could drive the highways and never hear an automobile horn. In the last 10 years, residents have discovered a new toy, the automobile horn, which they use indiscriminately and often.

In the past, if you needed to change lanes, the vehicle in the lane would wave you in and you in return would wave a mahalo. Now, try to change lanes safely and the vehicle in that lane will speed up in an to attempt to keep you from making the change. If you're fortunate enough to make the change before you're rear ended, you won't get a wave, but rather that middle digit that signifies that the driver is somewhat angry that you are now ahead of him or her. (Yes, I've had women use that signal of ignorance).

And we must not forget that thoughtful customer at the grocery store express checkout lane. You know, the lane with a limit of eight items. She stands there with 10-15 items and then feigns ignorance as to the limit. Then she spends an inordinate amount of time trying to find that one penny needed to complete the transaction, while the cashier is busy apologizing to those in line behind her.

These are just a few of the many examples of the rudeness of the American people. Thank goodness there are those of us who were taught proper manners and decorum by our parents, and don't have to rely on that middle digit to communicate with other humans.

Fall 2006 is too early for U.S. to leave Iraq

Regarding "Abercrombie joins call for Iraq pullout by fall 2006" (Star-Bulletin, June 16): Frankly, it's about time to "pull out" Rep. Neil Abercrombie from Congress!

What is it about World War III that he doesn't understand? Does he really believe our leaving Iraq will solve everything? Will this stabilize the Mideast? Stop terrorism? He's promoting a "license to steal" for every terrorist in the world who will continue to kill American servicemen and women wherever they find them.

Vote out Abercrombie at your earliest opportunity!

Smarter readers will miss bridge column

I am extremely disappointed with the Star-Bulletin's decision to stop printing the daily bridge column.

Bridge is to Euchre as baseball is to soccer. Virtually anyone can learn to understand and appreciate the nuances of Euchre and soccer, few as there are, whereas it takes years of study to accomplish the same for bridge and baseball.

Bridge and baseball have no appeal in illiterate cultures, whereas soccer and Euchre, and games of its like, are Third World favorites. A newspaper should be appealing to higher intellectual pursuits, something certainly not accomplished by replacing the bridge column with four poorly drawn, inane comic strips.

Next month, maybe my favorite newspaper will replace the crossword with a connect-the-dots puzzle so everyone can play it as the dumbing down of America continues unabated.

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