With deferments, he never learned to aim

Vice President Cheney received five deferments during the Vietnam War and later stated that he had "better things to do" than go to fight for his country. George Bush, Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Pearl all fall into this "chicken hawk" classification of extremely pro-war types who conveniently find it easy to send others to battle but never took the chance themselves.

Thus my quote for headline of the week: "Quail hunting chicken-hawk bags buddy."

More parking would raise game attendance

To Aloha Stadium Authority: Build more parking stalls! Build it and they will come. I realize back in the day fans packed Aloha Stadium even with the limited parking spaces. However, you are now competing with pay-per-view cable broadcasts. Many University of Hawaii fans can now subscribe to games, but there are those who got weary of the lack of parking space over the years.

Can't you build a multilevel parking structure? It should have been done a long time ago.

Roundabout will go in only if people want it

This is in response to Nobu Nakamoto's Feb. 10 letter to the editor, "Aiea roundabout a waste of tax money." At the request of the Newtown Estates Community Association, representatives from the Department of Transportation Services presented information on the proposed traffic improvements at the intersection of Kaahele and Komo Mai Drive on Feb. 7. DTS representatives mentioned the project would cost approximately $500,000, not $1 million as Mr. Nakamoto stated.

Nakamoto's statement that the project has no community association support is not true. Some of the residents who attended the meeting favor the roundabout. Because of concerns expressed by others who attended, DTS will be re-evaluating possible traffic measures to minimize traffic problems on Kaahele Street and the Kaahele Street/Komo Mai Drive intersection. Upon completion of the data gathering and analysis, DTS representatives will again meet with the Newtown Community Association. We would proceed only if there is community consensus.

Drivers are treating pedestrians better

I have noticed drivers extending courtesy to pedestrians and other drivers. On our crowded roads, we drivers and pedestrians need all the cooperation we can get. Some drivers are beginning to see the danger we face and are doing their part to reduce that danger. Many drivers now use headlights during daylight.

The Greyhound Bus Co. has reduced its accident rate more than 50 percent by instructing its drivers to drive with headlights on in the daytime because it makes them more visible.

I also notice drivers are not overrunning stop lines and blocking intersections as was too often the case, and are giving pedestrians a chance to cross, whether they are in a crosswalk or not.

Most drivers know when they are being courteous and when they are not. Notice the "shaka" sign or the "thank you" wave of appreciation. That courtesy is likely to be passed on to other drivers and pedestrians.

Carrying a flag to cross is just goofy

Rep. Marilyn B. Lee's proposed House Bill 1901 setting up a pilot program for pedestrians to carry brightly colored flags to cross the street is pretty funny (Letters, Feb. 13). Mililani is already the home of the gasoline price cap, now we are going to be the home of the flag law as well.

Here's some advice from one of your constituents: Concentrate on something that doesn't make us look like a joke. There are numerous serious issues facing us. Pick one, any one, and be a leader.