Senator seems to have lost his warrior spirit

In regard to Dan Akaka's unwillingness to face off with Ed Case in a public debate, it is evident to me that Sen. Akaka has lost his "warrior spirit." His unwillingness to go into the ring and face his opponent in Hawaii shows me he cannot stand up for Hawaii in Washington.

A good senator follows the people's will

In response to the question asked by letter writer Mike Middlesworth (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 6) about whether or not U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka would vote to drill if there were oil in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, I suggest he might.

If the majority of the people in Hawaii wanted to drill, and if the majority of the Hawaiians wanted to drill, and if the state government wanted to drill, he would probably represent the people as he always has. And he would probably hope that the Alaska senators would support him, as he did them.

Remember, that was the situation in Alaska. The people of Alaska wanted to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and a huge majority of Alaska natives (all but one small but vocal village) also wanted the drilling. Even the Alaska state officials wanted to drill. Akaka and others represented the people of that state well, as well they should have.

Jones Act forces isle prices ever higher

Thank you to Cynthia Sims' letter on the true cost of the Jones Act for Hawaii residents (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 12). I feel that this act has not only a trickle-down effect on the economy but also on why so many former residents have no desire to return home. Quite a few people I know won't move home because they realize that basic things such as housing, gas and food cost so more much here.

I have experienced firsthand how this detrimental act has affected Hawaii's economy. I am a resident of Hawaii who moved away for the last 10 years and have returned home only to be left in shock by the cost of paradise. I sometimes wonder why I chose to move home only to pay more for the basic goods that cost far less in the mainland. I was able to work only part time and still have more than enough money each month and have more time with my family. Now that I'm here in Hawaii, I am working much more yet having less time and extra money each month. Thank goodness I have family to help me out with housing or I'd likely be yet another member of our huge homeless society. Compared to my lifestyle on the mainland, this is no paradise for me.

I agree with Sims that we need some big changes from the top down. I applaud Linda Lingle for making big reforms in the local government, but want to see that change up in our national government. It is easy to keep the incumbents in office if you don't feel the effects of their decisions over time. I'm tired of what these longtime politicians have done to Hawaii and want some big changes made soon or I'm headed back to the mainland again.

Government is really good at one thing

Lie after lie! Fib after fib! Is this all our elected leaders know how to do -- fib and lie?

» Weapons of mass destruction.
» Nicotine is not addictive.
» Marijuana is addictive.
» We are free, but the IRS will put us in jail if we do not pay our taxes.
» We are supposed to think all Arabic people are our enemies, not just al-Qaida.
» What happened to the taxpayers' money?
» Growth stimulates the economy. Can they show us how with supply-and-demand schedules and isoquants?
» Food and fresh water supplies are doing just fine. Why have we gone to genetically modified food and desalination?
» We are from the government. We are here to help you.
» Money rules. Our money is all created by the Federal Reserve laws.

These are 10 common lies of the government. Throw the bums out this election!

Here are two extra lies, just for good measure:

» The government will win the war on drugs.
» High society in Washington, D.C., cares about the citizenry and what our problems are.

HPD is retaliating against employee

Regarding "HPD worker charged with record tampering" (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 11): This is another example of the Prosecutor's Office being the willing accomplice of the Honolulu Police Department brass who is trying to cover their okole from their previous harassment of their employee. Retaliation pure and simple. One only has to look at how long they sat on this case before asking the prosecutor to file. Let them answer what took eight months to investigate.

It also might be indicative of the failure of the brass to support the rank and file. In trying to assist the poor and impoverished, Sharon Black has taken on a constituency that has little or no support.

There has been a lot of hand-wringing for the poor but little action. With the exception of Father Duteil, Bread of Life and mighty few others, Sharon has worked unceasingly with her Kau Kau Wagon, with at best manini support from the HPD brass who are more concerned with their image and their jobs.

Lebanon, not Israel, deserves our support

Thank you for the excellent Gathering Place on Saturday, "Lebanon invasion not in U.S., Israel's interest."

I would only like to add that at the end of Israel's illegal 18-year occupation of Lebanon, 1982-2000, Israel captured three Hezbollah leaders, whom Hezbollah said would try to obtain freedom through future kidnappings -- a commonplace happening during the occupation.

So, in combination with their solidarity with the Palestinians in their plight to achieve freedom for their Israeli-held prisoners, Hezbollah wanted to free their own Israeli-held prisoners.

Now, finally, after constant stonewalling by the United States and Israel, there is going to be a cease-fire and negotiation, thanks to Russia and others, and in spite of U.S. and Israeli war antics. Bolton, Rice and Bush ought to be removed for their complicity in the 900 Lebanese civilian deaths.

Michelle Wie does not have what it takes

Many letters surface every time Michelle Wie takes to the links. She's Hawaii's sweetheart for sure, and we all want her to succeed.

However, her last tournament, the women's British Open, she was four over par. She bogeys and double bogeys holes consistently. Has someone else fire her caddie. Makes critical mistakes on the rules of the game. Wears nonmatching attire.

Tiger Woods, winner of the Men's British Open, shot seven straight birdies for a 15-under par. I don't think Tiger bogeyed a hole since he was two.

My point, it's doubtful Wie will ever get to a Tiger Woods level in skill, proficiency and the winner's circle.

Free up lanes for cars during daytime hours

The readers keep complaining about the traffic situation in Honolulu. To help alleviate the traffic situation throughout Oahu, the simple solution would be to eliminate all street parking during the daytime hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The taxes the people pay do not include free parking. Furthermore, if businesses complain, then I would just say that if they want to go into business, make sure they open at a location that has adequate parking for their customers. In the future, all buildings being built whether they be business complexes or residential (apartments, condos or townhouses), they should be required to furnish sufficient parking spaces and not depend on the city giving them a handout via free street parking. And if street parking is absolutely necessary, then I would say to the city, install parking meters and make it a 24-hour enforcement. No free ride and the money from these meters can go to paying for a parking enforcement team.

Eliminating daytime street parking will free up a minimum of two lanes on any given two-way street. I believe that will alleviate much of the traffic woes facing Honolulu today.