High-speed chases aren't worth the risk

There must be something terribly wrong with my thinking on the subject of high-speed chases. I can't believe the U.S. Supreme Court voted 8 to 1 for the police's right not to be sued by the suspect if a crash occurs from their pursuit. This just can't be right. I was ecstatic when the justices decided to hear this issue and totally deflated in their ruling it legal. I'm hoping that the ruling was narrow to only this particular case of liability, instead of the legality of high-speed chases as a policy.

It should never be justified to jeopardize innocent people's lives along the chase, to catch someone who may or may not be worth apprehending. That is totally reprehensible.

Let us learn from law student's death

My deepest apology and sympathy to the ohana of Christopher Reuther ("Law student accepted to UH is killed," Star-Bulletin, May 4). I am saddened to hear of the brutal death of this young man from North Carolina who had chosen to visit the beautiful area of Nanakuli, Zabalan Beach Park, Waianae, Hawaii. It was an inexcusable beating that caused the death of this young man.

My heart and pain go out to the ohana for the lost of such a beautiful, handsome son. As a resident and community leader, I am honored to think this young man chose Nanakuli to learn more about local culture and the ways of our people.

I hope that this family will bring light to our community that we must have the spirit of aloha in our hearts for all who choose to visit our parts of paradise.

Ua Pa Ua Hala Lakou A Koe No Na Pua.

Airport shakedowns don't aid U.S. security

How many times does Hawaii have to get kicked in the gut by this mythical "War on Terror" before we stand up and say "enough"?

In recent days Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin has admitted knowing as early as 2002 that the planned war in Iraq was based on lies. The claim about weapons of mass destruction was a lie. The claim that Iraq aided al-Qaida was a lie. The claim that Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 was a lie.

Maybe even 9/11 itself was a lie (which would explain why the Secret Service let President Bush sit there in that school reading about goats instead of hustling him off to a place of safety).

Despite diversification into films and high technology, Hawaii's economy is still based mainly on tourism, and tourism continues to be hammered by the abusive dog and pony show called Homeland Security. Enough is enough.

This it the Aloha State, and we need to get the "Sieg Heil" out of our airports!

Senators tried to throw away our votes

Under the current system, our electoral votes go to the person we actually vote for. Maybe those votes don't make a lot of difference, but at least they are going to the candidate they were intended for. Under Senate Bill 1956, Hawaii's electoral votes would have gone to the candidate that receives the most popular votes nationally. There is a likely possibility that the candidate receiving the popular vote in Hawaii would NOT receive Hawaii's electoral votes. Does this make sense?

I am extremely disappointed in our senators who voted to override the governor's veto of SB 1956. A majority of our senators have shown time and time again their disregard for the will of the people. The Senate's vote further shows their disregard and disrespect for us all.