Smoke ban would only save owners money

To save landlords and building owners money is what the proposed smoking ban in condominiums and apartments is all about ("Homes next target for smoking ban," May 29).

Why not ban autos along with smoking? Everyone knows you can kill yourself by putting a hose from the exhaust pipe into your car. Let's also ban barbecues because of the breathable carbon particulate, which is a known health hazard. What's next?

Either commit to win war, or get out now

When President Bush decided to declare military action in Iraq I was opposed. When we steamrolled our way into Bagdad, I felt confident. But when actions began between the religious sects all that came to mind was Vietnam.

I don't believe we can put time limits on our being in Iraq and expect our troops to risk their lives and leave on a particular date, regardless of the outcome. What would their purpose be? Not even telling the politicians of Iraq that they must make choices for peace can justify sending our men and women to fight a war under the circumstances of not going after a win.

If we are staying, let's get in there and get it done or get out of there tomorrow. The deaths of more U.S. troops do not make justice for those who have already died.

I was in the service during the Vietnam War years and have felt since then that it what a waste of human life. The United States knows how to fight a war and win; however, we are not doing war anymore -- we are trying to settle a civil strife between sects. It is not our business.

Tourists are watching Oahu sewage situation

Visitors from the mainland who, like me, make annual pilgrimages to the beaches of Oahu are closely watching how the city handles sewage treatment and waste-water quality issues.

It seems our beaches might be cleaner, and therefore more inviting.

Schools should cater to indigent Hawaiians

Ambitious lawyers and parents would not be suing Kamehameha Schools if the schools took Hawaiian orphans, Hawaiian children who are in foster care and Hawaiian children living on beaches and in shelters into the Kamehameha dorms. One should see all the big SUVs entering the school driveway in the morning. Why should there not instead be buses filled with children from public housing and from Waianae?

Kamehameha Schools officials have it in their power to stop the lawsuits: Follow the trust directives.

Truck beds are not safe for passengers

Until something is done to prevent people from riding in the backs of pick-up trucks, the Click-It-Or-Ticket campaign cannot do enough to save lives. Does it make sense to anyone that passengers are allowed to ride completely unprotected in the bed of a truck, while people in the front seat are required to buckle up?

Politicians say that such a law would hurt poor families and farm workers. Don't these people deserve safe riding conditions and protection from death? Most of the passengers I've seen riding in the backs of typically shiny trucks with fancy rims don't look like farm workers or poor families.

Instead of ticketing people for not wearing seatbelts while the truck-bed passengers ride unprotected, send these police officers to neighborhoods with high crime rates, or to beach parks with numerous car break-ins. For our lawmakers to ignore this safety issue is unconscionable.

Perhaps they've been too busy putting the University of Hawaii's athletic director and the governor's cabinet nominees through the Grand Inquisition, or trying to pass laws to hinder feeding the homeless, or quietly giving themselves pay raises for four months of work. Yes indeed, our tax dollars hard at work.

We need to practice more love, kindness

What's going on these days? There are too many shootings and murders in Hawaii in recent weeks. I am saddened to see that society has turned to violence to solve its problems. When we get mad, we want to get even.

I believe it is time to start to learn and practice love. We need to show more love, grace and forgiveness when people wrong us. Many times we allow our anger to get the best of us and let our emotions run our actions. I think that our family, schools, community and the media need to teach everyone how to treat each other with love and respect.

If we want to see the violence stop, it is time to start practicing love and kindness to each other. And to make Hawaii a safer place to live for everyone.