News media criticize golfer too much

I feel like I am witnessing a cliche unraveling before my eyes. The way some of the media are treating Michelle Wie ("Wie's act wears thin with Sorenstam," Star-Bulletin, June 6) reminds me of the old rock song by Don Henley called "Dirty Laundry."

The media on a slow news day constantly played up Wie. Now when things are not going well for Wie, the media are now commenting on Wie's prior confidence, poise and maturity as arrogance. What do you expect of someone who has a seven-digit endorsement contract? How would she look if she suddenly displayed a lack of confidence to her sponsor? The media built her up as a winner, and that's the role she has to play.

Give her a break. Her tournament withdrawal is talked about like the personal meltdowns of Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton. The girl graduated from Punahou with high grades and is going to Stanford! Add to that she is an excellent golfer. I just wish I had a daughter like Wie.

Wie needs to do normal teen things

I think it's time that Michelle Wie come home and be a normal teenager. She needs that crucial time in her teen life to become a normal adult -- knowing what it's like to be a regular teenager, going out with friends, to the beach or even playing a round of recreational (not competitive) golf. This is something I believe is important in becoming an adult. I really don't want to see her lose out on that because you can't get it back once it's gone.

When things are all good being a teenager, then OK, go out into the adult world as an adult, not a teenager. Remember, 17 or 18 years old but having 40 years of experience just doesn't cut it!

GOP trio's appearance not a news story

Knowing why Newt Gingrich lost his job as speaker of the House, I was surprised that even a few hundred Hawaii residents showed up for his book signing at the Convention Center. He violated the law and congressional rules.

And Ollie North was convicted of three felonies after selling arms to Iran, our enemy. Even though the American Civil Liberties Union managed to have his convictions overturned on a technicality, he is often described by Marines as a "disgrace to the Corps."

It was not at all surprising that the news media chose not to report on that non-event. Calling the promotion a "Freedom Rally" didn't change any of the facts. It was not a news story.

Things are going well under 'idiot' president

Michael Lauck (Letters, June 4) calls President Bush "an embarrassing idiot." Let's see, I just sold my house for three times more than I purchased it for, my 401(k) is soaring, my taxes are lower and I have more money in my pocket than I ever had, yeah that's pretty embarrassing. Get over it, Mr. Lauck, we had to put up with eight embarrassing years of William Jefferson Clinton, now it's your turn for eight years.

Let's just agree, no Clintons or Bushes in the future; 16 years of these families is enough.

Seatbelt campaign all about money

The national and state "Click It or Ticket" campaign is strictly implanted for financial reasons. They say they enforce it to help save lives? Seatbelts have actually taken lives many times, trapping people in their cars.

I used to live on Oahu and now live on the beautiful Garden Island of Kauai. The bus is my primary means of transportation on Oahu or Kauai. The only person ever wearing a seatbelt on the bus is the driver. Why is "Click It or Ticket" not enforced on buses? Because most people on the bus are not carrying driver's licenses and it would be too time consuming to issue tickets.

Let's face it, Hawaii and the nation are over-populated. Do you really think our government is trying to save our lives, or just trying to make a buck?

The campaign should read: "Don't click it, we want your money."

Skyrocketing sewer costs are a bad sign

I don't know if we need secondary treatment at the Honouliuli Wastewater Plant, as some have suggested. However, if city Department of Environmental Services Director Eric Takamura's statement is correct that we've spent $600 million and eight years of work on our collection system that originally was to cost $900 million and we still have $1.2 billion worth of work left to do, I feel someone should be overseeing the city's expenditures.

Wow! What excellent management we have. If a $900 million cost escalates to $1.8 billion ($600 million plus $1.2 billion), can you imagine how much a $3.6 billion rail system will cost?