The Vikings arrived in the Americas first

This is a rebuttal for the Star-Bulletin's editorial Wednesday about Polynesians reaching North and South America before the Europeans.

OK, before you pat yourself on the back too much, there is also ample evidence that Vikings were also making these exploration trips around 1000 A.D. or earlier, as evidence of settlements discovered in Newfoundland shows. Also, St. Brendan, an Irish monk, is reputed to have sailed from the west coast of Ireland during the Middle Ages to make landfall in the area now known as New England.

Discovering ancient knowledge is always exciting but let's make sure we print all the facts and not just the ones we think sound cool.

Wie isn't living up to Punahou standards

I'm not sure what the school motto is at Punahou, but I can assume honesty, integrity, loyalty, fortitude, intelligence, dedication and plain common sense are uttered in those hallowed halls that churn out future doctors, architects, professors, even politicians of exemplary levels.

Perhaps the school board members, trustees, faculty and the whole student body are holding their breath these days, as Michelle Wie's ethical standards contradict the school's tradition and purpose, as her golf game deteriorates along with her credibility.

Even her recent quote, "I'm going through a hard time. It's my first time facing an injury," (Star-Bulletin, June 6) is difficult to swallow.

Taking on the men at their game displayed an air of conceit and pomposity unheard of, and Lord knows who is giving her advice, if she even listens to anybody.

Far be it for me to criticize anyone with rare talent who stands out above all others, but this Wie thing is becoming a complete farce.

Wie has more class than Sorenstam

Golfer Annika Sorenstam said that Michelle Wie is lacking class because Michelle pulled out of last week's Ginn Tribute tournament because she had problems with her wrist (Star-Bulletin, June 6), and that she circumvented the LPGA rule that if one scores 88 in a tournament, she would be ineligible to play in a LPGA tournament for one year. Sorenstam is the one who doesn't have class.

She assumed that Wie was two strokes away from hitting that rule after 16 holes and that she would make bogies for the next two holes. Instead of saying it like that, she should just mention the rule and not say that Michelle was lacking class. Lorena Ochoa had class when she said that she hoped Michelle would be able to finish 18 holes today. Annika may have won many tournaments but she is short on class, especially since she is older and should know best.

No point in whining, Oahu is getting rail

Somebody tell all those folks grousing about the half-percent general excise tax increase and moaning about managed lanes (whatever those are) that the train has left the station.

The state Legislature enacted the tax, we're all paying it and we've yet to see those doom-and-gloom claims of businesses going bankrupt come true.

The city spent months analyzing studies and reports and chose fixed rail as the option for Honolulu's mass transit system. It's done and, thankfully, mass transit is moving forward, not a decade too soon. I'm looking forward to being able to enjoy an efficient, reliable form of transportation and I hope all those complainers stay off the train and stuck in traffic where they belong.

People like sounds, smells of chickens

I hope Hawaii Kai residents complaining to City Councilman Charles Djou about chickens in the neighborhood will rethink their stance. Surely the sight, sounds and smells of chickens are preferable to those of unsightly buildings, rubbish along the road, the pollution of traffic sounds and noxious fumes.

On Kauai, these busy little chickens are photographed by tourists right along with the considerable beauty of the Kauai landscape. Chickens remind people of the bygone days of America. They are part of the "green movement" to restore our environment. Fancy backyard chicken enclosures are considered forward thinking in providing families with fresh eggs. We should gravely consider that more than 50 percent of America's food and beverage is now imported from other countries, and that American food is chemical-ridden. Note also that chicken manure cannot be beat for gardens and lawns.

By comparison, standing by for the trapping and slaughtering of hundreds of chickens seems backward and not displaying a mentality of community beauty of loving spirit in Hawaii Kai. Wouldn't it be better if our children grew up enjoying and protecting these little bundles of industry?

Anti-seatbelt attitude simply isn't logical

In response to James "Kimo" Rosen's letter to the editor Thursday regarding seatbelt usage: Rosen's cynical approach toward the use of seatbelts is foolish. He feels that the current "Click It or Ticket" campaign is all about a money grab for the government. He also states that seatbelts have actually taken many lives rather than saved them. If we are to follow this logic we should also remove air bags from cars, because air bags are just a way to raise the cost of cars.

Rosen's point about the lack of seatbelts on buses is well taken and on this point he is right on. Bottom line is this: Would you choose to buckle in your children or not? Seatbelts save lives, and if a fine is the only way to get people to obey the law, so be it.

Accident prevention is better campaign

Again the federal and state "Click It or Ticket" campaigns are sending the wrong message. Media and roadside reminders are targeting the symptom and not the cause of highway fatalities, like advising pedestrians to wear inflatable girdles for your own protection if you must jaywalk. Directing our law-enforcement officers to focus on seatbelt violations instead of reckless driving is an inappropriate use of their valuable time and energy.

We can thank John Corzine, governor of New Jersey, who recently apologized for not buckling up when he should have apologized for excessive speeding at 91 mph. Yes, drive recklessly, but please wear your seatbelt or you'll suffer death to your wallet. The slogan should be "Speed It and Ticket" instead.