Aiona follows founders in adhering to faith

In his June 14 letter, Mitch Kahle criticizes Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona for mixing religion and politics. Why doesn't he also criticize our founding fathers for using the phrase "endowed by our Creator" in the Declaration of Independence or "In God We Trust" on our money, or Congress for including "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Christians also gave us the 10 Commandments, is there something wrong with that, too? I believe the lieutenant governor should continue to say what is in his heart.

Striking isn't the only answer for isle nurses

This is the decade of the nurses' rebellion. Strike or the threat to strike have become more common occurrences in the past several years in Hawaii. The most common complaint of nurses is, "They are not paying us enough for the kind of work we have to do."

True. However, should the innocent patients or care home residents suffer the lack of nursing care because of the conflict between nurses and their employers?

Pay raises should not be the only concern. During the on-going contract negotiations, should nurse-to-patient ratios be a topic of discussion also? How about the alternative solution of hiring agency nurses or training more unit secretaries/ward clerks to help ease the load? If the nurses get so busy that they do not get a chance to take their paid coffee breaks, should they get paid for those coffee breaks they do not get a chance to take?

Hopefully, by open communications and active listening, both sides will be flexible enough to reach a satisfactory contract negotiation.

After all, good nursing care is a mission for both health care institutions and nurses.

How do we keep Bush from doing more harm?

Gee, I'm really overjoyed that letter writer Gary Rogers (Star-Bulletin, June 7) sold his house for three times its value and his 401k is healthy, all proof president President Bush is doing a good job.

Isn't it just like an American to see the world thru "what's in it for me" glasses?

The president's office and the USA have lost their luster and worldwide reputation as "democracy at it's best" and the "world's most powerful nation" all due to Bush's misguided war in Iraq.

At the G-8 summit, Bush continued this erosion by reinstating Ronald Reagan's cocka- mamie "Star Wars" missile defense system and, by the way, wants to build the contraption in Europe.

This idea obviously has Vladimir Putin's neck hair raised because it's in Russia's back yard. Incensed, Putin says the Cold War is back on.

Can someone on Bush's staff alter his remaining schedule to just walking Barney?

Jaywalkers should pay for acting irresponsibly

In response to John Arnold's letter of June 23, "Ticket bad drivers, not pedestrians":

I agree that the danger on our roads is increasing, but for a different reason. As a regular driver of Oahu's roads I see an increased carelessness and arrogance on the part of pedestrians.

On any given morning I see pedestrians brazenly walk out onto a busy road against the traffic light expecting all traffic to come to a screeching halt. It's against the law, and they should be ticketed.

On any given morning I see pedestrians crossing in the middle of the block (not in a crosswalk), often from between parked cars. It's against the law, and they should be ticketed.

On any given morning I see people running across the street to catch a bus they have already missed. It's against the law, and they should be ticketed.

Yes, drivers need to be careful out there. There are lots of pedestrians who don't obey the law and expect us to take responsibility for their irresponsibility. I congratulate the police for recognizing that pedestrians need to assume some responsibility for their own safety. Pedestrians need to learn to cross only in crosswalks and to obey the traffic signals. It's the law, and it will save your life.

Kevorkian's motives were compassionate

Dr. Jack Kevorkian has been released from prison after eight years of incarceration.

His motives for helping gravely ill patients to die were altruistic and humanitarian, but his defiance, attitude and method were all wrong. That's what "did him in."

Nonetheless, when the day comes that I'm suffering in my death bed with an incurable illness with not a chance of recovery, I would most certainly welcome Dr. Kevorkian's compassionate services; legally or illegally. I would want him by my bedside to hasten my journey to peace and quiet. Amen!