Environmentalists also good for Young Bros.

In 2005, Young Bros. raised its rates 5.5 percent. In 2006, it raised its rates another 5.5 percent. Now, it raised them another 7.51 percent, plus a new fuel surcharge (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 16). I'm sure it has good reasons, but it's not like it has to pay for an environmental assessment to transport goods and cargo between the islands.

Whenever you need to ship a car or truckload of goods interisland, remember to thank the Supreme Court and hug an environmentalist for limiting your choices. Business will be good at Young Brothers Ltd.

By all means, let's save the environment

I just received my Bachelor of Science degree as an Environmentalobstructionist from the University of North-East Kaneohe and I'm here to help you.

Forget about the Superferry. There are bigger fish to fry.

My proposals include:

» Set the speed limit on all "H" freeways at 25 mph. Think of all the lives and gas we'll save, and the lower insurance premiums, as well.

» At the entrance to all freeways, set up an inspection that will bring tears to the eyes of the TSA. Confiscate all cell phones, electric razors, women's beauty aids (including plug-in electric curlers), tweezers, reading material and everything else that should be in the trunk.

» Close all swimming areas (which will also save lifeguard salaries.)

» Shut down all sports venues. This will save on beer, fights in the stands, and protect innocent coaches.

» Confiscate all commercial and private boating operations, marinas and yacht clubs. No fishing from the shore.

If I've forgotten anything, I'm sure the Legislature will sort it out.

Make developers build shorter and prettier

Please don't let them build taller buildings. One need only to drive makai on Pensacola Street to see the effect of "progress." Where once was open sky now stands a wall of high-rises.

A Hawaii Kai developer offers two choices: a pretty, higher structure or a shorter, box-like eyesore. What's wrong with a pretty, shorter structure? Sure, it will have fewer units but the developer is going to make his money regardless.

It might be less money than he'd hoped for, but we who live in "paradise" will pay the ultimate cost. What makes Hawaii attractive will be again lessened, a foot at a time. If the developer says a lower structure makes developing the site unfeasible, another developer is waiting to snatch up the property and make a profit under the shorter height guidelines.

Draw a line, Hawaii.

Generals risk their jobs if they speak out

In response to "General should have said something earlier" (Letters, Oct. 16): Have you ever wondered why generals do not speak up until they retire? To do so while you are active duty, you risk losing your job. That's why we rarely hear from active duty military personnel who have serious misgivings about the Iraq war.

The Sept. 23 San Diego Union-Tribune talks about the "Revolt of the Generals" who came "in their own ways to the agonizing decision to defy military tradition and publicly criticize the Bush administration over its conduct of the war in Iraq."

Retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez joins an increasing list of more than 20 (yes, more than 20!) distinguished retired generals who dare to express their opposition to the Iraq war, including Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, Maj. Gen. John Batiste, Brig. Gen. John Johns and Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni.

It is not our generals who have let us down. It is President George W. Bush.

Know the story behind Armenian massacre

This may help in forming a context to better understand some current headlines concerning Turkey's massacre of Armenians in 1915.

The large Armenian enclave in Istanbul -- many residents with prominent positions in the Ottoman government -- rose up in revolt as that government tottered on the edge of collapse near the end of World War I. In an attempt to suppress the uprising, the professional Turkish warriors, the Janissaries, were ruthless. This led to even greater support and ever harsher repressive tactics, and finally to expelling the entire Armenian ex-patriot community. As they fled cross country, they were harassed by both the Janissaries and much of the native populace and indeed thousands were killed.

This occurred prior to the collapse of the Ottoman government, prior to World War I, prior to the civil war that assured Turkish independence from grasping Europe -- and prior to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, whose current representatives refuse to apologize for the excessive policies and actions of its predecessor. The massacre cannot be legally defined as genocide because the Ottoman government did not set out to exterminate all Armenians, only the rebels. The country of Armenia exists today.

By any definition the killing was horrible, but not an issue to risk destruction of our relationship with the current Turkish government -- the only friendly Islamic one.