At least treat animals kindly before slaughter

I agree with Stephanie McLaughlin (Letters, Dec. 12) in supporting the ethical treatment of animals, in particular the shipped pigs. These pigs deserve proper air, food, water, clean living conditions and the proper veterinary care. If it was you being shipped in these tight living conditions you would know how these animals feel.

The next time you enjoy your baby-back ribs, remember and respect the pig who gave it to you.

Slashing the arts a shortsighted move

I am protesting the proposed $1.3 million slash to the State Foundation of Culture and the Arts Biennium Grants Program budget, a disproportionate 14 percent of the $9 million budget cut mandated by the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Funding the arts yields rich monetary, educational and cultural dividends. Using just $2.2 million of state funds, SFCA grants infused an additional $28.2 million from federal and private sources into Hawaii's economy. Neurological research suggests that exposure to the arts spurs cognitive development; artists in the schools' partnerships and SFCA-supported institutions, like Hawaii Opera Theatre and Honolulu Theatre for Youth, challenge and engage thousands of students each year through integrating arts with core curriculum. Lastly, by eliminating arts education, we erode the future economic base for our cherished cultural institutions.

Rather than striking a death blow to Hawaii's diverse cultural and aesthetic heritage, we must continue investing money in the arts and our children. They are our legacy and greatest hope.

Administration should pay for wrongdoing

The people of the United States deserve to have politicians who are our servants, not our lords and masters. This little important point is one of the keys to getting our country back in the arena of integrity. Our leaders need to be chosen by the people and act on our directives as to what our country does, at home and abroad. The Bush clan members have done what they wanted to do and have made a catastrophic mess around the globe by their shenanigans. They deserve to face the truth of their crimes against humanity and pay for them, one way or another. It's the right thing to do — we all know this, especially them. May justice find its way home.

Without rail, traffic will lead to more insanity

At 4:18 p.m. on Dec. 3, I boarded the No. 40 Express to reach Ko Olina. A traffic paralysis ensued on Farrington Highway. Two hours later, one saw the cloverleaf below, replete with cars bumper-to-bumper. The bus had inched only as far as the Arizona Memorial.

At journey's outset, an unkempt woman with a scruffy mane had taken a seat, flipping up a tattered skirt to brace her feet against the seat in front. Increasingly agitated, the harridan swore profusely, the cynosure of all eyes, flipping the one-fingered V-sign, hammering the floor and seat front with fists and feet, demanding to be let off. The driver informed the hyperactive passenger that she was not going to open the exit door. The plucky driver stood her ground as the furious Amazon went to the exit door and pummeled it with bare feet, cracking the panes — then lighting up a greasy butt, totally amok.

The incensed unfortunate demonstrated her right to egress by committing mayhem. It seems evident that only by restoring mental asylum funds can society be spared the propinquity of such abused and abusing beings.

The upshot was that the driver informed the passengers they would have to debark to wait for the No. 40A while the bus was logged out of service. The insane woman went her way, as did other passengers, philosophically lofting their umbrellas in the drizzle, off toward Pearl Ridge.

Delayed by the traffic, a cop arrived; but the person who had derailed the bus trip to Makaha had decamped long since.

In sum, the view I had from the apex of Farrington Highway over transit areas below of bottle-necked traffic confirms the need for a rail system.

Next year looks much better for Hawaii

Welcome, Hawaii Year 2009

Your optimistic, upward signs

Great change coming evident

With Obama as president

Veteran Affairs has Shinseki

From island of Kauai

Congress has Akaka, Inouye

Plus Hirono and Abercrombie

Linda Lingle, Mufi Hannemann

Lead Hawaii, they can

Our Hawaii Year 2009

Will be fabulously fine!

Mele Kalikimaka, Hauoli Makahiki Hou

Year of Ox flow!