•Off the shelves •Lost in the shuffle •Are we all talk? Off the shelves If ever a reply needed to be written it was this past Saturday’s letters to the editor. Both “Give peace a chance” and “Don’t encourage illegal
•Off the shelves
•Lost in the shuffle
•Are we all talk?
Off the shelves
If ever a reply needed to be written it was this past Saturday’s letters to the editor. Both “Give peace a chance” and “Don’t encourage illegal cockfighting” cry out for a response. With thought patterns like these it’s no wonder Kaua‘i is in such dire straits.
Peace is a two-way street. What does one do when one side seeks peace and the other encourages war by attacking your country and its citizens? Invite them to continue? I have to assume both authors would not have supported our Founding Fathers if they lived during that period of history but would have supported Imperial Japan and Fascist Germany during those periods. History is replete with oppressive regimes and despotic rulers who have no other objectives other than absolute rule and control.
Only one country has a history of spreading freedom and democracy and it is not Imperial Japan nor Germany nor Russia, nor the Middle East. It is the USA!
Don’t believe this? Then ask: France, Germany, Norway, Finland, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Algeria, Morocco, Romania, Kosovo, Panama, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan, Denmark, Kuwait, Egypt, Montenegro, New Guinea, Indonesia, Thailand, Greece, Russia, Tunisia, Ukraine, Albania, Hungry, Belgium, Austria, Libya, Korea, Japan, Italy and Iraq — countries all capable of enjoying freedom and democracy at the courtesy of the United States of America and our brave service men and women who have made it happen.
As for the accompanying article about Del’s Farm Supply ad for Hawaiian Gamecock Maintenance feed, the author of that letter needs to look at it from a different perspective. It’s not the feed that is wrong, it’s the person that uses it for illegal purposes.
John Hoff, Lawai
Lost in the shuffle
Most media coverage this legislative session has focused on the negotiations and politicking surrounding the budget and related fiscal matters. This is appropriate and understandable, given the estimated $2 billion revenue shortfall projected by the Council on Revenues.
Lost in the shuffle, however, are a number of lower profile measures that collectively enhance public health and safety, improve government efficiency, and save taxpayers money. They deserve mention.
As of Friday, Gov. Lingle has signed 39 bills into law. Of this total, 13 bills were introduced on behalf of the administration or are similar to bills the administration proposed. In many cases, these bills were drafted by experienced and committed department employees seeking to improve the way state government operates and better serve Hawai‘i taxpayers. Although these bills are technical in nature their collective impact is significant.
For example, Act 7 strengthens health and environmental protections relating to the delivery of petroleum to underground storage tanks. Act 16 improves security at state harbors by allowing the Department of Transportation to adopt rules to protect public safety and enhance security. Act 29 allows the Public Utilities Commission to reduce costs by targeting the publication of its hearing notices to include only the persons affected, rather than notifying everyone statewide.
Finally, Act 36 increases access to basic dental care for vulnerable populations such as the mentally ill and the elderly. This is just a partial list of the bills proposed by the administration.
While the session ends on Thursday, the governor has until July 14 to sign, veto or allow remaining bills passed by the Legislature to become law without her signature. During this time, the administration will be carefully reviewing each bill and seeking public input.
Jill Cooper, Deputy policy adviser. Office of the Governor
Are we all talk?
Kaua‘i is known for its justifiable pride in our island’s beauty, yet as I rode home recently I could not help but reflect upon a few of the places which have either banned or heavily taxed plastic bags including: Maui, Big Island, China, Egypt, Ireland, Macedonia, Pakistan, Rwanda, Scotland, South Australia, Zanzibar, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Malibu, Mexico City, New Delhi, Palo Alto, Paris, San Francisco, Toronto, Fairfax, Ft. McMurray, Los Gatos, Marikina, Marshall, Villages.
Why do we lag on banning plastic bags? Are our county leaders less progressive or caring than those in Pakistan, Rwanda or the others? Sure merchants will moan, but in the end they’ll stay open and revert to biodegradable bags and/or give credit for those providing their own bags.
Does Kaua‘i really care about its land and sea or are we all talk?
Donald Bodine, Anahola
