• The ‘H-word’ entrenched here • Stopping barking dog helps all, even dog • Distracted driving dangerous • For freedom of speech The ‘H-word’ entrenched here Hank Soboleski’s remembrance of Maj. John A. Johnson, Jr. (“Johnson one of few haole
• The ‘H-word’ entrenched here • Stopping barking dog helps all, even dog • Distracted driving dangerous • For freedom of speech
The ‘H-word’ entrenched here
Hank Soboleski’s remembrance of Maj. John A. Johnson, Jr. (“Johnson one of few haole in 100th”, Aug. 20) was fitting. If only Mr. Soboleski had chosen a more-acceptable adjective, other than “haole” (the “H-word”) to describe Maj. Johnson. In the body of the article, Maj. Johnson is described as a “non-Nisei,” which more-appropriately indicated that Maj. Johnson was not like the majority of the Army’s 100th Battalion. Rarely, if ever do I see the “H-word” used in any newspaper, magazine or periodical to describe any individuals anywhere. And it shouldn’t be used….period.
Unfortunately, the “H-word” is firmly entrenched in the street language and everyday parlance of Hawai‘i. However, there are those who take offense when the “H-word” or other such derogatory labels are used (especially in print). We teach children to be respectful and tolerant of others, yet the use of the “H-word” appears to be OK. No, it’s not OK!
Hawai‘i considers itself a melting pot of cultures, which it is. As such, one would hope that this melting pot breeds tolerance and respect, while shunning the use of the “H-word” and other pejorative terms. These nasty monikers are disrespectful and sow the seeds of bigotry and racism.
Michael Diamant, Kalaheo
Stopping barking dog helps all, even dog
It is 11:30 p.m. and the same neighbor’s dog has been barking, virtually without stop, since I woke up at 6:15 a.m. this morning. This is hardly the first day either.
I love dogs. I even enjoy hunting dogs. Barking dogs tend to bug me, but the oblivious owners of continually barking dogs drive me crazy. My family tries to live with the spirit of aloha with all our neighbors. We don’t have loud parties, very often. We don’t play our music or TV loudly late at night. We don’t shoot off fireworks or guns on the 4th or even Veteran’s Day, although my dad and I are both veterans.
Please — if your neighbors look red-eyed and tense from lack of sleep — if strangers leave electric dog collars at your front door — if a crazed bald old guy loudly yells “Shut UP!” — Take the hint and do yourself, your suffering neighbors, and most of all your dog a favor and do something about your barking dog. Mahalo!
William Peterson, Kapa‘a
Distracted driving dangerous
Mr. O’Flaherty (“Cell phone law makes roads more dangerous,” Aug. 25) must have read a different NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) report than everyone else.
From the report:
The driver’s primary responsibility is to operate the vehicle safely. This requires undivided attention and focus on the driving task.
Using wireless communications devices while driving can be distracting and increase the risk of crash and injury.
Therefore, NHTSA recommends that drivers not use these devices while driving, except in (an) emergency. This recommendation applies to both hand-held and hands-free devices.
Besides, the law states that you are not to use the phone while driving — if you are answering the phone or texting, you are using the phone — unlawful and breaking the law, period. And as you note, this distraction causes drivers to swerve out of their lane. How is the law responsible for distracted driving?
Its purpose is to prevent this distracted and erratic behavior and force people to direct their attention to safely driving their vehicles.
You say the law is about taxation? If you don’t violate the law, you don’t get caught, don’t pay a fine and the law costs you nothing — but it surely will save some lives.
Barry Dittler, Kapa‘a
For freedom of speech
President John F. Kennedy once said (in a speech he gave), “some men see things as they are and say ‘why?’ I dream things that never where and say, ‘why not?’” No one said it wouldn’t take a lot of money to build an indoor, domed stadium. However, if there was one here on Kaua‘i, think of the possibilities. We could invite all of the colleges to play their games (football, etc.) in it. We could be a rich island in the state of Hawai‘i with this (the dome) attraction and it could pay for itself for the cost it takes to build it. (It’s just a dream. But I say, “why not?”) NOAA could contribute through a large donation to help build the dome stadium.
TGI letter, “Just a few observations,” author Joseph Lavery (Aug. 21).
You observe too much. Why not look at people’s opinion in the TGI Forum in a positive light? We are not bickering, we are exchanging thoughts and ideas (good, bad, or as you wrote it in the forum, “stupidity should be painful”).
Mr. Lavery, have you heard of freedom of speech? The TGI Forum lets us do exactly that. Even you made the TGI Forum, didn’t you?
To you Mr. Lavery. I say, “stupid is as stupid does!”
Freedom of speech and dreams are powerful tools to help make a difference and the TGI Forum helps us to do just that.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
