Letters for Friday, March 4, 2011

• Plastic-bag ban inconsistent • Pooped

out in Kalaheo • Compassion, objectivity not

mutually exclusive

Plastic-bag ban inconsistent

The omni-presence of plastic in our daily lives is a tribute to the conveniences that we have become so accustomed to have because we are such a “throw-away society” that seeks ways in which we can quickly package, use, and replace commodities of every sort and variety. The call for a complete ban on plastic sacks seems unwarranted when an overwhelming percentage of plastic containers and/or derivatives are still being disposed of at our landfills. The disposable plastic bags that are bio-degradable sounds like a reasonable adjustment that deserves consideration. If we maintain a consistency in going back to those “prior-to-plastic” days of yesteryear, are we going to hear the arguments to having outhouses instead of having flushing toilets in our homes? Or, horse and buggies to traverse long distances? Or, reading by candlelight… using the coconut wireless over telecommunication technology conveniences…washing clothes by hand, other than automatically… cooking every meal over an open fire rather than on a stove, much less a microwave.

Those “conveniences” sure seem to be what we insist upon having, don’t we? I don’t hear too many people yearning for those good old days, preferring to live without the “creature comforts” we take so much for granted. Is there some how we can seek ways in which a balance of choices may be derived which most of us can accept as fair and reasonable? After all, who can hit a home run 100% of the time?

Jose Bulatao, Jr., Kekaha

Pooped out in Kalaheo

I would like to congratulate the person who is bringing up the subject of dogs pooping other peoples yards. I am a dog owner and go through great pains to keep our dog’s poop in our own yard and cleaning up after her. Our neighbors do not share the same habits. They take their dog for a “daily walk” and they even carry a poop bag. Their trick is to pretend that they are going to pick up the poop, they don’t. They stand right outside of our hedge (I can see them clearly) and stare into our yard while their dog poops, same spot every day. They are extremely “offended” when I have asked them not to do that. We are now not on speaking terms because of this. How ridiculous! I’ve had to repeatedly ask them to stop going there, they stop for awhile, then in a few days, there they are again. It is disgusting, creepy and weird. And they are supposed to be mature well-to-do people, well you never know someone until you live with them or next to them. I truly hope they read this! Pooped out in Kalaheo!

Sheila Young, Kalaheo

Compassion, objectivity not mutually exclusive

Michael Mann’s “temper our Compassion” letter addresses the community’s concerns regarding obeying the law while driving, but fears that extending compassion might be misconstrued as tacit approval of bad behavior. Why does one have to exclude the other. Yes, this man broke the law, made a bad choice AGAIN, and will now have to suffer the consequences of his actions. He may be charged with involuntary manslaughter, if in fact he was given prior warnings and chose to wantonly disregard them. Regardless of this, he will have to live and deal with the guilt of his decision-making.

However, these facts do not prevent one from feeling compassion for the man and his family and the child now dead. Surely anyone who is a parent will feel compassion for another who loses a child, no matter what the circumstances. This is a natural emotional reaction. Feeling empathy or compassion does not nullify facts, nor does it remove responsibility from the offender. Both perspectives are necessary for true understanding.

One last thought: Mr. Rosen’s “Twilight Zone” letter, as most of his rants, lack one thing: Critical thinking. Why does The Garden Island print so many of his emails? Is there a dearth of emails, or will you just print anything, no matter how ridiculous?

Rand Becker, Wailua Homesteads