Letters for Tuesday, June 26. 2012

• Jones Act and politics • Be kind like the king • No ifs, ands or butts • Equal treatment by KIUC • Where can I burn sensitive documents? • Criminal gas prices

Jones Act and politics

I read with interest the subject letter and was impressed with the writer’s knowledge of the economic impact of the Jones Act.

One point made in the letter that warrants further study is who is “behind” the Jones Act. The writer says it is big business.

It is correctly noted that President George W. Bush waived the Jones Act during Hurricane Katrina.

What isn’t noted in the letter was that President Barack Obama refused to waive the Jones Act to allow a Belgian dredging group into the Gulf of Mexico to help clean up the BP oil spill?

Does a Bush waiver and an Obama denial sound right, if the Act favored big business?

I believe it is the labor unions behind the Jones Act to protect jobs.

It is pitiful to see decisions that affect our well-being as a nation being made to curry favor with voting blocks, regardless of the political party making the decisions

Al Aragona

Kilauea

Be kind like the king

The staff is kind, smiles and gives friendly head nods whether you order or just wish to use the restroom.

“Be Kind,” should be the new signature motto for Burger King, Kapa’a. “BK,” now stands for Burger King and “Be Kind!”

Next time you’re on the road and have the need to eat, or even another need, remember (BK) “Be kind,” that’s exactly what my friends at Kapa’a Burger King are; kind!

Did you know they use local homegrown tomatoes on their sandwiches, and that the French fries have zero transfats? They also have a variety of garden salads.

For all you exotic food lovers they now offer a complete line of ice cream sundaes, including a bacon, fudge and caramel sundae.

Now, if only they would make a whopper milk-shake we’d have it all.

James “Kimo” Rosen

Kapa‘a

No ifs, ands or butts

Please inform Mizdebz DeSilva Carveiro (“On smoking bans in parks,” LTE, Monday) that the proposed ban has nothing to do with the sacred right to smoke where one pleases, nor with second-hand smoke.

It is all about what’s left behind, particularly on the beaches.

Robin Clark

Kalaheo

Equal treatment by KIUC

So, since Adam Asquith has won the right to opt out of a smart meter in federal court, I would like to suggest we save time and money by simply allowing those members who sent in a deferral form to now be treated with the same respect.   

No more court costs or settlements — maybe too simple?

Please consider this option.   

Jo Amsterdam

Kalaheo

Criminal gas prices

I have a new app on my phone, called gas buddy. It can tell you the price of gas anywhere you are.

I just looked at it, and it said regular gas at Costco was $3.84 a gallon. And the next cheapest price was $4.50 a gallon at Shell in Hanama‘ulu, and all Chevron stations at $4.55 or higher.

I can see a 15-20 cents a gallon difference going to Costco due to their volume buying, but how the heck do we get a difference of 66-70 cents a gallon without feeling like we are getting ripped off?

Beyond shameful, it is criminal!

Michael Stauber

Koloa

Where can I burn sensitive documents?

I am wondering, if the no burning law is for backyard burning and agricultural permitting is allowed, can a plan be implemented for burning of “sensitive papers” somewhere away from homes so as not to be a bother?

For the Eastside, maybe a firepit mauka of Anahola; Lihu‘e, mauka of town near Kilohana Crater; Southside, maybe within Kaua‘i Coffee just east or west of KUAI tower so smoke goes over the ocean; for Westside, unfortunately, maybe Kekaha Landfill area, so smoke also goes to sea.

Since no H-power seems planned for Kaua‘i, let’s designate community forepits to burn documents since recycling may lead to “dumpster-diving” kind of behavior by ID thieves.

Greenwaste still needs to be taken to a shredder/mulching facility or business, if ever one pops up.

Masa Shirai

Lihu‘e