GOVERNOR'S ANTICS NOT A PRETTY SIGHT

It's hilarious to hear the governor blaming the DOE for the furloughs provision in the teachers union contract, and calling for a constitutional amendment to put the DOE under her direct supervision in the cabinet to make it more "accountable."

Does she really think we don't remember that it was her and others in her own administration who brought up the furlough idea earlier this year, and used the threat of layoffs to intimidate the unions into accepting them along with pay cuts?

Now that people have organized to protest the school furlough days, the governor is suddenly upset that anyone agreed to what she herself had proposed. Lame-duck governors sometimes try to feather their future career nests at the expense of people's education, incomes, and careers, but passing the buck is not a pretty sight to see.

David Chappell | Käneohe

SHORTSIGHTEDNESS OF OFFICIALS IS INCREDIBLE

It is almost unfathomable as to how our state government officials from Gov. Lingle to DOE Superintendent Pat Hamamoto can even think of cutting back on our already horrendous education system in order to fix the budget deficit. Government officials should look to blame themselves as the reason why our state is in such critical shape, rather than hurt our children with this furlough nonsense. It is unbelievable how shortsighted this plan is.

As an educator by trade, I cannot believe that Hamamoto would not be fighting to keep education furlough- or layoff-safe. Instead, she seems to have no problem in stating that "multiple thousands" will be laid off if the furlough is blocked. It is as if she does not care what happens in the end.

If anybody should go, it should be all those current government officials that have done nothing but run this state into the ground due to their own selfish agendas.

Leighton Ito | Waipahu

GOVERNOR SHOULD ACCEPT BLAME

I think all the protests and marches that are taking place due to budget cuts are inspiring. Unfortunately , we have a governor who doesn't really care about our children. Our governor chose to cut education rather than raise the general excise tax 1› percent, which is a little more than a penny per dollar. But now she wants to blame the DOE for the school furloughs. I, for one am not buying her blame game. Why can't she just say 'Sorry, I didn't do a very good job'?

James Lutte | Waianae

ECONOMY

REQUIRE OFFICIALS TO USE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Now that the economy has turned even worse, our public schools are suffering more than ever. To fix this problem all of our elected state officials and any other elected officals who have an effect on the school system —regardless of where they serve— should have to have their children attend public schools while they are serving our state and people.

I bet our school system would be in top shape if they did. I'm not holding my breath.

Stephen C. Kohn | Hawaii Kai

SHANE VICTORINO

ENOUGH BAD NEWS; IT'S TIME TO CHEER

Hats off to Advertiser staff writer Christie Wilson for the wonderful article (Oct. 28) on the Phillies' Shane Victorino. This is an opportunity for the state of Hawaii to get behind and support a local "star" athlete.

I would've expected more news coverage on this celebrated topic especially during this time of layoffs, furloughs, poor economy, politics, etc. Enough of the bad news; it's time to cheer for and be proud that Shane is representing Hawaii during this 2009 World Series. He is making history with a chance to win back-to-back World Series in one of the greatest games.

My family has been Phillies fans for many years to boot. Go "Fightin' Phils, Beat The Yankees!"

Lee Hanta | Honolulu

OBAMA BIRTH

REPORTER NOT SOLELY TO BLAME FOR ERROR

Bravo to reporter Will Hoover for manfully owning up to his mistake in reporting President Obama's birthplace in 2006 (Oct. 25, "Birthers ran with 'stupid mistake' "). But surely it's unfair to lay the blame on Mr. Hoover alone. Does no editor read reporters' articles before they are published? Is no one at the Advertiser, other than the reporter, responsible for ensuring that corrections in print also promptly make it onto the Web site, and vice versa?

Perhaps the downward financial trajectory of print media in the past decade has led to cutting formerly standard editorial support functions, like copy editing. If so, it only hurts the competitive position of newspapers vis-a-vis supposedly less reliable new media.

David Monk | Kalama Valley

PROPERTY TAXES

APPARENT POLITICS AS USUAL EXPOSED

Great article on the back-room dealings of Mayor Hannemann and Todd Apo. If there was no funny business going on, why was it done behind closed doors? Why wait until the watchful eye of Charles Djou is not around?

Different tax classifications for residential properties is just a way to raise taxes to please the mayor's union buddies. Since we need to balance next year's budget, let's start by cutting government spending.

Kudos to Ann Kobayashi for calling Mayor Hannemann out on what appears to be politics as usual in Hawaii. Take notice of who voted in favor of this bill. If you are a renter or a rental property owner, the state will be digging even deeper into your pockets next year to feed the union machine.

Erich Wida | Käneohe

MCCOY PAVILION

VENUE'S CULTURAL EVENTS APPRECIATED

Yesterday, I went to McCoy Pavilion with its beautiful, tranquil view of blue ocean to attend a Korean Halloween celebration. The Korean luncheon in the dining area was very enjoyable with foods like kalbi, kim chee and watercress and mandoo and even more enjoyable was the Korean drum and dance performances plus spirited karaoke singing contest on auditorium stage.

I particularly enjoyed seeing colorful traditional costumed Korean dancers with wide fans dance on stage like fluttering butterflies and the drum group sitting down on stage banging on drums and cymbals in wild frenzied sound!

Hooray for McCoy Pavilion cultural events like Portuguese, Greek and Korean celebrations there!

Frankie Kam | Waikíkí