IRAQ COLUMN

NO UNDERSTANDING OF GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

Apparently University of Hawai'i Professor Brien Hallett (Island Voices, March 8) is not as well-read as his title would have us believe.

Even the casual Advertiser reader would know that the United States is not at war with the nation of Iraq and that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is an ally and not an enemy.

Mr. Hallett's wish for "the immediate negotiation of a treaty of peace with the Maliki government" demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of what the global war on terror entails.

COMMUTING

KAPOLEI RESIDENTS NEED TRANSIT TO GET TO WORK

In response to Richard Romer's letter (March 5) about "lucky Kapolei," I'd like to point out that no matter how many shopping malls, strip malls, big-box stores and such are built in Kapolei, we who live here must still go into town to work to earn the money to spend in these places.

The H-1 Freeway is already a parking lot before 6 a.m. because of all the traffic from 'Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Makakilo and Makaha.

And none of those vehicles is going to Ala Moana to shop at that hour. I'm lucky; I work in Waipahu and some mornings it takes more than an hour to go from Kapolei to Waipahu.

It isn't shopping convenience we need, it is roadways on which we can move.

THEFTS

ESTABLISH FIXED PRICE FOR COPPER AT RECYCLERS

There is a solution for all the problems with the theft of copper.

Since we are an island, why not have the Legislature establish a fixed price for copper taken to recyclers? Lower the price to, say, 10 cents a pound.

The recyclers, of course, would still sell the copper at the world price and would make more money. This would make the theft of copper not worth the effort.

The only thing that would need to be done is to ensure that recyclers abide by the fixed price.

Remove the incentive and the problem goes away.

PSYCHOLOGISTS

ONLY MEDICAL DOCTORS SHOULD PRESCRIBE DRUGS

Individuals with mental illnesses battle complicated, brain-based diseases. If they require medication, they should receive it from a physician, not a psychologist.

Physicians, not psychologists, are trained to know when and when not to prescribe. Often, physical illnesses mimic psychiatric illnesses. For example, a person complaining of lethargy and weight gain may suffer from hypothyroidism, not depression. Will a psychologist identify this, or will the patient be given an antidepressant?

Physicians, not psychologists, are trained to identify side effects. Psychoactive medications are powerful substances that can sometimes cause adverse reactions. Some side effects are merely irritating, but some can be fatal. Can a psychologist discern the difference? How can the Legislature take that risk? Would they take that risk personally or with their own families?

Psychiatric medications can have interactions with other medications. Physicians are trained to consider this issue and to order and analyze lab work. Psychologists cannot obtain this knowledge in a 15-week course.

I urge those who wish to prescribe to obtain an education for the breadth and depth of prescribing's challenges. I encourage them to attend medical school.

TRAFFIC DEATHS

HAWAI'I NEEDS TO TAKE ROAD SAFETY SERIOUSLY

Like most, I am appalled by the recent spate of deaths on Hawai'i roads. However, I find the state traffic laws pathetic at best.

I'm an Englishman living here with my American wife, and I'm constantly amazed how many drivers don't wear seatbelts, carry children in the load bay of trucks and ride motorcycles without helmets.

If this state is truly interested in preventing people from killing themselves, these laws need to be addressed.

I am also shocked at the number of cars driving around without a valid safety inspection sticker.

Take road safety seriously!

WASHINGTON MIDDLE

SAFETY CHANGES URGED FOR SCHOOL CROSSING

As the safety manager for Washington Middle School, it is my responsibility to assure parents that the safety of their children is paramount and the staff is continuously exploring avenues to promote a safe environment.

At crosswalks throughout Honolulu, there are traffic signals that reflect a 10-second countdown. Some may say that's not long enough, but it at least gives pedestrians a visual prompt of the impending signal change.

A study of the intersection of King and Punahou streets will show that a countdown traffic signal would greatly assist the pedestrian flow, especially since the bus stop on King Street fronting the school was moved. There have been more "oops, my bad" or "I'm sorry" instances at that intersection than have been reported.

Posting a "No right turn on red" sign (between 7 and 8 a.m. and 2 and 3 p.m. when school is in session) for vehicles headed mauka on Punahou and turning onto King Street would help.

Driving attitudes must change.

AIRPORT ROUTE

TOURISTS WILL WANT CONVENIENCE OF TRANSIT

Despite his claim to the contrary, letter writer Vern Lentz (March 7) has very fuzzy math.

The reason that tourists go through the hassle of getting rental cars and returning them or wait in lines to pay taxi fares to Waikiki is because there is no convenient way to get there.

If tourists could take rail rapid transit from the airport to Waikiki, they wouldn't stiff themselves by paying the high prices for rental cars and Hawai'i's gas.

Tourists want convenience and want to quickly reach their hotel after a long day of flying.

I have flown from Hawai'i to the Mainland 149 times on United. Atlanta and Washington, D.C., are among my favorite destinations because I can walk from my plane, through the terminal and onto the platform of the rapid transit, which takes me within walking distance of downtown hotels.

London is also a favorite destination for the same reason. At Orlando, Tampa, Chicago and Houston, I can walk from my plane into the terminal, where there is a hotel.

Tourists will also value the convenience of rapid transit to Ala Moana.

NOTE TO OFFICIALS

GET SOME PERSPECTIVE, FOLKS, RIDE THEBUS

Howzit, Gov. Linda Lingle, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, Rep. Calvin Say and the rest of Hawai'i's elected leaders.

I know you are all hard at work trying to solve Hawai'i's problems. I got one answer for you, brah — ride TheBus!

It will help you better understand the mass-transit situation; driving in your private cars gives you only one perspective. You'll be able to see how crowded our buses are, how hard it is for able-bodied citizens (let alone senior citizens) to stand throughout the bus ride. So, gang — ride TheBus.

In addition, you'll be able to talk to public school students. Remember them? You'll be able to hear how much the public schools are lacking in space, books and how rundown the schools are.

And since you'll be taking the bus daily, you'll cross our streets more and see how crazy it is out there. You'll see drivers who don't stop and pedestrians who don't look when they cross.

You'll also see how fast those lights change.

Leading by example is always powerful.

So I'll look for you guys on the bus. Squeeze in, we'll make room — promise!