FILIPINO VETERANS

PAYMENT VIA STIMULUS MAY ADD TO CRITICISM

Why is it that our veterans, like the uncompensated Filipino WWII fighters, have to suffer the indignities and then likely criticism by sneaking in payment via the stimulus package?

The issue is controversial enough, like what Japanese-American internment-camp victims had to go through before they were given their due.

And now this, using the economic stimulus package, which belongs to the taxpayers, unemployed and infrastructure needs, including roads, schools and housing.

Sen. Inouye has a good heart and good intentions, but this may contribute more to the controversy and added discrimination to Filipino veterans in Hawai'i rather than supporting the cause for which he is fighting.

B&BS

HOMEOWNER FREEDOM MUST BE PROTECTED

I have to congratulate Karen Luke (Letter, Feb. 4) for having the courage to stand up and speak out for her rights as a homeowner to use her own property to take care of her 'ohana and show visitors to the Islands the true spirit of aloha.

Times are tough for everyone across this country, and those who are not buckling under the pressure but rather standing up and providing for their families in a positive way should be congratulated and applauded, not vilified and persecuted.

Our military, our own friends and family, are fighting and dying for freedom overseas while here at home they are trying to take that very freedom away.

The Council needs to pass Bill 6 to recognize and regulate B&Bs and put this controversy behind us.

KOKO HEAD STABBINGS

METH DEALERS NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE

The shocking incident of two hikers being stabbed on the Koko Head trail should be a clear signal to the state Legislature that a new law is urgently needed that states, in essence, that citizens are responsible for their actions and the consequences of those actions. The arrested suspect was allegedly under the influence of crystal meth sold to him by someone in the neighborhood.

There are thousands of incidents in Hawai'i of horrific actions taken by individuals under the influence of this drug. Hawai'i legislators need to take the lead in our country of enacting creative legislation that would make crystal meth dealers responsible for the consequences of their actions.

AFGHANISTAN

DIPLOMACY MUST COME BEFORE SENDING TROOPS

Mr. President: I proudly voted for you and pledged my support, but not blindly. I write at the risk of my concerns being premature. Consensus says you made a good start. I have a concern.

Ordering more troops to Afghanistan is wrong unless you want another Vietnam, or another Afghanistan where 150,000 Soviet troops were routed from Afghanistan. Have we not learned that we must deliberately consider diplomacy before military action that has high risks of killing civilians and our own troops?

Haven't we learned from the multifaceted costs, including many civilian lives, of a pre-emptive and illegal war against Iraq?

I join the Civil War hero Carl Schurz who said, "My country right or wrong — when right keep it right, but when wrong make it right."

FIREWORKS

LIVES BEING CUT SHORT BY ASSAULT ON LUNGS

Few of us would light a charcoal barbecue in our living room. The threat to our family's safety from fire, burns, lung damage and potential asphyxiation makes it unthinkable.

Yet thousands use fireworks in our shared recreation room — the outdoors — despite many of the same hazards.

The damage fireworks do to our collective health is reason enough to support the proposed ban now before the Legislature.

Fireworks exploding on New Year's Eve is the principal reason Honolulu has received a "D" for short-term pollution in the American Lung Association's annual evaluation in recent years. But this issue is not about grades. It's about public health.

Short-term exposure to particle pollution can kill — maybe not the next day, but maybe in months or years. Particulate pollution is the worst type because particles become embedded deep in the lung, decreasing lung efficiency and capacity.

It's time we stand up to this assault on our lungs and say, enough! Exploding aerial fireworks and strings of firecrackers may be fun and even culturally important for some, but lives are being cut short by this reckless exercise of free will.

It's time to act responsibly and put an end to this disregard for the health of our fellow citizens, especially those who may be unable to speak for themselves — our children and the elderly.

NO BUS SHELTER

DEDICATED RIDERS STILL HAVE TO ENDURE RAIN

Yesterday morning (Feb. 3), again, seven or eight of us hardy, dedicated bus riders stood in the cold, rain-soaked wind at the town-bound bus stop on Nu'uanu near Judd. Due to rainy-day traffic the bus was 15 minutes late.

A simple rain shelter, preferably without benches or those that would not be comfortable to stretch out on, would be very popular and likely increase ridership.

I have asked the mayor, city transportation officials and TheBus operators several times about installing a bus shelter at this well-used stop.

There always seems to be all kinds of reasons why it would be hard (narrow sidewalk, limited right of way, etc.) but never a can-do commitment to make it happen. Very unfortunate.