Three ideas to think about as we digest the news:

>> There is an adage that says, “If we outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.” Considering who’s been doing all the shootings, maybe we should only allow outlaws to have guns.

>> The government gave an edict that there shouldn’t be any praying in school. Along with no praying came no talk about love, peace and basically getting along with each other.

Bullying has now become one of the major disciplinary problems in school. Perhaps we need to discuss morality, peace and love, and have the students lead us in prayer in school.

>> To balance the budget, many states reduced, or even eliminated, mental health programs and facilities. Does anyone else see a correlation between the cutbacks and the carnage?

Wim Blees

Mililani

—

Rush to judgment not fair to Rucci

I have known Peter Rucci for several years and I cannot imagine that the accusations of sexual assault that have been leveled at him are true (“Sex assault charge shocks ex-band director,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 11). I am saddened to think of the possibility that the accuser has been influenced by all the recent flurry of accusations of sexual assault in the press — perhaps hoping to gain attention in this way. While I don’t know her circumstances, I stand by my belief in his professed innocence.

I am appalled at the unceremonious dismissal of Peter by Damien Memorial School. What happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?

Certainly, he could have been placed on leave until he had the chance to clear his name. The school’s pre-judgment seems to fly in the face of its stated mission to “Prepare students to work toward the creation of a just society” — particularly shocking in the face of the history of the Catholic Church’s response to its own shameful history.

Valerie Ossipoff

Kaimuki

—

Look for warning signs of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disabling lung disease that affects 30 million Americans and more than 46,000 Hawaii adults. It is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.

As part of a groundswell of individuals joining to raise awareness about COPD, and its prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Hawaii’s governors have signed a proclamations every year since 2000 to officially designate November 2017 as COPD Awareness Month.

Since most people with COPD are not diagnosed until they have lost half of their lung function, we are urging everyone to take a proactive role in spreading awareness of COPD within their community.

Anyone with risk factors or early signs of COPD, such as chronic cough, shortness of breath and wheezing, should talk to their doctor about their symptoms right away.

While there is no cure for COPD, early identification and proper health management can slow the progression of the disease and improve one’s quality of life.

Valerie Chang

Executive director, Hawaii COPD Coalition (hawaiicopd.org)

—

Don’t waste parking spaces on bicycles

Regarding the Biki bike rental operation, many of the kiosks are situated in parking stalls.

Our nearsighted politicians gave away revenue-generating parking spaces. Finding a parking space in Honolulu has been a nightmare, and now it’s worse. Whoever peddled this ill-conceived idea took away public parking without paying for it.

Where are the helmets to protect the riders who use these bikes? By condoning riding bikes without helmets, the city could be liable should a bike renter sustain a head injury.

It’s a matter of when, not if — someone will be injured riding a rented bike without a helmet. If the city gets any compensation from a vendor that has blatantly ignored consumer safety, expect litigation.

The voice of reason begs that the wasted parking spaces be returned to their intended use for car parking, not bike rentals.

Ronald W. Pike

Nuuanu

—

Lower tax rate would bring money home

Robert Tellander basically stated that the GOP tax plan is full of “phony theories” to provide greater profits for its “greedy” corporate sponsors (“Tax reform built on greed, not good,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9). With due respect, this muddled logic totally misses the point of lowering the corporate tax rate.

The “phony theories” he bashes would bring back to the U.S. those trillions of dollars those “greedy” companies have stashed overseas to avoid paying U.S. taxes, and to make our companies more competitive with foreign companies.

Let’s assume that his conclusions are true, and that these companies will just pocket those returning profits, and not share the wealth. I say: So what?

At least these trillions will be back here so we can tax them. Sure, at a lower rate, but it’s like the old saying goes: “A bird in the hand …”

Art Todd

Kaneohe