Article about Monsanto was ‘right thing to do’

A huge bravo to Lee Cataluna for having the courage to print the other side of the story regarding Monsanto (“Those wary of Monsanto’s aim should tour their property,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 20).

Anti-GMO groups use intimidation and bullying to stifle the truth and get their way. Cataluna could have remained quiet. She spoke the truth because it was the right thing to do.

From the time that Monsanto acquired its Kunia property, it worked closely with the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, spending more than $1 million and many man-hours to facilitate the adoption of 120 acres of the Honouliuli World War II internment site by the National Parks Service.

President Barack Obama officially proclaimed Honouliuli as a National Monument. Monsanto did not have to do this and did it with no publicity. Monsanto did it because it was the right thing to do.

Les Goto

Kaneohe

Anti-GMO book might alter Cataluna’s views

Does Lee Cataluna think you can look at an ear of corn and know anything about the effects of genetic engineering?

Or listen to the paid programming of Monsanto employees and understand the science?

It’s probably too much to ask Cataluna to read something like “Altered Genes, Twisted Truth: How the Venture to Genetically Engineer Our Food Has Subverted Science, Corrupted Government, and Systematically Deceived the Public,” by Steven M. Druker.

If she were to, she might be a little less glib about “the hysterical distrust of science” and whether distrust of the genetic engineering project is “fearmongering,” “wildly untruthful” and “unproductive.”

Patrick L. Brown

Kailua

Many rail riders will still have to catch buses

Many Ewa commuters will want to go to the University of Hawaii-Manoa or Waikiki, not downtown or Ala Moana, so with the current plans for rail transit, they eventually will have to transfer to a bus.

If we convert the rail guideways to bus guideways and end them at Middle Street or Iwilei, individual buses could continue on surface roads to various express destinations. Commuters could get over freeway bottlenecks and would have to catch only one express bus to do it.

Modern express buses are far more comfortable than many realize. Transit time for the existing express bus from Kapolei to Ala Moana is only about 10 minutes more than what is projected for the train, and the articulated buses currently on Honolulu roads have a capacity equal to the planned train cars.

This option could be both better and cheaper than rail. Both the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the Federal Transit Authority should consider it.

Richard Tillotson

Punchbowl

Seems like president took Gabbard’s advice

I have always had great respect for our U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Recently she said the United States should leave Syrian President Bashar Assad alone and let the local people handle the situation. America must stay out of changing other countries’ policies, whether democratic or not.

Look at what happened in Iraq, although its leader was insane. Now it appear that the White House is in agreement.

Good for Gabbard. I hope she keeps it up.

Toby Allen

Hawaii Kai