Kevin Dayton’s coverage of the Hawaii Democratic Party Convention described how Tim Vandeveer, a former unexploded-ordnance technician, became the new party chairman.
Based on Vandeveer’s comments, it appears there was considerable ordnance that exploded at the convention. He said he wants to follow Bernie Sanders’ example of “grassroots fundraising,” and furthermore claimed that “we’re perceived … as one of the most corrupt states in the country,” based on how money influences politics here.
Does Vandeveer want to end “pay to play” and thereby increase unemployment by eliminating some lucrative architectural, engineering and lobbying jobs? Where is his spirit of aloha?
Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying that: “A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing. … It is medicine necessary for the sound health of government.”
What with the rise of The Donald, Bernie Sanders and the unexploded-ordnance technician, this may be a very rebellious year.
Peter Knerr
Kailua
Renewable energy and carbon tax our salvation
Climate change is accelerating faster than anyone initially predicted, and the dying of coral reefs is undeniable evidence of this.
Carbon emissions from fossil fuels are warming the planet, and the death of the reefs is only the first event in a chain reaction. When the reef is gone, it will affect the fish and our food supply. When the fish die, oceans die, oxygen supply is halted, and we die.
Renewable energy and a carbon tax would be the fastest way for us to stop carbon emissions and save our oceans and ourselves.
This would open up a valuable new industry for our state, and the opportunity to be the leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and protecting our land and sea for the future.
It would lower the cost of living, since our energy costs are three times the national average, keeping our local residents in Hawaii with green jobs and preserving the aina to sustain them.
Amanda Taber
Makiki
Analysis of rate request used faulty reasoning
Your editors infer the global drop in freight rates conflicts with Young Brothers’ request for a rate increase (“Facts before rate increases,” Star-Advertiser, Off the News, June 1).
The comment demonstrates a lack of awareness. Numerous mega-container ships have recently entered service worldwide, creating overcapacity, driving down freight rates.
While we don’t yet fully know why Young Brothers (which operates barges) is seeking freight increases, it is surely not due to global overcapacity.
Peter Burns
Kaneohe
Neighborhood boards circumvent bureaucrats
Eliminating the neighborhood boards would erect another wall of secrecy and a communications barrier between the public and the government, which too many officials want.
For decades, when I have had questions, I have chased in circles for hours, and sometimes days, from one department, office, desk or person to another. I often have ended up with the voicemail of someone who doesn’t return calls, or been directed back to the number I started with.
Government officials’ attitude is that government is their own private business, despite the fact that we pay for it. Even when they’re not supposed to, they hold closed-door meetings, excusing themselves from sunshine laws and rules about conflicts of interest and ethics.
Fred Metcalf
Kalihi
