Sirius/XM satellite radio not typical radio station

After reading the article on the possibility of Sirius satellite radio coming to Oahu, I found myself amused at the lack of understanding about the whole situation ("FCC OKs local airing of satellite radio," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 19).

First of all, satellite radio does not compete for local advertisers. Sirius/ XM does not have commercials on its music channels. Channels like the Fox Channel insert nationwide commercials because listeners hear what is going on live in the television studio.

Second, Sirius would not be starting subscribers at zero, trying to build up to a healthy member database. There is a large group of military families on this island, and many of us with new vehicles purchased in the past four years (on the mainland) already have "Sirius/XM ready" vehicles.

Finally, I have no idea how the repeater relay tower will work. But if the quality is only half-decent, I’ll subscribe to the weird repeater relay tower, just so I can listen to something that I prefer.

Strengthen penalty for stealing from pension

For trying to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in pension payments and benefits from our cash-strapped city, Manuel Castro will be penalized roughly one year’s retirement benefits and serve a one-year jail term, for which he’ll probably receive time off for good behavior ("Ex-city supervisor jailed in theft case," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 19). How about deducting from his pension every year the difference between his inflated and actual pension benefit from the pension he will eventually receive? As it stands right now, there is very little risk in this sort of criminal enterprise.

It’s not only the devil that is in the details

I find it interesting that you have the devil in your Sunday headline ("Devil in the details of judging teachers," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 16). Did you hesitate at all at the use of a word that represents such a vile and sinister being? I’m guessing you would balk at using the word "Lord" or "God" in a similar headline. It may not be an expression as oft used as your headline, but believe me, God is in the details, too.

State needs to better control its investments

I’m curious about the content of the House and Senate investigative committee findings in the news article "Report urges state to divest failed auction rate securities" (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 5). The state can probably sell its affected portfolio at a discount, but how big a loss will it take if forced to do so? I hope the report recommends the state make a thorough cost/benefit analysis of all scenarios prior to taking action.

It’s not hard to see how the state ended up with $1 billion in illiquid securities. Brokers have always spun products to meet buyers’ investment guidelines, and will continue to do so despite requirements for more thorough disclosures. The state could benefit from vetting potential investments with qualified, neutral advisors. Determining proper accounting treatment up front will eliminate ‘gotcha’ findings from the state auditor down the road.

Re-examine state laws on who is a threat

The Hawaii statutes relating to mental illness state that a person must be "imminently dangerous" to allow action to be taken. If this Tucson event had taken place in Hawaii, one can’t help wondering at what point in his irrational rampage Jared Loughner would have been considered imminently dangerous. When he was rejected by the military? When he was expelled from the community college? When he bought the Glock pistol with an enlarged clip? When he contacted his friends in the middle of the night? When he took a cab to the Safeway store? When he brandished his gun? Or when he started firing — killing and wounding so many innocent people?

It is time to seriously re-examine our laws covering the treatment of mentally ill people and eliminate "imminently dangerous" from the statutes.