Legal system too easy on violent criminals

Recently, there have been two police shootings in which armed suspects were shot and killed. I, for one, would like to thank the fine officers involved in these shootings for putting themselves in harm’s way.

I am thankful these officers used whatever force was necessary to keep us, and themselves, safe.

I hope I speak for a large portion of the citizenry when I say I am really tired of the extent to which our law enforcement and court system goes to protect violent criminals caught in the act perpetrating crimes, only to plead to a lesser charge, serve a minimum sentence and go back on the street and victimize more citizens.

To all police officers: Please do us a favor when faced with an armed and violent criminal — shoot and shoot to kill. Then go home alive with a clear conscience knowing you have done your job and have the gratitude of the law-abiding citizens you serve.

Jim Austin
Honolulu

State encourages cycle of dependency

It seems as though Hawaii has a critical case of intentional ignorance, along with reactionary policy-making ("State owes Mayor Wright tenants," Our View, Star-Advertiser, April 25).

Yes, there are major and substantiated structural issues that need to be corrected. But has anyone dared to question the ever-increasing welfare population in relation to budgetary deficiencies?

If we want a more productive society, we need to draw a firm line between assistance and dependence. As a state employee, my job entails working with many teenagers who come from family legacies of welfare dependency. Although they try to break the cycle, the government offers the much easier alternative of complacency.

Let’s focus on the source of the problems, not the results.

Nicole L. Maryott
Kailua

People on welfare should have to earn it

I am a civil service employee of the state of Hawaii. I show up and work for my pay.

My employer and the union that is supposed to be watching out for me are asking me to be understanding and accept a 5 percent pay cut, a 50-50 split on medical benefits and added time off as a my contribution to the budgetary woes.

Unlike legislators and directors, my position does not give me control over excessive spending, overstaffing and discipline of those who abuse the rules and our benefits. Yet I am being asked to sacrifice, again.

If I have to work to support reducing the deficit, then all able-bodied people who readily accept government supplemental assistance should be made to earn it.

When do I get to say enough?

Lynn Wong
Aiea

Pink uniforms look bad, project weakness

I agree wholeheartedly about the pink uniforms ("Pink for cancer awareness is better in small doses," Further Review, Star-Advertiser, April 25). They looked terrible on TV. I’m surprised the coach let them wear them. Research has shown that pink is a weakening color. Sheriff Joe Arapaio of Arizona has his prisoners wear pink underwear for that reason.

Jim Slavish
Kailua

Girls deserve equal treatment in education

It saddens me that we continue to deal with gender-equity issues locally and nationally ("Gender balancing act," Star-Advertiser, April 12).

The article is a push for equity in compensation. This should also be a push for gender equity in education.

A comment was made to me about a parent who said he was paying private school tuition for his son, but was unwilling to pay the same for his daughter since she was "just a girl." Unfortunately, that comment was made not 20 years ago, but just last week.

"Just girls" (Priory students) won three of the four top prizes at the recent State Science Fair. "Just girls" like Colleen Hanabusa (Priory alumna) and Mazie Hirono are representing the state of Hawaii in Congress.

There is a tendency to want to keep things the same and not rock the boat. For the sake of our state, our country and our world, the gender-inequity boat needs to be rocked. We need to work harder to ensure we all receive equal respect for the knowledge and skills we possess.

What’s a girl worth? She’s priceless!

Sandra J. Theunick
Head of School, St. Andrew’s Priory School