Power-mad elites greatest scourge

In her commentary ("Too Many People," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 2), Eleanor Nordyke does not actually state what had triggered this "insidious disease" or what quantity constitutes a "world (overpopulation) problem."

In world history, the greatest loss of life has come from power-hungry academic elites and mad men imposing their paradigms and hatred on the world.

Millions of dead in two world wars, Stalin’s five-year plans, Mao’s Great Leap Forward, Pol Pot’s killing fields of Cambodia and the ethnic conflict of the last century were pretty packaged appeals to like-minded cadres.

In fact, their numbers far outnumber those due to famine or disease.

World grain production has outpaced population. Material wealth has become more widely available and enjoyed by the world’s people. Advancing technology continues to improve life.

Why does Nordyke ignore these facts? Why does she place so much emphasis on government interference in economic and social issues?

Bill Funk
Mililani

Tam sentence reflects on judge

To say I was surprised by part-time Honolulu District Judge Randal Shintani’s verdict to sentence former Honolulu City Councilman Rod Tam to serve a two-day jail sentence, 300 hours of community service and have a chance to clear his record if he keeps his nose clean for a year as punishment for his violation of campaign spending laws, is truly unbelievable.

Rod Tam is a pathetic career politician who ripped off his constituents on a regular basis during his 32 years as an elected public servant.

Tam pleaded guilty to 26 misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor counts of theft and falsifying documents. He basically falsified his expense reports for meals at restaurants claiming to be meeting over business when he was really having meals with family members.

Once he was caught, he lied through the press, claiming simple mathematical calculation errors, and stood by his story that he was innocent.

It makes me sick that Judge Shintani even has a place in our judicial system.

Channing Bridges
Mililani

‘Five-0’ cast was actually miscast

Your article proclaiming another weekly TV ratings win for "Hawaii Five-0" among adults 18-49 but another second-place finish overall (10.6 million viewers to 12.6 million for ABC’s "Castle"), raises the question: Why is the Five-0 remake not as popular with older (50-plus) viewers? ("’Five-0′ boasts solid Halloween ratings," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 2).

As an older viewer who loved the original series, I offer a simple explanation: The new lead actors in the remake, all fine actors, were mistakenly named McGarrett, Danno, Chin and Kono.

Longtime fans of the original series, which had a first run of 12 years and then 30-plus years in syndication, know that Jack Lord is Steve McGarrett, James MacArthur is Danno, Kam Fong is Chin and Zulu is Kono.

Why not avoid this dilemma by populating the 21st-century unit with new characters, perhaps led by Jake McGarrett, Steve’s nephew?

Oops, too late now.

Joe Moore
Honolulu

Tall buildings would ruin view

Regarding "Raising the roof" (the color depiction on Page A8 of the Star-Advertiser, Oct. 31): Do we really want to destroy the classic ridgeline that has always defined Honolulu for every Hawaii resident and visitor?

The proposed 650-foot buildings slicing above the Koolaus would render it as shown by the red areas.

Mary Ann McCrea
Honolulu