Relocate Marines to California

All the lights are on at the U.S. Department of Defense but apparently no one is home.

First, the U.S. Navy should have never closed its only air base in the Pacific and moved to Marine Corps Base Kaneohe. Now the Marines are trying to figure out where to billet the Okinawa Marines in the near future.

If the Marines come to Hawaii, the solution is simple but costly: relocate the Navy back to Barbers Point with its aircraft and personnel, and put the Marines from Okinawa at the Marine base in Kaneohe with their fellow Marines.

The best option would be to send the Okinawa Marines to California, where the Marines have two huge bases — Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms. The training is much better there and there is plenty of room. It would be a win-win situation.

Ken Zitz, USMC (Ret.)
Waialua

PTS is an injury, not a disorder

Post-traumatic stress is a normal response to trauma.

It was officially recognized when included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1980 as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The next DSM will be published in May 2013.

Post-traumatic stress is not a mental illness; it is a psychological Injury and should be considered and treated as such. PTS happens to normal people who have suffered life-threatening or potentially injurious trauma to self or others, leaving one with a psychological wound. It cannot be seen but is certainly felt.

The American Psychiatric Association should change the word "disorder" to "injury" for PTS in the upcoming DSM. By the simple act of changing this one word, the stigma surrounding PTS would be lifted and society may better understand that some do not seek the help they need due to negative societal perception.

Rosemary Sword
Makawao, Maui

Bikers have a lot to worry about

Kudos to Jamie Emard for her excellent examples of the dangers presented to motorcycle riders while on the road ("Bikers need help from car drivers to cut accidents," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 16).

Being a rider myself, I can identify with the scenarios she presented — every one of them.

Riding a motorcycle is not as easy as non-riders seem to think. Our eyes and ears are more attuned to what’s around us, anticipating any kind of problem well ahead of time, whether it be something on the road, another rider or vehicles.

We don’t get on our bikes thinking, "I guess I’ll just go out and get in an accident today and, maybe, kill myself." Those of us who ride do so for the freedom of the open road and the love of the bike; it’s that simple.

Gail Simao
Aiea

Inouye should visit McDonald’s

I respect former Gov. Ben Cayetano’s remarks about Sen. Daniel K. Inouye being "out of touch" with reality regarding the proposed rail project.

His suggestion that Inouye go to McDonald’s and talk story with us retirees is very appropriate. Our retired group meets in Kailua frequently to discuss various topics of concern. There is general public disagreement on rail due to its excessively high cost and the eventual tax burden it will create. Our kin will have a dim future.

Further, as a fellow veteran, I resent Inouye’s remark that only World War III can stop the project! He can’t be serious.

Undoubtedly, we are indebted to Inouye for his many accomplishments for our state and his years of dedicated public service.

Mel Rodenhurst
Kailua

Find alternative to DOE bonuses

It is absolutely absurd that the state Department of Education hierarchy is offering principals a $10,000 bonus for a job they are supposed to be doing in the first place. Why?

Research has not shown that merit pay translates into better student achievement. There are too many extenuating circumstances, including school culture, clientele and location.

Throwing money at the problem of trying to improve student achievement does not take into account student motivation and discipline within the school.

I am sure the monies can be spent on other resources to improve student achievement.

Randall Ng
Kapahulu