Veterans need help, not bumper stickers

My sincere thanks go to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for publishing the story of Andrew O’Brien (“GI goes public about trying to kill himself,” Star-Advertiser, April 15).

The Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have experienced more days in combat than any other army fielded by the United States. What Andrew O’Brien experienced both while on active duty and subsequent to that shows a callousness in how our warriors are being treated by their own leaders and government.

It is one thing to put a yellow ribbon sticker on your car claiming your support for our military members, but how does that translate into action? The time has finally come when that support is needed in getting engaged in fixing both the military and civilian side of caring for our veterans. A bumper sticker isn’t enough.

Vic Craft
Kapolei

Road paving needs better prioritization

Kudos to Mayor Kirk Caldwell for finally tackling the problem of repaving our terrible city roads.

Unfortunately, prioritizing which roads to do first seems an inexact science. Recently Meheu Street and Koolani Drive, from Meheula Parkway to just past Meheu Street, were repaved in Mililani Mauka. Although I use both roads, and Koolani Drive had some issues, Meheu Street did not need repaving. Meheula Parkway from the H-2 to Kamehameha Highway is way worse than either of these roads and should have been repaved first.

Drive down Meheula in the right lane to Kipapa Drive. The middle lane also has problems, especially after a little rain. After Kipapa, take the left lane for a bumper-car ride to Lanikuhana. Take any lane after that to Kamehameha Highway, past the school and post office. Driving back to H-2 is also a bone-jarring ride and an adventure trying to avoid potholes.

I hope the city doesn’t wait until 2014 to fix this.

Peter Chisteckoff
Mililani Mauka

State roads also need repaving

The Star-Advertiser’s recent special report on the status of the roads in Honolulu does not come as a surprise to anyone.

As a matter of fact, I think most of the roads are worse than reported. What I think is missing is the status of those that are controlled and repaired by the state and not the city. Kalanianaole Highway would be graded with a “failed” label with all the potholes and cracks that motorists have to keep dodging.

If our road infrastructure has gotten to this point, I question how we can take care of the rail system once it is built.

Judy Muncaster
Hawaii Kai

Feeding birds a Buddhist rite

The legislative proposal to allow the state Department of Health to investigate the feeding of wild birds showed insensitivity to people of the Buddhist faith (“Pigeon droppings land neighbors in legislative scrape,” Star-Advertiser, April 11).

Devout Buddhists believe that feeding birds and other animals is part of Buddha’s teaching of sharing and caring for other sentient creatures of nature. It is common practice for Buddhists to feed birds at their holy places, temples, schools and homes. Some Buddhists believe that this act of kindness will provide themselves good health.

In addition, the Senate Judiciary Committee failed to mention that the health dangers of birds pale in comparison to tobacco smoke, drunken drivers and marijuana. To be consistent, the Legislature should ban the real health dangers in our society — tobacco, liquor and cannabis, in public and in the privacy of one’s home.

Frank Young
Makiki

Pot legalization would save lives

Admit that the gateway drug is alcohol. Alcohol, not marijuana, is the way most Americans experience getting high.

In Hawaii as well as the other 49 states, alcohol is served at many functions. Alcohol will continue to be served and experienced by minors.

Jo Breeden’s letter presents marijuana with a mentality that was popular in the beginning of last century (“Drug addicts start with pot,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 17).

Legalization of marijuana would save many people’s lives and enhance the future. Law enforcement would be able to concentrate on more pressing issues that affect the 21st century.

Bill Kettle
Waianae

Most people favor changing pot laws

I am disappointed with the politicians in our state House of Representatives for failing to normalize our marijuana laws here in Hawaii.

The representatives are supposed to obey the majority and nowadays 57 percent of the people favor legalization of marijuana in Hawaii.

Phil Robertson
Kailua

New pope’s views on women offensive

With anger I read the article reporting that Pope Francis concurs with the view that nuns are undermining church teachings (“Pope backs crackdown on group of U.S. nuns,” Star-Advertiser, April 16).

A former Catholic and Maryknoll lay missioner, I left the church and eventually joined the Episcopalian church because in good conscience I could no longer support the treatment of women as second-class citizens, especially when this goes counter to everything Jesus himself taught. He broke the social taboos of his day to treat women with utmost respect, indicating the way to go so that the early church had women lay leaders, teachers, priests and even bishops.

By condemning women who do lifelong selfless good for the church, I wonder how the Roman church can expect any educated thinking woman to respect its spiritual authority. This church undermines its own authority with pagan Roman and worldly influences that run against the gospel.

Fran Kramer
Ewa Beach