PLDC can do good, but also much harm

In his defense of the Public Land Development Corp., Gov. Neil Abercrombie asks: "Is there something in this law that will enable us to do good things?" ("Governor blasts critics of agency," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 17).

The answer is "Yes!"

But that’s the wrong question. It should be, "Is there something in this law that will enable us to do permanent harm?"

Again, the answer is "Yes!"

Victor Meyers
Kailua

TheBus drivers feeling the pain, too

Regarding cuts in bus service, one group most affected by these cuts are the drivers.

Most of us enjoy providing the best service we can. We regret the service cutbacks and the extended time between some buses, too. We bear the consequences of bureaucratic decisions. We’re told it’s a money problem.

The City Council considers free rides to our seniors and disabled. We now have an extended-use policy for transfers, enabling people to re-use transfers. With rail delayed, contractors are being paid millions of dollars to do little. Elected officials and others travel to Washington to promote rail. And it’s likely TheBus loses thousands of dollars a year on the fraudulent use of bus passes and transfers.

Yes, gas and labor costs have increased. But someone should explain to our riding public the economic impact of the above on our bus service. As a driver, I want to hear that myself.

Dave Verret
Mililani

Don’t let Lingle buy seat in U.S. Senate

As the general election nears, we all need to stop and consider what to think when we watch the constant TV and radio ads.

Former Gov. Linda Lingle emphasizes that "people come first." Let’s not forget her administration of the state and how she would not meet with concerned parents over Furlough Fridays.

Think of what it would mean to havea Republican majority in the U.S. Senate and House.If President Barack Obama wins, nothing at all would get done, versus very little. If Mitt Romney wins, look forward to women losing rights to determine their own reproductive health, probable repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare turning into a for-profit voucher system, Social Security getting privatized and the working class paying more taxes so the upper 1 percent can buy more yachts and mega mansions.

Please think before you vote for Lingle. This Senate seat is important, and millions of dollars will come from out of state to try to buy the seat. Don’t let them!

Teresa Evangelista
Volcano, Hawaii island

Lingle not being portrayed correctly

Former Gov. Linda Lingle has been demonized as a "right-wing" Republican who is bent on selling out our state. They attack her record, despite the fact that she managed to balance the state budget by making tough choices in difficult times and without raiding the Hurricane Fund, as our Democratic colleagues were tempted to do.

During her tenure, many of her progressive ideas were simply filibustered by an overwhelmingly one-sided Democrat-led Legislature and never bore fruit. Despite this, Lingle was responsible for passing legislation to mandate energy independence in the state of Hawaii.

I believe Lingle is a moderate Republican and not the ogre she is portrayed to be.

Government works best when there is a balance of power. Regardless of whether you like Lingle or not, I urge you to cast your vote for her. If nothing else, it will bring balance to this imbalanced state. One-sided politics is simply unhealthy.

Pradeepta Chowdhury
Hilo

Critics of Garvey proved her point

As Gloria Garvey’s business partner, I am writing to set the record straight about our business and contributions to Kailua.

We do have concerns about visitor activity in residential areas but believe that this problem will be solved.

We started our business eight years ago to make a product in Hawaii and hire and serve local people. We worked long and hard to come up with fragrances that capture Hawaii. Visitors are a bonus, allowing us to begin addressing our debt. We give back every chance we get. We mentor our employees, help them through "first job" nervousness, support them in their educations.

Personally, I worked to help keep the Kailua Fourth of July fireworks event alive for three years. Ironically the lack of aloha that we have experienced via several comments is a perfect example of what Gloria was talking about ("Has cash clouded opinions in Kailua?" Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 17). Fortunately, they were outweighed by many who agree.

Brook Gramann
Lanikai Bath and Body

Movie about Obama actually pretty good

The review of "2016: Obama’s America" that appeared in your TGIF edition on Sept. 14 reeks of sour grapes.

But why should that be a surprise when the reviewer, Betsy Sharkey, comes from the ? The mainstream media and the White House tried initially to simply ignore this explosive documentary, hoping it would quietly go away. However, the "sluggish film," promoted almost solely by word of mouth and social media, has now grossed more than $28 million in two months. With virtually no conventional publicity, it has risen to the second most-viewed political documentary of all time (even eclipsing Al Gore’s "An Inconvenient Truth"), so more than a few people have found it intriguing.

If Sharkey really believes that "its outrage falls flat," then she must have slept a lot. This is a movie that does present new insight — at least for those who have confined their information to that presented by the mainstream media.

Jim Long
Kaneohe