How many more truck bed deaths?

The letter by Jack Niendorf was very true to the max ("Don’t let kids ride in backs of pickups," Star-Advertiser, July 20).

We vote our so-caring Legislature phonies to protect our people driving in their vehicles. We do have a law, "Click It or Ticket," which is supposed to save lives in accidents. But why is riding in the back of pickup beds allowed when no belts are holding the riders?

House Speaker Joe Souki said, "People in rural areas need to transport workers because they need the carrying room." Well, guess what? In 2006, four adult women were in Kunia, a rural area, and were thrown out of their pickup and killed. Riding in pickup beds is like playing Russian roulette. In May 2010, a Kaimuki High senior was thrown from a pickup and died instantly.

There have been many more that happened here, and there will be many more. When will this insanity on our roads end?

Eugene Cordero
Pearl City

Some people like Laniakea barriers

At Laniakea, I thought the best temporary solution was to put up the barriers, which for now are allowing the traffic to flow.

A group of people failed to get what they wanted, so an erosion issue was raised. There are worse erosion problems on this island. Waikiki and other areas will be gone first.

For some, it seems that the most important thing to do is to realign the highway so that they can have a parking area that would attract more tourists. But that shows little concern for Hawaiian archaeological and historical sites in the area that could be disturbed.

There are a lot of mixed feelings about this issue, and some people shouldn’t make comments to the media as if they speak for all of us.

Flo Robinson
Waialua

Power Five teams should join NFL

Yes, change will happen in the college football landscape because the Power Five conferences’ goals are to separate themselves away from the remaining five FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) conferences and to secure a bigger share of the NCAA money pot.

They are willing to pay their student-athletes a stipend and other benefits beyond their traditional scholarship, etc. (which is way more than what the average college student gets).

In my mind, these Power Five athletes will become "professional" athletes.

The five other "have not" FBS conferences will not be able to keep pace with the Power Five, and separation will occur.

Maybe the Power Five conferences should seek membership in the National Football League.

Myron Wong
Hawaii Kai

‘Addiction’ same as ‘dependent’

Jacob Sullum’s column cannot be allowed to pass without rebuttal ("Law meant to protect babies based on misconceptions," Star-Advertiser, July 19).

His usage of half-truths and quotes out of context could easily lead people to believe it is safe for pregnant mothers to use crystal methamphetamine.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Committee Opinion states: "Methamphetamine use in pregnancy … increases the risk of low birth weight and small for gestational age babies and … may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental problems in children."

Sullum’s use of the quote that "by definition, babies cannot be ‘addicted’ to … anything" is misleading, and ludicrous. The terms "drug dependence" and "addiction" are often used interchangeably. As such, babies can be born "addicted" (drug dependent), hence the diagnosis — neonatal abstinence syndrome — which essentially is withdrawal in newborns.

While the threshold at which substance use leads to deleterious effects on the fetus has yet to be defined, the most prudent course to maximize fetal health is abstinence of substance use during pregnancy.

Joseph W. Turban, M.D.
Makakilo

Some Hawaiians proud of U.S., too

I like what I saw one recent morning while driving to work.

There was a truck ahead of me with a sticker "Proud to be Hawaiian." Displayed on the back of the truck, driver side, was a U.S. flag, about a quarter of the regular size, and on the passenger side was a Native Hawaiian emblem of the same size.

Tony Ramil
Wailuku