Vandalizing signs is poor politics

Already this year, I’ve heard more stories than ever about campaign-related vandalism.

A friend recently found canine feces hanging from her Charles Djou sign.

Another friend, on the opposite corner of Hawaii Kai, had his Djou sign altogether stolen from his front yard.

Driving through that area, I noticed numerous other Djou signs knocked to the ground and teetering off their posts.

Even more outrageous, a highway banner for state Rep. Gene Ward was defaced with a Hitler mustache and devil horns.

Do vandals understand that defaced signs should actually help the person they’re trying to insult, as voters affiliate tactless vandalism with opponents?

If I were undecided, the petty displays in East Oahu would push me toward Ward and Djou.

And we wonder why so few people want to run for office? We all bear responsibility to improve communal decorum.

Elise Anderson
Kahala

U.S. weapons fuel horrible conflicts

During the last two weeks, the Israeli government’s military attack on Gaza has killed around 700 Palestinians, with more than 70 percent of them innocent civilians, including women and children.

Thousands of homes are destroyed, whole families killed.

More than 100,000 Palestinians are displaced refugees who cannot escape Gaza.

Hospitals, clinics, and schools are attacked. Ambulances are prevented from reaching injured and dead.

Four boys playing ball on the beach were killed. Water, electricity and sewage systems are disrupted.

Words that come to mind are siege, massacre, terrorism, genocide, unjust war, crimes against humanity and holocaust.

To the degree that the United States and other governments support the Israeli government, including with military equipment and supplies, are they not complicit in this horror to some degree?

Likewise, what about biased coverage of most mainstream media in the U.S.?

Leslie E. Sponsel
Hawaii Kai

People who talk also need to walk

In response to "Fleeing children could use love"(Letters, Star-Advertiser, July 23): Our government is desperately seeking people like the author of this letter to accept a few of these fleeing children.

How many can they send you so you can provide the love and care you demonstrated in your letter?

Please call the Immigration Service in Texas and give your name, address, phone number, etc. — and also make sure you tell all you know who feel as you do to do the same.

Mahalo to you for following through by opening your heart and your home to help these "refugee children" to grow up with your guidance, love and care.

Harlan Dismuke
Ala Moana

Birth control ruling must be overturned

Just a few weeks ago, five men on the U.S. Supreme Court sent this country in a dangerous direction when they ruled that corporate interests trump women’s rights.

Several recent letters to the editor are so off course in their support of this wrongful decision it is pathetic.

The court’s ruling to allow employers to dictate women’s health care decisions has the potential to affect 52 percent or more of our workforce.

We’re not just talking about birth control; this ruling jeopardizes critical health care benefits to which everyone deserves affordable access.

A woman’s boss should have no say in her health care decisions. No one’s boss should.

People need to speak out and let their congressional representatives know what a wrong this is — and that it must be overturned.

Shay Bintliff, M.D.
Kamuela

Notice was lacking for new home tax

I am writing in hopes that the City Council will offer some assistance to the homeowners who have just fallen into a new tax classification.

There could have been a more gradual change or more notice given; perhaps an assessment to see who was actually living in these million-dollar homes.

Many of us are homeowners who live in our homes, not long-distance investors. We have lived in our home for 35 years. Recently retired, the jump from $8,000 to $16,000 is devastating.

We need some relief for this year. Perhaps the only thing is for us sell our homes. Actually, a million-dollar home is not that uncommon in today’s market.

Please consider the relief that Councilmembers Stanley Chang and Ikaika Anderson are proposing. They seem to understand our difficulties, rather than just focusing on the dollars the tax will bring to the city.

Barbara Dwyer
Kahuku

Disabled visitor treated poorly at jail

The Honolulu Federal Detention Center (FDC) has to change its handicapped-visitor search policy.

I was not allowed entry to the Honolulu FDC because the metal inside my body activated the metal detector.

An FDC lieutenantstated that the policy for handicapped people was for me to bring in a primary physician’s letter stating that I had metal inside my body.

I cannot return to visit until I have that letter. This information was not mentioned in the original visitation request form. This information was not mentioned during my five-month waiting period. This information was not mentioned during my four prior visits.

There is no reasonable accommodation to be given to handicapped visitors.

Even though I removed my prosthetic leg for an X-ray inspection, it was not enough.

A pat-down was not a reasonable alternative.

Keoni Ronald May
McCully-Moiliili