Letters To The Editor
July 18, 2007 - MidWeek
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Del.icio.usParanoid science
Bob Jones’column on Michael R. Fox was interesting, but it failed to identify the paranoia that drives Fox’s opinions on environmental matters. In his articles at the Hawaii Reporter, Fox routinely expresses the view that environ-mentalists, particularly global warming scientists, are a nasty, totalitarian bunch that suppresses dissenting facts and opinions and creates mass hysteria among the general public, all to selfishly line their pockets with research money.
Religiously devoted to laissez-faire economics, Fox is apparently unable to accept scientific and popular consensus on global warming, because any governmental action taken to mitigate the problem cuts too close to the sacred bone of the libertarian manifesto. For Fox, the choice between cleaning planet through some government regulation or progressively trashing planet through unfettered commerce is a no-brainer. He’ll take the pollution any day!
Todd Shelly
Hawaii Kai
Tobacco toon
I was disappointed by MidWeek‘s decision to run Roy Chang’s cartoon depicting the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii (June 13) in such a negative way.
One of the biggest complaints we receive is from people who are frustrated by unwanted cigarette smoke drifting into their homes via windows and ventilation systems from neighboring units. The health risks associated with seecondhand smoke are serious.
The Surgeon General’s 2006 report on secondhand smoke showed that 60 percent of children in the United States are exposed to secondhand smoke, mostly at home, yet only 25 percent of the children live with a smoker. Young children are particularly vulnerable to secondhand smoke - particularly respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. It is not enough to protect our keiki from secondhand smoke in public places. We must protect them at home, too.
There are noise ordinances to protect people from noise pollution and many apartment buildings, condo and townhouse associations have restrictions on everything from drying laundry on the lanai to the number and size of pets allowed. These restrictions seem benign and irrelevant compared to involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke - which can cause potentially fatal illnesses. Not to mention the terrible smell, costly damage and high insurance liability associated with cigarette smoke.
Smoke-free residential buildings are not a new concept in Hawaii. Anumber of condo and apartment buildings have already gone smoke-free. These property managers and owner association boards recognize that smoke-free living is healthier and less costly. It is as legal as setting “quiet hours” or being pet-free.
The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii is sympathetic to smokers. We understand that most smokers have tried or want to quit, and we know that tobacco is a difficult addicition to overcome. Homes that are smoke-free provide a more supportive environment for those who want to quit and create an environment where children are far less likely to begin the habit.
Kathy Harty, Interim Director
Kaneohe
Nation of citizens
Michelle Malkin can be over the top sometimes, but her comments about assimilation being the key to immigration is right on. So is her assertion that we are first a nation of laws. We are not a nation of immigrants, we’re a nation of citizens. My great-grandfather, for example, was an immigrant, but he became a citizen.
Arnold Leong
Aiea
Cheering Mahina
I loved the cover story on Mahina Eleneki Hugo. I remember her from her days playing volleyball with the UH Wahine - and winning our first national championship! Like so many of our athletes, I hadn’t heard what she was doing since then, and I’m so proud of all that she is accomplishing as the head of La Pietra. I’m sure Coach Dave Shoji is very proud too. Mahina truly is, as the headline said, a “Role Model” for those girls.
Eleanor Tamura
Honolulu
An Eddie fan
It was great seeing Eddie Sherman’s photo in the MidWeek Poll. I miss reading his column in MidWeek.
Tom Lee
Kaimuki
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