• Deport? Not a chance • Bicycle safety • Standing out • The most precious asset Deport? Not a chance By what criteria should our government deport a foreign national? The Aug. 17 Garden Island article “Pironti changes plea
• Deport? Not a chance • Bicycle safety • Standing out • The most precious asset
Deport? Not a chance
By what criteria should our government deport a foreign national?
The Aug. 17 Garden Island article “Pironti changes plea in Wailua shooting case” indicates that an armed non-citizen bigot who threatens lives while aiming a shotgun at neighbor’s faces then damaging property with three gun blasts may not be enough to get punted from the USA.
So what’s it going to take?
Reporter Curtis’ article reveals that “…there is always a chance for deportation after a felony conviction, but whether deportation proceedings are triggered involves several different scenarios.”
Seriously, zwhat scenarios?
Further still, this dangerous criminal is free on bail saddled only with a temporary restraining order until trial. But we need to wait because poor Mr. Pironti needs surgery.
Tax dollars will continue to pay for his processing (over a year-old now) in a system bent on protecting this foreigner’s rights.
Consider this possibility: Pirontis of this country are commodities — cash cows for the expanding prison and medical systems still growing in America today. Instead of shipping this loser off to whatever land he came from for good, the “market” could keep this bargaining chip locked-up for profit at taxpayer expense.
If you think a one-way ticket out of state is pricey, research the cost of imprisonment.
Though, if the shoe fits, after his medical recovery this wacko might spend a couple sunny months picking papaya, marching, playing volleyball across the highway from Wailua Golf Course, or perhaps the “justice” system sees fit this loon will stick around in the neighborhood, check in with his parole officer periodically between threats and polish the 12-gauge.
Until he does something serious.
Bet my passport, Pironti stays under the Stars and Stripes, gets three-squares-a-day, a roof overhead and all the medical benefits he can pocket. Deport? Not a chance.
Rolf Bieber, Kapa‘a
Bicycle safety
I read with interest Tuesday’s letter in The Garden Island about bicycle racks being installed at Kapa‘a High School. The writer is concerned that bicycle racks will increase the likelihood of a “bicycle tragedy.”
There is no evidence that installing bike racks increases accidents.
Quite the contrary. The presence of bike racks makes bicycling more visible in the community and adds to awareness.
There is overwhelming evidence that motorists contribute to bicycle-related injuries. Should we then eliminate parking for cars? Of course not.
Here is what we can all do to actually improve bicycling safety.
1. Obey the speed limit, everywhere, all the time. Kawaihau Road has a speed limit of 25 mph, which is about the max speed limit for motorists and bicyclists to share the road with no bike lane.
2. Stay off your cell phone when driving (and bicycling).
These are the most critical and evidence based measures everyone can do right now, without costing anyone a dime as it is already the law.
For their part bicyclists should:
1. Travel with traffic, never against traffic.
2. Stay to the right when it is safe and practical to do so.
3. Signal when you are changing lanes or turning. For example, if you have to move into the lane of travel to go around the (plentiful) obstructions on the shoulder, signal that you are doing so.
Let’s focus on improving safety rather than making it more difficult to ride bicycles to school.
Kurt Rutter, Kapa‘a
Standing out
Yea, Kimo, someone finally tells it as it is with County Council (“Re-elect nobody,” Letters, Aug. 17).
In Business 101 they would be called “Peter’s principle” at work where one rises to one’s own inefficiency.
I personally do not want a “Bubba” in council with whom I can set down and have a beer with. I want someone who is smarter and more politically competent than I am.
However, anyone can stand out in a field of mediocrity.
Ray Holmes, Kapa‘a
The most precious asset
A quiet home is a blessing. We must compromise as neighbors.
Of course once in a while a dog can bark. I have been the victim of callous neighbors that do not mind infringing on others with no clue of how rude they are being.
They have no clue as to how their dog is destroying the tranquility surrounding their home. And they exhibit a selfish attitude when it is brought to their attention.
We need a dog barking law to preserve home values as well as neighbors rights to peaceful rest and enjoyment of their most precious asset.
Scott Shapiro, Kalaheo
