• Let civil-unions bill become law • War on drugs has been lost • Dog poop is biodegradable Let civil-unions bill become law Editor’s note: This letter was written to Gov. Linda Lingle. I am writing to urge you not
• Let civil-unions bill become law • War on drugs has been lost • Dog poop is biodegradable
Let civil-unions bill become law
Editor’s note: This letter was written to Gov. Linda Lingle.
I am writing to urge you not to veto the recently-passed civil-unions bill. Vetoing this bill may be the “safe” thing to do, but sometimes you must stand up for what is right and while it may not be the most popular stand to take, putting an end to discrimination is the right thing to do.
I am a gay male, age 59. I have served my country in the Army, including having earned two Bronze Stars during my 2 and 1/2 years service in Vietnam. My “other half” Roy and I will celebrate our 30-year anniversary next year in March. The love we feel for each other is no less valid and no less strong than the love felt between heterosexual couples. I will be 60 this coming October. Roy will be 66. We’re getting “up there” in years. Sometime in the not-so-far future when one of us passes away, the pain that will be felt by the surviving partner will be no less than that felt by a heterosexual person when his or her partner dies.
We do not come to you pleading for your understanding or begging for your tolerance. We come to you affirming our pride in our lifestyles, affirming the validity of our right to seek and maintain emotional relationships, and affirming our right to participate in the life of the country on an equal basis with every other citizen.
Please let this bill pass. It is the right thing to do.
Thank you.
Loyd Clayton, Hanapepe
War on drugs has been lost
The “War on Drugs” is a failure, let’s face it. Read the headlines “24 dead in Mexico in 24 hours.” What a tragedy. All because society and government has taken it upon itself to declare war on drugs. It is not working. There are no winners just countless dead losers. The illegal drug trade has won the war. Let’s declare peace, make drugs legal and put an end to the carnage. Those who chose to smoke pot or take drugs to drown out the pain of life if that is what they chose do it is OK. It is their choice and it is legal. By making the production and sale of drugs legal the drug lords are out of business. No more profits for their dirty business, no more killing. The legal production and sale of these products will be taxed just like everything else. Society wins because we declare peace. I know this is a radical approach for those in law enforcement because they lose funding, no need for choppers, no need to put people in prison. Let the individual decide if he or she wants to smoke pot or take drugs, it’s legal just like booze. OK, I got it off my chest, we lost the war on drugs. Now let’s win the peace.
Mahalo to all.
John E. Moseley, Princeville
Dog poop is biodegradable
When I heard that the conflict between dogs and the coastal path was not over I could not believe it! My first reaction was that I did not recall hearing any reports of violence between a person and dog in the past 18 months. Then it was brought to my attention the real reason.
I didn’t know we were keeping tabs on dog ‘droppings.’ For that matter, where’s the record of cigarette butts, empty drink containers, and snack bags that can get blown away and consumed by an endangered sea bird or turtle? If we are really going to play this game let’s do it fairly, and I think you will see the majority of the waste is from humans not dogs.
I know many people who would love to have a job spending their entire day maintaining a coastal trail without complaint. In this economy, it blows my mind there is a union out there complaining about their workload. Perhaps we should consider a union that actually wants to work, not complain about trivial issues. Since when does a union decide or dictate the future of how our island residents enjoy their outside activities?
The mayor’s bill to designate a remote, dog-friendly segment of the coastal path segregates a huge section of our population that considers their dog a part of their family, including their furry friends in their regular outdoor activities.
Dogs that take regular walks are happy dogs. Dogs are the motivating force for many in our community to actually get out of the house after work and take a walk. Obesity in the United States, beginning from childhood, is an ongoing and increasing concern. Those who take regular walks are healthy, happy citizens, and if you are a dog owner, you will never leave your furry friend behind.
We need to work as a community to share the path together. Families with dogs need to follow the rules of the path by keeping dogs on a leash and cleaning up after them. Families with children need to teach their kids the proper etiquette of riding a bike, paying respect to those around them. Those who smoke cigarettes need to be conscious of picking up their butts. Those who eat and drink need to make sure their empty containers end up in the trash and recycling bins. And for the record, dog poop is biodegradable. Drink containers, cigarette butts and snack bags are not. At the end of the day and a heavy rain, the waste from humans, not dogs, is what is left behind.
We are a small community on a beautiful Island that needs to work together. There is plenty of space for all of us. There is absolutely no reason for this issue to continue any longer. I thought this game was over.
Stephanie Krieger, Kapa‘a
