So where is the outrage? Where are the protesters?

Is the lack of opposition due to influx of money to locals via construction jobs and property tax revenues?

DUANE 'DOG' CHAPMAN

INCIDENT REVEALS THE TRUTH ABOUT CELEBRITY

When cornered or put to the test, the real "Dog" emerges, provided it is off camera. Sooner or later, the truth comes out.

DON'T BE SO QUICK TO JUDGE THE DOG

So now we must censor our private conversations? Duane Chapman's son was obviously out to try and make some money off his old man when he recorded his phone conversation and provoked his father into getting angry. So what if Chapman used a racial slur in his private conversation? How many locals here in Hawai'i use such racial slurs when talking about Mainlanders? Should your conversations be recorded, sold and broadcast?

And yes, Chapman uses some rough language when dealing with potentially violent criminals in the same episodes where he shares his Christian beliefs. So what? How many of you Sunday-morning Christians in Hawai'i — or anywhere, for that matter — can honestly say that you are perfect Christians?

How many of those who talk about caring for the 'aina toss cigarette butts onto the beach or toss rubbish out car window, adding to the litter on our islands?

As Jesus Christ said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

UH FOOTBALL

CHARGING HAWAI'I FOR ESPN GAMES A BAD CALL

Living in Hawai'i means anytime something or someone from Hawai'i receives national or international recognition, I get to be proud.

Talk around water coolers and overpriced cups of joe went from excitement to grunts of disappointments when it was announced several upcoming UH Warrior Football games will be televised live on ESPN. Yes! That means folks who normally can't see or go to a game will finally be able to join the ranks of UH fans.

Terrific, unless you live in Hawai'i — then you have to pay to view. Imagine that. Flag on the play: Hawai'i residents are penalized while the rest of the country gets to see our team play for free.

This is a terrific way to discourage more Hawai'i residents from being UH fans. To whoever is responsible for that decision: Way to go — not.

DROPOUT RATE

NIX STATEWIDE SYSTEM FOR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS

Recently it was reported that Hawai'i is 11th in the nation when it comes to high school dropouts, with seven schools labeled as dropout factories.

The DOE's response was that the numbers are inflated because of the number of students that failed ninth grade. That's the answer? So many kids failed ninth grade that these schools really aren't dropout factories. Are we surprised, then, when 35 percent of Honolulu residents send their children to private schools? The rich, powerful and those able to leave the public schools do so at a rate which is three times the national average. No one is taking responsibility to say there needs to be a change.

What we truly need are better facilities, smaller class sizes and alternative schools. This cannot be done with our current school system. It's time to abandon a statewide system and move to local school boards. The belief that a statewide system brings equality is refuted by the dropout factories. Only when people have a chance to shape their local schools will they take responsibility and hopefully bring real changes to Hawai'i's school. How many dropouts and parents leaving the public schools will it take?

SUPERFERRY

LT. GOVERNOR AIONA SHOWS LEADERSHIP

Michael Rohr's recent letter (Nov. 1), "Where is Lt. Gov. Aiona on Ferry Issue?" wrongly claims that Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona hasn't shown clear leadership on the Superferry issue. In his rush to criticize the lieutenant governor, or perhaps just blinded by his own political leanings, Rohr failed to notice this past Sunday's Advertiser (Oct. 28), wherein Aiona clearly expressed his belief that the Superferry is an "important transportation alternative for all the people of Hawai'i."

The lieutenant governor also strongly advocated for the recent special session as "an essential part of our democracy where we can all come together and begin to move forward. We can learn lessons, begin to heal and become a better state."

Mr. Rohr, I am thankful that the lieutenant governor recognizes that leadership is not about grandstanding or taking extreme positions that continue to divide the people of our great state.