BUS STOPS

DON'T ENACT A BAN, CHANGE BENCH DESIGN

I firmly agree that the proposal to ban sleeping at bus stops will add more work for police.

On a recent trip to the Mainland, I noticed that the benches at Los Angeles Airport were of an unusual design — about 4 feet long, raised down the middle and sloping on both front and back edges.

With such a design, it would be uncomfortable, if not impossible, for someone to lie or sleep on it, yet comfortable enough to sit on. I also noticed that there were no homeless sleeping or sitting on these benches. Problem solved.

I imparted this information to my councilman, Charles Djou, and received a confirmation as to its receipt.

Obviously, Councilman Rod Tam was not made privy to this e-mail.

Of course, there is a cost involved. But what is the cost of tying up a police officer to monitor bus stops?

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

CALIFORNIA HIGH COURT USURPED WILL OF PEOPLE

The California Supreme Court's refusal to stay its ruling, which nullified the state's Defense of Marriage Act, is further evidence of judges usurping the will of the people by legislating from the bench.

An overwhelming 61 percent of Californians, or 4.6 million, voted in 2000 for traditional marriage.

The court action overturning the historic definition of marriage was a flagrant disregard of the democratic process as set forth by our Founding Fathers.

The people have the right to decide this question, not a tyrannical court. Some judges falsely linked the ruling to the history of interracial marriage between one man and one woman. However, homosexual and interracial marriages are not comparable.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CALIFORNIA NEWLYWEDS

I want to extend my congratulations and prayers for a good marriage adventure to newlyweds 84-year-old Phyllis Lyon and 87-year-old Del Martin, the first couple to be married this week in California after a lifting of the ban against same-sex marriage.

They have been together since 1952. It's past time to acknowledge those whom God has joined. Blessings to you women and many more to follow.

I regret, as a Presbyterian Church U.S.A. minister, that my denomination continues to define marriage as a sacrament between a man and a woman.

I look forward to the day when my church will be moved by God's transforming love to see, honor and undergird the blessings God offers to all who make mutual lifelong vows in trust, hope and love.

BOOKS

TRAVEL ADVENTURES ARE AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

With the rise in gas, airline and other travel prices and the curtailment of travel, there are still means to go on an adventure, and they are right at the local bookstore or library.

Read a book. The number of readers has reportedly been falling every year, but what better time to settle down with a good book?

For the price of a couple gallons of gas, one can travel through time, live adventures, experience thrills and learn great things that will improve the mind.

Instead of jumping into the car or airplane, grab your favorite beverage and a book. Relax and read!

ALA WAI SITE

DOGS, OWNERS DESERVE THEIR PLACE IN THE PARK

I have multiple sclerosis, but remained a vibrant part of the white-collar working community until last June.

My service dog is my faithful servant all day, so the dog park was her only outlet to run and play with other dogs. I have also made many friends, some who are handicapped as well.

As taxpaying/voting citizens, we have a right to a place in a community park to socialize with pets and ourselves, especially when a space was already promised ("Interim dog park considered," June 16).

We had no control over Mother Nature or Hawai'i's aging sewer system. Why should our dogs suffer because of it? Give us a place in the park. Mahalo.

BODY EXHIBITION

HUMAN BODY AMAZING, CENTER'S EXHIBIT GROSS

There is a scene in the original "Planet of the Apes" (1968) that starred Charlton Heston and was co-written by the great Rod Serling, where Heston's character is on the run in a world run by apes and he goes into a museum where there are human cadavers on display.

The scene demonstrates a civilization gone mad. Additionally, the scene is to give aggression to Heston's character and the audience in the realization of such atrocity to the human body. The scene works perfectly.

Is it just me or is there anyone else out there who finds a similar kind of grossness and effect in Ala Moana Center exhibiting human cadavers, the Chinese exposition of "Bodies...The Exhibition?"

There is no doubt we are all amazed with the human body, but can't we teach ourselves and our children such wonderment in a more civilized way? Has education in Hawai'i come to this?

As my 8-year-old said to me when asking me about the pictures in your paper, "That's sick! Why would they do that?"

Don't give me the freedom of speech thing, it's the human body ripped to shreds in a shopping center.

DRIVING

IT'S NEWS ISLE DRIVERS LACK ROAD KNOWLEDGE?

"Hawai'i drivers lack road knowledge," honoluluadvertiser.com, June 13.

Wow! What a news flash!

ELECTIONS

GOVERNOR SHOULD SIGN PUBLIC FUNDING BILL

Congratulations on the Big Island's decision to try public funding of elections.

Private funding would still be an option for those who choose that. Many candidates see the wisdom of the public funding approach, however. Private special-interest funding can make it challenging for a candidate to maintain loyalty to the public interest, and thus can cause tremendous taxpayer expenses associated with uneven planning and short-term decisions.

Private funding can also require significant commitment of a candidate's time and energy soliciting special-interest money — time and energy that could instead be spent connecting with and learning and fulfilling the needs of their greater constituency.

Gov. Linda Lingle should let the Big Island try public funding.

BONUSES

JUDGE KING DELIVERED JUSTICE IN ALOHA CASE

Bonuses for former Aloha Airlines CEO David Banmiller and former Aloha Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Kessler?

I think not. At $500 an hour each, Banmiller and Kessler had better be working very hard in good faith toward liquidating the airline's assets.

Kudos to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King for his fair and sound assessment of bankruptcy trustee Dane Field's proposal. Bonuses and incentives for these two already highly compensated individuals are outrageous.

It is unconscionable for anyone to profit from the demise of Aloha Airlines, a proud and historic part of Hawai'i. It should never have happened.

Aloha's shutdown was a sad day for all of Hawai'i, and the lives of so many hard-working, dedicated, honest and loyal workers have forever been negatively impacted.

Thank you, Judge King, for delivering what little justice is left.

FIREARMS

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR CONCEALED CARRY LAW

Your June 16 article "Deaths spur witness-response debate" quotes state Sen. Fred Hemmings: "If you do intervene, you have to take the person who's committing the murder or the crime, you have to take them out."

Is the senator arguing that Hawai'i should have "shall issue" concealed carry firearms law?

Hawai'i currently has a "may issue" firearm carry law — it's up to the chief of police to decide whether or not to issue a concealed carry permit to a citizen who requests one.

A "shall issue" statute (like in 35 other states) requires the chief of police to issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon if the requester has no criminal history, is mentally sound, takes a firearm course and purchases a carry permit.

Thirty-five other states allow concealed carry, and they haven't turned into the Wild West scenarios that anti-gun proponents always say will happen.

Maybe it's time for Hawai'i to allow its citizens to protect themselves, and to eliminate "gun free" zones where criminals know their victims are unarmed.