Now that the dust has barely settled and the Republicans and anti-Obama zealots have attacked the White House about the alleged restrictions on mammography they claim Obama wants to impose on women, it was interesting to learn that the federal Preventive Services Task Force was actually appointed by President Bush and that it acts, by law, independently of the administration.
According to a New York Times article (Nov. 20), the task force was created by Congress to independently assess medical and health care policy regarding preventable diseases without any oversight by the Health secretary or any other administration official. It released its recommendation without any input by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius or the White House. While the motivations of the Republican-appointed panel can be challenged, its independence from the Obama administration and the Obama administration distancing itself from the panel's recommendations cannot.
The reaction of Republicans and anti-government radicals, with their knee-jerk attacks on President Obama, again demonstrate their lack of integrity and the irrationality of their positions on health-insurance reform that is motivated by politics and not the truth.

FRANCIS M. NAKAMOTO | Honolulu

GRAVE MARKERS

DEFACEMENT REMOVAL IS A NO-BRAINER

The question surrounding the ocean grave markers seems like a no-brainer. The perpetrators should be responsible for their removal, just like the Kailua High School and Kaläheo High School classes who defaced Olomana and other hillsides. The DLNR should move swiftly too. I remember the first Norfolk pine tree planted on the Kailua Pali hillside. It was covered with yellow ribbons and was very symbolic, stoically standing alone, but look at the hillside now. If we don't make up our minds fast, before we know it we'll have patches of cement all over our volcanic sea cliffs, and that won't be a pretty sight.

CANDAS LEE REGO | Kailua

NATATORIUM

GETTING IT STRAIGHT ON MAYOR'S PLAN

Richard Moe wrote an emotionally charged Natatorium piece (Dec. 4); however his information is incorrect and he really didn't get much right.

Moe stated that he was impressed with the landmark a decade ago. Since the Natatorium was closed in 1979 and the interior is crumbling and inaccessible, he must have been referring to the arches. The arches will be reconstructed and will remain very impressive.

Moe referred to former Mayor Harris' $11 million restoration plan. With the adoption of saltwater pool rules by the Department of Health, the Harris plan could not be implemented.

Moe stated that $6.9 million was diverted in the general fund. The funding for the project was from general improvement bonds and was not spent on other projects. Since the project was canceled, no bonds were needed to fund it.

Moe said all approvals were secured for the restoration of the pool. He is correct, but since 2004, these approvals are no longer valid. Any project from this point on would need to secure all new permits.

Mayor Hannemann has clearly stated that the city will go through the EIS process, which includes identifying all required permits. Our process is totally transparent and will allow the public many opportunities to comment and monitor all steps necessary to proceed with the partial restoration project.

COLLINS LAM | Deputy director, Department of Design and Construction

HEALTH CARE

IT'S NOT 'OBAMA'S WAY OR NO WAY'

In response to Rick Lloyd's question to those who oppose the current health care bill (Dec. 3) I will say that his compassion and concern for his fellow citizens are commendable but misdirected.

Time and time again, those who stand in opposition to the government taking over health care have been portrayed as cloaked villains either blind to or in favor of the "shameful conditions " that he cites. This is simply categorically false. Nearly everyone in the country agrees that some sort of reform is long overdue.

The point is that many of us feel that there is more than one way to skin a cat, and are apprehensive to have the government take over almost 16 percent of our GDP given its deplorable history in running programs. It is disconcerting for us to be told "Obama's way or no way."

It is the function of government to legislate substantive change, not to take over completely.

So to answer your question, Mr. Lloyd, no, I am not willing for the "shameful conditions" to which you refer to continue, but I disagree that they will if this particular bill fails to pass.

STEVE HINTON | Waialua

B&BS

BILL 7 INAPPROPRIATE IN HOUSING CRUNCH

In his latest version of the bill to legalize B&Bs (Bill 7, 2008), Councilman Ikaika Anderson has added all apartment-zoned areas on Oahu as areas where B&Bs will be permitted. This means that all apartments will now be legally allowed to rent up to three bedrooms to tourists. At the current time, this is only allowed in Waikíkí and portions of Ko Olina. On an island that has a critical shortage of housing, it is inappropriate and counterproductive to ask our local families to compete with the hotel-type rents that tourists can pay for short periods.

Don't we have too large a population of homeless residents as it is? It is bad enough that our single-family residential areas would be converted to mini-hotel uses, but now any apartment building within reasonable driving distance of a beach could essentially become a hotel. The City Council has scheduled a final vote on this bill on Dec. 16; it should not be adopted.

CHUCK PRENTISS | Kailua