'BODIES' BILL

QUESTIONABLE EXHIBIT SHOULD BE PROHIBITED

I applaud the proposal before state lawmakers introduced by Rep. Marcus Oshiro and reported in the Jan. 28 article by Peter Boylan. I found the exhibition of "Bodies" reprehensible and completely agree with Rep. Oshiro that the sale and display of human bodies, without proving where they come from and getting consent from the deceased, should be prohibited. I am glad an elected official is trying to stop such presentations.

These "Bodies" came from the Communist Chinese police and could very well be those of persecuted Christians and other religious faith groups. China is listed in the top 10 persecutors of Christians in the world by Open Doors International.

It is time those outside of China said "no and not here" to "Bodies."

BETTER TO STICK WITH HELPING THE LIVING

Attention, Marcus Oshiro. Sir, the folks with whom you seem to be concerned here are already beyond your care. They cannot vote. You might want to put this Bodies exhibition bill on the back burner and deal with the living right now. The effort seems to me a ridiculous waste of time and energy in this legislative session. It most certainly would divert attention from all the problems that do need to be considered, however. For a fairly complete shopping list, see the text of Gov. Lingle's speech.

HOMELESS

PROVIDING AIRFARE HOME IS A HUMANE SOLUTION

The proposal to humanely send those unable to care for themselves back to the safety of their home environment is the most efficient, cost-effective and humane way to help Honolulu deal with our No. 2 problem in the state (after the economy), the homeless.

I would personally sponsor sending an individual who would like to return home. If or when they do decide to come back, I would consider the cost of the airfare a loan to be repaid upon return.

Thank you, Rep. Rida Cabanilla.

GOVERNMENT JOBS

TAKE A BETTER LOOK AT HARD WORKERS, UNION

As a proud municipal worker with 34 years of service with the Board of Water Supply, I would like to respond to portions of Mr. Richard J. Saas' letter (Jan. 28).

In Mr. Saas' fourth paragraph he states, "They will be able to earn the same salary and benefits for working even less hard than they do now."

Informational technology is a wonderful tool but IT has created more paperwork for us and taken valuable time away from our primary duties. In my profession we are being tasked with the enforcement of numerous federal, state and city environmental laws and regulations in the course of the normal working day than we ever had to do and do it with fewer people on staff.

In Mr. Saas' last paragraph he states, "Our government leaders do not have the guts to go against the unions covering government employees." I urge Mr. Saas to do a little research as to what circumstances led to the formation of HGEA.

You may be frankly surprised, as I was, that it came from dedicated employees who saw and did not like the effects of politics/politicians affecting our mission of providing a much-needed service to the people of the City and County of Honolulu.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS

PACKAGE REALLY A TAX ON THE POOREST OF PEOPLE

While our government officials salivate for their share of the recently passed $825 billion "stimulus package," let us be prudent and understand this "package" for what it really is: a direct tax on the poorest of people, the most insidious and least understood tax of all, price inflation (the inflation tax).

Increasing the money supply in the ridiculous amounts we have already seen can only result in high inflation, worse than anything we've ever seen before.

If you do not believe me, please check out this chart from the Fed's own Web site (www.stlouisfed.org/timeline/data.cfm) and see for yourself the adjusted monetary base. Do not be surprised to see that the chart has turned vertical due to the recent government bailouts that have caused the money supply to skyrocket.

This will have the inevitable, and dangerous, result of higher prices for consumer goods and commodities in the long term. To America's leaders I have a message from the youth of today: Don't force me and my children to pay for your mistakes and for your debts! No taxation without representation!

PIT BULLS

PIT BULLS BAN MAY HELP SPARE DOGS FURTHER ABUSE

The proposed bill to ban the breed of pit bulls seems highly disagreeable at first, but perhaps there is a lighter side to the issue. Many people would agree that banning one specific type of breed will not curb attacks in the future. I honestly agree that a dog's aggressive behavior is to blame on the unworthy owner.

I am not fully against this proposed ban, not because I hate dogs, but because it may actually help pit bulls in the future. People beat and starve them, chain them to metal drums as "guard" dogs, and train them to attack people and other animals. Pit bulls are the most abused breed of dog, and it is the relentless abuse of these dogs at the hands of cruel people that motivates me to agree with efforts to stop people from bringing more pit bulls into the world to be hurt and exploited.

Thousands of animals die every year in shelters from lack of adoption. Do we really need to breed more of these animals, only to probably have them abused in later years or perish at the hand of shelters?