STOP AIRING TV ADS; GIVE MONEY TO POOR

After looking at what felt like at least 50 commercials this morning about our candidates for Congress (although it was really more like 10), I would like to ask the candidates if they would consider not running any more commercials and using that money to feed the poor or for some other worthy cause.

How many times must we see the same commercials? I can't speak for all voters, but I know that I have already made up my mind and watching the same commercials again and again is only irritating — so much so that I might not vote for any of them.

CIVIL UNIONS

END DID NOT JUSTIFY MEANS ON HB 444

My father used to preach to me that "the end does not justify the means," and that the process of obtaining something is just as important as the result, even if the result is deemed to be a good thing.

In a recent commentary, Rep. Tom Brower, speaking of the passage of the civil unions bill, claimed that "It is a shame that the vote couldn't have been done in a more dignified and open way. The perceived "sneakiness" of the process cheapened the bill's glory like a bad aftertaste" ("Civil unions vote was flawed, I was there," May 9).

Brower further states that "No matter the end result, the process needs to ensure fairness."

But despite his qualms about the process, Brower voted for the bill. If Brower really believed everything he said about the process, it would have been refreshing to see him follow his own principles and vote against the bill because it wasn't presented fairly.

BIBLICAL REFERENCES HAVEN'T CHANGED

With the resurfacing of HB 444, much has been said about homosexuality and the Bible. Here is my summary.

In the Old Testament (Lev. 18:22; Lev. 20:13) homosexuality is described as an abomination to the Lord. In the New Testament, it is described as an unnatural function (Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 6:9).

Some biblical laws cited in the Old Testament (i.e. dietary laws, religious ceremonies) were fulfilled in the New Testament, which makes them obsolete today; however, God's view concerning homosexuality has not changed from one testament to the other.

To say homosexuality is acceptable to God and a natural function contradicts everything the Bible teaches on this subject. Just because a person has preferences or strong desires doesn't mean it is always right and honoring to the Creator.

God doesn't hate homosexuals or those who oppose civil unions. The truth is He is a loving, merciful God. God sent Jesus to die on the cross to forgive sin and to set man free from all sexual diversions and all other sins. No one is without sin and everyone needs to receive God's forgiveness.

MĀKUA VALLEY

LAND IS WANTED, NOT NEEDED, FOR ARMY

Army Secretary John McHugh said, regarding Mākua, "The Army has done a more than credible job" preserving historic and environmentally sensitive sites in the valley ("Mākua plan supported," May 9).

He demonstrates the Army's unwillingness to consult with the affected community, and therefore his information is incomplete; he has not been told that we are currently prevented from accessing the majority of our cultural/religious sites.

He is also unaware that in several past training events, mortars fell outside the target areas, in locations that have not been surveyed, and have a high probability of damaging cultural sites.

Most significantly, the Army's actions run counter to their current EIS. They state that they need Mākua for live-fire training but have not significantly used it in the past six years. It is clear that Mākua is a want, not a need.

In less than 19 years, the Army's lease of Mākua Valley will expire. A more prudent course of action is to prepare for the transition to civilian use. Hawaiians need Mākua. It is essential to our culture, beliefs, and our training.

SYMPHONY

LOSING ORCHESTRA ANOTHER 'BRAIN DRAIN'

When will our community realize that the closing of the Honolulu Symphony means further, and endless, "brain drain"? Our state already loses out when its most educated, aspiring, and experienced minds in other fields don't return to Hawai'i after college.

With the end of the symphony, locally-grown musicians also lose their chances to return home. And it is not just listeners of classical music that feel the repercussions.

Many of Hawai'i's youth, once trained by symphony musicians, have gone on to study at world-class conservatories. It's at these schools that our local talent shines, not just as star instrumentalists or vocalists, but as well-rounded musicians, whose musical repertoire include Hawaiian, exotica and jazz genres, and who serve as unofficial artistic ambassadors of Hawai'i's unique musical culture.

Many of us, myself included, share our love for Hawai'i through our music, and deserve to do so in Hawai'i and not outside of it.

A state without a professional orchestra, however, is a state that is impossible to come home to.

RAPE SUSPECT

HOW CAN THIS MAN STILL BE ON STREETS?

Enough is enough.

It is absolutely unbelievable that our court system (which, at times, is a joke masquerading in a black robe) would allow a person with 83 arrests and 38 convictions to be on the streets ("Sex attack suspect indicted," May 13).

Where is the justice for the innocent law-abiding citizens of Hawai'i?

But our police force is at it again with its "Click It or Ticket" campaign. Don't wear a seat belt, and bam, you get nailed by a herd of police officers. Where are their priorities and where is it safe?

ALL VOTES MATTER

BEST CANDIDATE WILL HELP THE VULNERABLE

I urge all who are eligible to vote for the state's newest congressional representative, to vote for the candidate who will immediately join in legislation that supports and defends the education, health, and welfare of Hawai'i's children, elderly and disabled populations.

While the most vulnerable, these populations have been most affected by the state's economic downturn and are not able to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

Please choose wisely. Your vote matters to all of us.

NOT JUST TOURISTS

KEEP HAWAI'I CLEAN FOR RESIDENTS, TOO

Why do we have to use the impact on visitors as a reason to do any cleanup or caring for our environment?

Responsible local people also are repelled by illegal dumping, trash on our beaches, takeover of our parks, pollution of our water, etc. Can't we just clean up our oceans, streams and open spaces because it is the right thing to do?

A huge thank you to the local groups who clean up other people's messes and try to beat back invasive species. What would we do with without you?

We should all appreciate and protect our Islands for everyone.

ONLINE COMMENTS

ONLY REAL NAMES SHOULD BE ALLOWED

I read online comments on stories daily from The New York Times to The Wall Street Journal. These comments are well-monitored and moderated. They add interest to the story by expanding on technical aspects or adding wisdom or insight. The comments are good and give balance to a story. And the people usually take responsibility for their comments by using their real names and professions.

Then we have The Honolulu Advertiser. Here we have people using screen names and hiding as they spew disparaging, nonsensical and hideous remarks. In a recent story, a 71-year-old woman said that she didn't want to dip into her Social Security but was unable to find work.

Here come the comments. One person wrote, "I have little sympathy for her. She should have put her money in treasury bonds." I guess that hindsight is definitely 20/20.

Teenagers die in horrific motor vehicle crashes and we see comments about how dumb these kids are. Who cares if their families are in mourning and devastated by the deaths? Let's stop the derogatory comments that have no constructive value.

HOMELESS

PRIORITIZE AND GIVE CARE TO LOCALS FIRST

Kind of sad, isn't it? More and more locals are forced to move to the Mainland, where the cost of living is less, to raise their families.

Meanwhile, unemployed from the Mainland (homeless/freeloaders by choice, whatever you want to call them) are snatching up one-way tickets to Honolulu where $90 gets you monthly shelter at IHS and beautiful weather. Not even a waiting list. What a deal. Let's spread the word!

If we've learned anything from this past legislative session, it is that government/business as usual does not work any more.

How hard would it be to introduce a bill requiring a one-year waiting period before applying for benefits? Other states do it.

Prioritize shelters/housing for the local residents. I would think taking care of our 'ohana would trump enabling a 49-year-old homeless man from Sacramento who just wanted a change of scenery, better weather and free meals.