WHY NOT GO BACK TO OUR OLD CALENDAR?

Back when I was in school, we began our school year in September and ended in June.

Why hasn't anyone thought of going back to this schedule? This way, the DOE would save not only on all utilities, but on rising food costs as well. We don't need to have an intersession in October and this would also add to more instructional days.

I haven't seen improvement in the learning of students today, but, rather the opposite effect from these modified and year-round terms.

The school days alone in August are more than enough to make up those 17 furlough days that the students would be missing. Just think about it!

MENTAL HEALTH

SOME PEOPLE CAN'T FUNCTION IN SOCIETY

Re: Dr. Bill Sheehan's letter ("Stigmatizing words should be avoided") on May 19:

The truth of the situation he is referring to is that the alleged assailant was, in fact, a "mental patient." His real concern should be about what a joke the mental health system really is.

Why was Joseph Navas even out in public? What exactly is proper treatment? Well, running these patients through the same repetitive cycle that has not been working for the last 20, 30, 40 years isn't working.

The fact is that some will never be able to cope on the outside. Unfortunately, there are many professionals who think these people can be rehabilitated to the point of being productive members of society, but the plain truth is that they never will be without 24/7 supervision.

RIGHTS-OF-WAY

PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR, SAFE PATH

I agree with the article, "Maui County steps up enforcement to clear public rights-of-way" (May 14).

I think the county should do something about this problem because, being a resident of Wailuku, I too have had a close encounter with a car due to the absence of a safe walkway. There was a lot of shrubbery that blocked my view of the oncoming car.

The county should set up a strict policy on what residents can and can't have as landscaping or decoration. The homeowners should abide by these rules because the pedestrian's safety is the main concern.

GOVERNOR'S RACE

WHO'S BEING MORE HYPOCRITICAL NOW?

Ken Nakamatsu, who didn't identify himself as Mayor Mufi Hannemann's recently retired director of human resources, missed several points in his May 19 letter criticizing Neil Abercrombie:

1. Mayor Hannemann is in fact a candidate for governor by raising and spending money and traveling all over the state to campaign, even if he says he's not an "official" candidate.

2. It's hypocritical for Mayor Hannemann to criticize Neil Abercrombie for resigning when he himself will be resigning with two years left in his mayoral term.

3. Neil Abercrombie did the honorable thing by resigning instead of collecting a government paycheck while campaigning. Mayor Hannemann continues to use the Office of the Mayor to campaign for governor. Protecting Hawaii's taxpayers from politicians taking advantage of their public office is the whole reason why Hawaii has a "resign to run" law.

4. It's not Neil who decides his successor. That was up to the people of the First Congressional District.

HOMELESSNESS

SQUATTERS TAKE OVER SIDEWALK AT LIBRARY

What is going on at the Mōiliili Library with the homeless people? It has gone from about half a dozen people camping on the sidewalk to more than 10 in the last few weeks.

Is the location somehow a safe site? Some of these "homeless" people have been in the same place for months; it seems they have set up a home to me! Are there no legal consequences for camping at this location?

I have never been actually threatened, but it is getting ridiculous, it really doesn't look good and people find it quite intimidating or at least think that it looks ugly.

Now that I am selling my apartment I have had potential buyers say that the issue is a concern, and that has made them consider buying in other places.

This issue isn't just about perception of safety, it is affecting people in other ways. I wish there was something to do about this!

ARMED THREATS

DEMOCRACY RULES BY BALLOTS, NOT BULLETS

As reported in your May 16 edition, conservative history professor Newt Gingrich recently "fired up" an NRA audience saying, "The Second Amendment is (about) defense of freedom from the state."

I'm no history professor, but I seem to recall that in our democratic form of government we — you and I — are the state. We govern via the ballot box. There is no provision in our Constitution for armed revolt.

There are still many countries around the world where government is by force of arms. Citizens are under constant threat of armed thugs taking over. I believe recent rhetoric by Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin moves us closer to being one of these countries.

I often wonder whether they are trying to start a civil war. For the sake of all of us I hope cooler, wiser heads prevail.

CIVIL UNIONS

LINGLE MAY SHOW SHE'S NOT MODERATE

Is Governor Lingle considering a veto of HB 444 for fear that the bill is too close to equality? Really? Ponder that thought and see if you agree with my embarrassment and outrage that our Republican governor lied about being a "moderate" to get elected.

For many years, socially progressive and fiscally conservative Republicans have complained their party has been "hijacked by the religious right" and admit they avoid disclosing their political affiliation for fear of being labeled a "bigot." Well, now is your chance to come out of the darkness and prove that moderate Republicans exist, right?

The answer appears to be no. The opportunity for a Republican facelift depends on the courage of Gov. Lingle, and I wouldn't count on it.

After all, she has already indicated that she is too socially conservative to support gay marriage and does not even support the compromise of civil unions because it might be too close to marriage.

What a shame. Linda Lingle's veto of equal rights would be the final nail in the coffin for the argument that moderate Republicans exist, even in the Aloha State.