Letters to the Editor

Sounds good

Thanks to Don Chapman for his column regarding aircraft noise – the “Sounds of Freedom” – at the Kaneohe Marine base, and the complaints of some in the community.

I have friends and a nephew currently serving in Afghanistan, and I will never complain at any minor inconvenience in my life that holds the hope of bringing them home safely.

I do not understand how we as a country have become so selfish and self-centered. So thank you to Mr. Chapman for sharing his opinions.

Barbara Gum
Palolo

Same old story

Don Chapman’s column about the “Sounds of Freedom” reminded me of a day in Germany when I was stationed there during the Cold War.

Some of our neighbors near the base complained about the noise of our helicopters. Our colonel went to a city council meeting to address the issue. He stated that what they heard was “the Sound of Freedom,” and went on to say that U.S. helicopters were much quieter than Soviet helicopters.

One of the attendees stated, “How can you be sure of what you are saying? We have never heard a Soviet helicopter.”

The colonel replied, “Well, see, it’s working.”

Same story, different century.

Joel Maimon
Ewa Beach

UH priorities

Bob Jones wrote a telling column about UH priorities, where academics seem to take a back seat to athletics. Perhaps some day the board of regents and UH administration (and our elected officials whose concerns mostly seem to be micromanagement and political interference above either) might reverse priorities to emphasize academics over athletics. Maybe some day the alumni will donate more money to the library than to athletics. We might even speculate as to when this will happen – probably some time after a snowstorm in Hades.

James A. Marsh
Honolulu

Line ’em up

Having just read Ron Nagasawa’s column “Next In Line,” I want to let him know he is not alone in regards to the “line syndrome.”

The person in front of me in the short line either a) needs a price check; b) needs to find their credit or debit card; c) decides to eliminate one or two items to bring down their final total; d) decides that one of their items cost more than they had thought when picking it off the shelf so “please deduct it and put it back”; e) the cashier is going on break; or f) they left their purse or billfold in the car.

Mr. Nagasawa is not one in a million, and I enjoyed hearing that I am not one in a million either. I have often apologized to the person behind me, telling them, “It’s my fault — this always happens to me.”

Ralph Broomhead
Mililani

The handyman

Before work I read Ron Nagasawa’s column about his home-improvement exploits, and he had me smiling all shift. I believe it all and can picture him working. As they say, prac-tice makes perfect – even if it takes measuring 73 times, and holding on to the receipt. Very funny.

Starlyte Yockman
Honolulu