Hang up phone ban
In response to the proposed federal ban on all cellphone use in vehicles, I felt it was important to voice my protest against such a ban.
While I agree that texting, tweeting and playing games on cellphones or any device is not only dangerous but reckless and stupid, simply talking on a phone does not justify such a ban. After all, there are plenty of hands-free devices available out there, and many people use them.
I use an earpiece any time I am driving and using my cellphone in accordance with local law. However, I have personally seen an abundance of other drivers who continue to use their phones up to their ear in complete defiance of the law.
Several times now I have had to dodge out of the way of irresponsible drivers using their phones as I jog down the Queen K Highway on my lunch break. I have even personally observed drivers talking on their cellphones right in front of police officers who do absolutely nothing about it.
So we have a law that is in place that is rarely enforced. How can we count on local law enforcement to enforce a federally mandated total ban on cell phones?
And speaking of law enforcement, isn’t it hypocritical for law enforcement officials to enforce a ban on an activity that they also partake in? I mean, aren’t police just as distracted by using a cellphone as every other Tom, Dick and Harry?
Do they receive some kind of special training to keep them from being distracted? If so, why not offer it to private citizens? And why do they need cellphones, anyway? They have radios in their cars and on their persons.
In fact, it seems like police officers should be banned from using cellphones, since it would distract them from listening to emergency calls on their radios! And since it apparently requires three to four police officers to initiate a regular traffic stop in this state, they should all be listening to their radios and not chatting away on their phones.
Shawn Lathrop
Waikoloa
Keep it clean
Kids are bombarded with swearing everywhere, whether at school, the grocery store or their homes, not to mention movies and television.
In the movie “A Christmas Story,” Ralphie gets a dose of soap for saying the “F-word.” Not so, anymore. Today, I meet school kids whose swearing would impress George Carlin.
“Can you say that on TV? The Supreme Court debates” by Mark Sherman (Kama’aina Shopper, Jan. 18), discussed FCC v. Fox Television Stations, concerning FCC regulations of profanity and nudity on broadcast television.
I personally believe it is important to have such restrictions for broadcast television. As Justice Antonio Scalia stated: “The government is entitled to insist upon a certain modicum of decency.” I want to watch some stations without being assaulted by objectionable content.
I’m 19, and unlike many of my contemporaries, I’m offended by loose standards. I still remember when a movie got an “R” rating for just one use of the “F-word.” Now, a PG-13 movie can have a couple of “F-words,” sex, and excessive profanity. PG movies have mild profanity and sensuality. The same will happen to television.
I disagree that “… broadcasters would remain sensitive to advertisers and viewers who don’t want the airwaves filled with dirty words and nudity.” Television stations ALWAYS push the envelope. If FCC restrictions are removed, then things will get worse. FCC regulations should be improved to be less “vague” and to crack down on language and nudity requirements.
Prevalent swearing shows the degradation of polite society. Soap isn’t the answer, but a good scolding should do. I commend the youth who don’t swear because it’s “cool.”
Some of us try to limit exposure to swearing. If FCC regulations are removed, then protecting innocence will become even harder than it already is.
Kara Nelson
Naalehu
Thank you, kind sirs
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to the two very kind gentlemen who came to my aid when I tripped and hit my head on the sidewalk near KTA (in December). Your concern and caring truly touched my husband’s and my hearts. I’m sorry that I didn’t get your names, so that I can thank you personally.
Thankfully, the injury was a minor one, according to the ER doctor.
May you be blessed with a … happy new year!
Amy M. Umeda
Hilo
Bad for business
Congratulations to our State of Hawaii. We are ranked 35th in being the most taxed state in the country. We are ranked 49th out of 50 in being business friendly.
Our No. 1 industry, tourism, is on a very slow track to recovery. We make nothing here. We export very little. And we depend on federal spending for a great deal of our state income.
With the feds attempting to cut spending, we had better prepare ourselves for a slower recovery — if any — if we do nothing to improve our business climate to allow private industry to create jobs.
The government does not create jobs; it is our tax money that pays for government jobs.
Bob Dukat
Pahoa
Hang up phone ban
In response to the proposed federal ban on all cellphone use in vehicles, I felt it was important to voice my protest against such a ban.
While I agree that texting, tweeting and playing games on cellphones or any device is not only dangerous but reckless and stupid, simply talking on a phone does not justify such a ban. After all, there are plenty of hands-free devices available out there, and many people use them.
I use an earpiece any time I am driving and using my cellphone in accordance with local law. However, I have personally seen an abundance of other drivers who continue to use their phones up to their ear in complete defiance of the law.
Several times now I have had to dodge out of the way of irresponsible drivers using their phones as I jog down the Queen K Highway on my lunch break. I have even personally observed drivers talking on their cellphones right in front of police officers who do absolutely nothing about it.
So we have a law that is in place that is rarely enforced. How can we count on local law enforcement to enforce a federally mandated total ban on cell phones?
And speaking of law enforcement, isn’t it hypocritical for law enforcement officials to enforce a ban on an activity that they also partake in? I mean, aren’t police just as distracted by using a cellphone as every other Tom, Dick and Harry?
Do they receive some kind of special training to keep them from being distracted? If so, why not offer it to private citizens? And why do they need cellphones, anyway? They have radios in their cars and on their persons.
In fact, it seems like police officers should be banned from using cellphones, since it would distract them from listening to emergency calls on their radios! And since it apparently requires three to four police officers to initiate a regular traffic stop in this state, they should all be listening to their radios and not chatting away on their phones.
Shawn Lathrop
Waikoloa
Keep it clean
Kids are bombarded with swearing everywhere, whether at school, the grocery store or their homes, not to mention movies and television.
In the movie “A Christmas Story,” Ralphie gets a dose of soap for saying the “F-word.” Not so, anymore. Today, I meet school kids whose swearing would impress George Carlin.
“Can you say that on TV? The Supreme Court debates” by Mark Sherman (Kama’aina Shopper, Jan. 18), discussed FCC v. Fox Television Stations, concerning FCC regulations of profanity and nudity on broadcast television.
I personally believe it is important to have such restrictions for broadcast television. As Justice Antonio Scalia stated: “The government is entitled to insist upon a certain modicum of decency.” I want to watch some stations without being assaulted by objectionable content.
I’m 19, and unlike many of my contemporaries, I’m offended by loose standards. I still remember when a movie got an “R” rating for just one use of the “F-word.” Now, a PG-13 movie can have a couple of “F-words,” sex, and excessive profanity. PG movies have mild profanity and sensuality. The same will happen to television.
I disagree that “… broadcasters would remain sensitive to advertisers and viewers who don’t want the airwaves filled with dirty words and nudity.” Television stations ALWAYS push the envelope. If FCC restrictions are removed, then things will get worse. FCC regulations should be improved to be less “vague” and to crack down on language and nudity requirements.
Prevalent swearing shows the degradation of polite society. Soap isn’t the answer, but a good scolding should do. I commend the youth who don’t swear because it’s “cool.”
Some of us try to limit exposure to swearing. If FCC regulations are removed, then protecting innocence will become even harder than it already is.
Kara Nelson
Naalehu
Thank you, kind sirs
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to the two very kind gentlemen who came to my aid when I tripped and hit my head on the sidewalk near KTA (in December). Your concern and caring truly touched my husband’s and my hearts. I’m sorry that I didn’t get your names, so that I can thank you personally.
Thankfully, the injury was a minor one, according to the ER doctor.
May you be blessed with a … happy new year!
Amy M. Umeda
Hilo
Bad for business
Congratulations to our State of Hawaii. We are ranked 35th in being the most taxed state in the country. We are ranked 49th out of 50 in being business friendly.
Our No. 1 industry, tourism, is on a very slow track to recovery. We make nothing here. We export very little. And we depend on federal spending for a great deal of our state income.
With the feds attempting to cut spending, we had better prepare ourselves for a slower recovery — if any — if we do nothing to improve our business climate to allow private industry to create jobs.
The government does not create jobs; it is our tax money that pays for government jobs.
Bob Dukat
Pahoa