Neighborhood traffic unsafe
Neighborhood traffic unsafe
Aloha, Powers That Be.
I live on Punahele Street above Komohana. The 25 mph speed limit is ignored — a lot of cars seem to be traveling in excess of 40 mph. My children walk to school, and there are no sidewalks on which they can walk.
Please help make my neighborhood safer for children walking to school.
Casey Halpern
Hilo
Defending free speech
I would like to compliment Mr. Curtis Beck for his recent article (Their Views, Sept. 20). I also would like to commend him for putting this issue in its proper perspective — that of free speech.
The idea that Mr. Borden is to be denied his right of free speech because he offends someone really is the heart of the matter. While the First Amendment of our Constitution guarantees Mr. Borden his right to free speech, there is no constitutional guarantee not to be offended.
As I understand, Mr. Borden is offensive to some because they do not agree with him. That is the very reason free speech is protected. There appears to be no question as to the truthfulness or validity of Mr. Borden’s signs.
Another issue is that he is in a public park intended for “family and keiki.” In the past five years or so, I have not seen Mr. Borden deny use of Lincoln Park to anyone. In fact, he takes up only one parking space while his detractors take up all the spaces when they demonstrate against him. I do not see Mr. Borden’s use of the park and the use of the general public as being mutually exclusive.
Mr. Borden’s message is no more offensive than one might see on TV or in the public school program “Pono Choices.” I am also a veteran, a combat Vietnam veteran, and I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. I am also a product of the ’60s. We returning Vietnam veterans were subjected to ridicule and name calling by some Americans upon returning home, but we had a saying: “I may disagree with what you are saying, but I will defend your right to say it.” To do so would be hypocritical and we have too much of that today.
I will defend Mr. Borden’s exercise of his constitutionally guaranteed free speech, so help me God!
Rick Toledo Jr.
Hilo