Oh, the trauma ADVERTISING Oh, the trauma While it’s reassuring that University of Hawaii at Hilo social justice groups are handing out safety pins for students traumatized by the election, I am concerned they are distributing the dangerous, unguarded metal
Oh, the trauma
While it’s reassuring that University of Hawaii at Hilo social justice groups are handing out safety pins for students traumatized by the election, I am concerned they are distributing the dangerous, unguarded metal pins to our students.
Every year, thousands of children are injured by “safety” pins because the small size of the metal guard makes it easy for the fingers to slip. The sharp pin goes into the skin, drawing blood and creating a traumatic event for the injured.
A cascade of PTSD reactions can be triggered in a student who is newly pricked, but even the sight of a metal pin can be triggering to a student who has been pin-pricked in infancy.
Please, UH-Hilo social justice workers, spare the extra expense to purchase the safety pins with a large plastic guard. These guards are sometimes in the shape of a duck or kitten and come in pastels, colors that are soothing and calming. Some colleges are setting up election trauma centers for triggered students, providing therapy puppies, soft desserts, coloring pages and counseling.
Every person has a human right to not experience the violence of being around someone who thinks or votes differently. How can we ever achieve safety and social justice everywhere when some people, out of pure defiance or wrong-thinking, refuse to vote the way we want them to? It’s 2016, already.
Perhaps democracy is outmoded and incompatible with safe spaces.
Michael Kingston
Hilo
Overcharged?
Recently, my wife and I patronized a well-known comfort food type of restaurant at a small strip mall opposite of the Prince Kuhio Plaza.
Once we completed our meals, the server brought our bill to the table. I noticed the only thing printed upon the bill was the total amount owed, which we thought was pricey for the amount of food ordered.
However, there was no itemized list of items showing what we ate printed on the bill. This prompted me to think if this practice is also done by other food establishments. Many restaurants we patronize print what was ordered upon the bill.
Because the restaurant was busy and we were in a hurry to leave, we decided not to total up what we consumed. We just paid the bill and left. Later, we realized the prices were not listed for the daily specials posted upon their board, nor were there any prices printed for the beverages offered on the menu itself.
Restaurant patrons, scrutinize your tab well before paying it. You might be overcharged for items you had not ordered.
Rick LaMontagne
Hilo
