More On Trump And The Press

Where does Civil Beat stand?

I agree but what should happen when news organizations consistently report with a bias against the subject of the article in this case President Trump. (“The ‘Enemy Of The People’ Is Actually Doing Its Job,” Aug. 16)

Many papers and reporters have written and reported news on President Trump with a definite bias.  So as an editor and independent paper what is your position on reporting with a bias or accepting negative statements without any attempt to verify? Your freedom of the press only works if the press is free of influence and reports without a bias and reports facts not rumors or hearsay.

Unfortunately the president is wrong but the press is also wrong and is part of the problem because of their faulty reporting.

— Peter Savio, Honolulu

A free press is necessary

Three cheers for your stance with the free press. Was it Thomas Jefferson who would rather have a free press and no government than government without a free press? I believe we need some government with a free press.

— Jim Nash, Kaneohe

Trump-hating media

Civil Beat’s editorial “Forget The Pilot Program And Switch To All-Mail Voting Statewide” (Aug. 15) fails to consider that transportation is a major issue for many voters with disabilities. Having to travel long distances to a remote voting service center does not provide voters with disabilities with an opportunity to vote privately and independently that is equal to the opportunity provided voters without disabilities who are able to mark their ballots at home. Also, requiring disabled voters to travel long distances may well violate Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This is an issue that needs to be addressed by the Legislature when it considers statewide expansion of all-mail voting. In addition, I want to recognize the Office of Elections for its adoption of the Five Cedars electronic ballot for the trial program on Kauai. According to Lou Ann Blake of the National Federation of the Blind, the Five Cedars electronic ballot system “is accessible to voters who are blind, low vision, or have other print disabilities.”

— Peter L. Fritz, Honolulu

Money For Schools

This one needs careful consideration

Marcel Honore’s article today (“The Primary Is Over So What’s Ahead For The General Election?” Aug. 16) references Jim Shon at UH who says “there aren’t enough neutral sources to educate Hawaii voters on the complex constitutional issues.” That’s a shame as cost-effective awareness is in short supply nowadays.

For example, consider the possible constitutional amendment that would allow the Legislature to raise taxes on “investment real properties” in order to help fund public education. Where and how can the voting populace be alerted to the possible danger that this could be the greatest “bait and switch” ever perpetuated on the unsuspecting yet trusting public?

To wit, the voters will loyally and enthusiastically “vote for the keiki” and then the legislators, now flush with new found dollars, will simply use these new funds to cover the normal budget allotment for education and take those monies thus “saved’ and spend them on something else.  Education spending will remain the same and HSTA will be duped.

— Douglas Kilpatrick, Honolulu