The UARC would bring opportunities

On October 19, about 130 faculty members met at the biennial Faculty Congress. In the debate on the Navy's proposed University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), all faculty members who spoke were against the plan to allow UH to conduct classified research.

Peter Britos went so far as to say it was the end of "the university as the last great bastion of colonialism."

Wow – sounds pretty serious when you put it like that. Why is a UARC such a bad thing?

Arguments against UARC include loss of intellectual integrity, further militarization of Hawai'i, and social/ethical issues. All of these are just plain silly.

First, intellectual autonomy is not at risk. The Board of Regents is not changing its policy that all research be undertaken voluntarily. No one's job will be at risk because they don't want to research related to the military. If anything, UARC will provide more freedom for faculty to choose which research to perform.

Second, Hawai'i is not going to become any more dominated by the military than it already is.

Whether we like it or not, our state is already dependent on federal spending. By preventing the Navy from doing classified research here, there's nothing to be gained – their money is only going to go somewhere else.

Last, there are the social and ethical issues, as Keli`i Collier brought up in the September 21 Faculty Senate meeting by yelling at Vice Chancellor Gary Ostrander. Some wonder if anything good can come from such secretive research.

What, you mean like, the Internet? As mentioned earlier, there will be no forced labor in any of the Navy's research requ3ests. Just because something is classified doesn't make it evil. Consider many workplaces' non-disclosure clauses – do they violate the public's right to know? Of course not.

Plus, before a researcher even gets to consider a project, it will have to get past a review committee which will week out research requests deemed inappropriate for our university.

It's already been agreed that UH will not house the next Manhattan Project or some space-based super laser. Between the WMD clause, the review committee, and an individual's right to choose, we get three layers of bureaucracy to filter out unethical projects.

The opportunity to perform classified research for the Navy offers several opportunities for UH not previously available.

If can lift university prestige and join other schools with UARCs in the top tier of research universities, such as Johns Hopkins University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This means a degree that'd be recognized as coming from a top school, not just a local backwater college for students who couldn't get in elsewhere.

It could also create better jobs. Because the UARC's off-site brain center would contain classified material, security clearances would be necessary for all security guards, cleaning crew, and staff members. Those clearances can be later used for employment in higher paying federal jobs.

Most importantly, approving the UARC proposal means students, both graduate and undergraduate, can participate in meaningful, cutting edge research. By working on projects like better optics for night vision goggles, students can not only secure a good position after graduation, but help keep out soldiers safer.

In the debate about a Navy UARC, the benefits are clear, and opponents' fears are unfounded. Let's take advantage of this opportunity and let the Board of Regents approve the UARC proposal on November 17.

Jane Roberts’political connections may pose conflict of interest

The confirmation hearings are over, the votes are in, and the oath of office has been taken – John Roberts is the 17th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

But there is one question I think senators should have followed up on: Mr. Roberts, how does your wife's activities and beliefs affect your own?

Though even Democrat senators, such as Edward Kennedy, have placed Jane Roberts' life "out of bounds," the impact of politically active spouses in Washington is becoming increasingly noticeable.

Certainly, Washington spouses are entitled to their own careers, but when do their marriages create conflicts of interest the public should know about?

Even if Jane Roberts will not be the once deciding cases of constitutionality, questions regarding conflicts of interest should have been explored more deeply. What impact can we expect Jane Roberts to have on her husband's choices?

In the case of Jane Roberts, the fortunate answer is "probably none," since her and her husband's beliefs were similar both before and after marriage. Both were devout Roman Catholics with strong anti-abortion tendencies.

John Roberts stated that he distinguishes between his personal and professional beliefs, and we have a long history of his written opinions showing his ability to see both sides of an argument.

But does the general public know about Jane Roberts' work for such groups as Feminists for Life? What influence might Jane Roberts' law firm, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, have on the Chief Justice?

Instead of wasting everyone's time asking him about his favorite movies, the Senate should have questioned him about the factors that might affect his rulings.

For example, in the 2000 election, Clarence Thomas refused to recuse himself in the historic Bush v. Gore case. Though is wife was working for a research group gathering resumes for appointments in a Bush presidency, he stated that it would have no effect on his decision, and that there was no conflict of interest.

He then ruled in favor of Bush, leading to the 5-4 judgment that gave Bush the presidency. Had he recused himself, the 4-4 split decision would have let stand the Florida Supreme Court decision to allow a manual recount of the votes.

Beyond conflicts of interest, one has to wonder how far the webs of influence extend. In the prelude to the Iraq War, it was Ambassador Joseph Wilson's CIA-employed wife who recommended that he be sent to investigate President Bush's yellowcake uranium documents.

Robert Novak subsequently named her as a nonofficial cover operative, or "NOC" in a July 2003 column. Whether the action was accidental or a deliberate action to indirectly punish Wilson is still under investigation, but it shows how even retaliation can be circumspect.

Though the Chief Justice's record in respectable, more attention needs to be focused on these underlying influences on our public officials. In a city where connections are paramount, can we honestly expect the political life of a spouse to end on the drive home?

Why everyone should be reading Ka Leo daily

If you've read even one issue of Ka Leo over the past year, you may have seen the various space-filling advertisements that say something like "Read Ka Leo Daily." There was one that explained, "It's better than a bran muffin," while another said only, "Because we said so." Here are the reasons why.

For one, it's the best place for on-campus news. The daily newspapers such as the Honolulu Advertiser and the Star-Bulletin have to cover the news all over the state, and may not be able to report on anything but the big headline-making events. By reading Ka Leo, you get the lesser-known stories in addition to the exciting ones.

Second, it's the only place you're going to find student opinions on a regular basis. It's the same thing with the comics and sports sections. If something at UH suck or if a student athlete makes it great, chances are that you'll hear about it in Ka Leo.

The third reason to read Ka Leo every day is that everyone else does (or so we'll assume for hte sake of argument). Who knows what kind of hottie you're going to sit next to on the first day of school? If you can't think of anything to say, you can at least talk about the school newspaper.

The last, and best, reason is that it's FREE, as in "it costs nothing." What's more, when you're finished, you can put it back in a Ka Leo rack and we'll recycle it for you. What daily newspaper can offer you that?

With them, you have to pay 50 cents for a whole bunch of stories when all you want is one the front page. With Ka Leo, you get none of the hassle, no eighty zillion extra pages that you don't know what to do with, and no wasted trees!

You don't need to be a journalism major to get something out of the school newspaper. Heck, you don't even need to be a journalism major to be on staff. Ka Leo has something for everyone; it's just a matter of looking past Page One.

Finding alternatives to water-inefficient flora

Throughout campus, every day, the sprinkler system helps keep the ground looking pleasantly green. Unfortunately, this does not come without a price.

Water prices are high because Hawai`i has limited fresh water reserves; the only drinkable water we have is what comes from the sky.

Coverage suffers from the nature of the sprinklers, watering only what immediately the nozzles.

Considering the high cost, the poor coverage, and the prediction that demand for water will outweigh the available supply between 2010 and 2015, Grounds Management should consider alternatives to water-thirsty grasses.

Xeriscaping, a method of landscaping using plants that conserve water, originated in the American Southwest, and can be adapted to Hawai`i using rare and endangered native flora.

Changing ground cover would better reflect the uniqueness of its environment, as well as show consideration for the community.

Puerto Rican situation offers us another way

Next month, as some celebrate the centennial of he annexation of Hawai`i to the United States, others will be mourning the passing of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The same dichotomy that is affecting Hawai1i can be seen now in Puerto Rico.

Like Hawai`i, Puerto Rico became a United States possession in 1898.

Like Hawai`i, Puerto Rico also face internal turmoil regarding its future. Although some favor statehood, others have been pushing for independence. Still more prefer to maintain its commonwealth status.

Advocates for Hawaiian independence should use this time to consider alternatives to outright independence.

If war is considered an "illegal" method of obtaining territory, then Puerto Rico was also obtained improperly.

Perhaps Hawaii's identity would be best preserved by becoming a commonwealth.

Immunity from federal taxes would help the economy, and residents would still be able to vote in federal elections while on the Mainland.

This may prove to be the best middle ground for those who desire Hawaiian independence but still want some ties to the United States.

Janto's rehabilitation his responsiblity only

Frank Charles Janto, convicted yesterday of murdering a Wahiawa woman last year, said the prison system failed to rehabilitate him after his previous crimes.

Although he has previous convictions for raping a child, assaulting an elderly woman, and stealing a car, he suggested that inmates become violent when prison systems treat them like animals.

Yet placing the blame on the prison system for his failed rehabilitation will not Janto's problems.

His question, "If nobody gets off their butts to give inmates rehabilitation, where are they going to get it?" shows his unwillingness to take responsibility for his own correction.

He sees rehabilitation as a right to which he, as a criminal, is naturally entitled.

Instead, Janto should have realized that his future is his own, and that correction is never guaranteed by any program, seminar or psychological therapy.

A prisoner's only chance for true rehabilitation will be with the realization of, and remorse for, his wrongdoing -- not from an increase in funding.

it's a shame Janto did not realize this earlier.

Baptist Church forgot men's responsibilities

Although the Baptist Church seems willing enough to encourage its women to be submissive to their husbands, it has yet to publicly state its need for their men to be more loving.

This displays a disturbing lack of focus on the two-way mature of a marriage, especially so considering the source -- one of the largest denominations in the country.

Perhaps the question isn't "are the wives submissive enough?" so much as "are the men too harsh?"

Although there ar no laws against love, peace, kindness, gentleness, or self-control, there seems to be little importance on these values in modern religion in Hawai`i.

On the other hand, Hawai`i has one of the highest rates of domestic abuse in the nation, against which there are plenty of laws.

The feminist outcry against the Baptist Church's statement was understandable.

Perhaps if Christian men led the way in their duties as husbands, their wives would respond with love and submission in kind, without having to be reminded by the church.

New leaders must listen more

When I was in high school, one of the biggest wastes of time I was able to participate in was Student Council.

Once a week, a whole crowd of us that didn't didn't do much of anything and didn't care about much more would gather in one of the larger classrooms and listen to a select group of people talk about stuff that didn't matter to them.

Oblivious to their concerns, the majority of us remained inattentive throughout hte whole meeting and ignored the majority of speeches, most of which were pushed by only a small minority of the membership.

After about a half-hour, the period would end, we'd go back to class, and forget everything, looking forward to the day when we could put the words "Student Government" on our college applications.

That was my high school's version of student government, and from what I've heard from others, it doesn't differ very much from school to school. What's more, from what I seen of university life, it doesn't differ much from high school to college either.

Student government, more often than not, is pushed more by special interests and individual agendas than by bona fide student concerns. Take for example our student government organizations, the Associated Students of the University of Hawai`i and the Graduate Student Organization.

Over the past couple of years, we've seen a number of accomplishments, but none that have significantly affected student life for the better. The renaming of Porteus Hall was interesting, and the push for Hawaiian tuition waivers made a small fraction of the student body happy, but ASUH has done little over the past year that wasn't either reactionary or insignificant in the grand scheme of the University.

Because of persistent student government-led protests, we've succeeded in renaming Porteus Hall something that doesn't offend anyone. Instead of being named for a famous (now controversial) UH researcher, the "building formerly known as Porteus" is now the "Social Sciences Building."

Gosh, that was worth it.

More recently, UH President Kenneth Mortimer has been criticized for the demise of the School of Public Health. Whether its loss of accreditation was his fault or not makes little difference -- the way it has "all of a sudden" become an issue to student government shows clearly that they have been one step being the administration.

Regardless of the school's continuously declining condition since 1995, nothing ws brought to the public's attention until the last minute. It's like a cancer patient who continues to smoke, earnestly seeking help only after a tumor breaks out on his forehead.

This past year's Senate only barely lived up to its already low expectations. From soap opera-style infighting that cause Senator Tracy Okubo's abrupt resignation to allegations of election fraud on behalf of President Stanford Togashi, the Senate made more headlines with their antics than they did through effecting change on campus.

Fortunately, this coming year's ASUH Senate shows more promise than in past years. The trick, as always, will be to listen more than they speak. Pushing for Hawaiian student tuition waivers was one thing, but representing a group that comprises only 8.8 percent of the 17,000 member student body is far from impressive.

Student government is more than just shouting into the nearest administration ear the demands of "the students." It's getting input from the very people they are supposed to represent and not excusing oneself because of perceived student apathy.

Truly effective student government is one that works from the bottom up, not the top down. The ASUH Senate and GSO will not be able to change this campus by picking the issues they will fight for. They must choose the ones their constituents are willing to work for.

Soccer thrills world as U.S. is again winless

Soccer, the world's most international sport, has everyone captivated again. Everyone, that is, except the United States.

Why is it, American soccer fans are asking, could we not beat either Yugoslavia or Iran?

The loss to Germany was understandable. Their methodical playing style simply wore the U.S. team down.

But Yugoslavia? It is nothing less than an embarrassment that the United States, a country with a quarter of a billion people, cannot assemble a team that can beat a country of less than 10 million.

Not only that, we lost to the Iranians, too. Of the thirty two teams in eight divisions, we finished dead last, with only Japan posting an equally horrible record. And that is little consolation.

We need to get our act together if we're going to compete with the rest of the world. If Jamaica can win a game, we should, too.

If it takes recruiting one of Europe's premier coaches, like we did with Olympic gymnastics, then so be it. This face has gone on long enough.

Hazardous waste fine hurts students most

The state's Department of Health recently issued a $1.3 million fine against the University of Hawai`i for violating hazardous waste laws in Bilger Hall and the Environmental Protection Facility.

Eugene Imai, the senior vice president for administration, said it is unknown where UH will find the money, which is no surprise.

UH doesn't have any funds to spare as it is, let alone for these types of extraordinary expenses. As a result, students' quality of education will suffer for the mistakes of a few irresponsible people.

This is unfair. Fines imposed on public entities hurt the ones served by it, rather than the person or people responsible for the incidents.

Rather than punish the entire student body for this, it would be better to simply let the issue go. Instead of issuing fines, the state would issue reprimands.

A witch hunt for the one person responsible would only lead to mayhem, finger pointing and personal conflict. However, if there is one person solely liable for this debacle, they ought seriously consider another position.

Millennium means mergers

The wave of the future includes further service insanity

With the turning of the century at our doorsteps, perhaps the most anticipated changes of the next millennium involve the way service (the foundation of the present U.S. economy) are to be rendered to the people.

Over the past 1,000 years, we have seen the invention of every kind of machine (save perhaps the potter's wheel), and have witnessed the creation of countless other inventions.

We have developed the sciences, areas of study based on methodical observation and conclusion, as well as the arts, having learned to utilize all three dimensions into our works.

This has truly been a testament to man's power and his ability to improve his environment. Yet as the pace of life quickens, keeping time with the light-speed advancement of global communication, the upcoming decades will probably overshadow all previous human accomplishments.

This was the vision I received while watching NASCAR racing on television this past weekend.

Just like MASA was the vehicle for expanding the technology sector these past forty years, NASCAR racing will be the driving force for the service industry in the next few years.

As I watched the pit crews changing tires with split second efficiency and refueling care through high-flow nozzles (to maximize the number of gallons per second), I realize that services in the United States could be radically changed for the better by imitating these professionals.

The future of auto maintenance is this: an elite NASCAR team at Jiffy Lube schedules your 1983 Toyota Tercel for a 2:43 p.m. maintenance session on Tuesday. This includes a tire rotation, oil change, and a high speed, precision inspection of all fluids, all while you're still in the car.

The oil is drained by a super high-powered, instantaneous method, rather than through the normal vacuum hose. Then new oil is pumped through a high pressure nozzle that fits perfectly to you '83 Tercel's engine block.

Forty seconds later, bam! They close your hood, "$31.29 please, exact change only," and you're out in less than a minute! Pretty cool idea, huh?

The trend of the future will be to minimize time spent running useless errands through the packaging of certain functions together. We've already seen the grocery store/bank combination, two industries with very little to do with each other except that they tend to deal with the same people on a weekly or biweekly basis.

You may think it ludicrous, but this kind of revolutionized service could alter extend to other areas of the economy. Services like fast food and education would undoubtedly be at the top of the list for college-age consumers.

Kenneth Mortimer, being the visionary that he is, ahs already hit upon this idea By combining the School of Public Health with the School of Medicine, he combines the services of two previously separate institutions into one, saving UH lots of money by sacrificing the Public Health Department's accreditation.

I fully expect to see his cost-cutting strategy at work in the College of Arts and Sciences in the near future. Being the largest cost center of all the UH colleges, it is ripe for some serious budget cuts. And if the four-year trend toward specialization in "what UH does best" continues, I'd say we can expect to see the entire Arts half get cut within the next five years.

To the graduates of 2010, I say this" resign yourselves to the preplanned, highly efficient marine biology degree from the College of Sciences.

It's my prediction it'll be the only thing left.

California's example applies to Hawai`i

In California, 50 years of teaching non-English speaking students in their own language has come to a close.

About one-quarter of California's 5.6 million school children are non-native English speakers.

At he heart of the decision, though, were the few students who were unable to successfully adapt to the all-English immersion schools.

This gives credence to the effectiveness of Hawaiian immersion schools.

If the only guarantee to learning English is through immersion, especially in cases where parents continue to speak their native language, Hawaiian language classes have more ammunition to back up the reasons for their own existence.

Regardless of the sovereignty movement's outcome, immersion schools will have an increasing influence on Hawaii's future.

If Hawai`i wishes to expand interest in Native Hawaiian affairs, a corresponding rise in the funds provided to teach the Hawaiian language must be allocated.

This will help preserve Hawaii's heritage, as well as allow for its continued existence.

Focus on business, not on human rights

As President Clinton readies for his trip to China at the end of June, much debate surrounds the approach he should take with the most populous nation in the world.

Human rights activists feel Clinton should withhold "most favored nation" trade status until China adjusts its track record on violations against freedom of speech and the occupation of Tibet.

Yet these kinds of threats will get us nowhere.

If the United States' domestic and foreign policies had been honestly centered around the general welfare and well-being of the world at large, then perhaps China would listen.

However, our past is packed with illegal and unethical actions as well.

From the offenses committed against the Native Americans and Native Hawaiians, the United States has accumulated quite a list of dirty laundry.

Let Clinton work out his trade agreement with China and forget the human rights issues.

The only thing the United States would be able to preach to China is hypocrisy.

Legalization lessens pain, taxpayer burden

Issues concerning the illegality of marijuana in the United States have recently come under close scrutiny, particularly since the introduction of Proposition 215 in California.

This proposition, struck down in District Court because of contradictory federal laws, would have allowed marijuana to be used for medical purposes in the nation's most populous state.

Deemed a public nuisance by a Superior Court judge, this means that those who suffer from cancer and AIDS must endure the side effects and pain associated with therapy for as long as they live, according to the law.

This is unfair not only to patients but to regular citizens as well, since it is our money that pays to enforce such measure against the drug's use. Particularly in light of the many constructive uses for the cannabis plant, its growth should not continue to be illegal in the United States.

As the number of patients who use marijuana to alleviate pain affiliated with therapy increases, pressure on the federal government to repeal the law will also increase. The benefits to society and industry in this case outweigh the dangers associated with irresponsible use.

TV or not TV, that is the question

Your choice: bad programs or boredom

Now that I've graduated, I have a lot more time to sit around and watch television -- something I haven't been able to do since eighth grade.

I can wake up at 11, click on the tube, and have the Magical School Bus take me on a cartoon tour of the rain forest. After that, I can watch "The Price Is Right," followed by all the goofiest talk shows.

In the afternoon, the cartoons come back on and I can watch the Power Rangers marathon, then play video games till my eyes bleed.

It seems like everything I've ever wanted from a summer vacation, except that it's about fifteen years too late.

My problem now is that I have about 80 gazillion percent more free time than I know what to do with. Without any classes until the second term and only one issue of Ka Leo to do each week, I find myself with a sever shortage of stuff to do.

And this TV watching is getting old. It was fun at first because of all the season finales, but after watching the ending of my favorite show, "Mortal Kombat Conquest," it's all ruined.

Because it aired late on Saturday night, it was the only show I'd been able to keep up with on a regular basis. With marital arts galore, cheesy dialogue, and a sequential plot that become more complicated with each additional show, MKC rocked.

In the finale, though, all of the suspense that was built up over 25 episodes was suddenly wiped away in a flash of easy-ways-out.

Basically, everyone was killed.

There were no explanations, no tie-ins to the beginning of the video game and no intelligent plot developments. There was no deeper meaning in any of the characters' deaths; it had to be the quickest closure to a television show I've ever seen.

But the Mortal Kombat finale was by no means the stupidest thing on TV recently. "The Jesse Ventura Story" won that honor, hands down.

Ventura, an ex-Navy SEAL in his first term as governor of Minnesota, got his start in professional wrestling in the '80s. Most recently a radio talk show host, Ventura won the election as a third-party candidate supported mostly by young men in their 20s.

But Ventura's not even done with his first term yet!

There's just something wrong with doing somebody's life story before they die. In essence, the producers have concluded that there's nothing more interesting that can happen in Ventura's lifetime.

He's at the peak of public interest right now, they figure, so it's best to do the story before his popularity wanes -- before he shows his true political ineptitude and embarrasses himself nationally.

If I were Ventura, I'd be mad. I'd be thinking: "How do they know I'm not going to win the Novel Prize in Economics or something in the coming years, or in the face of great adversity solve some of Minnesota's most difficult problems?" (Don't ask me what that could be -- maybe something like the lack of good duck-hunting grounds).

All in all, I'd say this television stuff is highly overrated. Maybe I should switch to something I can get a tan doing, but is just as time-consuming -- like surfing.

Children of the war can't apologize for the past

During Japanese Emperor Akihito's visit to Great Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair stated that Japan has apologized enough for its brutal treatment of British soldiers and civilians during World War II.

The Japanese Labor Camps Survivors Association, on the other hand, has rejected as inadequate the apology given by the Japanese prime minister in January.

The brutality shown by the Japanese during World War II is beyond this generation's reasoning, but hasn't the time come to move on? For those who experienced the hardships of the time, it has not.

The former POWs remain unwilling to forgive, still convinced that the Japanese are not truly sorry.

Yet this is not due to extreme indifferent on the part of the Japanese people so much as the fact that those who are younger than 65 have nothing to be sorry for.

Emperor Akihito, himself, was only 11 years old at the time of the surrender in 1945.

If apologies are not enough, what will be? What are former POWs asking from the children and grandchildren of the transgressors?

Watching tables turn on foreign investment

Remember the investments Japan made in the late '80s -- the ones that had us worried about a Japanese invasion? Well, now the tables are turning.

American vulture funds, investment companies that target undervalued properties, have invested about $20 billion in Japan.

In 1993, Japanese investors held over three times this amount: $77 billion worth of U.S. properties.

Japan is reacting with the same xenophobic concern the United States did when Hawaii's hotels and the Mainland's landmarks were being bought up left and right.

Japanese critics' opinions are split on this issue. Some see the investors' actions as a short-term, opportunistic scheme, using Japan's sluggish economy to make a quick buck. Others view it as an invasion, comparing the investments to 19th century gunboat tactics, designed to force open their markets for American exports.

The press, as eager as ever to hype stories in Japan as it was in the United States 10 years ago, is happily contributing to the controversy.

However, the cause for concern is not justified.

True, the United States does control $20 billion in Japanese real estate, but the property cannot be shipped into the United States.

Besides, this is the 20th century. Foreign powers impede on each others economic sovereignty all the time. The United States imports more per capita than any other country in the world.

Who can say that Japan isn't exploiting the conditions of the U.S. market by exporting so much to the U.S. consumer?

The Shukan Post likened Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to an executioner, turning Japan into an American colony by "selling out" to American negotiators.

This "colony" concept sounds remarkably similar to Waikiki; ours even comes complete with foreign-owned hotels and signs written in Japanese everywhere.

Certainly, the fear of an invasion is understandable, since the U.S. has undergone the same experience less than a decade ago. However, the hysteria associated with Japan's reaction seems unwarranted.

Like having one's cake and eating it too, Japan keeps both the properties and their value. Therefore, they shouldn't worry about who owns their property.

Besides, if the properties weren't bought out by Americans, they'd have been bought by someone else with even more unsavory repercussions.

Considering Japan's long history of difficulties with both Korea and China, a certain measure of relief should accompany these acquisitions.

Single life in the '90s

"Write about what you know," I've been told. "You can't write about stuff you don't know anything about."

Believe me -- the guy dumb enough to take three writing intensive classes this semester -- that's true. Unfortunately, being single for 24 years makes writing for the Wedding Issue a little tough. But if I could offer some advice in my last article as the Editorials Editor, it's this: FORGET MARRIAGE! STAY SINGLE!

Here are some reasons why:

Higher savings
What do you need to take somebody out? Presuming, of course, that you generally rely on something other than picnics to impress a date, you're going to need some money.

But money-based dates only drag you down in the long run. Here's an example from my own experience (no lie):

When I was going to community college near Chicago, I was interested in this one girl, so I asked her out. I gurd dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a movie was worth it, so why wouldn't she say yes, if only to take advantage of a free dinner. Suggested retail value -- $69.95.

She declined my offer.

Logistically speaking, in order for her to turn me down, the presence of my company must have been worth less than negative $70! Needless to say, I was crushed.

You don't need rejection like that! Being single is good because you save yourself all the pain of being deemed worth less than nothing.

Drinking out of the carton
Being single is good because it saves you a lot of time and effort washing dishes. My roommate is a good example of this.

He ranks his preferences like this:

• Drinking out of the carton
• Using a paper of Styrofoam cup, then throwing it away
• Using a dirty cup out of the sink so he can just leave it there when he's done
• Finding a clean glass and leaving in the sink for me to wash, and finally
• Using a clean cup, then washing it and putting it away.

If you were married, there's not a snowball's chance in Waikiki you could get away with stuff like that -- women don't appreciate that level of efficiency.

They'd rather be neat and clean and waste thousands of gallons of water a year to maintain the façade of cleanliness than be rational (a.k.a. "lazy") like us guys. It nothing less than pure silliness.

Freedom
Far and away the best reason to stay single is the amount of freedom you have to date anyone you want, go anywhere you choose, talk to whomever you wish and sleep on whatever piece of furniture you find handy.

Of course, I realize that we have had that freedom in the first place -- after all, the people we wanted to date already were, we never had we never had any reason to cruise around, we didn't have too many real friends, and we had to sleep on the couch anyway, but that's beside the point.

What was my point?

Oh yeah, it sure is good being single. Enjoy your summer, and stay out of trouble.

Religious organizations:

"Practice what you preach" philosophy is key to success

The biggest problem at the University of Hawai`i-Manoa, as I see it, is that we have an uncanny inability to practice what we preach.

We have assembled here an incredible number of experts from a number of fields necessary for success: industrial relations, finance, management, architecture, engineering, etc. and yet we cannot achieve a level of success above mediocrity.

I think the same goes for a lot of Hawaii's religious organizations. There are a lot of people who claim to be experts, but few—if any – show themselves to be anything more than just great talkers.

So here are a few characteristics I think you might find useful in evaluating the quality of a religious institution or organization.

• People are changing. If they are not, then why are they there? To be a part of a social circle? To feel good about themselves or assuage their sense of guilt?
  
  
• People are genuinely happy. No to be confused with the feeling you get from watching three straight episodes of Family Matters. If marriages are failing left and right or if half the membership doesn't show up on Sunday, you can bet there's no real sense of joy among its members.
  
  
• Community service. They are involved in community service projects that benefit the poor. After all, what kind of benevolent institution can say it cannot afford to give?
  
  
• Everyone is involved. The leader is not the only one acting out the ideals of the religion. If that were the case, it would be nothing more than a smaller, mini-religion of its own.
  
  
• Racial diversity. If he organization appeals only to one specific culture or ethnicity or class, there can be no universal truth in it.
  
  
• "A-traditional." Not traditional; not non-traditional, but a an absence of reliance on human traditions altogether. Reliance, in my opinion, should be on a timeless source document, independent of the shifting sands of popular trends.
  
  
• Challenging and rewarding. Lessons should actually apply to real life. Religious organizations are very similar to breakfast cereals. Sure, there are the sugar-coated, "don't worry, be happy" junk food cereal-types, but getting your "100 percent daily vitamin intake of vitamins and minerals" is better for you in the long run.
  
  
• Well-defined purpose. Organizations that call for allegiance to the group first are automatically suspect. And if they mention ritual goat sacrifices, well … use your best judgment.
  
  
• Member enthusiasm. Why bother going to something when those who do aren't enthusiastic about it? Ever heard, "You can come if you want to … I might see you there"? How about "I'm tell you – you'll have a great time! I'll give you a ride."
  
  
• Conversations. Members have got to have dialogues, not just greetings. They talk about day-to-day stuff, which is a sign they see each other fairly often, and care about each other. People who only see each other every once in a while or who are not concerned for each other tend to have conversations like this: How are you? Fine and you? OK. All right, see ya!
  
  
• Effort. Granted there is always room for improvement, but he most important characteristic is that they are trying. What really matters is that they recognize the weaknesses and work on improvement.

In conclusion, I would like to offer the hope that the truth is out there. Although I cannot use these pages to tell you where, I can this this: it is not very far, and it is easy to find if you are willing to look.

Stocks don't measure U.S. social awareness

As the stock market continues to rise in tandem with the number of Kosovo refugees, some Wall Street analysts have become concerned that the market has not reacted at all.

Yet if the Dow Jones Industrial Average were used as today's indicator of social awareness, that would be even greater cause for alarm.

The stock market indices should be used only as a measure of the nation's economic health. The only reason they haven't reacted to the Kosovo crisis is that the havoc in Yugoslavia represents little threat to the United States' economy.

The Persian Gulf War and last year's Russian currency crisis had a significant impact on the balance sheets of many large American companies.

Relief, if any emotion, should be felt regarding the stock market's apathy to Europe's difficulties.

Knowing that the stock market is no indication of the average American's ethical concerns brings comfort to one's conscience.