There have been many recent letters demanding that teachers be held to some sort of "higher standard" and be deprived of their livelihood for petty offenses. The only higher standard applicable to teachers should be that they inspire learning in their students. Yet this is seldom measured let alone addressed.

If it can be shown that the teachers at Kula were selling marijuana to their students, or bragging to them about growing the stuff, or even being lousy teachers they should have been summarily fired or strung up in the village square. But there was never any indication that growing a garden of plants had any effect on their effectiveness as educators.

[continues 226 words]

Does anyone really believe that waving signs by the side of the road, or 'summit' meetings in Honolulu, or watching hour long TV documentaries, or saying prayers, will have any appreciable impact on the Crystal Methamphetamine problem?

Will the much publicized bust of one 'ice house' on Kauai really have any effect on the supply of the drug available on the streets? Especially if the defendants are given a slap on the wrist and turned free to ply their trade again.

[continues 700 words]