CONVICTED DRUG DEALERS SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY

Karen Blakeman's Dec. 22 superbly informative article on crystal
methamphetamine probably did not include the effect of the "ice" tragedy on
regular mainstream families and employers because of its specific focus.

Many of our friends and neighbors have suffered multiple episodes of home
break-ins. We have seen many employers take big financial hits from workers
who are slaves to crystal meth. I have great compassion for many of these
addicted victims and criminals (except Christopher Aki, the man accused of
Kahealani Indreginal's murder) and their families, and I pray that Lt. Gov.
"Duke" Aiona's experience as a judge in this area will create long-term
effective solutions.

In the short term, the death penalty for convicted adult ice dealers,
couriers and manufacturers should help melt Hawai'i's "Ice Age."

In a pathetic irony, could anyone tell me why we as a state are disgusted
with drug proliferation, but legally allow drug paraphernalia to be sold at
the same convenience store counter with manapua and musubi?

Barry Markowitz

Hau'ula