Letters to the Editor

Montagnard column didn't make sense

Tom Plate's editorial page commentary on June 24, "Vietnam back to old dirty tricks," is puzzling. He speaks of the possible extinction by force of the Montagnards by the present Vietnamese government.

But this term is a French invention to cover the tribal names of all the mountain peoples (54 ethnic groups, totaling about 700,000). He has also left out the role of the CIA and its consequences today.

From my recent travels there, I would say the future loss of tribal peoples is more likely to come from absorption into the dominant culture. Already, as in other developing countries, the men are abandoning their traditional dress and leaving for industrial areas to earn and buy the "goodies" of the industrial world.

Juel Gustafson

GOP modeling itself after Democratic Party

In his May 31 letter to the editor, Rep. David Pendleton claims that Linda Lingle and the Republican Party are working for true reform and that "Hawai'i's last best hope is a revitalized two-party system."

I agree that we need to revitalize a two-party system, but we're not going to have a two-party system if the Republican Party models its social policy after the extremely liberal Democratic Party. And this is exactly what Linda Lingle is trying to do.

All we are going to do is end up with two Democratic parties: one called the Democratic Party and the other one called the Republican Party.

Halee Love
Pahoa

GOP platform letter had editing mistake

There appears to have been an editing mistake made to my June 15 letter to the editor.

People have come up to me and indicated that the first paragraph of the published letter appeared to be confusing and ambiguous, as the word "not" in that first paragraph, which was inserted by The Advertiser, made the rest of the letter confusing and contradictory.

The original letter follows:

"On behalf of the 2000 Hawai'i Republican Party State Platform Committee, may I ask that you clarify for your readers that the 2000 Hawai'i Republican Party State Platform does directly address the abortion issue by acknowledging a woman's right to choose as determined by the courts.

"The 2000 Hawai'i Republican Party State Platform states, 'Hawai'i Republicans advocate the right, as determined by the courts, of every woman to make her own decision regarding abortion, but we oppose partial-birth abortion.

"As you can see, the party has officially adopted a more centrist position consistent with the majority of the people in Hawai'i."

Darwin L.D. Ching
Platform Committee Chairman

But do voters want Waihe'e to return?

I enjoyed Bob Dye's interview with John Waihe'e in the June 24 issue. I suppose John's twirling his toe in the water.

Yes, John, it's safe to come out now; people have short memories. That nasty Bishop Estate business has finally blown over and all the sins of your past administration have been piled atop Ben Cayetano's.

John Waihe'e is certainly good at what he does, but has it been good for Hawai'i?

Scott Israel

Taking down cross in Makakilo a mistake

The cross installed at the church at the bottom of the hill in Makakilo has been taken down. This brings back memories of when the Marine Corps at Camp Smith removed the cross on its hill.

Having former Marines in my family, I couldn't believe the Corps would have taken it down. There must be something wrong with people who feel that crosses are demeaning or meaningless.

Many Americans have died with crosses around their necks. As you drove by the cross at Makakilo, it was a reminder of how thankful we should be that life is still with us.

Whether you are a member of that church or religion, I am sure it wasn't put there to offend or cause pain to people. I do know that it brought some people comfort and peace of mind.

Betty L. Johnson
Kapolei

Legislators should override the veto

Our lawmakers should do what they know is correct on the age-of-consent bill. Make the right choice; override the veto of our governor.

We need to show that our children are valued. If someone makes the wrong choice and violates them, then there is a consequence. That is life.

If you legislators choose to let this go by the wayside, remember, I vote.

K. Kane