Letters to the Editor
U.S. military action is working FOR us
Regarding Amanda Gates' Oct. 17 letter "U.S. military action working against us.": The United States is taking required military action against the enemies of America not to help a crazy man realize some sick goal. Oh, no. It is in order to let people like you, Ms. Gates, me and every American here and abroad live a free life — our way of life.
Nations the world over will join our fight or be isolated. All nations that support terrorism, among them Syria, must get with the program or they could feel the wrath of Uncle Sam. Terrorism is no longer something to wonder about — it's something to deal with.
Ms. Gates, the service members of the United States of America will never condemn you or the ones you love. We will continue to protect your American-given rights and freedoms so that you can continue to live a safe and prosperous life.
If you don't already have Old Glory flying outside your residence, go out and get one. Support your nation and your military during these difficult times.
Capt. Joe S. Wolfe
MCB Hawai'i
Someone has to pay for freedom of speech
I read the paper's commentary section almost every day and honestly, I can't believe some of the comments, like those from Amanda Gates ("U.S. military action is working against us") or even better yet, the one from Gaius Thede ("No negotiations is adolescent response").
Just where do these people think their freedom of speech comes from? Is it really free? Isn't someone out there right now you know in harm's way? Isn't there someone out there right now who lost a loved one in the World Trade Center?
I congratulate them for at least speaking up, but freedom of speech is not free and someone always pays for all of us to have this privilege.
Mike Gallagher
Twisted foreign policy isn't worth dying for
On Oct. 17, separate letters to the editor appeared in The Honolulu Advertiser condemning the Professors Opposed to War and pacifists in general. Thomas Stuart suggested reviving the House Subcommittee on Un-American Activities to deal with "Nazi-like" professors (he may have meant Commie-like), while Clif Purkiser pitied our ignorance of history.
I suppose if there had been no peace movement, America would have won the war in Vietnam eventually and we wouldn't have to worry about Soviet power in Southeast Asia. But wait. There is no Soviet Union, because America won the Cold War, bleeding them dry in a nuclear arms race and brilliantly supporting the rebels in Afghanistan. Hmmm. That was the Taliban the U.S. supported, wasn't it?
Well, maybe I don't know much about history or foreign policy, but Purkiser says that the moral thing to do is kill and die for the nation. I'm willing to bet Osama bin Laden says something very similar to his folks.
There are things worth dying for. An arcane and twisted foreign policy is not one of them. As for killing, you need to offer a much stronger justification than revenge.
Jon Osorio
University of Hawai'i
It's time to put anthrax death in perspective
Let's see, so far one person in the United States has died of anthrax and the country is hunkering down in fear. That's one anthrax death — only one.
It seems ludicrous when we consider that 540,000 Americans will die of cancer this year, yet millions are smoking while they worry about anthrax; 725,000 of us will die of heart disease this year, yet how many of us are exercising daily? And 31,000 of us will commit suicide this year, another 65,000 will die from diabetes, and pneumonia and influenza will combine to kill another 92,000.
We're now afraid to fly, but it would take a packed 727 jet crashing every day to equal our average highway deaths. We think we're safe in our homes, yet home fires kill 3,500 annually and six people drown every day in pools. Safe at work? Not really. Workplace accidents claim another 500 lives each year. Bee stings alone cause 100 deaths per year in the United States and snake bites (OK, not in Hawai'i) will claim another 10 Mainlanders.
Let's put things in perspective, folks. All these deaths around us, yet one anthrax case and we have mass hysteria. Let's get back to our "normal" lives.
Ross Rolirad
Makakilo
Anthrax headline was sensationalism
I realize it is the media's job to inform the people it serves about world events and important issues, and for the most part you do a pretty good job.
But in the name of maximizing your revenues, The Advertiser sensationalized the recent events in a fashion that deepens and plays on the fears of your readers.
For example, the headline on Oct. 14 — "Anthrax fear spreads" — helps to spread "terror." I believe this could be construed as terrorism.
You should be ashamed of yourselves. I am angered and sickened by this blatant misuse of your influence. Instead of hyping up the headlines and sending the wrong message, you should be more concerned with fostering unity among the people of this great country.
John Hakala
Mixed message given
You guys at The Advertiser amaze me. Your front-page headline blares "Anthrax scare hits D.C." Then inside, your editorial pronounces, "Our nation must not succumb to fear." I see a pretty strong mixed message here. Do you?
Pete Miller
Kailua
New rules won't stop terrorists, just fans
Now that we are no longer able to bring umbrellas, backpacks, handbags, clear plastic bags, purses and food into Aloha Stadium, I for one feel a lot safer from terrorist attacks.
Never again will a terrorist poke me in the ribs with an umbrella, hit me over the head with her purse or threaten a large crowd with a clear plastic bag. Horrifying food fights will be a thing of the past unless you are horrified by the food they sell at the stadium.
Of course, since there are no metal or explosive detectors as well as vehicle searches upon entering the stadium, the biggest threats like weapons and bombs concealed under one's clothing or in one's car indicate to me that Aloha Stadium officials deem these to be minor concerns.
Unfortunately, it seems the only people these rules will keep out of Aloha Stadium are University of Hawai'i Warrior football fans.
Roy Kamisato
Credit goes to HMSA for premium refunds
I stand in shock and amazement.
At a time when most businesses are really struggling, I have to congratulate HMSA for really doing something to help small businesses. While everyone from government to suppliers and landlords can show little more than sympathy for the pain we experiencing, HMSA has put its money where its mouth is.
I am holding a refund check for almost an entire month's premiums paid for by my company group medical insurance. This incredible display of community support needs to be publicly acknowledged. Now, if only consumers can reject the self-fulfilling prophecy of recession by spending instead of saving.
Maybe other business and government interests can follow the lead set by HMSA. Together we can all get through this before businesses begin turning to further layoffs and bankruptcies as their only ways out.
Mahalo to HMSA for showing some backbone and heart in the face of adversity.
Gary McCarty
Why would Legislature make governor a king?
I have a fax from Rep. Bob McDermott's office. It purports to be "A Bill for an Act" that essentially gives the governor dictatorial powers upon his declaration of a state disaster or economic emergency.
I've not seen anything about this in your paper or on the local news broadcasts. Is this a hoax, or are some of our legislators actually willing to turn Gov. Cayetano into King Cayetano?
Gene Bridges
Captive insurance industry can be giant
John Duchemin's Oct. 7 article "When tourism falters, there's no backup" misrepresents Hawai'i's captive insurance industry.
He belittles our contribution to the economy as having a "tiny impact." In fact, Hawai'i-based captives write in excess of $250 million in premiums per year and have assets of over $1.7 billion, as well as the $16.5 million fee income mentioned.
Before anyone writes off our industry, just imagine what would have happened if Bermuda had taken the same attitude.
Bermuda lost its tourist industry to package resorts and its military presence when the United States, Canada and Britain pulled out. However, Bermuda enjoys full employment and one of the highest standards of living in the world — why? The captive insurance industry was encouraged and is now Bermuda's prime industry.
As a result, major reinsurance companies were attracted and Bermuda is now the third largest insurance center in the world. This achievement is particularly impressive given that Bermuda is a 26-square-mile island with only 60,000 inhabitants.
Far from being an industry "limited to a paper certificate," our captive insurance industry could be Hawai'i's salvation.
Alison Mortlock
If this be propaganda, then let me have some
When I read your Oct. 15 editorial "Voice of America must not be for propaganda," I laughed out loud. Coming from The Advertiser, it's funny.
Exactly how do you define "propaganda"? Is it advocacy of a particular viewpoint at the expense of another? If so, that's The Advertiser, sometimes so bent on its own (usually liberal) agenda that the front page has on occasion became the op-ed. But it's not as bad as CNN, The Washington Post, NPR and dozens of others.
Who defines propaganda? CNN, which now displays hundreds of photos of poor sad Afghans but nothing showing the horrific attacks on our country? Which will broadcast every second of Osama bin Laden telling every Muslim to kill Americans? Is it NBC's Matt Lauer, calling humanitarian food drops "propaganda"?
Should the Voice of America dole out "propaganda"? What are you worried it'll say? That America is a really great place, and Osama's supporters are bad? If that's propaganda, I'd vote for it.
Give me responsible journalists who'll forward the cause of the people of the United States, despite our imperfections. That's a responsibility of the world's most free society. If you call that propaganda, so be it.
Marc Myer
La'ie
We are returning to our errant ways
The refrain keeps flitting in and out of my mind: "When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?"
We just returned from a wonderful family gathering on the Mainland. I felt no fear or concern whatsoever upon my departure, but the return was quite different, indeed.
At Honolulu International Airport, the agent correctly noted the difference between the legal name on my driver's license and the nickname on my ticket. The supervisor came over and checked my other various identifications, which verified that I was one and the same person.
My boarding pass, though, was "tagged." Consequently, I was sent to a secondary analysis. At the metal-detector area, I was directed aside and received a full electronic hand-held pass-over. Upon boarding, I was politely directed to another line. A full electronic scan was followed by a body "pat-down" and complete review of every item in my carry-on. Only then was I allowed to board.
At critical junctures, by the way, armed soldiers were clearly visible. Truthfully, it made me confident about the flight.
Frankly, I was happy about this. Having traveled to Israel a dozen times and living there for a year, to me security — slow and careful and thorough — is not an issue at all.
The Mainland was a different story entirely. While my identification was verified in Los Angeles, Denver and Atlanta, it was done so only marginally. I saw no military in Denver. In Atlanta, only sidearms were permitted for the National Guardsmen. Further, upon departing Atlanta, our baggage was checked in at the curb. Incredibly, I discovered from arriving members of my family, curbside check-in was also permitted at La Guardia Airport in New York.
Less than a month since Sept. 11, in spite of attacks on Afghanistan and a new Office of Homeland Security and the appearance of anthrax, at many airports it seems that life goes on at the pre-World Trade Center pace.
When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?
Rabbi Avi Magid
Temple Emanu-El
