Letters to the Editor

Streets of Washington were filled with fear

I am utterly appalled that such a heinous terrorist attack could take place on American soil. The audacity of our leaders who have said that such an attack is inconceivable are now eating their words.

I work two blocks from the White House, and you literally could not believe the fear I saw on some of these people's faces. Some crying, some looking dazed and confused. Traffic was at a standstill, and sidewalks were terribly congested. I can only imagine the chaos in New York City.

I hope President Bush will finally keep his word and use the full capabilities of American forces to retaliate and not let the perpetrators get away with this. This is yet another day that will live in infamy.

My prayers go out to all the victims and their families. God bless America.

Napualokelani Wiley
Kamehameha Class of 1995

Time for talk is over; it's time for action

Does world politics matter to you now?

Give blood for the next several months — the need will still be there.

The terrorists didn't need to think about how or what to do, all they had to do was go to the movies or watch TV.

It's not as if the United States didn't get any warnings. Can you count how many hijackings there have been worldwide before Sept. 11, 2001?Ê

What part of your current lifestyle has or is of benefit to your community, state, country? Are you going to just talk about this or are you going to make changes in your life?Ê

Carolyn H. Walther

Oil imports helped finance terrorism

This is war. Far more people were killed yesterday than during the Pearl Harbor attack.

Just as Pearl Harbor steeled America's will to forge the strongest nation on earth, so today must we awake to realize that we financed today's attacks by giving hundreds of billions of dollars to oil exporters who hate America.

We don't need a drop of oil from Iran or Iraq. With war-like resolve, we can become energy self-sufficient and choke off Osama bin Laden's allies. Instead of building Victory Ships at a miraculous rate, we can go full bore on high-efficiency technology: distributed generation, wind energy, concentrating solar collectors and other solar technologies and super-efficient buildings.

A war mentality will relabel SUVs as BLVs — bin Laden Victories. War-time courage is needed: Dramatically raise the tax on oil while reducing the income tax that punishes workers. This will move people away from SUVs to super-efficient vehicles.

Howard C. Wiig

Armed forces keep our state secure

Thank you, armed forces, for your commitment and presence in Hawai'i. You are a positive resource for our community, and sacrifice your lives to protect the people of Hawai'i.

With the terrorist tragedy in New York and Washington, it's even more apparent why we rely on you for the security of our state. It could have happened to any one of us.

God bless you and your families.

Cheryl Rapoza

Peacetime stories pale in comparison

World War III has begun.

Funny thing, all a sudden the Honolulu police eating gourmet food is not an issue. Times of peace made us nitpick about everything. Reality has set in and World War III has begun.

Enjoy each day as if it's your last.

Jim Rosen