Letters to the Editor
Airport security needs common sense approach
We spend millions of dollars on high-tech security equipment at the airports, yet we hire security guards at nearly minimum wage.
For years, we've been asked at airport check-in, "Has anyone asked you to carry his luggage?" How many millions of dollars were spent training airport counter personnel to ask that? Has it been effective?
Why don't they just ask, "Are you carrying concealed weapons?" "Do you plan to hijack the airplane?" Are we naive to think someone would come right out and tell us?
On domestic flights, the cockpit doors are opened after take-off. Doesn't the pilots union feel pilots are then vulnerable with their backs to the passengers? Would our police officers willingly transport suspects from crime scenes to jail without handcuffs when they are seated right behind them in a squad car?
We trained the hijackers at U.S. flight schools. Did not a flag go up somewhere with the FBI? Have we been asleep?
We are a kind and gentle nation. That is our downfall. We invite everyone to come to America with open arms. We spend billions of dollars helping other countries and billions helping new arrivals with our welfare system. Yet we refuse to get tough.
Instead of spending billions on future terrorism precautions, let's give the money to the families affected by this tragedy. A common-sense approach to airport security could have prevented the hijackers from boarding the planes.
Lane Woodall
U.S. must not use nuclear weapons
A friend mentioned to me that his neighbor rushed to the Pentagon shortly after the crash because his wife worked there. He was able to get very close to the destruction, and noticed that he had been standing next to a three-star general who mentioned to another three-star general that, "We are going to turn them into glass," which of course means the use of nuclear weapons.
Many Americans are calling for this as well, but they don't fully understand the ramifications if we were to engage in nuclear warfare. They think we're going to just drop some bombs and be safe and comfortable here in the States. Wrong!
As we've seen last week, the terrorists have the capability of bringing this war to us. Many rogue nations have nuclear arsenals. For many wars the United States has been lucky enough to not fight on our soil, but this war could be fought here and bring about mass destruction and bloodshed — not just of American military personnel, but American civilians.
So, I urge President Bush and Vice President Cheney: Please don't act so hastily.
I saw Bush talking smack the other day, as if he were playing a pick-up game of basketball. That's not a way to lead by example.
Napualokelani Wiley
Wai'anae
Scams, price gouging deepen our tragedy
The recent tragedy at the World Trade Center and Pentagon has brought out the best in most Americans. There appear to be thousands if not millions of Americans reaching into their pockets to make life a little easier for those poor victims and their families.
There are, however, a few bad eggs scamming people out of their hard-earned money and making a profit on the misery of others. I was ashamed of those who heard of the tragedy and used it as an opportunity to gouge prices on items of necessity. Those greedy, self-serving persons are criminals and should be treated as such.
As far as donations go, a word to the wise: Give your donations to registered known charities such as the Red Cross or other similar agencies. Don't just throw your money into any paper sack that somebody sticks into your face.
Shame on the slimy price gougers and scam artists, and God Bless America!
Michael Young
Waipahu
Security breakdown was due to Clinton
Reader Nancy Bey Little in her Sept. 16 letter avers "President Clinton worked very hard for peace in the Middle East" which President Bush has "reversed."
Little and others of her persuasion might wish to consider what Clinton himself "reversed." As chronicled by White House FBI agent Gary Aldrich in his 1996 book "Unlimited Access," Clinton and the people he brought in with him sneered at such things as security clearances, and in January 1993 began deliberately undermining the national security posture of America.
It is my belief that what Clinton accomplished — in what Little terms "peace" during his eight years in office — was to sell off bit by bit, retail and wholesale, the time-tested national security apparatus that he inherited from George H.W. Bush for cash on the barrelhead.
The coordinated air attack against targets in Manhattan and Washington would not have been possible had not our federal establishment been comprehensively penetrated.
While the "Come Back Kid" may never be investigated, indicted and tried for these fundamental failings, his legacy is one of betrayal.
Thomas E. Stuart
Put $5 billion bounty on bin Laden's head
Let's take the president's "dead or alive" statement on Osama bin Laden to the next level.
I don't doubt that bin Laden has a few enemies even within his own network or surrounding communities. Why not spare thousands of innocent lives and billions of dollars by simply putting a $5 billion bounty on bin Laden — with an expiration date?
I'm sure some countries, including dreadfully poor Afghanistan, could use the money. Beat him at his own game. He used our planes and turned them into weapons of destruction. Let's use his own people's greed or dissatisfaction to take him down.
If it doesn't work, find bin Laden and his sick-minded army and destroy them limb by limb.
Chris McMahon
Kailua
We missed our chance to show patriotism
CBS Television has been showing highlights of the Aloha Week Parade for 30 years on Thanksgiving Day through the efforts of CBS executive producer Michael Gargiulo. He has single-handedly supported Hawai'i and the Aloha Week Parade all these years only because he loves Hawai'i.
With the great tragedy last week, Gargiulo had asked repeatedly whether the parade would be canceled. He was assured it wouldn't. It wasn't until Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the parade was to start, that Aloha Festivals decided to cancel the parade. As Gargiulo had spent considerable time and money already, he was not happy with the late decision. He perfectly understands why it was canceled, but said it should have been canceled days before, not less than 24 hours before the event.
The Aloha Festivals could have converted the parade into a show of support for the police and fire departments, rescue workers, emergency crews and the military. It could have been a Red Cross drive, a patriotic rally, and a show of support to those who continue to do their jobs and risk their lives for us.
What a fine example it would have set, that Hawai'i, so far away, was the first in the nation to show our support. Veterans, military bands, ROTC marching units, senior groups, schools, displays of patriotism, all could have been seen across America.
With Pearl Harbor as a reference, we should have done something.
Will CBS come back? We don't know. We missed our chance, again.
R. Kobayakawa
National Mobile Television-Hawai'i
Let's not lose sight of who the enemy is
Recently the focus of the news media has been on waging war on a nation or a religious group. We need to focus on who we will be engaging and for what reasons we will be engaging them.
The people we are engaging do not represent a single nation and are not representatives of a recognized religion. They are criminal thugs, pure and simple.
Like all criminal groups, they are engaged in the pursuit of their own ends, by whatever means is available and at whatever cost and injury they may inflict on those who may represent obstacles to the achievement of their goals.
They are no different from any other organized criminal enterprise. They are willing to turn us all into victims and use whatever means are available to inflict harm and malice to further their agenda.
Like the homeowner who has never been robbed, our failure in the past has been that we have not recognized their threat or given it the attention it truly deserves. We are now caught in the game of closing the windows and doors in hopes of preventing further criminal activities.
Like a good criminologist, in order to weed out this problem, we need to look at who is profiting from this activity. Without an understanding of the motive, we will fail in ultimately stemming future activity.
Vernon J.C. Hoo
Premonition of doom
On Saturday or Sunday night before the attack, I dreamed of a matchbook with a picture of Osama bin Laden, with words in Arabic saying that the United States is offering a reward for anyone who gives information for the capture of this man.
Did anyone else have a premonition?
Nandarani Evans
Former worker, 22nd floor, Tower Two, World Trade Center
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Readers respond on other topics
Fluoridation decision for Lana'i is shocking
I was shocked to read that Lana'i is the target of water fluoridation by the Department of Health and even more upset that the decision was made in March but the media did not announce this until August.
A small group of people on Lana'i decided that the state and federal monies from the tobacco settlement should be used to fight tooth decay, but there has never been scientific proof forthcoming from the Department of Health to show that fluoride is safe when consumed over a long period of time. It looks as if Lana'i residents weren't fully informed of the risks.
My biggest question is how can Lana'i, which is privately owned by the Dole Co., accept federal or state funds without the knowledge or approval of the Legislature?
No public hearings were held. Will the DOH now try to strong-arm the Legislature to force the whole state to be fluoridated? This deplorable situation must be opposed by other outraged citizens.
Edmund Pestana
Mortimer's legacy is now apparent
Well, I think now that all the dust has settled we, the residents of Hawai'i and members of the UH community, now see the true legacy left by the former University of Hawai'i president, Kenneth Mortimer.
Admittedly the state of the local economy had a lot to do with the state funding for the university, but if this slide occurred under the watch of an "education" governor, one wonders what would have happened under an anti-higher education governor.
Good luck, Dr. Dobelle, in raising the quality of the university and the morale of its faculty and staff.
John C.N. Shen
Associate professor, Honolulu Community College
Homeless people aren't just abandoned
Who cares about the homeless in the parks? Partners in Care does.
Partners in Care is an organization made up of homeless-service agencies — city, state and federal officials and concerned community members who are determined to work toward the goal of eliminating homelessness.
Several agencies involved in the group work directly with the homeless in Ala Moana Beach Park and others around the island. Outreach workers meet with individuals often, trying to determine the reasons they are homeless and possible ways to get them moved into safe, affordable housing.
Many individuals who are currently living on the streets and in the parks of O'ahu suffer from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder. Others have lost their housing due to addictions or financial problems. Outreach workers work with the individuals and many times are not noticeable to community members. Case management services, addiction counseling, financial planning, housing placement — these are all parts of the continuum of care worked on by people across the island.
If you would like to become involved, you might want to start by finding out as much as you can about the causes and effects of homelessness and the prevention strategies and long-term solutions that need to be implemented.
Laura Thielen
Chairwoman, Partners in Care
Travel story brings back fond memories
The Sept. 9 Travel section's feature story on Glacier National Park brought back many fond memories.
I worked as a ranger-naturalist in the St. Mary section for two summers (1954 and 1955). My weekly duties included staffing the information desk at Sun Point and Logan Pass, conducting the hikes to Hidden Lake and Granite Park Chalet and giving four evening lectures.
The first summer, we (three ranger-naturalists) lived in the ranger station near Baring Falls/St. Mary Lake (a one-mile hike). What did I do on my days off? Backpack, of course.
In 1963, we drove our VW with Hawai'i plates to Glacier, and at the Many Glacier gate we were greeted by a local boy, James Burns (now a judge). Small world.
Al Keali'i Chock
'Ewa
