Letters to the Editor

Create space in which pilot can gas hijacker

The answer to the terrorist in the cockpit is to create a three-foot dead space between the cockpit and the flight attendant area, perhaps bulletproof glass with an electronic closing door controlled by the pilots.

To get in, you would have a valid reason. When you step in, the door closes shut. You communicate through video cameras. If you are a threat, the pilot pushes a button to release sleeping gas into this dead space. With another button, the passenger area could be gassed through oxygen vents.

This method would also allow the pilots, only one at a time, to exit the cockpit for the bathroom, etc. This method would negate the need for overly extensive searches at boarding with concomitant delays.

Ken Chang
Kane'ohe

Time for peace-loving Muslims to take stand

As our military readies itself to go to war, consider one possible alternative to the possible loss of additional thousands, if not millions, of lives.

One possible effective way to rid this world of Osama bin Laden and his perverse interpretation of the Holy Quran is for the millions of true, peaceful and righteous believers of the Islamic faith to reclaim the Quran from this maniac and take to the streets and denounce his beliefs.

Killing him and his followers, not to mention innocent lives, will only create 1 million more Osama bin Ladens. A show of massive military force led by the United States, although justified, would only feed the frenzy in the Middle East caused by bin Laden's rhetoric.

Ed Josiah
Makakilo

Link to Pearl Harbor is indeed appropriate

Gary N. Suzukawa, in his Sept. 18 letter, takes exception to comparing the terrorist attacks to Pearl Harbor. It seems to me that the similarities far outweigh the differences.

The main objection seems to be that Imperial Japan in 1941 targeted "only" military targets. I am sure the Pearl Harbor victims and their families take little comfort in that distinction.

Pearl Harbor, like the terrorist attack, was meant to discourage and disable the United States. It took us, in one fell swoop, from an uneasy peace to a committed war effort. It pointed out our security and diplomacy failings.

It redefined the nature of warfare as it was then known.

Most importantly, in both cases we have to struggle with the racial issue: distinguishing those Japanese or Arabs who were/are Americans from those who planned, supported or committed the attack.

I agree with Suzukawa that we must do a better job this time of separating true Muslims from the radical Islamic entities that perpetrated this horrific assault on the peace and security of the entire world.

But the comparison to Pearl Harbor is not meant to be racially insulting to AJAs. The similarities are plain and hopefully instructive to all.

Mark McCullough

There is a proper way to display the U.S. flag

As an American serviceman, I am deeply moved by the overwhelming display of patriotism shown throughout the neighborhoods of O'ahu.

However, it is important to note that the proper way to display the American flag in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, either horizontally or vertically against a wall, is that the blue field of 50 stars should be uppermost and to the observer's left.

When displayed vertically with the blue field to the right of the observer, the flag is in fact upside-down, which is a sign of distress.

Scott Merritt
Lanikai

Tragedy points up need for training sites

In our recent disasters at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, many lives were lost. America was hit very hard by enemy attack. This brings to mind the needed training that is vital to our country's security.

Pearl Harbor in 1941 was also attacked by surprise. Since then, we have become aware that America is always a target.

American troops must train constantly to be the best they can be to defend our country at the call of a moment. But inside the walls of America, we face obstacles of objection, such as from Malama Makua to stop training in Makua Valley. So far the court has been in favor of stopping the Army. If this happens, then God help America because the needed training will never come.

Why is it the Army must beg for a place to train? It is protecting our homefront and our freedom. Why is it that Congress is not providing all needed training sites for our country's security? Call your congressman and ask why.

Adrian Silva Jr.
Wai'anae

Coalition is essential

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were very bad. The way President Bush is handling the situation is really good. He's talking to the other countries and making sure they support us in the war against terrorism. That is a very smart thing to do because if he didn't do that, it would be difficult for us.

Kristine Higa