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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, August 24, 2002

Letters to the Editor

America's support for Israel must end

We must stop terrorism in its tracks. The disease of terrorism, like all diseases, has a cause and a cure. It is the cause that must be eliminated if terrorism is to be stopped. The cause of the terrorism that is hitting the United States is the unnatural preference the U.S. government gives to Israel.

U.S. taxpayers give the state of Israel about $3.5 billion to $5 billion every year. It averages out to about 6,900 U.S. dollars to every Israeli citizen. And Americans thought it was great to get $300 back in a tax refund.

If we did not give tanks, attack helicopters, machine guns, ammunition, fighter jets and bombs to Israel to make it easier for them to slaughter their Palestinian neighbors — and if we did not smash Israel's biggest military rival in the region, Iraq — the terror attacks of Sept. 11 never would have happened.

The U.S. needs to put America's interests before the interests of Israel. The values of Judaism are opposed to Israel's apartheid regime.

Todd Wetmore

It's time to fight back against Mitch Kahle

Let me get this straight — the U.S. Navy rolled over on an issue in which:

• Membership in the Boys & Girls Club is voluntary.
• Members of the club do not have to memorize or recite the code; members do not have to present the cards to participate in activities.
• Cards are essentially optional.
• Parents of the members did not complain; two active-duty sailors complained.
• There is no "exclusiveness" (buzzword of Mitch Kahle).

Where is the unconstitutionality issue, and why did the U.S. Navy allow Kahle to threaten it to get his way?

Enough is enough. Until the majority stands up and says to these people who are trying (and succeeding) in ruining our way of life, this country and all that it stands for is doomed. Good God-fearing men and women have fought and died for this country. We are a country of majority rule, but we are going to allow a person or organization with an agenda to force its way of life and belief system (atheism) on us.

It is time for a change. This country was not founded on Allah, Mohammed, Buddha or any other prophet or person. It was founded on Christian principles, and it is those principles that have allowed this country to exist for 227 years. We won't see another 50 years if we allow people such as Kahle to continue to bully and demolish the American way of life.

James Roller

Right-turning drivers hazard to pedestrians

Freedom to turn right on red after stopping may be good for drivers in a hurry, but it's hazardous to pedestrians. Drivers turning right typically look left for a break in traffic so they can take advantage of the break and go-go-go.

Driversfail tolook right — in the direction of the pedestrian — before peeling rubber and rounding the corner. How many pedestrians need to be mowed down before the Legislature takes action? Not a significant problem? Well, it's significant (a matter of life and death) to pedestrians.

Let's reset our priorities: people first; cars second.

Tom Dolan

Shakespeare's 'Dream' tonight in Wai'anae

In Wai'anae on Aug. 17, a cast of about 40 children (primarily 9- to 11-year-olds) presented a Shakespeare Festival featuring the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It is organized by Hawai'i Homeschool Association.

We were delighted by a 10-year-old Puck cartwheeling across the stage, a Fairy Queen who played a real harp and a jovial Nick Bottom. We shouldn't neglect mentioning the enthusiasm of the sword fighters, maypole dancing and a puppet show.

Three cheers to Iolani Ikehara, the play director, for a job well done and for setting an example of excellence in education.

They will repeat their performance tonight, 6:30 p.m., at Kahumana Community Center in Wai'anae Valley.

Rachel Sheffield
Kailua

How are inmates at Wai'awa classified?

After reading your recent articles regarding the "escape" of three inmates from the Wai'awa Correctional Facility, I am confused and concerned as to how the inmates there are classified.

Your Aug. 17 article states, "Wai'awa is designated as a minimum-security facility with intermittent supervision by guards. The inmates, who are classified as 'non-violent' and low flight risks, live in dormitories and are able to participate in recreation, education and religious activities inside the facility." Your article concludes with the note, "All three men (the escapees) had convictions which included 'violent' crimes."

If, indeed, violent criminals are to be housed at Wai'awa, perhaps we need to look at upgrading this facility to more than a minimum-security country club. The obvious alternative is to properly classify and incarcerate violent criminals to ensure that they are not given the opportunity to again threaten the community.

William Mulholland