Letters to the Editor
Homeland security votes were courageous
I want to extend a mahalo to Sens. Akaka and Inouye for their stand on voting against the homeland security bill. They showed, with seven other senators, profiles of courage.
No one can accuse these two of being against the security of our country. They stood up for protection for 170,000 workers. These government employees had civil service. Now it may revert back to a spoils system. Who knows what is in store under the Bush administration?
Can you imagine the cries of dissent from the conservatives if Bill Clinton had done this? The Democratic senators who voted for the bill are lacking in principle and character. Aloha to Akaka and Inouye for their stand.
Alfred Akana
Why did our senators vote against bill?
Who in Hawai'i gave our Democratic senators, Dan Inouye and Dan Akaka, the go-ahead to vote against the homeland security bill?
The Senate vote was 90 vs. 9 in favor of the bill, and we look like fools to have our representatives voting against such an obviously practical idea.
When were the voters in the Aloha State ever polled or given the chance to express our opinions as to the need for a Cabinet-level department that would consolidate the various federal agencies together in an effort to share data and resources in the fight against terrorism?
I believe that Sens. Inouye and Akaka, as well as Rep. Neil Abercrombie, are arrogant and out of touch with the people of Hawai'i, the same population that just elected a Republican governor and demonstrated dissatisfaction with the Democratic mentality.
It's time for our Republicans to go to Washington in order to fairly represent the minds and hearts of the people of Hawai'i.
Mike Reilly
Kane'ohe
Akaka, Inouye votes on security puzzling
I presume that the "no" votes by Sens. Akaka and Inouye for the Department of Homeland Security bill means that the U.S. — and Hawai'i in particular — should have no fear against further terrorism.
Considering the number of affirmative votes by both Democrats and Republicans, politics and special interests must be more important for our senators than national security and the war against terrorism.
Paul I. Miller
Kane'ohe
U.S. should pressure China over missiles
In the current international security situation, cooperation in combating terrorism and in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction is the main issue.
While the international community is dedicated to combating acts of terrorism, China has deployed 400 missiles along its southeast coast aimed at Taiwan. Threatening democratic Taiwan in order to force it to accept unification under China's conditions is like trying to force a girl into marriage with a gun in hand. Isn't that just another type of terrorist act against freedom and democracy?
Taiwan is the 16th largest economy in the world and completed its first peaceful alternation of political parties in power in history in May 2000. As a vibrant economy, a full-fledged democracy and a generous contributor in the international community, Taiwan is indeed a "success story." Therefore, safeguarding Taiwan's security is also upholding the universal values of democracy, freedom and peace.
On Sept. 5, representing the opinion of 370 million people, the European Parliament passed a resolution 448 to 26 publicly requesting China to dismantle all the missiles deployed along its southwest coast. This is a demonstration of the determination of the civilized world to uphold the values of democracy and freedom, and as a member of that world, we should also firmly express the same position.
The Taiwanese people have the right to freely decide their own future. President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan has also openly expressed his willingness to sit down with the leaders of China to discuss cross-strait issues based on the principles of democracy, equality and peace. I cannot understand why China chooses military threats and intimidation instead of peaceful dialogue to resolve differences across the Taiwan Strait.
Tsong-Shun Lu
President, Honolulu Da-Peng Association
Lingle put her finger on highway fund disaster
The last question in the Lingle-Hirono debate on Oct. 25 was a good one — and so was Linda's response.
Linda explained that the Cayetano administration used $100 million of our transportation funds for other purposes, which resulted in a loss of $400 million in federal matching funds. Hawai'i surely could have put $500 million to good use to help with the state highway projects put on hold and mentioned in Mike Leidemann's article in the Nov. 16 Advertiser.
Ed Cesar
Kahalu'u
Vote for Case and save the Democratic Party
The decision by former Gov. John Waihee not to run for Patsy Mink's seat is the honorable and right thing to do. Frankly, I was surprised. My memories of his administration do not center on him doing the honorable and right thing all that much.
Hopefully, the Democratic Party will focus on one candidate so the Republicans do not slip in one of their own.
The simple truth is that Ed Case is the most popular Democrat running — based on the gubernatorial primary results. The other Democratic candidates simply do not have sufficient credibility after the last election debacle. Where were they when Case took on the entrenched Democrats in the Legislature and labor unions that the voters have discredited by electing Linda Lingle governor?
I voted for Case in the Democratic gubernatorial primary in a last-ditch attempt to save the soul of the state Democratic Party. I think the relevant question is obvious: Does the state Democratic Party want to be saved?
Lee Black
Schools must submit data on their students
President Bush's No Child Left Behind legislation, which went into effect this past July, has a little-known provision: High schools across the nation must turn over all names, phone numbers and contact information for their students or face the loss of federal funding.
Many school districts have legitimate concerns regarding the forceful and sometimes misleading sales pitches made by military recruiters. Young minds are impressionable and easily seduced. A board member for the San Francisco Unified School District stated that schools should encourage students to go on to colleges and universities as a first choice — not be forced to put the military on an equal or higher footing.
Under the current legislation, if any branch of the military determines that a school is not being proactive in assisting their recruitment efforts, the secretary of defense will notify the state's governor, who will in turn be compelled to open the school's doors or lose federal funds.
This same provision of the No Child Left Behind Act is being used to gain access to the country's top universities and law schools, which previously had not allowed a military presence on campus because of their policy of not doing business with organizations that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
With our administration's attacks on workplace safety, healthcare and the minimum wage, joining the military may be looking better and better to young people. But a more just and peaceful society is possible. We don't have to have this level of militarization. We don't have to fight wars over oil. We don't have to give up our civil rights in exchange for "national security."
There are alternatives.
Derek Bishop
Public school teacher, Na'alehu, Big Island
Dobelle-Lingle flap should be left alone
Enough, already! The Dobelle-Lingle "thing" is being blown out of proportion by political zealots looking for a soapbox.
We are extremely fortunate to have Evan Dobelle running our university, and everyone hopes Linda Lingle will be a great governor.
Both are highly intelligent people who, I am sure, will work together for the good of the university and the state of Hawai'i.
Now, good citizens, find something really important to be upset about — such as traffic gridlock or medical insurance hikes.
Jimmy Borges
Academic freedom must be preserved
Bob Rees' Nov. 4 column tells how UH administrators utterly failed to support academic freedom when someone tried to prevent Ken Conklin from teaching a noncredit course on Hawaiian sovereignty at UH-Manoa.
Rees hit the nail squarely on the head, and I, as a retired professor, am ashamed of myself for not raising hell about this issue sooner.
What makes a university unique among all social institutions is that it encourages — not merely permits — the expression of diverse and often unpopular opinions. Students need to understand that there are many ways to look at issues and that sorting through conflicting points of view is a critical part of their learning experience. This is why "academic freedom" is so important for students, as well as professors.
I am upset that our university administrators, and even the Faculty Senate, dismissed this matter so lightly. Yes, I know, it was "only" a noncredit course for older students, so why get excited?
The reason is clear: Any attempt to suppress discussion and dissent on campus weakens the foundations of the university and makes the next attack on academic freedom that much more acceptable.
Anthony Lenzer
Professor emeritus, University of Hawai'i
Audubon Society will be a good steward
I support the National Audubon Society for the management of Waimea Falls Park.
The society has established itself as a leader in environmental education and in the protection and conservation of wildlife and habitat since 1905. Audubon is one of the nation's largest grassroots environmental organizations, and it employs over 600 people nationwide.
The society's proposal for an Audubon Center is in close alignment with the community master plan for Waimea Falls Park. In fact, Audubon proposes to return the valley to its prior primary use — as a resource for Hawai'i and North Shore residents.
Imagine an experience that attracts a significantly higher number of residents, as well as a targeted sector of the visitor community interested in in-depth, high-quality interaction in the valley.
Imagine a transition from a primarily entertainment-focused experience to one that emphasizes meaningful education about the valley's inspiring cultural and environmental assets.
Audubon is making arrangements for a citizens' advisory committee to have input in the management of Waimea Falls Park. This will allow for residents to help make proper stewardship and management decisions and to move away from some of the mistakes of the past.
Audubon's first priority with respect to Waimea Valley is the protection and preservation of important cultural, botanical and ecological resources. The second priority would be education and interpretation of those resources. This is important for the future of Hawai'i.
Blake D. McElheny
Hale'iwa
Teachers do indeed have a difficult task
Lee Cataluna's Nov. 22 column was totally moving. Teachers have a difficult task to perform — notably with misfits, ruffians and just plain truants.
I have friends and relatives who are teachers. Not only do students drive them batty, but parents think it's the teachers' job to teach their kids manners.
Some teachers are in a danger zone. Some have to break up fights between students capable of knocking out the tiles from the halls. Some teachers are paranoid because some of their students haven't slept for a few days because of batu or ice. It is perilous being an educator.
Teachers who don't have to perform an exorcism on a daily basis are blessed, but they still have to deal with the personalities of students, which can give them migraines for life. At least five of the teachers I know have migraine headaches.
Maybe Linda and Duke can get a little bit more kala for our public educators so they can go get a nice lomi lomi or a shiatsu to relieve their tensions.
Ron Sambrano
Lahaina, Maui
Benefactor should have been credited
Your Nov. 21 article in the "Our School" section on Kaimuki Christian School did not mention Louise M. Fleming, the prime donor of $50,000 who initiated the playground project. She is the so-called "one of the school's grandparents," as your reporter stated.
I feel strongly that her generosity should have been noted initially, as well as the other two foundations. I wonder why you chose to exclude her name when Louise was the founder and largest donor of the project? Was her name not newsworthy enough for your paper? You dropped the ball, big time.
C.P. Mars
Boston, Mass.
