Letters to the Editor

U.S. wants the Iraqis to run their country

The U.S. government does not want to be solely involved in the reconstruction of Iraq. It wants the people of Iraq to build their own government and have the freedom to choose it. The U.S. goal was to liberate Iraq — not run it.

War is never good, especially when women and children die. But it happens, and that is war. If you have never been outside the U.S. to travel to a Third World country, I suggest you do so. Many of these countries (including Iraq) are incredibly rich in oil; their people all could live great lives. But the only people who profit from this wealth are Saddam and his sons. They are filthy rich while 99 percent of Iraqi people went without the basic necessities of life (food, water, shelter, healthcare).

The war with Iraq is not about taking oil or taking over Iraq. It is about liberating and freeing the people of Iraq and removing from power a very dangerous man who has harmed and would continue to harm not only his own people, but others in this world through weapons of mass destruction.

Gary S. Liddell

Pro-war Americans are brainwashed

I'm really sick of this war, the innocent civilians being killed, the pro-war media and, above all, the brainwashed Americans who support this war.

Don't these people realize that we set a precedent for other countries to go to war, too, just because they don't agree with each other? Who's to say China or Russia won't attack us because of our buildup of weapons of mass destruction?

And terrorism? More and more people across the globe are angry with Americans, meaning more terrorism. War is so archaic in this day and age that it feels like the American Empire is the new Roman Empire. And just like the Romans, Americans have set themselves up for future isolation from the rest of the world.

What about President Bush setting a poor example for our children, being arrogant and a bully to other countries just because he doesn't like their religion, the way they do business, or wants something they have? He believes that the world revolves around America, and a lot of Americans believe the same thing, too ... which is really, really sad.

Dean Otsuki

Criminals continue to have the advantage

Once again the prison system failed us, and armed and dangerous men were roaming O'ahu. Once again the criminals had the advantage.

Hawai'i's strict gun-control laws prevent anyone from obtaining a firearm for self-defense unless he passes a time-consuming, invasive and offensive background check, including photographing and fingerprinting. It's time for a major overhaul in Hawai'i's firearm laws.

Let's fingerprint and photograph criminals, not honest citizens.

Jonathan D. Hollister
Kamuela, Hawai'i

Are infrared heat sensors in wide use?

I commend the HPD for its search for our local escapees. I understand that police upgraded their search by using infrared heat sensors to detect movement around the wilderness and have to question: Has this method also been used to find missing persons? Have they found that elderly Oriental gentleman with Alzheimer's and many others soon after their disappearance?

Just found it interesting that it was never mentioned in those cases.

Kimi Cardenas

Delegation to Japan is critical to tourism

I strongly disagree with Mona K. Wood's statements in her analysis of the proposed delegation to Japan (Letters, March 24). Her distorted explanation of the Japanese traveler makes the jobs of those having to market Hawai'i during these times even tougher.

I resent her reference to our important Japanese traveler as "packing their Louis Vuitton bags," and yes, Japan has been in an economic slump for years now. She is ignorant if she thinks "the Japanese will come when they are good and ready as they always have."

I have never lived in Japan. However, I travel for business, work with Japanese clients and media, and have numerous friends and relatives from all walks of life living there as well. I know the market well, having been in the industry for 30 years.

Ms. Wood needs to do her homework. Although numbers were down during the Gulf War in the '90s, Japanese still traveled to Hawai'i. The 9/11 terrorist acts changed tourism forever, especially since they occurred on U.S. soil, bringing a big drop in Japanese travel to America.

Anyone in the industry knows the media play an important communication role in Japan. The exposure of the delegation (including Gov. Lingle) with proper timing is vital to convince the majority of Japanese to continue to travel to Hawai'i.

The previous delegation did, in fact, play a major role in the quick return of the majority of Japanese tourists to Hawai'i. Continued efforts with high-exposure personalities (such as Konishiki, Akebono and selected business leaders as well as Gov. Lingle) can only help the ongoing battle to sway Japanese travelers to choose Hawai'i as their vacation destination.

Mason M. Horiuchi