Posted on: Friday, February 14, 2003
Letters to the Editor
Physician-assisted suicide is inhumane
I strongly opposed the bill on physician-assisted suicide. This is an inhumane solution to the problems of the sick and elderly, who desperately need our compassion.
We should instead extend our helping hand to those who, because of their unfortunate health situation, have become so depressed. Shouldn't we promote caring and compassion in our community? There are many avenues by which we can help; why not go that route?
The passage of this bill will send a chilling message that the marginalized can be easily disposed of.
Venny Villapando
Euthanasia would be wrong for Hawai'i
Euthanasia initially seems appealing, yet upon closer examination, it is the wrong choice for those in terrible pain and ultimately for the entire state of Hawai'i.
It is wrong because it writes off caring properly for the weakest in our state. Those who are terminally ill should receive the best in pain management (palliative care).
The decision to die is an act of desperation. Many who choose death over life are depressed. The answer is treatment of this depression combined with top-notch palliative care.
Those nearing death are clearly under duress; their ability to make a will is easily challenged under these circumstances. This is because their ability to properly consent is weakened. Euthanasia transforms the doctor from a healer to a killer. In the bean-counting hands of HMOs, euthanasia is even more appalling. The terminally ill would feel a pressure to not be a burden on their families. Choosing death would not be a choice. It would morph into a duty, or in the case of HMOs, the only option.
Kieran Morris
Legislation would not end all quarantine
It's time to set the record straight on proposed legislation regarding quarantine. There's a misconception it will do away with all quarantine. Not so.
The proposed legislation would only involve incoming cats and dogs that have undergone the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture's rigorous requirements prior to arrival. They would need an approved microchip implanted for identification purposes, two rabies vaccinations spaced 90 days apart, followed by a blood test to ascertain the antibody level.
If, and only if, the test results show that, according to the department's standards, the antibody level adequately proves the animal is rabies-free and securely vaccinated against rabies, it would then be allowed to come to Hawai'i with no confinement upon arrival.
Any other animal that has not been vaccinated for rabies, or which does not pass the blood test criteria, would still be subject to the standard quarantine confinement.
This legislation acknowledges that incoming risk-free pets should not be penalized with long waiting periods. It is based on scientific data, not emotional whim.
Karen Scheid
$525 for quarantine for a week too much
Regarding Cheryl Chang's Feb. 7 letter on quarantine: I have no objection to the five-day waiting period if the state really feels that is needed to allow a pet in here. I do object to the $525 price tag it is putting on that period.
I could put my pet in a nice hotel, not the rat-infested quarantine station, for that amount of money.
The workers at the station are not even vaccinated for rabies, so you can see how big they feel the threat is.
Vaccinating pets works. Microchipping is safe and effective. We need to come out of the Dark Ages and abolish this archaic, useless system. The real problem lies in the state not wanting to kill the giant cash cow while our pets suffer.
Anita Carmichael
Rep. Coble should resign over comments
U.S. Sen. Trent Lott stepped down from his leadership post after his discriminatory public comments, but U.S. Rep. Howard Coble of North Carolina stubbornly refuses to even apologize for his outrageous and uneducated comments concerning the internment of Japanese Americans.
Coble stated that the internment was justified because of national security and a supposed desire to protect Japanese Americans. However, we have known for decades that our government lied when it told the U.S. Supreme Court in the Korematsu case that it had evidence justifying the internment for national security reasons.
Given the loss of property and even more personal indignities suffered by Japanese Americans at the time, the suggestion that internment was for their own protection would be laughable if it weren't so offensive.
Rep. Mike Honda — who spent his early childhood in an internment camp with his family — attempted to educate his colleague, but to no avail. "With his leadership position in Congress, that kind of lack of understanding can lead people down the wrong path," said Honda.
So what's the big deal? Rep. Coble is the chair of the House subcommittee on crime, terrorism and homeland security. The internment was based on war hysteria and racial stereotypes; its implementation demonstrated a failure of political leadership.
We must hold our leaders to higher standards. Coble should resign.
David M. Forman
Children must be included in 'ohana
All things begin with a seed, an intention. The Navy wanted a bombing range, so they took it; their intention was clear. Aloha 'aina's seed was Lono's return to Kaho'olawe; the return has happened and is happening with every access that occurs.
The successes of the past lie with the very present-day Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana. Safety first is what has kept the 'ohana alive, safety that comes in the form of community, laulima, kokua and aloha.
Can there be an 'ohana without children? The Navy may think so, but, then again, it already has made its intentions known.
Tom Brennon
Key Hawaiian figures favored annexation
Kaha'i Topolinski attempts in his Feb. 8 letter to belittle the comments in favor of annexation made by Judge John Kaulukou and Queen Lili'uokalani, quoted in an earlier letter to the editor by Earl Arakaki, calling them "a manufactured point of view." They were not. They were real and good evidence that not all Hawaiians opposed annexation and that even logical opponents, like the deposed queen, could see benefits in it.
Judge Kaulukou was elected speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Hawai'i, part of the Hawaiian majority in that body. The republic's Senate also included Native Hawaiians, and it voted unanimously for annexation. This may have caused displeasure among some Hawaiians, as Topolinski alleges, but it is a historical fact.
Judge Kaulukou made his statement that annexation was "the best thing that could happen for Hawai'i, both for the native and foreign population ... I rejoice heartily that it has come" in a lengthy article that ran in the San Francisco Chronicle on July 28, 1898.
The quote attributed to Queen Lili'uokalani — "Tho' for a moment it (the overthrow) cost me a pang of pain for my people it was only momentary, for the present has a hope for the future of my people" — was not taken out of context, as Topolinski charges.
He said he could not find it in her diaries. It was taken directly from her diary for Sunday, Sept. 2, 1900, a copy of which I saw when I entered that information into my book, "Hawaiian Sovereignty, Do the Facts Matter?" on Page XII.
There were other key Hawaiian figures of the time who came to favor annexation and the release from the whims of a monarchy. One, also quoted in the forward of my book, was John F. Colburn, a Native Hawaiian member with Sam Parker of Lili'uokalani's last, four-member cabinet, the one that tried to depose her themselves in January 1893.
Thurston Twigg-Smith
Drug program is already in existence
Recently there has been a flurry of discussion and plans concerning the provision of medications to the needy. The governor has proposed that the Weinberg Foundation fund a program to set up a new system to solve the problem. Seems like Weinberg has agreed. Great!
But, it is expected that it will take six months to become operational. That's too long.
On the other hand, we also know that the community health centers require funding to sustain their own critical services. They were almost cut by the governor.
Now, nobody, at least that I know of, would wish to deny or delay any assistance to those who deserve and need help. Therefore, I suggest that the Weinberg funds be given directly to the centers in return for their immediate activation of what is known as "Patient Assistance Program" through the pharmaceutical manufacturers. It works and is not all that complicated.
I know of a nonprofit group on O'ahu that is already doing it every day on a charitable basis. And, it is being done now.
John James
Fired head of OIP a dedicated servant
On Feb. 1, The Advertiser reported that the lieutenant governor had terminated Moya Gray as director of the Office of Information Practices. The reason: Gray submitted bills that cost more money.
As sponsor of the OIP bills in question, I must take away credit from Ms. Gray. Since OIP's budget was cut 40 percent in 1998, I've introduced bills each year to restore funding, without her concurrence.
OIP is an important citizen watchdog agency because it enforces Hawai'i's open records and sunshine laws. With additional funds unlikely, Moya and I worked on another bill, SB 1499, that seeks enforcement without more funds.
OIP Director Moya Davenport Gray has an eight-year record of distinguished service as an independent, hardworking watchdog for citizen rights to government records and proceedings.
Hawai'i citizens have been served well by this outstanding public servant.
Sen. Les Ihara Jr.
Threat of terrorism shouldn't be minimized
The decision by our governor to downplay the current raising of national security concerns is a big mistake. Our enemies, and we do have extremely dangerous enemies, will always look for targets that are easiest to strike.
Gov. Lingle's comment that there isn't a concern in Hawai'i is not only incorrect but is also dangerous to the citizens of Hawai'i. There is a very good reason why our nation's security concerns have heightened, and Hawai'i should also increase preventive measures. Our beautiful memorial that sits in Pearl Harbor should remind us of these concerns.
The threat of a terrorist act in Hawai'i is real and should not be minimized — just to protect the tourism industry. The governor's comments have been printed in national newsprint, and I just hope our enemies don't read the same newspapers as I.
Charlie Colburn
Patriot Act opponents are ignoring the danger
This is an open letter to those in the state Legislature who signed resolutions in opposition to the president's Homeland Security and Patriot Act. Where is the logic?
By signing these resolutions, you are essentially saying, "Give everyone, regardless of intentions good or bad, regardless of citizen or illegal alien, all the freedom and liberty they want until something bad happens, then we will deal with it."
That is exactly how Sept. 11 happened. We let everyone do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted and wherever they wanted. That doesn't work. You want to tie the hands of immigration and law enforcement, but, by God, if something bad happens, they had better have an explanation why.
The bottom line is the physical protection of this country's borders and its citizens is paramount. Without that protection, there won't be anyone left to enjoy those rights and liberties you claim are being violated.
The only ones who should be afraid of losing freedoms and liberties are those who intend harm against the United States of America. Those who hate America are not particular whom they target and kill.
I hope you don't consider yourself exempt from their wrath because you are on record opposing the president's policies. Those who hate us and want to see our country obliterated don't care if you are liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican. Can't you see that the president is trying to do his absolute best to protect the interests of this country and its citizens, which includes Hawai'i and you and your families?
James Roller
Accountability has to start with the teachers
I have been following with interest the various proposals put forth by the Legislature and by the governor for improving public schools. I have two very specific concerns about what I have heard so far:
• It appears that proposals to solve the problem are being floated without any effort put forth to actually define the problem. How can they expect to solve a problem if they do not know what the problem is?
• I went to public schools in Hawai'i and I know that accountability has to start with the teachers. I had some wonderful teachers (you know who you were) and I had some terrible teachers (you probably have no clue who you were); education starts with the teachers, not the principals and not the bureaucracy.
Accountability is a good thing, and every single person in the DOE, including the teachers and the students, should be held accountable.
Mimi Bornhorst
Hawai'i Kai
Kailua
Big Island
D-9th Dist. (Palolo, Kapahulu, Kaimuki)
