All laws legislate someone's morality

What Richard S. Miller ("Don't let faith dictate your vote," Oct. 24) fails to recognize is that all laws "legislate morality." His argument is an old one usually directed toward those of faith: "You can't legislate morality."

Consider the following: (1) All laws legislate somebody's morality. Even the absence of laws is a reflection of somebody's morality. (2) All political ideologies, even anarchy, demand that some system of laws be enacted to influence behavior, allowing one group to impose its morality on another.

There are no exceptions. It makes no difference which side of the political spectrum, whether based on religion or not, whether conservative, liberal or anything in between. As long as there are laws, or even a lack of laws, there will be legislation of morality.

For Christians, voting is not only a right but a spiritual duty to elect God-fearing Bible-believers to represent not so much their own views, but to represent God's view, which is the only one that comes with a promise meant to be kept (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). The very first Supreme Court justice, John Jay, said, "Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers."

We have the right to vote our convictions

The Sunday commentary by emeritus professor Richard Miller ("Don't let faith dictate your vote") is legal sophistry at its best. Or rather, its worst, since it seeks to intimidate voters. To vote one's faith, Miller claims, is "dangerously wrong." The reason being that religious-based conflicts are bad, so whenever there is "widespread and heartfelt disagreement," the Christian voter should yield on such issues as abortion and same-sex marriage.

In Mr. Miller's view, perhaps opposition to abortion or same-sex marriage on other than religious grounds would be OK. One can, in fact, oppose such practices on purely humanistic grounds — abortion because innocent human life must not be destroyed and same-sex marriage because it mocks the traditional family. It is no coincidence that the world's great religions have traditionally abhorred such practices.

We do not seek to force our views upon the secular humanists, any more than they are forcing their views upon us. But we have the right, and indeed the duty, to vote our own convictions — yes, even when these convictions are part of our religious beliefs. Please respect that right.

Abercrombie's mixed signals are infuriating

I read Dave Shapiro's Oct. 6 Volcanic Ash commentary in which he mentioned that contradictory signals are being sent by Neil Abercrombie to the voters. As the mother of one of the National Guard troops being called up for February deployment, I'm really, really mad and upset that we have a congressman (Abercrombie) who doesn't support the boys we're sending over to Iraq.

He says one thing on TV and in the newspapers, but does just the opposite by voting "no" on that support bill. What kind of thing is that? Shapiro's column says he sponsored a bill to bring the draft back, but then he goes on Perry & Price and says that he didn't mean to, that it was like some game they play in Washington. What does that mean? Aren't they supposed to spend their time making laws? Like Larry Price said, how do we know when he's for real? We need to hold him and any of these other people we send up to Washington, D.C., accountable to all of the families in Hawai'i who have sons or daughters who have to go over to Iraq.

Mr. Abercrombie thinks he can just sit back in his office in Washington without even caring or being in touch with what's happening here in Hawai'i and the real personal issues that affect the people in Hawai'i. That's just plain wrong.

Mufi understands the dreams of Hawai'i

I have had the privilege of accompanying Mufi Hannemann to numerous coffee hours and events. I am an unpaid volunteer. I have observed firsthand Mufi's intelligence, sincerity, honesty and passion. These are words you have heard before. But there is more: The people who love, respect and believe in Mufi are now my friends. They come from all races, all walks of life, and they epitomize the aloha spirit.

Everyone who meets Mufi learns in 10 minutes that he is the best choice for mayor.

Unfortunately, negative rumors have plagued his quest.

Mufi never shies away from a tough question, listens intently and answers with true conviction. He never talks negatively about his opponents. He has no scriptwriter nor aides telling him what to say or think. Whether he is speaking to farmers in a hot cafeteria or to businessmen or to children who cannot vote, Mufi is true to himself. He understands the people, the culture and the dreams we all have to keep Hawai'i a paradise.

Shame on candidates for Natatorium stand

Aloha, Honolulu residents. I have been watching with dread your prospective mayoral candidates pooh-poohing the saving of the War Memorial Natatorium that commemorates American soldiers killed in World War I. What a shame none of those vets survive today to remind us of their service and valor.

But that's OK. In 20 or so years, we can go ahead and dismantle the Arizona Memorial, as no one will still be alive to defend it.

Shame on your politicians, and shame on you for forgetting those people who fought for the same freedoms our sons, daughters, friends and neighbors are fighting for today. Or, maybe you forgot about them already?

Editorial arguments on amendments wrong

Your Sunday editorial states "The Hawai'i Constitution has a strong emphasis on ... an individual's right to privacy." Apparently, the privacy of convicted rapists in state amendment Question 2 is more important than the privacy of rape victims in Question 3.

For Question 1, dealing with continuous sex assault of a minor, you say the jury would "convict without unanimous agreement." That's like saying if a group of people can't remember the exact date they did something together, then they can't agree it ever happened.

For Question 4, you say " ... once information charging is in the Constitution, there is nothing to prevent the Legislature from upping the ante." Does "nothing" refer to voters who elect legislators to write laws?

This has nothing to do with not being "liberal." A Cayetano appointee, former Attorney General Margery Bronster, supports all four. A majority of Democrats have proposed these amendments to help protect your rights to life, liberty and property.

Bobby Kennedy once said, "Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on." Insist on victims' rights; vote yes on all four.

Stop waving at me

I drove through Waikele just last week and saw hordes of sign wavers everywhere I turned, all of them expecting me to wave back at all of them. I drove up to Kunia and saw the same. I drove through Waipahu and ...

I got my windows tinted.

Endorsing status quo

After reading your legislative endorsements, I have concluded that you should change your paper's name to "The Honolulu Status Quo."

Mufi: strong, tested, decisive

The next mayor must have the proven leadership skills and record of accomplishment that will make Honolulu one of America's best cities, as well as enable us to weather any crisis we face. I believe Mufi Hannemann's record qualifies him to be the new CEO of Honolulu.

During his tenure as the director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (1992-1994), Hawai'i was confronted with a major natural disaster and threats to major sectors of our economic base.

• Hurricane Iniki: Hurricane Iniki hit the Islands and devastated Kaua'i, with $1.9 billion in property damage. Mufi was charged with developing the state's response to the economic crisis. He worked with the congressional delegation to secure federal funding for many economic recovery projects, tapped state and federal tourism dollars to promote the visitor industry, and processed hundreds of disaster loan applications in cooperation with the Small Business Administration, among other efforts. In 1994, the last year of his tenure, tourism posted a 5 percent gain in visitor arrivals — the largest percentage gain in the years 1991-99.

• Hawaiian Airlines: When Hawaiian Airlines was in financial straits in 1993, DBEDT, under Hannemann's leadership, successfully developed a loan-guarantee proposal that was approved by the Legislature that allowed the company to keep operating. At the time, the closure of the airline would have meant the loss of 3,500 jobs and $94 million in household revenue.

• Hamakua Sugar: The cessation of sugar operations on the Hamakua Coast created an economic crisis for the Big Island. With Hannemann's guidance, DBEDT partnered with state, county, labor and private business groups to furnish loans and grants for small businesses, support community-based planning for new growth, help displaced sugar workers, and stimulate general economic development.

• Pro Bowl: Mufi thwarted attempts by a competing destination to lure the NFL's annual Pro Bowl from Hawai'i. He negotiated two contract extensions for this game, which attracts roughly 20,000 visitors and generates hundreds of millions in revenue for the visitor industry. Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has credited that initial work for Hawai'i's success in keeping the game here for so long.

• Honolulu City Council: As the council chair, he argued against raising real property tax rates and instituting a new garbage-collection fee, without expanding services. He cautioned that the city must maintain a better balance between "need-to-have" and "nice-to-have" projects, and suggested that the city was compromising basic services and wrongly delaying necessary maintenance and repair of our infrastructure. He questioned the carte blanche approval of visioning team projects, which included the expensive community signs and median strips, and opposed the Bus Rapid Transit project.

• City budget: Mufi has called for a performance audit of city government to determine who's doing what and how much it's costing. I applaud his plan to run government like a business and "budget for results."

• Finding money: The city must pursue new sources of revenue, such as federal money available to municipalities. Given Hannemann's Washington experience, he will be able to complement our congressional delegation and take up the chase for federal dollars to yield significant benefits for our community. Mufi has also called for action to reduce the duplication of state and city services and has fine working relationships with Gov. Lingle, the Neighbor Island mayors and the Legislature.

• Helping business: Mufi's years of public and private sector experience will allow him to aggressively promote business growth. He is committed to work with organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Honolulu, Hawai'i Business Roundtable and Small Business Hawai'i to expand the economy and encourage living-wage jobs.

It's important for voters to have confidence in the proven leadership skills and experience of their decision-makers, particularly the chief executives of government. We need a mayor who's strong, tested and decisive. Mufi Hannemann is that leader we need now more than ever!