ED CASE

LOOK AT THE RESPONSE OF ENTRENCHED DEMS

Does anyone else sense the rigidity, the hardening of the political arteries, in Hawai'i Democrats' response to Ed Case's Senate bid?

Eighty-, 90- and 100-year-old senators keep the trough full for entrenched interests but are not the ones to bring a flow of energy and revitalization to tired and bloated governmental organs.

Hawai'i needs more than a little political CPR for its 50-year ruling dynasty. It needs a new heart.

NO SHAME

IT'S TIME FOR AKAKA TO EXIT GRACEFULLY

As it happens to all of us in our lives and to those we respect and hold dear, the time comes to step aside. That time has come for Sen. Akaka.

There is nothing shameful about this. Akaka has served his state well, and unfortunately he cannot do it forever.

The old lion, Sen. Inouye, may have earned the right to die in office, but that is an unusual honor. Fighting to the bitter end may have some merits, but there is a lot to be said about exiting with grace rather than getting into a bitter and dirty campaign with fallout for both of the parties involved.

ED CASE

WHAT A WAY TO SHAKE UP THE 'ESTABLISHMENT'

Lee Cataluna was so correct: Ed Case has either burned his house or lit his bright star.

What a bold move on his part to pre-empt the "establishment" and place himself as the leader of the new guard of the Islands' Democratic Party. Sen. Inouye must be beside himself wondering how to bring this young whippersnapper back into line without making it look like a Mafia hit job.

One must congratulate Ed Case on his move to ensure the Democratic dynasty remains intact for the foreseeable future. He had to have looked at the ages of the two "old guard" senators and figured neither would last forever and probably not through the end of a new term. It does not take a genius to know that the governor would certainly appoint a friendly face to fill any vacancy.

One must wonder if all of those Case supporters who helped him in his last two elections will now come to his side and help him in his effort to remake the Democratic Party.

Wannabe Neil Abercrombie's hair must be standing on end and his lei must have wilted around his neck when he was told of Ed's move.

TIME FOR CHANGE

ARCTIC REFUGE STANCE WORKS AGAINST AKAKA

Congratulations to Ed Case, who has shown the verve to take on Daniel Akaka for his U.S. Senate seat.

Sen. Akaka's outright refusal to show solidarity with the Democratic Party over the Arctic refuge issue and his close association with Alaskan Sen. Ted Stevens will prove to be his Achilles heal.

While the overwhelming majority of his constituency here in Hawai'i made their opposition to exploiting the Arctic refuge very clear, Sen. Akaka doggedly held his pro-oil stance, claiming that "in 1995, the natives told me they wanted it."

Well, its not 1995 anymore, Senator, and times and positions change. The time for change in Hawai'i's congressional delegation is now, and Ed Case is the man to fill those shoes.

SHAMEFUL

ED CASE HAS LOST RESPECT WITH MOVE

U.S. Rep. Ed Case's quest for the U.S. Senate is a sad reality of how some of Hawai'i's people have chosen to pursue their own selfish path to power and title.

For those of us in Hawai'i who were taught to respect and honor our kupuna, we would never shove aside an elder.

My Hawaiian and Chinese ethnocultural heritage instilled in me the cultural concepts of waiting our turn by working toward deserving respect, honor and status. You don't cut in front of elders.

Sen. Daniel K. Akaka is an elder statesman deserving of respect, honor and gratitude. He is also the only member of our congressional delegation in the U.S. Senate who is of Hawaiian ancestry. Sen. Akaka has this unique cultural and ethnic heritage to bring to the U.S. government, which helps not just people of Hawaiian ancestry have a voice, but also peoples of Polynesian, Pacific Islander and multiracial/multiethnic identity.

For Ed Case to silence these most socially, politically and economically marginalized voices and ethnocultural identities by shoving aside Sen. Akaka, who is also of Chinese ancestry and who has a perspective on what it means to be of Hawaiian mixed racial-ethnic identity, further marginalizes those of us who have to continue to bear witness to and endure the continual stripping of Hawaiian from Hawai'i.

How demeaning and arrogant for Ed Case to state that it is the "right thing to do for Hawai'i." What a shameful attitude. I have unfortunately lost respect for Ed Case as a person from Hawai'i, and as a human being.

PRO-BUSH

CASE'S RECORD WILL WORK AGAINST HIM

Republicrat Ed Case has finally made his move. I wonder about his timing, however.

Case is the only member of the Hawai'i delegation who voted with the administration to go to war and invade a sovereign country rather than concentrate on the terrorists who attacked our country. He has supported the president in the disastrous financial decisions that find us almost hopelessly in debt.

His election would come just about the time folks are waking up to just how foolish, irresponsible and dangerous these decisions have been.

Maybe, just maybe, voters will see the wisdom Sen. Akaka has shown in standing firm against them. Younger isn't necessarily better.

ED CASE

IT'S POLITICAL SUICIDE

He just dug his own grave.

SCIENCE

INTELLIGENT DESIGN BELONGS ELSEWHERE

Regarding James Roller's Jan. 18 letter: Please explain, Mr. Roller, how the "lie" of evolution has led to the "horrible consequences" you cite, such as abortion and communism.

You state that evolutionists fear that "a higher power, morals and values" will become teachable in our classrooms, and that they have become "priests of their own religion." The theory of evolution is not a religion; it is not based on, nor does it require, faith. Evolution does not teach belief, nor does it in any way put forward the idea that human life is worthless.

Scientific methodology gives us a way to experiment and to replicate results. It allows us to explore concepts, ideas and objects within a specific framework. That being so, the theory of intelligent design is not scientific.

Intelligent design requires that one have faith rather than proof. Teach the theory of intelligent design in a course about world religions or in parochial schools. That is where it belongs — not in the science classroom. Otherwise, we will have a school system that preaches, rather than teaches.

MORE INTEREST

MICHELLE WIE SHOULD PLAY IN MEN'S OPENS

Michelle Wie should be allowed to play in the men's tournaments. She'll bring more media attention, creating more interest, leading to more revenue from sponsors, which means a greater prize award.

If Wie takes all the benefits of her participation to a women's tournament like the LPGA, then the LPGA would offer a greater prize award and male golfers would compete for that prize money, meaning fewer women winning tournaments.

Men have stronger upper-body strength and better depth perception, so it's not fair to let them compete in women's tournaments because not all women are as talented as Wie.

To keep women's golf for women only, Wie should play with the men.