READERS GRADE AKAKA AND CASE ON PERFORMANCE IN AARP DEBATE

AKAKA REMARKS SHOW CLASS, COMPASSION

I would like to thank Sen. Akaka for a lifetime of public service to the people of Hawai'i.

His closing remarks in the debate shows a man of true class and compassion. Age brings patience and wisdom. He has both.

Someone once said that there is no end to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit. That seems to be the Akaka way instead of accomplishing nothing and taking credit for everything, like many politicians.

HAWAI'I SHOULD NOT PASS UP CASE'S TALENTS

Some comments on the debate make it seem as if it does not matter that Ed Case won the debate because Dan Akaka is a grand old man with great community values.

I am an old man myself who also loves sentiment and values, among which I prize intelligence, courage and determination.

Case displayed all of these Thursday night and it would be a huge shame for Hawai'i to pass up his talents.

Every registered person — Democrat, Republican or Independent — can vote in the primary. I hope they all do and look deep within themselves for the right thing to do.

CASE WILL GIVE ISSUES CAREFUL CONSIDERATION

Has anyone else wondered why the Democratic powers-that-be have flocked to the support of Dan Akaka, even to the point of contributing some of their own campaign funds to him?

An automatic, unthinking Democratic vote is very valuable to the Washington entrenched, who want to control our fate from afar. It is sad that the Democratic Party has adopted George Bush's "you are either with us or against us" stance.

In contrast, I believe that Ed Case will give each issue careful consideration and vote the way he feels will be best for Hawai'i and the country. He will work hard to break open polarized logjam politics and find moderate answers to the enormous problems facing our nation today.

That's the attitude I want working for me in Washington. My vote goes to Ed Case.

AKAKA'S INTEGRITY STOOD OUT IN DEBATE

Last night's debate clearly indicated that Sen. Akaka is older than Rep. Case. And Akaka speaks slower than Case.

However, based on their message and their record, the integrity of Sen. Akaka clearly stands out. Sen. Akaka was one of the few who initially voted against the invasion of Iraq. Although, in hindsight, I now sense that every intelligent American realizes it was a mistake. And this debate clearly showed their positions.

Sen. Akaka has never wavered and continues to call for a withdrawal of our troops within a year, forcing the Iraq government and security forces to assume their responsibility — it's their country. Rep. Case continues to support the Bush sdministration's position, a policy that has us in this quagmire to begin with, with no solution in sight. It's a flawed policy — the wrong war at the wrong time that has cost Americans their lives, and to some extent, their constitutional freedoms.

In 1954, renowned author Edward R. Murrow wrote, "We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular." Sen. Akaka showed from the beginning that he "will not be driven by fear" and maintained an initially unpopular position. While Rep. Case appeases the masses, advocating whatever is popular at the moment, be it right or wrong.

I'm voting for Sen. Akaka because he challenges the Bush administration's flawed policies while Rep. Case doesn't. The Bush administration's policies do not reflect the desires of Hawai'i's constituents.

CASE WRONG IN HIS STANCE ON JONES ACT

The debate was about as relevant as asking the two candidates to run around the park and see "who won." No one "won."

My vote remains with Sen. Akaka. This is my first time voting after becoming a U.S. citizen in 2005. The debate had nothing to do with real life in the Senate. Sound bites do not equate with depth. One of my concerns is the mistaken stand by Case on the Jones Act. The act applies to all of the country, not just Hawai'i and Alaska.

Does Case want foreign companies transporting our troops? Does he want foreign companies refurbishing and working on our ships to non - U.S. specifications?

Any undecided voter need only compare the two candidates' Web sites to see who has served our state and nation with distinction.

Case is extremely patronizing to write about issues, such as "On Environment" and "On Native Hawaiians" as though they are external "things" and "projects" to be tackled. Auwe.

CASE CONVEYED IDEAS MORE MEANINGFULLY

I listened to what was presented last night by PBS Hawai'i — the debate between Sen. Akaka and Rep. Case.

It was not what I would define as a debate. Oh yes, the 'bait' was set — "confrontation," another one called "age" and another called "criticism." Why did the media and others create this parody of a real debate?

We challenge our children in schools to think critically, to explore and apply what is learned in constructive and measured ways.

What's wrong or negative with looking at the results of years in office and seeing other ways to bring about progress? To make corrections. To further improve our way of government and society. Doesn't this reflect the process of constructive criticism? Or, are we too thin-skinned?

The promotion of this "debate" was outright manipulation. "Issues" were created, such as age, dishonor of culture (by creating the perception of disrespect and criticism of culture) and being confrontational.

It wasn't about winning, it was about who clearly communicated his stand on a number of issues.

I believe Case conveyed his ideals and approaches much more clearly and meaningfully. Was this done with disrespect? No. Was it an attack, confrontation on the elderly? No. Case made a fine point early on in his presentation of matters — this is about transition and being prepared.

We need to pass the baton on to our next generation.