Letters to the Editor
Wednesday, August 28, 1996

Cartoon to the editor by Sandy Ritz, Honolulu


Harassment suit based on
desire to obtain money

I was very happy about the jury's decision to award Professor Ramdas Lamb damages in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by University of Hawaii student Michelle Gretzinger.

This was a frivolous lawsuit brought by someone who wanted to profit from this accusation. Gretzinger claimed that this trial was never about money, but she was more than willing to accept millions of dollars in damages.

How can someone say that they were "raped 16 times?" After being raped once, a person should go immediately to the police and have the rapist arrested immediately so that it will not happen again.

It was in poor taste for Gretzinger's attorney, Clayton Ikei, to say that many women who are raped will now have second thoughts about reporting it.

The only people who will think twice are those considering bringing false accusations against someone for purely financial gains.

Colin Kau


Swindle should knock off
derisive campaign remarks

In 1964, my father became the 210th American serviceman, and the first U.S. Marine, killed in the Vietnam War. Therefore, I can genuinely appreciate Orson Swindle's commitment to duty and country, and truly admire his tremendous courage and fortitude in surviving six years of hellish confinement as a prisoner of war before returning home.

That being said, I am dismayed by the demeaning attitude and belittling remarks constantly directed at Congressman Neil Abercrombie by Swindle and his supporters, because of Abercrombie's opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War.

The courage and conviction shown by Abercrombie and others in exposing our government's misconduct of that war probably saved thousands of American and Vietnamese lives. Did it ever occur to Swindle that, if it were not for the efforts of those "liberal rabble-rousers" in forcing our ultimate disengagement from that fiasco, POWs like himself might never have come home at all, let alone be in a position to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

When attempting to affix blame for what happened, I would suggest that Swindle look to our own deceitful political and military leaders of that era. We incurred our losses and pains as a direct result of their dereliction of duty to the people that they had pledged, under oath, to serve.

Donald R. Koelper


Abercrombie's 'localness' is
a part of the problem

The attitude reflected in Sean McLaughlin's Aug. 24 letter - that Neil Abercrombie deserves re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives because of his "local resume" - may well be one reason our state is suffering economically. We keep re-electing politicians because of their good-old-boy ties in the community.

Because I like Abercrombie personally, I didn't argue with his anti-military stance before he became a member of the House Military Affairs Committee, his support of late-term abortions, his vote against welfare reform and his support of allowing gays in the military.

But as a senior citizen, his support of the tax increase on Social Security benefits was not appreciated by me. His votes have been consistently against small business. He is rated a virtual zero by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business.

On Nov. 4, we will be electing a representative to the U.S. House of Representatives - not a member of the local neighborhood board!

Bill Sullivan
Kailua


Debate helped to clarify
who 'best' mayor would be

The recently televised mayoral debate certainly helped to clear up matters for many voters. However, Arnold Morgado made his best statement the day before, when he addressed elementary school students - specifically about the city sewer system.

Morgado said that whenever they sit on a toilet, they should think of him. They certainly will, Arnold, since you are "full of it!"

Meanwhile, Frank Fasi's "Judas kiss" given to moderator Leslie Wilcox at the end of the debate said more than anything he could have possibly said for the entire hour.

My conclusion at the end of the debate was that the best person for the job is already on the job. Jeremy Harris, you have my vote!

Linda Ann Kato
Waipahu


Want to write a letter to the editor? Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think. Please keep your letter to about 200 words. You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com or you can fill in the online form for a faster response. Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509. Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.



Text Site Directory:
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Community] [Info] [Stylebook] [Feedback]