Letters to the Editor
Thursday, October 3, 1996

Con Con isn't a good idea
during troubled period

We now live in a time of fear and hate. People are afraid of losing their jobs, businesses, marriages or homes. A result is hating immigrants, homosexuals, single mothers, the aged, the homeless, the mentally ill and others.

That is why there are "alliances" against them, and why many will be arguing for those hates at the proposed constitutional convention.

Just vote "no" in November to convening a Con Con.

Jerome G. Manis


It's not 'mud-slinging'
if deficiencies are real

I find it most interesting that the term "mud-slinging" is now taken to mean anything said that is not favorable to a candidate's political opponent. Is it possible to vehemently counter an opponent's presumed deeds with documented facts and not be labeled an attack dog by the media and the public?

It is necessary in the political process to openly debate what you believe to be your opponent's deficiencies in addition to your civic philosophies. It is the only way to differentiate the viewpoints of the candidates involved.

It is not mud-slinging to "talk stink" about your political opponent if you can back it up with facts and if it is pertinent to the election and subsequent position.

Those who do not want to listen to strong direct challenges between political opponents are those who do not want to be confused with the facts. We must be aware that there is more to any candidate than a nice smile and warm-feeling commercials.

Randy Dela Cruz
Aiea


English and aloha are
becoming scarce in Hawaii

I am having a hard time understanding why the Governor's Office wants to lower visa regulations for Koreans who want to visit Hawaii. Once this happens, local-born residents will be displaced for jobs. Business owners will want Korean-speaking people to work in their stores.

Visitors from the mainland U.S. don't come to the islands anymore because Hawaii does not have that Hawaiian atmosphere. Waikiki has so many tourist traps where the people don't speak English or know anything about Hawaii. Many stores have only people speaking other languages other than English, and their salespeople cannot even understand when you are talking to them. It is very frustrating.

Hawaii needs its aloha and personality back. Visitors come to Hawaii to learn about our cultures past and present; it shouldn't be the other way around.

Julie Lopez
Molokai


Gender inequity evident
in front-page headline

The reference to "deadbeat dads" in a headline on the front page of the Sept. 28 Star-Bulletin jumped out at me. Before reading anything else, I turned to the article which dealt with President Bill Clinton's executive order denying federal loans to parents who do not make their child-support payments.

At no time did the article make reference to gender.

So why the gender inequity on your part? Are you suggesting that only male parents neglect their child-support payments?

Or has the Star-Bulletin unilaterally decided that "deadbeat moms" should not be penalized?

An argument has been made that there are more "deadbeat dads" than "deadbeat moms." If that is true, it is only because our courts usually grant custody to mothers without necessarily determining who is the better parent.

Perhaps our courts should award custody to fathers more often instead of following a very archaic tradition.

Jim Gardner


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