Editorials
Monday, May 26, 1997MEMORIAL Day began as an occasion to honor those who died in the Civil War. Several communities claim to have originated the observance, but in 1966 the federal government proclaimed Waterloo, N.Y., as the birthplace of the holiday. On May 5, 1866, the citizens of Waterloo closed their businesses, decorated soldiers' graves and flew flags at half-staff. Remembering the dead
of the nation’s warsIn 1868 Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, who served as commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans, designated May 30 as a special day for decorating the graves of Union soldiers. Most states now observe Memorial Day on the last Monday in May. This date was made a federal holiday in 1971.
For Hawaii this year's Memorial Day observances stand out because of the desecration of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and other cemeteries on Oahu. This outrage must never be repeated. Unfortunately the culprits have not yet been arrested. Fortunately, the Punchbowl cemetery damage has been repaired in time for this year's observance.
This year is also distinguished by the City Council's approval of funding for the renovation of the Waikiki Natatorium, which has long been in disrepair. Finally the restoration of this memorial to Hawaii's World War I dead is in sight.
For Hawaii Memorial Day is also bound up with the Dec. 7, 1941, attack and the whole World War II experience, which changed these islands forever. But this is an occasion to remember all of the nation's war heroes, who died so that we could enjoy freedom.
NO sooner did Laurent Kabila take over as ruler of Zaire, now renamed the Congo, than he got into trouble. A veteran opponent of the ousted president, Mobutu Sese Seko, was excluded from the new government and declared that he didn't recognize it. Hundreds of supporters of the opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, staged a protest demonstration in the capital of Kinshasa and Kabila's troops fired into the air to break it up. A troubled start
Tshisekedi, who is a popular figure in Kinshasa, called for the withdrawal of Rwandan and other foreign troops who helped Kabila's guerrilla alliance drive Mobutu from power. Despite widespread relief that Mobutu's corrupt 30-year reign has ended, there is considerable doubt as to the intentions of the new leader of the Congo. Antagonizing the most popular politician in the capital city doesn't seem like a prudent way to begin. Some reports depict Kabila as a brutal authoritarian.
The Clinton administration should join with other Western governments to urge Kabila to exercise restraint in dealing with his defeated enemies. In view of his reputation, such pressure may be badly needed to avert a bloodbath.
CRITICS of state Librarian Bart Kane continue to write letters to the editor and voice their complaints in public hearings with no apparent restraints. One writer explains that the purpose of a group calling itself the Coalition for Improved Libraries is "to provide a safe venue for all library employees to express their view of current library management." Our impression is that the librarians were doing pretty well in expressing their (mostly negative) views already. And if these aren't critics bent on a vendetta they are doing a pretty convincing imitation. Library criticism
Another writer deplores Kane's proposal to close the Liliha library branch, which was subsequently dropped. He fails to note the connection between keeping the library open and providing the funds to operate it by contracting out the purchases of library books. Yet that was precisely Kane's purpose in obtaining the contract -- to deal with the reality of library budget cuts ordered by the governor.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
