Sex scandal and Saddam will be Clinton's undoing
Clinton has been a great president, one of my favorites. With his fine gift for articulation that enhances compromise and conciliation, he has successfully guided the nation through its winter of discontent about domestic policy. In the process, he won the respect and sometimes grudging admiration of his most bitter enemies.But the president is confronted with two critical issues that will not yield to compromise. The lesser of these is his personal ethics. The greater is Saddam Hussein.
Clinton's foreign policy has met success in Asia because the spirit of compromise, which is his forte, is endemic to Asia. But the Mideast is a horse of an entirely different lineage. Confrontation, brinkmanship and extremism have always been the order of the day there. Bill is pretty clueless about what works in that world.
The only good thing about Clinton's personal problems is that they do not contaminate the other leaders of his party. There is a lot to be said for Al Gore in the Oval Office at this point. Al is a fighter, and has always had the gift of fiery rhetoric. Unburdened by Clinton's stink of womanizing, Gore would be much better at dealing effectively with Saddam.
Mike Pettingill
Kailua
Why is public surprised by man with low morals?
In 1992 and again in 1996, less than 50 percent of the voting public elected Bill Clinton as president, while completely overlooking his badly flawed character.His past episodes of sex, drugs ("I didn't inhale"), draft dodging and war protesting abroad (some call it treason), just didn't sink into the voting conscience.
Now everyone pretends to be shocked at his latest escapades. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." DUH!
Victor Moss
Makakilo
(Via the Internet)
Arnett may be good, but Portnoy is great!
As the radio broadcast contract holder with the University of Hawaii, I enjoyed Paul Arnett's Jan. 9 open letter to Hugh Yoshida. His attempt to emulate Jim Murray was a welcome departure from Arnett's more recent negative approach.It would be a pretty dull world without the differences of opinion expressed by your writers, so while I might disagree with Arnett's observations, I enjoy reading them.
However, when it comes to pure entertainment, Arnett has a considerable distance to reach the "Mouth of the Pacific," otherwise known as Jeff Portnoy.
There are many differences between broadcast and print. And one of the biggest in Hawaii is Jeff's work for us, and he only does it part time!
Portnoy, the honored First Amendment attorney, will continue to share his brand of "Sense of Humor 101" for five more years. I suspect this pleases more than a few fans of College Hoops.
David Iverson
Seattle, Wash.
(Via the Internet)
State transit department doesn't deserve criticism
I am surprised by recent articles in your paper and some letters to the editor that are critical of the state Department of Transportation for not working with residents in designing projects. I suspect these criticisms are isolated cases and exceptions, rather than the rule.In Kaaawa, we were fortunate that the Legislature passed an appropriation last year, sponsored by Sen. Mike McCartney, for flood-control projects along Kamehameha Highway.
We have had an excellent working relationship with DOT officials. They have been extremely responsive to our concerns.
Mahalo to DOT chief Kazu Hayashida and his crew. Keep up the good work!
Greg Barbour
President
Kaaawa Beach Owners Association(Via the Internet)
Ward or Kawananakoa would do well in Congress
I find it difficult to follow Dave Shapiro's reasoning in his Jan. 24 Volcanic Ash column. I'm sure Senator Inouye was not "a significant player" in Washington for several years into his career -- oh, pardon me -- his "calling."To brush aside both Gene Ward and Quentin Kawananakoa is simplistic. Representative Ward is a seasoned legislator. He is thoughtful, articulate and intelligent. He has served his constituents and the state quite well. Representative Kawananakoa is also articulate, intelligent and an able candidate.
May I remind Shapiro that Congress has a Republican majority that will probably increase in number this year, and that electing Republicans to join them will certainly benefit Hawaii.
Shirley Hasenyager
Kailua
Lingle is good mayor, will be great governor
We knew our mayor was special even before Maui hosted the Hooters Hula Bowl. But now that the big game has come and gone, it is time to give credit where credit is due.If Maui had had any other leader, the Hula Bowl would not have happened. It brought our hotels needed business, our island needed national recognition, and our community a wonderful event and much improved stadium.
All of this was done in six months, on time and under budget. Government in Hawaii has never been so fast and efficient, as it has been under Linda Lingle.
We are going to miss her when she is no longer our mayor, but we are going to love her as our next governor.
Alex McBarnet Sr.
Paia, Maui
Don't help criminals victimize community
I hope that I am not the only one alarmed by your Jan. 23 article about stun guns that accompanied the story about a man accused of raping women he immobilized with a stun gun.The article says that stun guns are illegal and unobtainable in Hawaii, but goes on to tell readers how this obstacle can be circumvented.
Don't we have enough difficulty with crimes of violence without making it easier for criminals, by providing them detailed information on how to obtain tools to perpetrate crimes?
Louise Storm
(Via the Internet)
Bishop Estate Archive
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