It's fallacy that marriage for gays is a civil right
At Hawaii's 1978 Con Con, our state Constitution was amended to include an equal rights provision. This language was intended to provide equal protection of civil rights for all groups under Hawaii law. But the right of homosexual couples to marry is not a civil right.If the Hawaii Supreme Court were to legalize same-sex marriage using the equal rights provision, the justices would not be interpreting law. On the contrary, they would be legislating from the bench.
Jackie Young's organization is using its name, "Protect Our Constitution," to disguise its true agenda: the legalization of same-sex marriage. Personally, I would much rather leave it up to the people and elected representatives to decide if Hawaii should legalize it. Don't leave it up to five appointed judges.
Bill Paty
President, 1978 Con Con
Haleiwa
Ward is taking credit for Kawananakoa's efforts
I am sick of Gene Ward's repeated insinuations that he actually had something to do with the fact that the Republican state House delegation grew from four to 12 under his leadership as minority leader. Ask any of those more-recently elected members who was responsible for helping them get elected, and I'll bet Ward is not the answer.When I served as a volunteer for Quentin Kawananakoa's second House race, Quentin had us conduct phone banking for David Pendleton, Sam Aiona and Corinne Ching.
As for Ward's criticism of Quentin's experience, the elected Republicans in the House thought enough of Quentin's leadership ability to elect him over Ward.
Quentin's two years as minority leader brought an incredible amount of respect and relevence to the caucus. Under Quentin, the general excise tax increase was killed, and the Legislature was forced to think of where to cut government instead of how to raise taxes. That's a huge shift in mindset.
John Ellis
(Via the Internet)
Democrats have their share of shenanigans
In fairness to both the Republican and Democratic parties, I am responding to Jonathan Rosenthal's Republican experience (Letters, June 16). Four years ago, I substituted for a friend representing my district at the local Democratic Convention. The last day was more than I could bear:
Past and present Democratic officials being called up on stage, hugging and kissing amid the claps and cheers, when it was publicly known they couldn't stand one another.
Since then, I have taken a "no label" vow when it comes to political parties. I just support the person and the cause. Amen!
Barbara Hudman
Citizens should take time to vote in primary
It is the function of government to do for the people those things they cannot do for themselves. This means government should stay out of things that people can do for themselves.We hope, therefore, that government has the wisdom to distinguish this fine line. It should also have the courage not to overstep boundaries.
Hawaii's voters must take the time to vote in the upcoming primary election. If they don't, none of the candidates they like might make it to the general. All of the politicians and their friends will vote in both.
N. Garrett Chan
Kailua pool is cool place to socialize
It is impossible to completely describe the variety of uses and the diverse pockets of our community that happily use the Kailua Community Pool.There are the usual swim meets. Kailua High School Special Education spends quality time in the pool. There are short course swimming hours, long course hours, moms and tots hours, general swimming and night swimming.
Swim aerobics classes in the morning bring together stroke victims, auto accident recovery patients, housewives young and old, and people who have never met before. Now they stay after sessions to talk story, gossip and yes, to trade jokes and personal histories.
The number of people I've met and become friends with just blows my mind.
What's really most important is why this all works so well. It starts with the pool supervisor, Jeaneen Heldt. She leads a group of highly motivated lifeguards. Members of the day and weekend crew include Christine Benson, Jacque Macy, Jim Simington, Leighton Miyake, Taiji Tamura, Sharna Engle, Andrea Haines and Ayesha Morena.
The night crew includes Faye Baker, Dan Rau and Kristie Ishimane.
Additionally, we should recognize the people who were smart enough to hire this great group -- Miles Hazama (Recreation District Supervisor) and Stephanie Araki (Recreation Director IV). My thanks to all of them.
Don Neill
(Via the Internet)
How can cartoonist compare Republicans with racists?
While I frequently disagree with Corky Trinidad's editorial comments, none have been as reprehensible as Wednesday's cartoon depicting Pat Robertson and Trent Lott as the racists in Jasper, Texas, who dragged a black man to his death. I don't like Robertson much myself, but this cartoon was disgusting.Connie Severin
(Via the Internet)
Protesters have a right to voice their opinions
Well, gee whiz, your June 12 editorial feels that the public "must have been appalled" at a group of Hawaiian and environmental activists using their fundamental free-speech rights to educate visitors about irresponsible tour operators on Kauai's North Shore.A more reasonable reaction is your newspaper's arrogant and callous disregard for the Constitution represents a chilling breach of the protesters' rights.
R.A.I. Weigel
Pearl City
(Via the Internet)
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