Same-sex
marriage redux
A 'yes' vote will mean headache for lawmakers
A "yes" vote on the constitutional amendment will not magically save traditional marriage. Instead, it will simply encourage our feckless lawmakers to waste yet another session -- or two or three -- trying to formulate legislation on the issue.Our state has severe problems in its economy, educational system and government bureaucracy. Please, don't give our legislators any further excuse to keep avoiding meaningful reform in these areas.
Joel Bradshaw
Vote 'yes' to block same-sex marriage
Although two-thirds of Hawaii's voters are against same-sex marriage, not all know how to vote to keep marriage as it is. Some are very confused because of the wording on the ballot: "Shall the Constitution of the state of Hawaii be amended to specify that the Legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples?"It is a tricky, very poorly worded question. It is the result of the Senate co-chairmen -- Sens. Avery Chumbley, who is up for re-election, and Matt Matsunaga, who has two more years on his term.
Are we accepting people or shall we fight this horrible lifestyle by doing everything we can at the polls, passing out information leaflets and talking to everyone we know on the "correct" way to vote?
All "no" votes and spoiled ballots will be counted for the other side!
Mely McGivern
President, Marian Peace Center-Hawaii
Legislature must rule, not state Supreme Court
Advocates of homosexual marriage, under the euphemism "Protect Our Constitution," would have us believe that we are governed by an oligarchy in the form of the Hawaii Supreme Court.Assuming that the opinion of the Supreme Court is somehow sacrosanct, they apparently would have all the important issues of the day decided by these five appointees and leave only trivial issues for our elected officials.
This is a time-honored liberal tactic: If you fear the will of the majority, turn to the courts.
If Hawaii citizens still value democracy, the issue of homosexual marriage must be returned to the Legislature. Only there will the people be heard. Let us be led by our elected officials, not by activist jurists.
S.L. Austin
Gay marriage certainly is a civil rights issue
Save Traditional Marriage '98 ran a three-quarter-page ad stating that the same-gender marriage issue on the November ballot "isn't a civil rights issue." Then why do they want to change our Bill of Rights and give the power to determine our rights to the Legislature?Do they want to eliminate our Supreme Court also and just let the Christian Coalition decide all of our rights?
How about letting the courts continue to handle our civil rights and hope the Legislature will put its full and complete attention to the state economy, taxes, size of government and jobs?
Greig Trowbridge
(Via the Internet)
Constitutional amendment promotes discrimination
Those who say the amendment protects traditional marriage are simply being ridiculous. What this amendment does is discriminate against a certain minority. It denies members of this minority their basic human rights to be responsible, caring and loving individuals.This amendment attacks human rights everywhere, not just in Hawaii. It will give the Legislature the power to legislate against marriage. No elected official must have that kind of inordinate power.
The amendment is basically immoral and contrary to the basic decencies of humankind. As a straight person, I condemn the amendment. It bodes ill for a segment of human creation, be it from God, Allah or Jehovah.
J.J. Kaufmann
Gay marriage doesn't threaten 'family values'
I am sick and tired of hearing about the so-called threat posed to traditional marriages and families by same-sex marriage.As I see it, the biggest threat to traditional family life right now is an economy that forces both parents to work overtime to make ends meet, leaving them little time to spend with each other and with their children.
Even on the mainland, where the economy is booming, this breakdown of family time has been the real social cost, leaving kids to grow up without adequate guidance or a strong model on which to pattern their future relationships.
These families are doing the best they can, but this trend must stop someplace. So please, focus your attention on the real social problems here, rather than creating a scapegoat out of the same-sex couple next door. They merely want a loving, committed relationship of their choice, just like the rest of us.
Lisa L. Vinzant
Group has dishonored vets with outrageous statements
The claim of the group Protect Our Constitution that nisei and other World War II veterans from Hawai were fighting to support same-sex marriage is criminal. They are dishonoring our heroes by implying that veterans fought to advance such an agenda.POC makes this claim saying, "We need to honor (veterans') sacrifices by protecting the principles of fairness, justice and equality in Hawaii's Constitution and Bill of Rights."
Yet Hawaii's Constitution is silent on marriage. So why is it a constitutional issue? Because the supporters of same-sex marriage have made it a constitutional issue. They have caused the polarization of Hawaii's people.
James I. Kuroiwa Jr.
Fasting is perfect way to deal with controversy
There has been much talk lately about how the family will be affected if same-sex marriage is made constitutional in our state. Good-intentioned people on both sides are concerned that the truth is not being given to the public. Both sides have spiritual leaders who believe that what they're doing is right.One way to possibly shed light on this matter is by using the spiritual discipline of fasting. In the 1960s, people like Dick Gregory fasted. Mahatma Gandhi fasted as a spiritual practice. Even Jesus fasted.
Therefore, I will fast for one week, and the money that I save by not eating will be sent to Hawaii charities that help families in need.
I'm tired of the ignorance, intolerance and use of the family in pain as a way of furthering political agendas. I don't want to be angry any more.
Maybe fasting will cleanse my spirit of resentment and anger. If all people of good will would like to join me in fasting for one meal, one day or longer, maybe we can all have more aloha and compassion.
Daniel L. McInerney
Same-sex marriage:
Past articlesTwo criminal cases show how injustice reigns
Help me with this one. Stephen Bright kills Kenneth Brewer, then goes free. Keoni Murray burglarizes 23 Hawaii Kai houses, gets 20 years in the slammer. Stephen's got a drinking problem, Keoni has a drug problem.I have a problem with the justice system. Let's now call it the injustice system.
D.S. Ross
Public input needed for future of Oahu
Earlier this month I attended the mayor's visioning conference. For the first time I can remember, and I have been a resident for more than 30 years, a government leader has embraced a long-term community-based planning effort.Mayor Harris has encouraged area residents to develop a vision for their own areas, and to identify community values and priorities. What really makes it exciting is that he has put a huge carrot out there -- $2 million per area in capital improvement project funds.
Funding gives credence to the program because, in each of the 19 areas represented, a plan for expenditure will be based on broad community input. Communities can have what they want, where they want it.
Each of the 19 designated groups has a chance to learn about city infrastructure and improvements planned for its area. Presentations will be made on development plans, traffic calming, transit, bike paths, water and wastewater programs, and other city services in the months to come.
If you want to make a difference in your community, and you care about how your taxpayer dollars are spent, join us and develop your own vision for the 21st century.
L. Kane
Kaneohe
St. Louis controversy is none of public's business
I feel it necessary to respond to Diane Chang's Sept. 28 column about the behavior of some members of the St. Louis football team during its recent trip to Las Vegas. While I do not condone the alleged behavior, Chang's column -- as well as your newspaper's reporting of the story in general -- has been biased and inflammatory.First of all, what proof do you have that Coach Cal Lee and his staff tried to cover this up? St. Louis is a private school. What happened on that trip is a matter to be settled by the school administration, coaches, parents and players. As for the rest of us, it is none of our business.
The reporting of this story by the Star-Bulletin and KGMB has been unfair. The fact that St. Louis is a private Catholic school with an overwhelmingly successful football program over the past 15 years makes it an easy target for criticism by those who resent its success.
It's no secret that many St. Louis graduates, given the opportunity to attend quality universities on the mainland, choose to do so. However, this is somehow seen as a "snub" to the UH program, and the negative St. Louis image is unfairly carried on.
Kristin Leandro
(Via the Internet)
Parents' reaction should cause concern
This situation at St. Louis School amazes me. Imagine the parents of these athletes hiring an attorney to tell the president how to mete out punishment for the disgraceful situation in Las Vegas.If such an absurd thing had happened when I was in Catholic men's prep school in California, Brother Robert would have expelled all who participated, canceled the football season and probably fired all the coaches.
The unchristianlike behavior of these students rings of uncaring parents. Do they send their sons to St. Louis to become insensitive, immature football players or to be men of character with Christian values?
Michael E. Powers
Mixed emotions expressed on scandal-plagued Clinton
With all the talk of the Clinton sex scandal and the debate over whether the president should be impeached, people should ask themselves one important question: Is Clinton a good president?I believe that he is conscientiously carrying out the duties of his office. While he appears to have little moral integrity, he has done some great things for our country.
President Clinton has raised the minimum wage, worked toward a better health-care system, boosted the economy and established better world relationships. The American people should remember all of this.
Anna Weaver
President William Clinton lied. He lied to the American people while he was under oath and stuck to his story for seven months, taking everyone -- even his wife, daughter and closest friends -- along with us for the ride.
Clinton recently admitted that he "misled" people, but still refused to acknowledge any legal wrongdoing. By basing his arguments on word-by-word definitions, he is further undermining the trust that he has already lost.
If he decides to finish his term as president, it is almost certain he will be ineffective as a leader. How can we have faith in his decisions if we cannot trust him to tell the truth? This affair makes it difficult for us to know when to believe him. A lie is a lie, regardless of the topic.
Clinton should be replaced with someone we can take seriously.
Mariel Downes
I come from a military family. My mother had a 20-year career as an active duty officer. My father continues active service in the Air Force. They have shared with me four core values that all military personnel are expected to uphold: integrity, service before self, excellence in all we do, and respect for others.
If we expect each soldier and officer to uphold these core values, shouldn't the commander in chief be held to the same standards?
By engaging in a sexual affair and lying about it, Clinton's integrity is questionable. If he truly cares more about America than himself, he should resign.
Kristen D. Fullenkamp
Editor's note: The above letters were written by
10th-grade students at Sacred Hearts Academy.Democrats make lying part of their platform
Clinton lied to America, Fasi lied to Hawaii. And the Democratic Party welcomes them both to support their "values" platform. Excuse me, but I am not stupid. And I will never vote for any of them.Carol J. Holck
Kailua
McCully doesn't want shops like Inserection
This is in response to Scott Griffiths' Sept. 24 letter on my initiative to establish buffer zones to keep pornographic sex shops 500 feet away from homes, schools, churches and each other.The protest demonstration, which I organized, and the hundreds of petition signatures that McCully residents and I gathered going door-to-door to shut down the Inserection sex shop clearly demonstrates Griffiths is mistaken as to our community's values.
My bill does not apply to or affect family video stores, and therefore would not "take most of the bread and butter away from locally owned video stores," as Griffiths wrote. Additionally, Inserection is not locally owned but an out-of-state chain that has caused strong community outcry on the mainland.
Studies have proven that sex shops destroy neighborhoods, drive out legitimate businesses, lower property values and are inappropriate in family neighborhoods like McCully.
Andy Mirikitani
Honolulu City Councilman,
District V
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