Threat to arboretum concerns scientists across the globe
My concern for the plant collections at the now-closed Lyon Arboretum has prompted me to write this letter. I am an associate professor of biology on the East Coast and have used the resources of the arboretum over the past 20 years in my research on gingers, bananas and their relatives. This research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and has resulted in a number of important publications on plant structure and development. Lyon Arboretum is one of my main sources for plant material for these studies.Just this past summer a colleague visited the arboretum and collected material from 23 species for me. This material will be used in my lab, and shared with the Laboratory of Plant Systematics of the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. I am collaborating with this laboratory on a study of flower structure in tropical plants. The influence of Lyon's plant collections extends far indeed!
I strongly support the recent efforts to improve the facilities at the arboretum. The $3 million budget request that passed the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, which oversees the arboretum, is definitely a step in the right direction.
My main concern is that the continued closure of the arboretum will so erode the quality of the collections that they may be permanently damaged. I hope that the university will consider reopening the arboretum so that volunteers can continue to maintain the facility. I also hope that the substantial allocation of funds that is now planned will be followed with an increase to the arboretum's operating budget.
The arboretum has long needed more staff to effectively maintain its plant collections.
One of the most important aspects of these collections is the care with which the staff has validated the identity of the plants. This may seem like a minor task, but in practice is quite difficult, very time consuming and extremely important. The validation of the collections transforms the arboretum from a display garden with no scientific value, into a scientific collection of plants.
Lyon has one of the most important scientific collections of living plants in the world. It would be a scientific tragedy to loose this resource. I hope that the regents will continue their good work and improve conditions at the arboretum. Plant scientists from around the world will thank them for their efforts.
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
University of North Carolina
Greensboro, N.C.
Findings of GMO study should be released
Evidence of genetically engineered papaya contamination was confirmed with the testing of Hawaii papaya samples by Genetic ID, an independent lab ("Critics say engineered papayas are a threat," Star-Bulletin, Sept. 11).In addition to papaya samples collected from each island, traditional papaya seed was purchased from the University of Hawaii. The certified packet of Waimanalo papaya seeds was found to be contaminated with GMO (genetically modified organism) seed. The UH agreed that pollen can spread to nonengineered trees and more testing needs to be done.
Why is this acknowledgement coming after the fact? Contamination of seed stock, established trees and cross-pollination of fruit are occurring.
For more than two years, we shared information with the community. We studied testing methodologies, including the GUS gene test, which is used for papaya export, and the more reliable PCR DNA test.
Our groups tested seed and trees, keeping full documentation. We paid for independent testing and sought experts in their fields to assist us. Our representatives, councils and protection agencies ignored our concerns along the way.
GMO proponents claim extensive research has been done. Perhaps that research was spent on the creation of such genetic modifications, but where are the safety studies on human consumption, field workers and environmental impacts? If these studies exist, let's see them.
GMO-Free Kauai
Koloa, Kauai
Not all conservatives back Bush's Iraq policy
"Why does Bush continue to heed men whose policies have radicalized the Middle East and converted much of the Islamic world into a giant recruiting station for Osama bin Laden?"Did a wild-eyed radical say that?
Nope! It's a longtime, conservative Republican by the name of Pat Buchanan (from his Web site, Sept.22).
Why has he flip-flopped? Why has he changed his mind about America's foreign policy?
It's because changing circumstances force thoughtful individuals to change their minds.
Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, Donald Rumsfeld and other Bush advisers change the facts instead. They insist we are winning the war against the terrorists, that the horrors in Iraq are a sign we are victorious, and that as a result, Muslims now love America more than ever.
Who are they kidding?
Kamuela, Hawaii
Both Bush, Kerry served their country
Pat Meyers' Sept. 16 letter states, "Kerry volunteered for duty and Bush didn't." Let's examine the facts: Sen. John Kerry volunteered for the stateside Naval Reserve, not for Vietnam. His reserve unit was called up for active duty, and he was involuntarily sent to Vietnam.President Bush volunteered for service to his country in the Air National Guard. His first two years were full-time active duty. Because he finished in the upper half of his flight class, he was selected for specialized training, learning to fly the Lockheed F-102 jet fighter. In his first year, he accumulated 350 flight hours, and 250 hours during his second. He received very high marks for his piloting skill.
Many seem to have forgotten that during the 40-year Cold War, our greatest fear was an attack from the Soviet Union. During the Vietnam War years, the U.S. Air Force was deployed to Southeast Asia, leaving the ANG F-102 squadrons to defend our homeland. These units, including Bush's squadron, were on the front line of the Cold War.
National Guard and Reserve members are able to bank their duty days in order to take time off. For example, a member can double up duty days in one month and take the next month off.
Because Bush had accumulated so many duty days during his two years of active duty, he was able to take time off without penalty. Yet certain politicians ignore this fact, and instead accuse him of being AWOL.
A tribute by Winston Churchill to national guard and reserve members still rings true today, and applies equally well to both Bush and Kerry: "The reservist is twice the citizen."
Waikiki
Witnesses prove Bush was not AWOL
The claims that President Bush was AWOL during his National Guard service have not been supported in any newspaper, and certainly not in Dan Rather's hit piece, which he has now apologized for. Internet users can instantly check the truth because so many former National Guardsmen are monitoring the issue and exchanging information.Internet searches reveal more witnesses to Bush's presence at Dannelly Base. The Decatur (Alabama) Daily News, on Feb. 16, interviewed a base worker and a former girlfriend who both stated Bush had done his weekend duty.
A column by Thomas Lipscomb (Chicago Sun-Times, Feb. 11) illustrates why the AWOL slander continues: "Media failed to find facts behind Bush's service record."
On Jan. 23 and Feb.11, FactCheck.org. published summaries and documents that fill in many of the missing dates.
On Sept. 6, retired Alabama National Guard Lt. Col. John "Bill" Calhoun was interviewed on Fox TV's Hannity & Colmes. Calhoun had personal contact with George Bush during the questioned time, but stated that with 1,000 people present on drill weekend and no one knowing who Bush was, there would be a scarcity of people who could attest to his attendance.
Facts are tough, but to leftist ideologues, they are merely inconvenient.
Honolulu
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