Withdrawal would hurt many innocent Iraqis
Recently, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) called for the immediate pullout of military forces. His silence is loud, however, on how to do this without the massacre of thousands, if not millions, of good Iraqis who have embraced the dream of a free and democratic state. He is silent on how to avoid the collapse of a new constitutional democracy in Iraq with all of its promise. He says nothing at all about how to withdraw and avoid the collapse of stability in the Middle East.
It is inescapable that the consequences of immediate withdrawal will assure the president infamy in the annals of history. To those politicians who shout cut our losses and damn the consequences, we say stand and be personally accountable. Put the prestige of your office, your personal reputation and the reputation and honor of your party on the line with the president. After all, you are putting our country on the line.
Nelson S.W. Chang
Kaneohe
Withdrawal plea speaks for the troops
I heard Rep. John P. Murtha from Pennsylvania on the news and what he said was awesome in its truth. A Vietnam War veteran with Purple Hearts spoke of his visits to Walter Reed Hospital and our wounded Iraq war veterans there, without hands and blind, without arms and legs, young, crying for the lives they no longer have. I cried with him because anyone with a heart would.
Murtha called for withdrawal of our troops. He has been to Iraq and knows. The Iraqi people want their country back. American presence there serves no useful purpose. The country suffers as a place destroyed.
Thank you and bless you, Rep. Murtha. My children and grandson, and the rest of the world, heard your plea and demand for reason. You have my support.
Elizabeth Brandilywn Apana
Honolulu
U.S. should exercise higher standards
OK. Let me get this straight.
Our government, according to Vice President Dick Cheney, appears to think that torture is acceptable and should be condoned as long as the CIA is involved. Apparently it is also OK for the United States to create secret CIA prisons to hold detainees without any kind of due process. It also appears white phosphorous was used as an offensive weapon against insurgents in Fallujah intentionally and against civilians unintentionally. White phosphorus, when used offensively, is a chemical weapon by definition, and burns people to death.
Where does it end?
Incredibly, it seems that we do have our own "secret police" and immoral practices ongoing that are condoned by our government.
If these accounts are true, I must say that Americans as far as I know do not conduct themselves this way. We need to raise the bar domestically and internationally when it comes to civilized behavior in warfare and peace, not lower it. If we can't hold ourselves accountable, how can we be seen as moral compasses or leaders to anyone?
Bruce H. Beinert
Waialua
HCDA should dump its Kakaako plan
The creation of the Hawaii Community Development Authority was well intentioned. Thanks to its efforts, Honolulu residents now have balanced recreational options between large, open spaces at Kakaako Waterfront Park and thriving shops at Victoria Ward Centers. It is unfortunate that the HCDA's grand vision has deteriorated into unnecessary and unwanted development.
Overwhelming community opposition should be sufficient reason for the HCDA to scrap its plans for the massive Alexander & Baldwin development.
Kristi Sue-Ako
Kakaako
Christian holy warriors are just as scary
Melvin Partido Sr.'s letter "God wants you to vote out all Democrats" (
Star-Bulletin, Nov. 17) was among the most disturbing of public opinions that I have ever seen published in your newspaper. Partido reminds me of the suicidal Muslim holy warriors who believe that "their God" is the one and only true God. It is simply baffling to the millions of us open-minded citizens of this country to see just how narrow-minded and selfish religious fanatics can be.
Has Partido or the multitudes of other religious fanatics thought for even one moment that this country is populated by people of all religious faiths?
I respectfully ask that Mr. Partido and his fellow Christian fundamentalists keep their religion and their God out of our government and out of the lives of the millions of people who just happen to believe differently than they do.
Michael Lauck
Honolulu
Try punishing bad fans before banning alcohol
I hope Alan Kim's position wasn't that all who drink are prone to getting into fights ("Drunk fans at stadium put others in danger,"
Letters, Nov. 18). I've been to many University of Hawaii football games and I've had a few beers and never once been moved to anger, much less get into a fight. It's the few who drink recklessly, who are loud, obnoxious and prone to violence when confronted, who are the heart of the problem.
I would rather see rules enacted and enforced to dispose of the rowdy few so that those who drink responsibly are given the option of having a beer. If this is not possible, then a total alcohol ban might be the only solution. I wouldn't boycott a football game at the stadium just because they don't serve beer.
Derrick Mishima
Mililani