Local boys argue their way to the top

My son, senior Sean Mumper, and his partner, sophomore Matt Contreras, of the Loyola Marymount University Debate team, are ranked No. 1 in the 2006 national Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence ranking ordered by NPTE Points (http://npte.debateaddict.com). Sean was a 2001 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and a member of their debate team.

Sean and Matt are ranked first out of 571 college debate teams with 51.10 NPTE points and a 87.500 winning percentage. Thirty tournaments are included in this ranking.

Paper does disservice to military wives

The portrayal of military wives who have spouses on deployment in your newspaper must stop. The poor military wife whose husband is fighting for his life in Iraq, while the wife is so overcome with anguish and depression. These wives are stay-at-home mothers who sit in the house and wait to get that infamous knock on the door. You portray military wives as these weak, sappy women.

Not all military wives are like this. Military wives are so much more. Not all of us are stay-at-home mothers. Some of us go to school, and we hold down jobs. We are mother and father to our kids, we take care of the house and all legal matters by ourselves. We make sure the kids remember their fathers, and teach them that their daddy is doing a great thing for the people of this country.

Most importantly we act as the backbone of our family. We hold it together so that if we do get that knock at the door we can be strong for our kids and explain to them that their father isn't coming home not because he doesn't love them, but because God loved him more. We are not all depressed. We are strong because we have to be, not because we want to be, and your readers should know this.

City should find money to buy Waimea Valley

I am so angry and disappointed at the City Council, which not only voted for preliminary approval with the owners of Waimea Valley, but for not fully disclosing the terms (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 22). Council, you work for the people, not for special interests. I do not think giving up and selling out is what the majority of Hawaii citizens want.

We have other needs? What better need than to preserve our culture, land and people. Funds should be allocated for this land because once you let it go, it's gone.

Did you know that Christian Wolffer (the owner) has a vineyard estate on Long Island, N.Y.? Ironic because Long Island's indigenous Native American people are a rarity. They were agriculturists like our Hawaiian ancestors and now we are becoming endangered species like them. My husband worked in Long Island for a year and I have never seen or met a Native American there -- ever.

Please don't let Waimea Valley become another Long Island. Contact the City Council members and let them know how you feel. The final vote is Dec. 7. Do it for the aina and especially the keiki.

Those who care should pitch in to buy valley

Hurray for Mayor Hannemann being up front in telling the public that the city can afford to purchase only a portion of Waimea Valley (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 26). His candor is refreshing.

I understand and respect the position of those who want to save Waimea Valley. However, I am sure these individuals also recognize that our city has many other basic needs that require funding.

The mayor is taking a pragmatic approach. He has tossed the challenge out to those who want to preserve all of Waimea Valley to come up with the money. There is nothing that prevents private citizens from negotiating directly with the owners to purchase the remaining portion of the valley.

It's always easy to toss the ball to government, but sometimes private citizens need to step forward and take action.

Families need to use libraries on Saturdays

I should be pleased to read that the Kaneohe library will extend its hours (Newswatch, Star-Bulletin, Nov. 26); however, I'm saddened that the library is closed on Saturdays when the majority of families with keiki can enjoy an educational afternoon together. I just can't believe libraries are closed on Saturdays, of all days.