Formulaic sound is part of Eagles' magic

Us old folks attended the Eagles' concerts on Tuesday and Friday nights (Review, Star-Bulletin, Dec. 1). And, while I would agree to a certain extent that Tuesday's concert had a few rough spots, I am convinced that their Friday concert will certainly rank among the top concerts ever to come to Hawaii. For the reviewer's information, the precise, formulaic format of some of the Eagle's music is exactly by design and their insistence on that precision is part of their legacy.

On Friday, they hit both papers' reviewers right between the eyes with an in your face, hard-driving and animated concert that had concert-goers screaming for more. The sound and energy level raised this concert to a much higher level. To the boys in the band -- excellent job; you had us singing every song, reminiscing about old times and forever grateful for your talent, artistry and memories. You are the sound of our generation and what a sound you are!

Japanese weren't the only ones interned

You concluded your Nov. 19 editorial with these words: "Nonetheless, it is important for the nation that we remember the injustice in order to avoid its repetition." As it now stands, the legislation approved by the House cites camps where Japanese Americans were interned. Do you believe that not recognizing camp sites that housed German Americans and Italian Americans will help us to "remember the injustice in order to avoid its repetition? If you so believe, you are wrong. You did not even mention the other ethnicities that were interned during World War II.

I believe the sites should include such camps as Sand Island and Honouliuli in Hawaii; Crystal City, Texas; Fort Lincoln, N.D.; Camp Kenedy, Texas; Camp Forrest, Tenn.; and Ellis Island, N.Y., to name a few of the 50 sites that held German Americans and Italian Americans.

Djou right to question awarding of contract

I'm impressed by the eagerness and hostility of Mayor Mufi Hannemann and U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's attacks on City Councilman Charles Djou, for having the temerity simply to request an investigation to determine the suitability of a change in city subcontractors ("Mayor chastises Djou over transit," Star-Bulletin, Dec. 3).

Since Djou's request followed the city's inability to explain this abrupt change of award to a Hannemann crony, we expect some answers from the mayor. Instead, Hannemann and Abercrombie pounce on Djou for daring even to question this $9.7 million contract. Methinks they protest way too much!

This award smells of patronage. Hannemann should welcome an opportunity to set the record straight. There's no hurry, Mufi -- the rail project is an unworkable, unaffordable debacle, anyway.

Lack of respect for life leads to youth crimes

I read the headlines of the past few days with great consternation and confusion. "Woman kept alive to save baby." Hmmm, doctors are keeping a woman on life support so they can deliver a real-life, breathing, feeling human being. Hmmm, but the Hawaii Supreme Court decreed days earlier that the medical experts are wasting their time on something that is not a human being.

No wonder we have 11-year-old boys (allegedly) raping 11-year-old girls; our legal experts have explicitly defined life within a pregnant woman as worthless, and as a result, there is no reason to respect any life for that matter. Last week was a sad and dark week for Hawaii indeed.

Of course Bush likes military audiences

In answer to the Dec. 3 letter about why President Bush speaks only to military audiences:

The troops are a captive audience. They applaud on command. They may not ask questions not supplied by the president's staff. They may not disagree, "boo" or show any displeasure. They may not display any signs that disagree with Bush's positions. Pro-Bush banners are supplied by the White House (e.g. "Mission Accomplished"). And they must remember that he is at the top of their chain of command. He gives orders; they follow them.

With only three of 10 civilian Americans supporting the Bush/Chalabi Iraq War, you know that Bush will not subject himself to the treatment he would receive from a less-than-obedient audience. We would ask embarrassing questions, carry peace signs that are not allowed on a military base and show our true feelings.

Also, if he spoke to a civilian audience, Bush (an AWOL deserter in time of war) would not be able to don any military garb to "play soldier" -- one of his favorite pastimes.