City Lights displays exude Christmas spirit

I had a great experience the other night watching the opening of this year's City Lights program at the Honolulu Hale.

While the stuff inside was glittery and glitzy, what really caught my attention were the two displays outside, sponsored by Stand Up For America and Health Hawaii Coalition. I would like to thank former City Councilman Mike Gabbard, the president and founder of both organizations, for reminding us what Christmas is really all about.

In this age of secularism, commercialism and political correctness, it was refreshing to see something with some substance. I found tears rolling down my cheeks as I looked at these two displays. I hope families will take the time to check them out.

Gutsy Councilman deserves praise

It seems Congressman Neil Abercrombie thinks he is the gatekeeper between the state/city and the federal government and everyone should go through him, and it seems Mayor Mufi Hannemann agrees with him (Star-Bulletin, Dec 3). So much for arrogance and political grandstanding and so much for open government. It seems that ordinary citizens are not supposed to question how things are done or not done.

Thank goodness for people like City Councilman Charles Djou, who shows guts for questioning the mass-transit contract, or any contract that seems to smell. Frankly, anyone awake and breathing has seen the multitude of shady deals done by both parties. It seems about time ordinary citizens start a new program and awareness of checks and balances.

Getting there is only half the trouble

In any endeavor, it's tough to reach the top, but often times, it becomes even tougher to maintain that top position.

Corky's absence is no laughing matter

Where's Corky? My day has been ruined! I scroll down the online edition of the Star-Bulletin and he's not there! Is he in the hospital? Get well, Corky! Is he on vacation? Have a great time, Corky. Has he mysteriously disappeared? Call 911.

Corky makes my day. I manage to make it through the day on Saturdays knowing that he will be there on Sunday. But the sudden shock of his enlightening presence no longer there is too much.

There are those who will tell me to get a life. Well, I do have a life and it is made richer and more enjoyable by Corky's insightful cartoons. Aloha, Corky, wherever you are!

Editor's note: Relax -- Corky is fine. He's on vacation until Jan. 1.

'We Still Care' about Pearl Harbor victims Zeroes broke the silence of a quiet Sunday morning God's day of rest was shattered by the sound of guns and bombing. The harbor boiled, the sky turned black, Our home was under fierce attack Our brave men were fighting back, the attack was without warning. Grown men cried, as comrades died And Pearl became a gateway to heaven Heroes born on this morn lived to tell of the hell and to mourn With great pride those who died, remember well. Since that day of infamy, fifty years have come and gone Tear-stained pages tell how we wrote our victory song The war is over, all is past, peace has come, but memories last Our flag is halfway down the mast, oh yes, we remember How grown men cried, as comrades died And Pearl became a gateway to heaven So lay a wreath, say a prayer for the men who have died under there Lives they gave, a country saved, and we still care ... we still care! Keith Haugen Honolulu