Watada wrong to put U.N. ahead of America
Regarding "Watada could face prison and discharge for defiance" (
Star Bulletin, June 8): 1st Lt. Ehren Watada claims his defense is that his participation "in this war is not only immoral, but a breach of American law" and that the 2003 invasion of Iraq violates a United Nations charter and the Nuremberg Tribunal Charter.
It amazes me that an Army officer is susceptible to the nonsense claims that the war in Iraq is "illegal" even though Congress and the American people approved it overwhelmingly. More agonizing is that Watada is willing to subordinate the laws of our country -- the most free country in the world -- to a committee of U.N. countries less free and in some cases blatant collectivist dictatorships.
You swore an oath, sir, to the United States of America, not the United Nations, which includes such paragons of morality as Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan.
When you put so-called "international law" above our own you are no longer patriotic, but traitorous.
Joe Kane
Waipahu
Good thing most keep their word
Ehren K. Watada needs to grow up, be a man of his word and realize he is not "playing" Army. When he volunteered for military service he took an oath to follow orders and when he became an officer he reinforced that oath. He should have waited until he was out of the military to voice his opinion.
Watada's belief that the military should allow him to approve of a war prior to his participation is just plain crazy! When you join the military you swear to protect and serve your country. It is a very sad day for Hawaii's war veterans who have served with pride, dignity and given their lives for Watada to live off the fruits of their labor and in a free country.
Yes, there are a few bad apples in every bunch, but it is a good thing for us that a majority of soldiers keep their word, serve their country and follow orders. I was taught that a man's word is the most important thing he has, and Watada now has lost that.
What is even worse is seeing U.S Rep. Neil Abercrombie's wife, Nancie Caraway, holding that sign calling him a "hero." What is she thinking? She might have just caused her husband his job.
I agree with Command Sgt. Major Michael D. Hayes when he said, "He is a dishonorable man and should be court-martialed." I hope the military uses this bad apple as an example and sends him to prison to rot.
Robert Rock
Vietnam veteran
Honolulu
Standing for one's beliefs takes courage
Lt. Ehren Watada is to be congratulated
for his courage in standing up to his convictions. We need more like him.
Ron Pulfrey
World War II veteran
Honolulu
Principal should rethink his methods
In a recent letter to parents, Randal Tanaka, principal at Kalakaua Middle School, states that the school is not eliminating band as an elective course. Although, in the same letter, he states that "seventh-grade band will be offered for credit after school or modified over three quarters." I'm sure the students are thrilled to be able to take a course they are truly interested in after school hours.
He also notes that many of the students are losing interest in continuing band in high school. I think that problem stems from the high school.
He then notes low reading and math scores and that the time in those courses will be doubled. Has he considered the actual attention span of adolescents? Maybe he should consider improving teaching methods or getting better math and English teachers. But unfortunately, several very good teachers have left the school due to poor administrative leadership.
Stu Padaso
Honolulu
Akaka Bill never had a chance in Senate
The dog-and-pony show over
the Akaka Bill has played out to its inevitable conclusion in a Republican-dominated Congress. After all this time, the bill never made it to the floor of the U.S. Senate and is effectively dead.
Native Hawaiians who believed this bill would pass were more than naive. From now on, they would be wise to seek a redress of their grievances from county- and state-level government in Hawaii, where their situation is much better understood than in Congress.
William Moake
Honolulu
Keep Trump's workers away from Waikiki
I suffered through the finale of "The Apprentice" Monday night, watching Lee Bienstock battle it out with Sean Yazbeck for 90 long, tense, sweating, calorie-and-cholesterol-fueled minutes.
It was all I could do to work the handle of my recliner in one hand while alternating the remote in the other, along with my Primo, TiVo, I-Pod, Game Boy, Walkman, CD player, Pac-Man game and 8-track player.
If either of these lolos shows up to manage the future Trump Tower in Waikiki, we'll all be in trouble. Hellllp! Let's put the call out to people who really can help:
PoncePonce, Cricket Blake, Thomas Magnum, Higgins, Jake & the Fatman, the Kingston Trio, Charlie Chan and the entire cast of "From Here to Eternity."
God help us all.
Chip Davey
Honolulu