Why waste newsprint on whiney officer?
Why do you give more than two pages to entice people to feel sorry for a crybaby? Lt.
Ehren Watada took an oath to obey all officers appointed over him. Now he wants to break the solemn oath by refusing to accept orders to join his unit, which has been ordered to Iraq.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice is the guide by which such disobedience should be judged ... not the newspaper. Watada wanted the prestige but not the responsibility of his rank.
I think a term in federal prison until our troops are withdrawn from Iraq would be appropriate.
Kenneth S. Foley
Retired colonel U.S. Marine Corps
Honolulu
Officer should be praised for courage
Rather than condemn
1st Lt. Ehren Watada, I think he should be commended for his courage in opposing the government's deception about the reasons for invading Iraq and continuing the destructive war that has no end.
Everyone naturally trusts their government to tell the truth, especially in matters of war and peace. The lieutenant also had faith in his government, but as the war has developed and the facts emerged, he had a change of heart.
The list of deceptions and disinformation disseminated by the government is long. Have we forgotten the constantly changing rationale for the war until the president hit on "Iraqi Freedom," which resonated in the American heart while parroted by the media like a propaganda machine?
The lieutenant, in the best American tradition, questioned authority, concluding that the war, despite government assertions and power, was unjustified and illegal.
I salute him for his courage and integrity as he declares: "Here I stand. I can do no other."
Alfred Bloom
Kailua
Watada a disgrace to his uniform
"Like father, like son" (
Star-Bulletin, June 8) is clearly portrayed through Lt. Ehren Watada's unpatriotic act. His father objected to the Vietnam War, and his son proclaims to evade combat duty in Iraq.
It's a real difficult pill to swallow to read that his father, Bob Watada, attested to his son's great courage and that he is choosing to do the right thing.
Terrorist acts are going to occur again and again on the soil of our great country. These forthcoming upheavals can be primarily attributed to activist organizations that are encouraged and supported by the Watadas' actions. This type of activity portrays only weakness to our enemies.
Our men and women in uniform are strong patriots. They want loyal officers who will look out for them and watch their backs. They don't want an officer around them who is a disgrace to the uniform.
I strongly support the maximum punishment allowable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for Lt. Watada.
Steve Good
Retired lieutenant commander U.S. Navy
Ewa Beach
Blame President Bush for starting illegal war
My oh my, has
1st Lt. Watada stirred up a hornet's nest or what?
A decisive majority of Americans oppose this unlawful, illegal, uncalled-for war. Our president proudly asserts that regardless of the circumstances, once he makes a decision he will hold firm. It sure must be nice to live in a black-and-white world.
Our military doesn't make the decision to wage war. Civilians make that decision. The military abides by those decisions, though individual members may disagree with the call to arms.
According to the Department of Defense, 2,478 American service members have died since the start of the Iraq war. Sadly, this war is not about defending our country.
So, dear writers of vitriol, give it a rest. Watada is a brave young man. He is a patriot. He speaks for many. He is to be congratulated. And President Bush, if you're listening, stop this madness! Enough already!
Monica Evans
Military Families Speak Out Hawaii
Action disrespectful to Hawaii's famed vets
Ehren Watada a "patriotic Eagle Scout" (
Star-Bulletin, June 8)? Give me a break. He spits on the graves of the 442nd's and One-Puka-Pukas. If Ehren Watada is trying to be a moral hero -- forget it.
Naomi Russell
Culver City, Calif.
Native of Hawaii
Please pitch in to help keep Hawaii clean
Living here in Hawaii, we especially should know the value of "aloha aina," love for the land. We are blessed with bountiful resources and natural beauty that surpasses so many other places in the world.
Why is it, then, that we islanders can go to the beach to watch the sunset, only to leave behind our empty juice cans, plastic bags and paper cups? Our beaches are equipped with trash cans to prevent this exact sort of thing.
My friends and I were at Kahala beach recently, and decided to clean up a bit. It was disgusting how many cigarettes people had left on the ground. Apparently, too, some kids had had a water balloon fight. Fun, yes, but we were there to trash the rubber remains.
Please, islanders, Hawaii has given us a lovely place to call home. The least we can do is clean up after ourselves.
Ming Tanigawa-Lau
Honolulu
Will transit system cause more blackouts?
The
recent blackout by Hawaiian Electric has been an inconvenience, at best. More blackouts are said to be a "certainty" because of increased demand with no increase in generating capacity (
Star-Bulletin, June 3).
To alleviate the situation, HECO has plans to add a new 100-megawatt plant that would burn either naphtha or ethanol. However, if demand does not decrease, the addition of this new plant would still fall short of "ideal reserve margins." Result: more blackouts.
What I would like to know is, what will happen if we construct an electricity-driven mass transit system? Where will the extra electricity for this system come from, if we are already facing power shortages, with no viable remedy in sight?
Ken Murai
Honolulu