Use of high beams can prevent car wrecks
How often has the description of a crash that took place at night indicated that "the driver lost control on a curve and crossed the centerline?"
The common denominator is driving with low beams instead of high beams on unlit stretches of highway. The driver can't see far enough ahead to be able to react in time when coming to the curve, coupled with lack of expertise in high-speed driving.
Ted Chernin
Honolulu
Akaka, Case should question each other
The people of Hawaii demand a real honest debate between Rep. Ed Case and Sen. Dan Akaka where the candidates can question each other.
Let's have the debate before the absentee ballots are sent. Joe Moore, KHON-2 News anchorman, would be best to mediate a debate on live television. We want to know about Iraq, health care, the environment, global warming, public transportation, the Superferry, renewable energy, immigration, gas prices and human rights.
Victor John Fleener
Honolulu
Clever Republicans will vote for Akaka
The race for Dan Akaka's U.S. Senate seat is a wonder that defies the laws of nature. At 81 years of age, Sen. Akaka and the Democratic Party of Hawaii would have you believe the senator is capable of rendering another six years of good, reasoned representation for the people of
Hawaii. Ain't so, as any medical doctor will tell you. The life expectancy of any 81-year-old and their attention span has a statistical answer.
But instead of installing a young, bright, intelligent, experienced replacement in the person of Ed Case, the Democratic Party seems determined to retain a person who probably will not live to fulfill the elected term.
Here is where those foxy Republicans are lying in wait. Who but the Republican governor of our state has the power to appoint a replacement? Now, for the first time in the history of statehood, we will have a Republican senator in Washington -- perhaps a lady senator!
So, Republicans, get out there and return Akaka to Washington. Your time will come soon enough.
Don Moore
Kula, Maui
It is madness to let them kill Israel
Regarding Tom Dolan's
Aug. 24 letter to the editor, headlined "U.S. foreign policy based on madness": Madness is the U.S. policy of handing over "humanitarian aid" to countries that dispatch airplane-hijacking terrorists and where the populace chants "Death to America."
The small, democratic country Israel fights for survival. It is the sole target for destruction in the Middle East. Not once has Israel pursued war, though it is continually defending itself against Arab aggression. Suggesting the United States not support Israel is calling for the obliteration of the country and the massacre of millions of human beings. No country in the world is endlessly condemned for defending itself, except Israel.
What is the war-torn, embattled country of Israel up against? Iranian President Ahmadinejad's call to wipe Israel off the map. Why should the United States support Israel, our only true ally in the Middle East? Iran is on the brink of dramatic nuclear advancement.
Elly York
Honolulu
We must unite for long haul against terror
Just after 9/11, Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, late of our U.S. Supreme Court, emphatically stated we were in a 25 to 50-year war against terrorism -- and this was before we went to war in Iraq. We are at war. We might not have proclaimed it to your satisfaction, but I guarantee that war has been declared on us!
What do you really think would happen if we pulled out of Iraq, or let North Korea continue to fire off long-range missiles, or left Iran to build nuclear weapons?
I spent five months in 1954 watching America test several atomic devices in Bikini Lagoon. I know what was left of the atoll after each shot, and I don't want to see that happen again -- ever.
Appeasement means nothing to die-hard Islamic fascists. They do not want to live with you now or ever. They want you dead.
If you don't believe me, I urge you to accept the terrorist of your choice into your home, your family, your community. Get up close and personal and see what they want.
There is only one direction to take to get out of this mess: The politicians, the press, all other forms of media must join hands, hearts and ideals and fight together. This is the only way you can support our military and the free world to get the job done. Being weak, scared, pacifist or isolationist is not going to work.
Don Neill
Kaneohe
Energy vision needs more than regulation
Even with glasses, gubernatorial candidate Randall Iwase is still near-sighted ("Hawaii needs to take action on gas prices,"
"Gathering Place," Aug. 24). He fails to see that the gasoline price cap and regulating gasoline prices are merely short-term attempts to artificially alter prices, whereas the long-term solution lies in fostering energy self-sufficiency. He also fails to see the big picture: It's not just about slashing gasoline prices, it's about our state's security. We can try to control imported oil prices as much as we want, but it still makes us vulnerable to global forces we cannot control. A disruption in our imported oil supply would result in a serious crisis for our island state, not just for our wallets.
Imagine Hawaii producing its own energy and taking control of our energy future, rather than being controlled. Energy self-sufficiency is not a fairy tale, it's in the works. Landmark legislation has been passed to kick-start research, development and industry investment.
But it's going to take a visionary leader -- one who thinks outside the box and who is passionate, optimistic and committed to working with all sectors to make it a reality. This leader is Gov. Lingle, not Randy Iwase.
Philip Barker
Kaneohe
Iwase misrepresents Lingle's energy policy
Randall Iwase shamefully attacked Governor Lingle with allegations that she has received thousands of dollars from the oil companies for her re-election bid (
"Gathering Place," Aug. 24). Lingle has probably received thousands of dollars from thousands of people, but there is no correlation between her finances and her policies. If she was really a big oil supporter, why did she work so hard to enact laws that would help relieve Hawaii's dependence on imported oil?
The governor is defending the public interest by striving for long-term solutions such as energy self-sufficiency rather than knee-jerk reactions like the gas cap. Iwase is stabbing to find a solution by proposing another attempt at a failed policy. The gas cap lifted prices, threatened the supply of oil and hurt consumers. The idea of a gubernatorial candidate running on this is very scary.
Trevor Moore
Waialua
Rudeness replaces aloha for patriotism
Sovereignty protesters used a sound system, bullhorns and in-your-face shouting to disrupt Statehood Day celebrations (
Star-Bulletin, Aug. 19). They terrorized a high school band into leaving before the music could be played.
Five days later, I attended a blessing ceremony to open a $23 million renovation project at Windward Mall. Kamehameha Schools owns the mall.
I am an active opponent of Kamehameha's racist admissions policy. But I left my bullhorn at home. I did not go to the podium, interrupt any speakers, yell or stick my finger in their faces. I did not harass the school kids performing right next to my seat.
A large American flag hangs permanently above center-stage; yet there was no Pledge of Allegiance. When everyone stood to sing "Hawaii Pono'i" I sat down because the U.S. national anthem was not also sung. That was my protest. I believe the anthem and pledge were deliberately excluded for fear that some in attendance would be disrespectful. That's how bad things have gotten.
At the end we all joined hands and I sang along --"Hawai'i Aloha." Indeed. Let's hope so.
Aloha ke Akua. Aloha kakou.
Kenneth R. Conklin
Kaneohe
Misguided militants flirted with terror
Pete Doktor, whose
Aug. 22 letter asserted that the statehood celebration should have been at the state Capitol, not Iolani Palace, seems to believe that people in the United States have freedom of assembly and speech at a venue only when it is agreeable to him. He attempts to legitimize the Hawaiian militants who attended the celebration at Iolani Palace and tried to intimidate those who chose to speak and act in favor of the United States and Hawaii statehood.
Their actions more resembled those of terrorists than native Hawaiian culture warriors. These "protesters" had no mandate from any group, yet claimed to speak for what Hawaiians want. There is an old saying: "The Irish don't know what they want, but they're willing to fight for it." The Hawaiian militants who showed up at a peaceful rally seemed not to know what they want, but were willing to engage in an act of terror against anyone who did not agree with their political agenda of hatred for the United States.
It was truly unfortunate that a ragtag group of misguided Hawaiian nationalists would confront a peaceful group of U.S. and state patriots who had a valid permit for their activity. It is also unfortunate that in the future when blood is finally shed at the hands of these militants -- which it almost came to at the Iolani Palace rally and eventually will happen -- that it will fall on the hands of our local politicians who have continually supported Hawaiian nationalism in their quest for votes.
Garry Smith
Ewa Beach
Give immigrants time to adapt to culture
Thousands came to a free and bountiful continent. Many of them fled tyranny, repression and deprivation for a free and better life in America. Initially, they clung to their cultures and languages for that is what they knew and what they were most familiar with.
The passage of time and the goodness of this country, however, began to sever the bonds that tied them to their homeland. They became Americans in mind, heart and deeds. A good country, however, gripped by fear or division, distrusted them. Many were treated badly and unjustly. Their bloody sacrifices, heroism and invaluable contributions eventually shamed a great nation.
This was the story of immigrants from Great Britain, Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia and throughout the world. Many arrived as non-English speaking immigrants with ties to their homeland. These were the early Americans who forged this country.
Control of our borders is a separate issue from how we treat immigrants who are already here. The former generates intense emotions; the latter appeals to America's compassion and understanding. Those who mix the two issues dangerously risk confusing the current debate.
Fanatical supporters of strict border control are now arguing that immigrants who do not speak English endanger this country. If such voices had been heeded a long time ago this country would not be what it is today. There are good reasons why a sovereign nation should control its borders, particularly in an era of terrorism; this is not one of them.
Nelson Chang
Kaneohe