Those were the days of a delightful Hawaii
This is a bit of a nostalgic story
about Gov. William F. Quinn and what it was like to live in Hawaii 45 years ago.
In l961, I went to Hawaii to be a political reporter for the Star-Bulletin. I came from Washington, D.C., where I had been a reporter for United Press International. I had been in Hawaii about a week when, to my amazement, I got a call inviting me to Washington Place to play poker with the governor and a few other long-time reporters. It was a delightful evening and the first of some other social events with the governor, including luaus at which he sometimes sang "Blue Hawaii."
These were the "good old days" when there were lei vendor stands along Kalakaua Avenue and when granting a building permit for a new high-rise in Waikiki was front-page, banner-headline news.
Paul Dommel
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Will antiwar radicals fight terror at home?
I realize that any war that drags on will become unpopular. Our planet is getting more complicated and hostile as we populate it. Instead of living and loving, there are radicals everywhere in our midst. We live in a country with so much freedom that people will disparage even those who fight and die for their very freedom. Sad.
I am curious about whether the people in our country who don't want our troops fighting terrorism out there will not be the people to fight terrorism if it comes here. Our troops should come home and say, "You want it here, you fight them, not me." We all lose. Sad.
Ken Chang
Kaneohe
Case's stands on war and budget don't jibe
During Thursday night's televised debate, Rep. Ed Case spoke of the need to reduce the largest U.S. deficit in history, which is $8.5 trillion and increasing by $1.7 billion each day.
However, Case supported going to war in Iraq, which the administration said would cost the United States only about $60 billion. Case continues to support the Iraq war, which has cost in excess of $311 billion and is still growing.
I wonder if Case understands that speaking out of both sides of your mouth causes you to drool and look silly.
Diane O'Sullivan
Waialua
Akaka is not up to another six years
Prior to the debate between Ed Case and Dan Akaka, I intended to vote for Akaka, mainly because of his desire to bring the troops home from Iraq by July 2007 and his stance against the privatization of Social Security. I told my husband that no matter how poorly Akaka spoke during the debate, substance would win over style.
Well, little did I expect Akaka to speak so horribly. He fumbled for words, seemed to have an extremely small vocabulary and acted like he was senile. I couldn't believe that a former schoolteacher could be so devoid of poise and presence. I was embarrassed for him. Case, on the other hand, showed he could think on his feet.
The debate changed my mind. I don't want Dan Akaka to represent Hawaii for another six years. I will vote for Ed Case.
Glenda Chung Hinchey
Honolulu
Look at voting records to decide Senate race
If the media are correct, the debate between Senator Akaka and Congressman Case on Thursday was a significant factor for many undecided voters in determining whom to vote for in the Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate. Yet, instead of basing one's vote on who the superior performer was -- which, according to some local media, was Case -- what the candidates say they will do, or on how old the candidates are, why not appeal to the far more telling criteria, which is their respective voting records on key issues?
If you want a senator who consistently opposes President Bush and the neo-conservative movement, then vote for Akaka, who is only one of a handful of senators to vote against all of the following neoconservative- based policies: the use of military force in Iraq, the reauthorization of the Patriot Act, and President Bush's nominations of Alberto Gonzalez for attorney general, Samuel Alito for Supreme Court associate justice, and Condoleezza Rice for secretary of state. On the other hand, if you want less opposition to the far right, then vote for Case, who supported the invasion of Iraq and voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act, while remaining silent on crucial issues such as whether or not he would have supported the Alito nomination.
Erik Gardner
Kaneohe
Akaka is a nice guy who is ineffective
Sen. Daniel Akaka seems like a nice guy, but simply put, he is ineffective in Washington.
Art Amasaki
Former Hilo resident
Torrance, Calif.