None of the above is best choice for Senate

On one side, there's Sen. Dan Akaka, who, other than the Akaka Bill, is better known as Sen. Dan Inouye's partner in Congress.

And on the other side, there's Rep. Ed Case, who has been equally ineffective over a much shorter period of time. These two have been in their respective positions in Congress long enough to be able to see some positive, meaningful results. Instead of talking about what they're going to do, let's take a look at what they've done. Rather than deciding on the lesser of two evils my vote goes to ... nobody.

How do Realtors feel about housing costs?

Locally, many individuals and groups are lining up behind preferred candidates, but what vital interest does the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Realtors have in our senatorial election?

It is important enough for their PAC to have produced two colorful and attractive four-page promotions of Ed Case's candidacy, emphasizing his advocacy of a health insurance pool for small businesses. I'm glad that the Realtors are interested in health care, but is that really at the top of their agenda? How do they propose to alleviate our unaffordable housing and homelessness crises? And it would be interesting to know what candidates they are supporting in other states.

By the way, in another contest, comprehensive solutions to the above problems can be found at www.votejimbrewergovernor.org.

Time to ditch both Israel and Bush

Thank you for Webster Nolan's Aug. 31, "Gathering Place" column ("At root of Mideast conflict is injustice to Palestinians"). The Web site, www.democracy-now.org, states that Israel:

» Was found to have dropped 90 percent of its 359 cluster bomb attacks in the last 72 hours of the conflict -- when they knew a cease fire was at hand;

» Completed its six-day incursion into Gaza that killed 18 Palestinians;

» Dismissed calls for a prisoner swap with Hezbollah -- Hezbollah's reason for the capture of the two Israeli soldiers;

» Rejected the U.N. secretary general's call for an end to air and sea blockade of Lebanon;

» Ignored the Arab League's resumption of the Beirut initiative -- a comprehensive peace agreement in return for full withdrawal from illegally occupied territories;

» Will receive more than its guaranteed $3 billion in U.S. aid for its expenditures in the Lebanon crisis.

This is just one day of our allegiance to Israel. Bush has stated again that he still believes the Iraq war is a "war on terror." He has to because he is afraid to admit that 2,600 of our soldiers died for nothing. Isn't it time to end our ties to Israel and Bush?

Rumsfeld finds way to spread good news

The Washington Post reports that U.S. military leaders in Baghdad have put out for bid a two-year, $20 million public relations contract to promote more positive coverage of news from Iraq.

Finally! Donald Rumsfeld's Defense Department has come to its senses. Now, in spite of the distortions propagated by the American press, we'll find out how Iraq is actually an oasis of peace, prosperity.

Thank you, Secretary Rumsfeld for bringing the truth to the American people.

Bad rulings cause rise in home-schooling

Sunday's Star-Bulletin on page C1 suggests how a movement "led mainly by evangelical Christians...claims to be behind a surge in the number of students being schooled at home." I'd never heard of any of the groups cited, but our family does home-school.

Perhaps one cause for the recent surge has been several court cases. These bad rulings clearly state that when children enter into the mandatory public schools, parents give up any right to control what their own kids are taught. The newest case was the 2005 "Palmdale" ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court rulings are becoming anti-parent.

The choice for some parents is private school, which can be very expensive. Private school attendance is 11 percent nation-wide and 16 percent here in Hawaii. Or you can teach your children at home, which is more affordable and hence more democratic. Plus, home-schooling promotes excellence, unlike the discouraging story typified on page C5 entitled "Thousands of college freshman require remediation."

Patrick Grandelli

Our own divisions will bring down nation

Just to clarify the current dilemma: Divide and defeat.

The USA will be defeated by its own division. It is a philosophy as old as time. If we choose to be divided we will defeat ourselves. It is a choice. How will we choose?