Iwase does not understand gov's role
Gubernatorial candidate Randy Iwase missed a great opportunity during
last Friday's debate to present his own credentials for the job he seeks.
Instead, he chose to blame Gov. Linda Lingle for the war in Iraq and demanded that she tell President Bush to bring the troops home immediately. Lost in all of this is the fact that no governor of any state had anything to do with the decision to go to war in Iraq; in fact, members of both political parties overwhelmingly decided to go forward with the plan. And no governor has the power to end the war or bring troops home.
Iwase's patronizing remarks and childlike chiding illustrate his lack of leadership qualities and ability to deal with difficult situations appropriately. That's not a quality I'd like in my governor. Who would you want in a crisis? I choose Lingle.
Kyle Karioka
Wahiawa
Hogue, like Case, offers moderate voice
Hawaii lost an opportunity to elect a moderate to our legislative team when Ed Case lost in the primary to Sen. Dan Akaka.
In the political spectrum, Case was just left of center and in the opinion of many, Gov. Linda Lingle and congressional candidate Bob Hogue are just right of center. The middle is where most of us in Hawaii feel at home when it comes to our politics. We vote for the person over a party and will agree to disagree on most issues.
At the far left is the bombastic Rep. Neil Abercrombie and "Department of Peace" candidate Mazie Hirono. Closer to the center but still very liberal is Akaka, and finally the reasoned and respected Sen. Dan Inouye.
Hawaii should not squander another opportunity to send a moderate candidate to Washington. If the people of Hawaii really want to send a message that we are tired of the partisanship and machine-controlled politics, we will send Hogue to Congress in November.
John Kai
Hilo, Hawaii
Bush supporters betray the republic
I would like to challenge the assertions made in Bernardo Benigno's
Oct. 10 letter. Dissent is not treason. Not only did President Bush launch the attack on Iraq under false pretenses, but his bungling of that invasion and occupation has resulted in civil war.
He has gone on to lose Afghanistan to the Taliban and gutted the Constitution he swore to protect with legalized torture and illegal spying on those who oppose him under the guise of national security.
Our troops die in Iraq for nothing and our rights now are dependent upon the whims of the White House, which can order any of us seized and tortured with no more reason than because Bush says we are dangerous.
There is a name for what Bush has done to our once-great country: treason.
Michael Inaba
Mililani
Iwamoto's honesty would help students
I'm a man who's beginning the long journey to become a woman. It has taken me a lot of time and growing pains to arrive at this stage of my life. Many of my friends and family members tried to talk me out of it, but I knew it was what I had to do.
I'm encouraged by the Board of Education campaign of Kim Coco Iwamoto, who is openly a male-to-female transsexual. Like me, Kim made the difficult decision to leave behind society's gender expectations and live as who she really is.
It is my hope and prayer that Kim will win in November and change the policies in the Department of Education so that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning students will be treated with the respect they deserve.
Teri Johnson
Honolulu
Republican Party has lost its way
For many years I argued as a Libertarian-Republican against my liberal friends and family. No more. I can no longer defend the Republican Party. I was hoodwinked by the party I thought was looking out for my interests.
The Democrats were supposed to be the party that taxes and spends, but it's really the Republicans!
The Democrats were supposed to be the party of misguided foreign policy, but it is really the Republicans.
The Democrats were supposed to be the party that would take away your civil rights, but again it is really the Republicans.
I feel like an alcoholic in rehab, someone who needs to swear off the booze and come clean. I feel much better now that I can admit the truth and abandon the Republican Party that long ago abandoned me.
Brendan Norton
Waianae