Watada has no right to 'sit this one out'
1st Lt. Ehren Watada is no hero. While I support freedom of speech, this man swore to defend his nation, not to pick and choose which causes he supports.
In her letter published Thursday, Jo An Gaines writes about how eloquently Watada spoke Tuesday and how he should take his place among Hawaii's heroes. It's disgraceful to even suggest that he be placed among Hawaii's heroes who went to war and didn't return. He is no hero and no role model for young people to emulate.
I shudder to think how the military would be if its members could pick and choose which orders they would follow and which orders they would ignore. Perhaps if Gaines would enlist and serve her country she could understand why it is so important for orders to be followed. No one likes war and no one likes to deploy, but when you raise your hand at your swearing-in you lose the right to say, "No, I'll sit this one out."
As far as I am concerned, Watada should spend a long time in Leavenworth breaking big rocks into little rocks.
Lisa ODonnell
Honolulu
Some Watada backers are cowards, too
The only brave thing that
1st Lt. Ehren Watada did was to refuse to lead, thereby preventing the deaths of his men by someone who knows nothing about leadership, honor and duty. If his act of defiance is something that should be honored, respected and followed, let it be known and celebrated by those in political power! Let it be known by religious leaders far and wide! Let it be known by fellow comrades in arms who should bravely follow Watada! Let it be known by those who would applaud his speeches of cowardice and compromise!
Where are these individuals of community and political influence? Where are these leaders who should speak up to hold this miscreant in high regard? Yes, they are out there. They speak of Watada in silent praise and in hushed tones. Why? Because these are the true cowards!
Bruce Wong
Honolulu
False accusation just as bad as sex assault
Regarding Thomas Sowell's Dec. 19 column about the Duke University lacrosse team rape case: It's scary how, in spite of all the evidence otherwise, three innocent young men's lives are destroyed.
Because of rape shield laws, prior history of making false rape claims, medical evidence that proves sex was consensual, corroborating evidence and lie detectors to check the accuser's story are not allowed at trial. USA Today reports that from 1985 through 1995 approximately 35 percent of men convicted of rape, some of whom had spent more than a decade in prison, were exonerated by DNA testing. These are thousands of innocent men who had their lives destroyed based on the word of the accuser alone. Rape shield laws are responsible.
Rape is a very emotional topic, but we must not get so emotional that we lose our objectivity. Women's "victim advocacy groups" are well experienced in using the power of victimhood to stop any discussion while conveniently ignoring the innocent men who are victims of false and malicious claims of rape. Rape is a horrible crime, but false and malicious claims of rape are every bit as horrible. They are a form of psychological rape that can emotionally, socially and economically destroy a man even if there is no conviction. The stigma attached is for life, and because of victim advocacy groups, few believe these men and few care.
Ryan Anakalea
Kapolei
Column missed target on Mideast violence
Regarding the column by Bridget Johnson of the Los Angeles Daily News about what would Jesus see if he came today in the Holy Land (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 21): Johnson criticized Hamas, Fatah and Hezbollah for their violence. Since either she or the Star-Bulletin is too ignorant to recognize facts from hyperbole, let me point out one item they seemed to have missed.
Since the beginning of the second intifada in September 2000, Israeli human rights organization B'tselem reports that there have been 3,930 Palestinians murdered by illegally occupying Israeli IDF forces in occupied territories, while 801 Israeli citizens were killed as legal (according to U.S. military standards) collateral deaths in the Palestinian struggle for freedom against Israel.
If you are going to let Johnson's drivel be printed, at least have the courage to print whole truths.
Lawrence Basich
Honolulu
Don't blame Disney for symphony's ouster
While I agree with Jim Becker (
Letters, Dec. 18) that it is deplorable that the Honolulu Symphony is once again evicted from the Neal Blaisdell concert hall, Disney is not the culprit. The fault lies strictly with the city administration, which does not recognize the immeasurable value our symphony represents not only for Honolulu, but the state.
I'm reminded of the foolhardy eviction of the houseless population from Ala Moana Beach Park earlier this year. Vociferous and well-reasoned protest helped to find a better solution. This might be a good time for those of us who appreciate and support the symphony to encourage the mayor, the City Council and the Blaisdell administration to reconsider and rescind a wrong- headed contract.
Rike Weiss
Honolulu
Why allow phone calls at all on TheBus?
In most of the buses there are images of a cigarette, food (albeit unrecognizable) and a radio, all crossed out. Why not put up a cell phone and cross it out, as we do in most countries in Europe in public services? As a quiet passenger, one gets disturbed by loud ringing or music and than one has to listen to silly and loud conversations between teenagers with lots of four-letter words. What did people do before this nuisance was invented?
Maria Klingler
Hauula
Visiting from Austria