Blowhard doesn't deserve air time
So finally Duane "Dog" Chapman has proven that he is as phony as his contrived, fake pidgin accent (
"'Dog' put on leash after N-word rant," Star-Bulletin, Nov. 1).
Chapman has 11 children with five different women and he is a convicted murderer. He is a self-promoting blowhard and an embarrassment to the state of Hawaii. Hopefully his racist remarks will spell the end to this dysfunctional family's television show and they will be permanently taken off the air.
Carl Conner
Gresham
N-word often used, but still unacceptable
I was wondering when another story would trump the Superferry. I don't give anybody a pass who casually throws the N-word around. Unfortunately, the hip-hop culture, ingrained into all races, has resulted in an increase in the use of the N-word, along with "bitch" and "ho."
The Dog overtly professes his faith on "The Bounty Hunter." Is this a facade? How can such a supposedly caring and religious man come close to uttering this kind of sophomoric language? Not to mention all the F-bombs. Sure it was a private conversation, but just like politicians, like it or not, celebs are held to a higher standard.
This rant trumps Imus' bad attempt at humor toward the Rutgers University women's basketball team. I don't see any of the national black leaders letting him slide on this.
Johnny Miro
Honolulu
Noting genocide provides history lesson
Gene J. Parola's letter (
Oct. 18) reveals a lack of study of the works of both the numerous genocide scholars who agree that a genocide of the Armenians took place and the arguments of the handful of scholars who make a case that the massacres did not reach the level of genocide.
The Janissaries no longer existed in 1915. The prominent Armenian members of the Ottoman Parliament and the wealthy Armenian businessmen "Amiras" who lived in Istanbul did not rise up against the government. Despite some reaching these positions, Armenians were nevertheless not treated equally under the law, which led to rebellious acts by a few Armenians. Parola's sequence of historical events also does not coincide with that of scholars on both sides of this issue.
It was not only the few rebels who were targeted for massacre but every Armenian from infants to the elderly.
Rosita Sipirok-Siregar (Letters, Oct. 19) wonders why this issue is important today, 92 years after the major genocide (these massacres of Armenians began in the 1880's). She states, "We should move forward and learn our lesson, and not repeat history on mass murders." What better way to prevent current and future mass murders than to strongly condemn these events wherever and whenever they occur.
George Casen
Honolulu
Don't apologize, just stop driving drunk
State Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, "Lost" actor Daniel Dae Kim and entertainer Kimo Kahoano all allegedly drove drunk on our streets, putting our families and friends in danger. All three apologized, but only one apologized to the right people.
Kim said he was sorry for putting the people of this community in danger. At least he spoke to the right people.
Kimo said two other prominent people being arrested for drunk driving wasn't enough to make him think it was wrong, but now he gets it after being arrested with nearly three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
Karamatsu said he only had a couple of drinks and that his car malfunctioned, and oh yeah, he was sorry for the embarrassment this caused his family. He has had a history of putting our families in danger -- he also sped through one of our neighborhoods earlier this year doing 50 mph in a 35 mph zone.
What world do these people live in that they could possibly think this behavior is acceptable?
We don't need any more apologies from drunken drivers. Stop putting our families in danger. Quit driving drunk, and then there will be no need for an apology.
Pam Smith
Ewa Beach
Kahoano's humility will be his legacy
When a public servant advocates publicly and privately for others, in return, they deserve our open advocacy. Kimo Kahoano privately and publicly expressed deep remorse -- it doesn't erase poor decisions but this man's spirit is rare. He is now gifted with a publicly humbling experience, which God can use in incredible ways.
Remembering our alii, their attitude was not to focus on their shortcomings but to understand the gifts of their spirit and imua to leave a legacy many benefit from today. Their own olelo noeau held them accountable to continue striving for the highest and for the betterment of their people.
As our culture strives toward bridging current ways of living with ways of our ancestors, here's another beginning of showing support for one of our own. Remembering the kaona of aloha -- aloha spirit begins in our hearts, affects our naau, transforms our minds and radiates through our actions -- when we are congruent privately/publicly and have gratitude, we can choose to leave a legacy for future generations. As Aunty Malia always says, "Leave a legacy."
Leilani Kupahu-Marino
Manoa
Ethics committee will increase public trust
I am a member of the interim task force that is meeting to set up a Standards of Conduct committee in the state House, and I disagree with your Oct. 22 editorial, "
Give commission help monitoring legislators," stating this committee is unnecessary or will somehow undermine the State Ethics Commission. The current House Rules and ethics laws at times leave complaints and inquiries unanswered, which is never good for building public trust. I would agree with your position if the current process was working, but it isn't. The objective of a committee with equal members representing both majority and minority will provide transparency with the goal of increasing public trust.
Daniel Mollway, director of the State Ethics Commission, testified in strong support of this direction and even went to great lengths to point out that such a committee would supplement and support the efforts of the State Ethics Commission, not undermine it.
This effort should be encouraged and any final judgment should be reserved until we have something a little more concrete.
Rep. Lynn Finnegan
House Minority Leader