And Bush calls the Akaka Bill divisive?

It is difficult to believe that George W. Bush, who is known as the "Great Divider" for what he has done to our country and the world, could possible cite "divisiveness" as a reason for a planned veto of the Akaka Bill (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 23).

I suspect it is his way of getting back at Hawaii for the cold reception he received when he came here for a GOP political fundraiser in the run-up to his attack on Iraq in early 2003. We've seen him fire top generals who did not agree with his warmongering. Why should Hawaii's peacemakers be any different?

We all recall the 500-plus pro-peace, anti-war Hawaii residents who waited at the entrance to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel while Bush was sneaked into the hotel via a back entrance (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 24, 2003). That was before the rallies of millions of people all over the world who protested Bush's acts and his arrogance. In Honolulu, he was prevented from even seeing the concerned American patriots urging him to stop and think before starting what has become the killing fields of this generation, a war without end.

Maybe some opponent of the bill showed Bush pictures of that Hilton gathering.

Governors give wise counsel on con-con

I say! Our hats are off to the three former governors, George Ariyoshi, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano, for pushing for a Constitutional Convention in 2010 during a workshop for Democrats (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 4). That real statesmanship.

A two-party system serves the public much better when the system is more equal between both parties.

A con-con also provides and opens the doors for new leaders; Democrat or Republican the people voices need to be heard.

The three former governors and the current governor have elected a wise route for the future. Our only hope is that the current Legislature really listens. Time will tell.

I hope so, for all of the people in Hawaii.

End homelessness among isle veterans

With another Veterans Day upon us, it is a good time to stop and think about how we can all better support our troops. While I am all for writing letters and sending care packages to our brave troops over seas, it sure would be wonderful to see the same care and attention being directed toward the homeless veterans who are struggling each day to survive on the streets.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that on any given night as many as 200,000 veterans are homeless. These men and women who served our country deserve better than to be left out in the cold. Surely in this day and age of lapel-flag-pin-wearing-politicians and yellow-ribbon-support-our-troops-car-magnets we can, as a country, step up to the plate and serve those who have served us so well.

Thanks to the Star-Bulletin for bringing awareness to the issue ("Homeless ranks see more vets," Nov. 8). Let's all use this Veterans Day to commit to ending homelessness among veterans one vet at a time!

Even opponents will be glad to have ferry

Like the majority of residents in Hawaii, I'm glad that the Superferry is still alive and well, but does the end justify the means? It's too bad that the people responsible for launching this much-needed alternative did not do the right thing in the first place to avoid this mess.

When airfares climb back up to pre-go! airlines levels (and they will when Aloha Airlines gets through with Mesa), everyone, including those progress-protesters will be glad that they have an alternative to $100 one-way airfares.

Ferry speed limit isn't low enough

A month of testimony by experts in Judge Cardoza's court produced evidence that whales would be in great danger if the Superferry was allowed to go any faster than 12-13 knots when traveling in waters less than 100 fathoms.

The governor has issued a "condition" that allows the ferry to go 25 knots, double the safe speed, inside the whale sanctuary.

That's like allowing a huge truck to go 60 miles per hour in a residential zone where the speed limit is 30!

Any doubts about what will happen?

Free speech covers bad words, too

Duane "Dog" Chapman used the n-word at home, according to his son, and he lost his job. Very interesting! How about Chris Rock? He uses the c-word (cr--ker) on TV. I don't think that is in very good taste. Perhaps he should lose his job, too.

If everyone could use any word without penalty, perhaps it would take the bite off of the sensitive words. For example: the f-word. No one raises an eyebrow at that one anymore because we all hear it everyday, everywhere.

One day we all will lose our basic freedom of speech if we continue to complain and cry about the use of words.

Eventually, someone will decide that a law must be made to curb the freedom of speech for everyone forever. We fought for this right during the war of independence. Let's not lose it because of someone's inability to cope.

What's next, PC police monitoring our calls?

Leaving aside the morality of Duane "Dog" Chapman's rant recorded by his son, its context or meaning, there is something strikingly sinister in its rapid dispersion and the subsequent public reaction. What was once the realm of the secret police or petty tyrant is now apparently willingly done by anyone with a recording device seeking financial gain or vengeance.

Where does this lead if left unabated? Re-education camps? Monitoring devices in our homes that make sure we don't utter forbidden words?

If any civil rights leader, church pastor, media elite or public official wants to have their conversations monitored on a 24/7 basis, let them please step forward. If not, which is the fact for all of us, it's time to stop putting up with this creeping politically correct authoritarianism.

Use of racist word exposes real feelings

I feel that Duane "Dog" Chapman is more upset at getting caught using the n-word, as that is his true feeling coming through.