Nation needs someone better to lead it
After watching the Iowa caucus, what amazes me is that no candidate is rising above the crowd. Our selection is limited to those with the biggest egos. With the Congress having an approval rating of 20 percent and President Bush 30 percent, I find it hard to vote for anyone. Somehow in the democracy called America there must be some hero waiting to come forth and rescue the country.
Perhaps a Colt Brennan or a June Jones. A taskmaster who, for a brief time in our state's history, allowed us our very special day in the sun.
Let's hope and also pray that a leader, a real leader, will emerge and show America the way back to prosperity and good times. Someone outside of Congress ... as I mentioned, perhaps a coach, a ballplayer or an editor -- a person of vision and hope!
Jim Delmonte
Honolulu
Animal cruelty ruined New Year's Eve party
I was invited to a neighbor's house for a New Year's party. They have a beautiful chow chow which is a special member of their family. Everyone there was having a great time, when for no reason at all one of the guests picked up the chow by his neck and was choking him, putting the dog in a head lock. The pet was crying in agony, and in self-defense it bit his face. Why are some people so cruel to animals?
Isaiah Lee Chong
Ewa Beach
City seems unable to solve problems
I am not greatly amused by the city's inability to resolve local problems. While I enjoy and advocate the legal and safe use of fireworks by private individuals, I find it ridiculous that our government cannot enforce its own laws and prevent illegal pyrotechnic activities.
It's symptomatic of the helplessness of our civic leaders in providing real leadership.
Hmmmm ... let's see. They can't fix the potholes, they have not been able to resolve the solid-waste problems, the homelessness problem, the sewage problems or our deteriorating public parks. Seems like they're only good at raising our taxes.
With all of these bigger problems that they cannot seem to fix, I guess fireworks violations are just too manini. Where are the new Frank Fasis when we need them?
Hal Levy
Waianae
We got a licking but we'll keep ticking
I am proud to say I am a loyal fan of the University of Hawaii Warriors program even though I live in Minnesota. I wear the UH colors proudly!
The entire program should be proud of our team going to the Sugar Bowl. Even though we got a beating, we still are the WAC 2007 champions, and we will return to another great season in 2008.
Clayton Lum
Coon Rapids, Minn.
Fans showed what's really important
It almost seemed like a theme, the talking heads on TV asking if the Warriors deserved to be there, having to prove the right to play in the Sugar Bowl. If education is only measured by the score on some scoreboard, then the Warriors were outclassed on Tuesday. But education, as well as life, is not measured by the points at the end of some game, but heart and the molding process of young lives. And from what I witnessed in terms of spirit, fostering growth, second chances in life, in light of the instruction of what really matters in life, you won the game even before you got there.
Thank you for touching so many people with your hearts, and yes, you were supposed to win, for as a team, you did. Thank you for the lesson in what is really important.
Peter Williams
Valley Center, Calif.
Loss doesn't detract from great team
Even though the outcome was not what I wanted to see, I was proud to watch and support the University of Hawaii Warriors. It is very hard to go outside and challenge the "big dawgs" in territory unknown. The team and fans should know that they accomplished a lot this year and still ended up in the top. Way to go, U of H.
Wish you the same success next year!
Chris Justice
Orem, Utah
Fans and Warriors had spirit, sportsmanship
To coach June Jones, the Hawaii Warriors team, University of Hawaii Chancellor Virginia Henshaw and the many fans who traveled to New Orleans for the 2008 Sugar Bowl:
On behalf of the people of New Orleans: Congratulations and thank you.
It is with the most sincere appreciation that we thank you for traveling to New Orleans to support the honorable Hawaii Warriors. Throughout the week, those of us who work in the downtown area would watch your many fans, donned in green, black and white, storming our streets, celebrating an unprecedented football season and sharing your 12-0 victories with us here in New Orleans. We hope you felt welcomed and that you enjoyed your stay here.
While it was a privilege to again host the Sugar Bowl, it was especially a privilege to host you, Warriors. You are a lovely people with an intricate and interesting history that has produced a beautiful culture full of kind people. We watched you demonstrate great class on the field as your players clapped when a felled Georgia player got up to his feet, or pulled a Georgia player off the ground, or patted a Bulldog on the back after blocking a pass. Surely such sportsmanship is the product of your culture. Thank you for all that you are.
And what generosity. Your stay with us was more helpful than you know as we seek to recover from an unprecedented tragedy. We can only say thank you and that we hope you received the service and hospitality you deserve. As for a few of us, I know where we hope we might spend our next vacation: in the beautiful state of Hawaii with her beautiful people.
Sharon Courtney Kathan Dearman Mary Lee Murphy
New Orleans