Nit-picking about race keeps racism alive
Andrea Stewart
("Letters," June 8) seems to be very bothered by the fact that Barack Obama is termed "biracial," rather than just black. Well, the fact is, he IS half black and half white. Why do we deny the other ethnic groups that make us who we are? Is it so we can continue to identify with the "victim" minority? Obama is both, raised by his white mother and Indonesian stepfather. He did not grow up in a black community, yet we treat him as though he is only of that community. Tiger Woods is one-quarter Thai and one-quarter black, along with Chinese, American Indian and European, yet we still call him black, thus perpetuating the "victim made good" idea.
The fact is, most people in this country are of mixed race. We cannot pick and choose which one we are. We are all of them, thus we should really just identify ourselves as Americans -- period. Let's be far more concerned with the bigger fish we have to fry in this country than of continuing to label ourselves only by our race, thus keeping racism alive.
Caroline Viola
Kailua
McCain should be impeached, not elected
In response to Jerry Coffee's comments on Barack Obama vs. John McCain
(Star-Bulletin, June 8): McCain is a part of the 77 senators and 296 U.S. representatives who voted to use U.S. armed forces against Iraq without probable cause. McCain is a part of the Congress that abdicated its constitutional duties by putting our military in harm's way without exercising due diligence. I find his actions impeachable along with George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Thank you, Barack Obama, for demonstrating your patriotic duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States. There is no question as to who is better qualified to lead this nation in a new direction with integrity and honor.
Pat Blair
Kailua
Lawmakers must change truck-bed law
I would like to commend the Star-Bulletin by being the first local news outlet to finally speak up about the insanity of truck-bed riders
("Our opinion," June 6). This kind of coverage should have been spread all over when the Legislature was in session.
It would surely embarrass these phony lawmakers who pretend to protect the people's safety. The "children under 12" law means nothing when anyone, any age, can become an instant fatality, like the Kunia collision two years ago that killed four adult women.
A police officer once told me he is embarrassed when giving a "Click It or Ticket" and a pickup truck with many riders passes just smiling or laughing. Even dogs are allowed in the beds. A friend of mine witnessed a pickup in front of the Pearl City library, and the dog in the back jumped out while the leash around its neck kept dragging the poor dog a distance. What a sad sight to see.
If a ban on riding in pickup beds is not passed next year, it will be time to throw these irresponsible politicians out of office. They couldn't care less, but do care for their paychecks.
Eugene Cordero
Pearl City
Oust lawmakers who reject ConCon
State Sen. Sam Slom graded the 2008 Legislature as a do-nothing session. Ed Case was right on with his approach in your papers a few weeks ago
("Get a fix on the ConCon," Insight, May 25). They are both right; if there ever was a grade less than F, the Legislature should get it. Keep in mind not all of our legislators should get such low grades.
However, the ConCon is for all the people. It is a real safeguard; we fear not what we do know; we only fear the reasoning behind the legislators who do not want the ConCon to happen.
Are they really afraid the vote of all the people could change Hawaii's government?
We gave the power to the Legislature by our individual votes, but when they do nothing the people need a safety switch to set them on a better path, so we call for referendum, or amendments to the Constitution via the ConCon.
If the Legislature rejects the ConCon, then we should send them all packing, or at least those who do not hear our voices.
People have had the power all along. To get the ConCon we need to write them, e-mail them, phone them or stop by their offices and tell them we want it.
We need to vote out of office those who fear the ConCon; those who do not want to hear the peoples' voice should go!
Bill Littell
Waikiki
Pan-Pacific Parade was the better choice
A critique of the Kamehameha Day Parade and the Pan-Pacific Parade is sadly revealing. The Kamehameha Day Parade was late in starting with long intervals between entries, slow moving, tedious and altogether boring. Kamehameha High School, though gloriously represented, was the only local high school band. Missouri somehow was able to send three! Even the pa'u riders (the essence of the parade?) were absent from half the islands. And floats, all two or three of them, had skimpy flowers -- again, not part and parcel of our parade?
The Pan-Pacific Parade started on time, moved right along and was lively. It was participatory and giving, much more a show of the aloha spirit than our own parade. The comparison is embarrassing and eye-opening.
If it is funding that is preventing the Kamehameha Day Parade from succeeding, I suggest it not be held every year, only as often as a splendid parade could be forthcoming. If it is lack of participation and aloha spirit, I suggest it be disbanded. Such a pathetic showing as this last parade does more to question the local spirit than it does to spread it.
Karyn Abe
Honolulu