News media ignore impeachment story
Two events required much more news coverage than they were given. The Senate released the last half of its investigative report on the Bush administration in the run-up to the Iraq war. Its conclusions were serious indictments of all of the players on the team. This constitutes sufficient evidence to merit the 35 counts for impeachment brought to the floor of the House on Monday.
Yesterday the House voted to send the articles of impeachment to the Judiciary Committee. How is it that a constitutional question of such magnitude does not merit attention in the American press? This is not a political issue, but a criminal one.
The Constitution is explicit: When sufficient evidence is amassed, impeachment proceedings must begin. It is not necessary to go to the trial phase in this short time left in the Bush administration. Hearings and the floor debate will reveal the depth of criminality. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono should join more than 1 million petitioners to press Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, to open hearings.
Gene J. Parola
Honolulu
Congress must move against the president
Is U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich the only politician in Washington with the integrity to hold vipers like President G.W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and Scooter Libby accountable?
We know that the charges are true! We know that they can be proven! And we know, as you know, that if Congress fails to act on this information it will be Congress, as well as G.W., that has failed in its duty to protect the Constitution and the people of the United States.
C. Douglas Kouka Allen
Waianae
Anti-Hispanic bigotry permeates our culture
In response to Mary Tom's letter in yesterday's Star-Bulletin: Yes, I agree, it's time to forgive Rod Tam for his indiscretion. However, here is a different perspective. I am Hispanic. I am originally from Texas. I have heard "wetback" all my life. I am educated, I'm a professional and it didn't matter.
I have had it directed at my face on occasion. To forgive is fine, but let's not split hairs here; just because you are "legal" doesn't mean it isn't directed toward you. American citizens have it directed at them daily in some states, still.
In Hawaii, I have heard commercials from prominent Mexican restaurants using stereotypical Hispanic accents, everywhere from poor Cheech Marin imitations to insulting Pancho-style accents. Is that supposed to be funny?
There is the underlying problem -- you think it is OK in this context but not in spoken word ignorantly uttered.
Understand that the time for "Mr. San Cho Lee" thinking is long gone. Whether directed at Hispanics, Asians or any race in between, it's time to stop and realize that it isn't acceptable just because that is the way it has always been.
Jay Vinton
Honolulu
Sierra Club should get on board with rail
As an environmentalist, I am greatly frustrated by the inaction of the Sierra Club on Oahu regarding Honolulu's rail project. In city after city on the mainland, the Sierra Club has championed the rail as a necessary solution to traffic congestion and a critical tool in the fight against climate change and a valuable addition to our quality of life.
In Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, two of the most gridlocked cities in America, the Sierra Club is leading the charge to add more rail lines. In Georgia, the Sierra Club is aggressively pushing government leaders to provide more funding. In Charlotte, N.C., the Sierra Club actually led the fight to defeat an anti-rail campaign that got people excited about public transportation. Yet here on our island, the Sierra Club has offered only silence or lukewarm comments about rail -- a system that is energy efficient, reduces greenhouse gases and offers the promise of a 20-minute commute to the airport from Ala Moana Center. I believe it is a shame that the Sierra Club on Oahu is not stepping forward to embrace rail.
Joe Lee
Honolulu
Write a letter; you'll feel better
Writing letters to the editor is an inexpensive way to vent your feelings. Call it therapy. One can write a letter and get something off his chest. It's like having psychotherapy with the whole city watching.
While people offer their opinions and air their dirty laundry, it is quite entertaining. In fact, I have been told by many that the editorial page is their favorite page of this paper. If you are visiting another city and wish to get a feel for it, visit the local paper's editorials and letters. That'll put you in touch.
I wish to thank this paper for running numerous letters of mine and allowing me the opportunity to air my dirty laundry and share my therapy with everyone who reads this column. It's a win-win situation; we the people can whine about this and that, praise a thing or two, offer our opinions on anything from weedblowers to the Superferry to the police chief, GMOs, monkeypod trees, and on and on. In return we get published and feel accomplished and the paper gets all this for free.
If you have never written a letter with an opinion, try it, you'll like it! It's cheaper than a visit to the psychiatrist's office.
James "Kimo" Rosen
Kapaa, Kauai