Tourism agency needs someone worthy at top

Rex Johnson must resign immediately as CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, or be fired (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 13). It is untenable that a man so lacking in integrity and good judgment can retain a state position of authority and responsibility.

That he allegedly used his state computer and time at his job, which is underwritten by the taxpayers of Hawaii, to send e-mails to friends denigrating African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and women should not be tolerated by the HTA board, the tourism community, or the people of Hawaii. His sexist and racist e-mails demonstrate that he is a man of questionable character who does not deserve a position of such authority, let alone one that pays $200,000 a year - already decreased by $40,000 because of the finding last month that he had also used his computer to send pornographic e-mails.

Johnson needs to resign or be fire immediately.

Johnson is toxic to Hawaii tourism

Hawaii is arguably the most ethnically diverse place in this world, so one wonders how a personality such as Rex Johnson with his allegedly racist and sexist views became the CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Recently I read that the United Church of Christ canceled plans to hold a convention with about 3,000 of its members here due to high airfares, but HTA and others are hopeful that they will reconsider.

A church group of 3,000 is likely to have many women and some people of color, and that causes me to ask: If the United Church of Christ was privy to Johnson's sexist and racial views, would that influence its decision to hold its convention here?

Why is Johnson still with the HTA?

Hawaii Democrats make GOP look good

Here's a tale of two elections. In the first election, an aged, experienced politician with a long, accomplished record and a reputation of good character ran for office. His challenger was a much younger man who spoke idealistically and charismatically. He spoke of change and new vigor in the office. He alluded that the old guy was maybe too old and should retire. In response, the Hawaii Democratic Party said, "No, the people of Hawaii must vote for experience, good character and the long, good record of the old fellow. Change isn't necessary! Re-elect the old fellow!"

In the second election, another aged, experienced politician with a long, accomplished record, and a reputation of good character is also running for office. His challenger, as in the first election, is a much younger man who speaks idealistically and charismatically. He speaks of change, new vigor and alludes that the old guy, if voted in, might not live through his term. In response, the Hawaii Democratic Party says, "Yes, the people of Hawaii should vote for the young guy! Experience isn't important! Vote for change! Vote for the young fellow!"

Who are the people involved? In the first, Daniel Akaka and Ed Case. In the latter, John McCain and Barack Obama.

With partisan politics, I sometimes feel they are trying to convince me up is down, when all the while, I know up is up. I'm tired of being manipulated with each election. This year, party politics is being brushed aside, and I'm voting with "Country First" in mind.

Republicans created our economic mess

Even after the Dow Jones lost more than 500 points, Lehman Brothers went belly up, AIG was near collapse, and in the wake of the Fannie Mae and Bear Stearns debacles, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain said the fundamentals of our economy are strong!

It was McCain-backed deregulation policies that allowed business to run without oversight that caused this financial crisis. So why would we trust McCain to correct the problem when he doesn't appear to be aware of the problem?

No matter the fairy tales presented by McCain, Americans now understand that a Democrat in the White House will act in the best interest of business. Democrats know it is in the best interest of the country for business to succeed, which means workers will have jobs.

In contrast, Republicans act in the best interest of corporations to maximize profits and couldn't care less about workers as they send jobs out of the country and import cheap immigrant labor. Democrats will work to keep jobs in the country.

Is voting Republican in your best interest?

Shaky economy was bound to collapse

My response to the banking crisis is a rhetorical question: Have you ever built a house of cards that did NOT fall down?