At the same time, however, I have never heard the media use the words "left wing" when referring to such liberal politicians as Hawaii's Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Patsy Mink even though they continue to advocate a welfare state, the result of which has been a complete breakdown of the economic and social fabric of our inner cities.
John Pechauer
President Clinton seems to be completely enveloped in social, moral and political scandals. The American people are desperately trying to cope with high rates of taxes, illegal immigration, crime, and costs of health care and welfare.
Every time the president receives a congressional bill that attempts to correct these problems, he vetoes it! He does not ring true to the American people.
On the other side, we have Sen. Bob Dole, who has been in Congress for the past 35 years. He has become so accustomed to "making a deal" by compromising on most every political issue that, now that he is running for the presidency, he can't seem to change.
Most people think a third-party choice would be disastrous to the country. I don't! I firmly believe that now is the perfect time for an honest, capable, experienced, principled and "no-strings-attached" man to announce his candidacy.
This man would win outright - and his name is Pat Buchanan.
Robert M. Lowe
Since 1994, members of ARH have made it their business to harass some of Hawaii's most dedicated and responsible youth.
At the 4-H auction at the Farm Fair, ARH was the highest bidder on a pig owned by Jamie Sakugawa of Maui. Although it was reported that ARH offered to pay $1,200 for this pig, in fact the bid was $3.75 per pound payable on 230 pounds, or a total of $862.50.
While it was reported that "4-H officials refused to sign the contract," in fact it was ARH which refused to sign the sales agreement and invoice.
Since ARH has chosen to focus on the 4-H animals rather than on the commercial animals at the fair, let's look at what the 4-H program is about.
4-H emphasizes youth development and leadership through hands-on projects. The huge variety of projects can involve everything from aerospace to raising a farm animal.
These are surely young citizens to be proud off! Jamie stayed with her project to the end and brought her pigs to the fair even though she was sick.
On the last day of the 4-H show, ARH bid on her pig and then refused to sign the sales agreement. Poor Jamie had to go through the whole auctioning process all over again, which she did with courage and fortitude.
Why did Animal Rights Hawaii choose to pick on youth like Jamie?
Halina M. Zaleski
Swine Extension Specialist
UH College of Tropical Agriculture
and Human Resources
Department of Animal Sciences
According to government figures, smoking kills a Blaisdell Arena full of people a week. That's more than 400,000 deaths a year. If two full 747s crashed daily, we'd be up in arms about it. Yet we accept that many tobacco deaths.
We even subsidize the tobacco growers and allow cigarette companies to aim slick advertising at kids. Think about it. More than 1,000 new smokers are needed each and every day just to replace the ones who die!
Imagine the outrage if we found out that a politician had taken money from, say, a Colombian drug kingpin. Then consider that tobacco has at least 100 times as many deaths on its conscience.
Tobacco is a hugely profitable industry. It has so much political muscle that it can make a presidential candidate defend nicotine by saying that a former surgeon general must be brainwashed.
To allow our representatives to be swayed by this legally disguised drug money is morally indefensible.
This year, let's send our politicians the clear message that we expect them to say no to tobacco money. Those who truly stand for family values will have no problem in doing so.
Ron Gingerich