Critics of Clinton smear his supporters

In the world according to Ray W. Lauchis (Letters, Jan. 15), the majority of Americans somehow fail to measure up to his "standards and culture." These "standards" seem to preclude any rational sense of perspective and proportionality, perhaps because this "culture" allows Lauchis to equate President Clinton's tawdry sexual misbehavior with the horrific crimes of Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin and Tojo.

Little wonder that the overwhelming public opposition to Clinton's impeachment and removal from office mystifies Lauchis. This small but vocal minority first condemns the president without due process, and now denigrate the rest of us as wrong because we are either ignorant or immoral.

In demonstrating an innate inability to project any sense of civility, fairness or simple common decency whatsoever into this important public debate, they have ensured repudiation by a majority of public opinion.

Lauchis needn't worry about being lumped together with "the people." He and his fellow self-proclaimed pillars of moral rectitude are in a class all by themselves.

Donald R. Koelper

Gas prices are dropping except in this state

Recently I visited the East Coast and was surprised to find that gas prices had fallen a lot since my last visit. I was in South Carolina in 1997, and the gas prices were from $1.20 to $1.30 per gallon. This past December the prices were in the low 80s -- cents that is. I've got a photo to prove it.

In all the places I went, the prices were down almost 10 cents, even in New York where the price was around $1.10. When will Hawaii catch onto low gas prices? Soon, I hope.

Luke Meyers
Ewa Beach

Alternate sources of funds for 'EZ' are investigated

We received the news that Hawaii did not win Empowerment Zone funding from the federal government with mixed feelings.

There is disappointment at "losing" $3 million a year for 10 years for our communities. But there is also a sense of accomplishment from the experience of working on a truly fulfilling project with well-intentioned people such as City Councilman Duke Bain-um, Sen. Les Ihara Jr., and the many members of our group.

No Oahu group will receive EZ money in this go-round but we are working on alternate sources of funding. Community empowerment continues!

Ginny Meade
Greater East Honolulu
Community Alliance

Questions at polling place are annoying

Last Sunday, I participated in the Ha Hawaii election process. While I respect the feelings of those who boycotted it, I chose to vote to ease my individual conscious.

My family took part in the voting process too, yet inevitably -- as on all other voting occasions, primary, general and now this Ha Hawaii election -- we go through the same old tired question by the people giving out ballots. They always ask, "Oh, are you sure you're Hawaiian?"

You don't have to look Hawaiian to be Hawaiian. The cards that we bring to the polls from the elections office say that we get to vote for Hawaiian candidates because we met the requirements. We are Hawaiian!

In my veins run the blood of warriors and kahuna. A generation ago, members of my family were in Kalaupapa and Kahe Mohalu. I am an everyday person who works, pays bills, puts food on the table and lives a decent life. I don't need to prove anything to anyone and yet I am asked at the polls each time, along with my family members, "Are you sure you're Hawaiian?"

Those who work on state elections committees should take note of this complaint. In the future, should I get asked that question again, my answer will be, "Are you sure you're human?"

Reno Kapo Villaren

Don't insult Hawaiians for low election turnout

Your articles on the low voter turnout for the Ha Hawaii election suggested it might have been due to Hawaiians watching football games all day, rather than the fact they might be boycotting it. This is offensive.

Only in your dreams would a people not care about political control over lands that the state currently holds in trust for them. A vague, general underlying fear of the unknown economic consequences of sovereignty has contributed to a relatively poor investment climate for the islands. Yet we keep hoping that Japanese tourists will return to save us.

The reason that people generally don't vote when given an opportunity is that they don't trust a particular process or don't think it will make much difference. Shame on you for adding to the belief that all of this is the fault of Hawaiians for not being able to get along with each other.

There are plenty of places your reporters could have gone for information on this issue that would have educated all of us. It's ironic that you blundered on the reporting of this non-violent protest for civil rights on the very day we celebrated the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Get used to the idea. Sovereignty is coming and hopefully a change in the way we care for our land and water.

Mary Elizabeth Brooks
Heeia

Domestic partnership is not acceptable compromise

I was shocked and incensed by your Jan. 6 front-page article saying that the two sides of the same-sex marriage controversy agreed upon domestic partnership. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The kind of domestic partnership that Governor Cayetano is proposing is just as unacceptable as same-sex marriage. It entails granting recognition, approval and benefits to couples specifically because they are homosexual. Domestic partnership would require the state to recognize and approve of homosexuality.

The prime objective of the gay-rights movement is gaining public/legal approval of homosexuality. It's not about negotiating benefits. The objective is to use any means possible to secure legal approval of homosexual behavior.

Anya Anthony
Kailua

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