Senator Ige must be psychic about his fate

I think I've figured out why state Sen. Marshall Ige has ridiculously compared himself to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II: He is clairvoyant! He has a vision of himself being locked up.

That must be it. The only thing Ige may have in common with AJA internees is incarceration.

Roy Frank Westlake

Hawaii doesn't need a gauche ferris wheel

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York has the Statue of Liberty, Sydney has its opera house and Egypt has its pyramids. Soon the Honolulu waterfront will have its own shimmering landmark to grace our postcards: a neon-lighted ferris wheel (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 5).

This architectural statement will radiate far out to sea and be a riveting sight from high in the sky for lucky air travelers.

As Honolulu moves into the new millennium as a world leader in crassness, we can be sure to inflict exponential losses to our dignity with projects like this.

May God save us from our impenetrable mindlessness.

Peter K. Apo
Pearl City

'Me' generation hampers restoration process

I am in complete support of restoring the Waikiki Natatorium. This should not be an issue of "if" it should be restored, but "when." Everyone should support Mayor Harris in his quest on behalf of those who gave their lives for our country.

If it comes down to money, then it is a small price to pay for the freedom we all enjoy and take for granted today.

It's time for the selfish "me" generation to think of the history behind memorials such as this. Let the Natatorium stand not only for the men of World War I, but for all the men and women who have served and are yet to serve in the defense of our great nation.

Mary H. Lehmann
Mililani

Quotables "It's pretty amazing I'm even on a show like this when I don't know how to surf, but that's Hollywood." Michael Bergin "BAYWATCH HAWAII" CO-STAR Who says he can't wait to start filming in the islands "This is death by slow academic strangulation." Neil Abercrombie U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM HAWAII Testifying in support of saving the University of Hawaii School of Public Health and against making it a program in the UH School of Medicine

Killing Big Island sheep is no way to save bird

Picture a little boy and girl, cozy in their beds, counting sheep jumping in their heads. Along comes a helicopter -- which starts to gun down the sheep. The bodies pile up: 100, 200. It's a nightmare on Mauna Kea.

Pray for the remaining sheep up there, and for their chances in man's continual arrogant mistreatment of the natural world.

The original eradication order was brought about by the Earth Justice Legal Foundation, the Sierra Club's legal organization, in an effort to save the endangered bird, the palila.

Yet to blame the sheep is just another shame of man. Continual encroachment and expansion in the natural world creates sad stories like this one of things gone wrong.

It appears that the sheep were also keeping the grass down so now there is a big fire danger that could burn out the palila. Also, those sweet lamby-pie carcasses are breeding wasps that feed on the mamane caterpillars, creating more stress to the palila's environment.

The Sierra Club should know how disappointed we are in its actions. As a longtime Hawaii resident, I am spending the summer in Alaska near Denali National Park. Alaskans realize there is a growing tourist interest in viewing wildlife. The helicopters are friendlier, and are used for mountain and wildlife tours. Can't we do better in Hawaii?

MoonStar Rae
Pahoa, Hawaii

Byrne was champion of First Amendment

Thank you for your excellent coverage of the life and contributions of our colleague, Desmond Byrne, who recently passed away.

In order that your readers may appreciate his important contributions to the media, we believe it is worth noting that, earlier this year, the Media Council recognized him with a special award for his "action-oriented and enthusiastic commitment to First Amendment rights and open government." Desmond never let any governmental agency get away with hiding important information from the public.

Desmond joined the Media Council in 1981 and served as its chairman from 1991-93. He gave us and the community more than two decades of devoted public service on behalf of the causes of openness in government, and governmental and media ethics.

Hawaii could use 20 Desmond Byrnes.

Helen G. Chapin
Chairwoman, Honolulu Community-Media Council

Buchanan should run as Reform Party candidate

There is no significant difference between the Democratic and Republican parties, except the Democrats have a leader who is confirmed liar and the Republicans don't even have a leader. Both are almost completely socialistic but don't seem to know it.

Both political parties are "New World Order" oriented, have embraced campaign contribution practices and are enmeshed in the United Nations, World Trade Organization and North American Free Trade Agreement. Both still agree to participate with the various central banks by maintaining the present Federal Reserve system.

Since the deceptions and scams are the hallmark of today's U.S. political system, it's time an alternative is initiated. I propose that the American Reform Party nominate Pat Buchanan for the presidency. He has the integrity, experience and personality to be a great president.

Robert M. Lowe

Cartoonist insulted Italian Americans

Corky's Hawaii cartoon is usually harmless mirth but the one in your August 12 issue hit a nerve. It featured two Mafia hoods at the door, and a woman running to tell her husband, "It's something about the state hiring a private collection agency for smaller delinquent taxes."

Why did this bother me? This is, unfortunately, the usual depiction of Italian Americans in the media.

If you think I'm being too thin-skinned, try depicting some Japanese with buck teeth and thick eyeglasses, or Jews with moneybags, and wait for the howls.

Ethnic stereotypes stink. Period!

Paul Ricca

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