Editorials
Thursday, December 2, 1999

Heed the messages at
WTO demonstration

The issue: Massive protests, marred by the violent behavior of a few, disrupted the World Trade Organization summit in Seattle.

Our view: Delegates should not disregard the concerns of demonstrators because of the violence.

VANDALS wearing black hoods stole the spotlight at the opening of the World Trade Organization's summit in Seattle, but that should not diminish the varied messages of thousands of protesters who took to the streets peacefully. Concern that corporate globalization is being achieved at the expense of other considerations should not be cast aside as the rantings of criminals and anarchists.

Granted, the peaceful demonstrations were disruptive to the delegates from 135 nations attending the conference. But that is what demonstrations are intended to be, and it is what Seattle police anticipated, although not at the magnitude of 40,000 strong.

In an interview, Seattle Mayor Paul Schell apologized to WTO delegates "for their inconvenience." If Schell was referring to the handful of thugs who lit fires, smashed store windows and scrawled graffiti on buildings, his remarks are well-taken.

But no apology is warranted for a massive, peaceful -- albeit noisy and chaotic -- display of free speech and civil disobedience, regardless of the inconvenience it may have caused.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney fulfilled his promise by fielding 20,000 protesters in opposition to China's admission to the WTO because of its human-rights abuses. Those union demonstrators were joined by thousands more with a variety of causes such as environmental protection, lesbian rights, religious freedom and opposition to child labor.

"We deplore the violence exhibited in downtown Seattle," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. "It is usurping the real story...of people who stood together to demand respect for workers and the environment."

Seattle police seemed able to distinguish between the violent and the peaceful, even after Schell declared the 50-block downtown area a no-protest zone. National guardsmen called to the scene by Gov. Gary Locke were unarmed. Although tear gas and pepper spray were employed, force was used sparingly, according to observers.

Delegates to the conference on global commerce should recognize the intensity of the concern about increasing the quantity of world trade if it results in the degradation of the quality of the environment and working conditions. It would be a mistake to merely dismiss what they experienced in Seattle as being inconvenienced by the rowdy behavior of kooks.

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Pop Warner theft

The issue: A man is accused of stealing thousands of dollars via a bogus fund-raising scheme and taking his family on a Las Vegas vacation with the money.

Our view: This is a serious case, not only for those involved but for other nonprofits legitimately trying to earn money.

IT'S part of the island lifestyle: buying tickets to be redeemed later for goodies like chicken, chili and cookies to help the money-making efforts of schools and other nonprofit organizations. But the case of Shane Santos brings food for thought.

District Judge Faauuga Tootoo has found enough evidence exists to try Santos on a second-degree theft charge, and has sent the case to Circuit Court. He will be arraigned on Dec. 13.

According to members of the Manoa Paniolo Junior Pee Wee football team, Santos took money raised in the selling of kalua pig tickets and spent it on a five-day trip to Las Vegas for his family. Santos, whose son plays on the team, told police that he took "only" $5,000 but estimates by other team representatives said it was more like $20,000.

While his guilt or innocence will be ascertained in court, news of the case may already be negatively affected other legitimate fund-raising efforts in the community, as wary consumers decline to contribute for fear of being had. How tragic.

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Habitual drunk driver

The issue: A 37-year-old man has been convicted of habitual drunken driving because of his multiple convictions.

Our view: His behavior shows that such a law was needed.

SOME drivers seem to never learn. That is why, four years ago, the state Legislature was compelled to enact a law aimed at locking up -- for a considerable time -- those who persistently drink and drive after being convicted over and over again. Emmanuel Ibarra is a perfect fit.

Ibarra, 37, caused no harm in January, except to his pickup truck, when he drove it into a medial divider on Likelike Highway and tried to flee on flat tires going 3 miles per hour. His blood-alcohol content was nearly triple the legal threshold.

Ibarra had been arrested five previous times for DUI since 1985. When the Legislature passed the law in 1995, Ibarra was serving a six-month jail term for a 1992 traffic accident resulting in the death of pedestrian Paul Robles, 42, a Dole Plantation laborer. Ibarra was convicted not only of DUI but of negligent homicide. His driver's license was permanently revoked.

Under the new law, a third conviction of driving drunk in a 10-year period is a felony, punishable by five years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. Circuit Judge Sandra Simms refused to give Ibarra yet another chance at staying sober and has ordered him to begin serving his five years in prison. Prosecutors want that time doubled because he is a danger to the public. Simms said she will consider their request after a medical examination is completed.

Ibarra's behavior justifies the existence of such a law to protect society from drivers who never learn.

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Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership

Rupert E. Phillips, CEO

John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher

David Shapiro, Managing Editor

Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor

Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors

A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor