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To Our Readers
BERTAND, Neb. -- I reckon it doesn't look like the aloha state. The highest point in town is usually either the top of the co-op grain elevator or the mound of sand next to the Interstate. Those are Canada geese flying north across the prairie, not sooty terns or tropical birds. Nebraska,
aloha stateThe friendly waves from every pickup truck and piece of farm equipment, however, are just the tip of the aloha iceberg, so to speak.
Imagine a place where the 15-year head coach of a university team -- winningest coach in the school's history -- quietly resigns, admitting he's made a few mistakes involving scholarships.
"Obviously, I'd still like to be the wrestling coach at Nebraska, but I guess it's time to move on," Tim Neumann told the Lincoln Journal Star. "I preach accountability to my guys, and that's why I don't have a problem with all this."
Imagine a candidate running second in a U.S. Senate race dropping out because he isn't willing to launch an attack campaign against the leader.
Elliott Rustad, a physician from Lincoln running for Bob Kerrey's seat, said, "In order to win, I would have to wage a contrast campaign that could divide the Republican party and that I'm not willing to do. Nebraskans want and deserve a campaign based on positive ideas and values and I share their belief."
Contrast this grace and good will under pressure with recent actions by Bishop Estate trustees and your average Hawaii political campaign and you start to wonder.
I'm here because my wife's mother suffered a stroke. In a region where town populations often run in the low three digits, more than 180 people have visited her hospital room to hold her hand and offer their prayers. Thirty men showed up unbidden on her dad's fields with 13 tractors and all their equipment a couple of days ago. The planting bee has been going ever since.
Sometimes Midwesterners have a hard time expressing their regard for each other -- deeds speak stronger than words.
Aloha, Nebraska.
John Flanagan is editor and publisher of the Star-Bulletin.
To reach him call 525-8612, fax to 523-8509, send
e-mail to publisher@starbulletin.com or write to
P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.