Bravery of firefighters seared into memory

My prayers are with the families of the brave New York firefighters. They risked their lives trying to save others with no second thoughts. They are the bravest heroes in my mind without doubt.

As I watched the buildings tumbling down on television, and thought about the thousands of trapped people with no time to escape, it made my heart break instantly. Sept. 11, 2001 will never be forgotten.

Americans will bond, strengthen and continue to go on. They will find those responsible for these cowardly terrorist acts and bring them to justice.

Tony Leung
Firefighter
Waipahu

Muslims in U.S. can help expose enemies

We thank the American Muslim and Arabian communities for denouncing this act of terror, and even offering to be part of the military response.

Many in Hawaii believe that being everybody's friend will solve many of our social ills. Anyone practicing this philosophy sooner or later learns that we do indeed have enemies. Some of it is our fault, some of it not, but the existence of enemies is part of reality.

Many in America are group-confused. This attack was very much a group phenomena; the question is which group? Can our Muslim friends who are American citizens help us to identify our enemies who want to hurt us?

We declared this attack an act of war, and the Taliban vowed a jihad, or holy war, if we responded. We know the danger you would be in but if you could identify any terrorist operatives in Hawaii you might save the lives of thousands of your fellow American citizens.

David Burton

[Quotables] "It just feels good to know that all of our homework paid off. It was way harder to defend, and way more satisfying on this one. We wanted to get the 'flat-water queen' label off of our backs." Jackie Taylor Steerswoman for the Kai Opua Canoe Club, the first neighbor-island canoe club to post consecutive victories in the 41-mile Molokai-to-Oahu Bank of Hawaii Na Wahine O Ke Kai race. "To those of you who say our city will never be the same, I say, you are right. It will be better." Rudolph Giuliani New York City mayor, to 20,000 mourners at an inspirational gathering in Yankee Stadium.

Americans could act as surveillance force

Terrorism requires an active response from the American government, and just as importantly, its citizens. Carry your cell phones everywhere. Enter into speed dial the key numbers of the police, emergency response and your families.

Keep your eyes open but do not engage in racial profiling (there is a difference). Watch over suspicious activity and guard America like you would your neighborhood. Be the extra eyes and ears of the U.S. government.

Millions of Americans with cell phones form a powerful surveillance and communication tool. A national hotline could be established so that citizens, whether on the sea or in the air, will know where to immediately call so that information can be instantaneously conveyed to a centralized, appropriate authority.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." For air travelers, be patient with security and have no fear. With increased security, you are just as safe as climbing into your car. Do not let your fear of flying cancel any trips.

Nevertheless, you must always prepare for the worst. Seal the cockpit so that no one, other than the pilot, is allowed near the controls. As suggested by the Air Line Pilots Association, passengers should be alert and fight back if necessary, using their greater numbers to proper advantage.

Dennis Hwang

Bomb Afghanistan with butter, not guns

A military response, particularly an attack on Afghanistan, is exactly what the terrorists want. It will strengthen their small but fanatical ranks. Instead, let us bomb Afghanistan with butter, rice, bread, clothing and medicine. It will cost less than conventional arms, poses no threat of U.S. casualties and just might get the populace thinking that maybe the Taliban don't have the answers.

After three years of drought and with starvation looming, let's offer the Afghans the vision of a new future, one that includes full stomachs.

Bomb them with information: Video players and cassettes of world leaders, particularly Islamic leaders, condemning terrorism. Carpet the country with magazines and newspapers showing the horror of terrorism.

The Taliban are telling their people to prepare for jihad. Instead, let's give them their first good meal in years. Seeing their families fully fed and the prospect of stability, they may agree to enter the civilized world. That includes handing over terrorists in their midst.

In responding to terrorism we need to do something different, something unexpected, something that addresses the root of the problem. We need to take away the well of despair, ignorance and brutality from which the Osama bin Ladens of the world water their gardens of terror.

Don and Kathy Hallock

U.S. should react, but not with racism

At the First Unitarian Church we feel that this should be a time of coming together, not coming apart. We cannot allow ourselves to judge others because they share a similar name, ancestry or religious faith with those responsible for the horrible crimes of Sept. 11.

It does not matter if your beliefs are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist, or if you have no religious affiliation. We have all suffered deeply.

We must not focus our feelings of resentment, anger, or frustration against those who do not deserve it, for that only feeds the evil that is terrorism.

Roland L. Halpern

Let's re-evaluate costs of tourism

As our tourist industry makes adjustments, perhaps now is the time for the numbers to be crunched. Do room rates, meals, airfares, car rentals have to be so high that it is almost obscene and embarrassing?

Why can't prices be gentler and kinder to the tourist and the local populace? It can cost more for an interisland weekender than to go to Las Vegas. Listen up, Sheraton, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Prince and all the rest -- it's time to be fair and less greedy.

Werylend Tomczyk

Terrorists don't want to make peace

A word to the anti-war protesters: Fanatic terrorists do not understand peace. Their goal is to detonate a biochemical or nuclear bomb in the United States. That is why war and massive military force are needed to achieve peace. Then, we all could live in peace and harmony.

Arsenio R. Pelayo
Pearlridge

Why not skip war and declare peace?

America has declared war in order to pursue peace under the assumption that a lengthy period of time is needed to secure it. If only we had declared peace, it would have been ours in an instant.

Bruce Gorst

America has no choice but retaliation

I am not in favor of war per se, but I don't agree with people advocating that we do nothing about what happened Sept. 11 in Washington, New York and Pennsylvania.

A military campaign against Osama bin Laden and his group is the right thing to do, not in the name of revenge or justice, but as a preventive measure to make that sure nothing like this happens again. If we turn the other cheek, we might as well nail signs up at entry points to the United States declaring open season on hunting Americans.

Maria Sittre

Old troubles seem very trivial now

"Chandra who? Gary Condit may have done what?"

Kevin Gagan
Mililani

Children need adults to show strength

The events of recent days have presented us with horrifying pictures of actual disasters and caused us to spend many somber moments contemplating the future of our families, friends, communities, state, nation and the world.

As executive director of an organization dedicated to the young children of Hawaii, I have heard expressions from many dedicated people throughout our state. In the United States and around the world, children have lost their lives, their families and the needed sense of security about their future. As adults, we have the responsibility to nurture, guide and protect all children.

While taking the time to honor those who were lost, I urge everyone to forge ahead with our shared goal of making Hawaii the best place for young children and their families. We can lead by example in how people of different races, religions, cultures can come together, respect each other and together build a brighter future for our children.

Our children need us to be strong. They need to have safe and caring places. They need to see us caring and respecting others. The impressions we make on our young children last a lifetime. They will need all the strength, knowledge, self-esteem, courage and love that we can give them. The future is theirs -- we must prepare them to face the challenges ahead.

Elisabeth Chun
Executive Director
Good Beginnings Alliance

Books can help ease fear of terrorism

Last week, in response to the unspeakable tragedy and the uncertainty our country faces, the Parents' Choice Foundation posted "Face and Fight Fear," a booklist, on our Web site, www.parents-choice.org.

The books selected are positive, hopeful and realistic. We suggest these books for children not as solutions for ending war or terrorism, but as possibilities for providing some understanding.

Claire S. Green
Executive Director
The Parents' Choice Foundation

HOW YOU CAN HELP

---

Letter guidelines The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point on issues of public interest. The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed, must include a mailing address and daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813