Invite your friends to come to Hawaii

The governor called upon the people of Hawaii to respond with ideas about helping the state through the impending economic crisis. I wondered what I could possibly do to help. The problem seems so huge. Then, I realized that I know a large number of people living on the mainland. Why not personally invite every one of them to visit Hawaii?

I will tell them that there will never be a better time to visit. there are incredible rates available on hotel rooms, airfares and tour packages; there are no lines at attractions, scenic overlook parking lots, or popular restaurants. The beautiful sand beaches are not crowded, and rental cars are available at discounted rate.

I hope everyone will join me and contact everyone they know on the mainland or around the world. Tell them there will never be a more affordable and accommodating time to take that Hawaiian vacation. It wouldn't hurt to remind them that Hawaii is possibly the safest resort destination in the country, perhaps the world. If we united in this effort, together we might be able to make some difference.

Patricia J. Jutz

America is ready for a new anthem

Since Samuel A. Ward's melody to "America, The Beautiful" is beautiful, memorable and singable, and since everyone seems so moved singing Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," this might be a good time to change our national anthem to one of these stirring and so very American songs.

Even Henry Carey's "America" is so well liked and known by so many Americans that it too could be a good anthem. Or John Philip Sousa's stirring "Stars & Stripes Forever." Just listen to the lyrics and melodies of these four songs and I'm sure you will agree.

Perhaps we could put them all on the next general election ballot and let all Americans choose their national anthem.

It's been suggested many times over the years, most often because our anthem is difficult to sing. But now, in the aftermath of our great tragedy, might be the perfect time to make such a change.

Most Americans agree that the music of "The Star-Spangled Banner," composed by John Stafford Smith, is difficult to sing. In recent years, we've witnessed hundreds of popular artists sing it to their own melodies at opening ceremonies all over our country.

You need only listen to the opening of a University of Hawaii volleyball game to realize how few of our own singers even vaguely know the melody of our national anthem to recognize the need for a new one.

Keith Haugen
Music teacher/songwriter

[Quotables] "I know it's a cliche, but there are great wartime leaders and great peacetime leaders. And I think we're in crisis, and I just believe trustee Hee was a better wartime leader." John D. Waihee IV Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee, on his decision to back Clayton Hee as OHA chairman only nine months after supporting ousted leader Haunani Apoliona. "The people on Oahu are not our neighbors. We don't know them. They might as well be living on the mainland." Martin Rice Kauai resident, protesting the proposed legislative redistricting plan that puts the North Shore of Kauai in the same voting district with Kailua, Oahu.

Disaster elicits sympathy in Singapore

I'm a former Hawaii resident who has relocated to Singapore. The tragedy that struck New York City and my home country pains my heart.

I live in Singapore with Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. I want to stress that in no way does the Muslim religion endorse terrorism. There isn't any anti-American sentiments in the Singaporean Muslim community and I want people in Hawaii to understand that not all Muslims are part of the dangerous radical terrorist community that is presented on television.

Reading the stories and seeing the photos of Hawaii residents brought tears to my eyes. Never have I felt to close and so much a part of Hawaii. I send all my moral support to my friends, co-workers, family and especially those who lost cherished ones.

Jane M. Shishido

Put a bounty on terrorists -- and kin

A particular difficulty in responding to or preventing terrorist acts is the willingness of the perpetrators to commit suicide. We should consider whether that willingness extends to putting their families at risk. A terrorist may be deterred if he knows that as soon as he is identified, dead or alive, his entire family -- father, mother, sisters, brothers, grandparents, anyone in the blood line -- will be eliminated. The response to terrorism would be wiping the entire genetic line of any terrorist from the face of the earth.

An excellent procedure would be to put a bounty on the heads of those involved, plus asylum if necessary to anyone handling the job. A potential terrorist could never be sure who of his friends might be the cause of his family's extinction.

To those who would whine that we, as a civilized nation, should not attack innocent relatives, and that we should address the cause of the hatred, let me point out that turning the other cheek is hardly likely to impress future terrorists.

R. W. Parkinson

What KHNL means by late breaking

Channel 8 (KHNL) doesn't seem to get it. While we were watching the tribute to the heroes that was broadcast on all networks, we decided to tune to the other stations to see if their broadcasts were the same. All other Honolulu stations showed the group U2 singing. Tuning to KHNL, I found it was showing Stevie Wonder, who had preceded U2.

KHNL thinks viewers cannot tell time. From 7 p.m. on it packs in so many more commercials than other stations that, by 10 p.m., it is 10 to 15 minutes away from starting its 10 p.m. news coverage. "Live, Local, and Late Breaking" takes on a whole new meaning!

Michael C. Blasco

By Taliban definition, we are at war

The Taliban has announced that if any nation aids the United States in an attack on Afghanistan, then Afghanistan will consider itself at war with that nation.

By that logic, because Af-ghanistan has aided known terrorists in attacking the United States, then we must consider ourselves at war with them.

Fair is fair -- this is their rule.

Thomas Koenig
Mililani

Memories and lessons of war recalled

As America prepares for whatever is required to counter the terrorist plague, recollections of the sights and sounds of battle in World War II play upon my mind and take me back to my days with the 100th Infantry Battalion (34th Infantry Division, Allied U.S. 5th Army).

We, meaning the nisei GIs of the 100th, had been battling the enemy along the mountaintops and valleys of the Lower Apennines almost continuously since our landing on the Anzio beachhead, south of Naples, in September 1943. It was now November and in this encounter we found ourselves firing across a narrow ravine, the enemy positioned on one side of the sloping ridge line and we across from them.

Then, in an unusual move, a Red Cross flag was slowly thrust into the air from a dugout at the lower end of the ridge, but in our exhausted condition, no one paid any attention to it. The firing continued, the flag was withdrawn.

Suddenly, however, all firings stopped. I looked about in the almost eerie stillness. There, silhouetted against the fading light of sundown was a long mule train of about 20 animals slowly making its way down the mountain slope, a dead soldier strapped across the back of each animal.

Transfixed, we watched in complete silence as the mules one by one dissolved into the sanctuary of the woods at the lower end of the slope, a panorama as crushingly beautiful as it was hauntingly deadly in its sorrow.

In our common humanity the trail of the mule train could be seen as a representation of mankind's faith, that in our shared beliefs we would continue to walk humbly with our God irrespective of which ridge line we happened to be standing on.

Ben. H. Tamashiro

Afghans need to know U.S. intentions

I wonder if the word is actually getting through to the average Joe in Afghanistan (and elsewhere) of U.S. intentions. Their leaders, who control the media, spew only misinformation and hate for America.

Before we start dropping bombs, thereby inspiring a new crop of enraged terrorists, let's drop leaflets, thereby inspiring some thoughtful reflection. We should try to convince them of our just cause. Let us rattle our sabers with a positive spin.

The message:

>>The United States and its many allies in the free world want to help rid you of criminal leaders who have deceived you.

>>We ask you to help us overthrow them. Otherwise, you must move out of harm's way.

>>We will only target your military, not innocent civilians.

>>We do not intend to occupy your country.

>>We are not enemies of Islam. We believe in religious tolerance for all.

>>The sooner we accomplish our goal, the sooner we will help you restore true democracy and go home.

They probably won't believe us, but it might plant a seed. And it would cost less than one "smart bomb."

Michael Van Dorn

Teachers' contract needs final resolution

The events on the East Coast have highlighted the important role of government and leadership during times of economic, financial and geo-political crisis. Hawaii obviously is affected by these developments in a major way and will have an important role to play in this new world as well.

It is remarkable that the public teachers' contract remains unresolved in the broader context of these uncertain times. It is time for the governor to demonstrate the leadership expected from the head of our state. Prompt resolution of the unresolved contract items will help the economy during these difficult times and provide the proper tone of togetherness called for going forward in this proud state of Hawaii.

Randy Harris

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