U.S. sins outweighed by its altruism

Richard Halloran's April 7 "The Rising East" column ("What if the America-haters in Asia actually got what they want?") should have been on the front page. All nations pursue what is best for their interests, but in retrospect the United States of the last six decades was the most altruistic nation in history. Halloran focused on Asia; however, U.S. actions in Europe and Latin America also preserved freedoms as well as enhanced security and the quality of life for people in those areas.

The world will not become a better place if we return to isolationism. America-haters will not go away, but even they must wonder why so many people in their countries would prefer to live here. America remains the land of opportunity and its major export is democracy; the world would be a better place if more nations accepted it as an import.

Frank Genadio
Kapolei

U.S. withdrawal sounds like a good thing

Richard Halloran's April 7 column described the probable results in the United States if we retreated to "Fortress America" after withdrawing from all our overseas obligations, as the America-haters desire.

Gosh, his description sounded good to me: our citizens safe from terror, genuine free trade from our side, our economy going fine and 100,000 military personnel brought home to safety. Whatever you are drinking and inhaling, Dick Halloran, move over a bit. I'd like a little space to join your table.

Richard O. Rowland
Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired

Don't let Mansho get out of legal obligations

Thankfully, City Councilwoman Rene Mansho has resigned. Why did we have to wait so long? Mansho's problematic career, replete with serious ethics violations, was mediocre at best.

She has been fined for her misuse of public monies and services for her own private gain and for other serious violations. Yet voters in her district re-elected her again and again.

Finally, as a last slap in the face to those she was supposed to represent, Mansho apparently was given a choice of resignation or prosecution. Politicians who break the law should not be allowed to choose their punishment. She should be made to stand trial so a jury of her peers can decide the proper punishment.

Michael J. Lauck

Turn military schools over to federal agency

A solution to the state Department of Education's teacher and money shortage is to turn over the operation of schools on military bases to the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools.

This agency operates the schools on military bases overseas and in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Guam and Puerto Rico.

State employees assigned to the military-based schools can be cross-leveled to other public schools off base to help with the personnel shortage, and state monies used to maintain the military-based schools can be diverted to off-base schools.

Local teachers would have the opportunity to apply for the federal teacher jobs, which start at about $30,000 plus cost of living allowance, which in Hawaii is 20 percent.

This looks like a win-win situation for Hawaii, teachers and state taxpayers.

Lionel Payes

Rescue attempt showed value of all life

I applaud the Hawaiian Humane Society for its heroic effort to save the dog left behind on the ship south of Hawaii. Unfortunately, by the time the rescuers reached the area the ship had disappeared. It's sad that the dog wasn't saved when the crew members were, and it's also sad that the body of a dead crewman was left behind.

The humane society's effort is a lesson in the value of all life, be it human or nonhuman. The nonprofit organization lived up to its mission of working to promote animal welfare despite the cost to them, and serves to highlight animal-related issues for the people of Hawaii.

I recently joined the American Anti-Vivisection Society. I was woefully unaware of the suffering and waste caused by the use of animals in product testing and experimentation. Now, like the humane society, I'm trying to make a difference. If you have concern for animals, please use this as an opportunity for education. Use the Internet for information and free materials (search under "animal rights"). Maybe you can make a difference, too.

Pamela Davis

Dobelle not tuned to the island style

Aren't we fortunate to have Evan Dobelle and his team of sophisticated East Coasters at the University of Hawaii? Who would have thought that the proper choice to entertain and educate UH donors was a Janet Jackson concert or a black-tie, wine and pate soiree at College Hill?

Most of us reared in Hawaii, where comfort and informality are prized, aloha wear is de rigueur for funerals and affairs of state and the righteous bill of fare is heavy pupus or a buffet, would have opted for something simple and local like an informal, food-laden kanikapila at the university's Andrews Amphitheatre.

Chances are we wouldn't have pleased that higher class of people, but perhaps we would have brought a smile to the spirits of such people as UH professors emeriti Bernhard Hormann, who requested that you remove your shoes before entering his home, or Alan Saunders, who championed the logic and the cause of wearing the aloha shirt untucked.

Richard Y. Will

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