U.S. must remain in international court

In the midst of the most extensive manhunt in history, the Bush administration has pulled out of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC, which will prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, could be a potent weapon in the war on terrorism. Even without the United States' participation, it's a major step toward ensuring that humanity's most egregious criminals will be brought to justice.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush said that "America will lead by defending liberty and justice, because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere." But by "unsigning" the treaty that brought the ICC into existence, the president has signaled that his commitment to universal justice is wavering.

For a successful and just war on terrorism, the United States must support the International Criminal Court.

Cheryl Richards
Waipahu

Abandoning treaty sets a bad precedent

I am saddened by the Bush administration's action on May 6 to remove the United States from the treaty that establishes the International Criminal Court.

The ICC will begin to prosecute humanity's worst criminals in July, with or without the United States, but the "unsigning" signals a basic disregard for the principles of international justice that could undermine both the current war on terrorism and future international frameworks.

No one in the world has ever unsigned a United Nations treaty. This action could set a precedent to unsign other treaties that a future administration doesn't care for.

Some may claim that in the wake of September's terrorist attacks, the United States should not be bound to any law but its own. But it is to our advantage to unite with the world rather than take on the whole world by ourselves.

Ivona Xiezopolski
Kaneohe

Hawaiian studies bring culture back to life

I would like to extend my congratulations to Hiapo Perreira for his pioneering work with Hawaiian language and culture ("First-ever Hawaiian master's in sight," Star-Bulletin, May 7).

While your article about this extraordinary young man surely elicited comments of, "Let's see him get a job," his work is an important step in resuscitating the language that has struggled to stay alive amid the concern of teaching the keiki "practical languages."

It is commendable, in this age of pragmatism and profit, that Perreira follows his passion while contributing to a revival of the indigenous culture of our islands.

Let Perreira's achievement be one step forward in the continuing process of reawakening the soul of our land.

Lee Hiromoto
Wahiawa

Article told young Hawaiians' story well

Thank you for Burl Burlingame's insightful two-part article "Boys of the Panala'au" in the Insight section (Star-Bulletin, April 28 and 29). It was clear, neat and informative. Keep up the good work.

Paul Kaminski
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Ba-Le founder worked to realize his dream

Thanh Quoc Lam, founder of Ba-Le restaurants, is a true American success story and we should all be proud of what he has accomplished ("When he's hot, he's hot: Ba-Le owner adds top national SBA award to his Hawaii honor," Star-Bulletin, May 7). Lam left Vietnam in 1979 and spent time in a Malaysian refugee camp before coming to this country. He came here with nothing and worked hard to achieve his goals.

Lam has lived the American Dream. I wonder if there is any other country where such success could be replicated? Hard work does pay off. Congratulations to this outstanding Small Business Person of the Year.

Dana Gray
Waialua

Liquor tax would help fight problems

Kudos to state legislators for increasing the cigarette tax from $1 to $1.40 a pack. This will bring in an additional $16 million in tax revenues by 2004. The state is sorely in need of more revenue, reduced smoking (especially by teenagers), and reducing the impact of diseases such as emphysema and cancer.

It would have been ideal had the state also increased the liquor tax. That would bring in millions of dollars in revenues, reduce drunken driving and related accidents, lower auto insurance rates, and make Mother Against Drunk Drivers happy.

I hope next year the legislators will increase the liquor tax.

How Tim Chang

Cut off donations to Catholic Church

It would appear by the Catholic Church's response to recent events that it is more concerned with its financial future than justice.

May I suggest that everyone stop giving any sort of donation, especially money, to the church until every level of the church agrees with the rest of the United States that sexual predation in any form is unacceptable.

This is not an issue of celibacy. It is an issue of law and turning a blind eye to the victims of a great injustice. Until the church can rid itself of sexual predators, it does not deserve to be supported by lawful, moral people.

Patricia Robinson

Mansho lost her traditional values

I recently moved back to Hawaii after being absent from these beautiful islands for 38 years. I am happy to be back, but the gap of my absence has made me realize how some of the island people have changed, and maybe not for the better.

I refer to Rene Mansho, a former Honolulu City Councilwoman. What's happened to the ethics that our parents and grandparents instilled in us as we were growing up in old Hawaii?

I feel a sense of disgrace, especially when I see her smiling, overly made-up face in the papers since she started being investigated for misuse of city funds.

My two sons are in their late 20s and early 30s and I have instilled in them the sense of honor that my parents and grandparents instilled in me. How sad that Mansho lost hers.

Carol Takahashi

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