U.S. has no business launching attack

Can you imagine scrawny little Woody Allen as David taking on the Rock as Goliath? Las Vegas oddsmakers would have the Rock a100-to-one favorite. But Woody drops the Rock with feeblest of weapons, the slingshot. Sort of like the British could not imagine the settlers in the 13 colonies would defeat them, or the United States had no idea that Vietnam could be its Waterloo. Before the most powerful nation on Earth attacks Iraq it may be a good idea to ask ourselves, is this what America is about?

Forces within our government report that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction and they have killed their own people. Are those the criteria for attacking a country, or is oil the reason?

China has weapons of mass destruction and killed their own people in Tiananmen Square, periodically threaten to invade Taiwan and helped our enemies in the Vietnam conflict. Is the United States going to invade China?

Our forefathers called for a military force to protect our shores and we would do well to keep it that way, lest we end up with more Somalias and Vietnams.

Ron Rhetrik
Mililani

What is Bush's real motivation for war?

Last year our nation showed unity by observing Sept. 11, so what more could we show? That we can't let old wounds heal? We trust the Japanese now, don't we? President Bush isn't really concerned about unity. It's not about those who died in that terrorist bombing; it's all about getting support to go to war with Iraq.

Vice President Cheney says Iraq is close to nuclear capability. That's nice, but why is that a reason to go to war? Bush doesn't seem to have the common man in mind when he talks about war with Iraq. Replace one mad dictator with another. Seems like a moot point to me.

But what does a 17-year-old know? Let's go to war. If all this bluster about chemical and biological weapons is true, then I guess more American civilians will pay the price. But what better way to galvanize the war machine?

CONLAN BROWNE

Find out candidates' stands before polls

Regarding the forum where gubernatorial candidates discussed Hawaiian issues (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 14): Yes, as a voter, Hawaiian and resident of Hawaii, I do want to know that all parties would become involved if elected.

But the more important question is: What do they stand for right now? Where are their beliefs regarding these issues before a poll shows the popular answer?

The United States (passed by Congress) in Public Law 103-150 recognized and apologized for the wrongful overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Read the document for yourself: Congress "apologizes to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the people of the United States for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii" and "expresses its commitment to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow ... in order to provide a proper foundation for reconciliation between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people."

Enough with the misinformation. Show us why you should be elected and lead us in a direction that is pono. The state found the money to build the airport, University of Hawaii, telescopes and so on. Now it should take care of the problems and resentments that have arisen in our communities due to these unfair acts.

MARK LAU
Kaneohe

Lingle wrong to oppose West Oahu campus

I am concerned about Linda Cutter Lingle's historic opposition to ensuring convenient access to higher education for Leeward Oahu residents. Now that the governor has secured $8 million to plan and design the campus, it would be a travesty if the project were derailed. Lingle's campaign literature states she would appoint a Board of Regents who share her vision for the university, yet notably absent is any specific mention of a University of Hawaii West Oahu campus.

The Republican candidate's statements to students at UH Hilo during her last campaign that the UH West Oahu campus would be a mistake were alarming. The residents of Oahu's Second City have waited far too long for the development of the four-year campus. We now know that a UH West Oahu campus is not one of Lingle's many campaign promises and her planned appointment of UH regents who share in her visions for higher education is scary.

Charles R. "Dick" Beamer
Ewa Beach

Comparison shows Lingle's plan superior

I wish the candidates for governor would really enter into a debate about how to make things better. So far, the only candidate to offer us a real plan is Linda Lingle. Mazie Hirono, Andy Anderson and Ed Case like to promise great things, but they're not recommending or proposing much of anything new. To me, they sound like the same old politicians making the same old empty promises.

Just once, I would like to see one of them develop a plan or agenda as comprehensive as Lingle's and then put them side by side so we could see the difference. My guess is that Mazie, Andy and Ed are afraid to do that, because their ideas have failed us. Their alternative? Bring in Bill Clinton to stump for them. Oh, my!

David K. Kennedy

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