World action against Iraq may be necessary

Ed Case's Dec. 27 letter "clarifying" his position on war with Iraq distorts my position on Iraq and the security of our nation.

I do support international action against Iraq if and when the evidence warrants. I have full confidence in the international community and the United Nations to proceed with inspections, evaluate the results and act appropriately.

War might be a "necessary evil," as former President Carter observed in accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, but it should never be taken lightly because, he continued, "we will never learn to live together in peace by killing each other's children."

Matt Matsunaga
Candidate for Congress
2nd District

Marumoto would get things done for Hawaii

Hawaii needs bipartisan representation on the federal level; a Republican representing Hawaii in the 2nd Congressional District would be advantageous. While there are many fine Republicans (as well as Democrats) seeking this position, Republican Barb Marumoto stands out as best qualified in having the most influence in Washington to get things done for Hawaii.

Marumoto's public service record -- exceeding 20 years in a demonstrated commitment to the issues and people of our state -- is a list too long to produce in this letter. Her recent appointment to the Presidential Advisory Commission of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (among the other federal task forces and commissions she has been active on) proves to me she is on the "best track" to serve us in Washington, D.C. She will definitely get Hawaii recognized on key issues, ensuring that our state gets the federal assistance we need to diversify our economy and, more important, helping the citizens of Hawaii in all aspects that relate to the federal level.

Voting tomorrow for Marumoto will give Hawaii the direct political link it needs in Washington, and the federal attention required for opportunity and choice to make our state strong, vibrant and healthy.

Donna Rewick
Kaneohe

Hanabusa has right position on Iraq

Ed Case (Letters, Dec. 27) is wrong about Colleen Hanabusa's position on war with Iraq. Hanabusa is against the war, but strongly supports our country's taking action to defend itself and to be fully prepared for this action. Her involvement in and support of the military preparedness exercises, including live-fire activity at Makua, proves this point. But that is a far cry from taking what Case calls "defensive action," which is another way of saying launching attacks based on speculation, unless you can define what "clear and present danger" specifically means.

Further, Case states that he would support war with Iraq if Hussein is found to be operating a program to develop weapons of mass destruction. In fact, other countries such as China and North Korea already operate such programs. For years we have relied on a policy of containment rather than preemptive strikes.

I urge voters to stop and consider the lives of our sons and daughters in the context of this debate. Military strength and our position as a world leader should be used to avoid bloodshed, not accelerate it. I agree with Hanabusa that we should continue our policy of containment, which has worked well for years through United Nations and international community support, as we use our strength to keep the world at peace. We do have choices and the next session will be critical.

Walter M. Heen

What's next, seizing Hawaiian heritage?

I guess it would finally come to this. With nothing on its agenda for the remainder of 2002, the Department of Land and Natural Resources decided to collect "dead birds" that are more than 100 years old ("Collection of stuffed birds gets isle dealer in trouble," Raising Cane, Star-Bulletin, Dec. 29).

Are the birds for study purposes, or to harass the owners of Hawaiiana artifacts? I was going to have my husband's family's feather leis encased in koa curio frames, but now I'm afraid the DLNR will confiscate them. How are we to preserve his heritage if we are afraid state agents will come knocking at our doors?

What about the old koa wood bowls and mochi pounder I am so fond of displaying? Does the DLNR want those, too?

I suggest that the DLNR look at more worthwhile things to worry about than family heirlooms and an artifact collector. His lawyer is right: This is stupidity. I thought we were protecting "living or almost extinct" animals, land and water? How about the state-owned Barbers Point area that is a disgrace to all who remember what a nice place it used to be?

Columnist Rob Perez is correct: What protection can we offer now for animals killed more than a century ago? Reincarnate them?

Susanne Dykeman
Ewa

Police can prevent pedestrian deaths

If the police would concentrate on these idiot drivers who run red lights and make right turns on the red without looking, there would be far fewer elderly pedestrian deaths.

Robert E. Lansing

Bombs away on New Year's Eve

Is this what it's like for people in war-torn nations such as Israel, Palestine and Afghanistan, Pakistan? Night after night of "bombs bursting in air?" It feels like they're right over our heads. The blasts are so powerful and so loud they shake our house, as well as our souls.

What's even more painful to watch is the reaction our pets, who quiver and hide in the darkest corners they can find, not knowing that the world around them is under siege for at least for another four hours.

But we can rejoice in knowing that New Year's Eve will end, and that the sounds we hear are not bombs but fireworks.

What's incredible is knowing how easy it must be for our neighbors to purchase illegal aerials that are smuggled into Hawaii each year, and therefore how easy it must be for anyone, from any country, to smuggle into our state, our country, their weapon of choice.

And how lucky we are that we live in Hawaii, that we do not have to experience the sounds of war (and of fireworks) every day.

Alicia Maluafiti and family
Ewa Beach

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