U.S. should not face Iraq, N. Korea alone

Finally, word is beginning to filter back from Washington, D.C., that more and more members of Congress are standing up to aggressively challenge our misguided president about his handling of U.S. foreign policy toward Iraq and North Korea. It's about time.

I happen to think that Saddam Hussein should be removed from power, but it should be done with a multilateral force -- preferably, but not necessarily, as a U.N. initiative as was done in Bosnia and Yugoslavia. Bush's bombastic pre-emptive rhetoric is not reflective of true American values.

Jerome M. Comcowich

History will show Bush did as he thought best

To those who protest President Bush's foreign policy, I submit the following. Our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, was criticized unmercifully during his first four years in office. He was caricatured as "Emperor Abe" subjecting the South to his imperialism, taking away their rights and slaves. But he stayed the line even though it pained him dearly at times, wondering if he was doing the right thing.

As we all know, he did do the right thing. If he had not stayed the line, the country would have been divided, open to invasion from Europe or overthrow from forces within. A visitor to the White House shortly after Lincoln was re-elected said he couldn't believe a one-horse lawyer from a one-horse town would be in the office of president at such a time in the country's history. Lincoln laughed and said, "Neither do I believe it. But a man with a policy at a time like this would be fatal to this country. I don't have a policy. I just try to do what is right for the country one day at a time."

Perhaps Bush is doing what he thinks is best for the country. Let us throw our support and prayers behind our country's leaders, that they do what is in the best interests of the American people.

James Roller

Drug-testing students is McCarthyism

I was born in Hawaii and lived there until I was 20. When I left in 1975, pakalolo was prevalent in the community but wasn't looked upon as a real problem, since everyone smoked the bud. I suspect if Sen. Robert Bunda's proposal for drug testing of public school students passes, there would be an alarming number of dropouts, because kids would rather get a GED than be tested.

This Nazi-like attempt to legislate morality is surely doomed to failure, or at the very least condemning thousands of Hawaii kids to a reduced level of education. Who will guarantee that these tests will remain confidential forever? What type of stigma would a positive test result have on the kids? Who will pay for the testing and any remedial treatment? What about false positives?

Bunda must be on something to come up with this draconian idea. Perhaps his family tree includes a McCarthy.

Mark Hayakawa
Morrisville, N.C.

Airline coupons were convenient, but costly

In response to Jean and Ron Morrison (Letters, Jan. 12) regarding changes to interisland fares:

The interisland coupons were convenient. You could buy one and have it handy to pick up and go. Business people could return earlier if their meetings finished early. There was no penalty for canceling. The airline ran the risk of passengers not canceling their bookings, therefore preventing others from getting on a flight.

The interisland carriers needed to change their fare structures to be profitable. It's unfortunate that the two carriers streamlined their schedules at the beginning of the peak season, only to follow with the announcement of the end of coupons. It was too much for people to adjust to.

Lower fares still are available with planning. I am confident that the flying public will soon take to this new way.

Rachel Shimamoto
Travel Ways, Inc.

Affirmative action hurts Asian Americans

As an Asian-American male, I have a few comments regarding the current discussion on affirmative action at the University of Michigan.

One group hurt by affirmative action in universities is Asian Americans. As a group, we meet and exceed the academic requirements for admission to academic institutions, but are often excluded due to quotas.

The premise behind affirmative action is that our institutions should reflect the general population. Where is affirmative action when it comes to the proportion of men to women? Women's groups arrogantly state that more women than men are enrolled in universities. If we had true affirmative action, then the number of women and men should be equalized.

Universities are being asked to keep a proportionate racial mix regardless of academic merit. If "equal opportunity" groups are concerned about opportunity regardless of merit, then what about race-based initiatives in college athletics? Let's have a proportionate number of races and sexes on the football teams, basketball teams and so forth. I'd like to hear what the NAACP thinks about this.

Opportunity based on merit-based competition is what makes this country great. Opportunity devoid of merit removes competition, which will make this country ineffective and weak.

Carl Young

---

How to write us The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (150 to 200 words). The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813