Crimes outside Waikiki deserve attention, too

On Jan. 20 a car belonging to a worker at the state mental hospital in Kaneohe was fire-bombed in the parking lot.

Such crimes against workers' cars have not been infrequent at the hospital. They usually follow a report made by the worker in the course of performing his or her assigned duties. The suspected perpetrators often are in confinement for heinous crimes.

Since patient phone calls do not go through a switchboard, these crimes can be orchestrated by patients from pay phones within the hospital, leaving no evidence trail, and can be monitored by the perpetrators from a hospital window.

These attacks are an ongoing terroristic threat against state workers, who already serve the public in difficult and often dangerous situations.

This incident was not been reported by the news media at the time. You can safely bet your life savings that had the incident taken place in Waikiki:

>> It would have been reported.

>> The public would have demanded quick solutions and accountability.

>> Rapid adjustments would be made to stop the repetitive nature of the problem.

Richard Bacher
Wahiawa

Lingle's education cuts show a different side

Gov. Linda Lingle has shown that winning is not the sweetest revenge. Her decision to put the brakes on developing educational opportunities at the University of Hawaii and opting to put our money into an aquarium and development for Ko Olina makes no sense.

Are we seeing a side of the governor that she has said does not exist?

Nancy Jeffs

Lake Wilson's weed could earn a profit

Lake Wilson's fast-growing weed, Salvinia molesta, is just the type of diversified agricultural product Hawaii needs for a public-private undertaking.

For starters, the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture can do the research for removing 95 percent of the plant's water, freeze-drying it, then adding dried papaya, pineapple, banana chunks, lilikoi, guava to enhance its flavor and taste.

Local chefs can introduce the freeze-dried product with tossed and fruit salads, sweet-sour stir-fry and noodle combinations and even barbeque sauces.

The State Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism and the venture capitalists can team up to package and promote the product internationally under an "All-Natural Gourmet Fruits and Fibers" label. For a complete breakfast, just add water. For a complete meal, just cook with rice. And for a tasty snack, just eat it plain. Ready for the challenge?

Neal Wu

Brandt exemplified ideals of Girl Scouts

We want to express our aloha for the late Gladys Kamaka-kuokalani Ainoa Brandt.

Like so many organizations across the state, we were the beneficiaries of her generous spirit. Through the many years, she found countless ways to support our efforts so thousands of girls could be inspired "with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism and service so they may become happy and resourceful citizens." It is a mission she well understood.

Consequently, her influence was felt beyond the shores of her beloved Hawaii. In fact, in March 2002 our national organization, Girl Scouts of the USA, recognized her as one of 10 "national Women of Distinction" at its 90th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C. Here at home, we noted this honor at our own Women of Distinction Dinner last November by naming a special membership initiative as "The Gladys Brandt Strengthening Our Communities Through Girl Scouts." We were honored by her presence.

She truly will be missed. She lived a life exemplifying the values stated in Girl Scout Law -- to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, responsible for what we say or do, to have respect for oneself and others, respect authority, to use resources wisely and make the world a better place.

Aloha kakou a hui hou aku Auntie Gladys.

Margery Ziffrih
President
Gail Mukaihata Hannemann
Executive Director
Girl Scout Council of Hawaii

More troops should be guarding U.S. borders

President Bush says we have homeland security, but our troops are being sent to guard foreign borders, while our borders are wide open. He has sent seven Coast Guard ships to the Persian Gulf to protect foreign ports.

Bush is protecting Washington, D.C., and New York City, but the rest of our country is open to attacks. This reminds me of city governments and the Feds designating "Weed and Seed" communities, which only moves the drug dealers into other neighborhoods. Is Bush telling the terrorists not to hit NYC and Washington, D.C., again but find another target in another state?

Last week six Arabs were caught in Mexico trying to get into the United States. If six get caught, then 600 get through. I base this on the number of Mexicans who cross our border illegally everyday. Bush and his cronies have everything backwards. Not withstanding the will of the majority who want troops on our own borders.

Ronald L. Edmiston

Historically, war begins with first shot

So who flung the first stone at the Israelites?

Who fired the first arrow at the Battle of Hastings?

Who fired the first volley at Waterloo?

Did anybody check the weapons collection of Germany in 1913?

Has anybody searched Erie for weapons of destruction?

Who fired the first shot between Egypt and Israel?

Who dropped the first bomb in World War II?

Did the United States search North Korea prior to its invasion of the South?

How about downtown Dallas in 1963?

Who fired the first shots in Cambodia?

Did anybody check North Vietnam?

Seems to me, war begins with the first shot.

So why is the United States intent on provocation, based on weapons searches never conducted in history?

John L. Werrill

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