Some tattered flags are OK to display

In response to Duane Browning's letter to the editor, I must say that I entirely agree with him ("It's time to replace that tattered flag," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 16). But there are exceptions to this rule.

I have two flags that I display at certain times. Both are torn, frayed and have a bullet hole or two in them. One flag was flown on CCB 111-1 in 1969, the other on Zippo 3 in 1969 and 1970 in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. Both have been flown over the USS Arizona. Men fought, were wounded and died under those two flags. I treat them with the utmost respect and feel honored to have been presented them as the boat captain of these two Riverine Assault boats.

In my mind, these flags are historical, a reminder of the brave young men and women who served their country in the most difficult of circumstances, and should be preserved as is.

Ed Kostiha
U.S. Navy, retired
Aiea

Punahou coach gave kids a second home

I read the obituary about Punahou track coach Al Rowan (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 13). Thanks for the tribute to a great teacher.

Missing from the story was mention of his influence on many youths from all across the state who attended "Camp Timberline." My three daughters attended while they were students at Wailupe Elementary School and have many fond childhood memories of Al and "Rowboat" (wife Janet's camp name). They provided a safe and successful experience for children, for many of whom it was their first home away from home.

Jim Little

How about salvinia fuel-cell technology?

I am pondering the positive benefits of the monster plants growing in Lake Wilson. If we could only bottle it somehow for vegetable-oil fuel, or something. With its growth potential it seems like a perfect renewable resource. It could be grown in contained areas of lava fields on the Big Island.

Of course Hawaii would have to find a way of forming a "Govern-Mental" group with personal vehicles to cruise around all day and monitor this. Hawaii Medical Services Association and the unions would, of course, get their tribute. God forbid that something would happen without the three-headed beast receiving its due.

Richtor Reynolds
Kona, Hawaii

Bush's recklessness calls for impeachment

If the Bush administration violates international law and the U.N. Charter by using the U.S. military to wage an unprovoked war on Iraq, then the U.S. Congress needs to begin impeachment hearings against President Bush.

The administration's contemptuous disregard for international cooperation on a host of issues, from global warming to the International Criminal Court, has turned the good will of the world so evident after the Sept. 11 attacks to disbelief and anger at our reckless and arrogant behavior.

On the domestic front, the administration has squandered a large budget surplus, let corporations rewrite environmental laws, and used the Sept. 11 attacks to launch an unprecedented assault on civil liberties and the Bill of Rights.

Bush's obsession with regime change in Iraq will certainly not help find Osama bin Laden or solve the North Korean nuclear situation. The American people and the world deserve a better leader than a "compassionate conservative" whose claim to fame is that he executed more criminals than any other governor in history. Impeach President Bush!

Jeffree Pike
Hilo, Hawaii

It would be cheaper to pay Iraqi salaries

A quick look at an almanac reveals that, based on population and per capita, if the Iraqis overthrow Saddam Hussein and establish a democracy, we can reward every adult Iraqi with the annual salary for the next 20 years and still spend less than it will cost us just to deploy troops and supplies to Turkey.

In addition, we can get all of our money back selling the "free" Iraqis new home construction materials, motor vehicles, entertainment centers, diet plans and so on.

What do we have to lose?

Rico Leffanta
Waikiki

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