Brainstorm! Challenge

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Kamehameha boys showed good character

I would like to commend the Kamehameha Schools boys' varsity volleyball team. Despite the close game and loss to Iolani, they exhibited class and wonderful sportsmanship. Even after the formal handshake by both teams following the game, the Warrior boys came over and mingled with the Iolani boys after the championship trophy was awarded to Iolani.

Kamehameha has received some negative publicity recently, and I thought it only right to acknowledge the commendable character and sportsmanship displayed by the boys.

Karen Pape
Iolani parent
Honolulu

Why won't Bush attend soldiers' services?

While visiting in London, President Bush met with some families of British soldiers who had died in Iraq. This is a great sign of support by the president -- a sign of support he won't give to American soldiers' families. The commander in chief has not met with one family of a fallen soldier. He has not attended one service, has not even met the bodies at Dover when they arrive from the Middle East.

Last week in Italy the entire country came to a stop in honor of those lost in the Italian embassy. In March, on the eve of the war in Iraq, the Bush administration sent out a directive banning coverage and photographs of returning remains of dead soldiers. It's true that this ban was instituted by former President Clinton late in his second term, but it was never enforced until this year. Clinton attended the arrival of coffins at Dover and met with families.

There is a lot of talk coming from the White House about supporting our troops. Why can't a single member of the Bush administration back up that talk with action and attend one single service or meet with one single family member of a U.S. soldier?

Ted Obringer
Mililani

Senators disappoint by supporting war

Why did Hawaii's U.S. senators vote to approve the president's $87 billion spending bill? Why did they make the statement through their actions that this great nation has unlimited money to put toward waging war and destabilizing the Arab world, when we do not have the money to address the growing lack of funding for education, health care and environmental protection?

I am ashamed of our leadership. I am ashamed that our elected leaders have seen fit to step into line with the demands of a dismissively arrogant, secretive and dishonest administration that flatly refuses to give even a basic accounting of how we intend to spend this $87 billion.

I am dismayed that the concerns of Hawaii residents are so readily ignored. Shame on Senators Inouye and Akaka for their complicity in the continuing empowerment of those who put the needs of power ahead of the needs of their constituency, ahead of the needs of Hawaii citizens who cannot afford rent (let alone buy a home), who cannot afford a decent education for their children, who cannot afford to visit the doctor, who watch helplessly as corporations and wealthy developers steal, pollute and disrespect the aina, of trusting citizens who felt they had their strong and wise voices to speak out on their behalf. Our leadership is failing all of them.

Chris Linn
Kalaheo, Hawaii

U.S. hasn't learned from others, history

At least one great power was involved in the American Revolution, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Somalia. The great power lost in all the conflicts. In the American Revolution, the British lost, though that country was far mightier. Now, it's Iraq. I think the tides have changed, and America is on the receiving end.

Some of our leaders have not learned from history or heeded the advice from learned and combat-tested veterans like General Eric K. Shinseki. We are told that we are in Iraq on a mission to end terrorism and tyranny, promote democracy and do other good deeds. The goals are noble, but will be most difficult to achieve.

We first need to fight injustice before we can even try to end its symptoms, like terror. Let all people of good will fight injustice. Americans don't need to look far to find injustices in our country, even Hawaii. Maybe then there will be a sliver of hope in ending terror.

As a retired veteran who served in the first Gulf War, I believe the United States was unjustified in taking over Iraq. Some of America's most powerful leaders seem to have learned little from history and the voices of the wise. History will tell whether our efforts in Iraq were worthwhile.

Lawrence M.O. Chun
Kailua

Thanksgiving has resulted in cruelty

Since Abraham Lincoln created Thanksgiving, it has evolved into one of our country's most meaningful national holidays. But there is a problem with the way we observe Thanksgiving: At the heart of this celebration of thanks and appreciation is a meal centered on cruelty, violence and killing.

Most turkeys raised for meat endure inhumane factory farm conditions. They suffer from genetic manipulation, severe overcrowding, cruel transportation and inhumane slaughter. In fact, turkeys, like chickens, are specifically excluded from anti-cruelty laws and the federal "Humane Slaughter" law.

Remembering how Lincoln acted to outlaw the cruel tradition of slavery, it is ironic that the holiday he created has come to be celebrated by another cruel tradition. If his words are any indication, Lincoln would oppose the massive slaughter of turkeys for Thanksgiving. He said, "I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being."

Every Thanksgiving, more people start a new tradition by opting to feed turkeys, rather than eat turkey. For people wishing to save a turkey this year, there is a national Adopt-A-Turkey program, and more information is available at 1-888-SPONSOR. Individuals can sponsor a turkey that is receiving lifelong care at a sanctuary.

For those looking for alternatives to the traditional Thanksgiving meal, there are a wide variety of plant-based Thanksgiving entreés available, such as "tofurky" (tofu turkey). Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes also are available at www.AdoptATurkey.org.

Marie Le Boeuf
Kihei, Hawaii

Deploy U.S. forces to suit today's needs

The original purpose of building a large military command in Hawaii was to defend the West Coast of the United States against attack from an Asian nation, such as Japan in 1941, and other Asian nations in the near future. Requiring members of the 25th Division stationed at Schofield Barracks to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan for a year is evidence that our military is stretched too thin throughout the world.

As a Navy veteran of the Korean War, I believe we should pull out our military personnel stationed in South Korea, Okinawa and the Philippines and redeploy them in Alaska, Washington and Colorado. The majority of the Korean people, the Filipinos who forced the closing of our bases there and the Okinawans do not want our personnel on their land.

The United States is not receiving the support of the United Nations in the Iraq situation. Therefore, we should pull out all our military personnel from France, Germany, Kosovo, Bosnia and Albania and redeploy them to Iraq.

The money saved in reducing our forces overseas will be better spent to protect North America from our enemies by increasing our ballistic missile and laser defenses in space, the oceans and on our own lands.

Wilbert W.W. Wong
Kaneohe

Insider's reviews bring symphony to readers

I am writing to let you know how much I enjoy reading the "Crescendo" columns written by Ignace "Iggy" Jang, concertmaster of the Honolulu Symphony. He writes engagingly and knowledgeably about the concerts from an insider's point of view.

We are incredibly fortunate to have this excellent orchestra and the community simply must continue to support it. You are doing your bit. Thank you.

Arien Grabbe
Honolulu

Youth can get P.E., civics in JROTC

I would like to suggest a solution to the complaints about the proposed changes for Hawaii High School graduation ("Plan to reduce school P.E. draws fire," Star-Bulletin, Nov. 20). Two of the concerns are the dropping of one semester of physical education and the required Social Studies course "Participation in a Democracy."

Both of these needs could be met by requiring students to take a semester or year of Junior ROTC.

Many people believe JROTC programs try to recruit for the military. Actually, the purpose of JROTC is civics education. It also emphasizes and rewards physical fitness.

Participation in an exemplary JROTC program like those at Castle and Farrington high schools regularly produce fit, informed citizens who go on to use their leadership skills to contribute to society.

Two problems with one solution.

Jennifer Story
Kaneohe

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Dirty gutter talk Those orange rolls that highway engineers have been shoving into storm drain openings -- there must be a more efficient or practical or attractive way to filter out road debris. These things are about as useful and pleasing to the eye as huge, discarded cigarette butts. Send your ideas, drawings and solutions by Thursday, Dec. 17 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame 529-4750