Civil unions are same as gay marriages

A government that ceases to be of the people, by the people and for the people has evolved into a judicial tyranny. Legislators who insist upon instilling their own agenda apart from the people's will should be removed immediately.

Civil union and same-sex marriage are conjoined twins. It is reprehensible for Reps. Eric Hamakawa and Blake Oshiro to attempt to manipulate Hawaii's people by foisting upon them HB1024 -- a bill that essentially places homosexual unions on par with heterosexual marriage.

Seventy percent of Hawaii voted against this idea in 1998, but homosexual activists and willful legislators will not be satisfied until they subvert the people's will for their own. I hope we in Hawaii are not so duped as to let them do this.

Bill Stonebraker Sr.
Honolulu

Reaction overblown to Lingle's 'honesty'

I find the reactions to Governor Lingle's secretive trip to Iraq reported in your Feb. 11 front page article absolutely ridiculous.

As to her "not being honest," we are living in a vastly different world now and there are times when withholding plans is appropriate for personal safety reasons. Which of us "honest" citizens wouldn't do the same if it involved the safety of ourselves or our loved ones?

As for her being Jewish and visiting a Muslim country, she didn't go there to proselytize -- and does the part-Jewish -- as am I -- Sen. Kalani English actually think there is not a single American or British soldier of Jewish descent there or anywhere in the area?

Rianna Williams
Honolulu

What was the purpose of Lingle's Iraq trip?

While I still think it was a mistake for the Star-Bulletin to endorse Linda Lingle for governor in 1998 and 2002, I do see where your editorial page has been sharply critical of Governor Lingle from time to time since her election.

I still don't see compelling reasons for a Hawaii governor to make a trip to Iraq. Was it to promote tourism? Look for weapons of mass destruction? Raise troop morale among recent arrivals from Hawaii? They just got there, so it seems a little early for a visit from the governor.

Other questions come to mind. Who paid for her trip? Other than the TV photo-ops I saw on several news segments, what was the purpose of the visits?

At home, the Legislature is in session. Doesn't our governor have enough to keep her busy here?

Ed Greevy
Pearl City

New plan strengthens school-parent link

Recently there has been so much negative press about the Board of Education, Department of Education, governor, superintendent, Republicans and Democrats! It's time to spread some good news!

The DOE and BOE should be commended for their work to increase parent involvement in public schools.

It was a year ago that the Performance Standards Review Commission presented its report to the board. Among the recommendations were to aggressively involve parents in standards-based education and to strengthen parent involvement in preservice and inservice programs. At that same time cooperating organizations began working together to revise the BOE Family Involvement Policy. On Sept. 18, 2003, the Board of Education adopted the revised Parent/Family Involvement Policy No. 2403. Since then the department has established implementation guidelines, which were presented to the board on Feb. 10 with training at all schools to begin in March and full implementation for the 2004-2005 school year. Way to go!

Carol Nafus
Hawaii State PTSA
Immediate Past President