Brainstorm! Challenge

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Pro and con on DOE leadership

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Moore's film gives war coverage balance

While James Roller avoids bashing Michael Moore's documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" in his July 2 letter, he asks, "Would Moore interview the thousands of troops who are fighting for what they believe in and what their commander in chief has asked them to do, and which they do willingly, even enthusiastically?"

That question alone strongly suggests that Roller hasn't seen the film himself. Moore interviewed troops in Iraq for the film. Tear-jerking footage of a patriotic mother reading the last letter from her deployed and now deceased son shows that not all troops are enthusiastic. A Marine who fought in Iraq states that he refuses to go back and "kill other poor people." Another soldier says, "We weren't supposed to be here this long."

While Moore doesn't point the camera at the schools, hospitals and public works facilities that have been put back into operation, he does interview citizens. Those in the film are outraged at the unnecessary deaths of their innocent family members and friends.

I agree that Moore's depiction is one-sided. Moore himself has stated that the movie isn't intended to be balanced journalism. But by depicting the one side, Moore helps to bring balance to the wider picture.

Derek Kauanoe
Honolulu

Letter writers clearly haven't seen the film

From reading the montage of quotes, I wonder if Carol White (Letters, July 6) even went to see the movie? Her letter perfectly represents a reactionary right that is too willing to make assumptions without considering the evidence, such as supporting the war with Iraq because of a nonexistent relationship between Saddam and Osama bin Laden, or the yet-to-be-found WMDs. Moore is not alone in believing Americans are "possibly the dumbest people on the planet" because we appear incapable of thinking for ourselves.

People who have been paying attention know that the subjects addressed in the movie are based on documented events, though often the stories were buried deep in U.S. newspapers. The rest of the information is a matter of public record.

Please, go see the movie, do some research and decide for yourself.

Blu Forman
Honolulu

A sad march from defender to aggressor

Almost everyone likes to consider themselves one of the "good guys," inspired by noble principles, forced into deception and violence only by the stop-at-nothing immorality of the other side -- the "bad guys."

For most of my lifetime, the bad guys were "commies," whose totalitarian style helped provide justification for what sometimes looked like imperialist offenses by our side.

When we were overthrowing elected governments and training and supplying right-wing militaries to crush civil activism, communism was the fig leaf that covered our naked aggression.

Seeing evil in others can blind us to our own sins.

Fear and hatred became a habit of mind, a convenient excuse for irresponsible power-grabbing on both sides.

Since the Soviet Union collapsed, commie-haters have been reduced to opposing labor rights, environmental protection, public health care, open and diverse news media, corporate regulation, equal rights for minorities and other "liberal" issues.

A more believable threat is presented today by a cult of suicidal religious warriors fighting us over what they see (with some justification) as economic, political and military oppression.

But what end justified the unprovoked attack on Iraq? What follower of Jesus hates his enemies and imagines himself pure enough to cast the first stone?

Daniel Grantham
Haiku, Maui

Charges against Bush are groundless

Below is a quote from a Nancy Bey Little's letter in the July 8 Star-Bulletin:

"Yet Bush, Attorney General John Ashcroft and this administration have threatened and harmed our freedoms and constitutional rights here since their takeover of our government."

My request is this: Can someone please detail how the Bush administration has threatened and harmed our freedoms and constitutional rights? Seems to me it is the expulsion of hot air rather than facts.

I believe that Sen. John Kerry is a dangerous person. He speaks, states he has real plans and has yet to tell us what his plans are. Another example of the expulsion of hot air.

Ben Clinger
Honolulu

Armed citizenry would help squelch terrorism

It seems that the majority of Americans have not realized that the threat presented by Muslim terrorists is real.

For example, what is airport security really for? It seems to be to protect the airplanes from takeover by hijackers who could use them as weapons of mass destruction. In the 1980s, several airports were attacked and many passengers were machine-gunned to death. Now, European airports have police or military armed with machine guns to protect passengers.

No U.S. airport has any such anti-terrorist security. Remember, on Kauai someone fired several shots in the terminal, and on Maui another unhappy person drove in and set his vehicle on fire. Imagine if either had been a determined group of terrorists. How long will a 911 phone call take before help arrives?

On June 24, the Saudi government announced that non-Saudis can carry concealed firearms to protect themselves from terrorists. The Saudis have more common sense than our own government. Terrorists have stated that they are at war with all Americans, but many state and local governments will not allow law-abiding citizens the right to carry firearms, either openly or concealed.

Recently, there have been warnings of terrorist attacks at shopping malls. Many malls have signs banning any kind of weapon, but they do not promise to protect the shoppers.

If you were a terrorist, which would you prefer? The citizen with a concealed firearm or the unarmed victim?

Vernon Okamura
Honolulu

Waters serious about duty to constituents

I've always believed that when you want to judge someone, judge them by what they do rather than what they say. When it comes to politicians, this is doubly true. This point was brought home at the last Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting. Several controversial issues were argued with great emotion, and only one elected official had the decency to appear and answer community concerns: Rep. Tommy Waters, (D-Lanikai, Waimanalo).

Where were David Pendleton, Barbara Marshall, Fred Hemmings, Bob Hogue or Cynthia Thielen? They may say they care about what's going on in the community, but Waters is the only who really appears to have his heart in the work.

Joshua Wisch
Kailua

Hamakawa won't be missed by all

Mahalo for giving readers the clue about Rep. Eric Hamakawa ("Hamakawa's Capitol days may be over," On Politics column, July 4). After having testified before his Judiciary Committee several times this past legislative session, I came to the conclusion that he was on auto-pilot, and now I know why

I believe that Sen. Colleen Hanabusa says his leaving will be a tremendous loss to the Legislature because he made her look good; she at least pretended to listen to testifiers.

They both failed miserably in my book for not passing any law enforcement sponsored bills, which would have helped neighborhoods like mine (Niu Valley) battle drug dealers. Guess I should have brought food.

Jeannine Johnson
Honolulu

Liberals have made America liveable

I turn on the TV and every Republican who can get on camera is hurling the word "liberal" at the Kerry-Edwards ticket. This got me to thinking, how did we ever allow the word "liberal" to be anything but a badge of honor? Let's replay the last 75 years as if conservatives rather than liberals had won:

>> Social Security -- There'd be none. We would have destitution and suffering among millions of the nation's elderly.

>> Middle class -- There'd be none. Unions would not exist. The plight of workers would be unimaginable. Like many other countries, America would consist of the haves and the have-nots. Which do you think you'd be?

>> Civil rights -- The South today would still be rigidly segregated. Blacks would not be allowed to vote.

>> Unemployment benefits -- Forget it. You lose your job, you lose everything and you starve.

>> Poverty programs -- These you can likewise forget. If you're out of work, unable to work, an abandoned mom, handicapped or a poor child, you starve.

>> Medicare and Medicaid -- Are you kidding? Not a chance!

America is a vastly better nation because liberalism defeated conservatism. I am damned proud to call myself liberal. I think it's past time for liberals everywhere to reclaim the word and demand the respect that "liberal" has earned.

Rick Lloyd
Honolulu

Republicans must not want keiki to succeed

A great big mahalo to the Democrats in the Legislature for giving our public schools the ability to hire more teachers in the K-2 grades! The funds you provided will help reduce class sizes, a tremendous effort in raising student achievement.

I am particularly grateful for the commitment you showed to real education reform by not only passing this legislation but also by overriding the governor's veto. How wonderful that there are people in government who really care about our keiki.

As for you Republicans who voted against the veto override: I cannot understand how you would be opposed to reducing class sizes and helping our children learn.

Katherine Gelber
Honolulu

Senator deserves HSTA's support

Jim Henshaw, a Republican Senate candidate in District 23, seriously misled Star-Bulletin readers in his July 5 letter, "HSTA casts its vote before filing deadline." For those who follow education measures at the Legislature, it should come as no surprise that the Hawaii State Teachers Association made an early endorsement of incumbent Sen. Melodie Aduja.

Aduja has distinguished herself as one of the strongest supporters of public education in the state Legislature. In addition to supporting normal textbook funding, she voted for an additional $2.5 million for the purchase of mathematics textbooks and supplies. She also voted to lower class sizes in kindergarten through second grade so Hawaii's youngest students would get more individual attention and a solid academic foundation.

Aduja backed numerous dramatic changes aimed at "re-inventing education," including:

>> implementing a weighted student formula to ensure the schools with the greatest needs receive the most funding

>> taking 70 percent of the operating funds away from the Department of Education and giving them directly to the schools to use in ways best suited for their particular situations

>> training principals to be leaders and holding them accountable for the performance of their schools.

Aduja also voted in support of legislative provisions to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and stop the loss of 10 percent of our teachers each year to other states and vocations that offer better pay and working conditions.

HSTA made an early endorsements of Aduja because Hawaii's public school students, staff and teachers cannot afford to lose her as their champion.

Maurice Morita
HSTA Government Relations
Honolulu

'New beginning' seems like more of same

Auwe! I thought we would have a "new beginning" with Gov. Linda Lingle, but it is apparent that there is no difference in ethics from the old boys. The governor and her cronies seem to be caught redhanded with their recent ethics gaffes concerning education lobbying ("Education nonprofit hits more legal snags," Star-Bulletin, July 4).

Let the corruption continue.

Keith Morrison
Honolulu

Let's have respect for those we oppose

The season of the political signs is upon us in its full glory. Posted signs, posted banners and sign-waving, love them, hate them or don't care -- whatever your attitude, get used to them. They are here to stay until at least September and the primary election; many will stay until the November election.

Some will disappear early because they are posted on public easements, street signs and utility poles, and the forces of the City and County will do their job and remove them. Others will disappear because someone doesn't care for your choice of candidate. The latter becomes the battle of the signs usually carried out by overzealous supporters, not by the candidates or their campaign committees.

Regardless of how you feel about a candidate, remember: They all deserve to be heard, so please keep it clean and leave the signs alone unless they are on your property. Vote for your candidate based on their merits, not on who removed whose sign, because you don't really know who did the dastardly deed. It could even be menehunes playing their silly games.

Sharon McCarthy
Hauula

Mass transit certainly could be improved

Regarding Thursday's Gathering Place by 'Ilima Smallwood ("Maui's working class needs good bus service"): It cost her more money to live on Maui than in Manhattan? It costs me much less money to live on Maui than I where I came from, Los Angeles.

As for the trade-off involved in driving a car and taking mass transit, there are always trade-offs. The question is, does the trade-off make things better or worse, particularly at the individual level, and what sacrifices are we willing to make, and what sacrifices are needed.

While working in Los Angeles I took the bus from time to time. It took me twice as long to take the bus vs. driving to work. That was a waste of time. I also lived in the suburbs, so that meant I had to drive my car to get to the bus stop. I rode a big old bus to work, which was sometimes pretty empty, and there were times, like when I worked past quitting time, when I was the only one on the bus during the whole ride home. I could not help but wonder if I was really helping conserve petroleum.

On the other hand, I rationalized that at least I was doing my part and that the bus was going to run regardless. I also had to make sure I left work at a certain time to catch the last bus going to my area. Once, the last bus never showed up. Now that is a really, really big problem, because you are stuck 13 miles from your car.

Jerry Okamura
Honolulu

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DOE administrators ready for
challenges of re-inventing education

This is in response to Joseph Gardewin's letter, "Principals must be responsible with funds" (Star-Bulletin, June 16). His letter refers to the June 15 article written by education reporter Susan Essoyan, "DOE principals try to navigate new terrain."

Yes, state schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto is a stalwart, no-nonsense, "gutsy" lady, and I repeat, lady, who puts her head on the chopping block to assure progressive, inventive changes take place in our massive Department of Education system.

Essoyan did quote me accurately when I said we need to "rethink ... learn budgeting ... be open and flexible."

However, I do not perceive my quote as a "sad insight" or as a sign of weak school administration. The statement was an expression of the huge challenge ahead. It expresses the need for the relearning of the budget process administrators will be trained in to prepare for the schools receiving 70 percent in school funds, the understanding of the weighted student formula, the new information technology and its effect on school operations, the difference in operations between the School Community-Based Management Councils and the to-be-instituted new School Community Councils, the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program, the various funding appropriations for math books, class size reduction, a Parent Community Network Center and, if we have any energy left, to understand the school administrators' performance contracts.

All of this is part of the Reinventing Education Act of 2004, Act 51.

Yes, the task is huge. And the aforementioned tasks do not even touch upon school curriculum, a task administrators embrace first and foremost! But Act 51 is not separate from student achievement. The byproduct of Act 51, if implemented as intended, will be high student achievement.

I would like to assure Gardewin that "things" will get better in the DOE because the school administrators want them to get better. I am proud to be a strong administrator in the DOE. We are constantly faced with challenges and opportunities, and Act 51 is no different, just broader and deeper.

Eileen Y. Hirota
Principal
Ewa Beach Elementary School

Poll results show people don't trust
most education decision-makers

Recently the People's Pulse polled 700 residents across the state. The poll asked who you trust for information on public schools. Teachers, Parent-Teacher-Student Associations and parents are the top three most trusted groups.

Out of 12 choices, in both 2001 and 2004, at the very bottom of the trust list are: teacher's union; school superintendent; Board of Education; business leaders; and legislators representing your district (dead last).

Less than one-third of the people trust these five groups for accurate information about public schools.

These are the same groups who authored the new law they now tout as "re-inventing education." But all they have done is re-issue past promises that have failed to come true decade after decade.

This new law will not change education in Hawaii for two reasons. First, the law relies upon the Department of Education's promise to change itself. But this promise was made more than a decade ago, and the DOE remains stubbornly centralized and unapproachable. Already the DOE is compromising its latest promise by stating it will continue to direct a large percentage of spending from the central office, and the majority of the Board of Education is not challenging that position.

Second, the funds attached to the bill will not achieve the promised results. The DOE budget is almost $2 billion next year. The 0.6 percent increase in the budget will not magically fulfill the dozens of feel-good promises. Worse yet, the bill does nothing to ensure that the DOE is accountable for its spending.

These five groups will be working hard this election to convince you that they have re-invented education. People are wise to question their claims.

Laura H. Thielen
Dissenting member Board of Education Windward District

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] The city owns a large, underground facility at Fort Barrette in Kapolei that is sitting empty. What could it be used for? Some sort of archive? A place to stash gigantic holiday decorations? A temporary storage site for Evan Dobelle’s ego? Send your ideas -- include your name, address and phone number -- by July 16 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or by mail: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Or by fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750