Dog meat editorial shows cultural bias

Your Aug. 23 editorial, "Ban dog meat sales to prevent torture," was a disgusting appeal to an ethnocentric view of "civilized" society.

Dogs and cats are animals, just like sheep and cattle. Many cultures around the world and throughout history have regarded the dog as an acceptable source of protein. I suppose none of those cultures is civilized in the eyes of the Star-Bulletin.

Your concern over inhumane treatment is just a smokescreen for your intolerance. Torture and abuse of animals is already illegal, and you admitted it. You conceded that current law requires dogs destined for the dinner table to be killed in a humane manner.

At least we can now see how committed you are to the ideals of tolerance and understanding.

Live monkey display is not acceptable

After reading June Watanabe's Kokua Line column last Sunday about Blue Tropix nightclub's attempts to obtain a license to display live monkeys, I did a quick search of the internet and could find no other nightclubs or restaurants in the United States that keep live monkeys on display. In fact, one notable "Monkey Bar" listed was an upscale restaurant bar in midtown New York that features wall murals depicting monkeys in a sophisticated tropical decor. The simian theme even extends to the drink menu.

The Blue Tropix should follow suit and shed its sleazy image by setting up surroundings that are artful rather than exploiting live monkeys. The USDA, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the Hawaiian Humane Society should work together to put an end to the relic of an idea that a bar or restaurant featuring live monkeys on display is ever acceptable.

Fong was a great statesman and friend

In 1976, I joined the staff of Sen. Hiram L. Fong as a legislative assistant. The defense appropriations bill passed by the House contained a provision to increase the surcharge for military commissaries by 5 percent for personnel, in addition to the 5 percent already being charged for construction. The senator asked me to prepare an amendment to delete the provision allowing the surcharge hike in the House-passed version. My wife, Jennie, helped me on a weekend to have copies of the legislative language prepared. Senator Fong's amendment prevailed on a tie vote, and it survived in joint House-Senate conference.

A 10 percent surcharge for commissary customers would have meant the equivalent of a 10 percent sales tax, which is not charged for food items by civilian groceries. Its adoption would have wiped out the commissary system. All military personnel, active and retired, owe the Fong, who died last week, for this singular legislative victory.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife, Ellyn, and the entire Fong clan. He was the greatest and the best. My wife and I were fortunate to be the guests of Senator and Mrs. Fong at the Finance Factors Christmas Party at the Hale Koa last year.

The passing of a great statesman, legislator and champion of all mankind, but especially for Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, is an utter and irretrievable loss that cannot be bridged by words of condolence.

Losing right to vote makes it precious

I am one of those dastardly "permanent resident aliens" who has been very grateful for all the privileges afforded to me since my arrival in 1986.

I have worked continuously, paid taxes, Medicare and Social Security and totally supported my "American family." There is only one disappointment -- I can't vote. Where I come from (Canada) there are similar frustrations of poor candidate choices and the sentiment that voting won't make any difference anyway. But all of that is irrelevant when you lose the right to do so.

But perhaps I should be less passionate about that privilege, for it seems the citizens of Hawaii, who send their sons and daughters to bleed in the sand in Iraq, can't get their okoles out the door to head for the voting booth. Oh well, how sad.

Volunteers know their D-Day may come

I am wholly in support of our troops overseas, and deeply appreciate the sacrifices members of our National Guard and Reserves are making in the war effort.

A number of recent newspaper stories have focused on the tearful departures of reservists, implying that their deployment is an unanticipated misfortune.

Reservists are appropriately compensated in dollars, retirement points and other benefits, in exchange for relatively little effort. The downside, of course, is the obligation to respond to an unlikely call-up. My friends in the Reserves volunteer to play the odds, while enjoying the pay and perks.

Now we are seeing the call-ups, and while most reservists fulfill their commitment uncomplainingly, a few families choose to complain publicly about their hardship.

While I appreciate the spotlight on reservists' sacrifices, these human interest stories occasionally seem to foster the perception that troop deployment is some kind of injustice.

Our Guard and Reserve deserve appreciative recognition, but not pity. Like firefighters and lifeguards, reservists are paid mostly to wait around for their call. When it comes, it's not an undeserved misfortune, it's their job.

May God bless America and protect our troops.