Campaign banners have variety of uses

Message to Mufi Hannemann and Duke Bainum: Could we please have all those campaign banners after the election?

My neighbor on the right says he no longer has to put bottles of water out on the lawn; my neighbor on the left says the birds now leave his mango tree alone; and me -- I don't have to worry about those leaks in my roof, or extra shade in the Aloha Stadium parking lot, or my dashboard getting too hot during the day.

Who said the candidates weren't interested in public service?

Pine is the candidate to help Ewa Beach

Ewa Beach is at a critical point in its development. We have a distinct choice in the Nov. 2 election. We can either continue with the same old politics as usual and suffer through the worst traffic congestion in the state and an ever-increasing demand for schools that will not be met, or Ewa Beach can finally say, "It's our time."

It's time for us to forget about the old plantation days where the nail that stuck out got hammered. It's time for Ewa Beach to elect a state representative who will advocate for us at the Legislature and not come back empty-handed. It's not enough when our incumbent says he got money for road construction and then votes for the two years he has been in office to take $39 million from the state Department of Transportation. Because we don't have enough funds, the widening project of Fort Weaver Road goes from an 18-month project to a three-year construction nightmare.

We must demand that our needs come first. We finally have a candidate who has the ear of the governor and the right ideas to bring the Ewa Beach infrastructure up to the standards we deserve. I urge our community to vote for Kymberly Pine for state representative so we can move ahead.

Our arrogance is what makes them hate us

How very sad that some Americans think other countries hate us because they are jealous of our wealth and freedoms. No, no, no! They hate us because we are arrogant and snotty and put them down as uncivilized and stupid! They hate us because we tell them, "Your religion is wrong, your language is gibberish, your clothing is ugly, your food is yuck! You should be like us, and since you are not, we are going to clobber you into being like us!"

And we are sending out this message via our great and powerful leader, George Bush, at the cost of more than 1,000 dead Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis -- men, women and children.

Some have told us we should be grateful to Bush for keeping the terrorists away from our shores. For how long? Do you realize that because of our haughty attitude we are creating more people who hate us?

Who will join us on Nov. 2 to change our course? Or will we keep our blinders on and say, "Don't bother me with the facts; my mind is already made up."

Some say, "Don't change your horse in the middle of the stream." We ask, "Why not?" If your horse is lame and stumbling and there is another capable horse available, what is the logical step?

Don't let 'Gang of Five' control Maui

The race between Ron Vaught and Michelle Anderson for the Maui County Council seat illustrates two different philosophies that have been at odds for at least 30 years in Maui.

One side supports developer-directed growth, gambling that it can be kept up indefinitely, that the gain in taxes and jobs will be enough to offset the impact of relatively unrestricted development.

The other side has warned for years that development without careful planning leads to loss in quality of life and natural resources. It points to traffic jams, water shortages, loss of coastal access, limited economic choices, high cost of living, expensive homes and increased pollution that are tolerated as a cost of doing business.

The "growth costs are unimportant" side points back to the plantation days of hard work, low wages and few job choices, seeing the real estate boom and visitor industry as salvation, even if traditional island life benefits disappear.

Rather than seeing increasing loss of island resources to exclusive development for wealthy immigrants, their concern is to avoid change that might slow these powerful economic engines. This side has consistently been a majority in the past, opposed by minority council members like Wayne Nishiki and a few others.

It seems important that we have discussion between these two sides, but that will not happen as long as there is, in Wayne's words, a "Gang of Five" that knows it has the power and need not listen or compromise with other views. By then, democracy becomes an illusion.

Please vote for Michelle.

What is righteous about Inouye's record?

Last June, I visited Sen. Daniel Inouye's office in Washington, D.C., with my children. On his door is the Hawaii state seal, stating "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono" ("The life of the land is perpetuated by righteousness").

In July, Inouye voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, thereby denying all 50 state legislatures the right to vote on this. Hawaii voters passed a similar state measure a few years ago, by a 70 percent margin. Last year, Inouye voted against stopping partial-birth abortions, a very brutal form of third-trimester abortion. Both of these votes are particularly UN-righteous. It's time for Hawaii to elect a different U.S. senator.

Kerry's protests were protected speech

John Kerry has been accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy for criticizing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Nothing gives more aid and comfort to America's enemies than the spectacle of some Americans criticizing other Americans for exercising their right of free speech.

Carlyle's buyout must be stopped

I have been reading, with interest and a great deal of apprehension, about the proposed buyout of Verizon Hawaii by The Carlyle Group. I must oppose this buyout and urge all citizens of these islands to do the same. I oppose the buyout for reasons that have previously been stated in the public forums but also because I see a wolf in sheep's clothing!

Let me ask readers out there, does it seem just a bit coincidental that this company is so very eager to buy out our communications system directly on the heels of the Stryker Brigade being forced upon our peaceful paradise despite the amassed protest against it? So eager in fact, that they have virtually promised us the sky to successfully get their foot in the door. Not to mention that they have direct ties to the Defense Department, military programs and the Bush administration.

The utilities commission will be taking testimony through Friday from anyone who is interested in this subject. You can reach them via e-mail at hawaii.PUC@hawaii.gov. Please, I urge anyone who understands the far-reaching ramifications that this will have upon everyone to speak out against the proposed buyout. Our future depends on it more than you know.

Warriors' halftime show deserves repeat

It was a great Warrior homecoming game Saturday. Even greater than the win and its highlights mentioned in the papers Sunday was the halftime performance. I think it should be performed at the Sheraton Bowl and the Pro Bowl, too. I hope it put a smile on the faces of Coach June Jones, Joe Moore, Mufi Hannemann and all those still wishing for "Rainbows." It was a wonderful Hawaiian performance with a lot of aloha. It was great to see Mufi at the game ... ever see Duke Bainum there?

And last, I think it is poor sportsmanship and no aloha to boo the opposing team members when they enter and leave the stadium and locker rooms. We've got more class than that, Hawaii. Imua!

Lyon Arboretum should be priority

The closing of the Lyon Arboretum shocked the botanical and horticultural communities in Hawaii, on the mainland and worldwide.

Certainly safety issues must be fully assessed and addressed. Deep concern, however, is strongly expressed about the thought that the University of Hawaii apparently considers the correction of safety problems and the reopening of the arboretum as a low priority.

The Board of Trustees and members of the Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens respectfully request that every possible effort be made, at the earliest possible time, to obtain optimal funding toward correcting deficiencies and reopening the Lyon Arboretum to the public and providing appropriate spaces for the pursuit of research and education.