America's decision will have lasting effect

When we go to the polls on Nov. 2, we will have the opportunity to change the course of history. The future peace of the world rests largely on America's decision. If we choose wisely, we will elect a president committed to fostering the well-being of all who long for peace and justice in our troubled world; who realize that peace and justice are the outcome of trust, and who prepared to share the vast resources of our country to create that trust.

The alternative is too terrible to think of: a program of war and terror and counter-terror; a tightening grip on our traditional freedoms; and a breakdown of relations with other countries.

Our country alone is not at fault for the inequalities of the world. We share the blame with all the developed countries who ride roughshod over the poor and struggling. Americans must become aware of this main source of tension -- and terror.

This election can be a great turning point for America and the world. Cast your vote for justice, sharing and peace.

When will America learn the price of war?

Monday's love story (about a wounded soldier and his fiancee) reminded me of "Johnny Got His Gun," written in 1939, about the price of war measured by things that can be blown off, like hands and feet and noses, or whole faces for that matter.

Is this what we really want? What is Brian Kolfage's mom saying now? That her son traded his two legs and one arm for ... for what?

Not only American moms are wondering. There is no difference between an American foot in a shoe 20 yards from its American leg, and a solo Iraqi foot in its bloody shoe. No difference between a brown body with an Iraqi name and a brown body with a Hawaiian name. So as American moms and dads are wondering, Iraqi moms and dads are wondering.

I am wondering. I am wondering how reasonable people support war in Iraq, where there are no WMD, only desperate people willing to die to get America to leave. I am wondering how these people can send their own children to kill other children, or be killed by them.

I am wondering if others read "Johnny," or if they carefully read the story published in Monday's Star-Bulletin. And I am wondering if, next Tuesday, they will vote for peace.

Mufi will stand up to the good ol' boys

Does the "ol' boy network" still exist? You better believe it! Duke Bainum says he wants change, but lo and behold, the grasping hands of the "ol' boy network" will simply use and abuse Bainum with their foothold on the wealth and political policies of the past.

Former Mayor Frank Fasi and Mufi Hannemann have stood up and fought against these political cronies. Mufi has and will continue to look out for our best interests, both here in Hawaii and in Washington, D.C.

Please, Hawaii voters, if we make the wrong choice come Nov. 2, we will again be faced with the "shibai" excuses that we are dealing with from our present mayor. For real change, it's time to vote Mufi for our next mayor of Honolulu.

Even the keiki know it's wrong to take signs

Driving around town during an election year is very exciting for my children. It's like a game of "I spy" as they search out familiar campaign signs. "Mufi" or "Duke Bainum, Duke Bainum!" are regularly hollered out at the top of their lungs.

Even though their excitement may simply be generated by the "prettier" sign, it's a beginning. So it's very disappointing when they notice that "Duke Bainum" signs are no longer displayed at their usual locations, or that the familiar blue and yellow signs are covered in black.

They immediately tell me it was wrong to steal and mark up the signs. They were concerned the people who put up the signs were sad. They also said that the "bad guys" should go to jail. Children are very perceptive of the world around them, they see the truth in everything.

Every day when we drive home from school, my children look for our "Duke Bainum" sign. As they call out "Duke Bainum, Duke Bainum!" I wonder if they are excited about the election, or simply relieved that our sign is still there.

Bainum is top choice for the environment

Bryan Mick (Letters, Oct. 22) is incorrect in stating that Marilyn Gates works for the Sierra Club. Although Marilyn is a long-time member, she holds no leadership position and has never been on staff. But Mick is correct in that the Sierra Club endorsed Duke Bainum for his strong environmental positions.

Bainum has demonstrated consistent advocacy for smart growth, traffic solutions and protecting Oahu's special places. He is committed to preserving the essence of what makes Oahu special and puts the interests of the community before those of developers.

As Mick states, the Sierra Club sticks to evaluating candidates based on their support for the environment and nothing else. In the case of Duke Bainum, that decision was easy.