Iraq is a just war that makes America safer
I read letter after letter from people urging the United States to cut its losses and run in Iraq. They do not understand our mission and demean our leaders and country with false accusations and misperceptions.While I mourn the loss of life in Iraq, must I remind everyone that the United States lost more than 3,000 civilian lives in one day in 2001? Those 3,000 people did not deserve to die. Is it a coincidence that not another single instance of terrorism has occurred on U.S. soil since then? Since we have the terrorists heavily engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq, is it any wonder?
Bringing democracy to that area of the world would be the single most world-changing event in recent history.
Nations who practice democracy do not pose a threat to each other. Seeing the joy of the Iraqi people to be able to express their freedom to vote, among other newfound freedoms, is worthwhile. This is a just, moral and righteous cause destined to make the world safer for our children and grandchildren.
Mililani
Military spouses take wins, losses to heart
As I sat in a donut shop on base with my son, a woman and her two sons walked through the door. She glanced at the newspaper I was reading and then glanced at me, and her eyes welled up. She told me that her husband was coming home in 10 days. She said that the elections had gone well in Iraq, and he was finally coming home.I was a stranger to her, but I started crying, too. I told her that my husband had just left. For a moment we were locked in a bond that only military spouses can fathom. I was so happy for her, and she knew what was coming for me.
Our husbands and wives leave us and go to war; they do so without regard for whatever politics are driving it. They fight because they are the fiber of the military structure that keeps America safe. They fight for the man standing next to them. In return they ask that we not be careless where we send them, and they ask that they are given all the might of the United States to support them.
It is here where we failed. We left them with their backs exposed by cutting off their connection with our allies and leaving them to fight alone. We sent them in too few numbers so they could not squash the flame of insurgency before it became an inferno.
Freedom in Iraq is a noble mission, even if our original pretext for war was a facade. I am proud of my husband and those like him; I am deeply grieved for the lives that have been lost due to our inadequacy.
Kailua
Iraqi election was hardly legitimate
Even before the polls closed on the Iraqi "election," the White House has already proclaimed the process a success. But the reality is that Iraqi citizens have been coerced and/or hoodwinked into participating in a showcase election that will lead to a replay of Hawaii's own "Bayonet Constitution."When Iraqi voters are forced to pass through barbed-wire checkpoints at the polling stations, under the guns of 150,000 U.S. troops, could that be considered a fair and free election?
What's worse, much like the 1959 Hawaii poll that did not include a sovereignty option, the Iraqis were not presented with a referendum on the immediate withdrawal of the invading military forces.
Interestingly, Western media do not report that Iraqi voters are required to register at the place where their monthly food rations are distributed, thus revealing another coercive tactic to turn out the vote in favor of the ruling (puppet) Baghdad regime.
Honolulu
Dems' body language spoke volumes
Actions speak louder than words. So does inaction.As Gov. Linda Lingle gave her third State of the State Address, it seemed as though the Democratic legislators in attendance had something better to do.
They were bent over, heads down, reading or scribbling something, sipping coffee, frowning and looking away inattentively. Instead of joining in applause for proposals that would raise our quality of life, they sat rigidly with their arms across their chests. Not one of them offered up a few claps, even though the rest of the auditorium cheered.
The governor has done her part to reach out to the other side of the aisle, calling on all legislators to put aside party politics and come together to truly help the people of Hawaii. Previously, Democratic legislators have paid lip service to working in a cooperative, bipartisan manner this legislative session. But their obviously rude response spoke louder. It said, "we don't care."
"We don't care" about working with the administration to lower the cost of living.
"We don't care" about working with the administration to improve education.
"We don't care" about working with the administration to fight crime and drug abuse.
Actions speak louder than words. It's truly sad to see that our Legislature is being overrun with such childish and selfish legislators who "don't care."
Kailua
Subsidize the airlines, not a Superferry
Regarding the proposed Superferry service, I don't think that the taxpayers of Hawaii should have to foot the bill for a privately run business. If this is the case then every other transportation company in Hawaii should insist that the state fund them also.To invest $40 million into something that we are not even sure will work is nonsense. The state should instead subsidize the interisland airlines so that the cost of tickets could come down. Since the state is having a banner tourism year, airlines could move more people faster, thus allowing them to see more of Hawaii.
Ewa Beach
Process to replace lawmaker is scrupulously fair
In response to Rep. Marcus Oshiro's column ("Process to replace Maui representative is unfair," Gathering Place, Jan. 27), it's important to understand that Gov. Linda Lingle has established a logical, inclusive and transparent procedure for appointing a successor to Rep. Sol Kaho'ohalahala, who resigned his District 13 House seat to serve as executive director of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission.Moreover, while Oshiro has gone on record as seeking an "open" relationship with the Lingle-Aiona administration, his bylined article indicates he would rather air his opinions in the media as opposed to speaking directly with the governor and resolving differences in an amicable manner. By taking a "blame game" approach, Oshiro shows a lack of respect. That is certainly not a good way to start the 2005 legislative session.
The selection procedures set up by the governor involve a resume review process by a six-member, bipartisan, screening panel, which has forwarded its recommendations to a three-member, bipartisan panel that will interview the candidates. Based on this input, the governor will exercise her constitutional duty and appoint a Democrat successor to Kaho'ohalahala by Feb. 7, well within the required 60 days.
Governor Lingle is not required to consult Hawaii Democrats when selecting a replacement for Kaho'ohalahala. She could unilaterally select a Democratic replace- ment and be done with it, but instead she is reaching out to the majority party and Maui County residents to do what's best for the 13th District.
The governor appreciates the cooperation of the Democrats who are participating in this selection process. Sens. Roz Baker and Les Ihara, former Maui Mayor Kimo Apana and Democratic Party chairman of District 13 Shay Chan Hodges have been cooperative in their efforts to work with the governor to ensure that the selection process is inclusive and transparent.
As the House majority leader, it would be admirable if Oshiro also adopted a collaborative approach. I'm sure his constituents would approve.
Lieutenant governor
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