Center offers 'guests' rest and respite
Last Sunday's article about the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center was very disheartening. I recently visited the Arizona and Mighty Mo. During my visit to the Arizona I had to stand in a line for more than an hour. I had only concrete to sit on, only vending machine drinks and sandwiches available to eat, long restroom lines and no cover from the sun.On Saturday I visited the Mighty Mo. Because I know individuals involved in the PHVC, I stopped by after my tour. This was the day Honolulu experienced the torrential downpour, and the Arizona Memorial and Bowfin were closed because of the weather. Thanks to the PHVC, visitors to these memorials had a place to stay dry, enjoy fresh food and sit very comfortably while they waited for the rain to stop. We should be pleased and proud to see that visitors to the Arizona and Bowfin will finally be treated as welcome guests while they endure the long waits.
I believe we should support this venture and even appreciate the vision and effort the businessman and former Marine Patrick Brent has created to provide a first-class environment for visitors.
Honolulu
Visitor center plan is inappropriate
I could not believe the Star-Bulletin's Jan. 30 story on the Coney Island-like visitor center planned near the Arizona Memorial. Hot dog stands and carnival booths have no place among America's most historic memorials.Just as the World War I memorial (Natatorium) faces the wrecking ball, World War II memorials are being erased as painful reminders. We, to whom the flag has been passed, must stand fast and not allow rides, video games, or trinkets on hallowed ground.
Colonel U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
Honolulu
It's time for troops to come back home
The United States should pull its troops out of Iraq now that the election is over and let Iraqi leaders form their own cabinet and write their own constitution with minimal interference.We cannot expect the Iraqi government and people to fully comprehend individual rights and the obligations of a democratic form of government within a short period of time.
A strong leader and staff could expedite the education of the people and instill in them that all forms of religion must be tolerated for peace and freedom to become a reality.
Pearl City
Americans should be proud of Iraq progress
Americans, especially our service men and women, should be proud of their role in the first free election in Iraq. They and their Iraqi counterparts protected Iraqis from the intimidation and threats of the terrorists.Terrorism will not end tomorrow, but if we stay the course in Iraq we will see the fruits of President Bush's goal in the Middle East -- a democratic alternative for the angry, unemployed youth who have turned to al-Qaida in despair over their future in stagnant, corrupt authoritarian regimes. America will nudge, persuade, pressure these regimes, including allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to move toward more open and democratic societies. They realize refusal to do so will mean being swept away by the forces of anti-Americanism and religious fanaticism.
By the end of the president's second term I believe American troops will be coming home. Israelis and Palestinians will negotiate a permanent peace and a major reason for Arab mistrust and anger toward America will be gone.
Honolulu
Bush is an expert at 'false crisis' strategy
President Bush is using the same strategy on Social Security that he used on Iraq: identifying a false crisis to justify an extreme response to achieve an ulterior objective.With Iraq the false crisis was alleging there were weapons of mass destruction and that Hussein was connected to 9/11. This then became justification for invading Iraq. The ulterior objective was to support Bush's re-election. His father failed to topple Hussein during the first Gulf War, which some believe contributed to his failure to earn a second term. This was a mistake that his son intended to overcome.
With Social Security the president is again identifying a false crisis -- that Social Security will run out of money soon, even though this cannot be conclusively demonstrated. Nevertheless, he proposes a draconian solution -- privatization.
What Bush would really like to see is the dismantling of Social Security, a New Deal program that has frustrated hard-line conservatives for decades. But he knows that is beyond his reach so he will settle for privatization, a step toward that unstated goal. It also has the advantage of providing a windfall of commissions and fees to many of his contributors.
Unless the responsible members of Congress stiffen their resistance, this deceptive Bush strategy could work again.
Honolulu
Military children need strength of faith
It was quite interesting to see how public school teachers were attempting to address the fears elementary school children whose fathers are in Iraq. They emphasized "sharing, talking it out, gaining their trust."However, no mention was ever made of the fact that the Kaneohe Marines who recently died in Iraq are now with God, that honor was valued much more than life itself by these Marines, and this creed is the same for all warriors modern and ancient, Eastern or Western. While these Marines have sacrificed for a noble cause, their children can take comfort that one day they will be at their fathers' sides, after they too lead honorable lives walking with God.
The loss of spiritual education leaves children with only the shifting sands of the temporal and material -- an indictment of the humanism and secularism permeating our public schools.
Ewa Beach
Humor columnist gets serious about war
Charles Memminger's column Tuesday made me cry ("Kaneohe Marines died for freedom," Honolulu Lite). Four years ago I wanted John McCain for president instead of George W. Bush. There was no choice in the last election.Looking at Kerry, Clinton and Kennedy (aka the toad) and, like Memminger, I only want to barf. The only insult is to our local buffos. At least they serve a useful purpose of helping eliminate mosquitoes. I have yet to determine what useful purpose Ted Kennedy has served. Thank you, Charles, for putting things in perspective.
Kailua
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