Whitewater investigator
and ACLU head to
debate here

Kenneth Starr, the former independent counsel who led the Whitewater investigation and was criticized for abusing his powers in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, will participate in a debate on the state of civil rights in the United States at a March conference in Honolulu.

Starr will debate Nadine Strossen, president of the American Civil Liberties Union.

They will discuss topics, including whether there are "limits to dissent" in the Bush administration's war against terrorism, and if noncitizens should have free speech rights.

The conference is scheduled for March 26 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom from 10 a.m. to noon.

The cost to attend the event is $5 in advance or $10 at the door.

"This is a unique opportunity to hear from two national icons on the pressing issues confronting our country today," said Vanessa Chong, executive director of the ACLU's Hawaii chapter.

The ACLU is expecting more than 1,000 people to attend. For more information, contact the local ACLU office at 522-5900 or visit its Web site, www.acluhawaii.org.