Case was fooled at Guantanamo

Rep. Ed Case is a very bright guy, and I admire his willingness to take unpopular stands on many issues, but I question his rosy assessment of the Guantanamo detention facility after his brief visit there (Star-Bulletin, June 27).

To claim that everything there is fine because he didn't see anything wrong on his weekend tour suggests he is naive. If he doesn't realize that the members of the military were on their best behavior and showed prominent visitors exactly (and only) what they wanted to be seen, then he needs a reality check. It's well known that the worst abuses at Abu Ghraib took place on the night shift, when no supervisors were around.

The long string of serious abuses at Guantanamo documented by Amnesty International have been reliably reported by BBC, USA Today, MSNBC and many other mainstream news sources. Just because they didn't occur during the congressman's visit doesn't mean that they didn't happen.

I hope Case will support a full and independent investigation of the Guantanamo abuses that have further tarnished our reputation around the world, and work to establish a precise legal status for current and future prisoners in the "war on terror."

Let facts be known about Akaka bill

I just finished reading the Senate Republican Policy Committee's report opposing enactment of the Akaka bill (rpc.senate.gov/_files/Jun2205NatHawSD.pdf). I consider myself open-minded on the sovereignty issue, but I found the report surprisingly persuasive. It makes a convincing argument that Hawaiians differ in important respects from members of Indian tribes, and that creating a Hawaiian government would violate basic constitutional principles.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, Gov. Linda Lingle and Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Haunani Apoliona say the report is filled with "misconceptions" and is "wrong on the facts." It's fine to make those sweeping statements, but now that I've read the report, I want to know: Exactly what statements are wrong?

I urge Akaka bill advocates to publish a point-by-point refutation of the report, because Hawaii's future is at stake, and those of us who live in and love these islands need to fully understand the facts.

'Wall' shouldn't curb public show of faith

For those citizens who are up in arms over the religious convictions and "shocking" statements of our lieutenant governor (Star-Bulletin, June 27), let me remind you that Thomas Jefferson clearly understood the source of America's inalienable rights that he even doubted whether America could survive if we ever lost that knowledge.

In 1794, he said: "And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure if we have lost the only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?"

Jefferson believed that God, not government, was the author and source of our rights and that the government, therefore, was to be prevented from interference with those rights. Very simply, the supposed "wall" of separation of church and state was not to limit religious activities in public; rather, they were to limit the power of the government to prohibit or interfere with those expressions. Unfortunately, misguided revisionists and activist judges continue to rewrite our founder's intentions and our country's foundations.

What's the fun in catching stocked fish?

Your July 1 "Newswatch" item indicates that anglers who want to catch stocked catfish at Nuuanu Reservoir can get applications for entry fishing cards at the Division of Aquatic Resources.

It is a puzzlement. If the state is so hell-bent on providing fish to the citizens of Hawaii, why don't they just drop off fish at people's houses -- or better yet, donate them to a food-relief program for distribution?

A terrible lot of money is spent purchasing these fish and then stocking a lake or river and then having hundreds of fishermen trample the flowers and fauna into the mud after spending much money on gasoline so they can block the highways and arrive at the assigned fishing hole at the precise time and try to hook the precise number of fish. It takes all the mystique and adventure out of fishing.

Reminds me of the time the hooker took a break from reading the comic book to ask, "Are you done yet?" This of course did not happen to me, but to a good friend who does not wish his name to be bandied about.

Words of relief may torment other parents

With a collective sigh of relief, 11-year-old missing Boy Scout Brennan Hawkins was found, unharmed, in Utah.

Immediately, the parents gave thanks to "the Lord," and said Jesus answered their prayers. God, steadfast faith and prayers were the reason he was found alive.

What message does that send to the parents of missing teen Natalee Holloway? Her parents are camped out in Aruba, desperately combing the area and butting heads with a foreign legal system, looking for answers.

From Jack Walsh, who lost Adam, to Mark Klass who lost Polly, and the Lundsfords who lost Jessica, and all others who lost a child to serial killers and pedophiles, was their faith weak? Their guilt and the coroner's truck must be enormous!

Are we to believe God looks down on some children and not others?

Government should hire a proofreader

What startling news! It has been stated the heavily challenged House Bill 1309, increasing the general excise tax by .5 percent might become law due to a typographical error (Star-Bulletin, June 30). Additionally, typos will affect passage other bills on the governor's veto list.

It's absolutely amazing that Hawaii law might be determined by a typo. Hawaii government is unbelievable. Have they ever heard of proofreading prior to the release of a legal document?

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