Column offered solid analysis of Mideast

Llewellyn Howell's article on the central problem in the Middle East in the Insight section of Sunday's Star-Bulletin is the most cogent and compelling analysis of that troubled region that I have yet seen. Would that we had a government that wanted to understand and bring peace to the Middle East. To our great loss, all we have in our government are benighted partisans of the millennial combatants there; and so, our interference only brings more and bloodier strife.

Statehood celebration belonged at Capitol

As an observer at Friday's statehood debacle held at Iolani Palace, I would like to clarify several points.

There would have been no uproar if the contentious circus was held at an appropriate place, like the state Capitol, just next door. Holding a celebration for the country that overthrew a sovereign nation on its governmental grounds showed as much common sense as a kamikaze reunion at Pearl Harbor.

If the event was sincerely about statehood, they would have had at least one state flag. Instead, only U.S. flags flew complete with Statue of Liberty clown in an act of nationalist warfare.

The worst part was the irresponsible using of the Kalani High band for state Sen. Sam Slom's politicking. Only five celebrators greeted the band, not dozens as indicated by the media. To say the students were "threatened" is slander; on the contrary, palace defenders addressed the students elucidating the overthrow history, and no disrespect was directed to them. Patience was lost when celebrants spewed claims of entitlement, labeling dissenters "Muslims." The organizers owe apologies to Kalani and the people of Hawaii for such arrogance and disrespect.

Protesters bullied students into fleeing

According to the Star-Bulletin (Aug. 19), the Kalani High School Band -- which had been invited to play at a celebration to commemorate the 47th anniversary of statehood -- was forced to leave the event "before it started and without playing their instruments after being heckled by protesters."

These same protesters were quoted as shouting, "We have less freedom now. We had more freedom in our own kingdom."

If successfully intimidating high school students is what they mean by "freedom," they are truly despicable.

Action speaks louder than words: These bullies indelibly stained themselves (thereby exposing the fraudulent nature of their cause) with their vicious, unprovoked attack on innocent students in the name of "freedom."

Now we know real reason we're in Iraq

"We're not leaving so long as I'm the president."

That settles it. President Bush said it yesterday explicitly, clearly, unequivocally. Americans can look forward to killing and dying in Iraq for more than two more years ... no matter what.

It's nice to know that weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein, terrorists, proving our dead and wounded haven't suffered in vain -- or whatever -- are not really why we are continuing to wallow in that quagmire.

We're in Iraq and staying there because President Bush is not going to leave. It's as simple as that.

Wie needs to show maturity on the course

I'm for one not fond of Michelle Wie right now. I am getting tired of seeing the same thing over and over again each time she plays in a tournament. She starts off badly, then improves in the second and third rounds, only to choke in the final round. What makes it worse, she fires her caddie when she is to blame for her mediocre performances.

If Wie wants to do better on the LPGA tour, she needs to grow up and start showing maturity on the links. She has to improve her focus and concentration. To play professionally she will not only need the skills, but the mental ability that will carry her into greatness. Michelle has to stop trying to play with the men and focus on winning on the women's tour.

I still have hopes for Wie, and I think in a couple of years she can be one of the best female golfers the world has ever seen.