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POSTED: Friday, October 24, 2008

Soldier apologizes for assault, burglaries

My name is Mark Heath and I am 21 years old. I am writing to you in regard to the University of Hawaii-Manoa burglaries and sexual assault (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 27). I am the man responsible for that and I have pleaded guilty to the charges. I believe the community deserves an apology and I would greatly appreciate it if they could hear it.

First and foremost, I understand the seriousness of the crimes that I have committed, and that there are consequences for my actions. There is no excuse for the decisions that I made and I take full responsibility.

I would first like to formally apologize from the bottom of my heart to those people and their families who were/are affected directly or indirectly by my behavior. I am sorry for the damage that I've caused in your lives. Also, I apologize to state and UH for the negative impact this has had on both. Furthermore, I apologize to the U.S. military and veterans for the extremely negative manner in which I have misrepresented the Army. This behavior has in no way been instilled in me by the Army and I am sorry for the disgrace I have been.

Palin is right about U.S. energy resources

In his letter of Oct. 20, John A. Broussard seemed to scoff at Gov. Sarah Palin for stating America is “;richly blessed”; with energy resources by pointing out that we only have 3 percent of the world's proven oil reserves. His homework comes up a little short.

The United States has 0.05 percent of the world's population. We have 3 percent of the world's natural gas reserves and 27 percent of its coal reserves. The U.S. ranks fourth in the world for known uranium (nuclear power) reserves.

The statistics side with Palin.

Let Shimabukuro keep helping West side

My wife, Carolyn, and I lived on the Waianae Coast for more than 20 years. As an activist at our state Capitol since 1980, I know state Rep. Maile Shimabukuro (Waianae/Makaha/Makua) has done a great job for us because I've worked with her on many issues facing the Waianae Coast and all Hawaii nei for the past six years.

I know for a fact when it comes to education Maile has been at the forefront. She has also done much to help to house the homeless and low income residents on the West side; has been actively involved in helping our na keiki, na kupuna, and native Hawaiians at the state Capitol and in Waianae; and has been active in helping many nonprofits in Waianae to help our kids become hardworking, productive, taxpaying citizens. I love this young lady because she has a great heart, she's sincere and she really cares about us and Waianae.

Please join Carolyn and me in voting for Maile on Election Day. After all, Maile is no ka oi, don't you agree?

'Safe Routes to School' is good for kids

Cynthia Oi's Oct. 15 column, “;Walking to school makes a return trip,”; brings up many good points about the benefits of walking and biking to school. According to the National Household Travel Survey, 48 percent of children ages 5 to 15 walked or biked to school in 1969. In 2001 the percentage dropped to just 16 percent. Reasons cited for this drop include children living farther away from school and concern for children's safety.

We can turn this trend around by supporting programs like Safe Routes to School (SR2S), which includes adults escorting children to school either on bikes or by walking. In addition, special events such as International Walk to School Day allow parents and children to experience the fun of walking or biking to school with other people in the community. This year Honolulu Waldorf School was the only school on Oahu to participate in this special day. Approximately 100 people walked or biked, skateboarded or rode scooter to school. Imagine the impact on traffic, our environment and most of all our children if all schools participated in such an event.

I encourage all parents and grandparents to start asking teachers and principals about SR2S.

Watada should restore honor in Afghanistan

Wednesday afternoon's edition of the Star-Bulletin (”;Judge rejects Watada trial”;) reminds all of the long-running saga of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle's ruling is obviously being celebrated as a victory by the Watada defense team. But from a personal commitment perspective, Watada should consider appropriate actions that demonstrate his loyalty to his country and to the Army and restore respect for himself from his comrades in arms.

When Watada concluded that Iraq was an illegal war where his actions could result in his being a party to “;war crimes,”; he took the stand to miss his unit's deployment. This remains a serious character deficiency in the minds of many in the military. Should he decide to do so, he has an opportunity to volunteer for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he earlier stated in 2005 that he would have no objection to being assigned instead of Iraq. This could serve to nullify some of his critics who accused him of being a coward. Especially since U.S. forces are now suffering more casualties in Afghanistan than in Iraq.

This could be an opportunity for Watada to demonstrate his worthiness of being an American soldier and citizen.

If it weren't for Powell, we wouldn't be in Iraq

Republican and former Secretary of State Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama was not a surprise. He is for pro-choice and a dove, both characteristics of the Democratic Party. He claims the Republican Party had become too conservative and had moved to the right more than he could see it. He sounds more like a genuine Democrat.

The Republican Party has been for traditional family values, a conservative belief since day one.

During the Gulf War, ex-Army Chief of Staff Colin Powell persuaded then-President George H.W. Bush (elder) not to pursue and capture Saddam Hussein when he and his army were fleeing from Kuwait back to Baghdad. If the allies had captured Saddam, there wouldn't have been an Iraq war today. This is the action of a “;dove”; ex-Army chief of staff.

Kauai plumber casts vote for the future

I'm a plumbing contractor on Kauai. I have reflected on all aspects of the election throughout the political season up to now with less than two weeks until the election.

For more than 30 years I have voted Republican, but now I have already voted for Barack Obama by absentee ballot. You know why? It's because Obama represents my hopes for the future in areas like “;going green”; and reaching energy independence from oil. I believe Barack has the ability to lead us into more secure economic times and that he will achieve for us better standing in the world. My confidence in our future when Barack is elected has lead me, a plumbing contractor, to give all my plumbers raises, along with encouragement that we have new opportunities ahead of us.

I'm leaving this week for the mainland to attend meetings that will result in bringing new technologies in solar, wind, hydrogen, water purification and other areas back to Kauai. I intend to expand my business in these “;green”; technologies with the great crew we have. I'm thankful for the inspiration.

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