Diamond illuminated civil rights debate

Thank you for the article, “;Civil behavior,”; by Milton Diamond (Star-Bulletin, March 1). What a joy to read such a thorough and eloquent discussion of civil and human rights and the need to practice Hawaii's long tradition of tolerance.

How sad it is to see so much energy and fervor fueled by hate in order to deny a minority of citizens the civil rights to which they are entitled—rights that affect the demonstrators in no way whatsoever and impact their lives not a whit. They gain nothing.

But what a great force for change if these groups followed Jesus' code of love, and that energy and fervor were focused on solving problems that affect the whole community: hunger, poverty, homeless, domestic abuse, drugs and on and on.

What a better and beautiful world it could be if people were willing to open their minds and allowed themselves to learn.

Nash does good job with limited resources

I am strongly in favor of keeping UH men's basketball coach Bob Nash and his staff at least through the 2009-10 season (Star-Bulletin, Dave Reardon column, March 8).

Given the lateness of Nash's hiring by Herman Frazier and the subsequent group of players with which Nash and his staff have had to work, they have done a sound job with the team these past two seasons. As one would expect, the late hiring lowered the odds of obtaining a strong recruiting class. After Nash was finally hired, he and his staff put together what can be regarded at best as a “;so-so”; group of recruits. A concrete example of the handicap was the decision by a prized big man, who had listed UH as his first choice, to sign with another school because the new UH coach had not yet been named.

The addition of Roderick Flemings and coach Larry Farmer have certainly bolstered the development of the program, but the team is still short on quality Division I starting players. With just two scholarships to give, the team's recruiting possibilities for next year seem limited through two good recruits and the continuing improvement of current players like Kareem Nitoto could well lead to a significantly stronger 2009-10 edition of UH men's basketball.

Ferry ruling served special interests

Gov. Linda Lingle, a high-ranking representative of the state of Hawaii, informed the Hawaii Superferry businessmen that no environmental impact statement was necessary. State lawmakers even crafted a new law specifically for this much-needed service. Now, in a perhaps strategically delayed ruling, the Hawaii Supreme Court has decided against the Superferry. Against its hundreds of employees. Against thousands of citizens and hundreds of local businesses that have found the Superferry to be the answer to many problems.

All of this apparently over construction of a dock?

One has to wonder whose interests are being served by these judges. The airlines? Shipping companies? Certainly not the people of Hawaii.

The Superferry invested millions in good faith taking the state's word that no EIS was necessary. Now the state has changed its mind. Yet the judges feel justified in granting no leniency or accommodation.

The only mistake Superferry made was trusting Hawaii's representatives and lawmakers. Trusting that Hawaii was more than a banana republic.

Sadly, when Superferry sues to recover its lost millions, those lawmakers won't be the ones paying.

Something is very wrong in Hawaii. And our future is being foreclosed by special interests.

Who's responsible for sinking of Superferry?

Who is to be “;thanked for the sinking of the latest attempt at a long overdue interisland ferry? Young Brothers? Hawaiian Airlines? The car rental companies? The Stone Age Alliance? Is anyone trying to find out? Is it possible to find out?

Hateful rhetoric deepens nation's divide

How sad that people like Rush Limbaugh still exist. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and believe Limbaugh should have his say.

However, his one-sided, pompous, self-serving rhetoric is painful to hear. He is just one of the many petty voices that prevent us from becoming united as a nation. Again ... how sad.

Fairness on airwaves will improve America

Regarding the AIG situation and the bonuses: I propose a retroactive 100 percent Obama tax on all AIG bonuses before the tax dollars used to fund this scam become a different kind of AIG—America's Income Gone.

The Republicans who promoted the failed policies of George W. Bush that brought us two failed wars and the stunning current financial crisis are now attempting to blame Barack Obama for this mess and are condemning his plans to correct the situation.

The president needs to stop the lies coming from the old Bush guard that continue using public airwaves to distort the facts in attempts to scuttle any chance at success that President Obama has. Millions of Americans think they are getting the truth when listening or viewing only one broadcast source. The return of the “;Fairness Doctrine,”; eliminated during the Reagan years to promote Republican propaganda, will provide citizens the opportunity to hear both opposing and supporting sides of major issues and allow them to make informed decisions to improve America.