• Why the interest in quieting the frogs • Keep it simple • Media needs to reestablish religious freedom in Iraq • Love for fellow man • Respect everyone If letters to the Forum and statements made by some politicians
• Why the interest in quieting the frogs
• Keep it simple
• Media needs to reestablish religious freedom in Iraq
• Love for fellow man
• Respect everyone
If letters to the Forum and statements made by some politicians are an accurate barometer of the community pulse, then we want anything that discourages tourists and residents from increasing traffic congestion, making our beaches and businesses more crowded, property less affordable and the spoiling of the rural lifestyle of the Garden Island.
So the arrival of coqui frogs should be a leap in the right direction and welcomed as the perfect solution.
Right? Therefore, I am confused because the politicians want to spend $290,000 of taxpayer money to eradicate the frogs because the noise they make would hurt the tourist industry, discourage people from moving here and lower the value of property. So do I welcome tourists and new residents by placing leis around their necks, or tell them “Haole, go home?”
Jack Stephens
Lihu‘e
Keep it simple
I am originally from Kaua‘i and I’m now living on O‘ahu. When I first heard Costco was coming I couldn’t believe it. I never thought Kaua‘i ever needed one. I hope to return to Kaua‘i one day to raise a family. I hope that I will still be able to buy poke from Ishihara and rubber slippers from Big Save. Bringing big box stores to Kaua‘i will kill that which makes Kaua‘i so precious, its simplicity. I am deeply saddened to hear what the future might bring.
Kyle Balauro
Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu
Media needs to reestablish religious freedom in Iraq
My mother and father were survivors of the Armenian holocaust. Dad got his United States citizenship by enlisting in the U.S. Army and fighting for 18 months in France as a machinegunner with the Lightning Division. I’m an 84-year-old Army veteran of World War II.
As bad as those wars were, we thought that we knew what we were fighting for.
The only way that the killing of Americans and Iraqis will stop is if journalists such as you concentrate on reestablishing religious freedom in Iraq with a guarantee of protection for minorities in the constitution. Condleezza Rice, on two occasions on television, said that a basic tenet of democracy is religious freedom. More recently, William Cohen, former Secretary of Defense, mentioned that the establishment of minority rights is a basic step in solving the Iraq problem.
More important, the administrative aid to Rep. Keith Ellison, in defense of Ellison’s desire to be sworn in holding the Koran, said “after all, this is a free country.”
If 150,000 U.S. troops can’t find a way to establish and protect religious freedom and minority rights in Iraq, they should be pulled out immediately in order to allow Saddam-like survival of the fittest take its course. Then there would be no guarantee against the establishment of Sharia law by the Shiites, who are the Taliban of Iraq.
Harry Boranian
Lihu‘e
Love for fellow man
I’m not writing to defend Michael Mann against the racism he has encountered on Kaua‘i. I know Michael personally, and he is an adult and self-reliant individual who doesn’t need anyone else to “come to his rescue.” And I’m sure he did not write his letter to evoke personal sympathy for himself.
Before I get to the point of my letter, though, I want to say that Michael is one of the most fascinating people I have ever met — and that covers a long life and many, many people that I have known. He has a keen intellect, with an IQ that probably surpasses 99.9 percent of the people on this island. He has wide-ranging interests and is an active participant in community life. Before I ever met him, and before I knew he was black (not that that would have mattered one iota), I was already an admirer based simply on the sensible, articulate letters he had written on a variety of subjects.
Here’s my point: I am saddened and ashamed that anyone in this place and in this day and age should have to undergo such blatant racism as described in Michael’s letter (“The gift that keeps on giving,” Letters, Dec. 12). It is especially puzzling because, as far as I can tell, there is roughly one church for every 100 people on Kaua‘i, all supposedly teaching love and tolerance and acceptance of others.
How, then, is it possible for people to grow up here and have such hatred in their hearts? Even if these particular racists are not churchgoers, surely they have had daily contact throughout their lives with those who are. Where were those adults when these racists were growing up, to say, “No, we don’t say those things,” and, “No, we don’t treat other people in hateful ways?”
To me, these are the real tests of someone’s religiosity: How do you treat other people? And what are you teaching the children? As for me, I won’t judge any of you based on where you are on Sunday morning, but rather on how you actually treat other people.
Merry Christmas to the good people.
Barbara Elmore
Lihu‘e
Respect everyone
I read with interest the letter from A.R. Hill (“More on the ‘n’ word,” Letters, Dec. 14) and think it hit the nail right on the head. I spent nearly four years in the great state of Texas serving in the United States Air Force back in the early 1980s. I was stationed in Del Rio, Texas, which is in the middle of “Nowheresville” as my first assignment. I think I was the only person of Japanese ancestry for 300 square miles. Well, it felt like it anyway. Maybe I was lucky, I don’t know. I never once had anyone military or local insult me with a racial slur. I spent my whole life growing up in Hawai‘i and this was my first experience of the Mainland. I felt very insignificant thinking I was the only Asian for miles. I once walked into a local “cowboy” bar and as I cleared the doorway everyone literally stopped in mid-conversation (just like the movies) and turned around to look at me as if I was from outer space. That was uncomfortable but my buddies assured me all was fine. I wound up meeting some of the local patrons and they were flabbergasted that I would leave paradise to join the military. I have fond memories of my four years there and I was treated with respect everywhere I went. I do agree that there are transplants who think they are a cut above the locals — I’ve met some. Just pay ’em no mind. Respect the locals? Nah. Respect everyone.
Stephen Shioi
Kapa‘a
