• Kaipo Asing in the daylight • Together, we can solve the drug problem • We should care why about 2 journalists? • Leave us alone, annoying activists Kaipo Asing in the daylight Mr. Bynum and Ms. Kawahara, I applaud
• Kaipo Asing in the daylight
• Together, we can solve the drug problem
• We should care why about 2 journalists?
• Leave us alone, annoying activists
Kaipo Asing in the daylight
Mr. Bynum and Ms. Kawahara, I applaud your efforts to expose to all Kauaians the serious issues within the Kaua‘i County Council. (“Government transparency at Kaua‘i County Council,” Guest Viewpoints, June 7)
Several weeks ago, I wrote a letter to the County Council, the planning director, the mayor, the county attorney and five additional Kaua‘i government leaders in regards to the temporary vacation rental ordinance and the lack of an appeals process of any kind available to those who were denied permits.
Having not received even one response, and after reading your messages, I came to realize that it is quite likely that each and every one of those letters has been pigeon-holed by Mr. Nakamura, Mr. Heu and others of their ilk who have apparently appointed themselves as the gatekeepers of any communication from the people of Kaua‘i to their elected representatives.
Probably two of the best descriptions of the current situation in the County Council evokes the words of Lord Acton in 1887:
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”
And of the Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1770:
“Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.”
Let’s all hope that the power in the County Council chair, as well as all the other agencies where power is abused, gets shut off before the people of Kaua‘i fall into a total blackout.
Thanks to you both for your efforts on behalf of the people of Kaua‘i.
Tim Krouse, Kalaheo
Together, we can solve the drug problem
Police chief Daryl Perry wrote: “…we do need to reassess our long-term strategic plan and lean more toward a holistic approach” in response to commentary, statements, and opinions relating to the war and drugs. (“On the Beat No. 29,” The Garden Island, June 7)
Bravo! This, essentially, is what needs to be done. We should not waste our time trying to “prove or disprove” conflicting points of view. Nor should we lump all substances we label as “illegal drugs” into a “one-size-fits-all” manner and style of doling out penalties and punishment.
As has been pointed out, prohibition of a substance has only led to the quest to obtain it. Also, the mixed messages that are being sent out in approving and allowing what we can lawfully ingest leads to confusion.
It is in the process of collectively participating along with the police department to reassess and adopt a long-term strategic plan to create and support a holistic approach in dealing with substance abuse.
This kuleana is firmly placed on the shoulders of each and everyone of us.
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
We should care why about 2 journalists?
So let’s see: Two members of the press (Laura Ling and Euna Lee) illegally entered North Korea, were arrested, and have been sentenced to spend time in jail. Why should we care?
Oh, that’s right, these “above everyone’s laws” members of the press entered North Korea illegally as employees of Al Gore’s San Francisco TV station. Oh, now I understand!
We should thank Gore for putting the U.S. in an almost impossible position since, as international diplomacy experts state, the U.S. can now be blackmailed by North Korea as the U.S. spends lots of time and our money negotiating for the release of these two press and Gore representatives.
What is wrong here?
Vince Jones, Koloa
Leave us alone, annoying activists
I define “activist” as someone with a minority viewpoint who is convinced they know better than the rest of us. They often seek to “educate” the majority, but find it hard to keep their contempt for us from showing.
This can make their propaganda very annoying. Lately, activists have been educating us regarding the County Council chair and council procedure. They use sarcastic titles or just the chairman’s first or last name while using the full name of a council member they may support at this moment.
Fellow activists love the shared contempt and will send their compliments. Everyone else will be turned off by such petty disrespect.
So activists, if you just want backslaps from your cheerleaders, then keep up the good work. If you actually want to make a difference, then stop being so annoying.
Pete Antonson, Kalaheo
