Letters for June 29, 2015

Letters for June 29, 2015

And justice for all

In a ruling that is the Supreme Court’s most important expansion of marriage rights in the United States since its landmark 1967 ruling in the interracial marriage case Loving v. Virginia, the court has struck down state laws barring same-sex marriages.

The Supreme Court ruling that the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry is an historic victory not only for gay and lesbian Americans but for all Americans who cherish equality, liberty and justice for all.

Reassuringly, this ruling bears witness that “equal justice under law” — words that are etched into stone on the front of the Supreme Court — has at long last triumphed over discrimination and inequity.

With the landmark ruling, same-sex marriage now becomes legal in all 50 states. My guess is we’ll get used to it in no time.

Michael Ra Bouchard, Ph.D.

Pahoa, Hawaii

Please clean up statue plaque

My wife Lupita and I are visiting Kauai, the island of my birth, and saw the Jose Rizal statue on the lawn of the county building. We recognized his face from the car but wanted to make sure so we stopped. But when I tried to read the name on the plaque, I could barely make out the letters. Is there someone who could clean it, polish it or otherwise spruce it up? And the statue too?

My wife is from a prominent Filipino family (Aquino) and is honored that the Philippines’ national hero is so prominently displayed on Kauai. It would be so much more meaningful if everyone could know exactly whom we’re honoring.

Ken Kashiwahara

Millbrae, California

Barking dog law unnecessary

I totally agree with the County Council’s proposal to repeal the barking dog ordinance. The barking dogs are only inherently responding to encroaching feral or neighbor released house cats, stray dogs and our beloved wild chickens, or a would-be burglar or unannounced stranger.

I have personally encountered many of these, for which I “love” my barking dog.

Clarence Estes

Waimea