• Past actions don’t justify today’s violence • Finances got dairy project through process• Burglary breaks grandmother’s heart Past actions don’t justify today’s violence In response to Ms. Xenofos’ letter, I’d like to point out that Mr. Beeksma is addressing the current horror of Islamist butchery
• Past actions don’t justify today’s violence • Finances got dairy project through process• Burglary breaks grandmother’s heart
Past actions don’t justify today’s violence
In response to Ms. Xenofos’ letter, I’d like to point out that Mr. Beeksma is addressing the current horror of Islamist butchery in the Middle East and worldwide, including the U.S.
How does her counterpoint in citing “bible-inspired” transgressors of times past help us deal with the present threat of deadly Jihadism?
Is the phrase “ … being behind the times” relevant in her case, or do we still need beware of sword-wielding knights Templar on horseback, and the pitiless grand inquisitor’s judgment of death by fire? Will the Tsar’s henchmen once again incite gentiles to attack their Jewish neighbors, or Hitler rise from the ashes tomorrow to complete his genocide?
Could she please indicate where, in the New Testament, Jesus exhorts his followers to murder unbelievers as Mr. Beeksma demonstrates the Quran does? Sure, as she implores, we who are safe for now can pray for peace, but what of the unfortunates who’ve suffered the slow agony of beheading by knife? For them, peace everlasting came sooner than expected, and I’m guessing that the last words they heard uttered from their executioner’s mouth weren’t the Lord’s prayer, but “Allah-u-Akbar!”
Steven Souza, Koloa
Finances got dairy project through process
Does anyone else have the feeling that the reason the dairy project in Mahaulepu got so far without the public scrutiny typical of Kauai’s citizenry may be due to the tremendous financial resources and backing of eBay’s Pierre Omidyar? Does anyone else fear that Omidyar’s Ulupono Initiative’s decision to scale back the first phase is just a stealth maneuver — that once the project is underway there will be less resistance to enlarging the project down the road?
I personally dealt with the stench issue in Omao (Kaneshiro pig farm) for 17 years.
Upon questioning a council member at the time, I was told “nothing we can do — grandfathered in.” So I moved to Poipu, and now looking at having to deal with cow stench? Why in blazes do they have to be near the coast, let alone near the precious Mahaulepu area? Isn’t the Hyatt enough development for Mahaulepu? And now that Hyatt is the largest Kauai employer, let’s jeopardize all that for 15 farm jobs? That is why something already has a stink behind it — the story, however buried, of how this well-funded project saw green lights before the general public had a chance to question and challenge its progress.
Steve Lauryn, Koloa
Burglary breaks grandmother’s heart
My name is Barbara Miller, born and raised in Hawaii. I’ve been on Kauai, my mother’s birthplace, for 35 years. My home was burglarized Sept. 29, 2014 between 1 and 7 p.m. while I was at work. Missing were precious heirloom Hawaiian bracelets with my grandchildren’s names on them and many other pieces of jewelry. The feeling of being violated can’t be explained unless you have been there.
The bracelets were for my mo‘opuna so they would have a piece of me when I’m gone. The monetary value is high, but the sentimental value is higher. This grandmother’s heart is broken.
I, of course, filed a police report and have emailed them and called them since the incident and they do not return my calls. I realize they have a lot to do and have to admit I’m just another statistic. But the saddest thing to admit, with the increase of home burglaries, is the innocence of our island paradise is lost.
Barbara Miller, Kapahi
