• Ancestor had things right • What will be your legacy? • Chickens be gone • Political cartoon show TGI bias Ancestor had things right People have asked me where I stand on this issue regarding Bill 2491, on the
• Ancestor had things right • What will be your legacy? • Chickens be gone • Political cartoon show TGI bias
Ancestor had things right
People have asked me where I stand on this issue regarding Bill 2491, on the red or the blue like there is no other option. I stand on the side of my ancestors. There was a time in the United States where people killed and stole without any fear of being prosecuted, why? Because there were no laws. No laws in their eyes meant that they weren’t breaking any. As people became more organized they understood the necessity to create laws to protect the rights of the people. There were those who welcomed law and those who resisted the creation of laws because it worked against their best interest or they felt that it did.
The passing of Bill 2491 through full council is like many laws enacted over time. There were those who felt that the law is not strong enough and those who feel that it dug into their rights to carry on as they once did. In America, there is this thing called the Declaration of Independence. This document in part reads, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Laws are what many civilized nations are based upon. It is an ever-evolving process based on the needs of a developing society. It codifies this society’s behavior and sets boundaries that limits infringement of peoples’ rights. To deny people from developing laws to protect themselves through this process is to deny that they have rights. We are no longer a lawless society, but one that has evolved both politically and intellectually.
The process that occurred in the development and passage of the bill is a lawful process that must go through its phases. In its aftermath is either jubilation or disappointment, depending on which side of the issue you stand. People shouting praises and some displaying contempt.
To claim victory with grace is as important as to lose with dignity. How one rebounds and carries themselves after it is all said and done is in the end a true testament on an individual’s disposition and moral character and not defined by the color of your shirt.
Dominic Acain
Kekaha
What will be your legacy?
If Gov. Abercrombie and a majority of the state Senate and House are intent on leaving a legacy upon termination of their incumbency, may I suggest that the bill on homosexual marriage now being considered be amended to provide identical status, rights and privileges to several other classes of people who, like the homosexuals, have long been denied the dignity and respect provided by the institution of marriage.
Since the beginning of mankind and social intercourse was being developed, acceptable and unacceptable standards of conduct began to emerge. “Right” and “wrong” conduct, morality, became established with the passage of time. Some were fine-tuned by legislation. Many remained unchanged and became part of the culture, tradition and/or custom of varying groups of people.
Homosexuality and polygamy fell into the “immoral” category and very seldom, if ever, considered for inclusion into the privileges of marriage. Age limits were established below which a child could not marry.
Justification for granting marriage to same-sex couples as expressed by a legislator quoted in The Garden Island was very simply, “I really feel equality should be for all.”
If you can accept marriage for same-sex couples who cannot perform the functions for which a male and a female were originally created for, don’t you think polygamists and a change in age would be just as deserving to be accorded the generosity of “equality for all?”
I do not, however, support the enactment of law to legalize homosexual marriage or any of the amendments mentioned. I mention them to illustrate the impossibility of, and lack of time, to fully discuss the issue of marriage as they exist and lie hidden in Pandora’s box within the time allotted for this special session.
Alfred Laureta
Kapaa
Chickens be gone
Afternoon at the cafeteria at Costco early this year happened to look around and then up and wow.
Not one chicken. They are permanently gone. They catch and release. If you want to call it that. So it’s totally doable (mokihana catches them at night).
Barbara Beissert
Kilauea
Political cartoon show TGI bias
On Monday, Oct. 28 this paper printed a cartoon at the top of the Forum page. It showed former VP Dick Cheney at a book signing, and a Tea Party member in front of him, the caption read “Dear Tea Party – Keep up the great work of denying average folks the same life-saving health care I received! Your fan, Dick.”
Apparently, this paper’s editorial staff doesn’t realize it was President Obama that gave an exemption for Congressional members and their staffs from having to comply with the Obamacare law.
The president has given a one-year waiver to “big business” (campaign contributors), a complete waiver to Congress and many other of his cronies. The individual mandate remains for the average person with no access. So much for watching out for the middle class. They just keep favoring the well connected.
Why not print an honest cartoon? Dick Cheney has been out of office for five years, and the Tea Party is not denying average folks anything. It is the president who is making the rules as he goes, favoring some, mandating others.
Michael Lyman
Lihue
