Letters To The Editor
January 05, 2011 - MidWeek
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Del.icio.usNew perspective
I realize I am late in responding to Susan Page’s article “The Gift of Clean Drinking Water,” but over the days since I have read it, I have reflected on how helpful it has been to me.
I too have often questioned the wisdom of doing charity work for people thousands of miles away when there are those locally who also need help. But Ms. Page made it so clear:
Maybe it is not the need that is in question, but the degree of the need.
Her list of the many agencies and resources that are available to locals clearly points out the differences in the two problems. Thank you to Ms. Page for removing one question mark from my mind in such an eloquent fashion.
Karyn Abe
Makiki
No evidence
I read with interest Rick Hamada’s column about civil unions and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. While inserting irrelevant issues such as our foreign political enemies, global economies and worldwide nuclear unrest into his argument, Mr. Hamada neglected to cite even one valid reason for denying gay military the right to be themselves. I can only assume he knows of no valid reason other than bigotry, hatred or ignorance.
I do enjoy learning others’ substantiated opinions, but abhor unsubstantiated ones. The latter is simply bad journalism.
Garrett F. Saikley, M.D.
Hawaii Kai
Anti-gay baloney
In regard to Rick Hamada’s comments on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, they amount to more fearmongering, more conservative, Neanderthal anti-gay baloney.
His contention that ending the policy is a “grave mistake” has not proven true in the many other countries, including Great Britain, Canada, France, Australia and Israel, that allow gays to serve in their militaries and yet still be open about whom they love.
Mr. Hamada’s silly contention that “even the most fleeting moment of distraction” can hold great consequence could just as easily have been used to continue keeping African-Americans in separate barracks from whites and keeping women out of the military altogether.
Fortunately, our president, our new governor and a majority of the members of the U.S. Congress (including Hawaii’s entire congresssional delegation) disagree with Mr. Hamada.
Don’t underestimate what our military can handle. If they can handle the Nazis, Communists and Taliban, they can handle serving with a few gay folks.
Joseph O’Brien
Honolulu
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