Valenzuela right about GM crops
Bravo to Hector Valenzuela for so courageously, cogently and authoritatively describing in commentary the dangers of geneticlly modified crops and the nefarious intent of the agro-chemical industry to prevent their regulation ("Controversy about GM Crops has a silver lining," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, July 3).
In chilling detail, he lists the considerable health and environmental risks that GMOs present to the public. I agree with him that the "silver lining" is a more informed consumer making healthier, toxic-free food choices, thereby putting pressure on agribusiness to change.
However, while waiting for market forces to work their magic, we must continue to push for GMO labeling at the state and federal levels and refuse to allow Hawaiian home lands to be used for crop experimentation. Before it’s too late, let’s protect the aina, our watershed and the future of our and our keiki’s health.
Libby Yee
Manoa
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Waikiki didn’t fly flag on Fourth
What is wrong with Hawaii? It was Independence Day, the Fourth of July, and in walking through Waikiki I saw absolutely no sign of flags, no signs of red, white and blue, no signage, no nothing. We are the 50th state, the newest state admitted to the United States. For that reason alone, we should be exuding patriotism.
We get mileage off the word "aloha," as we have ownership of the word. We certainly have no hold on the display of aloha. Let’s get with it, Hawaii! Display our nation’s flag, as well as the Hawaiian flag. How long will it take us to become part of the United States in spirit, as well as in name?
Karyn Abe
Makiki
UH should stop unruly behavior
I would like to comment on Ben Jay’s pledge to come out "with some pretty aggressive ticket plans" to increase attendance, mainly for football ("Attendance declines catch Jay’s attention," Star-Advertiser, July 3).
Maybe he should work with the stadium authorities to remove people who are clearly intoxicated, vomiting (multiple times) and being loud and unruly. Isn’t there a law regarding public intoxication? These individuals’ actions are not appropriate and I do not like exposing my young children to these disturbing scenes.
This may be one of many reasons families choose to stay home. It’s safer and smells a whole lot better.
Steve McCravey
Wahiawa
Tea party trolls wrong about IRS
In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by trying to start arguments and upset people. The tea party trolls wanted us to believe that the Internal Revenue Service was singling out their groups for special scrutiny when they applied for not-for-profit status.
They succeeded. The leadership of the IRS was replaced, hours of valuable congressional time was wasted, and the president was distracted and damaged — all while more important issues went unattended. But now, as reported in The and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ("IRS scrutiny singles out more than conservatives," July 5), we learn that the IRS staff was just doing its job. Many organizations other than conservative groups were heavily scrutinized: "progressive" organizations, medical marijuana purveyors, and even organizations formed to carry out the new health care law.
Intelligent people learn to ignore trolls. Now that the smell of the burning martyr has cleared the air, let’s get back to more important business.
James B. Young
St. Louis Heights
Ignore voices of Fox News
A recent letter by Robert Hatakeyama praised Fox News ("Liberal news media ignoring scandals," Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 4). The good man may want to hear about a recent bumper sticker I saw: "If you hear crazy voices, shut off Fox News."
Gerhard C. Hamm
Waialae Iki