Drone strikes violate rights, U.S. interests

New reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch document how some U.S. drone strikes have killed civilians in violation of international law.

Weaponized drones have become part of a strategy to conduct war with minimal risk to American lives, but these drone strikes result in anger and retaliation, doing damage to American security in the long term. Initial drone strikes are frequently followed by strikes on those who come to the rescue; often loved ones or neighbors. Thus the presence of drones overhead terrorizes entire communities.

In accordance with Friends Peace Testimony, Honolulu Friends Meeting (Quakers) is opposed to militarized drones as we oppose all weapons of war. We call on the United Nations to ban the international use of lethal drones and to promote a just and peaceful world community based on the rule of law, with respect for the full rights and dignity of every human being.

Renie Wong Lindley
Haleiwa

Victory for people in Kauai GMO vote

Congratulations to Walter Ritte and all the Aloha ‘Aina Warriors on the island of Kauai in getting Bill 2491 to pass the County Council 6 to 1. This is a wonderful victory for the people of Kauai and I hope it sets the precedent to get disclosure across all of the islands.

It’s good that the majority of the Kauai County Council listened to the voice of the people instead of backing large business. The arguments to support GMO agribusinesses and farmers who were in bed with them always came back to "the science is sound and safe." This isn’t about science. It’s about people and the job of the elected officials is to represent the people. The people have repeatedly said that they want disclosure. It’s about time some politicians listened and did their job. Way to go, Aloha ‘Aina Warriors, in getting your voice heard and getting the Kauai County Council to listen.

I mua a e ho‘omau!

Pauline Pilialoha Yap
Kaneohe

Science has spoken: GMOs safe to eat

Genetically modified foods are safe to eat. This has been so for over 20 years. The scientific tests have been done. In all this time there has not been one documented case where a genetically modified food caused harm to the person who ate it. Internet articles can be assembled to "prove" either point of view, but the reputable scientific literature supports only one view: GM foods are safe.

Some people fear such foods. They can have their fears and phobias about hypotheticals, but they have no right to try and foist their irrational fears onto the rest of people in the state. They have no right to force the rest of us to pay higher prices for foods because farmers have to start over again with so-called "safe" foods.

Wake up, legislators and council members. Those part of this vocal minority are welcome to their opinions, but you need to represent the rest of us, basing your decision on proven scientific facts.

Frank Lutz
McCully-Moiliili

Care for mentally ill lags after 50 years

President John F. Kennedy apparently had high hopes for dramatically changing the lives of people suffering from mental illness — who, at that time, were shunted off to state mental hospitals and generally forgotten ("Aims of mental health law unfulfilled after 50 years," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 21).

Because of inadequate funding, which still exists to this day, the hope of moving ill people out of hospitals and into the community with services and treatment to be provided by community mental health centers was never fully realized.

What has evolved is the use of the streets and the jails as the primary repositories for mentally ill people. Coupled with the mindless refrain about protecting the "rights" of these ill people, our communities are left with few choices as to how to proceed.

For those who have never had to deal with a mentally ill person in the family, the entire problem becomes academic. For them there is no urgency to try to correct this terrible situation. In Hawaii, we have a long way to go to before Kennedy’s vision is realized.

Ed Sullam
Aina Haina

Tea party members taking U.S. hostage

We’re hearing "hostage taking" by tea party Republicans repeatedly these days, including the taking of their own party hostage.

At stake is the U.S. economy, the global economy and the viability of our democratic government.

Aren’t these "hostage takers," in effect, political terrorists in our very midst? What extraordinary emergency measures must be taken to counteract them? Is there room left in Guantanamo?

John Conner
Waikiki