Breaking the law can be patriotic

Edward Snowden did not act for profit, sex or other personal gain. Rather, he knowingly forfeited a comfortable life, with his girlfriend and a good salary, to take this huge personal, financial and legal risk. Pure principles.

The Boston Tea Party participants broke the law when they destroyed another’s property. But to avoid accountability, they disguised themselves as American Indians. These participants, along with others instigating our American Revolution, are considered patriots, but clearly violated the laws of the British Parliament to which they were subject.

Reaction to Snowden’s disclosures by President Barack Obama, our Congress and, most important, many Americans, mandate major changes. This is a clear case of fundamental public interest clearly outweighing unconstitutional government overreach.

Pardon Edward Snowden now.

George Nakamura
Mililani

NFC-AFC playoffs need a change

Isn’t the Super Bowl supposed to be the best NFC team versus the best AFC team?

Then why doesn’t the National Football League hold the NFC and AFC Championships at neutral sites? This would ensure the two best teams actually do make it to the Super Bowl.

The Seattle Seahawks needed the 12th man (their fans) and, unfortunately, even the 13th man (the refs) to beat the San Francisco 49ers.

Yes, I do understand the concept of the top-seeded team earning the right to home-field advantage, but when it comes to the championships, it really should be just team versus team — "mano a mano."

Jerry Fonacier
Mililani

Grove Farm cut into pieces

Congratulations to Steve Case again for selling a small portion of Grove Farm ("Grove Farm sells plot to Tennessee tycoon," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 15), for what some media outlets have reported could be more than the $26 million paid in 2001.

Thirteen years ago, Case, through his representatives, promised not to sell the undeveloped, historical core lands that were part of the total 22,751 acres. Verbally agreed to, but not written later into the final documents, it was mutually agreed that this was an essential precondition of the negotiations.

Six of the seven company directors subsequently emphasized this promise to the family shareholders, who owned 97 percent of the common stock at the time of sale. This promise was relied on as a primary motivator.

Fast forward to today: The size and position of this sale of these 2,750 acres means that the dismembering of Grove Farm has begun. Grove Farm is now cut into three pieces.

This sale, though, is not really a shock. Case just needs to reinvest his money.

Guy St. Clair Combs
Former director and shareholder of Grove Farms
Marathon, Texas

Obama doesn’t deserve a library

In the four years of World War II, from 1941 to 1945, countless men and women sacrificed so much for our country. The logistics, if not perfect, got the job done. We defeated two aggressive world powers — in four years.

Over five years, the Obama administration couldn’t even build a functioning website.

Obama knows nothing about Fast and Furious, Benghazi, the IRS scandal and the CIA. We have more people unemployed or on government assistance and more debt than ever. Foreign policy is questionable at best. And now, we want to build a presidential library on Oahu so he can continue this work?

Alas, a monument to failure.

Dave Verret
Mililani

Bus ads wouldn’t be so degrading

The Outdoor Circle and others are criticizing Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the city for their efforts to raise revenue and improve services by selling ad spaces on the sides of city buses.

I saw a sign on a private bus similar in size to that the city proposes, and I did not think that sign degraded the beauty of Honolulu.

Methinks the critics are too harsh and need to back off when the city is trying to improve service and save tax dollars in the process.

Roy S. Tanouye
Waipahu