Politics blurs deeper issue

Political shenanigans have blurred the real importance of determining responsibility involved in the Benghazi tragedy where four Americans were left unprotected during a terrorist attack.

One of the great and important traditions of this country has been that when you are in its service, you will never be deliberately abandoned or left to the enemy; we will take care of you and bring you home. It is drilled into the military and the diplomatic corps. It stands as a core of our policy and our promises to those who serve us.

In Benghazi, it appears the four were abandoned by action or inaction of those at the highest level of our government. We need to find out what occurred and take action to ensure it doesn’t happen again. That is the reason for pursuing an investigation: to reaffirm our commitment to those who serve us and to make sure such an occurrence will never happen again.

Doug Worrall
Kahuku

OHA harmed its credibility

I’m happy to read that Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees have resolved their differences with CEO Kamana‘o Crabbe, but they should have communicated in-house before airing their grievances in public.

In my eyes, it tends to undermine the public’s confidence in OHA’s leadership.

Annette Mahikoa Spinaio
Kailua

Don’t mix UH and military

I am dismayed that the University of Hawaii is considering a retired general as its next president.

A university is a civilian, not a military, institution, with a "universe" of diverse interests. The Board of Regents no doubt is thinking of military contracts and money, but that money pays only for researchers the military wants (not for fixing the perpetually leaking Hamilton Library roof).

Frank Wiercinski spoke of his "leadership style" as "consensus among leaders," but consensus among regents, chancellor and president (without students, faculty and staff) would not be enough to offset the military style of obedience.

As for prestige — as was succinctly said at anti-UARC (University Affiliated Research Center) testimony a few years ago: Did UH gain prestige when it helped develop Agent Orange? Also, a physics professor argued then that research he participated in that helped the state economically would never had happened if he’d had to act under secrecy rules that military contracts entail.

Science, and the whole university, needs openness and collaboration.

Kathy Phillips
Moiliili

Wiercinski is excellent choice

The faculty petition demeaning retired Lt. Gen. Frank Wiercinski as a candidate for the University of Hawaii presidency indicates a lack of knowledge about what it takes to reach his rank in the U.S. Army.

He had to prove himself in a very competitive environment as a leader, a visionary, a planner,an executive and a communicator.

Clearly required at UH is a leader who can pull our university, screaming and kicking, out of its financial and leadership malaise. Moreover, such a leader would permit faculty to do their job unhindered by the almost daily reports of mismanagement.

The general’s lack of advanced degrees? I maintain that his years of service in positions of growing responsibilities qualify him for advanced degrees in public administration, political science, leadership and management.

To remove Wiercinski from consideration because he is ex-military is shortsighted at best, and insulting and disrespectful at worst. The UH regents should not take that path.

Robert S. Sandla
Retired Army lieutenant colonel, Hawaii Kai

Music show was superb

It was a shame to see such a small crowd at the May 17 Combined Forces Military Band’s appreciation concert at Hawaii Theatre.

Why? Because it was not properly publicized — including changes that free tickets were available at the theater center and not at the Chamber of Commerce as before.

Each year it gets better and better. The conducting by Capt. Haley Armstrong was superb and graceful. So were the other conductors, the band manager and vocalists. Music from the Civil War and Glenn Miller — wow!

Whether you are a veteran or on active duty, attending one of these concerts makes one proud to be among those who served our country, no matter what branch of service.

I wish these concerts could occur more than just once a year.

Philip Ho
Kahala