It’s a generalization to blame all Muslims
The letter from James Roller, "ISIS a real threat to United States," Sept. 17, Star-Advertiser) reminds me of how carefully we need to use language.
I agree that ISIS (the Islamic State) is a threat, and exactly how it might affect the United States is a question.
However, my primary concern is Roller’s phrase, "the enemy is Islamic."
Islam is a religion of peace. While the ISIS terrorists might be identified with a zealous fringe of Islamic culture, their philosophy and mission have no connection with Islam.
I’m very concerned that this misuse of language will encourage a misunderstanding of Islam in the same way that I, as a Christian minister, am often deeply disturbed by the violence done in the name of God.
Religious extremists rarely, if ever, follow the primary teachings of their faith.
Language is inexact and we need to talk in depth in order to avoid misunderstanding.
The Rev. John Heidel
United Church of Christ minister Kailua
It’s up to HPD now to enforce ‘sit-lie’ laws
With much anticipation, tourists and locals alike who visit and reside in Waikiki can finally rejoice at the signing of Bills 42 and 43 by Mayor Kirk Caldwell ("Sidewalk crackdown may expand on Oahu," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 17).
This drives Waikiki back to being an ultimate visitation destination and place to live where all can feel safe and enjoy its overwhelming beauty.
It is the hope of the community that the Honolulu Police Department will be on board and support this measure to make it effective.
Michael Springhetti
Waikiki
Some homeless will choose jail gladly
Homelessness is an extremely knotty social problem that affects the quality of life in our community. There are no easy solutions.
Mayor Kirk Caldwell has signed several bills that will make it illegal to sit or lie on sidewalks and to urinate in public. Violators will face a fine of $1,000 and up to one month in jail.
What will now happen is that Honolulu police officers will have their hands full enforcing these laws, and a large number of homeless people will utilize the law to their advantage by simply violating the laws, getting arrested, and spending up to 30 days in jail, which is tantamount to a one-month vacation, with meals, in our already crammed prisons.
The cycle will no doubt be repeated.
Perhaps our politicians should focus on building homeless shelters and/or providing affordable housing to people who have found themselves without homes of their own.
Tony Gonzalez
Makaha
Maui farmers at risk by anti-GMO initiative
It is not true, as some claim, that no GMO (genetically modified organism) crops are grown on Maui.
Actually, local Maui farmers grow GMO corn, squash and Rainbow papaya.
The initiative on the November ballot claims to be a temporary moratorium, but it is an immediate and permanent farming ban. Large and small farms on Maui, Molokai and Lanai would be shut down — even small backyard gardens — and the regulatory hurdles in the initiative are contrived to make it impossible to reopen farms.
The ban includes fines for farmers of up to $50,000 and 600 jobs would be lost.
Equally dangerous is the harm that would come to farmers who safely apply pesticides to protect their crops. The uncertainty of what would be allowed and what would be banned is causing increasing concern among Maui’s farmers, who are worried about their ability to continue farming.
I urge Maui residents to vote no on this harmful, deceptive and costly farming ban initiative.
James "Kimo" Falconer
President and owner, Maui Grown Coffee
GMO labeling really a matter of trust
I want to know how and where my food is grown. Period.
Whether it is a biotech/GMO product or organic, I want to know. If it has been sprayed with a pesticide or herbicide, I want to know. If it has been doused in growth hormones, food coloring, additives or arsenic, I want to know. When the drinking water is contaminated with toxic chemicals and heavy metals, I want to know.
As a consumer, I no longer trust the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, scientists or legislators.
Monsanto tells us that their local GMO crops are safe for human consumption and won’t degrade the island water sources or existing agriculture. They should prove it and put a label on it.
Karyn Herrmann
Hawaii Kai
FROM THE FORUM
"Boy band’s bringing show, show’s bringing business," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 15:
» If they started in 1999, they’re no longer boys but old futs.
» For $165.50, I’ll pass.
» Me too! No show is worth that much for me.
» It’s a small venue and the amount they can get in ticket sales compared to how much it costs to bring a world-class show here doesn’t work well. Consider it a gift when a good act comes here.
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"Hawaii air crews join anti-ISIS attack effort," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16:
» Now Obama wants to put thousands of troops on the ground there as "advisers." When will we learn? The Arab states won’t commit to troops but Obama will. This is a nightmare.
» While most of the posters in here argue the merits of getting in or staying out, I want to offer my best wishes to those going. Take great care, folks. Come back safe.
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"Hawaii makes the cut for Obama Presidential Library," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16:
» Do we really need a $500 million library to honor him?
» Instead of a presidential library, how about a golf course?
» The library should be built at UH-West Oahu. That way tourists will use the train to visit it.
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"Hawaii Kai midrise planned," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16:
» There goes the neighborhood.
» Many have tried to build there. Many have failed. The PR baloney issued by Avalon Group won’t withstand scrutiny. Expect major resistance by a group of folks who know how to fight within the system and have the resources to fight hard.
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"‘Everyone will feel the pain’," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 17:
» Cutting special education funds will only wind up with the state facing another Felix lawsuit. Then the taxpayers will be paying more. There are so many other ways to save money than to cut special education funds.
» There is just too much fat at the Department of Education. Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and her crew all need to go and not be replaced. There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
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"Sidewalk crackdown may expand on Oahu," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 17:
» Thank you, Mayor Kirk Caldwell, for finally directly addressing the homeless problem that has negatively hurt our tourist industry and kamaaina like me trying to enjoy Waikiki.
» The bill does not make it a crime to be homeless. It makes it a crime to lay yourself and your property anywhere you please, or to relieve yourself anywhere you please. Public sidewalks are for the public to walk on. The bill should cover the entire state, instead of just certain districts. Lying or camping on any public right of way should be illegal.
» Keep an eye out in your neighborhood. As the homeless move out of Waikiki, they will make their way into surrounding neighborhoods.
» Maybe this law will prompt folks from the mainland to think twice about coming here and living for free in Waikiki.
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"Fence fight," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 18:
» This sickens me on so many levels, not because of the homeowners, but the politicians who simply do nothing to mitigate the situation. Where is the collaboration between state and city transpor- tation departments? They don’t do anything because they don’t live the pain.
» Carve out a space for the tourists to park.
» The visitor feeling of entitlement is way out of control; there seems to be a perception that the entire state of Hawaii is a big theme park, and they can go anywhere and do anything they like. I hope these homeowners get the government support they need to stand up for their rights.
» Well, this "sense of entitlement" is the direct result of the Hawaii Tourism Authority feeding that rhetoric to any visitor who comes here. It sucks.
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"UH-Manoa Faculty Senate censures new president," Star-Advertiser, Sept.18:
» As president of the university, David Lassner doesn’t need the permission of the faculty and students to fire an administrator. All this is about is the faculty and students having their feelings hurt that Chancellor Tom Apple was fired without them being consulted or having a chance to oppose it.
» Eh! He’s the boss. He has the backbone to call the shots, something that is lacking at UH.
» How long before Lassner is fired?
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