It’s time to lower the temperature on the political rhetoric.
What did you think would happen? With all the bickering and hate in civil discourse, with many Americans not accepting Donald Trump as president, it was only a matter of time before a political assassination attempt would occur.
The shooting at the GOP baseball practice is a wake-up call to what can happen and continue to happen if Americans don’t lower the political rhetoric.
Friends and family no longer speak to each other — some are calling this America’s second Civil War, although there is nothing civil about what’s happening in America. America is on its way to hell. It’s time to be one America.
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
James “Kimo” Rosen
Kapaa, Kauai
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Opponents of TMT just playing politics
What a stark contrast. On one hand, we have the return of the Hokule‘a, demonstrating to the world the amazing understanding of the heavens that the ancient Hawaiians had, making long-distance navigation possible long before Columbus. On the other hand, we have a crass political group of Hawaiians fighting against the possibility of incredible heavenly discoveries, just to grab attention for their own goals.
The opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope is strictly politics. I remember growing up on the slopes of Mauna Kea (on the Hamakua coast) during the 1940s and 1950s and hiking to the top. There was no evidence of any religious structure. Instead, all we could find was the famous adze quarry. In old Hawaii, the top of the mountain was not a temple, but an industrial site for the manufacture of their tools.
So why suddenly make the top of the mountain a special religious site? Politics. This movement has seized on a way to grab lots of press and recognition.
The fact that their mission is the opposite of what was shown by the remarkable voyage of the Hokule‘a is lost on the protesters.
Richard Frazier
Tolleson, Ariz.
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Comey’s testimony didn’t help Trump
Melvin Partido Sr. finds vindication that doesn’t exist in former FBI director James Comey’s testimony (“President shows a good side, as well,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 13).
President Donald Trump was never investigated? Trump personally wasn’t a target before he fired Comey. But Trump’s campaign was and still is, and Trump may now be a target as well.
No Trump-Russia collusion? Comey testified: “That’s a question that will be answered by the investigation, I think.”
No Trump obstruction? Comey detailed Trump’s loyalty demand and interference regarding former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Prosecution for obstruction remains the call of special counsel Robert Mueller.
Russia did not alter the election outcome? Russia failed to alter votes by hacking machines, but: “The Russians interfered in our election during the 2016 cycle. They did it with purpose. They did it with sophistication. They did it with overwhelming technical efforts. And it was an active-measures campaign driven from the top of that government. There is no fuzz on that.”
Gordon Nelson
Makiki
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State wasted money fighting travel ban
How disappointing to see state Attorney General Douglas Chin grinning for the press over his action to block implementation of the Trump administration’s travel ban, which would have little or no effect on the citizens of Hawaii (“Challenge by Hawaii is upheld by court,” Star-Advertiser, June 13).
In the same paper was the report about DNA testing of rape kits, and the launch of a rape kits website that remains way behind schedule after years of total neglect (“Rape kits website, ad delayed by months”). How many more DNA samples could have been checked already with the $100,000 used by Chin to demonstrate his loyalty to the Democratic National Committee on the national stage?
Doug Miller
Kaneohe
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Housing subsidies far too generous
Max N. Calica’s commentary on the effect of military subsidies on rents and home prices in Hawaii may sound blunt and somewhat unpatriotic, but he is correct (“Military subsidies raise cost of renting,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 13). Ask any landlord or Realtor.
Military personnel absolutely deserve every opportunity as much as anyone else. But when the market is tilted by generous taxpayer subsidies that are being abused, then something is clearly wrong. It’s time to acknowledge the elephant in the room.
Orson Moon
Aiea
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No slight intended toward Sgt. Yano
In response to Glenn C. Cordeiro’s letter (“Medal recipient Yano deserves recognition,” Star-Advertiser, June 15), I could not agree more.
The omission of Sgt. 1st Class Rodney J.T. Yano in the mayor’s Memorial Day program was completely my fault and in no way meant as a slight to him, his family and friends. His service to his fellow soldiers onboard an Army helicopter and those on the ground on Jan. 1, 1969, in Vietnam is truly amazing and worthy of the Medal of Honor.
The mistake I made in my research should in no way denigrate the gratitude and deep appreciation the mayor’s office has for our veterans, especially those who gave up all of their tomorrows so that we may continue to prosper.
Andrew Pereira
Public information officer
City and County of Honolulu
