Vision through the storm
The seas seemed to grow more violent by the minute, and a storm raged outside that seemed insurmountable. The young man at the wheel, after days of this turmoil, was growing weary, and in his weariness began to question if the ship would make it through the night. He also began to doubt his own abilities to steer the craft safely through the storm.
“Captain, I don’t think I have the power to make it through this!” The young man said. The voice of the captain then came to him, “Son, if you give up and let go of the wheel, then the ship will surely fail. I put you in charge because you have the ability to reach inside of yourself and bring forth the extra power that lies there, the light that can never be extinguished. Don’t lose faith, and you will survive!”
At that moment, the sailor’s grip became stronger on the helm. He looked out at the next swell approaching, and knew he would ride safely over the top. He did this again and again, until gradually the seas subsided, and the vessel rode smoothly on the surface of the sea. As the first light appeared upon the horizon, the deckhand appeared with a steaming cup of coffee and said, “We knew you could guide us through this, skipper — we were never afraid.” The helmsman looked around and realized that indeed he was the captain of the vessel.
To look outside at this moment in time, it seems that our country faces insurmountable seas, being weathered by our own families, our own “individual ships.” Never forget your ability to reach inside for those remaining ounces of strength, and trust in yourselves in such times as these. This may very well be the difference in surviving what’s ahead. Don’t underestimate your own power. The storm will not last forever.
Steve Sudela
Kailua-Kona
Thanks for coverage
Mahalo for your expanded coverage of the Independence Day Parade, the fireworks, and mahalo for the ads, the photos, and of course, the wonderful article about our grand marshals. Wonderful teamwork for a wonderful community Fourth of July event.
Mahalo.
Cliff Kopp
Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association chair
Blame Obama, not gun lobby
The political cartoon by Jimmy Margulies you printed in your publication on June 24 was not only evidence of his ignorance of ISIS, but the leftist leanings of your paper. Blaming the “gun lobby” for ISIS is not only ignorant, but inflammatory and irresponsible. How can he seriously try to blame the American gun lobby (obviously referring to the NRA) for the increase in power and violence by ISIS? Is he trying to accuse the gun lobby of supplying ISIS with their weapons?
In December of 2015, CNN reported that ISIS was armed with “U.S. made weapons.” Now, where do you suppose they obtained those weapons? Bubba’s Gun and Tackle Shop? The local gun show in West Texas? Nope, according to the report by CNN, ISIS obtained them from Iraqi forces and Syrian forces. And who sent weapons to Iraq and Syria?
Well, in October of 2015, CNN reported “U.S. military cargo planes gave 50 tons of ammunition to rebel groups overnight in northern Syria, using an air drop of 112 pallets as the first step in the Obama Administration’s urgent effort to find new ways to support those groups.” The problem is that those same “rebels” betrayed us and started joining ISIS as early as March of 2015, as reported by The Daily Beast.
So, if Mr. Margulies were honest and informed, his little cartoon would have the name “Barack Obama” written on the dollar sign/letter S’s instead of “Gun Lobby.”
But then again, when has any liberal ever bothered themselves with the truth?
Shawn Lathrop
Waikoloa