Trump not to blame for harbor
Regarding Mr. Gaffney’s guest opinion, “State not telling whole small harbor story,” I agree with your opinion, but why are you suggesting “alternative facts” to the Trump administration? Unnecessary cheap shot.
Unlike our local Democrat politicians and appointees, President Trump is concentrating on eliminating federal government waste and exposing over intrusive government regulations and wasteful spending.
Ironically, Susanne Case, chair of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, a Democrat appointee, is, according to your opinion, obviously cooking-the-books to show a loss. I wouldn’t be surprised if this misleading report will be used to increase fees, rents and taxes on the people.
On the contrary, you see President Trump cutting costs and waste. He would be firing her and using the surplus funds to finish improving the harbor to replace the missing federal funds Hawaii received, but never spent, to improve Honokohau. Why isn’t the media investigating where the federal money went?
And, who was behind this report? Get off President Trump and focus on our local Democrat failings.
Bob Courtney
Kailua-Kona
Aloha, show courtesy on road
Opinions are like noses, most everyone has one. I had another body part in mind, but I censored myself. Rosalind Canite’s Feb. 15 opine regarding “too polite driving” is such an example.
Perhaps Ms. Canite should allow a safer interval between her and any potentially courteous driver ahead of her, especially upon approaching the very congested Route 11/Kuakini Highway/Lako Street intersection.
She wrote, “Causing an accident is not aloha.”
Nay, write I: True aloha is affection, peace, compassion, mercy and, by implication — courtesy. As our island grows even more, may we please remain courteous as well as safe?
Jack Faessler
Kailua-Kona
Tulsi proving she’s not beholden to anyone
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s Stop Arming Terrorists Act aims to stop the U.S. government from using millions of taxpayer dollars to fund groups partially supported by al-Qaeda, ISIS or others who would love to see the U.S. fail.
This does not mean she supports Syria’s Assad government and all the horrors associated with him. It means stopping U.S. involvement in the overthrow of an existing government, only to have it replaced with rebels who could be far worse, creating even worse instability in the region.
The Middle East is very much a tribal culture with hundreds of factions who are loyal to their tribe, not their nation. Democracy is not a concept any Middle Eastern country now experiences, nor is it likely to happen in the near future.
Do we never learn? The Shah of Iran and Saddam Hussein committed atrocities to their own citizens who voiced opposition, but were they worse than the governments that replaced them? Saudi Arabia commits the exact same atrocities to their own people, but we just never hear of it because they are allies. We even help train Saudi Arabia’s military.
I do not agree with Tulsi Gabbard on all issues. But I have seen her crucified in the media by both Democrats and Republicans. That alone should tell you she is not a bought and sold politician and that she makes rational decisions, issue by issue, not towing the party line. We need more politicians like her if we are ever to heal this country.
Kathleen McMillen
Kailua-Kona