Everyone should be viewed equally ADVERTISING Everyone should be viewed equally President Wilson (who served from 1913-21) in the address to Congress on war said about the Germans within the United States, “They are, most of them, as true and
Everyone should be viewed equally
President Wilson (who served from 1913-21) in the address to Congress on war said about the Germans within the United States, “They are, most of them, as true and loyal Americans as if they had never known any other fealty or allegiance. They will be prompt to stand with us in rebuking and restraining the few who may be of a different mind or purpose” (source: San Francisco Chronicle).
Why was this same opinion not expressed during the Second World War when about 120,000 Japanese men, women and children in America were incarcerated in prison camps on the mainland and in Hawaii. Could this have resulted from differences in race and religion (source: West Hawaii Today)?
Why is this same opinion not expressed by the current Republican president? Could this also result from differences in race and religion? Are we now being taught to fear and hate “the other,” in this case, Muslims?
The First Amendment to the Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Races in Hawaii include Caucasian, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, Guamanian or Chamorro, Samoan, and Hispanic or Latino (Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban).
Might we learn to live together with harmony and peace, in our state, our country and our world?
Vivian Green
Waikoloa Village
Please fly flag correctly
As a vet, every time I go through the main intersection in Kailua-Kona I am saddened by the flag display at the Kona Coast Shopping Center, which has three flag poles near the corner of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road. They have the American flag on one end pole, the Hawaiian flag in the middle, and the flag of Kona on the other end, all at the same height. By government regulations, the American flag must fly in the center and higher than the other two.
Last week, I called the management company there to try to get it corrected. They told me that this issue has come up before and the Department of Veterans Affairs in Kailua-Kona has stated that the display is OK. I called there and yes, the gentleman I talked with insisted that the display was correct. He was insistent that Old Glory was hanging from the center pole, but just looks like it was on the end. I went back, and he is dead wrong! From every angle, Old Glory is on the end. I called the management company again and they will not return my calls.
Is there anyone here who can get this corrected? If the fellow at vet affairs wants to see a correct display, he needs to go to the entrance at the harbor right at Queen K. It is perfectly displayed there!
Also, if she is flown at night, there must be a light shining on her. Last time I went by at night, there was none. Thank you.
Jim Lomonaco
Kailua-Kona
Writer too judgmental
Vincent Regner Straun, in his long-winded letter of April 14, appears to be quite full of himself.
It seems to me that “… the people who move here, go organic, start growing their dreadlocks, farm dope quietly for medical use and barter with each other to get by” are living in harmony with the Hawaiian environment. To say “there is a (sic) unseemly atmosphere around these people …” is being quite judgmental.
I came here as a regular tourist to enjoy the Big Island and learn something. I have seen quite a few of these “wannabe Hawaiians” but I don’t care. I choose to pay high prices and high taxes, which support this liberal environment. I guess if I write this letter I am being judgmental, too.
M. R. Hansen
Kailua-Kona tourist
