Letter short on facts, heavy on fear
Letter short on facts, heavy on fear
This is in response to Ella Rodriquez letter of March 29.
Germany is one of the 28 countries that belong to the European Union. Belonging to the EU means, among other things, that the borders of the countries are open and people can travel in and out of the countries at all times. Therefore, all these countries now have refugees from war torn countries and most are overwhelmed trying to accommodate and integrate them.
Yes, they have to spend a lot of money doing that, but that’s what humanitarian aid is all about. As for the claims she makes about German homeless/health problems and lacking education — they are ridiculous. Germany takes care of the homeless, socialized medicine takes care of all and they have some of the best education in the world.
In all countries there will always be criminals, rapes, murders and assaults without definition of race, nationality or religion, and to blame Merkel for them is ridiculous. Unfortunately, because there are hundreds of thousands of refugees there is little time for extensive vetting and there will always be some bad apples getting through one way or another.
The influx of refugees in the U.S. is totally different. Vetting takes about two years without guarantees of being accepted. The San Bernardino attack was by an American-born citizen. Most of the other attacks are by homegrown terrorists (not just here, also in Germany, England, Sweden and other European countries) just as the American neo-nazis have attacked Jewish cemeteries, businesses, mosques and temples.
Interestingly it was Muslims that repaired a destroyed Jewish cemetery! In the U.S. radical Islam promotion happens in some colleges, and prisons create many Islam converts. There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. There are generations of peaceful Muslims living in most of the states (including Hawaii). In Hawaii there is no room for racism or religious persecution and we want to keep it that way, Ms.Rodriquez. Check facts so you can understand the politics of other countries better.
Christa Wagner
Kailua-Kona
Hilo column a true tribute
It was refreshing to read Dennis Gregory’s Hilo column in Thursday’s WHT, April 6, page 4A. I think he reflected upon many of the things that born-on-the-Big Islanders cherish about our island.
I’m still taken aback when I hear some transplants and malihini say they won’t or haven’t visited Hilo “because it rains all the time.” Of course, it doesn’t. For those who grew up on the Big Island, Hilo is us, as is Pahala, Olaa, Ninole, Wailea, and all of the other wonderful places we call home.
Mahalo for sharing your poignant memories of our “one-horse town” called Hilo.
Likeke Bumanglag
Kailua-Kona