Tweeting fool
Tweeting fool
Some patriotic person on the White House staff ought to cancel the president’s Twitter account.
The boy is making a fool of himself.
Lynne Farr
Mountain View
Arrogant Army
As one of the protesters outside the gate during the groundbreaking ceremony at Pohakuloa Training Area on June 28, I can assure you there were well more than a dozen of us.
Having a groundbreaking for a sanitary upgrade that should have happened decades ago is like congratulating yourself for being able to buckle your seat belt.
The Environmental Protection Agency has been trying to get Hawaii to make necessary improvements to its sanitation systems and regulations for decades, but the U.S. Army chose to wait until it was fined to comply, instead of showing leadership and making the first move.
It is my understanding also that the Army is actively resisting the state of Hawaii Historic Preservation Division’s request to accept the historical classification of the catonment area, despite its beginnings that go back to the territorial era and other circumstances beyond its age.
This arrogant behavior just strikes the surface of why the Army is a bad neighbor. When Harry Kim speaks of pilau, does he ever consider the massive contamination the Army will leave behind for his children’s children in the impact area?
The expense of flying soldiers to locations in the continental U.S. is not as great as damage being inflicted on Hawaii’s fragile volcanic landscape.
Geoffrey Shaw
Keaau
Land of aloha
In its commitment to adhere to the Paris climate accord through its own laws, gentle Hawaii stepped forward with dignity and grace to momentarily fill America’s leadership vacuum. I am grateful for Hawaii’s willingness to act on values of which other states yet dream.
It comes as no surprise to me after spending a month on the Big Island and experiencing firsthand the warmth and compassion of Hawaii residents.
As a researcher and scholar, I conducted a study of the hijab, wearing it for two years in order to understand the phenomenon of the veil and the perspective of women who wear it. I covered my head and traveled throughout the Middle East, Europe — both east and west, Central Asia and the United States.
Nowhere in Europe or the continental U.S. did I escape misjudgment, intolerance or isolation. I faced alienation even among my own family who knew I was conducting a study.
It was only in Hawaii that I was accepted just as I was.
As a researcher, I tried to push the limits, but Hawaii residents were so accommodating to me as a guest that it became a challenge to find any.
No one stared, glared or scoffed at me in any situation I placed myself into.
The only bump in my road came at the Hilo International Airport, where I refused to remove my hijab for TSA. No problem — the TSA agent politely guided me aside and gently ran her hands over my head, and when no bomb was found, smiled and wished me a good flight. It was.
The only drawback to my time in Hawaii was having to leave.
Hazel Denhart
Seattle