Regarding Israel’s response to attacks
I am getting increasingly angered by the criticisms of Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct. 7. To her critics, Israel is the only nation in the world which must accept regular rocket attacks, invasions, mass murders and frequent suicide bomber incidents without any significant response.
Suppose that there were an extremist group in Mexico that wanted to reverse the results of the Mexican War and reclaim California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas for Mexico.
Imagine they fired thousands of rockets into Los Angeles, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Houston and other cities and sent armed terrorists into the border states to murder thousands of Americans in furtherance of their goal of reversing the Mexican Cession, which ended the Mexican War. And suppose the Mexican government took no action to stop the attacks.
What would be the U. S. response? Would our government be expected to say, “Oh my, what a shame! We’ll have to consider their grievances but take no retaliatory actions.”
Or would the U. S. send troops into Mexico to put an end to the attacks? I think we all know the answer to that question.
So, let’s stop expecting Israel to accept the wanton murder of thousands of its citizens by Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists and recognize that Israel had the same right to self-defense as every other nation in the world.
The deaths of Palestinian civilians are regrettable, to be sure. But Israel, like every other nation in the world, has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks.
Dan Lindsay Hilo
Support local construction
I am writing to express my concern and advocate for the creation of more construction opportunities in Hilo.
Our beautiful community is filled with hardworking families who deserve stable employment close to home. Increasing construction projects not only boosts our local economy but also provides much-needed jobs, allowing our residents to thrive without having to seek employment elsewhere.
By investing in local infrastructure projects, we can create a win-win situation. Not only will these initiatives improve the overall quality of life for our residents, but they will also enhance the appeal of our town for visitors, thus stimulating tourism.
Repairing and building new roads, bridges, schools and public facilities not only creates construction jobs but also ensures the safety and well-being of everyone in our community. Furthermore, beautifying our town through well-planned construction projects can enhance the local environment, making Hilo an even more attractive place to live and visit.
Additionally, supporting local construction initiatives fosters a sense of community pride and solidarity. When residents can actively participate in shaping the town they call home, it strengthens their connection to the community. This, in turn, leads to a more engaged and vibrant society, where people actively contribute to the growth and development of Hilo.
I urge our local government and private sector partners to collaborate on identifying and funding new construction projects in Hilo. By doing so, we can provide stable employment opportunities for our families, enhance the local economy, and create a better future for all residents.
Let us work together to build a stronger, more prosperous Hilo that our current and future generations can proudly call home.
Chantel Perrin
Hilo