Letters for Thursday, December 14, 2006

• On Koke‘e improvements

• Let’s protect the future

• More on Darfur

• More on the ‘n’ word

On Koke‘e improvements

Reading about proposed “improvements” at Koke‘e caused me great concern. As a frequent traveler, visiting Kaua‘i regularly, when I visit Koke‘e it is because of the natural state.

How can anyone feel they can “improve” on nature’s most beautiful sights and sounds? As a differently abled woman, I rent a car and drive myself to the areas of Kaua‘i I wish to visit. I do not need special parking; I always bring my Florida handicap driver’s placard with me anywhere I travel. I bring water and snacks, which I purchase outside Koke‘e. I do not want to see concession stands at the lookouts. I cannot imagine tour buses stopping at Koke‘e.

Kauaians: Keep fighting the good fight.

St. Petersburg, Fla.

Let’s protect the future

We do not need a Supercenter to have low prices. Wal-Mart is known to lower prices and then lower them some more, even taking a temporary loss, in the long-term plan of putting others out of business. So while we may get low prices for a short period, it is all part of the world’s largest corporations, bigger money-making plan. Wal-Mart lowers prices for a reason — because when there is no competition, they can charge whatever they like. They make back any losses and then some. All you need to do is ask someone who lives in a Supercenter town to know that this is not a company that cares about anyone but its shareholders. They care about the community when they need something from the community.

Who’s going to pay for the roads and upkeep when Wal-Mart expands? While Wal-Mart is making a billion dollars a day, they are taking advantage of local communities and the government to take care of their cost of business. Taxes pay for the roads and the maintenance. Taxes pay for the healthcare and welfare supplements that its employees frequently need to make ends meet. Taxpayers pay for Wal-Mart’s everyday low prices. Remember when you are shopping that everything you buy is subsidized by taxpayers, and Wal-Mart is the only winner.

Wal-Mart Supercenters are 195,000 to 265,000 square feet. That’s larger than four football fields. We may be a small island, but we are not wet behind the ears. If we don’t plan right for our future before it is too late, you can be sure Wal-Mart and the other developers will take full advantage. Kaua‘i is a small island — we need to protect the future of our community. This country we live in was built and started by small businesses and they are the “key to the community.”

Kapa‘a

More on Darfur

Dear Ada Koene and the United Nations: “Thank you for caring, and thanks for the thoughtful response to my letter re: Darfur.” (“No troops for U.S., Darfur,” Letters, Dec. 13)

Let me respond to your comments.

First, the title of “Looking for peace in all the wrong places” was not mine. It was added by someone in the newspaper.

I never implied nor do I advocate sending troops to Darfur. I believe that would simply create another opportunity for terrorism to fester and to promote hate for us, as it has in Iraq.

I do advocate sending aid to the victims. I advocate stronger, more needed publicity on the situation there.

I was in Vietnam. I saw the war and its victims. I heard the propaganda and “reasons” for our being there. I also heard of the slaughters that were done by local groups seeking power. Just like in Iraq.

I have no answer for these consequences of war. Except that we need to be more careful, more thoughtful where, when and why we sacrifice our brave, willing, volunteer men and women.

We need to think of the consequences of overthrowing a dictatorial regime. Ian Bremmer, in his book, “The J Curve,” has an interesting explanation of this.

I am not convinced that we needed to enter the war in Vietnam, and I am in my own mind totally convinced that we did not need to go to Iraq. Perhaps if we can refrain from being so ready to go to war we can eliminate some of the killing — both ours and theirs.

As to Darfur, my advocacy and concern is for the victims. I am not for sending troops to create another Iraq. Neither am I am concerned whether the victims are Christian or Arab.

I am concerned that on the world stage, they are being ignored, starved and raped.

I am saying that rather than spend money to prop up the war profiteers and creating victims, let’s just help the victims.

There are many aid organizations that can use the money and provide the help.

You say, “When our troops ultimately leave Iraq a free nation” … With all due respect, I do not believe that will happen, nor do I see any evidence that we will create a “free nation.”

I am sorry to say when we leave Iraq, I believe we will leave a dangerously unstable, probably terrorist-fostering civil war, and try to call it a victory.

However, I would remind you that our war in Iraq, the war we had to enter due to not being able to find those weapons of mass destruction, will and has killed as many valiant and brave U.S. citizens as did the 9/11 murders, and many more Iraqis and other citizens of the area.

And strangely enough, many of the terrorists of the 9/11 murders are still at large and growing in strength.

I heartily endorse your thoughts on the United Nations. Let’s use our power to urge more aid for the hungry, medicine for the sick and moral support and diplomacy for ending the battles, both there and anywhere else around the world.

Again, I thank you for your thoughts and welcome your urging the UN to become effective.

Hanalei

More on the ‘n’ word

I share Mr. Mann’s (“The gift that keeps on giving,” Letters, Dec. 12) concern over the most recent incident of racial degradation he witnessed. I too have noticed an increasing sense of tension between “locals” and “outsiders.”

I suspect that the locals who have relocated to the Mainland would be appalled and outraged if they were treated in this discourteous manner.

I continue to see signs indicating “respect the locals.” How about we all just respect each other, regardless of our skin color or ethnicity.

The spirit of “aloha” is why we live here.

Kapa‘a