The Garden Island
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• Suicide or redemption? • Obama doesn’t walk on water • Great news? • Morgan’s Ponds • Someone is stealing my signs

Suicide or redemption?

“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”

— Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931

Dear Dr. Rogers, your insight may soon become prophecy. This nation is about to experience what maybe the most momentous election in its history. National survival may very well be at stake.

Will it be suicide or will it be redemption? In a few short weeks we will know.

Russell Boyer

Hanalei

 

Obama doesn’t walk on water

On Oct. 9, this paper printed a column from Kimo Rosen, a regular on this forum. He seems to think that the president threw the debate on purpose.

I have a completely different view. I believe the president was overwhelmed by a person going after his lackluster presidency. Romney stood up to him, and threw his record back on his face, and the president didn’t know how to respond.

I believe the reason is that the mainstream media has been coddling Obama ever since he announced for office in 2008. They have protected him. Also the president thinks it is more important to be “eye candy” on The View show than to prepare for the debate, or more importantly, find out what happened in Benghazi, Libya.

Mr. Rosen also mentioned Romney’s lies. OK, what about Obama’s lies, like saying Romney wants to raise taxes on the middle class? He never said such a thing.

We found out that when Obama is off teleprompter, he is not all that great. He is a good speaker, but the news media may now have to admit, he doesn’t walk on water. Our news media needs to start doing their job.

 

Mike Lyman

Lihu‘e

 

Great news?

I recently read a story on the new biomass plant near Koloa. What I didn’t read was anything about the smoke that will be blanketing the south side of Kaua‘i.

It is proven fact that wood smoke has well over 100 cancer causing elements in it. I read nothing about what is being done to prevent ‘Oma‘o, Lawa‘i, Kalaheo and even Hanapepe which are all directly downwind from the plant from being exposed to this pollution.

The size and scope of it will ensure that tons of emissions will be spread over these towns. Could you please ask a few questions about the future health concerns of the people of the south shore area?

I personally will not be buying property here as a result of this. I also don’t recall any public hearings or impact statements being done to look into the impacts of such a large plant being built in our area.

Somehow i do not see this as “great news for Kaua‘i.”

Richard Czebatol

Koloa

 

Morgan’s Ponds

I love reading your paper and get it “in hand” every day of the months we spend on Kaua‘i each year.

In the interim, I read it online and continue to enjoy the balance of news, photos, “grinds,” and information on local club and group activities.

It seems the directly political content of the letters has increased since the newspaper’s change in leadership; but perhaps that’s to be expected during this most strident of election years.

On a less political note — or perhaps it’s even more so — I have to wonder why there is so little direct county involvement in cleaning up the ongoing mess at Morgan’s Ponds at Lydgate. This seems too valuable a recreational outlet for locals and visitors to be left to the efforts of volunteers.

I particularly wonder why the top of whatever governmental food chain allowed the dredging to go forward without sufficient soil samples or supervision, and is not constantly lobbying for more county investment in maintaining this former gem.

Can the county response be simply, “Oops, let Tommy fix it”?

You see how easily one segues from a fan letter to the rant du jour. Alas.

Thanks for putting your paper online.

Suzan Kelsey Brooks

West Des Moines, Iowa

 

Someone is stealing my signs

Aloha Kaua‘i, I wish I could write an editorial about my feelings regarding Act 55.

I have a lot to share but instead I have been putting up “Repeal Act 55”  signs near my home at Salt Pond.

Guess what? Someone keeps stealing the signs.

What‘s up with that? A little disappointed in the reception.

Susan Allyn

Hanapepe