Letters for Nov. 29, 2015

Letters for Nov. 29, 2015

Immigration is not always a universal blessing

David Dinner (TGI, Nov. 21) states admirably the compassionate case for American acceptance of the current wave of refugees from the Middle East, principally Syria, and the history supporting such immigration. But he overlooks some factors that should be considered.

In the earlier instances mentioned, the refugees were leaving an oppressive regime or conditions, but they were not potential terrorists who would be agents for forces hostile of America. The vote taken by the Republicans in the House of Representatives and more than a quarter of the Democrats was not a prohibition of the proposed immigration, it called for a pause until the circumstances could be better considered. It is the responsibility of our government to protect us from our enemies, one of which is ISIS.

Native Hawaiians remember well that it was immigration to Hawaii that resulted in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the deprivation of their sovereignty. Immigration is not a universal blessing.

Thoughtful consideration of the present situation should be welcomed, not scorned.

Walter Lewis

Lihue

Questioning claims made about the prophet Mohammed

In his letter (TGI, Nov. 20) Mark Beeksma claims that the prophet Mohammed was a killer, thief and mass murderer of Jews. It would be interesting to know what reliable historical evidence he is drawing upon to make these claims. It probably does not exist.

This sort of fiction is much like what the Nazis said about Jews. It is designed to portray another group — or at least many of its members — as inescapably malignant and hostile to the virtues that we say we honor and try to live by. These inflammatory fictions, alas, are bound to produce even more mutual hatred and violence in our already troubled global village.

Robert Malcolmson

Nelson, British Columbia

US economy is not what many might think it is

The Garden Island newspaper recently asked for a vote on “Do you think the local economy is doing well?” Ninety people voted who seem to think it is, and there were 260 votes from people who think people are barely hanging on and fearing for the worst. I think the 90 people better start listening to the 260.

After doing some research from a reliable source of truth and facts — and I’m certainly not talking about our government or the media — there is a rude awakening for the 90 voters who seem to think the economy is good. It’s obvious they don’t have a clue of what’s really going on that can change everything in our lives in just a few hours.

Naturally, the government and media are not going to tell us the truth about our economy because of all the financial coverups, it would cause an enormous catastrophe throughout the entire nation.

For those of you who would like to see what is really taking place go to Google and type usadownfall.com. Your host is Bill Bonner, who is president of Agora research, and his background makes him a specialist on our economy where he has monitored and graphed what has taken place with it from the time our government started the “credit economy” in 1951.

It may shock some people, but it’s definitely an eye-opener and worth the reading and education of facts that show where our economy is headed with no returns.

Steve Martin

Kapaa