Should Filipino vets
get U.S. benefits?

For what we sacrificed,
give us benefits or death

This is in support, appreciation and admiration of the Star-Bulletin's Aug. 4 editorial, "Filipino war veterans deserve GI benefits." It is high time that people in high places do something about the hardships, difficulties, suffering and humiliation that our Filipino veterans have gone through and are still going through.

We appreciate the Star-Bulletin's concern and genuine love for our Filipino veterans who were willing to give their best in fighting, side by side with the American forces against the Japanese army during World War II.

Imagine their sacrifices -- leaving their wives, children and loved ones behind, and fighting in the jungle night and day against Japanese invaders. There were thousands who lost their lives either in fighting, in illness or from heartbreak.

Are our Filipino war veterans different form other veterans like the Americans, the Chinese or other nationalities? We Filipinos do not want to beg. Give us what we deserve or give us death.

Jose "Joe" J. Lazo

They fought for their country
and not the United States

There is a news story of late that I just can't come to terms with: the Filipino war veterans lobbying the United States government for benefits. Where do these guys come off with the notion that the United State owes them anything?

In fact, the reverse would seem true. It is the Filipino veterans, alongside their compatriots, who owe the American people an eternal debt of gratitude.

The U.S. government did not have to liberate the Philippines. It is true that there was significant American interest -- business and otherwise -- in the area at the time, but nothing to the point that would require a full-scale military commitment.

So it seems clear to me that though, yes, in some respects America had an interest in repelling the foreign invaders; but the Filipinos, whose backyard it was, certainly had more. And for this reason, the greater favor was rendered to the local population, not the American liberators.

I am also at a loss to explain the Star-Bulletin's support of their efforts to get veterans' benefits.

The only explanation that comes to mind is that the Star-Bulletin is buying into, consciously or unconsciously, the expedient which has been fashionable for far too long -- challenging the very vulnerable amorphous entity called the United States government on behalf of minority interests.

Stig Lindberg

Maybe the Philippines
should be paying the U.S.

After reading Patrick Ganio's quote -- "What we did shortened the war and saved thousands of American lives" -- in the Star-Bulletin's July 31 edition, I have been inspired with a great idea.

What the U.S. troops in World War II did in the Philippines shortened the war and saved thousands of Filipino lives. In addition, U.S. troops removed the Japanese aggressor, paving the way for the independence of the Philippines in 1946.

Maybe the Philippine government should compensate the U.S. veterans! Great idea or what? Sounds just as valid as compensating Filipino veterans with U.S. dollars. Just depends on what side of the Pacific you are looking.

Joseph A. Holtzmann
Kailua
(Via the Internet)

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Ezra was correct about
voters and Con Con

Given Judge David Ezra's recent ruling on the Con Con, we all have reason to celebrate in Hawaii. The judge said a new election on a constitutional convention must be held by Dec. 2. He also made it perfectly clear that Hawaii's citizens were denied their right to a fair election when they were uninformed that blank votes would be counted as no votes.

As Judge Ezra said, "It's the people's job to decide if we have a Con Con." We need to take this job seriously. We can't allow our democratic rights to go by the wayside.

Please go to the polls or send in your absentee ballot with a yes vote for a Con Con.

Mark Au

School's sensitivity training
is actually a reality check

Phil Chase, Kalaheo High School librarian (Letters, Aug. 4), disagrees with the requirement that the entire school undergo sensitivity training for what he says is an "offensive racist " act committed by only a few individuals.

The real problem is how you can be sued for having been offended, stressed, racially insulted, publicly embarrassed, etc. That puts Frank DeLima out of business; too bad. And nobody can sing that song anymore about the little grass shack and the homesick island boy who wants to go back to his fish and poi.

So this so-called sensitivity training is actually a lesson in law as to what you can and cannot say in order to avoid being sued.

What it boils down to is, "Don't say anything about anybody, no matter what your intention." Lucky Luck (R.I.P.) had it right: "You no can say something good about somebody, no say notting!"

Ted Chernin

Hawaii is known for being
ethnically understanding

The Kalaheo yearbook controversy should be solved by that letter of concern and apology sent by the school.

We in Hawaii are a fun-loving people. We make jokes and sing songs about different races. That does not make us prejudiced or discriminatory.

We are not being harassed, are we? If you feel intimidated over race issues, you should feel more concern for us when we were called, "Chink Chink Chinaman, try to make a dollar with 15 cents." As for Japanese, there was Jap, Budda or gook, or bok-bok for Filipino, to name a few.

The newcomers and others should learn the Hawaiian way. Please, learn to get along with us in Hawaii and don't get a chip on your shoulders. We are all of ethnic diversity and are trying to live harmoniously with each other.

There is discrimination, but we good-naturedly accept it. Don't make an issue of it.

Bertha K.Y. Char

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Same-sex archive

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