Attorney rewrote history for the Democratic Party
Elizabeth Jubin Fujiwara (View Point, Oct. 30) may be a good lawyer, but she is a wretched historian. She is unaware that Lincoln and the Republican Party freed the slaves and enacted the 14th Amendment, on which a good deal of her law practice is based.She doesn't know that Jim Crow laws were written by Democrats and that the Ku Klux Klan arose in a Democratic South. She thinks that the Republicans developed a "Southern strategy" through George Wallace, who she is unaware was a Democrat.
She absolves her beloved President Clinton from charges of sexual harassment by pretending he had an affair with only one woman, Monica Lewinsky, when dozens of women have come forward with stories of unconsented-to contact.
Fujiwara is certainly entitled to vote for Democratic candidates, but not to play fast and loose with the truth. Even lawyers need to base their arguments on the facts.
Sandra Patten-Otto
Aiea
Burglar's 20-year term was much too severe
On Oct. 6, Keoni Murray was sentenced to serve 20 years behind bars for a heroin-driven series of burglaries. The six victims who addressed the court did not believe any of Murray's witnesses, who testified that he had reformed and was not a risk to society.According to the chaplain, the heart of Murray's defense against a 20-year sentence was if we understand that God is love and is all powerful, that is the beginning and the end of it. That is more than enough power to reform Murray, who has faith in that principle.
The willingness to accept Murray's pleas required a leap of faith that was more than many of those involved would or could take.
As a consequence, Keoni, reformed or not, will spend about a third of his life behind bars.
It appears that redemption is a ghost of the past; rage, not reason, appears to be the passwords of the '90s.
With recent polls showing 90 percent of Americans believing in prayer as a solution for troubles, and 60 percent believing their prayers are answered daily, isn't that enough to give Murray a more humane prison term and one that fits the nonviolent crimes he committed?
Rick Scripter
Aquarium's first director deserved the recognition
Susan Scott's Oct. 5 Ocean Watch column on the Waikiki Aquarium's first director, Spencer Tinker, was excellent! I came to Hawaii 52 years ago and remember taking my children to the library. Tinker, who wrote "Pacific Sea Shells," became a guru for my daughter, who got so interested that she studied marine biology at Oregon State University and the University of Hawaii.Thank you for acknowledging such a great scientist and public servant. I clipped out your article to place in his book.
Yaeko M. Yokoyama
Kids appreciate their right to vote today
Kids Voting helps kids get more involved in the community and school rather than getting into trouble. In class, I'm a lot more interested in learning about voting and the 1998 election.I like discussing the candidates and issues with my classmates. I also feel this is a good way for children to have a say in our government leaders and issues that concern us.
Even though it won't count, it's going to be real interesting to see the difference between the real election and the kids' election. Voting also prepares me for the future so that when I have the privilege to vote as an adult, I will be able to make an informed decision.
Amanda Correia
Grade 8
Kids Voting is important because we are the future and, if we aren't taught early, then how are we supposed to vote if we have no idea about what's going on in the government?
Also, we live in a democratic society where we can choose the best person or best choice for our state. We learn a lot about voting from our parents and a lot from television, but the real way for us to learn about it is to actually vote.
Kids know a lot about what's going on. Now is our chance to see what a difference our votes would make.
Leanna Overstreet
Grade 7
Voting is important because it gives citizens a say in their government. Many people think that since each person has only one vote, their voices do not matter. But it only takes one vote to push a candidate to victory.
We should feel obligated to vote. In other parts of the world, people cannot even vote and decide who their leaders will be. Americans are lucky to have the freedom to vote and choose the best leader for the state or country.
Celia Downes
Grade 8
Voting is important because it lets you have a say in the government. It lets you choose people you think are qualified to be in office. Other countries have different forms of government, in which citizens have to just obey the laws and go on with their lives.
Besides, how many of you wake up in the morning and thank God for presenting you with the gift of freedom? To me, voting is a gift and I don't intend to waste it.
Partner Akiona
Grade 8
Voting gives us a chance to choose between right and wrong issues. It gives us, the people, the right make changes to our Constitution written by the people, for the people and of the people.
Please exercise your right and vote!
John DeCosta
Grade 7
Editor's note: The above letters were written
by students at Cathedral School.
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