This is what unity looks like.
I, along with millions of others who participated in the Women’s March or observed it worldwide, was able to feel a part of something powerful and righteous. My heart was renewed as I watched all the people, men and women, black, brown, white, young and old marching together peacefully to send a message that we are supporting the rights of humans everywhere.
We will not let the truth be undermined by the “alternate facts” of President Donald Trump’s adviser, Kellyanne Conway. Falsehoods are falsehoods, not alternate truths.
So everyone who felt despair, remember that only 25.4 percent of the eligible voters voted for the president. Trump and his supporters need to come to grips with the fact that 74.6 percent of eligible voters did not sign on to this agenda. That is a fact.
We are unified, not divided. It plainly was seen Saturday all across the world. This is our country, so please participate and speak up! Your voice matters.
Helen Behrmann
Waiohinu, Hawaii island
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Marchers did vote — against Trump
Since he brought it up: President Donald Trump wondered why all the women and men who marched on Jan. 21 did not vote.
Actually, we did. We were part of the 3 million more votes cast against Trump’s policies than for them. And we are not going to go away.
Happy Democracy.
Judy Mick
Kailua
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Don’t let differences close our minds
Every morning I look forward to Letters to the Editor because of the daily battles between the anti-Trumpers (“He’s not my president!”) and pro-Trumpers (“Just get over it already!”).
The sheer disdain that people have for those on the opposite side of the fence is hilarious. At the same time, it’s sad that we have become so polarized and adversarial. The “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” and, “the goal is to ram my viewpoint down your throat” attitudes — thanks in large part to the media — are getting a bit crazy.
I admire the passion, but let’s not forget compassion. America is built on the principles of sharing opposing viewpoints. But the point of that discourse is to foster more open-mindedness, not more closed-mindedness; it is meant to bring us together at the table, not separate us at different ends of the table.
I hope the Legislature is paying attention.
Steve Dang
Kaimuki
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VA hospital treats veteran with care
Stop! Don’t mess with Veterans Affairs (VA).
It seems everyone is against the VA health system. It is a terrific organization: Every individual from the base entry gate to the doctor’s office check-in are polite, courteous, appreciative of my service, generous of their time and thorough with tests, preparations and examinations.
On more than one occasion, the doctors have called me in the evening to follow up on appointments and findings. They are excellent.
I have right now on my desk five appointments, all at Tripler Army Medical Center. These appointments are made well in advance. They call me and confirm them, follow up with a mailed appointment card, and are consistently ahead of the curve.
I’m 74, a Vietnam veteran and appreciative of all the VA does. It is also a teaching hospital for medical school students to give them much-needed experience in their chosen specialties. They are to the person absolutely the finest.
Art Simpson
Wilhelmina Rise
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Activists unfairly target animal acts
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is closing after 146 years because of abusive and bogus litigation.
In 2000, they became the target of a coordinated legal assault by animal rights groups. Ringling prevailed in court, but the frivolous, unreasonable and groundless lawsuit stretched for years and cost the company tens of millions of dollars.
Animal acts have long been a major part of state fairs and circuses; but following Ringling’s removal of key animal acts from its shows, ticket sales declined, operating costs rose, and the business became unsustainable.
Similarly, special interest groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, Animal Rights Hawaii, and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have targeted E.K. Fernandez Shows. If these groups are successful in their efforts to have animal acts banned in Hawaii, an entertainment icon for the past 114 years may well follow Ringling Bros. into the realm of nostalgic remembrance.
Scott Fernandez
E.K. Fernandez Shows Inc.
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Online sales hurt state tax collections
In reference to several recent articles concerning the state not collecting the amount of tax revenue it anticipated, part of the answer may be in untaxed online sales growing three times faster than department stores sales.
Just compare the slow sales of struggling local retailers with very busy delivery companies struggling to move all those goods purchased online.
Rich Marshall
Pearl City
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Kealoha settlement an embarrassment
The buyout of Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha is just the latest example of yet another spineless Hawaii public board or commission being extorted by a public figure certainly guilty of wrongdoing, if not criminal intent (“Police Opens in a new tab chief will get $250,000 to Opens in a new tableave Opens in a new tab,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 19).
Remember the ridiculous, sorry saga of University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle? And there have been many others. It’s everybody for himself or herself here, and too bad for the public interest. Whatever happened to fiduciary duty?
This state is an embarrassment. I’m thinking of moving to a Third World country — can’t be any worse.
John Kitchen
Kona, Hawaii island
