The Star-Advertiser’s editorial, “Don’t deny troops a chance to serve” (Our View, July 29), totally lacks the basic point: Our nation’s military serves to act as a deterrent of war, not for social experimentation.
The editorial said that “anyone who wants to serve and meets qualifications should be allowed to do so.” Military service is not a right. It is a privilege obtained by the few who meet rigid mental, physical and moral standards that further the mission.
It is detrimental to any service unit to have an individual undergoing hormonal therapy to change his or her sex. The cost to change someone’s sex is not the point — unit cohesion is.
One day a supervisor is a male, the next day a female, and now service members have to conform or be branded as bigots.
Also, conveniently omitted were the actions of pre-transgender Army Corporal “Chelsea” Manning, who released national secrets to Wikileaks.
President Barack Obama pardoned him/her after Manning served only seven years of a 35-year sentence, in order to pander to LGBT activists.
Retired Cmdr. Garry P. Smith, U.S. Navy
Ewa Beach
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Resistance to change has a long history
When I read letters to the editor bemoaning new bike lanes, bumpouts in Chinatown, Biki bicycles, a bridge across the Ala Wai canal or any other progressive change, I am reminded of a quote attributed to Niccolò Machiavelli:
“There is nothing so difficult to achieve as to implement a new order of things. For those who would be disadvantaged are ardent in their opposition while those who would benefit, having little perception of its advantage, are modest in their support.”
Richard Sullivan
Waikiki
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Don’t raise taxes, just spend less
As I glanced at front page this morning, an article by Kevin Dayton caught my eye: “Tax collections too scant, analyst again tells state” (Star-Advertiser, July 30).
Did it ever occur to anyone that perhaps the headline should have been, “Too much money is being spent”?
Never mind, we live in a state under the full control of Democrats. Of our 76 elected members in the Legislature, all but five are Democrats. Try to be fiscally responsible? You will get demoted like state Sen. Jill Tokuda. Is that a warning to anyone who tries to do the right thing?
A special session is heading our way at the end of August. The power structure will do a little song-and-dance routine to extract more money from those that still want to live here and pay the horrendous taxes.
What’s next?
Marian Grey
Hawaii Kai
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Natatorium brings back good memories
I am 84 years old, must use a walker, and am housed with a caregiver. My subject concerns the proposed restoration of the Waikiki Natatorium. I am heartily in favor of it.
I came from a poor McCully/Young Street neighborhood and my brothers and I looked forward to weekends when we walked to and from the Natatorium for the hours of pleasure swimming in the 100-meter pool.
Because of the Natatorium, we were able to achieve long-distance swimming, resulting in my brothers and me qualifying for our high school swimming teams.
Not just youngsters, but many adults enjoyed the pool. My mainland pen pals were in awe whenever I sent a picture of the Natatorium.
I’m sure many of our island swimmers would enjoy the restored Natatorium.
Howard Wong
Waipahu
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Celebrate, support our common effort
From the Hokule‘a to “Moana,” the warm welcome of aloha to the travel ban fight, the Women’s March, 92 percent health coverage, marriage equality, increases in the minimum wage, and ethnic diversity — Hawaii is a global example of peace and common decency. Of course, we are not perfect, but our strengths are our diversity and a willingness to work together toward consensus.
It’s easy to see just the differences, but we are stronger when we accept these differences and unify around our common bonds and goals. We live in communities that expand to a society where we all rely on one another. There is no room for selfish individualism.
Carl Campagna
Kamehameha Heights
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Republicans need to work with Dems
The American people seem to be aware our health care issues won’t be solved by market-driven profit motives.
Two Republican women showed courage and judgment. Thirteen spineless white men huddled in darkness to take away health care so they could deliver tax cuts. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono was elegant in speaking compassion to power.
Everyone prefers to save face, but Republicans are stuck in a feedback loop saying people voted to stop Obamacare. Let’s embrace the present moment, follow the lead of U.S. Sen. John McCain and return to democratic order to solve problems.
Our Congress and president should stop destabilizing markets to prove the evils of Obamacare by imploding the system. Engaging the stakeholders to define the current problems is the way to create solutions.
Ironically, bipartisanship might actually deliver a bill that could rise to the mythical promises of President Donald Trump. Did anyone vote to destroy health care? American people are demanding an end to gridlock.
Sara Marshall
Aiea
