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Letters for Sunday, March 1, 2009
• Rose column employs mistaken concepts
• Make a difference in an animal’s life
• Too much development
Rose column employs mistaken concepts
When a person writes about public affairs, disagreement and criticism are expected. But what is objectionable about the column by Katy Rose (“Time to stop pretending,” Forum, Feb. 25) is that her criticism is predicated on statements not made in my article.
A comparison of what I said and her contentions may be useful.
Rose contended that my article was about the effect of cultural influences on Kaua‘i politics and life. Not quite. My comments were limited to some relationships between culture and our government.
Rose argued that my article addressed the influence of “local culture” on political decisions. In fact I never used that term, and my purpose was to discuss the impact of culture in general on governmental actions
Rose talked about a trend among haoles of “conflating” criticism of government with criticism of local culture and local people of color. My dictionary does not contain the word “conflating” and my comments were not intended as criticism of local culture or of local people.
Employing her mistaken concept that my article was directed to local culture and local people of color Rose erroneously concludes that my principal point was to perpetuate the myth that white people were victims of racial oppression. To the contrary. My view is that people of all races and cultures are disserved by a government that is guided by cultural factors rather than reason and merit.
Attempting to be a thought reader, Rose asserts that the farthest thing in my mind is the impact of colonialism on Hawaii that shaped conditions for all people here. I don’t know how Rose uses that term, but my dictionary defines colonialism as the policy of a nation to acquire overseas dependencies. The birth of the American nation was its opposition to colonialism. America was formed by expansions into acquired territories that became states. Hawai‘i was in that pattern.
Rose complains that I am “co-opting the framework of ‘civil rights’ and employing simplistic notions of ‘color blindness’ to support an assertion of white privilege”. I can admire the turgidity of her language style but all I said was that ultimately we will be best served by a color blind environment. My article did not state or intend any doctrine of white privilege.
My article did not say as Rose contends that the problems with our government are based on discrimination against haoles.
Rose is articulate and has every right to have and present her views. But on multiple occasions she has misstated what I said and has used the misstatements to further her contentions. At minimum her work is unprincipled and it may well be libelous. If she is an honorable person she will publicly acknowledge her misrepresentations.
• Walter Lewis, Princeville
Make a difference in an animal’s life
On a recent vacation to Kaua‘i, we encountered three feral cats (wild or homeless) kittens living around our condominium complex.
We wanted to trap them, have them spayed or neutered, and then release them back. This process is referred to as “TNR” — trap/neuter/release. In trying to help these kittens, we learned there is a significant feral cat problem on Kaua‘i.
Our hometown of Calistoga, Calif., was overrun with feral cats years ago. The Calistoga Cat action team (C-CAT) was formed by volunteers and, with the cooperation of local veterinarians, was able to bring the feral cat population under control using an ongoing TNR program.
Once neutered, the cats on occasion can become pets, but most are released either back to their original location or into one of many feral cat colonies where they are fed daily by volunteers. Neutered and well-fed feral cats naturally form peaceful living groups which in turn provide them security. We always strive to locate the cats where they can live their lives out, but stopping the reproduction cycle is the main objective and the key to success.
There is a wonderful nonprofit organization already on your island — Kaua‘i Feral Cats. They helped us with the three kittens, one of which is already enjoying life as a household pet. They are all volunteers and are ready to help anyone with a feral cat problem. But they greatly need the community’s help in return.
If you can volunteer or donate money, call them at 808-822-7141. You can make a difference in an animal’s life, starting in your own backyard.
• Lily Hitchcock, Calistoga, Calif.
Too much development
The problem is not that there are not enough rental cars (“Rental shortages frustrate visitors,” The Garden Island, Feb. 27).
Look at the traffic. We have too many cars already. The problem is too many hotel rooms. Too much development.
Show of hands: Anybody on the road right now think we need more cars on the roads?
• Roger Olsen, Lihu‘e
• Make a difference in an animal’s life
• Too much development
Rose column employs mistaken concepts
When a person writes about public affairs, disagreement and criticism are expected. But what is objectionable about the column by Katy Rose (“Time to stop pretending,” Forum, Feb. 25) is that her criticism is predicated on statements not made in my article.
A comparison of what I said and her contentions may be useful.
Rose contended that my article was about the effect of cultural influences on Kaua‘i politics and life. Not quite. My comments were limited to some relationships between culture and our government.
Rose argued that my article addressed the influence of “local culture” on political decisions. In fact I never used that term, and my purpose was to discuss the impact of culture in general on governmental actions
Rose talked about a trend among haoles of “conflating” criticism of government with criticism of local culture and local people of color. My dictionary does not contain the word “conflating” and my comments were not intended as criticism of local culture or of local people.
Employing her mistaken concept that my article was directed to local culture and local people of color Rose erroneously concludes that my principal point was to perpetuate the myth that white people were victims of racial oppression. To the contrary. My view is that people of all races and cultures are disserved by a government that is guided by cultural factors rather than reason and merit.
Attempting to be a thought reader, Rose asserts that the farthest thing in my mind is the impact of colonialism on Hawaii that shaped conditions for all people here. I don’t know how Rose uses that term, but my dictionary defines colonialism as the policy of a nation to acquire overseas dependencies. The birth of the American nation was its opposition to colonialism. America was formed by expansions into acquired territories that became states. Hawai‘i was in that pattern.
Rose complains that I am “co-opting the framework of ‘civil rights’ and employing simplistic notions of ‘color blindness’ to support an assertion of white privilege”. I can admire the turgidity of her language style but all I said was that ultimately we will be best served by a color blind environment. My article did not state or intend any doctrine of white privilege.
My article did not say as Rose contends that the problems with our government are based on discrimination against haoles.
Rose is articulate and has every right to have and present her views. But on multiple occasions she has misstated what I said and has used the misstatements to further her contentions. At minimum her work is unprincipled and it may well be libelous. If she is an honorable person she will publicly acknowledge her misrepresentations.
• Walter Lewis, Princeville
Make a difference in an animal’s life
On a recent vacation to Kaua‘i, we encountered three feral cats (wild or homeless) kittens living around our condominium complex.
We wanted to trap them, have them spayed or neutered, and then release them back. This process is referred to as “TNR” — trap/neuter/release. In trying to help these kittens, we learned there is a significant feral cat problem on Kaua‘i.
Our hometown of Calistoga, Calif., was overrun with feral cats years ago. The Calistoga Cat action team (C-CAT) was formed by volunteers and, with the cooperation of local veterinarians, was able to bring the feral cat population under control using an ongoing TNR program.
Once neutered, the cats on occasion can become pets, but most are released either back to their original location or into one of many feral cat colonies where they are fed daily by volunteers. Neutered and well-fed feral cats naturally form peaceful living groups which in turn provide them security. We always strive to locate the cats where they can live their lives out, but stopping the reproduction cycle is the main objective and the key to success.
There is a wonderful nonprofit organization already on your island — Kaua‘i Feral Cats. They helped us with the three kittens, one of which is already enjoying life as a household pet. They are all volunteers and are ready to help anyone with a feral cat problem. But they greatly need the community’s help in return.
If you can volunteer or donate money, call them at 808-822-7141. You can make a difference in an animal’s life, starting in your own backyard.
• Lily Hitchcock, Calistoga, Calif.
Too much development
The problem is not that there are not enough rental cars (“Rental shortages frustrate visitors,” The Garden Island, Feb. 27).
Look at the traffic. We have too many cars already. The problem is too many hotel rooms. Too much development.
Show of hands: Anybody on the road right now think we need more cars on the roads?
• Roger Olsen, Lihu‘e
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| Letters for Monday, March 2, 2009 |
Related headlines
- Letter for Wednesday, July 8, 2009
- Arts & Activities for Friday, March 13, 2009
- Public Meetings for Sunday, August 9, 2009
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
manawai wrote on Mar 1, 2009 8:08 AM:
" I hear you, Roger! But to be realistic, I think what we need more are roads and infrastructure which are able to handle the amount of vehicles traveling on them. But in the meantime, as we grow old waiting for highway improvements to be made, I hope you're riding a bicycle, taking the bus, or, better yet, walking. "
ltereader wrote on Mar 1, 2009 8:45 AM:
" Roger, there's plenty of vacation rental vacancies right now, and yes we definitely don't need more development. However, Xmas is peak season and the only time we've run out of rental cars in the past. They just don't have as many rental vehicles here as they usually do. Maui is also having similar problems. "
g-man wrote on Mar 1, 2009 12:30 PM:
" numilalocal55 echos the typical whine of the poor lil' local. IF anyone states the obvious problems on Kauai, they immediately blame the people who moved here and weren't born here. Hey Numi, I blame your mother for getting pregnant and bringing your whiney (rear end) into this world. She is the problem with Kauai. "
interesting wrote on Mar 1, 2009 12:43 PM:
" fewer cars / hotels? sure ya, i guess...or better planning
otherwise, for the record, the above "colonialism" definition is very narrow (just sayin)
still, one can point to the philippines, japan, lots of europe, cuba, haiti / DR, (even more of) mexico and a few other spots as examples of places that could have easily belonged to the US, but, unlike many other nation states would have and did do, we chose not to incorporate that given territory
so that is the easy part
it gets more complicated when one looks at US "influence" in other parts of the world (which many on kauai feel completed to jump out and call ~ "colonialism") "
otherwise, for the record, the above "colonialism" definition is very narrow (just sayin)
still, one can point to the philippines, japan, lots of europe, cuba, haiti / DR, (even more of) mexico and a few other spots as examples of places that could have easily belonged to the US, but, unlike many other nation states would have and did do, we chose not to incorporate that given territory
so that is the easy part
it gets more complicated when one looks at US "influence" in other parts of the world (which many on kauai feel completed to jump out and call ~ "colonialism") "
independentvoter wrote on Mar 1, 2009 10:40 PM:
" oh Numilalocal 55
blah, blah, blah, if we (haoles) do decide to go as you suggest, we are taking the (haole)doctors and nurses with us and you can wrap a taro leaf around your broken arm and shove one into your big mouth while your at it. So over that "haole go home" (nonsense). We are here, get used to it! "
blah, blah, blah, if we (haoles) do decide to go as you suggest, we are taking the (haole)doctors and nurses with us and you can wrap a taro leaf around your broken arm and shove one into your big mouth while your at it. So over that "haole go home" (nonsense). We are here, get used to it! "
Fran wrote on Mar 7, 2009 10:21 AM:
" g-man are you mad at the whole world or just people on Kaua`i? Why are most of your comments so rude and obnoxious? I too, don't agree with the whole "haole go home" deal and yes, I'm local. Yes, I understand everyone is entitled to their opinions, but can't everyone just be civil regarding each other's opinions.
I mean the "haole go home", telling someone to "shut-up", "mind your own business" or saying that "kids should be seen, not heard" does nothing. And whether you like it or not; we're all allowed to have an opinion and in this great country, better known as the United States; we are all free to state our opinions. One of the great things that my dad and I'm sure millions of other dad's fought for......
Have a great day!!! "
I mean the "haole go home", telling someone to "shut-up", "mind your own business" or saying that "kids should be seen, not heard" does nothing. And whether you like it or not; we're all allowed to have an opinion and in this great country, better known as the United States; we are all free to state our opinions. One of the great things that my dad and I'm sure millions of other dad's fought for......
Have a great day!!! "
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numilalocal55 wrote on Mar 1, 2009 6:54 AM:
Visit Kauai - just PLEASE don't move here! And if you already have, consider moving back home cuz us locals are getting squeezed out of our home! "