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Kaua‘i group: Send us Gitmo detainees
By The Garden Island
LIHU‘E — A Kaua‘i group on Thursday sent a letter to Gov. Linda Lingle and the state’s congressional delegation requesting that the 17 Uighur nationals that are to be sent from the U.S. Detention Facility in Guantanamo Bay to Palau instead be routed to Hawai‘i Islands.
The letter, sent by Ed Coll on behalf of the Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice, asked Lingle, U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye and U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono to “invite the $200 million in federal money offered by the federal government to the Republic of Palau for accepting the innocent former detainees, and this money would supplement Hawai‘i’s current budget shortfall.”
“Moved by the presumption that you fully trust the determination of the federal judge, who ordered the 17 former detainees (Uighur nationals) released ... after the Pentagon determined that they are not ‘enemy combatants,’ the Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice calls for you, as Hawai‘i state officials, to extend an invitation to the Uighur national former detainees to come and settle on the Hawaiian Islands,” the letter said.
“We presume that you all are moved by aloha to extend welcome to the mistreated individuals and help them resettle and become useful members of the Hawaiian society, therefore the Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice urges you to negotiate with the U.S. Federal government on the terms and conditions for the resettlement in the State of Hawai‘i.
“These men have been ordered released by a federal court and the State of Hawai‘i could benefit greatly form the potential infusion of up to $200 million federal dollars in development and budget assistance for the resettlement of these men. After more than six years of illegal confinement, the United States owes these men more than their freedom, it owes them an apology and we can offer them the aloha spirit.
“What better aloha than this humanitarian gesture from Hawai‘i already known for its rich and diverse ethnic population? Hawai‘i can much more easily absorb these men than our Pacific Island neighbors in Palau. By helping these innocent men rebuild their shattered lives you, the elected representatives of the State of Hawai‘i will confirm your belief in serving justice and supporting valuable Hawaiian traditions of aloha with action.
“Inspired by this action, other countries such as Australia, Germany, and others may reconsider and accept other former detainees once it has been determined they are not enemy combatants. The Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice urges other progressive, peace, justice, religious and sovereignty groups and organizations to support our efforts in serving true justice.”
There had been no formal announcements made by any Hawai‘i government offices regarding the proposal as of press time.
The letter, sent by Ed Coll on behalf of the Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice, asked Lingle, U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye and U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono to “invite the $200 million in federal money offered by the federal government to the Republic of Palau for accepting the innocent former detainees, and this money would supplement Hawai‘i’s current budget shortfall.”
“Moved by the presumption that you fully trust the determination of the federal judge, who ordered the 17 former detainees (Uighur nationals) released ... after the Pentagon determined that they are not ‘enemy combatants,’ the Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice calls for you, as Hawai‘i state officials, to extend an invitation to the Uighur national former detainees to come and settle on the Hawaiian Islands,” the letter said.
“We presume that you all are moved by aloha to extend welcome to the mistreated individuals and help them resettle and become useful members of the Hawaiian society, therefore the Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice urges you to negotiate with the U.S. Federal government on the terms and conditions for the resettlement in the State of Hawai‘i.
“These men have been ordered released by a federal court and the State of Hawai‘i could benefit greatly form the potential infusion of up to $200 million federal dollars in development and budget assistance for the resettlement of these men. After more than six years of illegal confinement, the United States owes these men more than their freedom, it owes them an apology and we can offer them the aloha spirit.
“What better aloha than this humanitarian gesture from Hawai‘i already known for its rich and diverse ethnic population? Hawai‘i can much more easily absorb these men than our Pacific Island neighbors in Palau. By helping these innocent men rebuild their shattered lives you, the elected representatives of the State of Hawai‘i will confirm your belief in serving justice and supporting valuable Hawaiian traditions of aloha with action.
“Inspired by this action, other countries such as Australia, Germany, and others may reconsider and accept other former detainees once it has been determined they are not enemy combatants. The Kaua‘i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice urges other progressive, peace, justice, religious and sovereignty groups and organizations to support our efforts in serving true justice.”
There had been no formal announcements made by any Hawai‘i government offices regarding the proposal as of press time.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
JKDownDaMiddle wrote on Jun 12, 2009 9:49 AM:
" Yeah, the 'supposed' $200 million would be nice...but,it is not a remedy for our budget shortfall now is it! Isn't the money really intended to buy favor in Palau. Think about this for a moment. So we send these guys to far off Palau...where we hope to never hear from them again and I'm sure $200 million would help the Govt. of Palau ensure these fellows do remain silent...hmmm!??!
Oh, and of course, the 'we' is our wonderful and wise billion dollar spending Pres. Obama giving away more of 'our' hard earned tax dollars. Money that NEEDS to remain in the U.S.of A. Now as for other Countries accepting our detainees....simple answer, NO! Cordially invite these detainees to return to their country of origin(not where they were captured...) with a cash buyoff and a one way ticket.
Our fair State has enough problems...why on God's Green Earth would we want to invite even more?
I don't feel guilty that these people were arrested or detained....they were in the wrong place at the wrong time...and S--t happens. These men made choices to envolve themselves in a dangerous situation and as a direct result of their choices, they ended up in Gitmo. Yes, it's entirely possible some of the detainees are innocent victims...You & I were not there on the ground standing in our U.S. soldiers's boots(risking their lives for our Commander in Chief's objectives)when they were 'captured' or arrested in an activity our soldiers deemed suspect. It was a WAR!
I do think it is absurd that we(Pres. Obama) spend $200 Million dollars to relocate 17 men.
Peace out! "
Oh, and of course, the 'we' is our wonderful and wise billion dollar spending Pres. Obama giving away more of 'our' hard earned tax dollars. Money that NEEDS to remain in the U.S.of A. Now as for other Countries accepting our detainees....simple answer, NO! Cordially invite these detainees to return to their country of origin(not where they were captured...) with a cash buyoff and a one way ticket.
Our fair State has enough problems...why on God's Green Earth would we want to invite even more?
I don't feel guilty that these people were arrested or detained....they were in the wrong place at the wrong time...and S--t happens. These men made choices to envolve themselves in a dangerous situation and as a direct result of their choices, they ended up in Gitmo. Yes, it's entirely possible some of the detainees are innocent victims...You & I were not there on the ground standing in our U.S. soldiers's boots(risking their lives for our Commander in Chief's objectives)when they were 'captured' or arrested in an activity our soldiers deemed suspect. It was a WAR!
I do think it is absurd that we(Pres. Obama) spend $200 Million dollars to relocate 17 men.
Peace out! "
Kapu wrote on Jun 12, 2009 1:45 PM:
" This is the most ridiculous PANDERING I've ever seen. Ed, those guys were caught in a terrorist training camp, though they may be innocent of the specific charges they were accused of, do you REALLY think they're all just nice little fellas in the wrong place at the wrong time?? How naive, stupid or CORRUPT are you that you'd risk your neighbor's and the aina's safety for a 200 million dollar HANDOUT?
Maybe Palau wants you too, I'd be more comfortable with people like you off the island as well. "
Maybe Palau wants you too, I'd be more comfortable with people like you off the island as well. "
Kapu wrote on Jun 12, 2009 1:46 PM:
" And if you don't print my comment I'll BUY the space in your rag and you'll HAVE to print it since you're as For Sale as Ed Koll obviously is.
Mahalo. "
Mahalo. "
c180smith wrote on Jun 12, 2009 2:44 PM:
" Ed, did you really think about this? Your asking that we allow 17 men that have been incarcerated assumed by the United States to live in the United States. 17 men that are probably very angry with the United States. How hard is it for a man in the United States to obtain Weapons of Mass Destruction. How hard is it for 17 men to set up an operation here in Hawaii. Hmm! sorry not in my community and not in Hawaii.
Good idea but wrong country. "
Good idea but wrong country. "
kaika wrote on Jun 12, 2009 8:01 PM:
" Your lolo to da max no killers in hawaii for those 17 who probly killed hundreds in there so called jihad against us troops, they should be tryed and pay the price,send them to DC and see how they like it.To many lolo people already in hawaii.You like peace then go serve and stop your bleeding heart.Not in my Country Hawaii. send them to the hang man and let them make it right with GOD>>>>>>>>>>..... "
JKDownDaMiddle wrote on Jun 13, 2009 3:29 PM:
" 6 to 1 Ed...you lose!
And to the rest of you 'members' of the Kauai Alliance for Peace & Social Justice....instead of ranting and raving about how horrible the U.S. is all the time, try for a change to actually do some good right in your own backyard!!
Talk of 'Social Justice'....let me just brush the 'tip of the iceberg' for you....have you seen any of our County Council meetings,.... or actually read the articles and opinions in 'the Garden Island' lately, Hmmm? Have you seen our Kauai unemployment rate stats,hmmm? Have you heard about folks building homes right over the bones of our neighbor's ancestors, hmmm? Have you noticed the growing number of local shops and eateries closing their doors, hmmm? The dogs & 4x4's running free on the beach or our Island's lack of self sustainability, hmmm? Do you read the crime blotter(granted it's months behind and always incomplete) and see how bad things are getting here,hmmm?
Well, do ya punk? Go ahead, make my day... and DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE IN YOUR OWN flipping BACKYARD!!! Typical ultra leftest bs....cure the World while those at home suffer. Good grief people, get a life! Give us some 'peace' and shut up..it would be 'social justice' at it's finest!
Peace Out! "
And to the rest of you 'members' of the Kauai Alliance for Peace & Social Justice....instead of ranting and raving about how horrible the U.S. is all the time, try for a change to actually do some good right in your own backyard!!
Talk of 'Social Justice'....let me just brush the 'tip of the iceberg' for you....have you seen any of our County Council meetings,.... or actually read the articles and opinions in 'the Garden Island' lately, Hmmm? Have you seen our Kauai unemployment rate stats,hmmm? Have you heard about folks building homes right over the bones of our neighbor's ancestors, hmmm? Have you noticed the growing number of local shops and eateries closing their doors, hmmm? The dogs & 4x4's running free on the beach or our Island's lack of self sustainability, hmmm? Do you read the crime blotter(granted it's months behind and always incomplete) and see how bad things are getting here,hmmm?
Well, do ya punk? Go ahead, make my day... and DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE IN YOUR OWN flipping BACKYARD!!! Typical ultra leftest bs....cure the World while those at home suffer. Good grief people, get a life! Give us some 'peace' and shut up..it would be 'social justice' at it's finest!
Peace Out! "
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manawai wrote on Jun 12, 2009 7:14 AM: