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This Weeks Letters
THE NUMBERS FIGHT
February 08, 2007
I spoke with Bob Watada (Lt. Ehren Watada's father) who gave a
speech at the Washington D.C. peace march Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007
("Exciting Times," Feb. 1, 2007). I wanted to know what had happened
during the march because our newspapers and network TV had given very
little coverage over the weekend to what seemed to be building up as a
milestone in public opinion and congressional opposition to the Iraq
war.
What I heard was an outrageous confirmation of the media
underreporting this peaceful event. Watada said, "I looked out into
what seemed like a sea of humanity. The U.S. capitol was surrounded by
peaceful war protestors. Those there said hundreds of thousands of
people came to D.C. from 48 states… I have never seen anything like it
or have I been involved in something like this, ever."
It's shocking to see our usual media sources saying "tens of
thousands" attended the march. The only coverage on CNN was of the
"raging grannies" converging on the capitol steps as if there perhaps
might be some violence from the over 60's crowd of dangerous grandmas.
I heard on NPR Jane Fonda saying, "silence [on the Iraq war] is no
longer an option." There was no coverage of six members of the U.S.
Congress giving speeches, nor Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson, or
Iraq veterans against the war or any others except a movie star or two.
The silence of the media is no longer an option while $286 million a
day is spent on this tragic mistake of a war. While our soldiers die,
Iraqi civilians are caught in the crossfire and America waits for this
long nightmare to end, one good American, Lt. Ehren Watada, is court
martialed because he has spoken out against this illegal war. We, and
all free Americans for that matter, must watch his back and do our part
to end the madness.
-Lance Holter, Paia
SEX AND JESUS
In the last Holoholo Girl column ("Sexual Healing," Jan.
25, 2007) I, Dr. Michael Ra Bouchard, was featured about my
practice as a sex and relationship therapist. I was grateful for
the opportunity to share some of my views in a lengthy phone interview
for the Mind Body Spirit edition. However, I would now like to clarify
my position on sexuality and religion—which when read out of context in
the article due to space limitations—perhaps may have been
understandably offensive to some Maui Time readers.
Specifically, in the interview I referred to a portion of
my work involving fundamentalist Christian couples that come to
the islands and call me while on their honeymoon—about a dozen or
so yearly—in deep distress over their trouble consummating their
marriages. Typically I meet with them to hear and discuss their
concerns, then help them to understand the mechanics and all through
basic sex education/re-education, along with my gift of a tasteful
picture guidebook to keep as inspiration.
My approach emphasizes their own Christian values while sensitively
assuring them that sex within marriage is beautiful and in complete
alignment with their belief in Jesus and God. I work with
individuals and couples of all faiths, delicately seeking to avoid
offending anyone, and on the contrary, towards respecting everyone. I
genuinely regret if any readers were inadvertently affronted by any of
my printed statements taken out of context and sincerely assure
everyone that no offense was intended. Contact Dr. Michael by
email at DrMichael@hawaii.rr.com.
-Dr. Michael Ra Bouchard, via email
Samantha Campos responds: Yeah,
the Doc does good work... Hey, that reminds me of a joke: Why did the
blonde go to church? 'Cause she heard there was a guy hung ... like...
this. Oh crap. I hope I didn't offend any blondes out there. Sorry.
YOU'RE WELCOME
Just a note to say thank you for getting Rob Parsons on board—A
great addition to a good publication that just got better. Thank you.
-Bodhi Be, via email
HONOLUA BLUES
[On] Maui Land & Pineapple Company's plans to develop the area
around Honolua Bay and Lipoa Point, including an 18-hole golf course
and 40 home sites (The Maui 10, Feb. 1, 2007): Are we to believe that
this will in no way be part of Kapalua Resort? Remember when the
contentious Kapalua Mauka Project District expansion was being
considered, ML&P stated that it would be the final expansion of the
resort. Now this? I guess none of the homeowners in this new
development will enjoy status as being part of the Kapalua Resort, nor
enjoy any amenities beyond those "enjoyed" by the public at large.
Sure. And none of the Kapalua Club members, homeowners, timeshare
owners or guests of the resorts will enjoy discounts at the new golf
course, right?
The statement that an assessment is being made as to how many people
can use the area without negatively impacting it sounds like a thinly
disguised attempt to control the general public from accessing the bay.
Can't have the Clampetts running loose around the McMansions, can we?
How about the narrow winding road along this stretch of coast? The
increased traffic, especially during construction, will be an increased
danger on a road that was never meant to serve an area other than
rural, agricultural and remote. Maybe the company's lobbying
organization can push for a four-lane highway around the backside after
they get their bypass.
It is also a bit disingenuous to hear a company official state they
want to protect the ecology of the bay. Their black plastic mulch blew
into the Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) for decades,
endangering marine life. Development has never improved the
environment. The word "development" implies an evolution or trend to a
higher use, to improve and make better; development as it is used
nowadays describes the opposite, either disturbing, degrading or
destroying the environment.
And FYI: the MLCD is on state land, as is all offshore waters to
three miles out from the certified shoreline. ML&P's late CEO Colin
Cameron may have lobbied the state for its creation, but that's as far
as it goes. It's a state-owned conservation district. I hope the people
with the power to decide have the courage to finally say enough. Keep
the country, country!
-Herman Farquahar, Lahaina
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