Your Views for December 22

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

Gabbard’s courage

In response to the article about Tulsi Gabbard’s “present” vote in the impeachment process against President Trump, I believe she did the right thing according to the U.S. Constitution. She voted her conscience, which is the appropriate thing to do rather than voting by party affiliation.

I’m sure it took courage for her to do this. I support people who stand strong for what they believe is right.

Jan Sweetin

Pahala

Gabbard’s cowardice

Dear Tusi Gabbard: Aloha from Hilo. Just a short commentary on your “present” vote on the recent impeachment vote in the House of Representatives.

Evidence counts, Tulsi. Your decision to vote “present” was emancipated from an informed decision based on the long-term health of our republic.

Here is a question for you and all others out there: What do you think Johnny Adams, Alex Hamilton, Tommy Jefferson and the boys would say about the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C.? Me thinks they would not harbor your mindset of “wait till the next election to let the people decide.”

I suggest a history lesson that has escaped you. Why don’t you undertake a search of our Founding Fathers and internalize why they created this wonderful document we have called the Constitution?

Sorry, Tulsi, your “present” vote was anything but a profile in courage. Because if you did have political courage, a vote on your part to impeach would voice, as Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Jon Meacham so eloquently put it, “that the rule of law will not be trampled on by the demagogue of the moment.”

With this, happy holidays. If you wish to discuss further, I am at Starbucks on a near daily basis. The new holiday drink, Irish Cream Cold Brew, is pretty good, from what I gather. My treat.

This is Braddah Kerry in Hilo, Hawaii, signing out.

Kerry Meyer

Hilo

Shameful act

I am truly disappointed that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard chose her own misguided agenda and essentially silenced her constituents in Wednesday’s historic vote.

She was elected to represent Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, yet her nonvote was a painful and disgusting reminder that well over 650,000 residents in our district have NO representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gabbard’s lack of action did not send a message about reconciliation, healing or ushering in a bright future. It sent a message that she is no longer committed to the position to which she was elected. This is shameful and an embarrassment.

I have no idea who she represents, but it certainly is not the residents of Hawaii.

Jennifer Shibuya

Keaau

Mahalo, DOH

Thank you so much for the state of Hawaii Department of Health team.

After the homeless camp in downtown Hilo was demolished on Nov. 21, 2019, their team came on a daily basis to check the area and pick up an incredible number of dead rats.

We are so glad to have the Department of Health team.

Some people felt sorry (Your Views, Nov. 29, by Mr. Gary Harrold) for the dislocated residents there, but, if you have to face a terrible sanitary situation every day, it is hard to welcome those people around you.

Masako Nishiyama

Hilo