Article was propaganda
The Sunday, June 19, Tribune-Herald front-page news article about the (Pohakuloa Training Area) was a classic case of mainstream media pro-war bias that feeds America’s addiction to war.
The article was entitled, “With more training, we’re more proficient: US Army holds artillery, aerial training at PTA.”
The article contained lots of photos of troops, ammo, live fire and a military drone. But not one word about the toxic contamination of air, land and water, and the danger to people, plants and animals from the wide range of military toxins, including depleted uranium radiation, etc., used over the past 75 years at PTA.
Nor did the article include any comment about the wide range of protests from the community, including recent testimony about ending the military lease of 23,000 acres of state lands at Pohakuloa and the demand for a comprehensive cleanup of the entire 133,000 acres at PTA.
Starting next week, from June 29 to Aug. 4, the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military destructive war games will be taking place in and around Hawaii — in the air, on land, and in the sea. It really amounts to a military invasion and further poisoning of Hawaii involving 26 countries, 25,000 military personnel, 38 ships, 170 aircraft and four submarines. Ships will be bombed, shelled, and sunk in Hawaiian waters; there will be destructive amphibious landings on Hawaiian shores; and, usually, Pohakuloa is the target of bombing and live-fire assault.
I trust we’ll be seeing another war machine propaganda article soon about “With more training, we’re more proficient.” Stay tuned.
In Hawaii and throughout the U.S., the number of people living in poverty, or on the edge of poverty, continues to grow. Affordable housing is hard to find. An increasing number of children go to bed hungry. Drug overdose deaths surpass 100,000 annually. Inflation soars. Wages are stagnant. The climate crisis. U.S. debt is now $30 trillion.
Instead of addressing these pressing problems, the U.S. pours more and more funds into militarism — this year, more than $800 billion. Hawaii and the world are paying a heavy social price for U.S. militarism. Increasing gun violence, and growing unmet human needs in the U.S. are a reflection of this. Where are the voices of elected officials — at the county, state and federal levels speaking out for an end to this military madness? Where are our educators and media voices for peace?
And what has happened to some people who were a part of the anti-war movement? Where are you today? Are you now cheering on the war in Ukraine and the new McCarthy-era anti-Russian and anti-Chinese hysteria?
I agree with Noam Chomsky: “We are living in the most dangerous time in history.” Enough! More war is not the answer! Peace is a victory for all.
Jim Albertini
Kurtistown
‘Creepy message’
How come we devote a month for gay awareness and only one day for, say, veterans or moms or dads? Seems a bit much.
One of the concepts of the gay pride month was to bring people together and bridge gaps and build tolerance. But with the over-sexualization of Pride parades, it diminishes the message.
The message is said loud and clear to the masses, but bondage and sadomasochism props at the Pride parade make that message creepy.
Imagine a family wanting to enlighten their kids by taking them to a Pride parade. Caricatures of gay men and women, drag camp to the hilt, and S&M clothing is what they are showcased. Is that the message this year, again, all these decades later? Same ol’ creepy message.
Imagine the shock and horror if my wife and I (we’re old) walked down the street, showcasing our heterosexual amorous peccadillos.
The horror. The horror.
Allen Russell
Hilo