TALIA WILLIAMS

WHY DID NO ONE REPORT ABUSE OF LITTLE GIRL?

After reading the disturbing and heartbreaking article by Jim Dooley, "Stepmom's alleged abuse of little girl detailed in murder case," I asked myself where were the neighbors, teachers, friends, anyone who could have saved this little girl from the nightmare she must have endured every day.

Were they so isolated that no one heard the screams or saw the bruises, broken bones and scars on this 5-year-old child?

What could have happened if one person stood up and reported suspected abuse in that home? Could Talia have been saved?

Child abuse will not end unless all of us take a stand to do everything we can to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

RIGHTS

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SHOULD BE ALLOWED

As our Founding Fathers stated, we are all entitled to "unalienable rights, that among these are...the pursuit of happiness," which makes marriage a natural right.

So why do we have to discriminate against same-sex marriage? After all, people are exercising their rights just like everyone else.

In fact, accepting such views helps people gain acceptance of other nontraditional ideas. It also teaches children and others tolerance and how to be open-minded.

Sure, it will go against most religions and what most cultures accept, but when you really think about it, what do these people have to do with it anyway? Isn't marriage between two people "forever till death do they part?"

Therefore, since marriage is only between two people we should allow same-sex marriage. They should have the same privileges as other couples who want to get married. No one loses or gains anything that way.

However, taking away someone's happiness because you don't approve of their love is taking away their rights. Now that is blasphemy.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION

BIKE RENTAL PROGRAM GREAT IDEA FOR HAWAI'I

Last week while in South America, I read in the International Herald Tribune, "Bicycle-sharing changing the face of Europe." It reminded me of the success of bike rental programs I've seen in Barcelona, Paris and other European cities, and I began to wonder why Hawai'i couldn't have something similar. It'd be a great way to reduce some of our congestion — and imagine the health benefits.

I was thrilled when I came home and opened my Sunday Honolulu Advertiser to read, "Shuttle bikes may start next spring." Three cheers for Mr. Nguyen Le's Momentum B-cycle program.

NEIGHBORHOODS

CAR STEREO NOISE WORSE THAN ROOSTERS OR COQUI

Worse by far than roosters crowing and coqui frogs is the boom-boom-boom noise emanating nightly from amplified stereos of cars parked near the bedrooms of residents of Makaha Shores.

ECONOMY

CONSERVATIVES FORGET WHY THEY LOST ELECTION

How quickly the conservatives have forgotten why they just lost an election.

As Rush Limbaugh blames President-elect Obama for the recession, Newt Gingrich blames big labor for the fall of the auto industry and Sean Hannity hurls accusations of voter fraud in the Minnesota Senate contest, you just have to wonder what these conservatives are really all about.

Not long ago, I considered myself a conservative, believing in free enterprise and national security and all that. But the loud-mouthed vitriol of this election, mostly from the right wing, has been like a swift kick in the head, making me wonder if going to war for oil and the freedom of the rich to rip off everyone else under the banner of free enterprise is really patriotic.

Well I'm mad as hell and can't take it anymore when it's perfectly legal for stockbrokers to fly off to the Bahamas with millions, while folks who were saving up for retirement find themselves penniless.

The ability to make money freely is not enough, and I hope that Barack Obama understands this and will not be intimidated by media mudslinging.

LAVA THUNDER

ISLES' CITIZEN SOLDIERS MAKE SACRIFICES FOR US

I recently returned from an unforgettable experience — the Hawai'i Civic Leaders Tour at Fort Hood, Texas. The event gave local business and community leaders a chance to see the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Hawai'i Army National Guard and the vital mission it performs.

As you know, 1,700 of our citizen soldiers, including my daughter, Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, deployed to Kuwait for a 12-month tour of duty, joining 600 soldiers of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade from Oklahoma to form Task Force Lava Thunder.

As we observed and participated in some of the training exercises, I came to appreciate the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families. I attended the farewell deployment ceremony with U.S. Sens. Dan Akaka and Jim Inhofe and Rep. Neil Abercrombie, plus many families from Hawai'i and Oklahoma.

It was humbling to present an honorary certificate from the Legislature to Hawai'i's Col. Bruce E. Oliveira, 29th IBCT commander; Oklahoma's Col. Glen Moore, 45th FiB commander; and the heroes of Task Force Lava Thunder. I wish them success and look forward to welcoming them back home safely. I ask you to please keep all of them and their families in your prayers.