IRAQ

SEN. AKAKA ON HIS VOTE ON THE SPENDING BILL

A year ago, Congress began considering legislation requiring withdrawal of American troops in Iraq. As one who voted against the invasion in the first place, I have supported every measure calling for the end of our involvement in what is now a civil war. After President George W. Bush sent our troops to invade Iraq, I committed myself to support, fund and protect our troops — 100 percent. And I have.

While three previous measures setting various time lines for withdrawal failed to pass the Senate, on April 26, Congress sent President Bush an emergency supplemental budget that required troop redeployment beginning in October. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed the emergency funding bill and indicated that he would veto any funding bill that called for time specific withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

On May 24, I voted for a new emergency funding bill with benchmarks for the Iraqi government but without a time line for troop withdrawal. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 80-14.

Some who agree with my position against the war in Iraq have questioned my vote on this funding bill, especially after troop withdrawal provisions were deleted. The answer is simple: I have never voted against funding our troops, and I'm not going to start now, with their lives on the line in enemy territory.

My vote came after much deliberation and soul-searching. It was clear to me that President Bush would rather deny our troops the equipment and resources they need than to listen to Congress and the American people who are demanding we change our course and end our Iraq occupation. While the president may be willing to ignore the American people and play politics with the lives of our service men and women, I am not.

Later this month, the Senate is expected to take up the defense authorization bill. I will use this opportunity to work with my colleagues to again pressure President Bush to bring our troops home. They should not be policing a civil war.

TRANSIT

HAVE THE FORESIGHT TO SUPPORT RAIL SYSTEM

People are naturally resistant to change. I understand that if we had a rail system today not many people would use it.

But a mass-transit system can't be built overnight. Today's escalating fuel prices and the ever-increasing gridlock on our roads will surely have a greater impact on our lives in the future.

The time will come when gasoline prices will balloon to unimaginable levels and our daily commutes will require us to leave home hours before the work day begins. When this happens, people will be begging for an alternative. If we don't build the rail now, there won't be one.

Change is imminent. Support the rail system. We can't keep waiting until tomorrow to solve yesterday's problems.

ROAD SAFETY

BAN PASSENGERS FROM RIDING IN TRUCK BEDS

Most states and municipalities, including all military installations, have strict laws prohibiting unrestrained passengers from riding in the back of pick-up trucks. Imagine the irony of an HPD officer being forced to ticket a driver of a motor vehicle for a seatbelt violation while a driver of a pickup truck drives by with a group of unrestrained children, teenagers or adults riding in the bed of his truck. Safety first?

FLAG WEEK

A TIME FOR US WAVE OUR STARS AND STRIPES

June 14 has been proclaimed by President Bush as Flag Day. This week, beginning today, is National Flag Week. The Hawai'i Society of the Sons of the American Revolution call upon our officials to display the flag. We urge all Americans to fly the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable places.

In his proclamation, President Bush said, "Two hundred and thirty years ago, the Second Continental Congress officially made the Stars and Stripes the symbol of America. The Founders declared that the 13 stars gracing the original flag represented 'a new constellation,' just as America embodied new hope and new light for mankind.

"Today, our flag continues to convey the bold spirit of a proud and determined Nation."

DAY TO REMEMBER

MILITARY APPRECIATION PRICELESS FOR FAMILIES

I would like to thank Mayor Mufi Hannemann, the city of Honolulu, a host of generous businesses and some 200 military and civilian volunteers for treating more than 8,000 military family members to a wonderful fun-filled day at the Honolulu Zoo on June 2.

A special mahalo to City Enterprise Services Director Sid Quintal and Zoo Director Ken Redman for welcoming the military families to the zoo and to the many sponsors and donors of the free food, beverages, entertainment and children's games. And we can't forget the military commanders who provided free bus service for hundreds of military families.

USO Hawai'i presented Military Appreciation Day at the zoo, but it was the tremendous support of the community that made the event a huge success.

The bottom line is that the people of Honolulu brought a day of joy and relief to 8,000 military family members who must endure the daily struggles faced by our brave soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, National Guardsmen and women serving in harm's way. This sharing of aloha is truly a blessing and is deeply appreciated by our military 'ohana.

CITY BUDGET

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MUST CUT COSTS NOW

OK, let's see if I understand the mayor's and City Council's budget.

First, they're going to reduce residential property taxes (cha-ching), putting money back into our pockets. At the same time they will raise business property taxes, which means the cost of goods from those businesses will increase (cha-ching), taking money back out of our pocket.

Then, they're going to increase our sewer fees, taking even more money out of our pocket. So it would appear the formula would look like this. Our pocket money, plus savings on property taxes, minus increased cost of goods, minus higher sewer fees, equals: We're wracked again by our elected officials.

Now I think I understand. And remember, you elected them, they didn't elect themselves.

Again, I would call on our elected officials to cut government cost, waste and mismanagement.