Two terroristic acts on the same day, both done in the name of religion, but unfortunately only one will be prime time news for the foreseeable future.

A convert to Islam guns down two soldiers in Arkansas because of what they did to Muslims in the past. Both soldiers were fresh recruits and had not even seen combat yet. A man professing to be a Christian guns down a man who earned a living by aborting late-term babies (read: human beings). While certainly not condoning this act, both suspect and victim were in the wrong.

While the pro-choice lobby will use this event to support the "right to choose" for years to come with President Obama's endorsement, the leadership of this country and the Hawai'i Legislature continue to apologize for American "crimes" against the Muslim world and declare "Islam Day."

I have heard Christian leaders speak out against the abortion doctor killing, but I have not heard a word of condemnation by the Islamic community or the leadership of this country concerning the first event. What group is truly being persecuted and wronged in this country?

James Roller | Mililani

OUTSOURCING

HAWAIIAN AIR SHOWS WHAT ITS VALUES ARE

Hawaiian Airlines recently touted its purchase of billions of dollars of Airbus 330 aircraft over comparable U.S.-made Boeing models, thus sending hundreds of jobs to the EU countries that make the AB 330. (This is the same plane that just crashed when it hit bad weather.)

Then, HAL has the nerve to brag about buying Rolls-Royce engines made in the United Kingdom for those AB 330, instead of General Electric engines made in the USA. Add that to the outsourcing of reservations calls to Manila, engine maintenance to New Zealand, and computer work to India, we have a company that values its bottom line over American workers and the U.S. foreign trade deficit.

Russel Yamashita | Honolulu

ANIMAL ABUSE

WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT VICIOUSNESS?

We have some pretty good animal protection laws in Hawai'i. Are they being put to use? Viciously killing a bird with a baseball bat and killing a blind pet pig are two instances of barbaric behavior that we should have outgrown as we became more civilized as a nation. The quote goes something like "a nation should be judged on how it treats its most vulnerable" — the young, the elderly and the helpless, such as animals. It is one thing to go hunting legitimately with the right gun, etc. It is another thing to set dogs on a pig, feral or not, and watch as it tears the animal apart, as has been reported.

Does the state have a role in this? Why are the peacocks not being relocated? Many have been killed. Does the Humane Society have any jurisdiction?

I don't think that people have reacted to the killing of the peacock just because of its beauty, but to the viciousness of the action and the pain suffered by the animal.

Barbara Coons | Honolulu

VETERINARIAN

PRAISE FOR DR. HIGA WAS WELL DESERVED

Thank you to Leslie Kawamoto for her touching feature on Dr. James Higa of Waipahu Leeward Veterinary Clinic (May 31). Dr. Higa has also taken care of our family's many cats over the years, and we can attest that he has the utmost compassion and kindest touch with every animal he encounters. We appreciate the recognition of this outstanding but humble veterinarian and overall admirable human being.

E. Chang | Mililani

CANONIZATION

DAMIEN WOULD HAVE MONEY GO TO CHARITY

I'm sure that Father Damien would have preferred that the large sums of money people are spending to be at his canonization be spent in the form of contributions to such organizations as the Foodbank, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Waikiki Health Center, Special Olympics and other local charitable organizations. Let us not forget, "Charity begins at home."

Ted Plaister | Hawai'i Kai

STATE FURLOUGHS

WORKERS SHOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE JOBS

About that employee who said "This might convince me to get another job." (Advertiser, June 2): You better get the job before you quit. At least you have a job. I would have taken a 15 percent pay cut to keep my past job but I had no choice.

Alan Matsumoto | Kekaha, Hawai'i

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

CONCEPT A MOCKERY OF CITIZENSHIP OATH

The May 23 article about the return of the reporter imprisoned in Iran stated that she "has dual citizenship."

As a WWII veteran, I am appalled that such a concept is tolerated and appalled that it exists. I am also a foreign-born naturalized citizen of the United States.

The very first sentence of the Oath of Allegiance for Naturalized Citizens states, "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution." Where in that oath is a provision for dual citizenship?

American-born citizens are not required to take an oath but thereby they miss the pride and joy that swells when taking that oath and swearing that loyalty. But dual citizenship is not a journalistic fluke; it is in fact acknowledged by the U.S. Department of State. And that makes a mockery of the citizenship oath.

Speak out for undivided loyalty; ask your congressional representative to correct this blatant deviation from the Oath of Citizenship.

Norman MacRitchie | Honolulu

RAIL TRANSIT

ARTICLE ON FUNDING WAS 'SIMPLY WRONG'

The Advertiser's May 26 article, "Aging U.S. transit may sap Oahu rail," was simply wrong in its assertion that fixing older transit systems elsewhere "may require diverting money from recently built and planned train systems," according to a Federal Transit Administration report to Congress, and that this "could mean less money for Honolulu's planned rail system."

The report says nothing at all about reducing funding for the FTA's New Starts program, which helps pay for new rail projects, nor did it mention Honolulu's system. The only federal official included in the article indicated that its premise was flat wrong, yet these comments were buried at the very end.

The truth is that federal support for Honolulu's rail project is quite strong, and there have been no indications whatsoever that federal funding for the project is in jeopardy. In fact, the newly confirmed head of the agency, Peter Rogoff, has met with Mayor Hannemann several times, personally toured the project corridor, and voiced strong support for the project during his Senate confirmation hearing before Sen. Daniel Akaka on May 13.

Wayne Y. Yoshioka | Director, Honolulu Department of Transportation Services