Here are the last two days of public commentary on Robert 'Kelly' Greenwell's invitation to resettle Guantanamo detainees on the Big Island. At top a letter from Hawaii County GOP Chair Daryl Smith.
RELATED: Hawaii County Councilman: Release Guantanamo detainees in Hawaii
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/07/02/opinion/letters_-_your_voice/letters04.txt
GOP to Greenwell: Call it Quits
Thursday, July 2, 2009 9:13 AM HST
Councilman Kelley Greenwell's invitation to send Guantanamo detainees to Hawaii Island is a sign of the dangerous lunacy created by one-party government.
Greenwell, whose district has been the scene of numerous protests aimed at driving U.S. soldiers off of our island, now says we should show "aloha" to al-Qaida soldiers.
Hawaii Republicans reject this suicidal insanity. We support U.S. soldiers and oppose Greenwell's invitation to al-Qaida.
Al-Qaida detainees do not belong in the civilian world and they do not belong in the civilian courts.
Kelley Greenwell does not belong on the County Council. He should resign.
Daryl Smith
Volcano
Chairman
Hawaii County Republican Party
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http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/07/02/opinion/letters_-_your_voice/letters03.txt
County Council
Mind set illustrated by two stories in one day
Thursday, July 2, 2009 9:13 AM HST
The two council articles in the June 26 edition of WHT unfortunately typify the current mind set of the council.
On the one hand, Dominic Yagong and Brenda Ford are attempting to address real issues in a concrete fashion by foregoing a 22 percent raise.
On the other side, Mr. Greenwell rather than dwell on local problems, of which there are many, is apparently spending his time thinking up ways to be the president's "best friend." I refer to Greenwell's latest proposal, insane by his own admission, to release the Gitmo prisoners here on the Big Island. Not withstanding the fact that virtually every country, state, county and city on the planet has found significant problems with the idea, he thinks of them a only "suspects" who should be forgiven, as we forgave our adversaries after WWII, and admonishes us not to live in a "culture of fear."
I have some advice for Mr. Greenwell: Start living in rationality. We elected Obama to deal with national issues. Greenwell should confine his "brainstorming" to the local level. Certainly we "forgave" Germany and Japan after the war but only well after hostilities ceased. Like it or not there remain terrorist factions who continue to be at war with us. These detainees are not simply harmless political prisoners as he suggests but pose significant security problems as exhibited by the almost universal rejection of them.
I suggest that Mr. Greenwell start doing the job he was elected to do and stop living in a culture of ignorance.
Robert F Chambers
Captain Cook
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http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/07/02/opinion/letters_-_your_voice/letters02.txt
Gitmo proposal
Reconsider this
Thursday, July 2, 2009 9:13 AM HST
I have always respected Kelly Greenwell and have given several of his ideas great thought and consideration.
When I read the article regarding moving Gitmo prisoners to Hawaii, I thought he was considering the federal funding that Fiji got for accepting 15 prisoners last month.
I thought he was hoping to provide more jobs to incarcerate these murderers.
But am I correct to say that he wants to welcome them as equals and new citizens?
Please, Greenwell, reconsider this ridiculous concept and think in ways that do not pose a serious threat to the people of the Big Island. A liberal agenda led to the fall of the Roman Empire and will be the death of America.
Larry Peckham
Kailua-Kona
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http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/07/01/opinion/letters_-_your_voice/letters01.txt
Gitmo appeal
What is wrong with Councilman Greenwell?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:49 AM HST
In an attempt to appease President Obama for the "critical predicament" he now finds himself in regarding the Guantanamo prison detainee situation, Mr. Greenwell is offering up my beautiful island on a silver platter, without even asking me first, to the terrorists who have no place to go.
In addition, Mr. Greenwell wants the terrorists to come over here, to this island, so they can live with plenty of aloha, pink plumeria and a whole lotta' paradisiacal love.
Let me remind those (who aren't aware) that Mr. Obama has brought this entire Gitmo situation upon himself -- and any offers of assistance from the Big Island should be brought to the attention of the people who live here "first and foremost," Washington second. I would think a good politician would know this?
I never write letters such as this, but this morning I almost chocked on my Kona coffee when I saw this on the front page. I am sick and tired of all of this "let's talk" crap when it comes to terrorists. If our elected officials do not know yet that talking gets us no-where fast, then you shouldn't have been elected to represent us. It's pure cowardice.
Do you speak fluent Arabic, Mr. Greenwell? I certainly hope so, as it might help in pleading your case before they kill you. And they will kill you. They want to kill me, too, simply because I am an American -- and damn proud of it, too.
Your left-of-liberal outlook on this situation proves to me that you are not dealing mentally with all 52, just the Joker and the instructions.
9-11 is still fresh in my mind. And I will never forget. In my lifetime, 9-11 was the most shocking event that ever took place. We have family living in New York, along with precious grandchildren, and the terrorists attacked us in a way that brought sheer horror and enormous heartache and grief to this wonderful country. Never forget that people in New York actually saw things that will haunt them throughout their life times, just because they were there. Haunting memories that they must live with for the rest of their lives. Yet you want to talk? For God sakes, about what? A change of underwear?
Leave the beautiful people of this island, along with their families and loved ones, alone. Send your secret letters to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia instead. Let them take their killers back. Our island does not need to be inundated with murderers and killers from the Middle East in order to help you gain the president's affection and friendship.
I would never want to see an act of terrorism take place on Hawaii Island as long as I live -- and if you allow this ilk into our society, you've only asked for it. Remember, their choice of killing is by "beheading." I need to say, Mr. Greenwell, that I really do like my head
Please, if you are going to represent us, then do it in a way that we can respect you for it -- because this certainly isn't the way.
Sheila Mason
Kona-
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http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/07/01/opinion/letters_-_your_voice/letters02.txt
Gitmo response
It is mental vacancy to propose relocation
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:49 AM HST
Mr. Greenwell's proposal to release Guantanamo prisoners within the Big Island community is not only insane but represents vacancy of mind.
The Japanese and the Germans were forgiven for their atrocities after many years of healing had passed. The United States is still engaged in the war on terror from which the Gitmo detainees were captured. The atrocities of the radical Islamic Muslims need to cease before healing and forgiveness can begin.
I find it disturbing Mr. Greenwell would imply Mayor Kenoi could benefit by opening up our community to those who loathe the United States and for which it stands. Mayor Kenoi was elected to serve the residents of the Big Island, not make deals that benefit his political career. Furthermore, Mr. Greenwell's letter to Obama should have been publicly aired prior to it being mailed.
Is it he just doesn't care what his constituents and other Big Island residents think because he is the elected official and therefore he knows what is best for all? After all this is a typical politician's mind set.
I believe it is time for Mr. Greenwell to take a step back and reconnect with reality -- but maybe he is so far out there that this is no longer possible.
Kerry S. Alligood
Waimea
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http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/07/01/opinion/letters_-_your_voice/letters03.txt
Gitmo
You must be joking
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:49 AM HST
Well, Mr. Greenwell, you really had me going there for a while. I was already composing a scathing letter denouncing your letter to the president offering to bring Gitmo detainees to the Big Island.
Then I started thinking that you could not possibly be serious and that this is a joke. You have quite a sense of humor.
I especially liked the part about there only being 10 percent of the people in opposition to the idea. Can you imagine 90 percent liking the idea! Just think of the fun WHT would have with the headlines: "Coming soon to your neighborhood -- a Gitmo detainee" or, "Be the first on your block to adopt a 9-11 terror suspect."
But the very best part of your joke was when you said that we need to stop making decisions based on politics and then proceeded to write in a letter to Mr. Kenoi stating President Obama would be his "best friend" if he supported this plan -- what a hoot.
Now, let me take my tongue out of my cheek and say that you were right when you said that your idea "may sound insane." There's no question about it. Did you even consult your constituents before you wrote your letters?
I stand proudly in your 10 percent who oppose any such proposal. My sense of aloha is fully intact -- but it does not extend to terrorists.
Linda May
Captain Cook
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http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/07/01/opinion/letters_-_your_voice/letters04.txt
Gitmo
A recipe for disaster from a 10 percenter
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:49 AM HST
Take a few Gitmo detainees, add some Colombian drug lords and a few Somali pirates; let the healing begain.
Please, Mr. Greenwell, please don't write any more letters on my behalf. The president might think I voted for you and think poorly of me.
You were on the mark when you said "may sound insane."
Have you so little grasp of the world around you and the people you are talking about to invite them to our house. In their religious zeal, they have killed the innocent.
Let me be the first member of your 10 percent negative responders. I am certain I won't be the last. Don't forget to take your medication.
Robert J. Tiffany
Kailua-Kona
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the 10% is speaking up....Now RECALL
RELATED: Hawaii County Councilman: Release Guantanamo detainees in Hawaii
the WHT article:
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/06/25/local/local02.txt
Those to contact directly :
Hawaii County Counsel man Robert ' Kelly' Greenwell
Phone: (808) 327-3642
Fax: (808) 329-4786
E-Mail Address: kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us
Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi
PHONE NUMBERS East Hi: (808) 961-8211
West Hi: (808) 327-3602
FAX NUMBERS East Hi: (808) 961-6553
West Hi: (808) 326-5663
cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us