Please read Fire at the well head, by Llewellyn D. Howell in the August 20, 2006 Star-Bulletin “Insight” section. It raises a number of important points about the nature of and the steps that might be taken to increase peace in the Mid-East. The active discussion of the ideas in this UH professor’s article is essential to unraveling the current crisis that faces our world.

Finally, the discussion of the ideas expressed in this article is a sign of strength on terrorism, not weakness.  Knowledge and insight brings strength. Limiting discussion brings weakness.

The Honolulu Advertiser covered my campaign today in this nice article: First-time hopefuls set sights on House.

Rejecting special-interest money, the 65-year-old marathon runner is operating a shoestring campaign that includes running through neighborhoods across the district, getting his name into the public eye and taking the opportunity to meet potential voters.

“I am running because I refuse to tie myself to special interests that will only keep me from speaking freely about thoughts that are in my heart and in my head,” he said.

He opposes war in Iraq and would rather see the money directed toward adding housing for senior citizens and the needy, and making college and vocational training more affordable.

He also wants to put an end to “pork-barrel spending” that earmarks portions of the federal budget to benefit certain constituencies. While he welcomes federal money that comes to Hawai’i, he wants to spread the message: “Don’t buy pork if it’s not on sale.”

Joe’s been running his ideas for a Common Sense Congress around Kauai these past 5 days. The Kauai Garden Island News quoted him in this article:

Joe Zuiker, an attorney and marathon runner from O‘ahu, recently ran through some neighborhoods of Kaua‘i as part of his campaigning. He also held an election sign by the old Oki Restaurant on Kuhio Highway.

Zuiker called for the U.S. military to leave Iraq and an immediate end to pork barrel spending by Congress to begin whittling a $9-trillon national debt.

Zuiker, who was Peace Corp volunteer in the 1960s, said he would like to start a national program that would allow for thousands of Muslim children to visit the United States.

The program would allow the children to see Americans as kind and caring people who can work with different cultures to make the world a better place.

Listen to the interview here.

The Star-Bulletin’s Political File covers Joe’s announcement.