Monday, November 30, 2009

What Did George W Bush Accomplish in His first year? Find Out.

With everyone giving our Prez a hard time, lets just back up and look at what he is actually doing right now.

First of all, he is taking care of state dinners, flying all over the world trying to better our image, handling healthcare, and trying to get the war in afghanistan from turning into another 8 years. Everyone is whining. But this isn't done yet, and this isnt done yet. Oh, cut it out, kids. The man has four years you know.  If you ask me he is doing a pretty monumental job. Not only that he is still charming, young, handsome, has a wonderful family and tucks his kids into bed at night and loves his wife, ok? So knock it off.

Look, you could always have another Dubya on your hands. Would you prefer that? I found this great website, here is the link: showing Dubyas accomplishments in his first year in office.


For Your viewing pleasure, I have c and pd it right here, so lets just sit back, relax, and peruse this list, shall we?(Bad stuff is marked with an asterick (*))

 George W. Bush's first year in office (List of 77 accomplishments)
www.redpepper.org.uk ^ | 3/25/02 | Red Pepper staff

Posted on Monday, March 25, 2002 8:14:09 AM by LarryLied
In George W. Bush's first year in office he:

1. Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered crops.*
2. Cut federal spending on libraries by $39 million.*
3. Cut $35 million in funding for doctors to get advanced pediatric training.*
4. Cut funding for research into renewable energy sources by 50%.*
5. Revoked rules that reduced the acceptable levels of arsenic in drinking water.*

6. Blocked rules that would require federal agencies to offer bilingual assistance to non-English speaking persons. This, from a candidate who would readily fire-up his Spanish-speaking skills in front of would-be Hispanic voters.*
7. Proposed to eliminate new marine protections for the Channel Islands and the coral reefs of northwest Hawaii (please see San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 2001).**
8. Cut funding for research into cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks by 28% *
9. Suspended rules that would have strengthened the government's ability to deny contracts to companies that violated workplace safety, environmental and other federal laws. **
10. Approved the sending of letters by Interior Department appointee Gale Norton to state officials soliciting suggestions for opening up national monuments for oil and gas drilling, coal mining, and foresting.  *

11. Appointed John Negroponte -- an unindicted high-level Iran Contra figure to the post of United Nations Ambassador.  *
12. Abandoned a campaign pledge to invest $100 million for rainforest conservation.  *
13. Reduced by 86% the Community Access Program for public hospitals, clinics and providers of care for people without insurance. *
14. Rescinded a proposal to increase public access to information about the potential consequences resulting from chemical plant accidents. *
15. Suspended rules that would require hardrock miners to clean up sites on public lands. *

16. Cut $60 million from a Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America program for public housing. *
17. Proposed to eliminate a federal program, designed and successfully used in Seattle, to help communities prepare for natural disasters. *
18. Pulled out of the 1997 Kyoto Treaty global warming agreement. 19. Cut $200 million of work force training for dislocated workers. *
20. Eliminated funding for the Wetlands Reserve Program, which encourages farmers to maintain wetlands habitat on their property. *

21. Cut program to provide childcare to low-income families as they move from welfare to work.  *
22. Cut a program that provided prescription contraceptive coverage to federal employees (though it still pays for Viagra).  *
23. Cut $700 million in capital funds for repairs in public housing.  *
24. Appointed Otto Reich -- an un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure -- to Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs.  *
25. Cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency by $500 million.  *

26. Proposed to curtail the ability of groups to sue in order to get an animal placed on the Endangered Species List.  *
27. Rescinded the rule that mandated increased energy-saving efficiency regulations for central air conditioners and heat pumps.  *
28. Repealed workplace ergonomic rules designed to improve worker health and safety.  *
29. Abandoned campaign pledge to regulate carbon dioxide, the waste gas that contributes to global warming.  *
30. Banned federal aid to international family planning programs that offer abortion counseling with other independent funds.  *

31. Closed the White House Office for Women's Health Initiatives and Outreach.  *
32. Nominated David Lauriski -- an ex-mining company executive --- to post of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.  *
33. Approved a controversial plan by Interior Secretary Gale Norton to auction oil and gas development tracts off the coast of eastern Florida.  *
34. Announced intention to open up Montana's Lewis and Clark National Forest to oil and drilling.  *
35. Proposes to re-draw boundaries of nation's monuments, which would technically allow oil and gas drilling "outside" of national monuments.  *

36. Gutted the White House AIDS Office.  *
37. Renegotiated a free trade agreement with Jordan to eliminate workers's rights and safeguards for the environment.  *
38. Will no longer seek guidance from The American Bar Association in recommendations for the federal judiciary appointments.  *
39. Appointed recycling foe Lynn Scarlett as Undersecretary of the Interior.  *
40. Took steps to abolish the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  *

41. Cut the Community Oriented Policing Services program.  *
42. Allowed Interior Secretary Gale Norton to shelve citizen-led grizzly bear re-introduction plan scheduled for Idaho and Montana wilderness.
43. Continues to hold up federal funding for stem cell research projects.  *
44. Makes sure convicted misdemeanor drug users cannot get financial aid for college, though convicted murderers can.  *
45. Refused to fund continued cleanup of uranium-slag heap in Utah.  *

46. Refused to fund continued litigation of the government's tobacco company lawsuit.  *
47. Proposed a $2 trillion tax cut, 43% of which will go to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.  *
48. Signed a bill making it harder for poor and middle-class Americans to file for bankruptcy, even in the case of daunting medical bills.  *
49. Appointed a Vice President quoted as saying "If you want to do something about carbon dioxide emissions, then you ought to build nuclear power plants." (Meet the Press.")  *
50. Appointed Diana Roth to the Council of Economic Advisers. ("There is no gender gap in pay", Boston Globe, March 28, 2001.)  *

51. Appointed Kay Cole James, an opponent of affirmative action, to direct the Office of Personnel Management.  *
52. Cut $15.7 million earmarked for states to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.  *
53. Helped kill a law designed to make it tougher for teenagers to get credit cards.  *
54. Proposed elimination of the "Reading is Fundamental" program that gives free books to poor children.  *
55. Is pushing for development of small nuclear arms to attack deeply buried targets and weapons. This would violate the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.  *

56. Proposes to nominate Jeffrey Sutton, the attorney responsible for a recent case weakening the Americans with Disabilities Act, to federal appeals court judgeship.  *
57. Proposes to reverse regulation protecting 60 million acres of national forest from logging and road building. *
58. Eliminated funding for the "We the People" education program which taught school children about the   Constitution, the Bill of Rights and citizenship.  *
59. Appointed John Bolton, who opposes nonproliferation treaties and the UN, to Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.  *
60. Nominated Linda Fisher, an executive with Monsanto, for the number-two job at the Environmental Protection Agency.  *

61. Nominated Michael McConnell, leading critic of the separation of church and state, to a federal judgeship.  *
62. Nominated Terrence Boyle, an ardent opponent of civil rights, to a federal judgeship.  *
63. Canceled 2004 deadline for automakers to develop prototype high mileage cars.  *
64. Nominated Harvey Pitts, a lawyer for a teen sex video distributor, to head SEC.  *
65. Nominated John Walters, a strong opponent of prison drug treatment programs, to be Drug Tsar. (Washington Post, May 16, 2001.)  *

66. Nominated J. Steven Giles, an oil and coal lobbyist, for Deputy Secretary of the Interior.  *
67. Nominated Bennett Raley, who advocates repealing the Endangered Species Act, for Assistant Secretary for Water and Science  *
68. Is seeking the dismissal of class-action lawsuit filed in the US against Japan by Asian women forced to work as sex slaves during WWII.  *
69. Earmarked $4 million in new federal grant money for HIV and drug abuse prevention programs to go only to religious groups and not secular equivalents.  *
70. Reduced the Low Income Home Assistance Program by 40%; it aided low-income individuals who need assistance paying energy bills.  *

71. Nominated Ted Olson, who has repeatedly lied about his involvement with the Scaiffe-funded "Arkansas Project" to bring down Bill Clinton, for Solicitor General.
72. Nominated Terrance Boyle, a foe of civil rights, to a federal judgeship.  *
73. Proposes to ease permit process, including environmental considerations, for refinery, nuclear and hydroelectric dam construction. (Washington Post, May 18, 2001.)  *
74. Proposes to give government the authority to take private property through eminent domain for power lines.  *
75. Proposes that $1.2 billion in funding for alternative renewable energy come from selling oil and gas lease tracts in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.  *
76. Plans on serving genetically engineered foods at all official government functions.  *
77. Forced out Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck and appointed a timber industry lobbyist. **



WELL HECK 77 OUT of 77 ARE THINGS OBAMA HAS TO FIX NOW.


WHAT DO YOU NAY SAYERS, WHINERS AND COMPLAINERS HAVE TO SAY NOW? 


I will be posting the other 7 years up here as well.
Ok, then...lighten up.


Its either HOPE or THE DOPE. Make up your minds



Stop Dattatreya Siva Baba from desecrating our sacred heiau!!


Dattatreya Siva Baba is a self styled "Guru" who is coming to Kaua'i. His itinerary includes most of our most sacred heiau and temples. He is intent on using them for HIS ceremonies and purposes. THIS IS BLASPHEMY!  DO we go to a Hindu temple and perform Catholic ceremonies? Do we go into a Synagogue and perform Islamic prayers? Do we go to a Shinto temple and perform Christian ceremonies?

NO! HEWA HEWA HEWA HEWA HEWA!!!!!!!
What is so strange to me, is this man should know better. But apparently he does not. Even if he has the blessing of someone who is claiming to be an authority, those of us in the community will not allow this. Neither will the DLNR I suspect. I am calling on all groups with authority to help; me, through  THE LA'A AINA COALITION to STOP THIS MAN FROM PERFORMING ANY CEREMONIES ON OUR HEIAUS!!

 Here are more links to his "itinerary".


There is more!


According to his website, he is going to perform some ceremony that will call up some sort of power, that he will "take" from all of our heiau!


I urge all Native Hawaiian groups, halaus, sovreignity, community groups, environmental groups to join forces under The LA'A AINA COALITION to prevent Him from performing ANYTHING on our heiaus!


We will be organizing ceremonies on all of the heiaus, in order to prevent them from coming onto them. This will require a LOT OF PEOPLE!!


Help us today!!


email me at kad2009@ymail.com
or at stopsivababa@yahoo.com/ymail.com


MAHALO




You betcha! The Sarah Palin speech(es) we never heard one year ago tonight

You betcha! The Sarah Palin speech(es) we never heard one year ago tonight

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peek at her "fan site"! (but don't click be a fan!)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

The La'a Aina Coaliton Protest In the Rotunda

The La'a Aina Coalition will be sponsoring a protest in the Rotunda of the Kauai Mayoral Complex a week from this Thursday. Please spread the word.


The purpose of this protest is to disagree with the determination that the bikepath should go on or near the sacred Hikina A Ka La Heiau, or ANY heiaus on the maKAI side of the road.


We believe that all heiaus are precious, and equal in their importance, and that NONE can be disturbed.

We will be gathering and begin at Noon and go until 2 PM on December 10, in the rotunda area by the Mayors off ice. There will be a large petition to sign. If you can't make it, email and call the Mayor about your feelings on this issue.


Go ahead and bring signs, all are welcome to film or photograph this event. Media are welcome.


HOWEVER THIS IS A PEACEFUL PROTEST AND RALLY!! 


Around 2 pm we will walk the petition up to the Mayors office, in a friendly, polite and orderly way!

Sarah Palin"Book To Nowhere Book Burning" & Potluck On Kauai

STOP THE INSANITY!!








Aloha. I am organizing a "bookburning" for Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue". Here how it is going to work.


First, download this picture of the Sarah Palin Bookcover, and print out a color copy of it, or a black and white copy if you prefer.


Next, get an old magazine, or even an old book that you really don't want anymore. Attach the print out of the book cover to the front cover of the magazine or book.

*NOTE * NO BOOKS OR MAGAZINES WILL ACTUALLY BE BURNED THEY ARE PROPS TO MAKE OUR POINT WE WILL ONLY BE BURNING THE PAPER WITH THE IMAGE OF THE BOOK ON IT NO BOOKS OR MAGAZINES WILL BE HARMED I PROMISE!*



Then bring it with you, when we have the official bookburning, which will be on  Saturday, DECEMBER 19 at LYDGATE PARK, from 9 AM till 11 AM. I will be on twitter or my facebook account. Click the badge on this blog to find out the dates and times for the bookburning.


This way, we don't have to fatten her wallet with actually "purchasing " her book.


You can also download the Sarah Palin Nope picture and use that instead.


Stay tuned for the exact date and time announcements, right here, on facebook, and also twitter. Mahalo!



President-Elect Barack Obama in Chicago

Remember this? Whenever we forget, sometimes remembering helps.

Daughter Is Chip Off The Old Blog

OK, so I have to do some mom praising stuff. Too bad if it embarasses the kid. Hey that is what parenthood was invented for, right?


I am so proud of my daughter carrying on our ohana legacy by getting involved with politics. She is recently joined an amazing group of young people on Kauai and around the nation called 


To say that I was just proud would be an understatement. Not only did she join the Democrat Party and register to vote, after an entire lifetime of schlepping around with me, her mother to political events, meetings and campaign stuff and sign wavings something rubbed off on her! The most amazing part of it, is this recent move of hers I knew nothing about until she told me.


Thanks to the influence of some nice young gentlemen she knows (yes, there actually are some out there), and some nice young ladies she is involved on something very positive that will encourage her to move foreward and get involved. More importantly as she keeps telling me, she does have independent thoughts from me on the issues. That is just a tad un nerving, but I know my daughter. She is a died in the wool liberal.


Suffice it to say my pride cup is overflowing. Now if she could only keep her room neat!


Love, Mom

Friday, November 27, 2009

Keeping Up With Palin-And Some Palin Nostalgia

Here are some video updates on what Sarah Palin is up to these days. Check it out.


Also, if you are interested in doing a Palin Book burning with me, please email me and let me know!

This is the video that made me so proud of our young women in this country. It made me weep, as well. The most potent video against Sarah Palin EVER recorded. And you have it right here. THIS IS A PARENTAL ADVISORY! PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILDREN VIEW THIS VIDEO WITH YOU> THEN AFTERWARDS, HAVE A DISCUSSION AND THEN GIVE THEM A BIG HUG AND TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM> PARENTAL ADVISORY IS NOW OVER> ENJOY THIS VIDEO 


 


Here is the Huffington Post link to the video below.





THIS VIDEO IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR YOUNGER VIEWERS!!PARENTAL CAUTION STRONGLY ADVISED!! SUBJECT MATTER INVOLVES THE GRAPHIC DEATH OF ARCTIC WOLVES





OK THIS VIDEO IS RATED G SO ITS OK.
 

 

 


USE CAUTION WITH MINORS VIEWING THIS VIDEO! ADULT SUBJECT MATTER! PALIN INTERVEIW WITH COURIC DISCUSSING HER ABORTION VIEWS


(OK PARENTAL ALERT OVER)








STRONGEST PARENTAL ADVISORY! THESE ARE SOME VIDEOS OF SARAH PALIN AND SOME MCCAIN SUPPORTERS AT THEIR RALLIES IN 2008. BE STRONGLY ADVISED THERE ARE RACIST SLURS< RACIST COMMENTS AND SWEAR WORDS IN THESE VIDEOS AS WELL AS SOME RACIALLY INFLAMMATORY IMAGERY AND DIALOGUE IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED TO NOT LET YOUNG CHILDREN VIEW THESE VIDEOS!PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS A MUST!
(These videos are being put on this blog for education purposes only to an adult audience)



 

 
















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DON'T LET THE HATE REPEAT ITSELF. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SUPPORTS RACISTS UNDERTONES, POLICIES AND IDEALS. PLEASE VOTE NO FOR THIS TYPE OF BACKWARD THINKING PHILOSOPHIES. 


More to come....................

Zonta Club: helping those who need help! Holiday Season Edition



I will be updating these links as they appear in the newspaper throughout the holiday season, so check back to this blog entry for updates!


And PLEASE KOKUA!!


AP

Welfare Reform, Economics

Here is a great article about yesterdays food giveaway.  They have helped out my family through a few Thanksgivings, the food is fantastic and top notch, and we are very grateful!


Here is the link to the article:CLICK HERE


 Welfare Reform needs to be reformed. Here are some rules:

If You manage to find a full time job that pays 12 or 13 dollars, you are a single mom with 2 children(the average) these are your "rewards"



1. If your child(teen) does not attend school fulltime, or a combination of work and school, the ENTIRE family gets cut off from assistance. (No, I'm not kidding)


2. If you are a single parent with 2 children and find a fulltime job that pays you between 12 and 13 dollars an hour, you LOSE your public assistance, including foodstamps. (Remember, this is Hawai'i. Food prices are off the charts. At least 1/3 of your income will now be going to groceries. Any gains you could have made or money you could have saved will be going to food.


3. If you are also lucky enough to have a HUD or Housing unit, your rent will increase 30 percent of your GROSS new earnings. (I.e. your rent will increase)

4. You will not be eligable for gas allowances, or insurance coverage.


5. If you happen to become pregnant during any time during your receiving welfare assistance, that child will not receive benefits. (Pro-Lifers should LOVE this, huh? It practically encourages abortion, supports a father having no responsibility for the child, since the child will not be covered, and encourages giving up the child. If abortion was no longer an option here, this would almost certainly cause the breakups of families, mental health issues and unfair adoptions.)


There is a five year LIFETIME allowance for welfare benefits. This causes severe economic hardships for mothers with 2, 3 and 4 children many of whom have been abandoned by the fathers.  In the past, you could always get help up until the child was 18, and you were not required to find a job or work until all of the children were of school age. Now, the law requires you to go to work or school by the time the child is 6 months old. With single parents this is very difficult, as separate childcare must be found, and not all childcare covers all of the costs of childcare. So once again, the system puts an undue burden on the mother.


6. Child support: The state of Hawaii is NOTORIOUS for NOT going after fathers for child support. CHild support issues in Hawaii are extremely complex as many single mothers are fleeing abusive spouses and marriages and partners with small children.  Under these circumstances welfare allows an exemption to go after the fathers in order to protect the family.


However, most fathers here, supported by bosses and family members are hidden and protected, while threatening the mother if they go after them they may fall into physical harm. Temporary Restraining orders and court proceedings further complicate the life and stress of mothers, who are also trying to comply with other agencies in order to keep a roof over their heads. Many end up homeless due to the loss of jobs because of absenteeism or stress and poor work performance.


All mothers are forced to reveal who the fathers of their children are, except when there is physical abuse threatened which must be proven. Many women have been threatened, so many women have this excemption, which the  fathers know will keep them out of trouble.  Many single mothers on welfare never get releif from the fathers of their children in Hawaii, becvause the physical abuse and threats are so prevelent.


Even when childcare has been ordered, many fathers in Hawaii get away with the minimum payment of 50.00 a month, which the mother never receives. It goes to welfare to pay back the system for the benefits she and her children have received.


After the welfare benefits have run out, a mother is still entittled to help from the state for a time to recover her money, and if there are any payments, sometimes they pass through to the mother. But most get out of paying this by working under the table, living with family members who do not reveal any information, or have sympathetic bosses who hide their true hourly wages and hours.


There is no way to track a father who is working under the table and hiding with relatives. Many will do it until the child is 18, and then resurface knowing that they have beaten the system and are now out of the woods. Most will drive illegally, or not have car insurance or bank accounts, or bills in their names. Many are supported in this by family members who do not care for the mother, and have no interest in the children, or who side with the man in these cases.


7. In general this is a paternalistic solution, asserting that basicly the mother is entirely to blame for her circumstances and it is she who must abide by dozens of rules and regulations from various agencies, with volumes of paperwork, appointments to keep, jobs to hold down, housing to secure and keep, ect. If one thing is not done correctly or something changes the whole house of cards can fall, and a single mother can lose everything, or worse end up homeless on the street, which happens a lot.


In conclusion, we all need to understand in this country that the rights of a mother just don't exist anymore. That undue stresses and burdens are put on women who have had the misfortune to have given birth to children that are unwanted by the fathers that were at least half responsible for them being here. With the Pro Lifers talking about how important it is to support the rights onf an unborn child, they seem to miss the fact that without a mother a child born into these circumstances will have at best a miserable existance, and doom them to poverty and unhappiness.It may force mothers to give up children, or lose them through the system. Then how does that bode for her other chilrdren? How can any human being survive this? Why are women being so archaiclly punished. Most women who now become pregnant during their 5 years on welfare, through unscroupulous men who offer partnerships or even marriage only to abandon them desperately now seek abortions to prevent giving birth to a child they are doomed to not be able to support. Is this what is meant by "right to life"?


So, this holiday season, perhaps read this blog article and think hard about the entire picture before judging, and understand that this is really what is causing the hardships on Kaua'i. Throw in the lack of affordable housing, plans to place limits on the number of years someone can live in public housing, the lack of jobs and it becomes even more dire.


So this holiday season, lets all reflect on being non judgemental about someone elses situation in life, and realizse that we are all in some way responsible for each other. It takes a village to raise a child, AND support the mothers as well. Let's reflect on that for a change.



If anyone is wondering why people are needing more help, these are some of the biggest reasons for the working poor.



Thursday, November 26, 2009

Palin-Lingle Not good reps for female candidates! Impeach Linda Lingle



As a former political candidate for public office, I support women in politics. However, I want the best of my gender to be represented, not the wost!



Linda Lingle is hoping that her LT. GOV, Duke Aiona, a Native Hawaiian (part) who has gone against his own people by supporting Linda Lingle's position to take Native Hawaiians to court, and fight their rights!
This is not what I want to see in females running for public office! HEWA! IMPEACH LINDA LINGLE!

The Ballad of Sarah Palin



Anyone for a Sarah Palin "Going Rougue" Bookburning? Ill bring the wood. Moose not included

Call em out!! Sarah Palins Lies




 CALL EM OUT WEBSITE

Protesting the Bike Path Route- The La'a Aina Coalition

OK, enough with the nice stuff, its time to get tough. I am organizing a protest against the bike path going to ANY Heiaus, anywhere. If you want to help, email me at kad2009@ymail.com.


Here is a sample petition:


"We, the undersigned hereby protest any and all plans to put a concrete, or rubber removable path, either permanent or semi permanent near any sacred heiau or lands along its route. This would include heiaus on both the mauka and makai side, as no heiau takes precedence over another. It is all sacred."


Then get out there and get some signatures! Bring it all to the protest, which I will name at a later date sometime in December. The protest will be in the Rotunda, (County of Kaua'i) and we will present our issue, and the petition to the Mayor at that time.


In the meantime, contact everyone you know. I am contacting Halaus, trying to get the word out across the hula community, and of course to other activists. Please help in this effort. I will be posting times and dates as soon as I get them confirmed.


Aloha, and please send this out by blog, twitter, Facebook and any other meanas you have.


The Name of the group will be The  La'a Aina Coalition. I will be making a seperate blog, facebook and twitter feed for this group by Monday. Check back here for links and updates .


The La'a Aina Coalition is a group organised by myself and like minded individuals, groups from all over to protect the sacred land. 


Besides the bikepath issue, we are also working on making sure that groups do not use the heiau's for other religious ceremonies, and do not enter the heiaus for any purpose other than legitimate Native Hawaiian religious ceremonies and protocols.



Mahalo for your kokua!
Anne Punohu

Ripping Apart Sarah Palin's Insensitive Thanksgiving Message




Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Message from Sarah Palin

Happy Thanksgiving(yep, carving into that Thanksgiving arctic wolf, and free range moose must be a heartwarming picture)

Over three hundred years ago, a group of settlers fleeing religious persecution decided to set a new course for human history in a new frontier. Those early pioneers chose a rocky shoreline to establish their way of life. Centuries later, America continues to set the example of what can come from a free and hardworking people. We truly remain the shining city upon a hill that the colonial leader John Winthrop implored us to be. (UM, hang on a second. You mean my ancestors just faded off into the dist when you came? What happened to good old Squanto, and Pocahontas, huh? They don't count for anything? Oh wait, that's right, YOU'RE ancestors made "America", which was named after Americo Vespuchi who was Italian, but lets just gloss that over, huh?)

What started as a small colony in the territory that would eventually become the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has progressed into the greatest and most prosperous nation in history. Americans remain the freest people on earth because of our cherished Constitution and the system of government it establishes. (UM again, arent you forgetting something? You know, the nice little story of how the Colonists and the Locals sat down and had a nice dinner together? UM, hang on, weren't you able to establish places to live becasue you stole all my peoples land, and killed us all and herded us into reservations? Still no mention of Native AMericans yet, huh? Or others that came and made this country by rge sweat of their brows, oh like lets say African Slaves??)

We have so much to be thankful for. We should recognize especially the sacrifices made on our behalf by those in uniform. Thousands of Americans will be spending Thanksgiving overseas in combat zones in order to protect our liberty and way of life. We should give thanks to those who willingly put their lives on the line for the rest of us. Where would we be without them?(Back in England, where some of you belong.But then England probably doesn't want you, anyways)

We are also thankful for what God has granted us. We are truly blessed in America with rich natural resources, plentiful energy sources, fertile land, beautiful cities, and the talented and industrious people we call “our fellow Americans.” We pray that God will continue to bless us. (OK, now this is pretty funny. You STOLE the land, and the resources from us, and put us in dead end reservations. If we have plentiful energy rescources then why do we import so much oil, and refuse to use alternative energy then? Sure the people are industrious. But Palins PATRIOTS keep trying to keep them out. Oh and you have to love the quotation marks around our "fellow Americans". HA HA. OK, we get it, Sarah, Yep, we really really do. You betcha.)

In his farewell address to the nation, President Reagan reminded us that “all great change in America begins at the dinner table.” Thanksgiving is an opportunity to discuss where we are as a nation at this moment in our history and where we should be heading in order to remain prosperous and free. Take time to discuss these things with each other, and take time to teach the young people in your family about our nation’s history so that they may never forget all that we have to be proud of and thankful for. (Yeah. Teach them about slavery. And immigration. And the genocide of the Native Peoples of America. And the war against the poor. And racism. And the extreme religious right. Oh yeah, and don't forget to teach them the "birther" philosophies, and the "denial" philosophies too. Still nothing in here about Native Americans, Americas melting pot, or anything that smacks of even a basic understanding of what the historical context of Thanksgiving even is. No "love thy brother as thyself", or "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" bible quotes or anything. Oh yeah, and one more thing. How come you didn't quote from Bush's last thanksgiving address? Or how about McCaines? Ha ha.)

Happy Thanksgiving!(ANY ONE FOR A SARAH PALIN "GOING ROUGUE" BOOKBURNING? I WILL BRING THE WOOD!!)

- Sarah Palin

In First Thanksgiving Message, Obama Assures A Stronger Economy Next Holiday | AHN











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A Message from Lieutenant Governor Candidate Gary Hooser:







I have come to believe that much of the hand-wringing and sometimes hysterical rhetoric about civil unions is a bit of a red herring in that it distracts us from what should be our focus whenever we make laws: access to justice for all.


As Americans we pride ourselves on being a nation of laws. And indeed people flock to our shores because they are attracted to a system of laws structured to ensure that all are treated equally. The question of civil unions should not be confused with the sanctification of marriage that religious institutions provide and which indeed should be their domain. The state’s primary responsibility is to provide the legal structure and ensure that the law is applied equally. Would anyone disagree with the very American idea that if all citizens are to be treated equally, all citizens should have access to the same legal structure and the protections that come with it?


The divisive scare-mongering and bombastic hyperbole that fills the airwaves of talk radio are similar to the noise that surrounds any attempt to have any civil discussion of civil unions. Visceral antipathies tend to obscure what should remain a consistent focus on cherished American values, laws and freedoms. Even conservatives like David Keene, Grover Norquist and Bob Barr have, in a different context, called for the "scare-mongering to stop."


Indeed, the misleading rhetoric on civil unions and the divisiveness it fosters need to stop.


This is a time that calls for greater unity, not less. The challenges we face are real and daunting: the need to give our children a quality education, the need for jobs, the need to protect our environment and reduce our dependency on foreign oil, the need to provide healthcare for all. These very large issues of public policy demand our best energies and our most creative solutions. It is to these areas that we should direct our combined efforts as a community. We can do this. We can rise above our parochial, private interests and work for the greater good without denying our neighbor the enjoyment of a private life complete with all the rights each of us expects as Americans.


We can and must find agreement and it is possible by viewing this important subject through the prism of equal rights. I know we can do this. I know it because we are Americans. Our country was founded on these principles, the most basic among them being personal freedom and equal protection under the law.
A recent New York Times article touted Hawai‘i’s healthcare system as a “lesson for lawmakers.” Workers in our state, who work more than 20 hours a week, have enjoyed health care benefits since 1974. A rarity in other states in the union, Congress is looking for ways to incorporate similar initiatives in the new national plans.


Compared to many parts of the country, Hawai‘i has a comfortable climate that promotes healthy living. We have the ability to eat nutritious produce that is grown locally and enjoy the health benefits of fresh-caught seafood. For many, the outdoors is our playground.


Our people enjoy the ocean, hiking on mountain trails and increasingly are taking up cycling and walking as our infrastructure for these activities improves and becomes more accessible. For these reasons and others, Hawai‘i’s Medicare costs are far below the national average. Culturally, our guiding principles reiterate shared responsibility. In the spirit of ohana, legislators, providers and citizens know of the need to work together to provide care for all.


Yet today, nearly 125,000 people in our islands are without health insurance. Amid the economic downturn, newly unemployed workers are watching their benefits dissolve. Employers are also struggling to afford the ever-rising cost of insurance while revenue declines. In recent years, an increasing number of part-time (less than 19 hours per week) employees have been utilized by businesses around our state to keep costs down and avoid health care insurance requirements.


With prices of medication rising faster than inflation, the incomes of seniors, the chronically ill, and the working poor, are suffering. Many of Hawai‘i's people face tough choices about their health, and may go without medication in order to pay for other basic needs. Additionally, our small hospitals on Kaua‘i and throughout the neighbor islands, are facing shrinking budgets and increasing deficits.


I have dealt with this first-hand. My wife’s parents who reside with us in Wailua Homesteads are a living testament to the benefit of our country’s existing “public option.” While not without its shortcomings, if not for Medicare there is no doubt that the challenges of growing old would have bankrupted our family years ago. I know the struggles personally of providing our increasingly ageing population with adequate care within the constraints of a working family’s limited budget.


All Americans have a right to expect affordable, quality healthcare. 
I am in support of a single-payer universal coverage system where no one is denied health care due to lack of income. Legislative action must prevent any cuts or changes that reduce the existing benefits of Medicare/Medicaid and must support efforts to increase reimbursements to health care providers. The health care insurance and pharmaceutical industries have profited from the sick and injured long enough. It is time again to put the customer first and ensure that everyone is provided affordable quality care.


Several initiatives intended to reform and improve our health care system are currently being debated at the federal level in Congress. I am hopeful that our federal leaders will pass a law that gradually expands Medicare and/or Medicaid benefits to more Americans. In addition, support for community-based health centers must also be increased. This is possible without taking away existing benefits from those who desire, and can afford a higher level of service.


Local and national leaders must take charge and adapt the healthcare system to the times.


While today’s budget crisis is temporary, the negative impacts of cutting 17 days of classroom instruction this year will last forever. No one will disagree that as a direct result of this action student achievement will suffer, test scores will fall and the future of an entire generation of young people will be impacted. The disruption to our families as they scramble with the added burden, further multiplies the adverse impacts.


When I speak to community groups around the state, I like to repeat a truism I have learned serving in the legislature; “When they tell you there is no money, what they are really saying is that it is not a priority.”


The future of our children must be our top priority. While we can complain about the quality and bemoan the historical low ratings of public education in Hawai‘i, losing 17 days of classroom instruction will reverse years of effort and plunge our state deeper into educational mediocrity.


It does not have to be this way. We can avoid teacher furloughs and keep our schools open by having the political will and foresight to use a portion of the $180,000,000 sitting now in the Hawai‘i Hurricane Relief Fund.


As someone whose life was shaken by Hurricane Iwa in 1982 and then losing my home and almost losing my business to Hurricane Iniki in 1992, I do not make this suggestion lightly. The physical damage wrought by a hurricane would be rebuilt, with or without the hurricane fund in place. Insurance companies have returned to Hawai‘i since their post-Iniki departure and federal disaster agencies are also ready to help.


With our budget in dire straits funding options are limited. Every state program has already been drastically cut and all public workers face pay cuts, furloughs and even layoffs. The additional funds needed to make our schools whole are too great to achieve by simply cutting state programs even more. Furthermore, our state constitution guarantees the rights of public workers to bargain collectively. Neither the legislature nor the Governor can dictate to teachers or other public workers specific contract provisions or wage cuts.


Although the hurricane fund can provide immediate relief, long-term answers must come in the 2010 legislative session. We must make the hard decisions with regards to streamlining and restructuring all government services, and face head-on the question regarding possible tax increases. If the public supports increasing taxes to support education, we must approach the topic cautiously with the clear goal of improving the status quo, not simply piling on more tax increases.


To be clear, we cannot continue to rely on tourists and high income residents to carry the brunt of the load. Possibilities include reforming the General Excise Tax (GET) by removing this regressive tax from supermarket food, medical services/supplies and rents under $1,000 – while earmarking a modest net increase for education. Other possibilities include what some are calling the “new sin taxes” - a “sugar tax” on soda, a “fat tax” on fast and/or processed food and a “carbon tax” on oil – all of which would serve the dual purposes of raising much needed funds while deterring inherently unhealthy behavior.


In the coming weeks there will be many meetings and briefings where the pros and cons of various ways to deal with this issue will be debated. These discussions are important, but we must speed the process in restoring our children’s access to education. If others have ideas that would resolve the issue in a realistic and bi-partisan manner, I would love to hear them.


The long-term remedies demand an extensive community discussion and thorough evaluation. The short-term solution however I believe is clear. We need to convene a five day special session, utilize hurricane funds for education, cancel the 17 days of furlough and send both parties back to the bargaining table.


Losing 17 days of classroom instruction is just unacceptable.
In 1966, a well-known California political figure, Jesse M. Unruh, coined the phrase “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” Today in Hawai‘i, the primary measure of a candidate is too often the question “yes, but can he/she raise the money?”


The opening paragraphs of the bi-partisan Common Cause Agenda for Change says it best: The problem is not so much the amount we spend on political campaigns ... as it is who pays for them, what they get in return and how that distorts public policy and spending priorities. Keeping our elected officials dependent on the very same wealthy special interests they are supposed to regulate undermines public confidence in their government and its ability to tackle the tough issues that face the nation.


To ensure the survival of democracy, to re-inspire and re-engage those who have lost faith in government leaders, who’ve opted out of the system and who no longer even show up to vote on election day, the power of big money and big influence must be tempered through comprehensive campaign spending reform.


It is likely to cost $2 million to $3 million or more to get elected governor in Hawai‘i in the upcoming 2010 elections. The successful candidate for the office of lieutenant governor will spend at least $500,000 in the primary election alone.


While the majority of funds are spent on radio, TV and newspaper advertising, there are myriad other expenses such as office rental, yard signs, banners, mailings, brochures and inter-island travel.


Getting your message out to the public, building statewide name recognition, running a year-long effort focused on success at the polls on election day is just plain expensive.


There are only a few basic ways to raise money: go to Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu and ask 100 big dogs for the maximum $6,000, reach out to main street and try to find 6,000 regular people to contribute $100 each, ask Mom or Dad for a loan or dig into personal family wealth (if they have any).


For many good candidates, Bishop Street is a foreign town and accessing family assets is just not an option. These financial realities alone are formidable roadblocks to most who contemplate running for high office. To move higher requires convincing the moneyed elite that you are worthy. Or, one must be very good at organizing at the grassroots level and be able to build a veritable army of people willing to contribute at the $10 to $100 level.


Is this a bad thing? A rhetorical question for the candidate because this is the system we operate under. You have to be elected to serve and you have to raise the money to be elected. For the long-term public interest, it is a real question and the answer in my humble opinion is yes, it is a bad thing. Choosing our public leaders based on their ability to raise large amounts of money clearly does not serve the public interest.


A viable statewide public funding option is needed in Hawai‘i. A system whereby qualified candidates may access public funds to level the playing field against the favorite sons and daughters of established political and moneyed interests is essential to re-instill faith and confidence in the democratic process.


Until a fully funded public option is available in Hawai‘i, it is up to both the moneyed elite and the grassroots, and yes, Mom and Dad too, to carry the very heavy weight of paying the cost of the very core of our democracy — free and fair elections.












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