If only politics was as simple as a morning sunrise
Kauai people are divided. Just this past week we were given yet another choice of whom to vote for mayor. The three major contenders running for mayor are all currently serving on the same county council. There are others running for mayor, however these three are the only ones I feel have a true chance.
They are Mel Rapozo, Derek Kawakami and JoAnn Yukimura (the newest contender). There must be some tensions at those meetings.
America is divided as well as our cosmic island by the sea, and with so much hate in the world even in our own backyards I have discovered one thing that unites all political parties, whether Republican, Democrat or Independent. The awesome incredible morning sunrises are without a doubt something everyone of all political genres can agree on.
Nobody has ever unfriended me over any of my many Kapaa sunrise posts on Facebook, yet I have been unfriended when people have disagreed with some of my numerous political blogs and editorials.
There is something about sunrises that brings out the best in humans. There is something about politics that tears people apart.
If only politics was as simple and exquisite as a morning sunrise!
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapaa
Campagna fighting uphill election battle
I volunteer for Sherry Alu Campagna, who is challenging Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. I also participate in “Resist Trump Tuesday” (RTT), a group of voters that visits Hawaii’s Congressional representatives every Tuesday. It’s been our experience that all of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation appreciate interacting with RTT folks — except Tulsi.
Prior to joining RTT, I had no opinion about Tulsi, but I eventually developed one based on how we were treated. Tulsi’s office is dismissive. We never get straight answers on her stances. We asked whether Tulsi believed Assad ordered chemical attacks in Syria, what her position was on justice for transgendered individuals, and more. Having an aide say “we’ll get back to you” became the norm. It became obvious that whomever Tulsi claimed to be serving, it wasn’t us.
My role on Sherry’s campaign is to seek endorsements. In a truly democratic race, it’s vital that an endorsing body give voters information on all candidates so voters can make informed decisions, but Sierra Club doesn’t agree.
In stark contradiction to their national guidelines, the local Sierra Club has refused to include Sherry in the endorsement process because they want to reward Tulsi’s “strong environmental record.” This despite Tulsi’s refusal to take a stance on protecting the Papahanamokuakea Monument and refusal to co-sign a recent Congressional letter demanding the resignation of the EPA’s Scott Pruitt due to his unethical behavior.
We are also ignored by media. Local press ignores CD2 (rural Oahu and the Neighbor Islands) while copious information has been provided for the candidates of CD1 (urban Oahu). This is far from democratically fair. Voters shouldn’t have to demand information on candidates. It should come freely and fairly.
If media and special interest groups aren’t willing to give fair coverage, then how will we, as a nation, ever achieve the bold changes that are needed to secure fair elections?
Kirk Johnson, Kaneohe
Ah, Kimo, it’s been at least a week since your last “insightful” letter and I was worried that something might have happened to you.
Alas, no.
I have to give you credit, though. Equating politics and sunrises is nothing short of brilliant. It almost makes me want to go out and hug a Republican.
Not.
For the record, Tulsi Gabbard continues to represent her constituents and all Hawaii admirably in the US Congress! Her sound reasoning and mature voice have proven to be quiet leadership over the polarized and combative intransigence of our national policy makers. If you want to know her stand on the issues you will find it on her web sight. If you have particular questions then email her. She is accessible. I have found her staff to be very responsive. This coming election please vote Tulsi Gabbard. For full disclosure I am a resident and a voting constituent. By the way Tulsi does not accept payola from Washington Lobbyists. That speaks volumes about her freedom from coercion and her unquestionable integrity. Imho. Aloha
Perhaps you can tell us when she will finally address her association with the Chris Butler Cult. You know…..just for the record!
“Full disclosure” would involve mentioning that you are a Gabbard staffer. Please stop misleading the public. And no, she does not answer questions. She either lies to reporters and the public, or refuses to respond to them. She lied to a New Yorker reporter. She has not responded to Civil Beat and HPR reporters. You are lying by witholding your affiliation. Enough with lying to the public.
Thank you Kirk. Keep posting about your candidate. Hold town hall meetings. If that’s too expensive go out on the streets and have them talk to people. Find creative ways to get your candidate known and the media will pick you up. Good luck.
it’s interesting – whenever Campagna’s campaigners appear, it’s always to complain or say something nasty and untrue about Tulsi Gabbard. Could it be that Campagna and her supporters have no other platform than being typical neoliberal shills for the military industrial complex and spinning falsehoods about the Congresswoman? It’s time to ignore these blatant trolls that enjoy sowing discord and hyperbole among an already struggling party with its pandering to billionaire war pigs.
Even more interesting is how Butler disciples have a decades-long and easily recognizable pattern of negatively trolling the comments section of any article or letter that mentions Gabbard or her competitors. “Neoliberal shills for the military industrial complex.” Really. How is that conducive to productive community dialogue? And what specifically has been written here about Gabbard that you claim is untrue?
Kirk,
I think Tulsi has enough “street smarts” from her military service to understand that the world is a dangerous place. Trump also seems to have similar “street smarts” dealing with unions, politicians, and other shady characters in New York. I think Tulsi appreciates that Trump is someone who knows how to deal with shady opponents like Iran, North Korea, etc.
Also, if you want to learn how to take on established politicians, you should probably study Trump more closely. Aloha
trump has decades of experience actually being one of the “…shady characters in New York..!”
i would be tickled to see and talk to you all at the up coming mayor candidates sessions planned, six different location over the next few months. Excited to share the most recent incidents of cok peeps working their way to Halawa and our judiciary that could not come up with the document, Judge said that it was the burden of the state to deliver and that failed, as well as, blatent felony then chaos committed in front of God and every, courtroom observers report! The fat lady has many different singing versions, guaranteed to whop some jaws in the process! stand-by
Campagna has a lot going for her, including a track record of environmentalism and community organizing. I am leaning heavily toward voting for Campagna. There are too many serious concerns about Gabbard and her Science of Identity associates.
Where was Gabbard when Campagna was fighting for the rights of our foster keiki and therapeutic foster families? Where was Gabbard when Campagna was organizing Women’s Marches? Why did Gabbard refuse to attend all Women’s Marches? Would it have something to do with Chris Butler’s sexist Science of Identity teachings?
It is completely illogical that my local Sierra Club chapter has become so politically biased that they are refusing to acknowledge Campagna, an environmental scientist. I will not support them again until O’ahu Sierra Club leader and heavily biased Tulsi promoter, Anthony Aalto, is removed from his position.
Aalto has ties to Mike and Tulsi Gabbard’s Science of Identity sect. Aalto’s Green Island Films staff is comprised largely of Science of Identity members. We could debate whether or not it is a cult, but there is no debating the fact that Science of Identity is a financial criminal organization that hides behind religious nonprofit status. Top members have literally laundered millions of dollars out of Asia to serve their lord, haole con artist Chris Butler. Butler’s right-hand man, Allan Tibby, is wanted in India for money laundering. Butler disciples from the Philippines, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are brought to Hawai’i to serve Butler, essentially as his indentured servants. The parallels to Scientology are overwhelming. Local law enforcement is clueless.
Mike and Tulsi Gabbard are both Science of Identity members with deep, deep loyalties to Butler. They are not logical people. Tulsi was educated by her parents and Butler at Science of Identity schools. She was trained not to think critically. That is why she has been so easily manipulated and compromised by foreign intelligence, along with her pal in Congress, Dana Rohrabacher.
And it is easy to spot comments from pro-Tulsi Science of Identity trolls and Gabbard staffers. Their aim is to drown out the voices of independent thinkers and voters who are simply calling for the right of the electorate to be informed of the truth. Tulsi’s little game of ducking and dodging questions from constituents and journalists should indeed be examined.