• New propaganda ‘low’ • Playing ICBM games • Mahalo for budding artists New propaganda ‘low’ The council’s propaganda campaign designed to convince the court of public opinion that the council tells the truth while others lie sank to the
• New propaganda ‘low’
• Playing ICBM games
• Mahalo for budding artists
New propaganda ‘low’
The council’s propaganda campaign designed to convince the court of public opinion that the council tells the truth while others lie sank to the level of intimidation at the June 15 council meeting.
Following a lengthy fabricated tale about a sinister plot to mislead the public by doctoring a three-page letter sent to K.C. Lum’s attorney by the county’s hired attorney, chairman Asing announced that the council would ask the county attorney to investigate possible criminal and/or other violations based on alleged tampering with a government document.
Council members neglected to tell Hoike viewers that they were in possession of information contradicting their fabricated conspiracy theory.
Intimidation is a new element in the council’s strategy, but withholding pertinent information is not. In earlier attempts to convince the public that the campaign to remove Chief Lum by attacking police commissioners was authorized and validated by Judge McConnell the council, echoing the ethics board, suppressed and manipulated relevant information in the Ching case in order to bolster the illusion that it was the judge who recommended the punitive actions against Ching and Lum. In reality, the ethics board created the punitive recommendations.
Examples of manipulative use of information are plentiful. For instance, here are statements made by Judge McConnell in the Ching case that county officials did not see fit to quote or acknowledge:
Referring to the provision in the ethics code used to charge Ching with ethics violations, the judge said: “Obviously, I think what was contemplated when the provision was originally drafted was it’d be somebody who issues a building permit for his neighbor or something like that that’s contrary to the standards.”
Referring to Ching’s motion for reconsideration, he said: “I’m going to deny the motion, but I could certainly understand an appeal.”
Referring to Ching’s actions, he said: “This is a difficult case. I’m sure many people would view Mr. Ching’s conduct as a normal part of the political process.”
Referring to Ching’s advocacy on behalf of Lum, he said: “Now, I understand you can argue that’s not a violation of the ethics law, and maybe you’re right, but I had to make the call the best I could.”
On a more substantive note, in the five-page summary to which was attached his 25-page findings of fact and conclusions of law, Judge McConnell corrected a conclusion that could be inferred from the 25 pages if they were read in isolation; i.e. he made clear that he did not find Ching guilty of failing to conduct a fair and impartial selection process. This charge was the centerpiece of the ethics board’s case against Ching and its surreptitious attack on Lum, and the judge’s refusal to find Ching guilty of failing to conduct a fair and impartial selection process is of far greater significance than the two charges he upheld.
The ethics board initially withheld from the council the five-page summary, which contained the crucial clarification made by Judge McConnell. When the summary became public knowledge, the council denied that it had any importance in relation to the council’s endorsement of the punitive recommendations manufactured by the ethics board purportedly on the basis of Judge McConnell’s report.
The council’s denial belies the fact that it is the only body authorized by charter to determine what actions were appropriate in the Ching case. How could the council make such decisions without considering all the relevant evidence? Judge McConnell made no recommendations. The ethics board unilaterally decided to formulate its own recommendations for punitive actions, and the council adopted their recommendations without conducting any independent survey of the facts connected with the decisions for which they bear sole responsibility.
I suppose it is understandable that at this stage of the game the council decided to add intimidation to propaganda, but to me it is a sad and deplorable turn of events.
Playing ICBM games
So, I think this is interesting. The current administration is one of the first to call North Korea on its creative methods of procuring monetary aid. In the past, at least as far back as Reagan, North Korea would rattle its saber, making noises of hostile action. They would insist on direct negotiations with the United States. Uncle Sam would come running checkbook in hand. Sam writes the check and North Korea promises to stop whatever it was doing to get Uncle Sam to the table.
The last time we played this game with North Korea, President Bush told them to work with Japan, South Korea and China. All three of those countries are fairly tired of North Korea’s crap. So now, in order to make sure they get Uncle Sam — and his checkbook — to the bargaining … er … negotiation table, they’re threatening to light off an ICBM that “could reach parts of the United States.”
If North Korea were to fire ICBMs on Pearl Harbor, do you suppose the American public would find the moxie to support an appropriate response?
To address the last paragraph: The answer is “No,” they would probably go along with the “media” saying that we deserved it and we just need to understand the North Koreans better, that they are just trying to protect themselves from that sinister U.S.A.
- Gordon “Doc” Smith
Kapa‘a
Mahalo for budding artists
Several Kaua‘i children recently won prizes in the statewide Hawaii Lions Foundation “Sight is Beautiful Poster Contest.”
This year, the Kaua‘i Zone winners were: Trysen Paik of Kilauea School, kindergarten; Emily Johnson of Kilauea School, grades 1 and 2; Amari Walker of Hanalei School, grades 3 and 4; and Richard Garcia of Kapa‘a School, grades 5 & 6.
Emily Johnson also won fourth place in the state; Amari Walker won third place in state; and Trysen Paik won first place in the statewide contest.
The Hawaii Lions Foundation annually sponsors the contest to emphasize the gift of vision. First place school winners are then judged in zone contests (the five Lions Clubs on Kaua‘i comprise one zone). First place winners from each zone are then judged in the statewide contest.
Congratulations to all the winners and a big Mahalo to all those who participated!
Kauai Lions Zone Chair
Princeville
