• The ‘old boy’ system • Rape is not a occupational hazard • ‘The Invisible War’ – an emotional success The ‘old boy’ system When there is so much waste and gross inefficiency going on in the way our county
• The ‘old boy’ system • Rape is not a occupational hazard • ‘The Invisible War’ – an emotional success
The ‘old boy’ system
When there is so much waste and gross inefficiency going on in the way our county government is run, it is truly refreshing to see our County Auditor’s Office run in such an efficient manner.
Ernie Pasion, Lonnie Nakazawa and their staff have done a magnificent job of auditing six different issues and putting their findings in booklet forms that all who read them can clearly understand. There are no legalese words that only a lawyer can understand but simple, to the point words that any lay person can grasp.
These audits were not done to get someone fired but to find out why we are not getting resolution to problems — the leaky Kilauea Gym for 18 years and why we spent $750 a square foot to house our fire engines in a new structure?
The problems and their causes have all been documented by our auditor and the taxpayers who mandated that this office be formed are extremely fortunate to have it headed with a person who has the ability and uncompromising fortitude to do the audits and let the chips fall wherever they might with no thought of politics entering the picture.
The only negative aspect to this fine story is that Mr. Pasion’s findings have not been addressed by the administration or the council and this “inaction” remains a serious mystery.
There is no doubt that these thorough audits can put a lot of efficiency into the way our government is run if they are incorporated into our system.
And the underlying theme here is that if we can listen to and embrace Mr Pasion’s hard work by hiring a county manager who will be the “go to person,” the one who will be responsible for efficiently and cost effectively doing the job, we can move this island to a much higher operational level than it is now.
The “old boy” system with political appointees would disappear when a neutral manager is hired since that manager knows that he/she can be fired by not hiring qualified, competent people at the top.
Ken Taylor
Kapaa
Rape is not a occupational hazard
As a three-year veteran (U.S. Army 1967-70), I thought I was prepared for last night’s showing of “the Invisible War” at KCC, a documentary-style expose of rape and humiliation of sexually assaulted female and male service members, and near-impunity of those committing the assaults in our military branches.
I wasn’t as ready as I thought for waves of anger at the persistence of this systemic problem — over 26,000 cases last year — and empathy for the doubly victimized: Assault and cover-up.
When I rhetorically asked combat vet Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard if she agreed with a federal court’s outrageous decision to dismiss a group of plaintiffs’ suit on the grounds that “rape is an occupational hazard of the military,” and what we ordinary citizens might do to help her and others change the system, she replied that most certainly rape is not an occupational hazard.
As for change, we citizens can raise awareness among our friends and family. We can ask Sens. Schatz and Hirono to support vigorously the Military Justice Improvement Act now before Sen. Carl Levin’s committee to remove adjudication of sexual assault from the chain of command, leaving it to independent military prosecutors.
Personal stories from the audience and panel after the film included moving accounts of wrongs experienced.
YWCA’s Joan Luzney said victims need to be believed, heard, protected.
I tip my hat to County Attorney Kollar, Police Chief Perry, Mayor and Mrs. Carvallo, and to dozens who showed up to learn. Sexual predation must be stopped.
Michael Ceurvorst
Lawai
‘The Invisible War’ – an emotional success
First of all I want to thank the YWCA for bringing to Kauai the Academy Award nominated documentary, “The Invisible War.”
As for the hypocritical political apologists, especially Maize and Gabby, I paraphrase, “…gee guys we know it’s bad but we have a ‘relationship’ with the military so please write your Congressman …” this is my offering to you: 10 hard whacks between the ears with my trusted shillelagh.
What can we do? All of us have kids and grandkids and neighbors and friends who have kids and grandkids, see that these most precious possessions are protected from this madness.
Keep them out of the hands of the military.
I would especially like to address all Kauai’s — and America’s — wonderful teachers and school principals: think for a moment, “dolled up” recruiters stalk your halls. The military is recruiting kids in the fourth grade!
I think some bloody red ripe rotten tomatoes splashed across the front of their pristine uniforms might help.
Bettejo Dux
Kalaheo
