It’s the land of the free only if it is the home of the brave
I’d like to address a question that I’m sure polite Kauaian society would prefer be swept under the rug.
Will Arthur Brun continue to attend Kauai County Council meetings from the slammer via Skype?
Amazingly, I understand that the county charter does not contain any provision or impeachment and removal of a council member for criminal or immoral behavior. I must cynically speculate that makes the rest of the council members eel safe. I hear some people say “it’s legal if you can get away with it.”
I don’t agree. The character of a community is a reflection of the composition of its individual members. I understand that a provision exists that any citizen can file articles of impeachment against Arthur Brun.
Is there anyone brave enough on this island to sign their name to such a document?
After all, the dude is a criminal caught red-handed, so there is always threat of retaliation by the Black Hand.
It’s the land of the free only if it is the home of the brave.
The character of a community is a reflection of the composition of the individual members.
Dorothy Kulik, Lihue
Road checkpoints are uncalled for
In my 75 years on the planet I have lived in a number of countries. One thing that was common in the less-democratic, even totalitarian of these was the use of traffic control checkpoints.
In Venezuela, even during the late 1960s period of elected civilian governments, there were fixed “alcabalas” on all major highways as well as roving “Guardia Nacional” patrols.
In Korea during the 1970s, then a military dictatorship , checkpoints were common. Even in Fiji, traffic controls were common during the ethnic upheavals and military takeovers of the latter 20th century.
I never thought I would see military/police traffic and population controls on Kaua‘i or even in the United States except in case of riot or war. While I certainly believe staying at home, social distancing, masks and other precautions are necessary at this time, heavy-handed, repressive methods, as in undemocratic counties, are uncalled for.
Harold Nelson, Kapa‘a
Lock down visitors in quarantine
We should mandate segregation of visitors in quarantine.
According to news coverage, 11 visitors landed here on Kaua‘i Wednesday. There has been a report of a visitor questioning lack of any follow-up (of quarantine mandates) by authorities. There seems to be few working controls other than the evadable roadblocks, giving rise to the inevitable COVIDiot whose behavior puts our population at risk.
I would propose that visitors who arrived on or since our mandated quarantine date (March 26) be considered in segregation, locked in their accommodation with safe food, necessities, medical delivery and attentions available for the 14-day term in compliance with that which our residents are penalized for if found in violation.
The introduction of this pandemic in Hawai‘i is from symptomatic and pre-symptomatic travelers visiting or returning to Hawai‘i. Pre-empt the spread. Lock them up.
Kalanikumai ‘O Na Ali‘i Hanohano, Koloa
Harold, I respectfully disagree. Our mayor is making difficult decisions in a difficult time. Everyone is struggling, sacrificing. A lot of what is happening is not pretty. But we need to do what we need to do to defeat the virus.
Get a grip John…killing the economy and placing thousands out of work, subjecting us to Stalinist roadblocks is nonsense and will have repercussions for years to come.
Vietnam a country of 97.3 million has NO lock-down, roadblocks or other silly mandates. They have only 267 cases and ZERO deaths…
RG DeSoto
The Soto sayeth: “Vietnam a country of 97.3 million has NO lock-down, roadblocks or other silly mandates.”
The 97 million is the only nugget of truth in that sentence. Vietnam has developed and locally produced 3 different tests for under $25 with results in 90 minutes. Literally everyone everywhere is tested and screened and if they have a temperature are sent to the hospital for additional screening. They are quarantining people just for moving between cities! Someone in your neighbohood tests positive? The entire area is screened and tested. There are two week quarantines for anyone coming into the country, visitor or returning resident. Private companies are even screening/testing their patrons. Also, if you were found to have lied on the screening, you are criminally charged.
Yeah, if only we were acting more like Vietnam!
These letters show how our mayor is doing a good job- one guy complaining there’s too many visitors another’s complaining there’s too many checkpoints. That’s a good balance then! To someone comparing the current situation to that of Venezuela- really?? Really? I’ve been through those checkpoints near the border of Columbia and it was brutal. I was nearly arrested for having military style pants. I’ve also been through a checkpoint here – they were professional and asked a couple questions and I was on my way. The Venezuelan checkpoints were there to prop up an authoritarian regime; these checkpoints are to prevent the spread of a global pandemic. Anyone equating those two things is delusional.
I’d like to see it go a step further and make it so that ALL planes, public or private, be forced to enter the airport through a single gate and every one of the departing passengers, whether returning residents or visitors, be forced into a vehicle that will transport them directly to a quarantine facility. It would be similar to the way the passengers departing the infected cruise liners were treated. Those coming here should be required to stay in the facility for 14 days and pay for their own food. That should discourage people from flying here. This would also put an end to wealthy people flying here in private planes and bringing dogs, surfboards, scooters, and all their play toys and then getting into big 4×4 trucks to go wherever they want to. Sorry to say, the current system that requires incoming people to self quarantine, isn’t working. These people are stupid and selfish enough to travel during a pandemic and can’t be trusted to care enough for our safety and should be treated as such.
Surfer-51
I agree that checkpoints are not useful. I waited 45 minutes in a checkpoint line, so it is a big inconvenience for a lot of people. And for what? All someone needs to say is I am going to buy some groceries or get some exercise. The odds are pretty slim that someone would say, “I am going to a big dance party.” It seems like a waste of everyone’s time.
Thank you, Harold. Seems too many people are all too willing to roll over, soil their tummies, and forget they were born free and supposed to live in liberty.
“If the provisions of the Constitution be not upheld when they pinch as well as when they comfort, they may as well be abandoned.” — Justice George Sutherland (1862-1942)
RG DeSoto
Supposed to LIVE in liberty.
If your version of “living in liberty” means you can infringe upon someone else’s unalienable right to JUST LIVE, because you are walking around carrying a deadly virus that you can spread to people with impunity, then YOU are the one doing something wrong.
Seriously, try to get your priorities straight. Your “right” to drive around does not supercede everyone else’s right to not get sick and possibly die because of you. You aren’t the only one going through this, sir!
Michael…this from Judge Andrew Napolitano:
“The employment of government power to assault personal liberty and cut constitutional corners is never justified in a free society, no matter the exigency. The Constitution protects our rights in good times and in bad. Those in power who steal freedom are unworthy of office. But don’t expect them to give us our freedoms back. We will need to pry it away from their cold and covetous hands.”
Don’t be so frightened…the virus is only deadly, as you claim, for people with compromised immunity: T2 diabetes/insulin resistance; CVD; etc. If that’s you…you take responsibility for your own protection…the rest of us should be left free.
C. McCleod
maybe also ‘lock up’ your locals, like the couple with the virus who still went out to walk their dog, thereby exposing the public when they knew they were ill! Shame ./
“While I certainly believe staying at home, social distancing, masks, and other precautions are necessary at this time, heavy-handed, repressive methods, as in undemocratic counties, are uncalled for.”
Well, Harold, I wonder…did you read the article about the two people who tested positive for COVID-19, were experiencing clear symptoms and decided to TAKE THEIR DOG FOR A WALK AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD when they were supposed to be in isolation in their home? Did you read about that? Earlier in that article, the guy said they decided to stay home and do hospice care because if they went to a hospital, they would be separated and never see each other again. Do you know what else would not have happened if they had gone to a hospital? They wouldn’t have been able to get out of hospital isolation to go WALK A DOG!
Do you honestly believe that there wouldn’t be infected people driving all over this island if there weren’t something to show that this is serious? The two people in that article just provided you with AMPLE EVIDENCE that you simply can not trust anyone to be responsible in the face of something like this.
These traffic checks are an absolute NECESSITY here. Too many people think they can do whatever they like, even when it is a matter of life and death. Somebody has to be the adult here because the adults don’t seem to have it in them.
It seems there are still way too many people on this island who just don’t get it.
How many rights are you willing to give up out of fear? Are you willing to ban all vehicles because of the thousands of traffic fatalities every year? Should we next place a ban on all foods deemed unhealthy by the government? How bout something simple, everyone should wear steel toe boots in public at all times because one might lose their toes in an unfortunate accident. Don’t be so willing to give up your freedoms because someone above you says you should. Question everything, the world has enough sheep as it is…
No exposure to the virus, then no internal defense response, and thus no natural immunity…when the virus comes back next year and you have no internal immune defense…watch out…go hide again…in the meantime study immunology so you are not so ignorant next time around…what are you afraid of… the flu? What, never had it before…hundreds of millions get it over the years…and they are still paying their taxes…which should go to protect the high risk elderly…when the economy collapses it will eventually catch up you, but no one will be round with $$$ to protect you…it will get ugly…
Many of us will rely on the strength of our personal health that we work on everyday and stay away from the lazy and junk food disease lifestyle…
Are you one of the 80% on medical drugs in America…That There’s a warning sign of your weakness…what ya gonna rely on now…more drugs…hahaha…! ! !
Mr. Mann, WOW! This is the first time I’ve ever agreed with you. To Quote you:
“Too many people think they can do whatever they like, even when it is a matter of life and death. Somebody has to be the adult here because the adults don’t seem to have it in them.
It seems there are still way too many people on this island who just don’t get it.”
Just look at all the drivers on this island who speed through residential neighborhoods, blow through red lights, don’t even slow through stop signs, etc., etc. I’ve even had drivers pass me in the opposite lane when I’m trying to back into my driveway!!!!! and Courtesy and social norms are near nonexistant, even here on our beautiful island. Sad day for us all who really care.