• The Occupy Together Massacre • Follow the county’s carbon footprints The Occupy Together Massacre I was having a conversation with a good friend recently and we talked about the demonstrations going on close to Wall Street, taking on the
• The Occupy Together Massacre
• Follow the county’s carbon
footprints
The Occupy Together Massacre
I was having a conversation with a good friend recently and we talked about the demonstrations going on close to Wall Street, taking on the moniker, Occupy Wall Street. Without much attention, it has quietly spread to other cities, calling itself the more inclusive name of Occupy Together.
Before any of you get mad or make a quick judgment, I may not be going where you think. A little over 10 years ago, New York City took a terrible hit. It leveled buildings and killed far too many people. Much of its legacy involves the continued mistreatment of all of the first responders, who put their own safety on hold while they feverishly worked to find survivors. This was the equivalent of a death ray right at the heart of an extraordinary metropolis. The grounds are a place of sadness and prayer and always will be.
In the past weeks, several blocks away, some people started gathering and they had no agenda. They were not organized and pretty much felt drawn to this place because it represents the center of power and things don’t seem right to them. This is not a well funded, media savvy group with a crafted and manipulative message.
The City has not provided anything for them other than police oversight. There are absolutely no facilities available and they have no choice and impose on local retailers. Yes, I know it is easy to say, well they have no business being there in the first place and they should be forced to disband. I don’t think this is going to work.
The political rhetoric from both sides of the aisle has continually ignored the quiet victims of the mayhem caused by their policies. Regular people don’t have a voice because they can’t buy access or influence, they are simply statistics and victims of a shell game called capitalism. We have been witnessing social uprisings all over the world and while our circumstances are quite different, the desire to be heard and recognized is universal.
While many might disagree with their intentions, I think this kind of happening is why New York City is the most resilient place in America. Is there anything more devastating for a city to endure? After 9/11, this city became the capital of the world. All eyes were on her and she threw back her shoulders and stood tall.
How appropriate that a social movement is actually coming to life right before our eyes. I know there are a lot of people who are watching NYC and cities around the country and they are quietly whispering to each other that this might actual be some kind of movement in the making.
It is the raw energy and the drawing power of groups of people reaching critical mass. Web sites are great, emails are terrific, Facebook is cool, along with iPods and iPads and whatever communication platform was likely released today. However, there is nothing like the real thing, people coming together in a public forum. It is the technologically intoxicated side of us that is sobering up and spontaneously bringing people out from their isolation, brought to life by a growing sense of impotence. This is old school and devoid of any contrivance, it is simply time to actually do something.
I am reminded of Arlo Guthrie’s incredible tale, “Alice’s Restaurant.” Toward the end of this musical chronicle, there are a series of lyrics relating to one person telling a story and then being joined by second person and before you know it, you are a movement. Whether you like it or not, I have a sneaking feeling this is a movement. Let me tell you something, anything that has its roots in New York City is going to be pretty tough.
Larry Feinstein, Koloa
Follow the county’s carbon footprints
I am proud of the County of Kaua‘i. Yes, you heard it right, I am proud of the mayor since, according to The Garden Island news, some Kaua‘i county employees will soon be driving Nissan’s electric Leaf car.
The county purchased five Nissan Leafs through a grant by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The cars have arrived and a few county employees are being trained on their operation.
The county will be installing 10 charging stations at various county facilities. The Nissan Leaf has excellent reviews and, according to my friend in San Diego, it is the quietest car he ever drove. It’s no hybrid; it’s 100 percent electric.
This all translates to savings for the taxpayer since these vehicles never need gas, oil changes, tune-ups, valves, rings, pistons, timing belts, transmissions, transmission fluids or shifting gears to interrupt acceleration, carburetor or air filters, radiator or coolant or hoses to maintain regular power-train maintenance and last but not least no smog checks ever.
Congratulations (Ho‘omaika‘i ‘ana and Mazol Tov) for one of the best investments aside from the pedestrian trail that the county has ever made. We need to follow in the county’s footprints.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
