www.thegardenisland.com

Monk Seal and Me...

Search This Blog

Monday, December 31, 2012

"Term limits, Inouye, Schatz, fiscal cliff and Mazol Tov..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'




Hawai'i Governor Neil Abercrombie consulting with Obama Da Dog
prior to selecting Brian Schatz to replace the Legendary Senior Senior Dan Inouye...


Senator Dan Inouye was a true American hero,  and did great things for the Aloha state of Hawaii .  He served  as a US senator since 1963. This brings up the question why should  members of Congress in both the United States House of representatives and the U.S.Senate have term limits like the President, Governor's, Mayor's, and other elected officials? Senate  and Congress need term limits. Many times, you have politicians who get elected and become career politicians who are more focused on getting re-elected than serving their constituents.

Ten days after the death of Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, Governor Abercrombie named Brian Schatz, Hawai'i's Lieutenant Governor as Inouye's replacement on December 26th, just 19 hours later  (after hitching a ride all night  on Air-force One with president Obama who cut short his annual Hawaii vacation to  get back to Washington  for the fiscal cliff drama) Vice president Joe Biden was swearing Schatz in as  the newly selected Senator held the Tanakh.(the Jewish bible)  Wow, Schatz must be pinching himself, what a great story.

I believe our Governor made the best choice, he did not go with the wishes of the late Senator by appointing Congress-woman Colleen Hanabusa, for good reason, it would had cost the state a special election amounting to approximately one million dollars. Brian is only 40 years old, smart, ethical and has a disciplined work ethic as proven. He served for eight years as the CEO of Helping Hands Hawai'i, one of Hawaii's largest non-profit community social services organizations. From 1998 to 2006, Schatz served as a member of the state House of Representatives and in 2010 became the Lt. Governor of the state of Hawaii.

The story of Brian Schatz becoming a US senator  in less than 19 hours  is a remarkable turnaround showing The senate  really can work fast  when confronted with the  serious business of making sure there was a replacement in time for the drama of the fiscal cliff vote.

Nobody can dispute the greatness of senator Inouye, bit one can dispute career politicians with no term limits. Politicians can focus better when not worried about  the next election and selling out to special interest groups for monetary gain for their next election. I believe Senators and Congresspersons  need to be accountable and term limits help keep politicians honest, if that's even possible.

 Brian Schatz will leapfrog to the  senior Senator position since newly elected senator Mazie  Hirono will not be sworn in until January 3rd replacing another legendary Senator, Dan Akaka. 

The irony of this whirlwind adventure was Brian was wearing a red tie during his swearing in ceremony by Joe Biden, doesn't he know that Republicans wear red ties and Democrats blue ties during major events?

Schatz said  that no one can fill Inouye’s shoes, but “we can try to walk in his footsteps.”

Rest in Peace senator Inoyue and  to senator Schatz, Sima Tov and Mazol Tov! (Good  signs  and Congratulations)



Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook....



Sunday, December 30, 2012

"Traditions keep us connected..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Day)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the
 ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years..." Today she talks about  the traditions
of her Jewish family at the Christmas time of year... Happy New Year! Enjoy...  ;D)

Traditions keep us connected

All through the year we celebrate holidays with our traditions we have continued through the years; as we age and our families change size and location, these can morph into new traditions.  

Ever since I was a small child old enough to enjoy a movie on the big screen, our family would always choose a family movie to attend on Christmas day; while  many  of our non Jewish friends were opening up their gifts around the tree, we were searching for the perfect movie to go to.  

My immediate family would always go at that age and at times we would include other family members if they were available. When I got married we continued the tradition of attending a movie and would always default to a Chinese dinner afterwards since at that time those were the only restaurants open on Christmas day. As the years went by, we had children that would join in as well as friends.

  Over the last few years there have been more restaurants that have opened up such as Friday’s chain etc.  I think the idea caught on that it was a shoe in for a packed restaurant this day of the year and a way to ring up a ton of sales.  

It has also become a social gathering at the movies as we always run into people we know with the same idea; movie and Chinese afterwards.

It’s a nice way to spend the day relaxing, enjoying others company and filling up on Chinese food.  We have no tree to dispose of, and no mess to clean up, just a fun way to spend the day and tomorrow its back to work as usual.  

So…. belated merry Christmas to all our friends celebrating and happy new year to all!! 



Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...






Saturday, December 29, 2012

"PARAPROSDOKIANS..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)



Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)
is back  talking about  surprising, unexpected and humorous phrases...
"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 
on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu.



PARAPROSDOKIANS...

(Winston Churchill loved them) are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous. 

1. Where there's a will, I want to be in it.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left..

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8. They begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

10. Buses stop in bus stations. Trains stop in train stations. On my desk is a work station.

11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

12. In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.'

13. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

17. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

18. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

20. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

21. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

22. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

23. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

24. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

25. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

26. Where there's a will, there are relatives.

"Obama grant me the serenity to accept people I cannot change; the courage to change the ones I can and the wisdom to know it's me."

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...




Friday, December 28, 2012

"Hitching a Ride on Air-force One with a Jewish Holy book..." 'James "kimo" Rosen'

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2012/12/27/brian-schatz-sworn-in-to-fill-inouyes-senate-seat/
The above link (URL) will lead you to the Washington Post  photo  and story of Schatz  holding a sacred book of Judaism called the Tanekh. This photo shows Brian Schatz, holding the Tanekh with VP,Joe Biden officiating the re-enactment of the swearing in with Brian's wife alongside.

Brian Schatz at only 40 years old  is Hawaii's newest Senator. On 12-27-12 he was sworn in
by Vice President Joe Biden  just 24 hours after being selected to full the seat left vacant
by the late Legendary Senator Dan Inouye. Schatz hitched a ride on Air-force one
with President Obama since the President cut short his Hawaiian vacation to get back
to Washington before  drama of the Fiscal cliff. Schatz was sworn in so soon
therefore he would be able to vote on 
the important fiscal cliff haunting our country.
The late legendary Senator Dan Inouye with newly elected Senator to be  Mazie Hirono
who will be sworn in on January 1, 2013. Ironically Schatz will be the new senior Senator...


Our new Hawai'i U.S. Senator Brian Schatz  was appointed by Hawai'i Governor Neil Abercrombie to replace the late legendary Senator Dan Inouye. This is a great story, he was appointed on 12-26-12, had no idea he would be the new senator, and was sworn in 24 hours later in Washington DC after hitching a ride on Air-Force One.

 President Obama just happened to be flying out of Honolulu on Air Force one, Schatz hitched a ride on Air-force one with President Obama since the President cut short his Hawaiian vacation to get back to Washington before  drama of the 'Fiscal Cliff.' Schatz was sworn in about 2 hours after deplaning and flying all night so he would be able to vote on the important fiscal cliff haunting our country.

I believe our Governor made the best choice, he did not go with the wishes of the late Senator by appointing Congress-woman Colleen Hanabusa, for good reason, it would had cost the state a special election amounting to approximately one million dollars. Plus Brian is only 40 years old, smart, ethical and has a disciplined work habit and seems to really care about Hawai'i and her people.

Mazol Tov to Brian Schatz, a member of my tribe makes it to Washington. It was a  very touching  swearing in ceremony since Schatz carried with him the Tanekh, a sacred book of Judaism.I believe that may have been a first!?The front page of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser said, Mr. Schatz goes to Washington." What a great story this is!

The only thing wrong, Brian is wearing a red tie during his swearing in ceremony by Joe Biden, didn't he know that Republicans wear red ties and Democrats blue ties for important events? None the less what a story.  Brian must be pinching himself to make sure he's not dreaming! Sima Tov and  Mazol Tov!

Quoting Washington Post, plus URL..."He then approached the rostrum with Akaka, where Vice President Biden stood waiting to administer the oath, holding a Tanakh–the Hebrew Bible–in one hand and Akaka’s hand in the other."http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2012/12/27/brian-schatz-sworn-in-to-fill-inouyes-senate-seat/

Read, "How to Become a Senator in 19 Hours: The Brian Schatz Story"

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/12/how-become-senator-19-hours-brian-schatz-story/60376/

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

MAZOL TOV TO BRIAN SCHATZ! WELCOME TO THE U.S. SENATE! | Image from memes,obama generated with the Imgflip Meme Generator


  •  Andrea Liana like this.
  • Chuck Lasker The more I think about it, the happier I am about this choice. Schatz is awesome, and will not be intimidated by the DC game playing. Hopefully, though, he doesn't also think of Jews as a "tribe."
  • James Kimo Rosen Chuck,FYI, it's a common phrase among my people, we call each other members of the tribe. Usually used when someone does and achieves something remarkable.
  • Chuck Lasker I know, but it's race-based. The key is, I hope Senator Schatz doesn't see himself as part of a particular group such that he gives special preference to that group over any other. I think that's a fair thing to hope.
  • Mitchel J. Schapira Look carefully at the Bible he held while being sworn in. I think it says Torah on it. But, it could be wishful thinking on my part.
  • Mitchel J. Schapira Oh, Kimo! You in big trouble! You gave away the secret code: M.O.T. By the way, I had a gay female friend who used same acronym to refer to a member of her, shall we say, "sorority."
  • Chuck Lasker It's a dictionary.
  • James Kimo Rosen Mitchel, I like your wishful thinking!


Thursday, December 27, 2012

"Everyones enjoying Kauai's most precious asset..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Kauai's multi-use trail  is the best use of taxpayer ever on
the cosmic garden Island....Aloha,


Check out my opinion article in the (12-30-12) edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island news,"In defense of the bicycle path."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-dec/article_9df63d74-5256-11e2-9856-001a4bcf887a.html


In response to Mr. Micken's numerous opinion articles concerning his opposition to the multi-use trail...  I am surprised that  Mr. Mickens with the many articles on this matter  has not heard the following, or has he?

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-december/article_b1655dce-4656-11e2-b858-001a4bcf887a.html   (The multi million white elephant)

Federal monies were  granted for the sole purpose for a multi-use trail and were granted for that  project and that project only.

Kaua'i could not had said, OK we'll use it on roads instead.  With that said if Kaua'i had refused the millions in federal money, another city somewhere else in America would had gotten the money. 

Every day I see, mothers jogging while pushing babies in carriages  dog-walkers, Seniors power walking, families, visitors, bicycle enthusiasts, tourists with rental bicycles supporting the local business's that rent bikes, , skateboarders, roller-bladers, roller-skaters and people in wheel chairs exercising their arms while others not able to use their arms  or legs using  their electric scooters and many average Joe's and Joe-Anne's just out enjoying  themselves and burning off some calories and breathing fresh ocean air all while  enjoying one of Kauai's most precious asset's.  

The Multi-use trail is the best use of taxpayer monies ever on the cosmic island of Kauai.


http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-dec/article_9df63d74-5256-11e2-9856-001a4bcf887a.html


 check out my opinion article in the (01-04-13) Kaua'i Garden Island News, " A creative way to fill Congressional seats  also check out, "We can’t afford the bike path," a letter in response to this blog

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-friday-jan/article_ed5e92a0-5641-11e2-9ae3-001a4bcf887a.html

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...







Wednesday, December 26, 2012

"Why not sanction killing as a sport..? 'Bettyjo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux  has  lived on the cosmic Island of Kaua'i  for
over 40 years. She is a people lover, animal lover and lover of life.Today

she talks about  a new sport... Enjoy!
www.bettejodux.com


Why not sanction killing as a sport?

Rap Brown, a Black Panther, said, “Violence is as American as cherry pie.” That’s certainly true.

Americans are also innovative. Resourceful. We are entrepreneurs. We love to make money.

We have industrial parks, doggy parks, national and state parks. Why don’t we have killing parks?

Think of it. They’d be large wild and wooded areas. Fenced. Patrolled. Good jobs.

Just as in a ski resort, one with the killing instinct could rent a weapon — or weapons — ammo, armored vests, boots, camouflage suits, helmets, binoculars. The works.

You could buy time. A one-day killing spree? A week? You’d need tents and stuff. Food and water. Wow!  

You hunt those who are hunting you.  

Hey, you could sell tickets to those who would like to watch — in safety of course — the killers stalking.

Coffins. Funerals. Ribbons. Medals. Photos of the winners. Photos of the dead. Videos. YouTube. Facebook.

Sorry, I gotta run. I want in on this.

I’m writing my representative in Washington and asking for a franchise.

Peace and love, Bettejo Dux

This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the 12-21-12 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-friday-dec/article_b98607aa-4b3e-11e2-a846-0019bb2963f4.html

Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared from Facebook....