"Weeds are people too..!"

The other morning I was watering my garden and fruit trees and saw many weeds starting to come up again, my initial thought was one day soon I will need to clear out all those weeds. Upon closer examination I noticed one of the weeds was what we call sand-spinach which grows wild nears beaches in Hawaii and is quite edible.

Why bother weeding when many of the weeds are edible plants, to top things off we have many wild cherry tomato plants and Papaya trees that start from nowhere.

The reason we allegedly have so many wild edible starts is because birds will eat seeds and birds will excrete. When the bird goes to the bathroom and it happens upon your soil, it's like a miracle seed, since the feces acts like fertilizer and the seeds soon become weeds or hopefully an edible plant.

Remember weeds are not always bad, sometimes they come from a good seed! Don't judge a weed a weed just because someone told you it's a weed. After-all weeds are like people. Don't judge a weed by the color of its leaves, just by what's inside and how it tastes.

My weeds all seem to have good personalities. The old expression comes to mind, "Dogs are people too," well, may I say, "weeds are people too!"

"Library etiquette..."

Wild chickens gather in front of the Kapa'a public library....
This blog ran 02-09-12 in the Kaua'i Garden island news as an opinion article titled;" At the public library..."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-thursday-february/article_def3f12c-52fc-11e1-bce1-0019bb2963f4.html

The public library is a wonderful place. When we were children we were taught to not talk in the library and if we absolutely had to talk we communicated in a silent whisper. It was a respect thing.

Homework, study and research were the primary reasons for going to the library.

...Fast forward 50 years and public libraries have turned into cheap DVD rental stores along with free computer and Internet access.

Last but not least it's a safe haven for homeless people to catch a nap with a book in their lap as they doze off and when they wake up they use the restrooms supplied with toilet paper, soap and paper towels.

Library etiquette has changed dramatically since I was a child, in fact when I shushed a group of teenagers as a sign to keep their voices down they looked back at me with blank stares and continued clucking like a bunch of chickens.

I  looked at the kids and said," just wait until your my age," they all looked back simultaneously and said "Shhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Hairy is out..."

Hairy chests are no longer in style, my sisters use to marvel at men with hairy chests. My father had a hairy chest and when I was a child I couldn't wait to have hair on my chest some day.

Fast forward to the 21st century, men now shave their chests, legs and private parts, hairless is the new sexy, and hairy is out.

Watch any movie with leading men and when they are shirtless they are hairless. Why the infatuation with no hair?

Even in the men's locker room at the local Gym, many men shave their private parts, not that I'm looking or anything, but you just can't avoid it.

I always considered myself a hip guy, thinking that a hairy body was sexy?

I guess it time to buy that special razor and pray I do not give myself a self inflicted circumcision.

"Next year at Taco Bell..!"

These days for me a Holiday is not much different than any other day, everyday of the year is someones birthday, and with all the religious holidays and secular holidays, it gets hard deciding which ones to celebrate.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday, since it is an American holiday!

The rules of holidays are what I question. For the Jewish holiday of passover, Jews are not suppose to eat leaven (bread or anything with yeast for 8 days.) This tradition starts with the Jews escape from Egyptian bondage and slavery. While on the run they didn't have time for the baking of bread, therefore we eat Matzo, a bland cracker with very little taste during this holiday.

We celebrate passover with the humbleness with no bread, however we prepare huge holiday meals of a roasted brisket with pan fried potatoes, matzo ball soup with chicken, elaborate salads and special cookies made from matzo meal instead of flour. I don't believe the Jews had time to make those items either if they didn't even have the time to bake bread.

The other irony is when you mix flour and water in a warm environment it creates sourdough, which is a sour yeast, I therefore believe that the matzo cracker would had risen in many cases.

We eat matzo and have elaborate gourmet meals to remember the days of slavery.

Why not just enjoy a nice spontaneous meal on the move, as most probably did during the exodus.

How about going through the drive through at Taco Bell.(after all tortilla's are unleavened) This would sure make one humble and an appropriate way to remember hard times.

Next year at Taco Bell!

(editors note, the last words at every passover Seder are next year in Jerusalem, next year at Taco bell is a play on words and an attempt at humor)

"Every Friday is good Friday..!"

The Friday preceding Easter is called "Good Friday." Jesus was said to die on a Friday, however why do Christians celebrate this day as good?

Many believe the the Bible instructs us to remember Christ’s death by observing the last supper. The last supper for the most part is the Jewish celebration of Passover. In the last few decades many Christian churches have conducted their own passover Seders and many Jews have come to believe in Jesus and call themselves Messianic Jews.

Many Jews believe every Friday to be good Friday, commencing at sundown on Friday begins the sabbath, the day of rest lasting until sundown on Saturday. Jewish children are taught that every Friday is a day of rest and a feast like that of Thanksgiving is common for the shabbat meal.

Remember every Friday is good Friday,as it brings in the Sabbath, the ultimate day of rest for Jew and Gentile alike.

Have a Good Friday every Friday...

"Girls have not gone wild..!"

Girls have not gone wild, the American dollar has gone wild!

The local Dollar store changed their name to the Dollar Plus store, and when they say plus they mean plus, plus, plus times three.

America should model their monetary system after that of Japan. The Japanese do not print one dollar bills or even 5 dollar bills, they have coins for those denominations.

Most paper money gets beat up  hard and usually after one year in circulation needs to be replaced, while coins can last decades and over the lifetime of the currency it costs much less to produce coins than paper currency.

During these rough economic times it seems appropriate to start replacing many denominations of paper money with coins, after all one dollar buys what a quarter bought a few years back.

The federal government would be wise to adopt a system of a one dollar and five dollar coin, in the long run it will save the taxpayer millions of dollars, however when was the government ever concerned about saving the taxpayer?

this appeared as an opinion article in the Kaua'i Garden Island news on 08-24-11;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_f3101474-ce1d-11e0-895b-001cc4c03286.html

"How to conquer it all..!"

How much longer can car's and trucks be manufactured and sold year after year, while more drivers obtain licenses?

Imagine an endless line of cars with nowhere to go, every year there are more cars, and more people becoming of age to drive.

It seems all the car dealerships on Kauai are doing fine, in contrast to many other business's closing shop.

Living on an island that's only 33 miles long and 25 miles wide with few roads, while the major road which runs around the island is called a highway although it looks nothing like a highway, more like a country road with the speed limit posted in most spots only 25mph.

There are more than one million registered motor vehicles in the state of Hawaii, that's almost one vehicle for every man woman and child.

There is no state in the United States with fewer lane miles, with Kaua'i ranking last place in miles of road amongst the four major Hawaiian islands.

With only approximately 235 miles of paved roadways and 40 miles of unpaved roadways on Kauai, soon there will be no place to go, just motor vehicles at a standstill from one end of the island to the other. With under 300 miles of paved roads on Kauai and over 60,000 vehicles and growing, eventually there will be the ultimate traffic jam with nowhere left to go.

I always get a thrill while riding my bike and passing car after car that has spent almost $5.00 a gallon for gas and looking at angry faces stuck in traffic as my dog runs in stride following me alongside my bicycle as I get my thrill thinking I have conquered all.

"The Royal reality show wedding..."‏

England like America is going through a major recession along with the rest of the world.

Every time you turn on the TV there is talk of the royal wedding, who cares?

It seems America is more obsessed with this wedding than Londoners.

Many of the commoners in England are appalled as I would be if my country used taxpayer money to pay for a politician's child's wedding.

The estimated cost of the royal wedding is said to exceed 60 million dollars with about half of it being payed by the UK government.

People are going hungry, people have lost jobs and businesses are closing rapidly in England as in America.

Spending over 30 million dollars of taxpayer money on a wedding for Prince William and what's her face is a disgrace.

It's no wonder the world is in a recession, it's not just America spending foolishly but the Brit's as well.

Maybe Prince William should elope with Kate and call it a reality show, allowing advertisers to bring money to the people and not away from the people.

"Politicians must look in the mirror..!"

 The local paper (The Kaua'i Garden island news recently ran an editorial titled,"state should collect sales tax from online retailers," is a bad idea for many reasons.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_2419a084-68c6-11e0-bace-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

In the  editorial they neglect to state that when you buy online there is usually a shipping and handling fee which usually amounts to more than what the sales tax would be.

People have been buying mail order for years, even before the Internet people who lived in rural communities more than anyone relied on on mail order for much of their shopping needs. The Internet did not invent mail order companies.

If such a tax where to be voted into law it would force many mail order companies to have disclaimers, "not available in Hawaii."

Many companies that include free shipping already have such a disclaimer.

What business located outside of Hawai'i would want the extra work of filing a Hawaiian tax form, hence creating more book-keeping for them?

How about this for a start, every state, and county politicians take a mandatory 20% pay-cut and donate their car allowances to the state budget.

Mail order has existed for ever, no more laws, we are buried with laws, let us breathe!

Politicians must look in the mirror before proceeding, no new taxes, period.!

"Fill 'er' up..!"

My girlfriend asked me if I would take her somewhere expensive for her birthday, so I took her to the gas station and filled 'er 'up!

Now she is a happy camper, leaking a little gas here and there but nothing I can't deal with as long as she does not light them on  the way out with her Bic lighter.  :D)

(Of course I'm joking, this is my blog I can do whatever I want! ) Come on, just smile, laugh if you must ;D)

"Local Burger king is number one in the number two business..."

The local Burger King should be awarded an outstanding ambassador award from the county for serving and helping tourists and the homeless by letting them use the restrooms whether they order or not, and most people visiting seem to not order.

The city itself does not have adequate public restrooms per the amount of visitors or homeless on any given day. Unlike Japan where there are public restrooms every 2-3 blocks, some say it's because the Japanese have small bladders, I say it's because the Japanese are considerate and respectful.

The Burger King in Kapa'a Hawaii is not only number one in being the best Burger King in the country but having the best burgers on the island, even better than the half dozen restaurants that claim to have "the best burger in the world." This Burger King actually uses local farm fresh organic tomatoes on their Burgers.

Whether you have the urge for a burger or an urge to pinch the loaf, Kapa'a Burger-King is not only numero uno in Burgers but number one in the number two business whether it's a direct deposit or an order to go.

"Finally Understanding Nothing.."(FUN)

Women still turn me on, but not like when I was a young man.

I grew up and realized that girls actually have bowel movements, perspire and can smell as bad as their male counterparts.

Young men in their late teens and early twenties are looking for one thing and one thing only.

One gets on in years and the sex is not what it was, sure it's still nice, but it's not exactly the nirvana it once was.

Young people will put up with venereal disease just to have sex.

Call me old, call me a dead beat, but sex is not all it's cracked up to be... (excuse the pun)

Let's go for a bike ride, let's power-walk, let's swim, let's walk the dog, Lets garden, and when the foreplay is over we can climax by doing lunch!

Sure is Fun getting on in years, to quote Gary Busey the letter's in fun stand for,"Finally Understanding Nothing..."

Anyone want to do lunch?   ;D)

"You say you want a Revolution..?"

Why does America still have 50,000 troops in Germany, I thought we won that war over 50 years ago? Why does America still have 30,000 troops in Japan, I thought Japan is one of our best allies?

Imagine a dinner plate with a huge portion of 'Shoyu Chicken,' lets call the 'Shoyu Chicken,' 'Medicare.' Then there's a huge portion of 'Fried Rice,' let's call that 'Social Security,' next is a huge portion of 'Potato and Mac salad,' let's call that 'Defense.' On the dinner plate there are garnishes of parsley, radish, an olive and a orange slice that represent the programs like head start, planned parenthood, women's shelters, drug treatment facilities etc.

Our politicians are cutting the garnishes and not going into the entrees to balance the budget.

The biggest lie is that by not increasing taxes to the rich we will create more jobs by the rich investing into other business.

American needs to cut defense and tax the rich, one percent of Americans control 90% of the wealth and the richest corporations like General Electric pay no income tax.

The political system has gone to hell when Democrats and Republican can't even agree to what they dis-agree on.

We the people can no longer sit in front of our computers and televisions we need to stop this madness!

"You say you want a Revolution?" I do

'All in favor please say aye..!"

I would like to publicly appeal for the Kaua'i county council seat left vacant by newly appointed state house representative Derek Kawakami.

Chairman Furfaro, Mr. Rapozo, Mr. Bynum, Mr. Chang, Ms.Nakamura, Ms. Yukimura, please pick me!

All in favor please say aye! All opposed say nay.

P.S. this also appeared as a letter to the editor on Sunday 04-10-11
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_be6a1542-6349-11e0-8e96-001cc4c03286.html

"Pick me..!"

To make a long story short, The Kaua'i County council needs a replacement since one of the seven council-members left to be a state house representative leaving a local council seat open.

There is no special criteria, no special election. I submitted my resume and a brief letter which is enclosed as my blog for today.

The Kauai council will vote from among a list of people they feel qualify. Stay tuned!

Aloha Chairman Furfaro & Kaua'i County Council members,

I am interested in the upcoming vacancy on the Kauai' county council.I feel I represent the voice of many on the island...

I have been critical in many letters to the editor expressing my heart on subjects from the 'Super-ferry' to the plastic bag ban and points between.

Please consider me to replace Derek Kawakami on the Kauai County council.

Respectfully,
James "kimo" Rosen

RESUME;

James "Kimo" Rosen
4850 Kawaihau Rd. 5-A
Kapaa, (Kauai) Hawaii
96746 (USA
 (808)823-9887
jrsensei@hotmail.com
http://www.dakinetalk.blogspot.com/

Objective:
To share my wisdom, comprehension and Knowledge...

Professional Experience:

Kauai Magazine
2003-2004
Vice President of sales & marketing
Senator Gary Hooser was the owner of the publication at that time. Since then he has sold out and the magazine downsized from 10 employees to three. http://www.kauaimagazine.com/

English "Sensei" Teacher, Egashira English school
Japan, Omuta city, Fukuoka
2002-2003
students ranged in age from 4-70, the experience was so wonderful, I wrote a book, "Planet Japan."

Mutual Publishing
Honolulu, Hi.
1999-2001
Since relocating to Honolulu in May of 1999 I have acted as a
consultant, account executive and associate publisher for Mutual Publishing

Alaska People Magazine
Publisher 1993-1999
Anchorage, Alaska
Successfully managed all aspects of publication, inclusive of budgets,
employee hiring, marketing, advertising sales, and distribution for this special interest consumer magazine attracting over 100,000 readers and marketed internationally. Personally cultivated and increased
advertising base as well as establishing a wide range of national
contacts in the areas of printing, distribution and photography.

Real Life Images (Professional Photography and Print Brokers)
Owner/Photographer
1979-1993
Homer, Alaska/Anchorage, Alaska
Operated with great success a Professional Photography studio and Print Brokering business. Incorporating all aspects of Photography: Formal Portraits, Weddings, Passports, Environmental, Aerial, Journalism and
Stock Photography...We also acted as liaison between client and printer. Jobs included Postcards, Brochures, Calendars, Catalog Sheets, Business cards,Posters, Menus etc...
Established a wide range of contacts with printers throughout the United
States, Canada and Hong Kong.

Career Highlights:
My work has appeared in National Geographic, Stern Magazine,Weekly
Reader, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, National Enquirer, CBS, NBC,
ABC, QVC Home shopping Network, MTV
Numerous Textbooks, Encyclopedias and Newspapers. Photographed in March
1986 the initial eruption of Mt. Augustine Volcano from the open window of a Cessna airplane. I won many awards for those photos.

Education:
PHD; Doctorate in Education Rockville University, Rockville Maryland
life's experiences from business, teaching, learning a second language, writing a book along with my past education...I was approved for a Doctorate in education from those life's experiences. approved July 2007

BFA. Brooks Institute of Photographic Arts and Science, Santa Barbara, Ca.Majored in Motion Picture and minor in Journalism. Graduated 1979
References, Portfolio and personal Interviews available upon request...

I believe a career change would bring out the best in me....

Board member Jewish community of Kauai 2003-2007
Board Member U.S. Selected Service 2006 -present

Hobbies include, swimming, biking, gardening, hanging out with my dog, hiking and outdoor activity of all kinds.

"Every Day is Thanksgiving", James "Kimo" Rosen

"When your water cup runs dry..."

There are some restaurants mainly fast food establishments that have soda pop dispensers within the restaurant thereby enabling a patron to refill their drinks endlessly.

How many people order H2o on the rocks initially and for the refills are tempted to fill their cup with soda?

I like to sit at the local Taco Bell and watch the people who have ordered water only to fill their cups with soda when their cup runs dry.

My observation has not  been the struggling families with kids who do this, in fact I see many families order a large drink for everyone which in itself makes no sense, since why not order a small since it's cheaper and refillable?

The ones I observe most often pouring soda into their small water-cups are the ones who appear to have money and a strong presence in the community.

Remember when your H2O runs out there's always soda pop unless of course your one of the righteous ones.

" Sacrificial lambs for the loopholes of the ultra wealthy..."‏

Every-time one reads the paper or turns on the news we hear of  new taxes and new user fee's for things that were once free. Business's are closing their doors at record numbers, foreclosures are as normal as apple pie and our neighbors are going hungry.

We tolerate being groped at airports as TSA employee's enjoy looking at images of our private parts. Airlines are increasing fee's regularly and now charging for perks that were once part of flying, like meals, blankets, pillows and checked baggage. There is even talk of a fee to use the restrooms while flying.

There is a new tax on airport parking, no more funding for keiki programs like 'Head Start,' soda pop tax, medicare cuts, user fees for parks that were once free, a new garbage collection tax, car rental tax increases, drivers license fee increases, Vehicle registration increases and asking many county and state employees to take a pay-cut. These are only off the top of my head, there are many more.

Middle America everyday is facing financial-cuts, tax increases and price hikes on everything. How much longer can we as a country, state, city,county, island and neighbor endure beofore we totally collapse?

The News show '60 minutes' ran a segment of many large US corporations that do the majority of their business in the United States, but on paper show their corporate offices in Zug Switzerland and other foreign countries with a much lower than the approximate 35% tax base imposed  upon US Corporations headquartered in America.

America is loosing trillions of tax dollars a year allowing business's to work in the US and hold a corporate office in another country. Not only does America not get any tax money from these companies but other countries are getting rich of our inadequacies and stupidity.

If the tax base was lowered for corporate America and made illegal for these large corporations and their attorneys to avoid paying there fare share, we would not have to sacrifice the poor and middle class as the sacrificial lambs for the loopholes of the ultra wealthy.

No Longer should a large corporation be able to hold a P.O. Box in a foreign country and call that their country of origin,. It's time that corporate billionaires stop stealing and our politicians do what's pono (righteous) and bring justice back to the "land of the free and the home of the brave!"

"Your Fired...!"

President's, Governor's, Mayor's, Congress, Senate and down to local county and city councils are filled with egotistical liars that think their bowel movements don't smell.

Republican, Democratic, Independent or teabagger all need to do one thing and take voluntary pay-cuts.

Most politicians make much more than their counterparts in the private sector and have tenfold the benefits of most working class Americans.

If Politicians were to take price-cuts and if American Corporations had incentives to keep their corporate headquarters in America instead of hiding behind a Post office box in Zug Switzerland thus avoiding paying billions in taxes we would not have a financial meltdown but rather a strong economic base.

Corporations need to pay their taxes in the United States. The United states needs to take care of it's own before going off and fighting in 3 wars and politicians must start leading by example.

Because of the current world situation,President Obama's ratings are at an all time low. The people of Kenya are actually accusing him of being born in the United states.

Jokes aside, I hate to admit this but I think Donald Trump may be the best potential GOP candidate for 2012!

I believe President Obama to be a good man but feel Donald Trump may soon be telling him, "Your fired."