" What season is it..?" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

"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  how these times are a changing in climate change...Enjoy!

What season is it??

If you live in Buffalo, there is no way of telling what the season is or even the month; yesterday we had all seasons on the same day…snow flurries in the morning, sunshine in the afternoon and temperatures in the teens last night.  

I will remind you I am writing this article at the end of  March which is supposed to be Spring now.  I bought a new pair of sneakers in anticipation of Spring weather but refuse to wear them in the snow!  There is no predicting the weather any longer around here…what has our atmosphere become?  I think one day we will reverse our weather and no longer have a winter season. This year we donated our snow plowing  fee to our neighbor since he came only 14 times all season for a paltry 350.00… I know its insurance but it’s a hard pill to swallow.  Happy Spring!!

Special Hana Hou (Encore) for all our Jewish friends....


 With Passover soon upon them, the Jewish community in Madrid found themselves in a desperate situation. There was an acute shortage of horseradish. You probably know that horseradish is the key ingredient of that fiery condiment for gefilte fish that is known as chrain.

A hue and cry arose and the entire community was mobilized in an effort to prevent this shonda (shame, tragedy).

All the European Union countries gave the same reply, "Sorry, we have none to send.

In desperation, the Rabbi phoned one of his Yeshiva friends in Tel Aviv and begged him to send a crate of horseradish by air freight.

Two days before Passover, a crate of grade Aleph, tear-jerking, Israeli horseradish was loaded at Ben Gurion Airport onto EL Al flight 789 to Madrid, and all seemed to be well.

Unfortunately, when the Rabbi went to the Madrid airport to claim the horseradish, he was informed that a wildcat strike had just broken out and no shipments would be unloaded for at least four days.

As a result, The chrain in Spain stayed mainly on the plane. (sorry)

Happy Passover - CHAG PESACH SAMEACH

April showers, Passover and Easter are upon us.‏.." 'Obama Da Dog'

Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Spring break
Check out my opinion article in the  (03-31-13) edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island news," Spring is for eggs, matzah and showers..."

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-march/article_ee6392c2-99a8-11e2-a855-001a4bcf887a.html
!

Spring break along with April showers, Passover and Easter are upon us.

 My people the Jewish People eat matzo (unleavened bread) and have elaborate gourmet meals to remember the days of slavery by abstaining from bread. 

The Christians celebrate Easter with painted eggs and bunnies to celebrate the resurrection of their Lord.

College kids celebrate spring break with wild and crazy behavior.

 I partake in all of the above eating  Matzah and colored eggs along with wild and crazy behavior.  I guess I have it all.

Happy Passover, Happy Easters and Happy April Showers!



Aloha Check out my opinion article in the (03-31-13) edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island news," Spring is for eggs, matzah and showers..."

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-march/article_ee6392c2-99a8-11e2-a855-001a4bcf887a.html

"Win, Lose or Draw, Godbehere Achieves His 15 Minutes..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Richard Godbehere Jr. picture bottom left  at the second annual "Bring Your own Whine"
Luncheon.  Win lose or draw, Godbehere achieves  his 15 minutes of fame....

Aloha, check out my opinion article in the (04-09-13) edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News,"Godbehere's 15 minutes."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-tuesday-april/article_cd1fb15a-a0dc-11e2-8955-001a4bcf887a.html

This is what started this whole witch hunt;
http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Kauai-man-arrested-after-police-see-drinking-driving-video/-/8905354/19398302/-/weys17/-/index.html  

Douglas Henry replied to my recent  opinion articlehttp://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-march/article_3239afdc-9516-11e2-a3f0-0019bb2963f4.html about Mr. Richard Godbehere  Jr. getting arrested for posting a video of himself drinking and driving http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-tuesday-march/article_739e241a-95bd-11e2-bf34-0019bb2963f4.html  Please let me respond;

Yes Mr. Henry, I agree,  drunk driving is a serious offense, I feel it's despicable. Nobody ever said Godbehere was drunk, his offense is an open container violation not drunken driving. Even if a man of Godbehere's size had one beer he surely wouldn't be drunk.  

How can a court of law prove beyond a reasonable doubt  it's not cream-soda or any other of the thousands of soft-drinks on the market? Granted , it was in a beer bottle but how can you prove Godbehere did not empty the beer bottle and fill it with something else for the video? You can't and that's my point. My point is from a legal perspective, not a humanistic perspective.

This story and video have gone viral with social media, print media and television newscasts around the world.  If Godbehere is convicted which is highly unlikely, I believe  this case will go down in history just like Roe-v-Wade and be taught in law school s around the country. 

Win, lose or draw Godbehere achieved his fifteen minutes of fame and preserved rock-star stature in cyber space and social media.

http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Kauai-man-arrested-after-police-see-drinking-driving-video/-/8905354/19398302/-/weys17/-/index.html



Aloha, check out my opinion article in the (04-09-13) edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News,"Godbehere's 15 minutes."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-tuesday-april/article_cd1fb15a-a0dc-11e2-8955-001a4bcf887a.html

"HUNT AND GATHER..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux  one of Kauai's true gems, Today she 
guest-blogs about  her wonderful life..!  Enjoy!

www.bettejodux.com

I try, and sometimes succeed, to jump in the car, drive out the gate, and shop once a week.

Off to Koloa three times. Off to metropolitan Lihue once a month.

Actually my ideal would be never to leave my sweet-smelling bit of paradise here in old Hawaii. Ever. Honest. Yet, once I’m in my little gray Yaris, I enjoy it. She’s a  perfect car for me. Just my size. I call her the Mozart car ’cause that’s the only music I allow. He sets the stage. Fills my heart with joy.  Tickles my senses. Plus, I think, he loves the ride.

I make sure all my beloved animals-Boots, the grown up puppy, Ari, the famous Kauai four-legged political campaigner, Duke , the noisy Macaw and the cats-are safe, happy, well fed, understanding of my departure and ready to protect home and hearth from any bad guy who might attempt  entrance during my absence.  Vandals and trouble makers would be welcomed by deep barking Boots with a taste for ankles, a troublesome uniped, Ari, ears flat back, with a swift kick and a bite, and a screeching Macaw who detests unwelcome visitors. My zoo knows I am the work horse in the family and will safely return as soon as possible with treats and pats and kisses.

On the drive to Lihue, just past our beautiful Humane Society, I make a right turn and drive into town on the old two land road. It is such a wonderful, peaceful drive. I think of it as Kauai’s African veld and picture giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elephants and a pride of happy lions-I toss them a christian or two, tough old patriarchal loons not little kids and mamas-grazing, lounging and drifting in the extensive rollicking frolicking rolling tree-trimmed green.

Magnificent Kauai cliffs and mountains guarding the Pacific-makai- billowing fields with no habitation- mauka-smile down at Mozart and I and baby Yaris as we do a slow four-wheel saunter into the big city.  From behind. No traffic lights. No road rage. No one but us on our mission. I shop at Costco, pay my bills, and have a scrumptious  lunch  with my adorable  boss and editor at the Grove. We laugh a lot, talk story and exchange gossip and some times gifts.

I try to miss the traffic on the way home. I don’t do the veld. Stay on the highway which can sometimes be bumper to bumper all the way.

On the other three hunt and gather days, keeping to the east side-two lane back country road, fields filled with cattle and goat and sheep and horses-I feed the swans at the Hyatt and shop at Big Save. It’s a slower, shorter day. I love the Courtyard and jolly Jeffry Pears and all the other who join us there on a laughing spree.

All this, I guess, just to say to all who pop in, wish you were here. Wish I could share. Find peace and love and laughter in your day and think of me.

"Happy Passover, Next Year At Taco Bell..." 'Obama da Dog'

 "Obama Da Dog a recent convert to Judaism celebrates Passover, the Jewish holiday celebrating freedom from Egyptian bondage and slavery..." This blog was published as an opinion article on 04-07-12 in the   Kaua'i Garden Island news; "Next year at Taco bell..." http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-april/article_7269225a-8071-11e1-8efb-0019bb2963f4.html
This blog originally ran on 04-24-11, Dakinetalk Blog #268 & on 04-06-12 Dakinetalk Blog #626
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2011/04/next-year-at-taco-bell.html
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-passover-next-year-at-taco-bell.html

Everyday of the year is someones birthday, and with all the religious and secular holidays, it gets hard  deciding which ones to celebrate.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday, since it is an American holiday, and not a Christian or Jewish holiday.

The rules of holidays are what I question.  For the  Jewish holiday of passover, Jews (my people) are not suppose to eat leaven (bread or anything with yeast for 8 days.) This tradition started with the Jews escape from Egyptian bondage and slavery. While on the run they had limited time, only time to make a quick flat bread, that didn't have time to rise. therefore we eat Matzo as a remembrance of hard times. (Matzo is  a bland  cracker with very little taste consumed  during the  8 day long holiday of Passover.

We celebrate Passover with humbleness by abstaining from  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.

The Jewish people  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! 

Happy Passover, Happy Easters and Happy April showers.

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

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

Politicians Are Destroying America..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Politicians Are Destroying America


Aloha, check out my opinion article in  the 03-27-13 edition  Honolulu Midweek Magazine,"No New Raises."
http://www.midweek.com/letters-to-the-editor-59/

Ludicrous, out of control, hypocritical and just plain insanity!  Recent headlines, "The state salary commission votes to recommend pay raises for the Governor, judges and legislators."

 The audacity during this critical time during sequester with layoffs , furloughs and budget cuts for  programs such as Head Start for our keiki , Meals on Wheels for our seniors and disabled that our politicians have the audacity to even consider such madness.

Children, seniors and the average American suffer while politicians continue on with their narcissistic and selfish  quest.

Politicians are public servants, they work for us.  Politicians should all have to live on minimum wage and go fight wars on the front lines, maybe just maybe they would acquire some empathy and change of heart.  

We can all fight back during the next election cycle and  re-elect nobody.





http://www.midweek.com/letters-to-the-editor-59

"A Day Of Rest, My Personal Sabbath..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

"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 need to sometime just chill and do nothing.... Enjoy!

A Day Of Rest, My Personal  Sabbath

It’s not often that I feel I need a break from the work-week.  I woke up with a wicked cold Monday A.M. and instead of dragging myself to work that day I decided to take the day off and do absolutely nothing; that is so NOT like me.  I usually freely guilty if I sit on the couch too long because there is always something else I should be doing. 

Maybe I was delirious from the fever, but I needed to have a day all to myself. I never get to watch the talk shows and am totally out of the daytime TV loop.  I perused from "AM Buffalo" to "The Chew" to the talk shows and even bought a new pillow from an infomercial.    I ate my lunch on the couch and took a nap and surprisingly the day went quickly by. I think once in a while everyone needs a day to do nothing productive and just be…

Back to work tomorrow though; energized and rested and hopefully  on the mend from this miserable cold. 

Busted for drinking and driving on Youtube... 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Mr. Richard Godbehere pictured above in the front row
with the orange shirt was recently busted for a video posted  on  YouTube.
http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Kauai-man-arrested-after-police-see-drinking-driving-video/-/8905354/19398302/-/weys17/-/index.html

Aloha, Check out my opinion article in the (03-25-13)edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News, "Alcohol or creme soda?"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-march/article_3239afdc-9516-11e2-a3f0-0019bb2963f4.html

According to The Garden Island news, Mr. Richard Godbehere Jr. was recently busted for  violating the open alcohol container law in a motor vehicle. The irony of this is that  it was from a self produced video Mr. Godbehere posted on Liveleak.com drinking a beer  while driving  as a parody to celebrate finally being out of debt at age 53.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-arrested-after-posting-video-of-drinking-driving/article_3985184a-91f0-11e2-8879-001a4bcf887a.html

I understand the consequences of drinking and driving however this was a video on YouTube and how can you prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Godbehere was drinking alcohol and not creme soda as he argues in his own defense?

Will this now lead to the police arresting people for jokes they play on YouTube?  Will people now be arrested for posting videos of themselves  talking on their cells while driving?

These are videos and there is no way to prove if someone is using a real weapon, fake weapon, real alcohol  or just acting. I've seen Youtubes of people stabbing each other, how can we determine if this is real or a staged act?

I appreciate the efforts of our law enforcement officers but shouldn't they be more concerned with solving  serious crimes like murders and robberies  in lieu of pursuing something that in my opinion is just a waste of time for all involved from Prosecutor to law enforcement to court employees and judges. In the end Mr. Godbehere will walk and the joke will be on us, the taxpayer.



Check out the video that started this whole mess.
http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Kauai-man-arrested-after-police-see-drinking-driving-video/-
/8905354/19398302/-/weys17/-/index.html



Aloha all, check out my opinion article in the 03-24-13 edition of the  Honolulu StarAdvertiser  "Arrest based on video opens can of worms."
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

The StarAdvertiser has a pay-wall therefore for those who do not subscribe I am copying and pasting the whole article. Enjoy!

Richard Godbehere Jr. of Kauai was recently busted for violating the open-container law in a motor vehicle.
The irony is that the arrest came from a self-produced video Godbehere posted on LiveLeak.com, allegedly showing him drinking a beer while driving.

How can you prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Godbehere was drinking alcohol and not cream soda, as he argues in his defense?

Will this now lead to police arresting people for jokes they play on YouTube?

Will people now be arrested for posting videos of themselves talking on their cellphones while driving?
Law enforcement should concentrate on solving serious crimes, rather than pursuing something that is just a waste of time for all involved, from the prosecutor, law enforcement, court employees and judges.

In the end it is likely Godbehere will walk and the joke will be on us, the taxpayer.

http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx



Aloha, Check out my opinion article in the (03-25-13)edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News, "Alcohol or creme soda?"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-march/article_3239afdc-9516-11e2-a3f0-0019bb2963f4.html

Pay cut for Politicians, follow up... 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalk's favorite Uncle (Chester "Unc" Lau)

Unc follows up about pay cuts for politicians.

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu.

To all  who read my blog, this is a follow up to blog #960, "Congress needs to take a pay cut."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/03/congress-needs-to-take-pay-cut-chester.html

Follow up on Rep.Diane Russel's Pay cut for politicians during Sequestration,interesting. I bet Hawaii;s legislators pay checks are much higher. will Google Yes,Hawaii legislators' pay is about $46,273.00 for 4 months work!!! no wonder all the crooks want to be a legislator !!!

Aloha,  Chester "Unc" Lau



Dear Chester, 

It’s been amazing to know that 350,000 people stood with me to call on Congress to take a pay cut during Sequestration. However, I have received several emails suggesting I’m a hypocrite for not taking a Congressional pay cut myself. While I’m much more inclined to keep you posted on the good work of other people, I would like to set the record straight.

First, I am not a member of Congress making $174,000 per year. I am a Maine State Representative with an annual salary of about $14,500. That said, I have introduced a bill in Maine to cut our legislator’s and Governor’s pay should we fail to pass a state budget.

It’s pretty simple: If we don’t do our job, we shouldn’t get paid. 

From the State Capitol to the US Capitol, it is time for all politicians to set aside partisan rhetoric and do the job we were elected to do. I’m just a State Rep, but together we can send a message across this country that Americans deserve better representation. You’ve stood with Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. 

Will you stand with me today?

Tweet & Share
Support bill by .@MissWrite to cut ME leg and Govsalaries if state shuts down over budget fight.http://bit.ly/W4XA3i .@BDNpolitics .@stevemistler  #mepolitics


I hope this clarifies just how committed I am to advocating for a more functional, responsive republic that recognizes and values the struggles, hopes and dreams of every American. And just how determined I am to stand with you to see that Congress does as well.

Regards,
~Diane Russell 
Maine State Representative (Portland, ME)


Find me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter @MissWrite

P.S. Here’s a column I published yesterday in The Hill: “ We must bridge rural digital divide in America“.  

Tweet: It’s Time to Bridge the Digital Divide! http://bit.ly/142TsVd  .@TheHill .@BarackObama .@MissWrite 

Hana Hou


We should mind our own business & take care of our own !!! No more foreign aids,I don't see Saudi Arabia helping us when we had the Sandy Storm !!!

 CHARITY  & FRIENDSHIP IS A TWO WAY STREET, ...YOU CAN'T FEED THEM DON'T BREED THEM !!! GO FORTH & MULTIPLY  ? DONATE ALL THE UNWANTED KIDS TO THE CHURCHES !!! L'oncle Amusant

"Socialism over capitalism..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux  one of Kauai's true gems, Today she 

guest-blogs about  Socialism over Communism and what works and doesn't work...! Enjoy...

www.bettejodux.com

We owe China a bundle and if they called we’d be in even deeper yogurt.

However, looking to communism as an answer to our financial mess is not the answer, either. Pure communism doesn’t work any better than pure capitalism and I prefer a democratic social system.

First of all, since the disastrous Bush administration, we have not been practicing capitalism. We have been practicing fascism. A bastardized socio/economic system: endless wars for profit.

The rich get rich, the poor get dead. Disgusting. Disgraceful.

Also, pure capitalism never works. I call it the manic depressive economy. Boom/bust. Boom/bust. Read a little history. In the last crash — in 1929 — it gambled with stocks. In the recent crash it gambled with real property and it always ends up in the same mess. It’s the domino theory. A house of cards. It collapses.

There is a middle way. The dread “S” word. Socialism. Study New Zealand’s economy. The Danish economy. Well-managed, happy, prosperous people in a well-managed, happy, prosperous country. People count. Happiness count. Prosperity counts. A socialistic democracy always works.

Peace and love.

This article oringinally appeared as an opinion article in the Kaua'i Garden Island news on 02-16-13
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-february/article_68f44b70-77f4-11e2-ae9d-0019bb2963f4.html

Burial Grounds Are For The Living... 'James "Kimo" Rosen

Building these days takes numerous permits to comply
with all the regulations. It's amazing anything gets built these days.

It would seem every road we drive probably has some human remains  buried underneath it. Why are so many worried about walkers and bicyclists  using  the multi-use  trail in Wailua  while nobody seems worried about the thousands of cars driving over the same route daily? 

Nobody seems worried about the many buried at sea and millions of human ashes scattered in our oceans. Let's face it, the longer this world exists the more bodies will be buried and cremated. Should we also cease all ocean activity because so many of our ancestor's remains  are scattered in Oceans around the world?

Burial grounds are for the living, not the dead.  Most religions and philosophies believe you go on to a better place and  your afterlife is nowhere near where you are buried or your ashes scattered.

I do understand the opposition, but just feel the world is a burial ground. If this argument wins with all of societies building regulations and environmental codes it seems near impossible for anything to get done these days and into the future. 

Just imagine if we had to build an airport or highway these days, it would never happen.

I'm on Pizza Duty, See You There!

Bettejo Dux  one of Kauai's true gems, Today she 

guest-blogs about a reminder to come one, come all to today's

luncheon meeting of "Bring your own Whine." She's on pizza patrol!   Enjoy.  ;D)

www.bettejodux.com

Follow up to "Bring your own whine blog #957"
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/03/bring-your-own-whine-james-kimo-rosen.html

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-march/article_435f1342-8ed6-11e2-855f-001a4bcf887a.html

The place: Costco, Lihu‘e.

The event: All us cantankerous, silly folks who loved to scream and yell and swear at each other on the discussion site. We miss it.

The time: Monday, around 1 to 1:15 p.m., or thereabouts.

I’ll be there, I’m on pizza duty.

You can come anonymous. Pretend you’re not there. Slink around taking pictures for the FBI, CIA, Naval Intelligence and local cop files.

Better get a good one of me or I’ll sue when I see my dossier.

Please check your weapons — drones, assault or otherwise — at the door

I won’t be wearing a name tag ‘cause I’m infamous.

This blog also appeared as one of Bettejo's columns in the Kaua'i Garden Island News on 03-17-13
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-march/article_435f1342-8ed6-11e2-855f-001a4bcf887a.html

" Is it Time to retire..?" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

  

"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  how retirement is much different these days. Enjoy!

Is it Time to Retire..?

My husband and I are baby boomers and recently my husband turned the big 60; I am not far behind.
We have begun to use the ‘R’ word in our vocabulary these days and don’t see how that will ever happen
any time soon.

How things have changed from the days when our parents were that age. At 62 my dad was offered a
retirement package from the company he was connected to and  on the road,  for many years.  He
reluctantly took them up on their offer and felt too young to throw in the towel.  He tried a few other
jobs to keep his hand in the ring but succumbed  to a life of leisure and travel with my mom.  Luckily he
was fortunate enough  to do that for he had scrimped and saved for many years.

Today our lives are much different; with the financial upheavals  we have endured during our baby boomer years it will be many many years before any of us can retire.  Now 60 years old has become the new 50 and we are destined to keep our jobs much longer; is it because our generation has chosen to help our children get off to a more secure start.  Have we enabled them for too long?

 I left home at 19 years old  in order to marry and never looked back; returning home was not an option.  Today many of our children ventured out into the world in their 20’s  only to return to home base in their 30’s.  Are our arms too wide open and welcoming to our children?  We so want to help our children have fulfilling lives but is it at the expense of our own. Have we given of ourselves so much that we now are still sacrificing well into our seasoned years?

  To live a comfortable life style these days, both partners must work and find a way to
save at the same time. I cannot believe how our lives have flown by marked with wonderful milestones.
Our parents did their sacrificing in their early years so as to enjoy their senior days.  It seems we have
reversed this way of thinking;  I think our generation has woken up and realized that life is so very short
and should be enjoyed sooner than later.  True we need to save money for our later years but not at the
expense of enjoying the present.  People at our age these days are much more health conscious and are
able to continue working well into our 60’s and 70’s.  Seniors have a wealth of knowledge to offer any
employer that a youngster can only scratch the surface in understanding.  They  have proven to be much
more reliable workers and have plenty to offer any concern.

We will be seeing in the future, many more white haired workers in view of  the direction our  economy
has taken and retirement will be far off in the future for many as long as good  health will hold out.

I for one have just begun to put together  the next chapter of my career and what I will be doing it  into
the next decade. I still find it exciting to be a productive member of the workforce and can still offer
much to many.   If I can find a way to include travel and work together I will be truly fulfilled.  Even the
baby boomers need to still live fulfilled lives giving back and contributing every day.   Whether it is with
work, leisure activities or volunteering, the key to staying “young” at heart is activity.  Rarely do we see
someone in their 60’s  retiring these days; either they have little retirement to live off of or they still
want to contribute to the work force.  Many times it is their health conditions that push them into an
early retirement.  I for one am looking forward to starting the second half of my life and I can only hope
that I am able to fulfill my dreams enjoying good health.

"Congress needs to take a pay cut..!" 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

is back talking Congress practicing what they preach..!

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu.

Dear Fellow Dakinetalk Blog Readers, this is from Diane Russell
State Representative, Portland, Maine. I totally support her and hope you do too!  Chester "Unc" Lau

The number of Congresspeople voluntarily taking a pay cut right now. 

Rep. Tammy Duckworth served in the Iraq War as a US Army helicopter pilot where she lost both her legs. While most of Congress has exempted itself from salary cuts, newly elected Tammy Duckworth is taking a pay cut during Sequestration. Let's thank her for stepping up and send a message to other members of Congress that people will support those who do.

Can you sign the online card thanking Rep. Duckworth for her leadership?

355,862 ~ The number of people who have signed our petition demanding Congress and the President take a pay cut during Sequestration. 

The Washington Post featured us in a recent article about the Congressional Sequestration pay cut exemption. In it, they note that the 27th Amendment is not a factor in why Congressional members have been exempted, indicating that there is no clear reason why they have been. It remains a mystery. 


500,000 ~ The number of people we need signed on for members of Congress to wake up and listen to us. Can you help build our numbers?

Email, Tweet or Share the following with your friends: 
Congress exempts self in sequester http://wapo.st/YOezCo Sign the petition & demand they take a pay cut! http://bit.ly/ZESkSn @MissWrite @PostPolitics @SignOn

Thank you for all you do - and for standing up with me. 

Cheers,
~Diane Russell
State Representative
Portland, Maine

Find me on Facebook
Twitter @MissWrite

P.S. One last thing...
Last week, I told you about Colucci's, the store I work at part-time. Over the weekend, the upstairs apartments set fire (probably arson) destroying them. Thankfully, no one was hurt given that it started at 3:30 AM. However, the store has sustained serious water damage, people (including Mr. Colucci) are homeless, my co-workers are out of a paycheck and the owners watched their dreams go up in smoke. It was a rough weekend, but your kind, encouraging emails sustained my faith in humanity. Thank you.

"A JEWISH man and a CHINESE man..." 'Marvin Gross' (Source)

Marvin Gross a financial consultant from Western New York shares
more wisdom with Dakinetalk. Enjoy!  

Jewish versus Chinese

 A JEWISH man and a CHINESE man entered a chocolate store. As they were busy looking, the CHINESE man stole 3 chocolate bars. 

As they left the store, the CHINESE man said to the JEWISH man, "Man I'm the best thief, I stole 3 chocolate bars and no one saw me. You can't beat that."

JEWISH man replied: "You want to see something better? Let's go back to the shop and oy, I'll show you real stealing."

So they went to the counter and the JEWISH man said to the shopkeeper, "Do you want to see magic?" 

The shopkeeper replied, "Yes." 

The JEWISH man said, "Give me one chocolate bar." 

The shopkeeper gave him one, and he ate it. 

The JEWISH man asked for a second bar, and he ate that as well. He asked for the third, and finished that one too. 

The shopkeeper asked: "But where's the magic?"

The JEWISH man replied: "Check in my friend's pocket, and you'll find all three bars of chocolate."

You just CAN'T beat  JEWISH Chutzpah

They Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot. 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux  one of Kauai's true gems, Today she 

guest-blogs about the question of progress, some think it's development  Many on 

Kaua'i believe it is open space, what is your view?  Think! Enjoy...

www.bettejodux.com

Recently, in The Garden Island News,  the headline, LUC convert one-third of  Grove Farm Lands into IAL, appeared in the business section.

LUC, the state Land Use Commission, approved the petition from Grove Farm converting a total of 11,048 acres to Important Agricultural Lands. That's a big hunk of land, but many of us wonder what the trade-off was. More suburban sprawl? Obviously there's a dollar factor involved here, we're not a communist state, private ownership of land is allowed-and that's a good thing. I own land. Lots of peasants own land, but Steve Case, who owns Grove Farm, is not a peasant. We can be sure he will be allowed to sell the other two-thirds.

Does this mean more suburban sprawl? More highways, roads, over crowding? Probably. I sincerely doubt Mr. Case plans on creating a vast estate in all the emptiness.

Mr.Case, Grove Farm executives, Kauai Planning Department, Mayor Carvalho, what if we think outside the box? What if we finally accept the fact the old ways don't work? We need open space. We need food. We need clean air. And, because we all know Kauai is such a special place, why don't we do something special with it? We can. It'll be beautiful, profitable and enhance the scenic wonder of this fabulous island. Attract tourists. Praise. A win win win.

Imagine: a high-rise -maybe several think  IlIkais (Hotels)- set at the foot of those magnificent cliffs. Designed to blend in. Small towns, under one roof. Penthouses for the rich, studios for the poor, one and two and three bedroom apartments for the middle and upper.

Theater, restaurants, bars, offices, a post office, a clinic, a school, shops, markets, stores, funeral parlors, churches- eeek-all within walking or quietly elevatoring distance. Solar power or windmills on  the roof. Plenty water underground. Parking and garages and gas stations under ground. Surrounded by open land. One twisty/turning beautiful little two lane tree lined road winding its way through orange groves. fragrant veggie and flower stands, parks, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball, football, soccer fields, walk ways, bike ways, jogger ways.  Pastures. Goats, sheep cows, cattle, free roaming chicken, delightful clean smelling piggeries. Bridle paths. Horses. Dogs. A very worldly, human, planet wise habitat.

This isn't a dream. A utopia. It's happening elsewhere and it can certainly happen here.

We're open to it. We deserve it.

Architects and visitors from all over the world would flock to see it. To be involved in designing it. Hey, we could give China a run for her money. Sun City, hah! How about Sun Town Kauai!!

Open your minds, guys. Use your imagination,  your bucks, you power.Sell it. Let's see it. Have fun.  Work hard, play hard, enjoy, while making a lot of people happy . The island and the planet healthier. Build a road to profit that's a pleasure instead of a pain.

For goodness sake Mr. Case don't hand us another made in China ticky-tacky mess like the one you've planned for Koloa.


Kimo's comment,
"They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot, with a big Hotel, Motel and a swinging hot spot! Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone, they paved paradise and put a parking lot."  Joni Mitchel

I wouldn't mind moderate development on Kauai, with the increased population and tourism at an all time high, it's time to  at least build more roads.. Sorry Bettejo.

"Bring your own whine..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

The second annual "Bring Your Own Whine" Luncheon will be held on February 18, 2013 at 1:15 P.M.
at Costco Outdoor cafe in Lihue. Please R.S.V.P. via this blog or Facebook.

Check out my opinion article in the 03-13-13 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News," You are cordially invited."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-march/article_3d715ffa-8ba5-11e2-b3d2-0019bb2963f4.html

The editorial section of the Kaua'i Garden Island News  is the most thought provoking , intellectual, silly, crazy and  fun to read  page of the Cosmic Garden Island newspaper.
http://www.kauaiworld.com

Wouldn't it be great to put a face behind the writings of many of these personalities? We do not need to agree politically, just have a passion for making Kaua'i a better place and to set an example to our politicians on how people with differences of  opinions can act in a civil manner.

There will be  the second annual No Host  "bring your own whine"luncheon at my favorite fine dining restaurant, Costco Outdoor cafe on  Monday  March 18, 2013 at 1:15 P.M. This Luncheon is  intended for  letter writers, guest columnists, commenters and readers (basically anyone) who would like to talk story and meet the greatest minds on Kauai' to possibly solve the world's  problems... 

See you there, just look for the guy with white hair, a white head band, eating a Chicken Caesar Salad with a smile on his face and a stain on his shirt.

 http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-march/article_3d715ffa-8ba5-11e2-b3d2-0019bb2963f4.html


Bettejo Dux-TGI-LTE, 03-17-13The place: Costco, Lihu‘e.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-march/article_435f1342-8ed6-11e2-855f-001a4bcf887a.html

"Accidents Happen..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Aloha, check out my opinion article in the 03-09-13 edition  of
the Kaua'i Garden Island news,"Drowning is inevitable."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-march/article_2f08d7fa-8870-11e2-9e84-0019bb2963f4.html

There is a famous expression, "The best swimmers are many times the one who drown." Why? because they spend a good part of their lives in the water, whereas a non-swimmer is hardly ever in the water.

No matter how many brochures are distributed or how many times you replay and endless loop video of water safety there will inevitably still be drownings. 

Accidents happen, it is part of life, part of the divinity of the spiritual realm. Many believe when it's your time, it's your time.

The only way to stop accidental drownings is to not go into the water, however we can cut down on the accidents by a simple remedy that is free to all, common sense. 


http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-march/article_2f08d7fa-8870-11e2-9e84-0019bb2963f4.html

" Americans are going blind..." 'Judith Whitehead" (Inspiration Sunday)

"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 what else? Her favorite  subject of expertise and  pride, eye care... Enjoy!

   

  Americans are going blind from preventable and treatable eye conditions

We live in a country of opportunity and medical advances and yet I see every day working in the medical
field patients that are going or that have gone blind for no reason other than neglect and ignorance.
There are many eye diseases one can get that I am  witness to working in the field of ophthalmology  but
there are also several that can be treated and cured with some simple prevention and treatment.

There is no reason for anyone to go blind in this country from cataracts; we see this all the time in third
world countries that do not have medical care but today in this country it is totally unnecessary .
Cataract surgery has become a streamlined procedure that takes only 10-20 minutes to perform in an
out-patient setting with local sedation and yet every day I see people that have let their cataracts
become dark and rock hard.  A cataract is the clouding of the eyes natural lens and will totally block all
light entering the eye if left untreated.  During cataract surgery the natural lens is removed and replaced
with an implant lens that restores, in most cases, the eyes total vision.  Sometimes there are underlying
factors that prevent full restoration of the vision but in most cases vision is restored and improved the
very day of surgery.  It is a painless procedure that is done with ease and there is no reason to fear it in
this day and age in America.

Glaucoma is another eye disease that if gone untreated with take all the peripheral vision until a tunnel of vision is left.  It is totally treatable and goes undetected because it is for the most part painless and insidious.  Unfortunately, after the vision is impaired treatment can only prevent it from further progression; whatever is lost to glaucoma can’t be recovered only prevented.

 Macular degenerationis a disease that occurs for most people after middle age and also can be detected in its early stages.
There are two types of the disease that come in wet and dry varieties.  The wet type which are leaking
blood vessels in the back of the eye have treatments available today that are in- office procedures and
will halt the disease; of course early detection gives someone their best chance for vision restoration.
Many general ophthalmologists and retinal specialists do these procedures every day which  are also
painless in-office procedures.

It is hard to believe that we still see these and other causes for blindness in this land of medical
advances and opportunities.  One of the biggest reasons for this is fear; fear of the unknown causes
people to put off treatment and detection.  A simple eye evaluation takes about 20 minutes and can
save one of the most important senses we have.  In Buffalo alone we have over 80 practicing
Ophthalmologists available to us; take advantage of their skills and expertise and save your vision today

"We Love you Garden Island News!" 'Obama Da Dog'

My name is Obama Da Dog and I am a commentaholic! 

If you find yourself like myself and many others not being able to comment  or read the comments in the  online edition of  the Garden Island News, you are not alone.
http://www.kauaiworld.com

The recent sale of the Garden Island news to Oahu Publications did not account for an online comments moderator. I am hoping this is only temporary  until details are tweaked out .

In the interim repeat after me, " my name is ___________ and I'm a commentaholic(sic)  We Love you TGI!

"Little Bruce..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

Unc talks  about love!

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu.

Little Bruce and Jenny are only 10 years old, but they know they are in love.
One day they decide that they want to get married, so Bruce goes to Jenny's father to ask him for her hand.

Bruce bravely walks up to him and says, "Mr. Smith, me and Jenny are in love and I want to ask you for her hand in marriage."

Thinking that this was just the cutest thing,
Mr. Smith replies,
"Well Bruce, you are only 10.. Where will you two live?"

Without even taking a moment to think about it, Bruce replies,
"InJenny's room. It's bigger than mine and we can both fit there nicely."

Still thinking this is just adorable,
Mr. Smith says with a huge grin, "Okay, then how will you live? You're not old enough to get a job. You'll need to support Jenny."

Again, Bruce instantly replies, "Our allowance, Jenny makes five bucks a week and I make 10 bucks a week. That's about 60 bucks a month, so that should do us just fine."

Mr. Smith is impressed
Bruce has put so much thought into this.

"Well Bruce, it seems like you have everything figured out.
I just have one more question. What will you do if the two of you should have little children of your own?"

Bruce just shrugs his shoulders and says,
"Well, we've been lucky so far."

Mr. Smith no longer thinks the little shit is adorable.

" A Modest Tax Solution..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux  one of Kauai's true gems, Today she 

guest-blogs about  our dysfunctional politicians and the mess our country is in. 

She even offers a solution... Enjoy...

www.bettejodux.com

By definition we have in Washington a dysfunctional state. How do we know this? Well, one of the first indications is the lack of communication and, as we know,  the Democrats won't talk to the Republicans and the Republicans won't talk to anybody, except each other. Sometimes.

Our poor country is on the brink of bankruptcy. Bills and expenses up the lagoon it can't pay for. I'm pretty certain that all of us-except the one per centers-have been in a similar situation at one time or another.How do we pay the rent and buy food, or shoes for the kids, or gas for the car or? The list goes on and on. It is not an uncommon dilemma in the average household. It was usually worse when we were younger but often, hopefully, we learn from our mistakes and make it to middle age and older all in one piece.

Many, unfortunately, never learn and at the end of their lives they end up back counting pennies on the counter. Then we have this damn fool economy, over which we have no control, going nuts on frequent occasions. I don't think much of the capitalist system. I call it the manic-depressive economy. It's bipolar. Boom. Bust. Boom. Bust. But that's not an issue I will wander aimlessly about. Seems on this issue one not only ends up counting pennies, wringing hands, and tearing hair, but often ends up with  a black eye and a bloody nose or  sitting in the cat/bird seat in a divorce court. That's the ultimate dysfunction, isn't it?

Kind'a like what's going on in Washington. Only in Washington they can't get a divorce. At least a divorce is a closure.

Well, I think I have the perfect answer. It will take some setting up and some atypical political treachery. I think the helpless man in the middle of this mess, the most powerful man in the world-sigh-Potus, should invite Congress assembled to big happy do at Camp David, where,  unbeknownst to these illustrious beings, a secure and well-guarded detention camp will have been erected  to which the entire crowd will be driven, like cattle, and penned. Well guarded with the Pres' own men, of course, and several watch towers armed to the teeth.

Here there will be tents, sleeping bags, porta potties and a long  rickety table sagged down with stale loaves of  bread and water tanks the President has personally spit in. Maybe they should be stripped and handed long pink sheets, like togas, to drape themselves in. I hope it snows.

Once settled in, a booming voice from a tower will proclaim, "Work it out. Write it down. Hand it to a guard. I'm off for some rounds of golf  in Hawaii. Make it sane, intelligent, fair to all and include this clause: all churches, great or small, all religions, loony or otherwise, will fill out an income tax form. Declare all their income and forever and ever after be taxed at an annual rate of 10%. The government will do the accounting. Free. Aloha."

"The Golf Ball..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

Unc talks his favorite subject, politics!

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu.

An old Republican guy walks into the barbershop for shave and a haircut, but he tells the barber he can't get all his whiskers off because his cheeks are wrinkled from age.
The barber gets a golf ball from a cup on the shelf and tells him to put it inside his mouth to spread out the skin.

When he's finished, the old man tells the barber that was the cleanest shave he'd had in years. But he wanted to know what would have happened if he had swallowed the golf ball.
The barber replied, "You could just bring it back in a couple of days like everyone else does."

Hana Hou, (Encore) An "Unc" Original Quote...


 "Live life to the fullest every day..."

"Live life to the fullest every day,EAT Desserts First !!!" 
"For every day you live is a day closer to your demise !!!"

 Loncle Amusant

For World Peace,Keep religion out of politics.