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Wednesday, August 20, 2014

"Hello There..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux, a resident of Kauai for over forty years, is an 
award winning writer, columnist, novelist, peace and environmental 
activist who knows, and loves Kauai with a passion that shows up in her work

Check out the recent YouTube video of Bettejo's 84th Birthday bash and booksigning party at Birdies  in Kalaheo;
http://youtu.be/5iVelkZ_0eo




Hello There
Bettejo signs her novella for a fan at Birdies in Kalaheo...

Hi, it's me Bettejo, with my weekly column right here at Kimo's blog and Ho'iki Community Television's Art and Entertainment site. If  you know how to get here, please come in-let's be friends-and tell your friends, family and neighbors, how to come in, too.

Let's get lively. Let's get acquainted. Let's get known out there.

The company here-Jay, Julia and Kainoa-is delightful, The set is simple and perfect, great lighting-no close ups, Mr. DeMille. I will attempt to be entertaining. And Sassy. As long as I'm not profane or call names-which going's on are not my stele-I can say what I want. No more censorship, no more editors, no more mysterious black outs or displacements. I will try to have new current, controversial, conversations with you. Hope to include you in any of the issues or subjects I discuss. Be my guest.

Today I sit with two of my favorite writers, me-CHILDREN OF THE  EXTINCTION-and Chris Hedges-DEATH OF THE LIBERAL CLASS. Remember writers not only write, they  speak and  read. I'll admit most of my friends are on bookshelves and I have a lot of them.

Chris-a respected journalist who tired of media suppression-said, and I quote:

"Governments are owned by corporations, run by psychopaths lying about an imaginary economy based on debt, fueled by illegal wars, destroying ecosystems, poisoning food and water, decreasing education, increasing prisons, manipulating the media, foreclosing homes, suppressing energy technology, making s struggle, starving, humiliating, and killing the world.

That's a mouthful, but does it sound truthful? Do we not experience-daily-this madness, right here on Kauai? Are these statements-perchance-part of the 'orthodoxy' we do not dare-or cannot, or are forbidden to express?

Let's think about property taxes. A hot topic. And let's think about the future.

Do you think there are those who see the future as a place where only the top 10% can afford to own property and homes and pay the taxes? They who live in gated ghettos for the rich or on small, useless but beautiful, gentlemen farms?

Where enormous corporations own vast acres of dollar crops spraying  pesticide and herbal toxins in the air, which also foul the water in the oceans, the streams, rivers, and aquifers. Crops not to be eaten on Kauai by those of us who live here, but grown for profit. People  be bleeped.

Where a large military, police and political force is present to control those of us who protest this destructive abuse and misuse. They will be assured roofs over their heads, water in their tubs and swimming pools, and power in their dwellings.

What's left of us, if lucky, will live in overcrowded-rigidly controlled-lower income ghettos and make beds, cook  food, clean, moot clerk, dig ditches, mow lawns, and serve they who have the bucks to afford us. Classic third world structure envisioned for Kauai.

What think you? Care to talk about it?

Go to www.hoike.org scroll down and on the right of your screen click on Arts and Entertainment-





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







14 comments:

KimoRosen said...

Check out the 33 second video of Bettejo at her book signing and 84th Birthday bash last Sunday at Birdies... http://youtu.be/5iVelkZ_0eo

Harmony Bentosino said...

BettyJo's blog is so depressing & disempowering today.

KimoRosen said...

I think her blog is related to her new book, "Children of the Extinction?" I hope Bettejo responds....

Bettejo Dux said...

Harmony, sometimes one must face the truth. We can't remain ostriches. Wait until I start my raves.

Harmony Bentosino said...

I only like facing the truth if there is something I can do about it.

Bettejo Dux said...

There's plenty you can do about it. Stand up end be counted. We cannot be oppressed if we stand up for our right. Speaking out and protesting are as American as apple pie and mother.

Bettejo Dux said...

Harmony watch Kimo's video. Watch www.ho'ike.org. Support our Community Television. No censorship. We can have fun while we figure out a way to 'beat the bas*ards'. Kimo and I don't always agree but we can discuss our disagreements in a friendly fashion. If he is protesting on one side of the street and I on another we can still smile and wave. Perhaps compromise. He likes the super ferry. I say let's have a ferry. No cars. Open decks. For and drink and time and conversation. Not locked in a space with kids and people vomiting all over you. What's the rush?

Harmony Bentosino said...

Yes, it's good to remain friends with those whom you disagree!

Bettejo Dux said...

Always. Wouldn't it be dull if we all agreed?

Bettejo Dux said...

Kimo is our referee.

Chester "Unc" Lau said...

I love both Bettejo & Kimo's philosophy we can't alwayz agree with others,that's not healthy,no one is perfect.live & let live,but watch out for the suicide bombers !!!

KimoRosen said...

since I am the referee, In this corner we have Bettejo Dux weighing in at... ...and in this corner we have Harmony weighing in at... and the winner is? Unc!

Chester "Unc" Lau said...

I love Bettejo Kimo,Harmony equally,they are fair & square & they love to send George W.Bush & his war profiteers a one way ticket to Iraq permanently with beaucoup laxatives but no toilet papers

Bettejo Dux said...

You know what's really sick? Before idiot Bush invaded Iraq it was a secular Muslim nation. Women were free not to wear the veil. They were doctors, lawyers, teachers. 'Course we got them the right to vote in a black robe with a puka for the eyes and a green thumb. Disgusting.