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Monday, September 22, 2014

"Sign wavers, guilty by association..." (Kimo's World #33)


James Kimo Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a
 with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby...
This blog also ran as an opinion article in the 09-24-14
edition of the Kauai garden Island newspaper;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sept/article_76b9e0bc-43a4-11e4-a50e-dfcbc0286b8f.html






Kimo's world #33
Sign wavers, guilty by association

Politicians must be aware of who they let sign wave on their behalf.

Each sign waver is a direct reflection of the candidate they represent. The candidate is guilty by association if he or she let's a loose cannon sign wave on their behalf.

 I was recently riding my bicycle through beautiful Kapa'a town when I came upon many sign wavers. One sign waver was very rude to me and purposely blocked me on the sidewalk and said a few choice words to me. 

I said nothing and just proceeded on my way.  I am not going to say who this person was sign waving for, however because of this one person, that candidate has no chance in eternal torment of getting my vote.

Candidates, be careful who sign waves for you. There are times that a sign waver can cause more harm than good!

How about a good old fashioned debate amongst the candidates in lieu of waving to people in traffic?


P.S.
On October 18, 2014 an edited version of this blog was published in the Honolulu Staradvertiser. I will copy and paste below, since the Staradvertiser has a paywall for subscribers only;
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Politicians must be aware of whom they let sign wave on their behalf. Each sign waver is a direct reflection of the candidate they represent.
I was recently riding my bicycle through Kapaa town when I came upon many sign wavers. One sign waver was very rude to me and purposely blocked me on the sidewalk and said a few choice words.
I said nothing and proceeded on my way. I am not going to say who this person was sign waving for. However, because of this one person, that candidate has no chance of getting my vote.
Candidates, be careful who sign-waves for you. There are times that a sign waver can cause more harm
than good.
James “Kimo” Rosen

Kapaa, Kauai


The Garden Island news version; http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sept/article_76b9e0bc-43a4-11e4-a50e-dfcbc0286b8f.html


Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr,
Obama Da Dog  & James "Kimo" Rosen

Those were da days!

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





37 comments:

Rick Comstock said...

Guilty by association. Or guilty by identity. Being confronted on a sidewalk, probable because they did not agree with your community blog. Your opinion or your dog named "Obama da Dog"..... these are the short sighted individuals we have voter right laws for. Barring signs or confrontational dialog within so many feet of a polling place. Not even "stink eye" should be allowed or a sign and firearms. But tell the candidate you don't appreciate any confrontation and many will jump up and scream "it's their first amendment right to free speech." These politicians have limited memory and a attitude to win at all costs. Lying, manipulation and corruption are tools of their trade. Then when all else fails the big flip flop. Just like if a candidate would have a batch of drop outs and children waving signs. I just wonder as divided this island is if I saw red shirts or blue holding signs. Which group would be the most confrontational? I've seen that answer. Acceptance of another opinion has left with the spirit of Aloha. Some politicians need to stand up to being Guilty by Association for they are reaching for any floatation device to keep them floating above the creation they supported.

KimoRosen said...

I actually liked this candidate until I was treated rude by his sign waver... It really should be a concern for politicians. Just don't let any one who wants to volunteer without giving them pointers on etiquette....

Harmony Bentosino said...

I don't understand why the waver confronted you. Does he know you, or did he just want you to stop & talk?

Chester "Unc" Lau said...

Ha ha ha,I Learn something today,if I dislike a candidate,I should join his or her sign wavers & Openly INSULT THE PUBLIC IN MASS !!! I BEHEAD YOU IF YOU NO AGREE WITH ME *#!1%X

KimoRosen said...

Harmony,He acted like he knew me? I don't understand either, why he confronted me? I guess because i am somewhat of a public figure myself with all my opinion articles in the local newspaper?

KimoRosen said...

Unc, your a genius, yes if we dislike a candidate we should volunteer for them, wave signs and act rude to people! Love it!

Harmony Bentosino said...

It's called sabotage! But Kimo you definitely need to let that politician know what the guy did. I'm sure he would want to know.

KimoRosen said...

H- when opportunity presents itself, I will most certainly let the candidate know. It's not a local Kauai candidate, it's a state position...
Just now · Like

jmccabe said...

I believe the rude behavior described by Mr. Comstock is more a mainland view. Even Kauaians with completely opposing opinions have, and do, sit side by side, and listen.

Further, I do not believe a politician would scream free speech in this instance. Like most of us, s/he would be appalled.

It would be a kindness to pass this along to the candidate so it can be addressed. In my opinion, aloha, civility and kindness only live because we embody them.

Aloha,
jmccabe

Claudia Cowden said...

via Kauai Garden island news letter and Facebook,

I would of liked your's better if you spilled the beans.

Christina Sanchez said...

via Kauai Garden island news letter and Facebook,

"Good article Jim, I find that sign waving has always been a show of force, nothing more, people seem to have their own idea about the candidate they choose to vote for, my pet peeve is the way they write up the initiatives so much double talk if not read carefully a no vote could mean yes, why can't they just put it in plain simple terminology that everyone could understand??"

KimoRosen said...

sign waving has also proven to distract drivers,t here are already enough distractions. ( phones, texting etc.) Claudia, did not want to mention candidate until such time I can talk to that candidate...

Renee Harden said...

Good to know U R back in print! Aloha, Kimo...

KimoRosen said...

The Kaua'i Garden island newspaper is kind enough to allow me to submit my letters, however my column is still on suspension...

Claudia Cowden said...

via Facebook & Kauai garden Island newspaper letters page;


"@Christina Sanchez, concerning the double talk; my guess is, if they wrote in plain language, the good old folks would find 3 times the loopholes..."

KimoRosen said...

The comments to follow are from the October 18th 2014 edited version of this blog that was published in the Honolulu Star-advertiser;




Jaana Makipaa said...

I don't like any sign wavers. Period. Even worse when they are boisterous.

Anonymous said...

I ,like good old fashioned debates, who cares how many people sign wave for a given candidate?

Jaana Makipaa said...

Exactly. Debates are what I mostly like & find most compelling. But, I'm also that sort of personality type who can't be swayed by marketing or pushy salesmen. (In fact, if I walk into a store and I'm bothered by a salesman, I will usually turn around and leave. I don't need "help," and I'm capable of asking in the case that I would need help.

Jaana Makipaa said...

^ and damn, I can't write today. My brain is malfunction again. LOL!

Christina Sanchez said...

It sends a subliminal message, one shouldn't penalize the candidate for a person with rude behavior, to expect them to screen every sign waver is impossible & unfair. If you notice the ads on T.V. many are paid for by D.C. Party Affiliates, & not endorsed by the candidate So they need to use every means available to reach the public, sign waving being one of them.

Anonymous said...

They should screen them, it's their name and job on the line. If they are that sloppy who wants them as a candidate? Not to mention another distraction to drivers already distracted on their cell phones and fast food.

Christina Sanchez said...

Shoulda,Coulda ,Woulda, it's part of politics, people may not like it, but it comes with running for office, don;t let a few bad apples cloud the process then you are saying peaceful demonstrations are not well rec'd either? It's the same principal. I think it's a mountainous task to hold a candidate responsible for something as insignificant as sign waving, they have bigger fish to fry, i.e. campaigning , getting their message out to the public.

Anonymous said...

Billboards are illegal in Hawaii along with airplane banners because they say its distracting and eye pollution... Sign wavers are way more distracting than any billboard. i would rather see a billboard than sign wavers...

Christina Sanchez said...

The cost of a billboard in politics is unreasonable, I bet if you polled people, ( since historically Hawaii folks have the lowest turn out rate for voting ) very few watched all 3 of the debates, including the one with Mr. Davis, I did because I want to be informed about the candidates & what they stand for.

KimoRosen said...

I believe most people vote by name recognition and most voters including myself have decided on their candidates prior to any debate. I am guessing you knew who you were going to vote for 3 weeks ago, 4 weeks ago/ a year ago? The bill board cost would be a campaign expense like an ad in the paper, radio or on TV, more money for the owner of thew land where a billboard could appear. Also sign wavers are trespassing and blocking pedestrian flow of traffic which could cause an accident...

Christina Sanchez said...

I would agree with you on name recognition, actually I didn't have my mind made up, by listening & reading about the candidates, then I could make an informed decision. Another important issue regarding campaign $$ or ads, just like the soon to be former Gov. his campaign was funded by D.C. who wants this state to remain Democratic, its a shame there isn't a level playing field when it comes to donations or party backing, but more then 60% of Congress are millionaires, many buy their way into office, using their own $$.

KimoRosen said...

Politics is politics, Incumbents campaign on experience and the new comers campaign on change, once elected they are concerned with one thing, getting re-elected. Most politicians are narcissists who love seeing their name in print! um, maybe i should be a politician?

Chester "Unc" Lau said...

Jim have you been jaded? lol

KimoRosen said...

Good point! Maybe I will blog on that, love it! I am Jaded, you hit the nail on the head!

KimoRosen said...

jad·ed
ˈjādəd/
adjective
tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something.
"meals to tempt the most jaded appetites"
synonyms: surfeited, sated, satiated, glutted; dulled, blunted, deadened, inured; tired, weary, wearied; unmoved, blasé, apathetic

Christina Sanchez said...

Yep, all the above, lol

Thomas LaVenture said...

Good letter Kimo. Lot of thugs out there.

KimoRosen said...

Mahalo Tommy, dat's for sure!

Chester "Unc" Lau said...

Kimo for President to replace Obama

KimoRosen said...

Mahalo Unc!

Chester "Unc" Lau said...

I will join the baddies in sign waving & insult ALL candidates who oppose him or her