"Glenn Mickens deserves better..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #196)

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Ivanka-Obama Da Dog!

Ivanka is her first name and Obama is her last name

she is a bipartisan dog!

Blog #1949-Kimo's world #196
Publishers note;
For those not living Hawaii and not familiar
with Hawaiian words, the word Kupuna
is a respectful way to say;
elder, grandparent or an older person...

This blog also appeared as a 
stand alone column in the Garden Island news
on July 14, 2017;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/glenn-mickens-deserves-better/article_ff176ec1-ab2b-5441-93a4-edc82578d6b2.html


Glenn Mickens deserves better

I am appalled at the letter to the letter in the Garden Island news  July 5, 2017 for numerous reasons.

"No one is listening"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-july/article_a0632d05-b201-5dc6-ad91-5be445c664c0.html
A one sentence letter  from Ka’aona Kipuka to Mr. Glenn Mickens telling him  in the public forum--(enclosed is his letter in full) "Yet again another letter of absolute nothingness from our favorite “Watchdog” Mr. Mickens. Shhhhh! No one cares."

Glenn Mickens locally known
as the County watchdog and nitpicker.
Names he has become accustomed to
and does not mind being called.

Not true, I care and  know many  others on the Cosmic Garden island that care.

 First, Mr.Kipuka obviously cares! He proves beyond a reasonable doubt basic psychology 101, "That only the guilty speak." Similar to the teacher asking , "who threw that spitball?" The first kid that raises his hand and say's , I didn't do it, did it! Busted Ka’aona.

Most important, Mr. Mickens is Kupuna and deserves and has earned respect. 

Glenn  and I disagree on issues and can  debate in a gentlemanly way. Glenn is one the few that can disagree without name calling in a humane and gentlemanly manner, that is a lost art.

How many of you have a Wikipedia page? Mr. Mickens does, look it up!
How many of you played professional baseball or knew Jackie Robinson? Mr. Mickens had the honor!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Mickens

I do not agree with Glenn on all political issues, I agree with Glenn that Kauai

The Ohio Air National Guard
200th Redhorse completes the
elevated switchback spur section, a
most intricate and complex portion
of the pedestrian trail.  I am pro trail
and Mr. Mickens  is anti trail.
We have debated this subject over the years
without name calling  or putting
the other guy down.

county should try a county manager style of government. We disagree on the current President, while many are unfriending each other, Glenn  and I can disagree and still be friends. We also disagree  on the pedestrian trail, however, we both respect each others opinions and have debated without name calling or putting the other guy down.

Mr. Mickens may be a nitpicker and watchdog, (names he enjoys by the way and is proud to be called) but without people like Mr. Mickens giving testimony at county council meetings and every other kind of open forum from traffic to new developments, things would be even worse than they are now. Mr. Mickens makes our politicians think and keeps them on their toes.  Mahalo Nui Loa Glenn.

I understand The Garden Island news wanting to give everyone a voice, however this was not a letter, this was one sentence of hate to an upstanding gentleman, caring citizen and KUPUNA of the Garden Island (Mr. Mickens) that deserves respect, whether you agree with him or not!

Glenn Mickens likes to talk story about
the 'good ole' days of baseball...
Photo courtesy and used by permission
of the Garden Island news

 

 I know Glenn has developed thick skin over the years as have I, however, still that letter was uncalled for in so many ways...Why publish  hateful illiterate  rants against Kupuna in the community from a person whom doesn't even exist on Google or Facebook?

Mr. Mickens will be 87 years old on July 26th and I would like to publicly wish Mr. Mickens a big  "Hau`oli Lā Hānau" -Happy Birthday, in hopes this gets published before his birth-date and let him know Many people including myself  do care and although we all don't agree, we love you as part of the Aloha Ohana and community of the Garden Island.

Your pal, 

James "Kimo" Rosen

This blog also appeared as a 

stand alone column in the Garden Island news

on July 14, 2017;

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/glenn-mickens-deserves-better/article_ff176ec1-ab2b-5441-93a4-edc82578d6b2.html

Correction
There is a correction to be noted in the newspaper version of this blog,
Mr. Mickens' Birthday is July 26th, not July 30th as noted.  ;-)

P.S.
Next week featured on Kimo's world will be;

"Thank you Donald Trump or should I say WTF Potus"
You won't want to miss this read, see you next Monday! 

Hana Hou, Encore!