"Last Will and Testament..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

"Unc"  is really passionate about creating a national Caregivers day.

Any help , support or ideas would be greatly appreciated...

'Unc' currently resides on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu. 
He is a retired cinematographer,
 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...

Last Will and Testament

Doug Smith is on his deathbed and knows the end is near.  His nurse, his wife, his daughter and 2 sons, are with him.  He  asks for 2 witnesses to be present and a camcorder be in place to record his last wishes, and when all is ready he begins to speak:

My son, "Bernie, I want you to take the  Mayfair houses."
                   
My daughter "Sybil, you take the apartments over in the east end."
My son, "Jamie, I want you to take the offices over in the City Centre."

"Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings on the banks of the river."

The nurse  and witnesses are  blown away as they did not realize his extensive holdings,  and as Doug slips away,  the nurse says, "Mrs. Smith, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all this property".
                    
Sarah replies, "Property ? .... The  #%@&* had a paper route !!!

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook

"Chattel‏... '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.

Above photo; Bettejo signs her novella for a fan at her recent book signing

and 84th birthday bash at Birdies in Kalaheo.

Chattel

It’s kind of a silly sounding word, isn’t it? It does not roll trippingly off my tongue. There’s a sense of darkness about it. It means possession of something. Cars, cattle, or women…

…Today is such a wonderful time for women, at least in the West.  I would not care to be a Muslim woman in a long black robe- in which she can vote with a green thumb if she can see through the slits. A little less disturbing Sharia law, her hair must be covered and you shouldn’t see her feet.  Allah commands. Ever wonder what the guy’s got against hair and feet?

In our country today, many women are speaking out. I think they are more concerned about the future-the children, the environment, the health of the planet-than men. What do you think?

Women on Kauai are quite vocal in complaining about GMOs, air borne toxins, over-crowded, wrongly sited milk factories, and mass extermination of what ever’s in style to mass exterminate today.

I appreciate what articulate, intelligent, out spoken women have-or had- to say. I love their involvement in the goings on. “This world crisis came about without women having anything to do with it. If the women of the world had not been excluded from affairs, things today might have been different.” That’s a quote from Alice Paul before the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave us the right to vote. I strongly suggest you find the film Iron Jawed Angels and watch it. Share it. We owe so much to this courageous young woman. We certainly need more like her. If you must identify with a female figure, identify with Alice.

Today, of course, women often play important roles in politics and law.  Think of Sarah Palin- EEEEKKK-an example of a female evangelist who tried her hand at public office. Failed, thank goodness. Hope you watched her exorcism ritual on the tube. It was an insult to human intelligence.

Which brings us back to chattel.

Some biblical quotes will work here. Here’s one: Ecclesiasticus 25:18, 19 &33. “And a man will choose…any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman…Sin began with a woman and thanks to her we all must die.” 

Really?

The history of women as chattel is woven into many legal codes and cultures. In the Old and New Testament as well as the Quran.  Women are property. There’s a world- wide dominion over women by men. In fundamental patriarchal religious societies that live by the word women are valued as objects. A husband owns his wife...

…and she better shut up and do as told.

A quote from Thomas Aquinas is enlightening: in Summa Theologica, he wrote,  “As regards the individual nature, woman is defective and misbegotten, for the active power of the male seed tends to the production of a perfect likeness in the masculine sex, while the production of a woman comes from the defect in the active power…”

Thomas is a Catholic Saint so I assume he resides in a Catholic heaven. As a devout nonbeliever, who does not believe in either heaven or hell, I might pen a brief note:

“Dear Saint Augustine, to spend all eternity with you would be hell.”

What do you think?


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

Bettejo  speaking on her weekly TV show
on local public access TV.
www.hoike.org

Go to www.amazon.com and your order
 copy of "Children of the Extinction!"

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"The Greatness of the Garden Island News & Gossip" 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #31)

Editors note,

 This blog contains two blogs, "The Greatness of the Garden Island News" and "Gossip."

They were originally going to be run on two separate days, however they are so closely  related  I did not want anyone to read one without reading the other... Please note there is some tongue-n-cheek and fiction in

these blogs in hopes of reality.

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...

Kimo's world #31

The Greatness of the Garden Island News & Gossip

Island album is one my favorite sections in the Garden Island newspaper. It's a space devoted for photos submitted by the local community. The photos are all submitted pro bono, nobody is payed for their submissions. 

Since nobody is compensated for their photos the section should be available on the Garden islands web page  and the Garden island's Facebook page, however they are not.

The editorial  and Letter's  page is my second favorite.That page is available for free online!

 It's somewhat ironic that my favorite two sections of the Kaua'i daily newspaper are all provided by community members...Go figure?  

If you miss my column please call the editor,(808)-245-0457 or email The Garden Island News (letters@thegardenisland.com) and tell them you miss Kimo's world!

The greatness of the Garden Island news runs with fellow letter writers, Island album contributors,  guest columnists and at times even the paid staff as seen below;  ;-)  

Part two "Gossip," just scroll down...

Part two "Gossip," just scroll down...

P.S. 
Two  recent contributions by yours truly to Island Album that were published;

P.S.S.
My recent Letter to editor, "Tropical Depression and more;"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-august/article_6001c8b4-1f80-11e4-bc45-001a4bcf887a.html

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

Part two Gossip

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.

Above photo 1987 in my portrait studio
Real Life Images in Homer Alaska 

Gossip   (Part-2) The Greatness of the Garden Island News!)

Gossip is one of the first things the Christian and Jewish bible denounce. Yet most "religious people" I know gossip quite a bit. Many of the Rabbi's and Pastors I know are the prime initiators of gossip.
"Did you know she's cheating on her husband," or "that guy checks into the hospital only for the free meals since he's on medicaid?"

The Coconut wireless is the major way gossip (news) spreads on the cosmic garden island of Kaua'i.

People are always making stuff up about people they don't like. Is this because there is a lack of activities to keep people occupied on Kauai or are people just plain evil? Why? I don't know.

People love talking... Listening to gossip is  fun, thinking you know things others don't. Be careful because listening to gossip is just as sinful as being the deliverer of gossip according to holy scriptures.

 My late beloved  father used to say, the surest way to get the word out is to tell 10 people, "Please do not tell anyone." Most cannot stand not telling, especially when asked not to.
This is how gossip is spread.

Although I do not like gossip, please spread the word  Kimo Rosen has his column back in the Garden Island news.  Just kiddin-not really, but sure would be nice!

Call the editor,(808-245-0457 or email The Garden Island News (letters@thegardenisland.com) and tell them you miss Kimo's world!


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"Celebrating 95 years young..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Celebrating 95 years young

This week my dad turned 95 yrs old, he has longevity on his side of the family. He has uncles who lived well into their 100’s. He is the last living sibling of 4 and a testimonial of perseverance and fortitude that can live a long healthy life.  

He takes few pills and although he does not walk any longer, he still plugs along.  My dad was used to living a very active life full of day trips and kibitzing (talking story) with friends all day long and until the last few years did just what he wanted.  

It seems that its either the mind or the body don’t stay in sink and one of them seems to regress.  It’s a very sad thing to watch of such a vital man. Sometimes longevity can be a cruel twist of fate.  

I am lucky that my dad is pain free but unable to do any of the things he once loved; reading the daily paper, read all his favorite magazines, talk with the ladies…these things have dwindled away and now we pretty much have the basics, TV, and eating meals, several a day.  

Yes it is a blessing we have had him all these years but is it a blessing that his quality of life has been reduced to existing? Only God can answer those questions?

P.S.

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

"The Poker game..." ' Robert Bitos Gandia' (Source)

 Guest-blogger,Robert Bitos Gandia.
Robert is an avid cook (ono gandule rice) and always laughing!!
He works at Syngenta as a Research Associate.
Robert lives in Kekaha on Kauai's west-side and loves football!!

The Poker game

A man walks into a bar and notices a poker game at the far table. Upon taking a closer look he sees a dog sitting at the table. 

This peaks his curiosity and he walks closer and sees cards and chips in front of the dog. Then the next hand is dealt and cards are dealt to the dog. 

Then the dog acts in turn with all the other players, calling, raising, discarding, everything the other human players were doing. However none of the other players seemed to pay any mind to the fact that they were playing with a dog, they just treated him like any other player. 

Finally the man could not longer hold his tongue so between hands he quietly said to one of the players, "I can't believe that dog is playing poker, he must be the smartest dog in the world!" 

The player smiled and said, "He isn't that smart, every time he gets a good hand he wags his tail."

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

"CONTROVERSY..." '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.

Above photo; Bettejo signs her novella for a fan at her recent book signing

and 84th birthday bash at Birdies in Kalaheo.

CONTROVERSY

Do you think controversy is a good thing or a bad thing? I looked up the definition in my huge old American Heritage Dictionary, 2,134 pages. It weighs more than I do, I think. It’s beginning to look its age. It’s been rained on, sat on, bent. It’s seen better days, but so have I. I’d be lost without it. It’s a good friend. With any luck, we’ll go together when we go.

The first definition reads, 1. A dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views. See synonyms at ARGUMENT. 2. The art or practice of engaging in such disputes: writers skilled in controversy.

That’ll do. I love to argue. Do you? I think I’m more a practitioner than an artist. I doubt there will be much debate about that.

As all of us know, on Kauai-and perhaps the world-controversy holds center stage. Today on Kauai we see and hear it all the time. People love cats. People hate cats. People love roosters. People hate roosters. We’re vocal and often contentious. It’s when people resort to name-calling and fisticuffs the going gets rough.

But wouldn’t it be a dreadful bore if we all agreed?

Hot topics are always fun. Think of taxes. This is an easy one. Those that are being taxed oppose. Those collecting taxes concur. There ain’t no middle ground. Odd that, in truth, all of us are being taxed, even those who agree. But those of us who oppose outnumber them. How does that work? I think that would be a discussion, not a debate. But we could Dux that out.

The best I can come up with is: if I managed my house as badly as they managed my taxes I’d have gone broke years ago. They seem to spend more money destroying the house than killing the varmints that infest and attack it.

Well, maintenance and repair are not a favorite American pastime. Is that debatable?

I don’t think so.

But if there’s someone out there who wants to come in and debate it, I’m game. I may not be an artist but I’m feisty.

There also seems to be an entire vocal community who thinks we should avoid any arguments. Think positive thoughts. Pray. Get spiritual. Jog. Chop down a tree. Take up knitting. Release the conflicts in silent sainthood.

Unfortunately, I’m not the saintly silent type. I roll up my sleeves and get to work. Nasty letters, columns, comments and deathless prose are my style.That’ll start a fight. Line starts on the right.

I guess a lot depends on how you were raised. I came from a very argumentative family. My father and I loved to argue. My mother, as long as she could stand it, would referee. She preferred to groom the dogs and the dogs preferred to sleep through it.

So, is controversy good or bad? You tell me.

Here is the video link:

http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01393&video=205423

or http://www.hoike.org

*SUPPORT LOCAL ACCESS!!*

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"The great Satan, Social Media..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #30)

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.

Kimo's World #30

Addicted to  social media

If a terrorist group or any other enemy  ever wants to destroy the spirit and economy of America and  other global markets just figure a way to  permanently dis-figure  Facebook. I believe that would be the start of world war 3 

Repeat after me, My name is _____________________ and I am A Facebookaholic!

The evening of  June 18, 2014 around 10:00 P.M.Hawaiian Time (4:00 AM EST) while texting on Facebook the system crashed. I thought Facebook had suspended my account for saying something they didn't like.

Yes, I was so upset. I could not see what my friend from the sixth grade ate for dinner, or the latest political meme.

 I was freaking out...Did someone not like one of my posts, did I do something again to upset the Facebook G-d's? 

Imagine a world without social media. Imagine if Facebook was down for  a full day, a full week, a full month. In the 20 minutes Facebook was down it is alleged millions in revenues were lost since Facebook pages have become more dominant than the common webpage. 

Many companies rely more on Facebook for business than their traditional webpage. Every TV show, every book, every movie, even most politicians you can think of have a Facebook page where you can interact with others possessing the same interests. Facebook has really taken over more than any other social media form in the world.

Sometimes I am a total Facebook junkie and other times I cannot stand to even look at what my 6th grade friend had for dinner.

Social media to many has become the GREAT SATAN! Even after  I had false accusations thrown my  way  by means of a Facebook post and wanting to quit social media  I   still continue using.  Why?

Lord help us. What would we do without Facebook and all those annoying posts we can't live without anymore?

P.S.
Check out this hilarious YouTube on the smart phone, Siri and Hawaiian culture;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zyplVPJuF4

P.S.S.
My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you're ugly too.
Rodney Dangerfield
Read more;
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/rodney_dangerfield.html

 Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook..

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.