What is Happening in America..?" 'Deborah Morel' (Reporting from Australia!)

Guest blogger and friend Deborah Morel recently moved to Australia  from Honolulu Hawaii to work in law enforcement. This employment in Australia follows three years previously employed with the New Zealand Ministry of Education, as an Education Advisor and member of a trauma team responding to threats of suicide and possible sexual assault.
One of Deborah's  favorite quotes close to heart is, "The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do this for them." Lois McMaster Bujold
Today Deborah talks about Australians  trying to understand America...Enjoy!

What is Happening in America?

My family has recently arrived to Australia to work, attend University, and live; I have resumed my professional status in law enforcement/social work. I am delighted to finally return to this part of the world of Australia and New Zealand, and being given the opportunity to work along side some highly qualified and ethical lawmakers and professionals--my family beginning a new chapter.

It is somewhat like coming home. Memories of comfort, sensibility, and fond memories, are all around my family. I am considered by the Aussies to be "dyed in the wool." In American terms the saying " as honest as the day is long,"  is an equivalent. Year after year, Australia and New Zealand--by reliable global research, meters and gauges, rank top as two of the 5 most ethical, and happy, countries in which to live. The attitudes, and conduct, of Australians, and New Zealanders, demonstrate these rankings.

Several days ago, a story was published by Australian news. The title of the story is "Tampons banned, guns allowed at Texas senate vote." There has been more than one Australian ask some honest questions of me about why the US government is not getting the gun violence crisis, in the US, under control.

Australians, honestly, want to try and understand, because no matter how they search their minds or reason, it just doesn't make sense. These questions to me, as an American, are in hopes of a better understanding to what is actually happening in the USA regarding the outbreak of violence in America.  I would be the one who might have the answers. These Aussies are hoping that I can provide answers that will help them to stop searching their minds. They truly want to understand with an open mind, give every benefit of the doubt, and their concern is felt.

The most common response by Aussies is similar to, "I just can't make sense of why something isn't being done. There are rights to bear arms, but this seems crazy."  I will add that Australians tend to be especially polite, open minded, worldly, and keep their opinions to themselves when speaking to strangers. I will, also, add that the Australian news, and media, publish only a very, very short order of the daily incidents of gun violence occurring in the US; however, Australians are apparently getting enough of a hint to know that gun violence is out of control in the US. I believe that they don't know the half of it.

Sadly, and with my own sense of embarrassment as an American, the honest answer that stops the intellectual searching as to why little is being done to stump American gun violence is because the issue is political--not that of a government driven social or safety campaign as one would expect. Our US political leaders have thrown US citizens under the bus. The National Rifle Association has been lining high powered politicians' pockets for years. The issue is about power, favour, and greed.

In the end, innocent US citizens become the victims of these political plays--citizens such as the 20 children, and 6 adults, whose lives were taken in Newtown, CT, Sandy Hook Elementary School gun violence. The children killed accounted for more than 2 percent of Sandy Hook Elementary student enrollment. 

In April 1996, Australia had its own gun violence tragedy in Port Arthur. What was different from that of our own gun violence tragedies in the USA? As Australian writer John Cook is quoted, "This tragedy set a new dimension for the heartache and national despair through Australia...In a remarkable turnaround, the Liberal and National parties lead the way towards much stricter gun laws."  All Australian states and territories pulled together in an "Amnesty Gun Buy Back" campaign. The campaign was successful. About 640,000 guns (many prohibited) were taken under this scheme.  The Australian government immediate Gun Buy Back scheme, and rapidly crafted legislature by, both, the National and Liberal Parties in unison for stricter gun laws, have saved lives.

In our own country, in childish acts of defiance, Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and US President Barack Obama, cannot even get past being in the presence of the other in the same room while in the capacity of public servants. This, while according to researchers, Chris Kirk and Dan Kois, as of 07/14/2013, there have been roughly 8,085 people die from guns in the United States since Newtown CT, Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Every day, about 75 American children are shot.  "Most recover — 15 do not. Gunshot wounds are now the leading cause of death for teenage boys in America (white, African-American, urban, and suburban)."  The data and facts are startling enough, and the blatant lack of action on the part of the US government to remedy the gun violence crisis clear enough, that I am concerned for my family, friends, children, and all citizens of the USA. What will the future hold for our children, families and the Nation?

P.S. as I was posting Deborah's blog I received an email and Facebook update. Today is the day she relocated from

from Brisbane to Perth,  it is like going from New York to California and further. Here's whats currently happening almost this very second in Debora's life. God Bless you my friend!

I have always said, Never get behind me in a grocery line because no matter what, this line will end up with the longest wait. This evacuation at Brisbane Australia Airport was at the time I was flying from Brisbane to Perth. Merry Christmas to me. I ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS travel light, but in this case, I had more heavy suitcases, packages, than I have ever travelled with in all of my life--literally. This was one leg in my "relocation" from the US to Autralia, so by these terms, I didn't have much at all. But, by terms of traveling by air, I had much too many items. Top it off with 2 personal computers as well. As I was dragging all this "stuff" thu security check point, a security officer ran to a ringing phone, and then with a tone of urgency stated to other security officers that there had bee a security breach at Qantas. After hearing this news, I wondered how far I would get with all my stuff. I was stopped before leaving the secured area, and my suitcases/computers/bags gone through and scanned for possible explosive material. I can't blame any officer for stopping me with all the stuff I was hauling. Made it to the other end of the terminal, onto the aircraft, belongings stowed, sat down, made phone calls, "I've boarded,"...then, the announcement, "Breached security point, evacuate terminal." Hauled all this stuff back to the start, waited...and waited, while some people climbing over other people. Called to go thru security check point, again. Line wrapped around building. Some people pushing in the line, and stepping all over others. In the mayhem , I lost a brand new all weather coat, and contact lenses. Drag my stuff back to the gate, stowed the stuff, got in my seat...and away we went. Aloha, Deborah Morel

Read ABC's News account of the Details;

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-24/brisbane-airport-evacuated-over-security-scare/4841480

P.S.S

Democrats and Republicans aside, America should be proud of Bush 41!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/24/george-hw-bush-cancer-secret-service/2584467/

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"The Voice of the Non-Believer..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic garden island
of Kaua'i over 30 years. She is an animal lover, people lover and lover of life.
She will be 83 years young next month and still active in life and community.
You can order a copy of her Novella "The Scam "below.www.bettejodux.com

The Voice of the Non-Believer

I am a devout non-believer.

For me it’s simple: I don’t need a god and I don’t need a religion. Please do not send someone to my house to convert me. I promise I will not knock on your door in an attempt to un-convert you.

I am not selling anything. I think there is all too much of that going on in America already. Religion is big business. Tax exempt business. Many of our televangelists are very rich and powerful people in America.

What is a belief anyway? Isn’t it something that is not true? I mean, if it were true would in not then be a fact?

There are many religions. Many Gods. And every believer believes his God- his religious belief- is the one true God, the true beliefs. Every other God and every other religion is false. Please note: these ancient structures are all patriarchal. God is a he-even when packaged in a three-cornered wrap.

True believers seem to be constantly at each other’s throats. The Christians, the Muslims and the Jews have been duking it out for years. Still are.

While some 78% of Americans believe in God, we are not a theocracy. That is, no one in this country is forced to believe in God. Attend church. Man’s laws prevail in our courts. Here in Hawaii, in a courtroom, we say,” I declare under penalty of perjury in this court and the state of Hawaii my statements are true.”

The number of Americans who have no religious affiliation is strong and growing. 1 in 4 Americans, ages 18 to 29 are not currently affiliated.

For years it seems, far too many years, the only thing all believers agreed on was all atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, devout non-believers would spend all eternity burning in the fires of hell.

Sin, guilt, fear, hell and damnation are cloaked, sold and practiced. All three of the major religions-Christian, Muslim and Jew- play these card, as non-believers

stand outside the game and shake their heads.

We are constantly harassed, bombarded with religious hype. Obey us. Don’t do this, don’t do that. Do this or else. Do that and die. The list of do’s and don’ts is endless.

It’s true that most non-believers know the New Testament and the Old Testament better than most Christian or Jewish laymen who have a habit of cherry picking. Bad stuff when it’s time to kick ass. Good stuff on Saturday and Sunday.

And, of course, all their Gods are coming back. Soon. Better look out.

Well, this I dare to say, she says, looking for a place to hide-“…if their Gods come back to be tried in a court of American law, they’ll all end up on death row.”

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog...
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"The First Time..." (Obama Da Dog) (Source)

Obama da Dog currently resides on the cosmic Garden Island of Kauai
and lives with her best friend James 'kimo" Rosen.
Today Obama talks about a boy looking forward to his first time
making love...

The First Time

A girl asks her boyfriend to come over Friday night to meet, and have dinner with her parents.

Since this is such a big event, the girl announces

to her boyfriend that after dinner, she would like

to go out and make love for the first time .

The boy is ecstatic, but he has never had sex before, so he takes a trip to the pharmacist to get some condoms. He tells the pharmacist it's his

first time and the pharmacist helps the boy for about an hour. He tells the boy everything there is to know about condoms and sex. At the register, the pharmacist asks the boy how many condoms he'd like to buy, a 3-pack, 10-pack, or family pack.

The boy insists on the family pack because he thinks he will be rather busy, it being his first time and all.

That night, the boy shows up at the girl's parents
house and meets his girlfriend at the door. 'Oh, I'm so excited for you to meet my parents, come on in!'

The boy goes inside and is taken to the dinner table where the girl's parents are seated. The boy quickly offers to say grace and bows his head.

A minute passes, and the boy is still deep in prayer, with his head down. 10 minutes pass, and still no movement from the boy.

Finally, after 20 minutes with his head down, the girlfriend leans over and whispers to the boyfriend, 'I had no idea you were this religious.'

The boy turns, and whispers back, 'And I had no idea your father was a pharmacist.'

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"Printer Ink is so expensive..." James "Kimo" Rosen'

I am now able to scan old photos with my brand new printer, copier, scanner that cost less than replacing the  ink cartridges in my old printer.
!979 photo of James "Kimo" Rosen and his Old English Sheepdog named Kamala
in the foothills of Santa Barbara

My new printer, copier and scanner cost less than replacing the ink cartridges in my old printer!

Printer Ink is so expensive

The printer I use with my computer was out of ink. I had reloaded the cartridges many times and  they were on their last leg.

I went to our local Walmart to purchase new printing cartridges the #40 and #41, very common cartridges for Cannon printers. The black cartridge was $24.95 and the color cartridges was $29.95, that's over 55.00 with tax just to replace the ink in my printer.

There was a salesman standing close by and I  said , "Ink sure cost a lot these days." He then pointed to a brand new Cannon  2100 printer, scanner, copier, which included both the color and black ink cartridges along with a USB cord all for just $41.00. 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006K0OX3O/ref=asc_df_B006K0OX3O2598645?smid=AZEMR4Y3VJ4AZ&tag=dealtmp972398-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B006K0OX3O

OK, do you mean to tell me I can upgrade to a scanner and copier from just the printer?The answer was yes! I cant believe it,  I now have  new ink cartridges and a printer, copier , scanner  for less than just replacing the ink? WOW WHAT A DEAL!

So now,I not only have fresh ink, but for the first time ever I have a scanner and am like a kid in a candy store scanning old photos and posting all over Facebook for all my friends to see and hopefully enjoy and not say,  oh boy, not again!


P.S.
Sex techniques during Pregnancy

Man asks his doctor, "Can I have sex with my pregnant wife?"

The doctor replied:
"Yes. The first 3 months will be just like normal the next three months you should do it like dog and the last three months you should do it like tiger."

The man replies:
"Tiger? I don't know that method."

The doctor explains :
"Like Tiger Woods. Sleep with other women." 

P.S.S.
Scanned  photo of yours truly at 9 years old!

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" Weekend in the Concrete Jungle..." '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 her trip to the Big Apple
 and realizes there's no place like home. !Enjoy! ;D)

Weekend in the Concrete Jungle

My husband and I decided to take a short vacation to the concrete jungle…Manhattan.  It was an adventure to say the least.  

Working our way across the George Washington bridge through New Jersey to the city paying $13.00 to cross the bridge we knew we were getting close.  The traffic was lined up like sardines and the horns began to blow.  Better know where you are going because there is no patience for the hesitant driver there.  

We had made plans to stay at a Hilton property in the city across from Central Park ; no longer was the car an advantage but an inconvenience as to where to put it. A parking valet was made available for a mere $50.00 a night as we were told,  and if we were to take the car out on the street again, there would be an additional charge.  The car was taken away and stacked elsewhere because space is a commodity in NYC. 

 We picked a hot steamy weekend to visit the area with 98% humidity the whole weekend.  It was as if we were in the shower all day long.  I had to take my carriage ride through Central Park even though I felt sorry for the horses and gave the driver a healthy tip who was wilting on top of the carriage as well.  

A rickshaw was also available for a mode of transportation for a mere $4.00 per 3 minutes ride.  We put on about 20 miles in walking the whole area making sure we stopped at Carnegie deli for a must relished corned beef sandwich for $18.00 and a bowl of wonderful matzo ball soup.   We toured 5th avenue and Broadway; thought we could catch a reasonable show 20 minutes before it was about to start…    no such luck…still over $100.00 a TICKET even at the last minute.  

Our last breakfast was at the famous Russian tea room.  We found the most reasonable breakfast early in the am for just $10.00 a person but neglected to notice that a cup of coffee to go with the food cost $8.00 a person.  Guess it wasn’t such a bargain after all. 

 We decided to take in the Museum of modern Art…no bargain there; no senior discount for us and each painting had a crowd in front of it which made it almost impossible to take photos.   After 3 days of walking our feet off and sweating through the streets of Manhattan, it was time to leave.  We  gave our valet a half hour notice to collect our car and off we went.  We left with a little less money in our pockets, a few less pounds from being in a sauna all weekend  and after only a few hours of driving found some peace and quiet on the open road driving through New York back to some open spaces to enjoy. 

 The city is a nice place to visit only;  yes it is exciting to see the hustle and bustle of the city but I was happy to return to a city where people make eye contact and enjoy life just a little more.   

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"Deedy, Guilty or not Guilty That Is The Question..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

If only more people gardened we'd have fewer murder trials...
James "Kimo" Rosen with a harvest of fresh carrots back in 2009

Deedy, Guilty or not Guilty That Is The Question

Hawaii is  currently going through it's own version of a Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman trial with the Christopher Deedy- Kollin Elderts trial.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/266930/christopher-deedy-trial

Christopher Deedy a special agent for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, was in Honolulu in November  2011 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit when the fatal shooting  of Kollin Elderts occurred at a local McDonald's .

Kollin Elderts who allegedly was bullying Deedy and other customers  both physically and verbally with he term "Haole." Haole when referred to a white person is the equivalent of calling a black person the "N" word.

 Deedy being a federal agent and fretful for his life fired his  gun in self defense.  Deedy drew his gun and told Elderts to freeze, but he continued to advance.

I have encountered many people like  Elderts, that if you stare at them wrong, look out.

Everyone says these trials are not about race, yet that's all everyone is talking about. 

When an officer of the law, federal agent  or anybody is threatened for their life both physically and with verbal racial slurs, self defense is clearly the proper verdict.

Hawaii is behind the times in what is considered proper etiquette for racism  People in Hawaii will always start a sentence with the ethnicity of the person. For instance, do you know this guy John, he's a haole, or do you know Roger he's a Portuguese  , did you know Yukiko, she's Japanese  Ethnicity is always associated with a name  whether conscious or unconscious. Whats wrong with saying, the persons name without an ethnicity associated with it?

I believe strongly Deedy will not get a fair trial in Hawai'i. If the trial was  In a federal court  this  would be fair and impartial.  

I am hoping this trial has the same result with the self defense verdict as did the Trayvon Martin case.

Be prepared for a  local outrage if Deedy is cleared of all charges. 

Racism is still alive and well, we may have a black president  (half black)however people will be people and racism remains the  silent  subliminal bigotry that never seems to go away


A shortened version of this blog appears in the 07-19-13 edition of the Honolulu Staradvertiser, it appears as an opinion article on page A-9. The Staradvertiser has a paywall  therefore I am copying and pasting below;http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorialspremium/letterspremium/

Racism lives, even in Hawai'i

I strongly believe  Christopher Deedy will not get a fair trial in Hawai'i. If the trial was In a federal court  this  would be fair and impartial.  This is Hawaii's version of the Trayvon Martin trial.

I am hoping this trial has the same result with the self defense verdict as did the Trayvon Martin case.

When an officer of the law, federal agent  or anybody is threatened for their life both physically and with verbal racial slurs, self defense is clearly the proper verdict.

Be prepared for an outrage if Deedy is cleared of all charges.

Racism is  alive and well, we may have a black  president, however people will be people and racism remains the silent subliminal bigotry that never seems to go away especially in the so called "Aloha state."

James "kimo" Rosen-Kapa'a Hawai'
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspxi



For the most up to date information on the Christopher Deedy go to Hawaii News Now at;
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/266930/christopher-deedy-trial


I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous everyone hasn't met me yet.

..................................... Rodney Dangerfield

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"Conversation with God..." Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

Unc talks  about  two of  his favorite subjects, God and money!

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu & giving the politicians a bad time...

A Jewish man prays at the Wailing  wall in Jerusalem
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount.

Conversation with God

Man: God? 
God: Yes? 
Man: Can I ask you something? 
God: Of course! 
Man: What's a million years to you? 
God: A second. 
Man: And a million dollars? 
God: A penny. 
Man: God, can I have a penny?   
God: Yes, please wait a second.  

P.S.
A meme from Facebook has created a lot of controversy  The Boston Marathon Bomber on the cover of the Rolling Stone. What's your opinion?

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