"RICHARD DAWKINS and me..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Vintage Bettejo)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden
 Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.

Bettejo is a regular opinion writer in the Garden Island news

 and is the author of the famed novella, "The Scam." 

 Her latest fiction"Children of extinction"

 is now  released and available on Amazon!
Bettejo has a gift of mingling
 the present, the past, and the future. 

www.bettejodux.com

www.amazon.com

RICHARD DAWKINS and me

Many of us, I'm, sure, hold someone so completely in awe that the very idea of meeting him, dining with him, takes our breath away.How could it happen? If it did, wouldn't we be struck dumb? Turn  loose a tsunami brain wave that washes all our cognitive thinking out the door? We'd mutter. We'd stutter. We'd falter. We'd faint.

Well, it wasn't like that. It wasn't like that at all. Richard Dawkins, my seating companion at the table, was, as David Silverman, president of the American Atheist, Inc., said, ".... sometimes funny, sometimes fascinating, and always interesting..." But, more than that, a delightful host. He made me feel welcome, comfortable, at home. All of them did.

It was a small group at the table. Several brilliant women, three Turks, one who played polo, a guy from Australia, a lawyer from Texas--hope I've not left anyone out--I didn't count, I listened and talked and had a great time.

The experience, I suppose, was something like it might be for you Christian guys having supper with Jesus. We didn't drink blood or eat flesh, but we did wine and dine.  Richard didn't wash anybody's feet. Good thing. I was wearing a pair of Haines Barely There panty hose which would have turned foot washing into a rather awkward feat at the table.

The introduction by the others was impressive. Lot of letters before and after names, degrees in fields of science I didn't know existed. But there was a human quality there.  No chest pounding or me me meing. They were almost humble. Richard's introduction was,    "I'm Richard Dawkins."

When my turn came, I said,"I'm Bettejo Dux. The lady from the provinces.  I'm an atheist. No buts about it." It was an 'inside' joke and Richard grinned. That made me happy and set the stage.

Sometimes the banter became a little hefty but all of it fascinated me. Held my interest. I could have sat at that table for hours listening in.

I think the women were a bit more interested in the awful ways in which atheists were  treated. I told my story about guys on Kauai who  say, "I agree with Bettejo but I can't say it." "I'd lose my job." "I couldn't be elected."  "Neighbors wouldn't talk to my wife." "What would I tell my flock?" We all agreed  speaking the truth was a dangerous step but one which all of us had to take. Someone said, "Like our gay friends, we have to come out of the closet. Too many are sadly locked in there alone."

I make it easy on myself. As an atheist, "...I prefer to pal  with astronomers rather than  astrologers. Reason my way through life  rather than indulge in make believe. Study The God Delusion rather than the Bible.  Watch  Cosmos, narrated by Carl Sagan, rather than any sermon from any televised house of worship."

Lets teach kids the truthful magic of math, not the  mythical magic of religion.

What do you think?

P.S.
Check out the October 2, 2015 interview with Richard Dawkins by Bill Maher on HBO's real time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvvQJ_zsL1U

Bettejo a few years back playing checkers
with her nephew...

Bettejo provided the quote on 

the enclosed Kauai sunrise meme!

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...

Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen---Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog---

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"An Important Lesson..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalk's 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...
"I am PRO-CHOICE ON EVERYTHING WITH RESPONSIBILITY..."

An Important Lesson 

Unc,Armed & Dangerous
 in basic training 1946.

 First year students at Medical School were receiving their first anatomy class with a real dead human body. 

They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet. The professor started the class by telling them, "In medicine,it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor. The first is that you should not be disgusted by anything involving the human body." 

The Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the anus of the corpse, withdrew it and stuck it in his mouth. 

The students were in shock but must comply,

They eventually took turns sticking a finger in the anus of the corpse and sucking on it. 

When everyone finished, the Professor looked at the class and told them, "The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger but sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention!"

P.S.
If you missed Larry David doing Bernie Sanders on SNL this is a must see for any political junkie! Be ready to laugh!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfmwGAd1L-o

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"Why there are so many homeless in Hawai'i..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' ~Kimo's world #94~

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 kauai
with his best friend Obama Da Dog!

Why there are so many homeless in Hawai'i

Hawaii to  our visitors  is known as paradise, to many local people it is known as hell.

Many locals and kamaaina transplants will utter "tourists and haole  go home," behind their breath. Even caucasians are  ironically heard screaming 'Haole go home.'

Hawaii ranks # 1 as a tropical  vacation destination. Many tourists that come here, think wow-- this would be a great place to retire  and spend the winter of my life.

The wealthy visitors eventually become residents along with many who have inherited a lot of money or those who live of rich parents and trust funds. Hawaii is just not affordable to even the average working class person.

Why so many homeless in Hawaii?  Because it's an easier lifestyle for many. Enclosed are many news articles from 'Hawaii News Now' on the out of control homeless situation and how they have taken over Waikiki beach and many other parts of Oahu;
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/285127/homeless-in-hawaii

I know many local families that live 2-3 generations to a house along with aunties uncles, cousins and second cousins once removed.  It's only affordable since 10 people in the house are working and live a somewhat communal lifestyle amongst family.

There are also those will will rent bedrooms in their home to afford out of sight mortgage payments. I know of one family with 2 kids that rent out 2 rooms in their home, thus giving up family privacy, and they still struggle to make payments.

Many will invest  major money in expensive pickup trucks as the way of having a sense of pride in ownership, since most working class people will never be able to afford a piece of real estate in (PARADISE) Drive by many neighborhoods and will see 5 or more vehicles parked on the lawn.

The  car dealerships give these workers  what they tell them is a great deal. I know a Burger king employee that lives a multi generation home whom thought the dealer was such a nice guy--she got a brand new pickup truck for $1,000 down.  Guess what the payments are? $750.00 a month, not including insurance or gas. 

People are investing money in vehicles that depreciate since they know real estate is out of a reach.  Thus creating another major problem of traffic gridlock with so many new vehicles traveling bumper to bumper.

This mantra of 'PARADISE'has been ongoing for decades and with all the once visitors now wanting to retire it has pushed the price of land to prices that are hard to comprehend.

A fixer upper home in the worst part of Kauai can cost  upward of $500,000 on a  one bathroom ,2 bedroom home on a small lot. Not to mention no garage or basement. Many places on the mainland would have you living in a mansion with a built in pool and bowling alleys in the basement  with acreage for that kind of investment.

Real estate has skyrocketed from the demand from visitors who move here to retire or take on a second or third home.

Working professions have a hard time affording rent, many cannot even get bank loans for homes . Many local students move to the mainland to be able to live a decent lifestyle.

The homeless crisis is partly here because there is a lack of incentives to work. Why work, when every penny you get will go towards slum housing. Why not live outdoors on the beach verses in  a run down apartment that takes your whole paycheck to afford.

The only way to ever curb the homeless situation is to make housing affordable, otherwise  more people will choose a lifestyle of  freedom  and living  living in the great  outdoors amongst the fresh ocean air and stars and visiting their local food bank.


James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.

When actor Richard Gere went undercover as a homeless man
 In New York city this is what happened;"When I went undercover in New York City as a homeless man, no one noticed me. I felt what it was like to be a homeless man. People would just past by me and look at me in disgrace. Only one lady was kind enough to give me some food. It was an experience I'll never forget. So many times we forget how blessed we are. We should not take that for granted. And if we can help someone in need, we should. That's why after I was done, I walked around and gave food and $100 to every homeless person I saw. They cried and were so grateful. Be the change you wish to see in the world."

You and 2 others like this.

Comments

Jerry Nishihira The news just reported that there's an influx of homeless from the mainland and more are arriving everyday.
I think the welfare benefits are too easy to acquire and laws are too lax.

Like · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs

James Kimo Rosen Ironically my daily blog is about this very subject; check it pout; http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/.../why-there-are-so-many...

dakinetalk...Live from Kaua'i,Hawai'i: "Why there are so many homeless in…

DAKINETALK.BLOGSPOT.COM|BY KIMOROSEN

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Karyn Mitchell They actual research it and then come here! That's crazy!!

Like · Reply · 1 · 12 hrs

Niki Sifers Send them back!!!

Unlike · Reply · 2 · 10 hrs

James Kimo Rosen They actually have Depart of human services in other states that give their homeless one way fares to Hawaii. The idea thay being homeless in the winter is survivalble in Hawaii vs. Illinois or other cold weather states.

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John Alibab I remeber in the 70's when growing up we had a huge problem with hippies, same diff but didnt the state buy them one way tickets to rid them off the Island??

Like · Reply · 9 hrs

Niki Sifers Oh yes. I remember the Hare Krishnas. They actually made good vegetarian feasts and had a store in Kapaa; finally left.

Like · Reply · 1 · 4 hrs

Judy Rapozo I believe that many of these "homeless" folks have chosen to live this way as it is the current fad for them. Ever heard of the "herd mentality"?

Like · Reply · 6 mins

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