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    From Feeling Good About Ourselves to Meeting New People

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    “Suzanne Gelb Image”

    ”Compliments – Why Don’t They Help?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    I am a sophomore in college and when I do presentations in class, afterwards people come up and compliment me on my talk. But I still feel insecure about my talk. Why aren’t the compliments enough?

    Insecure

    A: Dr. Gelb says . . .

    Dear Insecure:

    Many of us missed out on a wonderful developmental period, which occurs from age four until seven or eight years. This phase, called the narcissistic stage, offers the child opportunities to establish self-love, self-worth and self-respect, and out of that, the child can develop self-pride. Children who experience this stage can develop into adults who take pride in what they do, in themselves, in the way they talk, walk, think, and the way they behave, for example. With self-pride in tact, when one reaches the podium and begins making a presentation, one can feel like a giant among all others. Happy Landing.

    ”Networking – What’s Appropriate?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    I attend a monthly networking lunch, and last month this person I did not know asked me to sit with him. I could have sat at another table with some important folks, but I wanted to accept the invitation from the person because he really wanted to sit with me. When do we do what is politically correct, and when do we be sincere and treat each person with importance, even if they are not a public figure or someone who could pull strings?

    Pulling Strings

    A: Dr. Gelb says . . .

    Dear Pulling Strings:

    I believe I would have made a similar decision to yours. A gathering such as you mentioned offers a wonderful opportunity to meet new and interesting people and I try not to turn down such an opportunity. I also know that I will have opportunities at other gatherings to spend time with those colleagues and dignitaries who I already know. So, in my book it is appropriate to take every opportunity to meet new and interesting people. We never know when we will meet the goose that laid the golden egg.

    Dear Readers:

    Answers to questions in today’s column can be supplemented with excerpts from “Yesterday’s Children” (Q1: p. 70) written by psychologists Marti Barham, R.N., Ph.D. and Tom Greene, Ph.D. For more information visit my Web site at https://www.DrGelbSays.com

    ”’Suzanne J. Gelb, Ph.D., J.D. authors this daily column, Dr. Gelb Says, which answers questions about daily living and behavior issues. Dr. Gelb is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Honolulu. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Human Services. Dr. Gelb is also a published author of a book on Overcoming Addictions and a book on Relationships.”’

    ”’This column is intended for entertainment use only and is not intended for the purpose of psychological diagnosis, treatment or personalized advice. For more about the column’s purpose, see”’ “An Online Intro to Dr. Gelb Says”

    ”’Email your questions to mailto:DrGelbSays@hawaiireporter.com More information on Dr. Gelb’s www.DrGelbSays.comvailable at”’ https://www.DrGelbSays.com

    Legislative Hearing Notices – March 12, 2003

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    The following hearing notices, which are subject to change, were sorted and taken from the Hawaii State Capitol Web site. Please check that site for updates and/or changes to the schedule at

    “Hawaii State Legislature Sidebar”

    Go there and click on the Hearing Date to view the Hearing Notice.

    Hearings notices for both House and Senate measures in all committees:

    Hearing

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/12/03 9:00 AM HB176 HD1 RELATING TO THE WEED AND SEED PROGRAM. JHW

    3/12/03 9:00 AM HB297 HD2 RELATING TO DRUGS. JHW

    3/12/03 9:00 AM HB298 HD2 RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. JHW

    3/12/03 9:00 AM HB857 RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. JHW

    3/12/03 9:00 AM HB1116 HD1 RELATING TO COURTS. JHW

    3/12/03 9:00 AM HB1217 HD1 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. JHW

    3/12/03 9:00 AM HB1217 HD1 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. JHW

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB44 SD2 RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB345 SD1 RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB460 RELATING TO DUNE BUGGIES. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB464 SD2 RELATING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF A FIXED RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB562 RELATING TO TERMINABLE RENTAL ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE VEHICLE LEASES. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB1172 SD2 RELATING TO AIRLINES. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB1408 SD1 RELATING TO STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB1478 SD2 RELATING TO AIRPORT CONCESSIONAIRES. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM SB1657 SD1 RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. TRN

    3/12/03 9:00 AM GM228 Submitting for consideration and confirmation as Director of the Department of Taxation, Gubernatorial Nominee, KURT K. KAWAFUCHI, for a term to expire 12-04-06. WAM

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB32 HD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB32 HD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB277 HD1 RELATING TO EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB277 HD1 RELATING TO EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB281 HD1 RELATING TO STATE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB289 HD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB292 HD2 RELATING TO THE SCHOOL PRIORITY FUND. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB314 HD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL SECURITY GUARDS. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB488 RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS FOR MID-PACIFIC INSTITUTE. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB638 HD1 RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB714 HD1 RELATING TO EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1175 HD2 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1176 HD1 RELATING TO EDUCATION. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1506 HD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR ISPED CLERK TYPISTS. EDU

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB50 HD2 RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC EMPLOYEES HEALTH FUND. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB132 HD1 RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB287 HD3 RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB294 RELATING TO TEMPORARY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED PERSONS. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB391 HD2 RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB403 HD1 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB507 HD3 RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB553 HD2 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB554 HD2 RELATING TO GOVERNMENT. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB968 HD1 RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB986 HD2 RELATING TO DEATH BENEFITS OF SURVIVING CHILDREN OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1013 HD3 RELATING TO EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1157 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1159 HD1 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1198 HD2 RELATING TO CHILD LABOR. LBR

    3/12/03 1:15 PM HB1373 RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. LBR

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB373 SD1 RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY REGIMES. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB374 SD1 RELATING TO REAL ESTATE. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB394 RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY REGIMES. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB574 SD1 RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1057 RELATING TO THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1058 SD1 RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1077 SD1 RELATING TO CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR INSURANCE LICENSEES. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1200 SD1 RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1229 SD1 RELATING TO NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1261 RELATING TO PROCUREMENT CARD PAYMENTS. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1262 SD1 RELATING TO PROCUREMENT. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1306 RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1315 RELATING TO INSURANCE FRAUD. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1319 SD1 RELATING TO THE UNIFORM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ACT. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1324 SD1 RELATING TO CONCILIATION PANELS. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1533 SD2 RELATING TO TAXATION. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1553 SD1 RELATING TO MORTGAGE BROKERS AND SOLICITORS. CPC

    3/12/03 1:30 PM SB1589 SD1 RELATING TO NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS. CPC

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB133 HD1 RELATING TO CHILD PROTECTION. HMS

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB519 HD1 RELATING TO THE ELDER JUSTICE ACT. HMS

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB925 HD3 RELATING TO ELDER ABUSE. HMS

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB1272 HD2 RELATING TO ADVOCACY FOR HUMAN SERVICES. HMS

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB49 HD2 RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS. TMG

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB52 HD2 RELATING TO CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY. TMG

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB73 RELATING TO STATE GOVERNMENT. TMG

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB1064 RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. TMG

    3/12/03 2:45 PM HB1247 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONTRAFLOW LANE ON FARRINGTON HIGHWAY ALONG THE WAIANAE COAST FROM MOHIHI STREET TO PILIOKAHI AVENUE. TMG

    3/12/03 2:45 PM SCR27 REQUESTING THE HAWAII CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO LOOK INTO EXPANDING THE ANTITRUST EXEMPTION TO ENABLE HAWAIIAN AIRLINES TO COORDINATE INDIVIDUAL ROUTE SCHEDULES. TMG

    3/12/03 2:45 PM SR16 REQUESTING THE HAWAII CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO LOOK INTO EXPANDING THE ANTITRUST EXEMPTION TO ENABLE HAWAIIAN AIRLINES TO COORDINATE INDIVIDUAL ROUTE SCHEDULES. TMG

    ”’To reach legislators, see:”’ “Representatives at a Glance” and “Senators at a Glance”

    Government Knows Only One Mode of Operation – Coercion-Harris' Attempt to Ram BRT Down Community's Throat is One Good Example

    In a ”’Mises Institute Daily Article”’ arguing against war in Iraq, the author made an interesting observation about government in general that applies well to some leaders in Hawaii: “Government knows only one mode of operation: coercion.”

    See https://www.mises.org/fullstory.asp?control=1178

    This principle is particularly applicable to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris’ insistence that the city implement the in-town Bus Rapid Transit project, despite all logic to the contrary. The mayor intends to go forward with this project, no matter how damaging it will be to those who have or do business in Waikiki, the private transit companies it will compete with, or to the overall traffic problem.

    As has been noted before in HawaiiReporter, the in-town BRT will make traffic problems worse, not better. Dedicating whole lanes of already busy streets to the BRT will reduce the number of remaining lanes for everyday automobiles, not to mention commercial traffic.

    Since the vast majority of these drivers don’t live along the BRT route, they will never be serviced by the BRT. Instead, they will continue to drive because driving is, and will always be, the most efficient way to get to and from work. So these people are going to have to make do with reduced lanes, an imposition that will greatly increase traffic, not alleviate it.

    The idea that the in-town BRT is being built for local commuters, is equally faulty. There are less than 20,000 residents in Waikiki. Only a small portion of these actually work downtown. Most that live in Waikiki, work in Waikiki, which is why they live there. The idea that running a line between Waikiki and a downtown hub will reduce commuter traffic is clearly false. The majority of commuters come from the outlying areas. There is something else at work here.

    In the HawaiiReporter article: https://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?8d3964f5-bbe5-4b4c-87ed-1982e959ee14

    the author states, “For example, tour buses on Oahu are not allowed to compete with public transportation during rush hour, even though they could contribute to a service that more closely fit the diverse transportation needs of the community.”

    This is the crux of the problem. It is government supplanting the private sector. Government is the only entity allowed to impose a monopoly, with no concern with how much money that monopoly then loses. The larger the monopoly becomes the more money it will lose. Expand TheBus to include the BRT and the deficit will inevitably grow proportionally. All government rapid transit systems run at a deficit, none make a profit. TheBus was once a profitable private enterprise.

    The problem here is related to the premise introduced at the beginning: coercion by government is its only mode. Such coercion can only take place at the expense of private enterprise. In this case private enterprise must be forbidden ”’by law”’ not to provide competitive solutions to the monopoly of government. Additionally we are then taxed against our will to pay for the deficit that the monopoly generates, since government monopolies are never as efficient or cost effective as free enterprise. This is ideology taking precedence over reason, force over freedom, coercion over choice, socialism over capitalism.

    If a dollar by dollar comparison were done on the money lost on the commute from Ewa and central Oahu communities versus the in-town transit times, there is no doubt where the greater cost would be.

    The thousands upon thousands of commuters who are trapped on the various roadways leading into the city for hours far outweigh the transit times of the meager numbers commuting within the city. That a BRT should be first focused on the former segment is also not in doubt. But government works by coercion, not by logic.

    The in-town BRT will establish a structure that will create, by design, much more serious traffic problems on Oahu, rather than alleviate them.

    *The BRT will worsen traffic problems in an effort to force people from their cars. The more inconvenient traffic becomes the more people will be induced to give up and just acquiesce to the BRT. This is the opposite of the stated purpose

    Government Knows Only One Mode of Operation – Coercion-Harris’ Attempt to Ram BRT Down Community’s Throat is One Good Example

    In a ”’Mises Institute Daily Article”’ arguing against war in Iraq, the author made an interesting observation about government in general that applies well to some leaders in Hawaii: “Government knows only one mode of operation: coercion.”

    See https://www.mises.org/fullstory.asp?control=1178

    This principle is particularly applicable to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris’ insistence that the city implement the in-town Bus Rapid Transit project, despite all logic to the contrary. The mayor intends to go forward with this project, no matter how damaging it will be to those who have or do business in Waikiki, the private transit companies it will compete with, or to the overall traffic problem.

    As has been noted before in HawaiiReporter, the in-town BRT will make traffic problems worse, not better. Dedicating whole lanes of already busy streets to the BRT will reduce the number of remaining lanes for everyday automobiles, not to mention commercial traffic.

    Since the vast majority of these drivers don’t live along the BRT route, they will never be serviced by the BRT. Instead, they will continue to drive because driving is, and will always be, the most efficient way to get to and from work. So these people are going to have to make do with reduced lanes, an imposition that will greatly increase traffic, not alleviate it.

    The idea that the in-town BRT is being built for local commuters, is equally faulty. There are less than 20,000 residents in Waikiki. Only a small portion of these actually work downtown. Most that live in Waikiki, work in Waikiki, which is why they live there. The idea that running a line between Waikiki and a downtown hub will reduce commuter traffic is clearly false. The majority of commuters come from the outlying areas. There is something else at work here.

    In the HawaiiReporter article: https://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?8d3964f5-bbe5-4b4c-87ed-1982e959ee14

    the author states, “For example, tour buses on Oahu are not allowed to compete with public transportation during rush hour, even though they could contribute to a service that more closely fit the diverse transportation needs of the community.”

    This is the crux of the problem. It is government supplanting the private sector. Government is the only entity allowed to impose a monopoly, with no concern with how much money that monopoly then loses. The larger the monopoly becomes the more money it will lose. Expand TheBus to include the BRT and the deficit will inevitably grow proportionally. All government rapid transit systems run at a deficit, none make a profit. TheBus was once a profitable private enterprise.

    The problem here is related to the premise introduced at the beginning: coercion by government is its only mode. Such coercion can only take place at the expense of private enterprise. In this case private enterprise must be forbidden ”’by law”’ not to provide competitive solutions to the monopoly of government. Additionally we are then taxed against our will to pay for the deficit that the monopoly generates, since government monopolies are never as efficient or cost effective as free enterprise. This is ideology taking precedence over reason, force over freedom, coercion over choice, socialism over capitalism.

    If a dollar by dollar comparison were done on the money lost on the commute from Ewa and central Oahu communities versus the in-town transit times, there is no doubt where the greater cost would be.

    The thousands upon thousands of commuters who are trapped on the various roadways leading into the city for hours far outweigh the transit times of the meager numbers commuting within the city. That a BRT should be first focused on the former segment is also not in doubt. But government works by coercion, not by logic.

    The in-town BRT will establish a structure that will create, by design, much more serious traffic problems on Oahu, rather than alleviate them.

    *The BRT will worsen traffic problems in an effort to force people from their cars. The more inconvenient traffic becomes the more people will be induced to give up and just acquiesce to the BRT. This is the opposite of the stated purpose

    Financial Audit of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism-Report No. 03-03, March 2003

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    ”Summary”

    The Office of the Auditor and the certified public accounting firm of KPMG LLP conducted a financial audit of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii, for the fiscal year July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002. The audit examined the financial records and transactions of the department; reviewed the related systems of accounting and internal controls; and tested transactions, systems, and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations.

    We found deficiencies in the financial accounting and internal control practices of the department. We found that the department is deficient in the management of its loan programs. The department administers four revolving loan programs that were developed to stimulate Hawaii

    Grassroot Perspective – March 11, 2003-Hit Them Where They Ain't; School Choice Works – The Case of Sweden

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    “Dick Rowland Image”

    ”Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)”

    – Hit Them Where They Ain’t

    Reports that Al Qaeda wants to hijack planes and crash them into ships and subs at Pearl Harbor is — once the shock of the sheer audacity wears off — actually very good news. If accurate, the reports would indicate that Al Qaeda responds predictably to changes in conditions. And predictability is the first step to being caught.

    One of the key intelligence failures leading up to 9/11 was missing the role domestic flights could play in acts of terror. Security around domestic flights and at airports in the U.S. was, on balance, much less stringent than that found elsewhere in the world. Anyone looking to hijack planes would eventually come to the conclusion that the best odds were with domestic U.S. flights.

    Now that security around U.S. flights and airports has been ramped up, including all manner of bogus approaches that do little to actually improve security, those looking to hijack flights have to reassess. Domestic flights are no longer the low-hanging fruit. Today it is likely that overseas flights originating in the bustling airports of Asia provide the best opportunity for hijacking. Add in the fact that Al Qaeda operatives appear adept at moving in and out of places like the Philippines, and using Asian flights for terror becomes even more likely.

    So if your best bet at gaining control of a plane lies somewhere in
    Asia, what can you do with it? You want a uniquely U.S. target,
    preferably on U.S. soil. That points you to Hawaii and once Hawaii
    becomes a goal, Pearl Harbor is the obvious target.

    This kind of target selection process shows that terrorists are
    opportunists. Instead of fixating on single target or means of attack, they adapt and try to give themselves the best chance at success. Counter-terrorist planners in Washington need to recognize this and realize that there is limited utility to making any single means of attack impossible. That is Maginot Line thinking and just as easy to route around.

    A better approach would be to make the most vulnerable avenues of attack incrementally harder to breach. With luck, the changes would trip up terrorist cells before they have a chance to move and cause them to make mistakes that will expose them.

    https://www.washtimes.com/national/20030303-104.htm

    https://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1491/

    Above is quoted from Reason Express reasonexpress@reason.com 3/4/03

    – School Choice Works – The Case of Sweden

    Historically Socialist Sweden Advances Milton Friedman’s Voucher Vision Leaving behind centralized control of schools, for-profit independent schools flourish

    Jan. 6, 2003, Indianapolis, IN–The Indianapolis-based Milton and
    Rose D. Friedman Foundation, a leading national group that advocates
    school choice, has released a study of Sweden’s ten-year-old school
    financing reforms, finding that they have dramatically advanced parental freedom and improved education in Sweden. Sweden’s government is predominantly based on socialist structures, with high taxation and publicly financed medical care and retirement.

    School Choice Works: The Case of Sweden, written by prominent Swedish public policy researchers Fredrik Bergstrom and Mikael Sandstrom, reveals that independent school funding reform passed in 1992 has resulted in the number of independent schools available to parents quintupling, and enrollment in independent schools quadrupling.

    Meanwhile, government schools have not suffered, but have improved. Swedish law since 1992 mandates that the government separate the financing of schools from the administration of schools, as Nobel laureate economist Milton Friedman proposed in 1955. Sweden’s independent schools are now financed on par with municipal schools, so long as they are approved. Since the reform, Sweden has shown the following advances:

    *Competition created by this new supply of schools has increased performance in Sweden’s municipal (government-run) schools.

    *Most independent schools in Sweden are run by for-profit educational companies, with no detrimental effects.

    *There is absolutely no evidence that the new “voucher system” has created a scenario where the rich are supplemented in their private choices. In fact, poorer Swedes choose independent schools at higher rates than do wealthy families.

    *Teachers’ unions in Sweden support the reform measures and indicate that they prefer to work in independent schools, where working conditions are better.

    In Sweden now, as in many northern European countries, parents are given a large range of educational options, public and private, parochial and secular. The researchers concluded that: “The main lesson to be learned from the Swedish reforms is that school choice works.{T}he Swedish example can indicate what would happen if a country, for example the USA, introduced more freedom of choice for students and parents and thus more competition between schools.”

    The Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation is a non-profit organization promoting public understanding of the need for major reform in K-12 education and of the role that competition through educational choice can play in achieving that reform.

    Above article is quoted from The newsletter of the Milton & Rose D.
    Friedman Foundation The School Choice January 2003
    www.friedmanfoundation.org

    ”Roots (Food for Thought)”

    A story posted on WorldNetDaily.com on Tuesday of this week says the leadership of the National Education Association, the national affiliate of the Florida Education Association, the state’s teachers union, “is so far removed from ordinary classroom environments they can no longer relate to the tasks facing working-class teachers.”

    The story quotes Carl Gibson, a spokesman for the Olympia-based
    Evergreen Freedom Foundation, who said, “The new leaders of the National Education Association tout themselves as classroom teachers on leave to represent their colleagues.”

    Gibson went on to say, “We did a little digging around to see what kind of classroom experience they have. Turns out none of them have worked in a classroom during the last decade. For some, it’s been far longer.”

    This got me wondering about the leadership of Florida’s teachers union. FEA’s current president, Maureen Dinnen, hasn’t been in a K-12 classroom since the 1970s. She taught at Broward Community College for some time after that, but according to that school’s
    personnel records office, she has not taught there since 1997. Her
    predecessor at the helm in the union is Pat Tornillo, who served as FEA president from the late 1970s to 2000, and is currently the local teacher union president in Miami-Dade County. He has been out of the classroom for more than 25 years. The union’s vice president for
    financial affairs, Bob Lee, has also been out of the classroom for more than 25 years and the first vice president, Andy Ford, who is in line to become the next FEA president, has not taught in about a decade.

    The WorldNetDaily report also looked at compensation of NEA’s top
    executives. The NEA’s incoming president, Reg Weaver, is being paid more than $231,000 and his pay will rise to more than $237,900 next year, according to the story. Additionally, it states, “Each of the
    three executive officers gets an additional 20 percent of salary as a
    cash ‘living allowance,’ plus another 20 percent of salary for
    benefits.” That should total another $92,000.

    In Florida, FEA president Dinnen was paid 112,014, plus an additional $60,309 in expenses and benefits according to the union’s 1998 report to the IRS. The following year, her salary jumped remarkably to $158,548-a pay increase of $46,534-more than
    40 percent.

    Consider that a $46,500 single-year pay increase is about $10,000 more than the average annual pay for a teacher in Florida. The union has since refused requests for salary information covering years 2000 and 2001. During that time, the two state unions merged and one must wonder-if this merger effectively doubled the size of the now-combined union, did Dinnen’s salary jump again?

    The state president is a higher level position than a local union
    president. It would seem odd if the state president were not paid more than the highest paid local union president.

    According to documents on file with the Public Employees Relations
    Commission, the agency to which unions are required to file financial disclosures, Tornillo is the highest paid local union president. The financial disclosure forms report that Tornillo was paid more than $225,429 in salary last year, with an additional $17,700 in expenses. If the state president were paid more than any local president, that could place this salary and benefits in excess of $243,000.

    This all strikes me as hypocritical. These same union bureaucrats moan about the low pay of teachers. But at the same time, they create these outrageous financial perks for themselves at the expense of the same teachers for whom they claim to be advocates. How can these union leaders sleep at night, knowing they force union teachers to pay as much as $830 a year in dues so that they, the union bureaucrats, can grant themselves financial perks that add up to as much as eight times more than the average annual salary of the teachers from whom they are taking?

    No wonder union membership has been plummeting. In some counties in Florida, only 3 percent of the teachers are now union members. Perhaps they were once blind but now they see.

    Gary Landry is a policy analyst at The James Madison Institute and may be contacted via email at glandry@jamesmadison.org

    Above article is quoted from The James Madison Institute, Point of View Aug. 23, 2002. See www.jamesmadison.org.

    ”Evergreen (Today’s Quote)”

    “The danger of minding people’s business is twofold. First, there is the danger that a man may leave his business unattended to; and, second, there is the danger of an impertinent interference with another’s affairs. The “friend of humanity” almost always run into both dangers.” — William Graham Sumner

    ”’Edited by Richard O. Rowland, president of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. He can be reached at (808) 487-4959 or by email at:”’ mailto:grassroot@hawaii.rr.com ”’For more information, see its Web site at:”’ https://www.grassrootinstitute.org/

    Grassroot Perspective – March 11, 2003-Hit Them Where They Ain’t; School Choice Works – The Case of Sweden

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    “Dick Rowland Image”

    ”Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)”

    – Hit Them Where They Ain’t

    Reports that Al Qaeda wants to hijack planes and crash them into ships and subs at Pearl Harbor is — once the shock of the sheer audacity wears off — actually very good news. If accurate, the reports would indicate that Al Qaeda responds predictably to changes in conditions. And predictability is the first step to being caught.

    One of the key intelligence failures leading up to 9/11 was missing the role domestic flights could play in acts of terror. Security around domestic flights and at airports in the U.S. was, on balance, much less stringent than that found elsewhere in the world. Anyone looking to hijack planes would eventually come to the conclusion that the best odds were with domestic U.S. flights.

    Now that security around U.S. flights and airports has been ramped up, including all manner of bogus approaches that do little to actually improve security, those looking to hijack flights have to reassess. Domestic flights are no longer the low-hanging fruit. Today it is likely that overseas flights originating in the bustling airports of Asia provide the best opportunity for hijacking. Add in the fact that Al Qaeda operatives appear adept at moving in and out of places like the Philippines, and using Asian flights for terror becomes even more likely.

    So if your best bet at gaining control of a plane lies somewhere in
    Asia, what can you do with it? You want a uniquely U.S. target,
    preferably on U.S. soil. That points you to Hawaii and once Hawaii
    becomes a goal, Pearl Harbor is the obvious target.

    This kind of target selection process shows that terrorists are
    opportunists. Instead of fixating on single target or means of attack, they adapt and try to give themselves the best chance at success. Counter-terrorist planners in Washington need to recognize this and realize that there is limited utility to making any single means of attack impossible. That is Maginot Line thinking and just as easy to route around.

    A better approach would be to make the most vulnerable avenues of attack incrementally harder to breach. With luck, the changes would trip up terrorist cells before they have a chance to move and cause them to make mistakes that will expose them.

    https://www.washtimes.com/national/20030303-104.htm

    https://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1491/

    Above is quoted from Reason Express reasonexpress@reason.com 3/4/03

    – School Choice Works – The Case of Sweden

    Historically Socialist Sweden Advances Milton Friedman’s Voucher Vision Leaving behind centralized control of schools, for-profit independent schools flourish

    Jan. 6, 2003, Indianapolis, IN–The Indianapolis-based Milton and
    Rose D. Friedman Foundation, a leading national group that advocates
    school choice, has released a study of Sweden’s ten-year-old school
    financing reforms, finding that they have dramatically advanced parental freedom and improved education in Sweden. Sweden’s government is predominantly based on socialist structures, with high taxation and publicly financed medical care and retirement.

    School Choice Works: The Case of Sweden, written by prominent Swedish public policy researchers Fredrik Bergstrom and Mikael Sandstrom, reveals that independent school funding reform passed in 1992 has resulted in the number of independent schools available to parents quintupling, and enrollment in independent schools quadrupling.

    Meanwhile, government schools have not suffered, but have improved. Swedish law since 1992 mandates that the government separate the financing of schools from the administration of schools, as Nobel laureate economist Milton Friedman proposed in 1955. Sweden’s independent schools are now financed on par with municipal schools, so long as they are approved. Since the reform, Sweden has shown the following advances:

    *Competition created by this new supply of schools has increased performance in Sweden’s municipal (government-run) schools.

    *Most independent schools in Sweden are run by for-profit educational companies, with no detrimental effects.

    *There is absolutely no evidence that the new “voucher system” has created a scenario where the rich are supplemented in their private choices. In fact, poorer Swedes choose independent schools at higher rates than do wealthy families.

    *Teachers’ unions in Sweden support the reform measures and indicate that they prefer to work in independent schools, where working conditions are better.

    In Sweden now, as in many northern European countries, parents are given a large range of educational options, public and private, parochial and secular. The researchers concluded that: “The main lesson to be learned from the Swedish reforms is that school choice works.{T}he Swedish example can indicate what would happen if a country, for example the USA, introduced more freedom of choice for students and parents and thus more competition between schools.”

    The Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation is a non-profit organization promoting public understanding of the need for major reform in K-12 education and of the role that competition through educational choice can play in achieving that reform.

    Above article is quoted from The newsletter of the Milton & Rose D.
    Friedman Foundation The School Choice January 2003
    www.friedmanfoundation.org

    ”Roots (Food for Thought)”

    A story posted on WorldNetDaily.com on Tuesday of this week says the leadership of the National Education Association, the national affiliate of the Florida Education Association, the state’s teachers union, “is so far removed from ordinary classroom environments they can no longer relate to the tasks facing working-class teachers.”

    The story quotes Carl Gibson, a spokesman for the Olympia-based
    Evergreen Freedom Foundation, who said, “The new leaders of the National Education Association tout themselves as classroom teachers on leave to represent their colleagues.”

    Gibson went on to say, “We did a little digging around to see what kind of classroom experience they have. Turns out none of them have worked in a classroom during the last decade. For some, it’s been far longer.”

    This got me wondering about the leadership of Florida’s teachers union. FEA’s current president, Maureen Dinnen, hasn’t been in a K-12 classroom since the 1970s. She taught at Broward Community College for some time after that, but according to that school’s
    personnel records office, she has not taught there since 1997. Her
    predecessor at the helm in the union is Pat Tornillo, who served as FEA president from the late 1970s to 2000, and is currently the local teacher union president in Miami-Dade County. He has been out of the classroom for more than 25 years. The union’s vice president for
    financial affairs, Bob Lee, has also been out of the classroom for more than 25 years and the first vice president, Andy Ford, who is in line to become the next FEA president, has not taught in about a decade.

    The WorldNetDaily report also looked at compensation of NEA’s top
    executives. The NEA’s incoming president, Reg Weaver, is being paid more than $231,000 and his pay will rise to more than $237,900 next year, according to the story. Additionally, it states, “Each of the
    three executive officers gets an additional 20 percent of salary as a
    cash ‘living allowance,’ plus another 20 percent of salary for
    benefits.” That should total another $92,000.

    In Florida, FEA president Dinnen was paid 112,014, plus an additional $60,309 in expenses and benefits according to the union’s 1998 report to the IRS. The following year, her salary jumped remarkably to $158,548-a pay increase of $46,534-more than
    40 percent.

    Consider that a $46,500 single-year pay increase is about $10,000 more than the average annual pay for a teacher in Florida. The union has since refused requests for salary information covering years 2000 and 2001. During that time, the two state unions merged and one must wonder-if this merger effectively doubled the size of the now-combined union, did Dinnen’s salary jump again?

    The state president is a higher level position than a local union
    president. It would seem odd if the state president were not paid more than the highest paid local union president.

    According to documents on file with the Public Employees Relations
    Commission, the agency to which unions are required to file financial disclosures, Tornillo is the highest paid local union president. The financial disclosure forms report that Tornillo was paid more than $225,429 in salary last year, with an additional $17,700 in expenses. If the state president were paid more than any local president, that could place this salary and benefits in excess of $243,000.

    This all strikes me as hypocritical. These same union bureaucrats moan about the low pay of teachers. But at the same time, they create these outrageous financial perks for themselves at the expense of the same teachers for whom they claim to be advocates. How can these union leaders sleep at night, knowing they force union teachers to pay as much as $830 a year in dues so that they, the union bureaucrats, can grant themselves financial perks that add up to as much as eight times more than the average annual salary of the teachers from whom they are taking?

    No wonder union membership has been plummeting. In some counties in Florida, only 3 percent of the teachers are now union members. Perhaps they were once blind but now they see.

    Gary Landry is a policy analyst at The James Madison Institute and may be contacted via email at glandry@jamesmadison.org

    Above article is quoted from The James Madison Institute, Point of View Aug. 23, 2002. See www.jamesmadison.org.

    ”Evergreen (Today’s Quote)”

    “The danger of minding people’s business is twofold. First, there is the danger that a man may leave his business unattended to; and, second, there is the danger of an impertinent interference with another’s affairs. The “friend of humanity” almost always run into both dangers.” — William Graham Sumner

    ”’Edited by Richard O. Rowland, president of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. He can be reached at (808) 487-4959 or by email at:”’ mailto:grassroot@hawaii.rr.com ”’For more information, see its Web site at:”’ https://www.grassrootinstitute.org/

    Biotech Money Faces Rough Ride

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    SINGAPORE, March 8 (UPI) — As a sign of the concern over biotechnology investments, about $3 billion of worldwide mutual fund investments left the biotech sector last year in favor of other investments.

    The industry is expected to face further investor skepticism this year, which may lead to a financing crunch. Manish Jain, a pharmaceutical and biotechnology analyst for Merrill Lynch, estimated that in January alone $250 million exited from the sector.

    Biotechnology is based on biology, bringing together many sciences and engineering discipline. Its application range from healthcare (therapeutic drugs and vaccine, regenerative medicine) to agriculture (crop plants production and protection).

    This industry has been expanding rapidly growing from a market capitalization of about $45 billion in 1994 to over $200 billion last year. The industry is forecast to be worth $1 trillion by 2020.

    But at the same time, volatility in international stock markets, as well as failures of new ‘phase 3’ products (when a full fledge trial on the product is conducted), have put pressures on the sector in the last two years.

    In 2001, $500 million of U.S. mutual fund investment flew out of the industry and the trend depended in 2002. “2002 was a very difficult year for the industry. This is clearly evident by the lack of companies that could go public,” notes Ben Iversen, director of equity capital markets at Merrill Lynch.

    Alan Mendelson, an adviser at Latham & Watkins, believes this year will prove another difficult one.

    “2003 is unlikely to be a boom time for U.S. firms, but 2004 could be more appealing,” he told a small group of reporters at a presentation in Singapore.

    The legal firm of Latham & Watkins has been counsel in some of the most significant transactions in the biotechnology industry, including representing Amgen in its $16.9 billion acquisition of Immunex Corporation, the largest biotechnology merger ever.

    Merrill estimated that about 60 percent of U.S. companies in the sector had less than two years of cash available in their coffers then their burnt rate is taken into consideration. This means some companies will have to seek financing. It can take up to $500 million to develop a product.

    “There is a number of companies posed to go public that are in the ‘phase 2-3; with their products,” Iversen noted. Jain was also “cautiously optimistic” for this year, given that several ‘phase 3’ products are expected to come out.

    Mendelson said some venture-capital funds were still willing to spend huge sums in the sector. He pointed to New Enterprise Associate, which has $600 million dedicated to life science.

    Iversen argued that the financial markets are cyclical for life sciences meant companies that were considering raising funds needed to be well prepared for the upturn. “Typically rallies are measured in terms of months, and drought is terms of years. There are always a few months of frantic activity in financing, but it never last,” he said.

    “Many companies are chasing the same (financing) dream, but there is the law of supply and demand,” added Mendelson.

    In a recent report, research firm IDC estimated that $50 billion will be injected into the Asia/Pacific life science markets alone from both public and private sources over the next few years.

    South Korea is aiming to join the world’s top seven biotechnology powers by 2010; Taiwan is earmarking 3 percent of gross domestic product for life science development; and Singapore wants 20,000 scientists based there by 2005.

    Meanwhile, China is also making a concerted effort to raise the standard and profile of its local biotechnology industry.

    Iversen also pointed to India, as a country seeing a lot of activity in that sector.

    Copyright 2003 by United Press International. All rights reserved.

    From Paying Attention to Letting Go of Resentment

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    “Suzanne Gelb Image”

    ”Daydreaming – How Can I be More Focused?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    I am a conscientious student, but sometimes when I sit in the lecture, although I try to concentrate on what the teacher says, my mind wanders and before I know it, the lecture is over and can’t remember much that was said. How can I stay on track?

    Off Track

    A: Dr. Gelb says . . .

    Dear Off Track:

    It is important to reserve fantasies and day dreaming for appropriate times during the day. I love daydreams and fantasies. Without them, life could be somewhat boring. However, I have learned to prioritize my thoughts and apply self-discipline to become involved in what is important for the moment, such as computer work and chores that need to be done. Good luck with your change.

    ”Helping Each Other – Is That a Thing of the Past?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    Someone I used to look up to promised me a favor and let me down, but I try to follow the principles of my church, which says to forgive and forget. The other day I saw this person at a meeting and I still felt resentful toward them. How can I forgive and forget?

    Resentful

    A: Dr. Gelb says . . .

    Dear Resentful:

    Sometimes people develop what I call “claims” about other people’s behavior. This can be understood as having expectations about how others should behave — such as the expectation that “other people ought to bail us out when the going gets tough.” Probably most of us have been taught that when someone makes a promise, they should keep it. There is nothing wrong with this value system, but it can be problematic if we expect people to behave a certain way, because free choice is a factor.

    As for being let down, it is important to grieve the loss and then move on. This can include striving toward becoming independent and developing resources so that if one person doesn’t come through, there is a back up. The concept of helping each other, especially nowadays, is hard to come by. I like the idea of striving for independence and self-reliance, and when others do come through for me, I consider it frosting on the cake.

    ”’Suzanne J. Gelb, Ph.D., J.D. authors this daily column, Dr. Gelb Says, which answers questions about daily living and behavior issues. Dr. Gelb is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Honolulu. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Human Services. Dr. Gelb is also a published author of a book on Overcoming Addictions and a book on Relationships.”’

    ”’This column is intended for entertainment use only and is not intended for the purpose of psychological diagnosis, treatment or personalized advice. For more about the column’s purpose, see”’ “An Online Intro to Dr. Gelb Says”

    ”’Email your questions to mailto:DrGelbSays@hawaiireporter.com More information on Dr. Gelb’s services and related resources available at”’ https://www.DrGelbSays.com

    Legislative Hearing Notices – March 11, 2003

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    The following hearing notices, which are subject to change, were sorted and taken from the Hawaii State Capitol Web site. Please check that site for updates and/or changes to the schedule at

    “Hawaii State Legislature Sidebar”

    Go there and click on the Hearing Date to view the Hearing Notice.

    Hearings notices for both House and Senate measures in all committees:

    Hearing

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/11/03 8:30 AM SB773 RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. LAB

    3/11/03 8:30 AM SB1070 RELATING TO EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT. LAB

    3/11/03 8:30 AM SB1309 SD2 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. LAB

    3/11/03 8:30 AM SB1312 SD1 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. LAB

    3/11/03 8:30 AM SB1373 SD1 RELATING TO STAFFING FOR FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS. LAB

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/11/03 9:00 AM HB851 HD1 RELATING TO TAXATION APPEALS. JHW

    3/11/03 9:00 AM HB997 HD1 RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION. JHW

    3/11/03 9:00 AM HB1003 HD1 RELATING TO CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION. JHW

    3/11/03 9:00 AM HB1111 HD2 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE, ITS OFFICERS, OR ITS EMPLOYEES. JHW

    3/11/03 9:00 AM HB1154 HD1 RELATING TO UNCLAIMED PROPERTY. JHW

    3/11/03 9:00 AM HCR36 ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HULA AND RECOGNIZING APRIL 1, 2003, TO MARCH 31, 2004, AS THE “YEAR OF THE HULA.” TAC

    3/11/03 9:00 AM HR24 ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HULA AND RECOGNIZING APRIL 1, 2003, TO MARCH 31, 2004, AS THE “YEAR OF THE HULA.” TAC

    3/11/03 9:00 AM SB1460 SD1 RELATING TO CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY. TAC

    3/11/03 9:00 AM SB1462 RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY. TAC

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/11/03 9:30 AM SB739 RELATING TO ANATOMICAL GIFTS. HLT

    3/11/03 9:30 AM SB740 RELATING TO HEALTH. HLT

    3/11/03 9:30 AM SB792 SD2 RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES. HLT

    3/11/03 9:30 AM SB1469 SD1 RELATING TO PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING SESSIONS. HLT

    3/11/03 9:30 AM SB1061 SD1 RELATING TO ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES. HLT/HSH

    3/11/03 9:30 AM SB956 SD2 RELATING TO PRESUMPTIVE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR PREGNANT WOMEN. HSH/HLT

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/11/03 10:30 AM None Informational Briefing EEP-ENE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB189 HD2 RELATING TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES FOR SEX ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB436 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO FUND A SECOND AMBULANCE TO SERVE THE WAIANAE COAST. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB548 HD2 RELATING TO ANATOMICAL GIFTS. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB645 RELATING TO SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS FOR ASSISTING NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB651 HD2 RELATING TO INFORMED CONSENT. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB735 HD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB1181 HD1 MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB1182 HD2 RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM HB1498 HD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI. HTH

    3/11/03 2:45 PM None Informational Briefing SAT

    ”’To reach legislators, see:”’ “Representatives at a Glance” and “Senators at a Glance”