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    Grassroot Perspective – April 17, 2003-Presidents Day: A Dissenting Opinion; The Future of Medicaid: Consumer-Directed Care; Bad Medicine

    Hawaii Reporter
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    “Dick Rowland Image”

    ”Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)”

    – Presidents Day: A Dissenting Opinion

    From the Independent Institute

    Every U.S. president gets some doses of criticism while in office —
    a few have even suffered mass unpopularity for several years after
    their term expired. But for the most part, the office of the
    presidency is hailed by the public and the punditry as one of the
    cornerstones of American political culture — the institution that
    gives the American experiment in self-government badly needed
    “direction,” thereby making it “work.”

    True, no American president is on par with the worst of history’s
    butchers and kleptocrats. But should this be the standard for
    measuring presidential character? Maintaining a proper perspective
    about American government should not mean overlooking the habitual
    lying, stealing from the public purse, circumvention of the
    constitutional division of powers, and other anti-social mischief
    characteristic of U.S. presidents — although this is the implication
    of the federal holiday called Presidents’ Day.

    Readers of THE LIGHTHOUSE have read much in the past year about moral
    failings of Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the most lionized of American
    presidents. Honest Abe’s arrest or intimidation of “seditious”
    newspaper editors alone should be enough to earn him low marks, but
    America’s collective amnesia is severe.

    However, a major failure of another very popular president —
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066 — which
    authorized the round-up of 120,000 innocent Japanese-Americans and
    their relocation to “protective” interment camps — has been
    receiving great attention of late. With a little luck, the result
    could mean that on February 19th of each year — the anniversary of
    FDR’s interment order — the nation will publicly recognize that all
    has not been right with the institution of the presidency. Surely,
    that would add a measure of balance in a country seemingly enamored
    with the celebrity of its popularly elected autocrats.

    Above article is quoted from Independent Institute, The Lighthouse,
    “Enlightening Ideas for Public Policy…” Volume 5, Issue 7, Feb.
    17, 2003 https://www.independent.org

    – The Future of Medicaid: Consumer-Directed Care

    By James Frogue

    Backgrounder No. 1618, The Heritage Foundation

    Arkansas,New Jersey, and Florida were the first states to be granted
    Section 1115 waivers to participate in a demonstration project designed
    to empower certain disabled Medicaid beneficiaries by giving them a cash
    allowance with which to purchase needed services. At the national level,
    this experiment is called the Cash and Counseling program. Its initial
    successes explode the myth that Medicaid beneficiaries are not capable
    of making their own decisions: Satisfaction rates approach 100 percent.
    States should adopt the Cash and Counseling approach for as many Section
    1915c beneficiaries and services as possible, and expand the consumer
    direction approach to other categories of Medicaid beneficiaries via the
    Section 1115 waiver process. The Bush Administration has shown itself to
    be very supportive of empowering Medicaid beneficiaries in this manner
    and very willing to approve waivers to this end. States should take full
    advantage of this opportunity.

    Above article is quoted from Heritage Foundation, The Insider 2/2003
    https://www.heritage.org

    ”Roots (Food for Thought)”

    – Bad Medicine

    By Sheldon Richman, March 21, 2003

    Those who have been hungering for a real political debate in this
    country can’t help but be deliriously overcome with the news that CBS’s
    60 Minutes will feature 10 face-offs between former Democratic President
    Bill Clinton and former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole. The
    history of political thought will never be the same.

    Think of it: the maudlin advocate of the “third way” — that is, the
    middle ground between freedom and tyranny — will square off against the
    acerbic former senator who so richly earned the title “Tax Collector for
    the Welfare State.” Now that’s a debate the American people can get
    their teeth into.

    I was about to ask what the CBS suits could have been thinking, but then
    I realized that this pairing exquisitely reflects the state of political
    debate in America today. Once people in this country argued over whether
    government should be big and pushy or small and demure. But those days
    are gone. Now the argument is over how you like your coercive meddling:
    direct or indirect. Either way, there will be coercive meddling by the
    ham-handed state. So Clinton and Dole are perfect representatives of the
    political views that dominate accepted thinking.

    There are exceptions to this lineup, but roughly it goes like this: the
    Democrats’ program has government providing things to people directly,
    while the Republicans’ program has government subsidizing private
    companies to provide the same things. This is passes for black and white
    in the current scene. But as anyone with a moral sense should be able to
    see, these are colors barely distinguishable from each other.

    A few examples: The Democrats want government to dispense schooling to
    the nation’s children. They might like the federal government to do it,
    but they’ll settle for the state and local governments, as long as from
    their Washington perches they can dictate what goes on in the classroom.
    If parents don’t like it, they can lump it. The Republicans will have
    none of this. Under President Bush, state and local governments ladle
    out learning also under Washington’s supervision, but if that’s not
    satisfactory, he will let parents take their kids to other government
    schools. He might even consider letting them move their kids to
    nongovernment schools brought to heel by government-controlled funding.
    This is called vouchers.

    To us recalcitrants there is less difference here than meets the eye. In
    both cases, dispensers of the government money ultimately call the
    shots. The Republicans do it by an indirect route and call it “school
    choice.” But government is the death, not the fount, of choice. Real
    choice would let parents keep their money and buy education in the free
    market.

    Another example is prescription-drug coverage for the elderly. The
    Democrats want to add it to Medicare. (I’d sooner bunk with a pit bull
    than believe their cost estimates.) The Bush Republicans will have none
    of this “socialized medicine.” Their plan would also offer drug
    discounts — bigger ones if the elderly go into private managed-care
    arrangements. They promise to spend less than the Democrats.

    The distance between those two positions is an illusion. In both cases,
    the money would come from the taxpayers and be controlled by the
    bureaucrats. The Democrats would deal with the drug companies, the
    Republicans with the HMOs. Either way, strings will be attached and the
    medical marketplace will be further hampered from efficiently providing
    life-saving products and services.

    The Democrats are honest. They say they want a monster government
    bureaucracy controlling drug prices and giving orders to the
    pharmaceutical industry. The administration is dishonest, or maybe just
    dumb. It wants to subsidize private medical plans, while telling us that
    this “free-enterprise approach” will control costs. But it is not a
    free-enterprise approach at all.

    The Bush plan, like the Democrats’ alternative, still has government in
    the middle of the medical system. A bureaucracy will control the money.
    A bureaucracy will set the standards. A bureaucracy will enforce its
    expectations. When the plan doesn’t work — when costs skyrocket — there
    will be a clamor for more controls. This is far different from the free
    market, in which entrepreneurs prosper by satisfying consumers.

    Whichever plan gets the nod, it’ll be bad medicine.

    Sheldon Richman is senior fellow at The Future of Freedom Foundation in
    Fairfax, Va., author of Tethered Citizens: Time to Repeal the Welfare
    State, and editor of Ideas on Liberty magazine.

    Above article is quoted from The Future of Freedom Foundation,
    Commentaries 3/21/03 https://www.fff.org

    ”Evergreen (Today’s Quote)”

    “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will
    herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin

    ”’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/

    From Being Affectionate to Questioning Hypnosis

    Hawaii Reporter
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    “Suzanne Gelb Image”

    ”Affection – When is it Ok?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    I went on four dates with this lady and we had fun. On the 5th date we enjoyed a humorous moment in a bookstore as we thumbed through an entertaining book, so I thought it was ok to give her a friendly hug. She got offended. Did I do something wrong?

    Hugs

    Dear Hugs:

    I don’t see anything wrong. If anything, it appears that “the offended” may have been inappropriate. Such a response could be reflecting a fear of intimacy.

    ”Hypnosis – What is it?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    I heard you are a clinical hypnotherapist. What is hypnotherapy, can everyone be hypnotized?

    Possibly Interested, but Skeptical

    Dear Interested:

    A study of the art of hypnosis could provide a comprehensive response to your question. Short of that, a simple explanation is that hypnosis can be understood as a process that can take one into a state of relaxation where the critical (discerning) factor of the conscious mind does not interfere with positive suggestions as offered by the hypnotherapist.

    ”’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 – April 17, 2003

    Hawaii Reporter
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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”

    4/17/03 8:30 AM HB192 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO ACCRETED LANDS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 8:30 AM HB192 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO ACCRETED LANDS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 8:30 AM HR70 HD1 REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO SERVE 100 PERCENT HAWAII-GROWN COFFEE AT THE WHITE HOUSE. EDB

    4/17/03 8:30 AM HCR68 HD1 REQUESTING THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EXPLORE THE LEASING OF UNUTILIZED FAST AND SUBMERGED LANDS AT KEEHI LAGOON FOR THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. WLA

    4/17/03 8:30 AM HCR157 HD1 FORMALIZING THE ONGOING EFFORTS OF THE AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP IN ADDRESSING THE MANDATE OF ARTICLE XI, SECTION 3 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND RELATED AGRICULTURAL AND LAND ISSUES. WLA

    4/17/03 8:30 AM HCR223 HD1 CONCERNING CERTAIN PUBLIC LEASES. WLA

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 8:40 AM HB1212 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO LAND EXCHANGES. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 8:45 AM SCR54 CREATING A WORKING GROUP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO FORM A COALITION TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO STATE VITAL STATISTICS RECORDS. WLH

    4/17/03 8:45 AM SCR55 SD1 REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BIOPROSPECTING ADVISORY COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE PRESERVATION AND USE OF THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES OF THE TRUST LANDS. WLH

    4/17/03 8:45 AM SCR155 SD1 URGING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TO COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT AND SETTLEMENT OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN INDIVIDUAL TRUST CLAIMS.(AMENDED TITLE) WLH

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB295 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB374 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO REAL ESTATE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB394 HD1 RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY REGIMES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB1049 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB1058 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB1200 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB1306 HD1 RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB1589 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SB1630 HD1 RELATING TO NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SCR5 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MILITARY AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HAWAII IN ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL STATIONED IN HAWAII. PSM

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SCR44 URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER GRANTING FEDERAL VETERANS EQUITY BENEFITS AND SERVICES TO FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS, THEIR SPOUSES, AND THEIR CHILDREN. PSM

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SCR105 SD1 URGING THE UNITED STATES ARMY, AIR FORCE, AND NAVY TO SELECT A CONTRACTOR WITH LOCAL PARTNERS AND A HISTORY OF DOING BUSINESS IN HAWAII FOR THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE.(AMENDED TITLE) PSM

    4/17/03 9:00 AM SCR176 SD1 URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS TO DISCONTINUE MILITARY BASE CLOSURES IN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND ESTABLISHING A BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSING COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE LOCAL BASES. (AMENDED TITLE) PSM

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 9:45 AM SCR51 SD1 REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON THE STATUS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS. HED

    4/17/03 9:45 AM SCR151 SD1 SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII’S RESEARCH ENTERPRISE AND REQUESTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR ITS EXPANSION. HED

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HB10 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HB807 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO CHAPTER 291E. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HB993 SD1 RELATING TO RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HB1230 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HB1247 SD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONTRAFLOW LANE ON FARRINGTON HIGHWAY ALONG THE WAIANAE COAST FROM MOHIHI STREET TO PILIOKAHI AVENUE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HB1328 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HB1607 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM SB44 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM SB464 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF A FIXED RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM SB1051 HD2 RELATING TO PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:00 AM HR80 URGING THE BUREAU OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATIONS SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO RECOGNIZE HAWAII’S CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AS LICENSED SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. EDN

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB29 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO MEAL BREAKS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB50 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC EMPLOYEES HEALTH FUND. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB130 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO PENSION AND RETIREMENT SYSTEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB287 HD3 SD2 RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB290 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB294 SD1 RELATING TO TEMPORARY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED PERSONS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB385 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO THE PREVENTION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB531 SD1 RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB968 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB986 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO DEATH BENEFITS OF SURVIVING CHILDREN OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1013 HD3 SD2 RELATING TO EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1042 SD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1043 SD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR SALARY INCREASES FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1044 SD1 RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1045 SD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1046 SD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1047 SD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1157 SD2 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1198 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO CHILD LABOR. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HB1333 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR POLIPOLI ACCESS ROAD. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB205 SD3 HD2 RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB687 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO LEAVES OF ABSENCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB768 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB773 HD2 RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB789 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB931 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO HAWAII VICTIMS LEAVE ACT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1070 HD1 RELATING TO EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1309 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1312 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1332 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION OF OFFICIALS IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1373 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO STAFFING FOR FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1438 HD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1439 HD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR SALARY INCREASES FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1440 HD1 RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1441 HD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1442 HD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1443 HD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1444 HD1 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM SB1445 HD1 RELATING TO STATE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES EXCLUDED FROM COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM282 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Gubernatorial Nominee KAU`I ALAPA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM283 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, CHRISTOBAL J. QUINTANA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM284 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Boxing Commission of Hawai`i, Gubernatorial Nominee WILLES LEE, for a term to expire 06-30-04. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM285 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee CRAIG R. BENZEL, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM286 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee HUBERT MINN, for a term to expire 06-30-06. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM291 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Dental Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee JEFFREY K. MIYAZAWA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM305 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Directors of the Hawai’i Hurricane Relief Fund, Gubernatorial Nominee THOMAS SINGLEHURST, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM312 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Massage Therapy, Gubernatorial Nominee WILFRED S. PANG, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM322 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Real Estate Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee MARSHALL D. CHINEN, for a term to expire 06-30-04. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM GM324 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Rental Housing Trust Fund Advisory Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee BECKY L. HAYASHIDA, for a term to expire 06-30-04. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HCR58 REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SUNRISE REVIEW OF THE REGULATION OF CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION MANAGERS. CPH

    4/17/03 10:30 AM HCR163 SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HAWAII HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER. CPH

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 10:45 AM SB740 HD2 RELATING TO HEALTH. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:45 AM SB1519 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 10:45 AM SB1675 HD3 RELATING TO HEALTH. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 11:30 AM SCR63 SD1 REQUESTING A STUDY ON RENOVATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OPTIONS AND THE FORMULATION OF A MASTER PLAN FOR ALOHA STADIUM. TAC/HED

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 12:00 PM GM290 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan, Gubernatorial Nominee RYAN S. USHIJIMA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM HCR43 REQUESTING THE EXPLORATION OF OPTIONS FOR REDESIGNING THE BENEFIT LEVELS OF “A” STATUS PLANS DEFINED UNDER HAWAII’S PREPAID HEALTH CARE ACT. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM HCR92 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH HAWAII’S HEALTH PLANS, TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR PROVIDING MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS TO HAWAII’S BUSINESSES UNDER HAWAII’S PREPAID HEALTH CARE ACT. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM HCR94 HD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO SUBMIT REPORTS ON EXEMPT EMPLOYEES AS REQUIRED BY ACT 253, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2000. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM HCR95 REQUESTING THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF A DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN BENEFIT FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM HCR97 HD1 REQUESTING THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A HYBRID RETIREMENT PLAN. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM HCR109 REQUESTING THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO REVIEW ITS INVESTMENT PRACTICES, DETERMINE WHETHER ANY INVESTMENTS ARE BEING MADE WITH COMPANIES BASED IN COUNTRIES THAT SUPPORT TERRORISM, AND RETHINK ITS INVESTMENT POLICIES REGARDING THESE COMPANIES. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM SR5 REQUESTING A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF BIG BOX RETAILERS ON LOCAL SMALL AND MEDIUM RETAIL BUSINESSES. LBR

    4/17/03 12:00 PM HCR182 HD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND HEALTH TO CONDUCT A STUDY RELATING TO THE OCCUPATIONAL AND HEALTH RISKS OF COUNTY REFUSE COLLECTION WORKERS. LBR/TMG

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 1:00 PM HCR172 HD1 REQUESTING THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE TO FORM AN AD HOC ADVISORY GROUP TO INVESTIGATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARD OFFER CONTRACTS AND STANDARDIZED INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENTS TO REDUCE THE APPROVAL PROCESS TIME FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS; AND FACILITATE THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCERS IN HAWAII. ENE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 1:15 PM HCR90 REQUESTING THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TO RE-EXAMINE THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATING HUBZONES UNDER THE HUBZONE EMPOWERMENT CONTRACTING PROGRAM AS IT APPLIES TO THE STATE OF HAWAII. ECD

    4/17/03 1:15 PM HCR128 HD1 REQUESTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CALL CENTERS TO INITIATE CUSTOMER RIGHT TO KNOW PROCEDURES REGARDING ALL INBOUND AND OUTBOUND COMMUNICATIONS. ECD

    4/17/03 1:15 PM HCR135 REQUESTING DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN TO ASSIST AND EMPOWER THE WAI’ANAE COMMUNITY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE TO FOSTER GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY ECD

    4/17/03 1:15 PM HCR55 HD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM BUSINESS ACTION CENTER TO COORDINATE AND FACILITATE THE PROJECT REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESS OF A PLASMA-ARC TORCH FACILITY IN THE STATE. ECD/HTH

    4/17/03 1:15 PM HCR81 HD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE RECREATION RESIDENCE TRACTS WITHIN THE KOKE’E AND WAIMEA CANYON STATE PARKS. ECD/SAT

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 1:30 PM SB830 SD1 HD3 RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 1:45 PM HCR78 STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE CONVENING OF THE 2003 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL’S PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES TO BE HELD IN HAWAII. ECD/TSM

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB155 HD2 SD2 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR PINEAPPLE RESEARCH. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB293 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO THE FARMERS’ MARKET. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB317 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB320 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO RISK MANAGEMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB418 HD1 SD2 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB735 HD1 SD2 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB914 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB1294 SD1 RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB1405 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO BIOFUEL. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM HB1430 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB16 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB17 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB58 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO SCHOOL REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB209 SD3 HD1 RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB255 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB337 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL FACILITIES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB402 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO MEDICAL EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB576 HD2 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB1034 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB1237 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB1239 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO ENERGY. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB1381 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB1432 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB1496 HD1 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SB1700 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SCR18 REAFFIRMING THE STATE OF HAWAII’S COMMITMENT TO CIVIL LIBERTIES AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS. JUD

    4/17/03 2:00 PM SCR23 SD1 URGING THE GOVERNOR TO ALLOCATE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO THE HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN TO ENABLE IT TO CARRY OUT ITS MISSION AND DUTIES AS MANDATED BY LAW.(AMENDED TITLE) JUD

    4/17/03 2:00 PM None Informational Briefing TSM

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 2:15 PM HB176 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO THE WEED AND SEED PROGRAM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:15 PM HB298 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 2:30 PM SB359 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO FILM INDUSTRY. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:30 PM SB837 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:30 PM SB1172 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO AIRLINES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:30 PM SB1619 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO TAXATION. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB32 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB248 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO SMOKING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB281 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO STATE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB292 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO THE SCHOOL PRIORITY FUND. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB314 HD1 SD2 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL SECURITY GUARDS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB638 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB1176 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB1362 SD1 RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS FOR ST. PATRICK SCHOOL. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HB1506 HD1 SD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR ISPED CLERK TYPISTS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM292 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Gubernatorial Nominee DONNA P. BISHAW, for a term to expire 06-30-06. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM293 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Gubernatorial Nominee ELVIRA LEE, for a term to expire 06-30-06. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM294 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Disability and Communication Access Board, Gubernatorial Nominee ANTHONY S. AKAMINE, for a term to expire 06-30-07. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM295 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Disability and Communication Access Board, Gubernatorial Nominee RONALD AWA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM296 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Disability and Communication Access Board, Gubernatorial Nominee RICHARD R. CHAVES, for a term to expire 06-30-07. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM297 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Disability and Communication Access Board, Gubernatorial Nominee SHARON FOUNTAIN, for a term to expire 06-30-06. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM298 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Disability and Communication Access Board, Gubernatorial Nominee FRANCINE M. KENYON, for a term to expire 06-30-07. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM299 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Disability and Communication Access Board, Gubernatorial Nominee LUCY MILLER, PH.D., for a term to expire 06-30-07. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM GM300 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Disability and Communication Access Board, Gubernatorial Nominee PATRICIA NIELSEN, for a term to expire 06-30-07. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HCR62 HD1 REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF THE COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION ON THE STATE OF HAWAII, AND REQUESTING HAWAII’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS CALLING FOR FURTHER REVIEW OF THE MIGRATION ISSUE AND FOR INCREASED AID FOR THE EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE COMPACT, AND ANY NEWLY RENEGOTIATED COMPACT, ON THE STATE OF HAWAII. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HCR82 HD1 URGING HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION AND ST. FRANCIS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TO CONTINUE THEIR PARTNERSHIP IN SERVING THE NEEDS OF DIALYSIS PATIENTS IN HAWAII. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HCR179 HD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HAWAII’S U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE TO FURTHER IMPLEMENT THEIR EPIDEMIC PREVENTION PROGRAM TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL ENTRY OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE VECTORS THAT MAY CAUSE AN EPIDEMIC IN HAWAII HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HCR203 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HAWAII CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, TO RESTORE THE DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF HOSPITAL PAYMENTS FOR COMPENSATION FOR CARE PROVIDED TO THE UNINSURED. HTH

    4/17/03 2:45 PM HCR165 HD1 REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS AND EXPENDITURES. HTH/WAM

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 3:00 PM HB289 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 3:00 PM HB714 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 3:00 PM HB1175 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 3:00 PM SB506 HD2 RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL ROYALTIES. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 3:45 PM HB122 SD2 RELATING TO PRESUMPTIVE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR PREGNANT WOMEN. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 3:45 PM HB127 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO GENERAL ASSISTANCE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 3:45 PM HB1342 HD1 SD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR YOUTH SERVICES. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 4:00 PM HB1155 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO UNCLAIMED PROPERTY. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:00 PM SB420 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO STATE FINANCES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:00 PM SB1152 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS ON BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND ADVISORY BODIES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:00 PM SB1267 HD2 RELATING TO TOBACCO. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:00 PM SB1305 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO STATE FUNDS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:00 PM SB1311 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO SPECIAL FUNDS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:00 PM SB1324 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO CONCILIATION PANELS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:00 PM SB1395 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF OBSOLETE TAX LAWS. CONFERENCE

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    4/17/03 4:30 PM HB297 HD2 SD2 RELATING TO DRUGS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM HB562 SD1 RELATING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM HB564 SD1 RELATING TO PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM HB980 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO CIVIL SETTLEMENTS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM HB1076 HD1 SD1 RELATING TO APPELLATE JURISDICTION. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM HB1111 HD2 SD2 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE, ITS OFFICERS, OR ITS EMPLOYEES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM HB1255 SD2 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM SB78 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO ELDER ABUSE. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM SB459 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO CAMPAIGN SPENDING. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM SB611 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM SB635 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO TRAFFIC FINES. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM SB945 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM SB946 HD2 RELATING TO CAREGIVER CONSENT. CONFERENCE

    4/17/03 4:30 PM SB1352 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES. CONFERENCE

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

    Political Tittle-tattle: News and Entertainment from Hawaii's Political Arena

    Hawaii Reporter
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    “Malia Lt blue top Image”

    ”Public Rally Set for Thursday, April 17, to Protest Unprecedented $460 Million Tax Hike on State Taxpayers”

    No New Taxes! No New Taxes! will be the war cry by small business owners and other concerned citizens at the “No New Taxes” rally on Thursday, April 17 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol.

    Outraged by the plan by Senate Democrats to raise state taxes an unprecedented $460 million a year, Rick Hamada, morning talk show host on KHVH, is coordinating the rally and is urging small business owners and concerned citizens to join the protest rally scheduled during Hamada’s morning broadcast.

    Democrats, with a few exceptions in the Senate, voted to raise Hawaii’s taxes by $460 million through three proposals:

    *A 12.5 percent increase in the general excise tax ($180 million to $200 million);

    *A 7-year plan that imposes a monthly tax on anyone with business interests, land ownership or residency in Hawaii to fund a socialist long-term care government fund ($100 million +);

    *And to give the counties the right to tax anyone purchasing goods on Oahu an additional 1 percent sales tax in addition to the 4.5 percent general excise tax they increased ($120 million to $180 million).

    The majority of Democrats in the House are voting for the long-term care tax increase, and voted overwhelmingly to support the new county sales tax proposal, though today announced they are not planning to support the new sales tax in conference committee negotiations with the Senate.

    Those who are savvy to the legislative process warn anything can happen, however before session is over May 1 at midnight, and any of the proposals still alive may pass, even if one side says it is not supporting it.

    The governor says she is not planning to sign into law legislation that will increase taxes, with the exception of allowing counties to impose the new sales tax because she believes counties should have more autonomy. However Democrat lawmakers are already counting the number of votes they have so they can override her vetoes of the long-term care and other tax increases proposed.

    Hamada coordinated a similar all out “No New Taxes” protest in 1998 over then Gov. Benjamin Cayetano’s proposal to raise the state’s general excise taxes.

    Hundreds of people turned out to what was deemed the “Hawaii Tea Party,” and Hamada and others who attended the rally were credited with sending an effective message to lawmakers that ultimately helped kill the tax increase proposal.

    HawaiiReporter.com staff and supporters will attend the rally, along with members of Small Business Hawaii, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and the Hawaii Realtors Association. Those attending are asked to bring protest signs and old No New Taxes shirts from the 1998 rally. Anyone wanting a new No New Tax shirt at a cost of $12 can call HawaiiReporter.com at 524-4500 before the event. No shirts will be sold on state property. There is a limited supply.

    ”Most Legislators Keep ‘No Tax Increase’ Pledge, Two Don’t and One Makes National ‘Hall of Shame”’

    To their credit, Democrat Sen. David Ige and Republican Sens. Fred Hemmings, Bob Hogue and Gordon Trimble, kept their Americans for Tax Reform “No New Tax” pledge, voting no to all of the major tax increase proposals by their Democrat colleagues.

    In the House, Republican Reps. Bud Stonebraker, Barbara Marumoto, Galen Fox, Lynn Finnegan, Bertha Leong, Guy Ontai, David Pendleton, Cynthia Thielen, Mark Moses, Colleen Meyer and Corinne Ching also kept their pledge to vote no on new and higher tax proposals.

    However, Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, supported and voted for all of the major tax increase proposals, even proposing to raise gasoline taxes by 2 cents per gallon. For his blatant disregard of his pledge, Kawamoto made the national “Hall of Shame” on the Americans for Tax Reform Web site seen at https://www.atr.org

    Rep. Bertha Kawakami, D-Kauai, also broke her pledge and voted for all of the tax increases in the House of Representatives.

    ”National Tax Freedom Day Comes on April 19 in 2003, Earliest Since 1992”

    According to Tax Foundation calculations using the latest government data on income and taxes, Tax Freedom Day in 2003 will be celebrated on April 19th. That is the same date that Tax Freedom Day fell on during 2002, but 8 days earlier than in 2001, and 11 days earlier than in 2000.

    Two factors are combining to make the average American tax burden
    lighter in 2003, according to Tax Foundation Executive Director Scott
    Hodge, including federal tax reductions in 2001 and 2002 and a slower economy.

    The new report, Tax Foundation Special Report No. 122, “America Celebrates Tax Freedom Day,” was unveiled by Foundation economist Scott Moody, who traces the course of America’s tax burden since 1900, and explains why the overall tax burden has dipped sharply in the last three years, pushing Tax Freedom Day back into mid-April, after a string of later Tax Freedom Days.

    Tax legislation being debated right now will affect the course of future Tax Freedom Days, according to Hodge.

    “If the President’s retroactive tax proposal is passed,” comments
    Hodge, “Tax Freedom Day will end up being one day earlier in 2003.”

    ”Taxes and Other Expenses”

    The report also compares the number of days that Americans work to pay taxes with the price of other important categories of consumer spending.

    “Americans will work longer to pay for government in 2003 than they
    will for food, clothing, and shelter combined,” says Hodge.

    Only in the last decade have taxes exceeded spending on these basic necessities, and federal taxes alone cost Americans more (74 days) than any other major budget item.

    Tax burdens vary considerably from state to state, not only because of different state and local taxes, but because of divergent federal tax payments. Connecticut has the heaviest total tax burden and so celebrates Tax Freedom Day the latest — on May 9. Alaskans pay the least and are finished working to pay taxes on March 30. In Hawaii, tax freedom day comes on April 13, two days before the federal government tax filing deadline.

    ”Governor Names Supreme Court Nominee”

    Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday named Honolulu Attorney James E. Duffy Jr. to the Hawaii Supreme Court and sent his name for consideration to the Hawaii State Senate, the body of lawmakers that must confirm him.

    A long-time, old-boy Democrat insider, Duffy was heavily supported by top Democrats in the state, who also lobbied to get him appointed to the federal bench, but were unsuccessful. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye was rumored to be pushing for Duffy, even offering a trade to Lingle to support Duffy in exchange for his support of her candidates still pending confirmation before the U.S. Senate. But Lingle told HawaiiReporter.com in yesterday’s press conference that neither Inouye nor his staff contacted her or anyone from the governor’s administration about the appointment.

    Lingle stressed she was happy with Duffy’s appointment, but admitted she only had six candidates to choose from for the Hawaii Supreme court vacancy, which came with the retirement of Justice Mario R. Ramil. A list of six was submitted to the governor by the Judicial Selection Commission — a commission that was appointed Democrats, including former Gov. Benjamin Cayetano and the House and Senate leaders in the Hawaii State Legislature.

    Though many people were surprised by her selection, it may have been a good strategic move for Lingle, who was earlier that day criticized heavily by the former head of the Democrat Party of Hawaii Walter Heen for not having quality judicial appointments (even though she had not made any).

    Background on Duffy, submitted to Lingle, says Duffy was a former president of the Hawaii Bar Association and senior partner at the law firm of Fujiyama, Duffy & Fujiyama. He has a broad background in both plaintiff and defense work, and has concentrated his practice on personal injury matters; professional liability, product liability and life insurance claims; commercial law, family court and criminal law litigation. He is also experienced in arbitration and mediation, including advising business management on ethical, due process and other matters.

    Lingle, who discussed a rift between the remaining four Supreme Court justices now serving on the bench, says Jim is a “skilled lawyer who is perceived by his colleagues as someone who can effectively bring people together.” Duffy says his mediation experience will help him work with the other justices, no matter the circumstances.

    Over the past five years, Duffy has served as lead attorney for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and its board of trustees in litigation against the state of Hawaii in the ceded land revenue case, and as arbitrator, mediator and special master. He is licensed to practice in all Hawaii state and federal courts; Wisconsin state and federal courts for the East District; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and U. S. Claims Court. Duffy is a graduate of Marquette University Law School and College of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

    ”Conflicts of Interest Abound in State Legislature, Good Government Campaign Reform and Ethics Bills Die With Few Exceptions”

    Sen. Les Ihara, D-Kaimuki, helped introduce a number of bills under a “good government bill package” that challenge the ethics and campaign practices of lawmakers in an effort to hold them accountable for their votes and actions.

    The vast majority of these bills are dead or altered so severely that they are unrecognizable and in fact, bad government bills.

    One ethics bill that was a key piece of legislation in the package is still a “clean” bill, not altered, but will not pass unless Eric Hamakawa in the House judiciary grants it a hearing and passes it as is to the governor for her signature, something highly unlikely, but possible with enough public pressure, Ihara says.

    That bill is SB 1606, which addresses legislative ethics by defining conflicts of interest, setting up a legislative committee to council and police legislators who violate legislative ethics and in extreme cases, may recommend legislators not vote on a bill that financially or otherwise benefits them.

    The bill also would require financial disclosure for legislators of any client or job that accounts for more than 25 percent of their income. For example, many of the legislators are also attorneys and represent companies that come to lobby them on bills. That should be disclosed, Ihara says.

    A handful of legislators have blatantly introduced legislation to specifically help themselves or an organization they represent this year, in some cases without declaring a conflict, something Ihara and many others say is just plain wrong.

    For example, Reps. Marcus Oshiro, D-Wahiawa, and Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, introduced legislation to exempt Wahiawa General Hospital from city zoning requirements that were holding up a major expansion project for the hospital, which included the construction of several new medical related businesses and facilities Oshiro was involved in. Both Oshiro and Kawamoto are on the board of the hospital.

    Another bill allowed the automatic extension for 35 years of state land leases in Kokee on Kauai for families already residing there. Normally the leases, authorized by the state every 35 years, would be awarded to the highest bidder. However, Rep. Bertha Kawakami, D-Kauai, whose family resides there, was a co-signer of the bill that denied the leases from going out for bid, and instead automatically renewed them for 35 more years. Many other Democrat insiders and supporters also hold leases in the area. Kawakami, a powerful figure in the House, never acknowledged her conflict when introducing or voting on the bill.

    Democrats in the House claim to have passed a bill reforming state campaign laws that now allow for rampant abuse by some candidates who do not have ethical campaign fundraising practices.

    The investigations by a variety of state, city and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the state Campaign Spending Commission, of the campaign of Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, have revealed an ingrained “pay to play” system that encourages those seeking government contracts from the city to make political contributions to Harris. Other Democrat politicians in Hawaii, such as former Gov. Benjamin Cayetano, former Lt. Gov Mazie Hirono, and former Mayor of Maui Kimo Apana, have come under fire for this same practice of not only accepting, but encouraging, political contributions from those getting government work.

    Bob Watada, executive director of the state Campaign Spending Commission, is frank about the House Democrats’ version of the campaign spending reform bill.

    “It is just a bad bill,” Watada says about Senate Bill 459, once a solid reform bill that was tampered with by committee chairs.

    Watada says the main problem with this legislation that Democrats are not only touting, but passing, is there are too many exemptions that allow even more loopholes to be created and more unethical and damaging practices to go on in secret.

    “The bill is supposed to prevent those … getting government work from giving contributions during a certain period — period,” Watada says. But he says it exempts those owning less than 25 percent of a corporation (most have ownership of 15 percent or less or dilute their shares with family members), and exempts those giving under $6,000 per election cycle. The bill also stops the reporting requirement for gifts and in-kind donations under $1,000, which could add up substantially, especially in the House races where less money is raised and spent.

    “In-kind donations, which they are now saying don’t need to be reported, could account for up to 50 percent of the total money raised, but the public will never know it because it will be swept under the rug,” Watada says.

    Watada also points out the new legislation, if passed, would allow vote buying to become legal. Candidates could solicit gifts from companies that already have given them the maximum donation. In turn, the candidates can give the gifts to constituents in an effort to win their support and essentially buy their vote. At least two people currently in office are under investigation for this practice, including Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, who is in charge of the government affairs committee in the Senate, and oversees the ethics of his fellow senators.

    ”Spammers Take Advantage of War in Iraq”

    With the onset of war in Iraq, email from people marketing war-related merchandise has become the fastest growing new type of spam, according to SurfControl, an email filtering company.

    The company’s global research team reported in March that in less than a month, war-related spam rose from an insignificant number to nearly 10 percent of all spam. The company bases its report on all spam collected and monitored for SurfControl’s anti-spam database.

    Most of the war-related spam began to appear in mid-March, using patriotism and fear to sell everything from lapel pins to gas masks.

    Among the most frequent war-related spam email messages were: American Car Flags to Support our Troops; Celebrate American Courage: Take 4 History Books for $1 Each!; Defenders of Freedom U.S. Coin; Discover Platinum American Flag Card; Honor our Military with Exclusive Collectibles; Show Your Pride (T-shirts); Show your support with a U.S. Lapel Pin!; Support our Troops (T-shirts); Terrorist Threat, Please Read! (Water filtration system); Israeli Gas Masks in Stock for a Limited Time!

    The spam email selling gas masks, while not as frequent as many of the others, illustrates the rapid growth in war spam. Gas mask spam rose from zero in early February to 216 variations of gas mask spam by March.

    Company official Paris Trudeau added that not only is spam a huge problem, but also junk mail, which while it is not attempting to sell any products can still tie up corporate email accounts.

    ”Anti-War Activists Picket Fox News”

    In Hawaii, pro-American rallies are still being held every Saturday at Ala Moana Beach Park. Anti-war activists also continue to protest in scattered locations around the state.

    In Washington D.C., the rallies tend to be more strategically placed. Take the one that happened right in front of the offices of Fox News.

    Anti-war activists picketed the Fox News Channel offices to protest the network’s coverage of the war in Iraq, according to a report in the United Press International. Organized by Code Pink, Global Exchange, and Media Alliance, the first event drew about 75 protesters. In a letter to the bureau, Code Pink told Fox News it is not reporting the events in Iraq objectively.

    “We are writing to remind the Fox News Channel that according to your own promotions, you are supposed to be ‘fair and balanced,'” the letter says. “You seem to have forgotten this motto in your coverage of the war in Iraq. You also seem to have forgotten some of the basic precepts of journalism — such as the one that journalists are supposed to report the truth.”

    A Fox spokesman declined to comment.

    ”Former Hawaii Resident, Candidate for U.S. House, Featured in USA Today for POW Experiences”

    Orson Swindle, a former resident of Hawaii, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, now a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, was featured recently in USA Today.

    In the article “FTC watchdog, ex-POW focuses on lifting spirits,” reporter Jayne O’Donnell unveils some of the horrible ordeals Swindle survived as a POW for six years during the Vietnam War, including 20 sleepless days of beatings while chained to a stool. He returned to America March 4, 1973.

    Today, at the FTC, Swindle and four other commissioners cast votes on consumer protection and antitrust matters ranging from mergers to Internet spam and eye-surgery scams, O’Donnell reports.

    “It’s also an odd spot for the man who ran Ross Perot’s populist presidential campaign, helped launch Jack Kemp’s free-market Empower America and nearly discontinued loans to Georgia farmers when he ran Georgia’s slice of the Farmers Home Administration under President Reagan,” she says.

    Swindle, she says, is a spirit booster for FTC’s staff in the nation’s capital, where fears of war-related terrorist attacks have many on edge.

    In an email to managers, Swindle wrote, “We are gonna be fine now and in the future.” He added: “The war in Iraq will be over soon. We can be proud of our forces. Our cause is just, and war is unfortunate, but necessary from time to time.”

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

    ”’Send any tittle or tattle you might have to Malia Zimmerman at”’ mailto:Malia@HawaiiReporter.com ”’Send complaints elsewhere. Compliments and news tips accepted here.”’

    Political Tittle-tattle: News and Entertainment from Hawaii’s Political Arena

    Hawaii Reporter
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    “Malia Lt blue top Image”

    ”Public Rally Set for Thursday, April 17, to Protest Unprecedented $460 Million Tax Hike on State Taxpayers”

    No New Taxes! No New Taxes! will be the war cry by small business owners and other concerned citizens at the “No New Taxes” rally on Thursday, April 17 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol.

    Outraged by the plan by Senate Democrats to raise state taxes an unprecedented $460 million a year, Rick Hamada, morning talk show host on KHVH, is coordinating the rally and is urging small business owners and concerned citizens to join the protest rally scheduled during Hamada’s morning broadcast.

    Democrats, with a few exceptions in the Senate, voted to raise Hawaii’s taxes by $460 million through three proposals:

    *A 12.5 percent increase in the general excise tax ($180 million to $200 million);

    *A 7-year plan that imposes a monthly tax on anyone with business interests, land ownership or residency in Hawaii to fund a socialist long-term care government fund ($100 million +);

    *And to give the counties the right to tax anyone purchasing goods on Oahu an additional 1 percent sales tax in addition to the 4.5 percent general excise tax they increased ($120 million to $180 million).

    The majority of Democrats in the House are voting for the long-term care tax increase, and voted overwhelmingly to support the new county sales tax proposal, though today announced they are not planning to support the new sales tax in conference committee negotiations with the Senate.

    Those who are savvy to the legislative process warn anything can happen, however before session is over May 1 at midnight, and any of the proposals still alive may pass, even if one side says it is not supporting it.

    The governor says she is not planning to sign into law legislation that will increase taxes, with the exception of allowing counties to impose the new sales tax because she believes counties should have more autonomy. However Democrat lawmakers are already counting the number of votes they have so they can override her vetoes of the long-term care and other tax increases proposed.

    Hamada coordinated a similar all out “No New Taxes” protest in 1998 over then Gov. Benjamin Cayetano’s proposal to raise the state’s general excise taxes.

    Hundreds of people turned out to what was deemed the “Hawaii Tea Party,” and Hamada and others who attended the rally were credited with sending an effective message to lawmakers that ultimately helped kill the tax increase proposal.

    HawaiiReporter.com staff and supporters will attend the rally, along with members of Small Business Hawaii, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and the Hawaii Realtors Association. Those attending are asked to bring protest signs and old No New Taxes shirts from the 1998 rally. Anyone wanting a new No New Tax shirt at a cost of $12 can call HawaiiReporter.com at 524-4500 before the event. No shirts will be sold on state property. There is a limited supply.

    ”Most Legislators Keep ‘No Tax Increase’ Pledge, Two Don’t and One Makes National ‘Hall of Shame”’

    To their credit, Democrat Sen. David Ige and Republican Sens. Fred Hemmings, Bob Hogue and Gordon Trimble, kept their Americans for Tax Reform “No New Tax” pledge, voting no to all of the major tax increase proposals by their Democrat colleagues.

    In the House, Republican Reps. Bud Stonebraker, Barbara Marumoto, Galen Fox, Lynn Finnegan, Bertha Leong, Guy Ontai, David Pendleton, Cynthia Thielen, Mark Moses, Colleen Meyer and Corinne Ching also kept their pledge to vote no on new and higher tax proposals.

    However, Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, supported and voted for all of the major tax increase proposals, even proposing to raise gasoline taxes by 2 cents per gallon. For his blatant disregard of his pledge, Kawamoto made the national “Hall of Shame” on the Americans for Tax Reform Web site seen at https://www.atr.org

    Rep. Bertha Kawakami, D-Kauai, also broke her pledge and voted for all of the tax increases in the House of Representatives.

    ”National Tax Freedom Day Comes on April 19 in 2003, Earliest Since 1992”

    According to Tax Foundation calculations using the latest government data on income and taxes, Tax Freedom Day in 2003 will be celebrated on April 19th. That is the same date that Tax Freedom Day fell on during 2002, but 8 days earlier than in 2001, and 11 days earlier than in 2000.

    Two factors are combining to make the average American tax burden
    lighter in 2003, according to Tax Foundation Executive Director Scott
    Hodge, including federal tax reductions in 2001 and 2002 and a slower economy.

    The new report, Tax Foundation Special Report No. 122, “America Celebrates Tax Freedom Day,” was unveiled by Foundation economist Scott Moody, who traces the course of America’s tax burden since 1900, and explains why the overall tax burden has dipped sharply in the last three years, pushing Tax Freedom Day back into mid-April, after a string of later Tax Freedom Days.

    Tax legislation being debated right now will affect the course of future Tax Freedom Days, according to Hodge.

    “If the President’s retroactive tax proposal is passed,” comments
    Hodge, “Tax Freedom Day will end up being one day earlier in 2003.”

    ”Taxes and Other Expenses”

    The report also compares the number of days that Americans work to pay taxes with the price of other important categories of consumer spending.

    “Americans will work longer to pay for government in 2003 than they
    will for food, clothing, and shelter combined,” says Hodge.

    Only in the last decade have taxes exceeded spending on these basic necessities, and federal taxes alone cost Americans more (74 days) than any other major budget item.

    Tax burdens vary considerably from state to state, not only because of different state and local taxes, but because of divergent federal tax payments. Connecticut has the heaviest total tax burden and so celebrates Tax Freedom Day the latest — on May 9. Alaskans pay the least and are finished working to pay taxes on March 30. In Hawaii, tax freedom day comes on April 13, two days before the federal government tax filing deadline.

    ”Governor Names Supreme Court Nominee”

    Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday named Honolulu Attorney James E. Duffy Jr. to the Hawaii Supreme Court and sent his name for consideration to the Hawaii State Senate, the body of lawmakers that must confirm him.

    A long-time, old-boy Democrat insider, Duffy was heavily supported by top Democrats in the state, who also lobbied to get him appointed to the federal bench, but were unsuccessful. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye was rumored to be pushing for Duffy, even offering a trade to Lingle to support Duffy in exchange for his support of her candidates still pending confirmation before the U.S. Senate. But Lingle told HawaiiReporter.com in yesterday’s press conference that neither Inouye nor his staff contacted her or anyone from the governor’s administration about the appointment.

    Lingle stressed she was happy with Duffy’s appointment, but admitted she only had six candidates to choose from for the Hawaii Supreme court vacancy, which came with the retirement of Justice Mario R. Ramil. A list of six was submitted to the governor by the Judicial Selection Commission — a commission that was appointed Democrats, including former Gov. Benjamin Cayetano and the House and Senate leaders in the Hawaii State Legislature.

    Though many people were surprised by her selection, it may have been a good strategic move for Lingle, who was earlier that day criticized heavily by the former head of the Democrat Party of Hawaii Walter Heen for not having quality judicial appointments (even though she had not made any).

    Background on Duffy, submitted to Lingle, says Duffy was a former president of the Hawaii Bar Association and senior partner at the law firm of Fujiyama, Duffy & Fujiyama. He has a broad background in both plaintiff and defense work, and has concentrated his practice on personal injury matters; professional liability, product liability and life insurance claims; commercial law, family court and criminal law litigation. He is also experienced in arbitration and mediation, including advising business management on ethical, due process and other matters.

    Lingle, who discussed a rift between the remaining four Supreme Court justices now serving on the bench, says Jim is a “skilled lawyer who is perceived by his colleagues as someone who can effectively bring people together.” Duffy says his mediation experience will help him work with the other justices, no matter the circumstances.

    Over the past five years, Duffy has served as lead attorney for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and its board of trustees in litigation against the state of Hawaii in the ceded land revenue case, and as arbitrator, mediator and special master. He is licensed to practice in all Hawaii state and federal courts; Wisconsin state and federal courts for the East District; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and U. S. Claims Court. Duffy is a graduate of Marquette University Law School and College of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

    ”Conflicts of Interest Abound in State Legislature, Good Government Campaign Reform and Ethics Bills Die With Few Exceptions”

    Sen. Les Ihara, D-Kaimuki, helped introduce a number of bills under a “good government bill package” that challenge the ethics and campaign practices of lawmakers in an effort to hold them accountable for their votes and actions.

    The vast majority of these bills are dead or altered so severely that they are unrecognizable and in fact, bad government bills.

    One ethics bill that was a key piece of legislation in the package is still a “clean” bill, not altered, but will not pass unless Eric Hamakawa in the House judiciary grants it a hearing and passes it as is to the governor for her signature, something highly unlikely, but possible with enough public pressure, Ihara says.

    That bill is SB 1606, which addresses legislative ethics by defining conflicts of interest, setting up a legislative committee to council and police legislators who violate legislative ethics and in extreme cases, may recommend legislators not vote on a bill that financially or otherwise benefits them.

    The bill also would require financial disclosure for legislators of any client or job that accounts for more than 25 percent of their income. For example, many of the legislators are also attorneys and represent companies that come to lobby them on bills. That should be disclosed, Ihara says.

    A handful of legislators have blatantly introduced legislation to specifically help themselves or an organization they represent this year, in some cases without declaring a conflict, something Ihara and many others say is just plain wrong.

    For example, Reps. Marcus Oshiro, D-Wahiawa, and Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, introduced legislation to exempt Wahiawa General Hospital from city zoning requirements that were holding up a major expansion project for the hospital, which included the construction of several new medical related businesses and facilities Oshiro was involved in. Both Oshiro and Kawamoto are on the board of the hospital.

    Another bill allowed the automatic extension for 35 years of state land leases in Kokee on Kauai for families already residing there. Normally the leases, authorized by the state every 35 years, would be awarded to the highest bidder. However, Rep. Bertha Kawakami, D-Kauai, whose family resides there, was a co-signer of the bill that denied the leases from going out for bid, and instead automatically renewed them for 35 more years. Many other Democrat insiders and supporters also hold leases in the area. Kawakami, a powerful figure in the House, never acknowledged her conflict when introducing or voting on the bill.

    Democrats in the House claim to have passed a bill reforming state campaign laws that now allow for rampant abuse by some candidates who do not have ethical campaign fundraising practices.

    The investigations by a variety of state, city and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the state Campaign Spending Commission, of the campaign of Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, have revealed an ingrained “pay to play” system that encourages those seeking government contracts from the city to make political contributions to Harris. Other Democrat politicians in Hawaii, such as former Gov. Benjamin Cayetano, former Lt. Gov Mazie Hirono, and former Mayor of Maui Kimo Apana, have come under fire for this same practice of not only accepting, but encouraging, political contributions from those getting government work.

    Bob Watada, executive director of the state Campaign Spending Commission, is frank about the House Democrats’ version of the campaign spending reform bill.

    “It is just a bad bill,” Watada says about Senate Bill 459, once a solid reform bill that was tampered with by committee chairs.

    Watada says the main problem with this legislation that Democrats are not only touting, but passing, is there are too many exemptions that allow even more loopholes to be created and more unethical and damaging practices to go on in secret.

    “The bill is supposed to prevent those … getting government work from giving contributions during a certain period — period,” Watada says. But he says it exempts those owning less than 25 percent of a corporation (most have ownership of 15 percent or less or dilute their shares with family members), and exempts those giving under $6,000 per election cycle. The bill also stops the reporting requirement for gifts and in-kind donations under $1,000, which could add up substantially, especially in the House races where less money is raised and spent.

    “In-kind donations, which they are now saying don’t need to be reported, could account for up to 50 percent of the total money raised, but the public will never know it because it will be swept under the rug,” Watada says.

    Watada also points out the new legislation, if passed, would allow vote buying to become legal. Candidates could solicit gifts from companies that already have given them the maximum donation. In turn, the candidates can give the gifts to constituents in an effort to win their support and essentially buy their vote. At least two people currently in office are under investigation for this practice, including Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, who is in charge of the government affairs committee in the Senate, and oversees the ethics of his fellow senators.

    ”Spammers Take Advantage of War in Iraq”

    With the onset of war in Iraq, email from people marketing war-related merchandise has become the fastest growing new type of spam, according to SurfControl, an email filtering company.

    The company’s global research team reported in March that in less than a month, war-related spam rose from an insignificant number to nearly 10 percent of all spam. The company bases its report on all spam collected and monitored for SurfControl’s anti-spam database.

    Most of the war-related spam began to appear in mid-March, using patriotism and fear to sell everything from lapel pins to gas masks.

    Among the most frequent war-related spam email messages were: American Car Flags to Support our Troops; Celebrate American Courage: Take 4 History Books for $1 Each!; Defenders of Freedom U.S. Coin; Discover Platinum American Flag Card; Honor our Military with Exclusive Collectibles; Show Your Pride (T-shirts); Show your support with a U.S. Lapel Pin!; Support our Troops (T-shirts); Terrorist Threat, Please Read! (Water filtration system); Israeli Gas Masks in Stock for a Limited Time!

    The spam email selling gas masks, while not as frequent as many of the others, illustrates the rapid growth in war spam. Gas mask spam rose from zero in early February to 216 variations of gas mask spam by March.

    Company official Paris Trudeau added that not only is spam a huge problem, but also junk mail, which while it is not attempting to sell any products can still tie up corporate email accounts.

    ”Anti-War Activists Picket Fox News”

    In Hawaii, pro-American rallies are still being held every Saturday at Ala Moana Beach Park. Anti-war activists also continue to protest in scattered locations around the state.

    In Washington D.C., the rallies tend to be more strategically placed. Take the one that happened right in front of the offices of Fox News.

    Anti-war activists picketed the Fox News Channel offices to protest the network’s coverage of the war in Iraq, according to a report in the United Press International. Organized by Code Pink, Global Exchange, and Media Alliance, the first event drew about 75 protesters. In a letter to the bureau, Code Pink told Fox News it is not reporting the events in Iraq objectively.

    “We are writing to remind the Fox News Channel that according to your own promotions, you are supposed to be ‘fair and balanced,'” the letter says. “You seem to have forgotten this motto in your coverage of the war in Iraq. You also seem to have forgotten some of the basic precepts of journalism — such as the one that journalists are supposed to report the truth.”

    A Fox spokesman declined to comment.

    ”Former Hawaii Resident, Candidate for U.S. House, Featured in USA Today for POW Experiences”

    Orson Swindle, a former resident of Hawaii, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, now a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, was featured recently in USA Today.

    In the article “FTC watchdog, ex-POW focuses on lifting spirits,” reporter Jayne O’Donnell unveils some of the horrible ordeals Swindle survived as a POW for six years during the Vietnam War, including 20 sleepless days of beatings while chained to a stool. He returned to America March 4, 1973.

    Today, at the FTC, Swindle and four other commissioners cast votes on consumer protection and antitrust matters ranging from mergers to Internet spam and eye-surgery scams, O’Donnell reports.

    “It’s also an odd spot for the man who ran Ross Perot’s populist presidential campaign, helped launch Jack Kemp’s free-market Empower America and nearly discontinued loans to Georgia farmers when he ran Georgia’s slice of the Farmers Home Administration under President Reagan,” she says.

    Swindle, she says, is a spirit booster for FTC’s staff in the nation’s capital, where fears of war-related terrorist attacks have many on edge.

    In an email to managers, Swindle wrote, “We are gonna be fine now and in the future.” He added: “The war in Iraq will be over soon. We can be proud of our forces. Our cause is just, and war is unfortunate, but necessary from time to time.”

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

    ”’Send any tittle or tattle you might have to Malia Zimmerman at”’ mailto:Malia@HawaiiReporter.com ”’Send complaints elsewhere. Compliments and news tips accepted here.”’

    Face-to-Face is a Waste of Time

    Hawaii Reporter
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    Everybody in sales seems to stress the importance of meeting with prospects and customers face-to-face.

    All the books on selling stress it. Sales managers and business owners stress it. But for the most part, I think it’s an unnecessary waste of everybody’s time.

    The 80/20 rule says that 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of your activities. That means that 80 percent of your time is wasted.

    Eliminate the wasted time, and you could double your business in a year. Now, how’s that for something to think about. In sales, the goal isn’t to meet every prospect face-to-face. Factor in driving time, reception room waiting time, and small-talk time and a fifteen minute business meeting may take one,
    two or more hours of your time.

    The goal is to meet with people who are interested in buying something from you face-to-face … after you’ve determined whether or not you’ve got a ‘real’ prospect.

    It’s my belief that you can get dramatic increases in your sales and income when you use the phone more effectively. Then after having good — and productive — phone conversations, you should schedule your face-to-face meeting.

    Here are two cases in point.

    ”A Wasted Trip to Long Island”

    For the past few weeks I’ve been working with Steve, helping him get better results from his daily sales activity. During a recent conversation he told me of a meeting he had where a sales rep and her manager flew in from Chicago to meet with him for an hour.

    Steve lives on Long Island. Two weeks ago he got a phone call from Sally, a sales rep who works for a Chicago-based manufacturing company. She wanted to fly out and meet with Steve to introduce herself and tell him about her company.

    Steve said that would be fine, and they scheduled an appointment for Sally and her sales manager to visit him on Wednesday of the following week. On Tuesday, the day before their scheduled meeting Steve received a call from Sally. She was calling to confirm their meeting the following day. Steve told her that it was still on his calendar and that he was looking forward to meeting with them.

    To digress for a moment, I know many salespeople who are afraid to confirm meetings because they’re afraid the prospect will cancel the appointment. They’ve got it wrong.

    When a prospect cancels a meeting she’s doing you a favor because she’s already telling you that she isn’t interested.

    The sales person didn’t do a good enough job of selling the benefit of having the meeting in the first place. (This means that the person’s telephone techniques should be studied and reevaluated.)

    What’s the benefit of meeting with someone who doesn’t want to meet with you. And even worse, how would you feel if you got stood up? Now how much time have you wasted? Instead, spend the time looking for a better prospect.

    Getting back to Steve’s story, Sally and Tom arrived promptly at 2 p.m. at Steve’s office, and spent the next hour telling him about themselves, their company, and their product line. Steve listened politely, told them that their products looked interesting, and that he would give consideration to carrying their line in the future.

    When Sally and Tom asked Steve for more of a commitment he explained that he didn’t think he could do enough volume to warrant a long-term relationship with them.

    The meeting ended a few minutes later. Steve went back to work. Sally and Tom got into their car, drove to the airport and flew back to Chicago.

    As Steve retold the story to me he offered this observation, “Had Sally spent 15 minutes with me on the phone, and asked some good questions, she could have quickly learned whether or not I would be a good prospect for carrying their line of products.

    “Instead she and Tom wasted an entire day — and spent a few thousand dollars — for an unnecessary trip.”

    ”Shirley Cancels Her Trip To Charlotte”

    Shirley, another one of my clients, had run into John at a convention in New Orleans. For several months she had tried to reach him by phone to tell him how her company could be of help and assistance to him and his organization.

    Every time she called she came up empty. He was always in a meeting. On the phone. Out of the office.

    She left messages, but they were never returned.

    During their brief conversation at the convention John was very friendly and said she should give him a call and he would be happy to schedule a meeting with her.

    Shirley wrote herself a reminder in her Palm to give John a call. The following Tuesday she called and spoke with Evelyn, John’s assistant.She explained the conversation she had with John the previous week and asked if Evelyn could schedule a meeting with her for John.

    Evelyn said she would speak with John and call her back.

    Later that afternoon Evelyn called and said that John would be happy to meet with her a week from Wednesday and invited her to come into his office in Charlotte.

    A few days later Shirley and I were speaking and she told me of her conversations with John and Evelyn and that she was going to be flying from Houston to Charlotte. I asked her how long it would take. She told me that it’s an all-day trip because she needs to change planes in Atlanta.

    “What do you know about John’s situation? What are his top issues? What problems can you help him solve?” I asked. Shirley explained that she hadn’t spoken with John so she didn’t know very much about his situation, issues or problems yet. “That’s why I’m flying to Charlotte.” she said with irritation in her voice.

    “But why would you spend an entire day flying from Houston to Charlotte
    and spend almost $1,000 for airplane tickets and taxis to meet with someone you’ve not spoken with before? I asked.

    This question had her stumped. There was a long pause as she thought about the situation she had gotten herself into.

    “What do you suggest I do?” she asked.

    “Why don’t you call Evelyn and explain to her that you’ve a conflict and won’t be able to fly to Charlotte next week to meet with John face-to-face, but would like to meet with him by phone at 2 p.m. in the afternoon.”

    Shirley thought this was a great idea and said she would call Evelyn later in the afternoon. (She spoke with Evelyn and worked everything out.)

    We then spent the rest of our time together creating questions for Shirley to ask John during their telephone conversation. Questions about his goals and objectives. Questions about his biggest challenges in growing his business. Questions about areas where he was served well, and areas where he was looking to improve the quality of services he was receiving.

    At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Shirley called and had a wonderful conversation with John. Once she started asking questions, John opened up and told her exactly what it was that he was looking for. Their 30 minute conversation lasted almost an hour. At the phone meeting’s conclusion Shirley said that she would put some things together and send them to John for his review within 24 hours.

    They scheduled a call for Monday of the following week and Shirley closed the sale.

    Much to her surprise and delight she learned that she could close a sale without ever meeting with her customer face-to-face. She found the phone can be a very effective business tool, when you ask the right questions.

    Want to get better results on the phone?

    My new training manual “Overcoming the Fear of Cold Calling” walks you through my time-tested methodology of how to use the telephone to get more appointments, create more opportunities, close more sales, and make more money.

    Here’s the link to Read More:
    https://www.SucceedingInBusiness.com/ColdCallingManual.htm

    ”’Reprinted with permission from Jeffrey Mayer’s Succeeding In Business Newsletter. (Copyright, 2003, Jeffrey J. Mayer, Succeeding In Business, Inc.) To subscribe to Jeff’s free newsletter, visit:”’ https://www.SucceedingInBusiness.com

    House Hall of Shame-House Lawmakers Ram Through Legislation That Hurts Hawaii Businesses and Economy, Insults Military, Freedom Loving Americans

    Hawaii Reporter
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    “Malia Lt Blue top Image”

    The majority of the 36 Democrats in the 51-member House of Representatives voted to support a number of controversial bills that will be extremely damaging to Hawaii’s economy, business community, and reputation with U.S. military leaders, America’s members of the armed forces and potential investors.

    Bad for the economy and business climate, they voted to impose a brand new 1 percent sales tax on goods sold in Hawaii — the first sales tax to be imposed in the state. That is in addition to the 4 percent General Excise Tax consumers already pay on all goods and services, and the tax on tax, or pyramiding, which raises the excise tax on most goods as much as 16 to 20 percent.

    They also supported legislation that creates the first-in-the-nation long-term care government subsidized program that attempts to pay for long term care for everyone in the state, not through a private program, but through a new government entity being created much like the failed Social Security program. This plan mandates all people in Hawaii over the age of 25 pay a $10 per month tax (raises to $25 per month over seven years) until they reach the age of 99. Should they live to need long-term care and qualify for it by being vested for 10 years and meeting the physical requirements, they will be allocated $70 per day, a mere fraction of the cost of long-term care. The tax is extended to anyone with business interests or land ownership in Hawaii, whether or not they live in the state — a serious deterrent to anyone considering purchasing real estate or investing in or opening a business.

    This is added to the fact that Hawaii already is the fourth highest taxed state in the nation and these bills, if all passed, will easily launch Hawaii to first in terms of tax burdens; and Hawaii is typically rated worst-in-the-nation for its poor business climate.

    See “No. 4 In the Nation Not Good Enough”

    But the Democrat majority in the House did not stop with simply economic damage, albeit long term and short term. They also insulted the U.S. Military, a group that keeps Hawaii afloat economically and protects Hawaii’s people from threats foreign and domestic. And they insulted Republicans in Congress, the President of the United States and all freedom loving Americans, when they sent “Aloha” to Saddam in the form of a resolution they sent to the U.S. Congress and the President under the guise of “promoting peace.”

    See “Hawaii Makes National News Again – For Sending ‘Aloha’ to Saddam”

    So who are these lawmakers in the House who have decided to wreak such havoc on Hawaii’s people?

    Here is a list of those who voted for both the tax increase proposals and the Aloha to Saddam resolution:

    ”Voting YES to the two tax increase proposals and the Aloha to Saddam resolution are:”

    Democrat Reps. Felipe P. Abinsay, Dennis Arakaki, Jerry Chang, Helene Hale, Eric Hamakawa, Robert Herkes, Kenneth Hiraki, Michael Puamamo Kahikina, Sol P Kaho`ohalahala; Jon Riki Karamatsu, Marilyn Lee, Sylvia Luke, Michael Magaoay, Romy M. Mindo, Bob Nakasone, Scott Y Nishimoto, Blake Oshiro, Marcus Oshiro, Scott Saiki, Calvin Say, Maile Shimabukuro, Joseph M. Souki, Dwight Takamine, Roy Takumi, Tommy Waters.

    ”Those Democrats who voted for YES both tax increases, but were excused from sending Aloha to Saddam are:”

    Democrat Reps. Kirk Caldwell, Kenneth Ito, Ezra Kanoho, Bertha Kawakami, Hermina Morita, Brian Schatz and K. Mark Takai

    Note: No Republicans sent Aloha to Saddam on the final floor vote; all Republicans voted NO on the tax increase proposals, except for Rep. Chris Halford, who voted for the long-term care; and Republican Reps. Brian Blundell, Kika Bukoski and Mark Jernigan who voted for the sales tax increase.

    An Easy Way to Control Soaring School Costs: Bring 'Billable Hours' to the Teaching Profession

    Hawaii Reporter
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    The cost of education has increased dramatically over the decades. New school construction and building additions — the bricks and mortar costs — have increased significantly creating exceptional bonded indebtedness. At the same time, dramatic cost increases in salary and benefits for teachers, administrators, and support staff — the human resource costs of education — have spiraled upward.

    As a result, education budgets in towns and cities across Connecticut are consuming higher and higher percentages of property tax collections year after year. And, in a growing number of towns and cities, more of the direct and indirect costs of education are assigned to the general budget. Wherever we find the practice of burying some education costs in the general fund, the real aggregate costs of education are being shrouded from the eyes of most taxpayers.

    Fortunately, a simple accounting method used by many professionals outside the field of education offers a way out of the crisis.

    Almost everyone has heard of the phrase “billable hours.” But, not everyone outside of the legal and accounting professions may know exactly what it means. In simplest terms, “billable hours” are those hours a professional spends at work in service of a specific assignment.

    Teachers do not normally track their time in the way that lawyers and accountants do, but they certainly could.

    Why is it desirable for teachers to account for their time in such a manner? Because using “billable hours” gives all education stakeholders the ability to begin to make rational choices about the optimal allocation of a school’s most precious education delivery resource — teacher time. By translating a teacher’s labor into an objective measurement, parents, school boards, and principals can begin to make cost-effective decisions about who should be hired, what should be taught, and when.

    How would “billable hours” work in education? For every teacher, we make two simple calculations:

    The first is the “teacher instruction cost.” You get this figure by multiplying a teacher’s scheduled daily teaching hours times 180 school days and the dividing the result into the teacher’s annual salary. For example, a teacher with a load of 4.75 class hours per day and a salary of $64,400 would have a teacher instruction cost of $75.32. Put more simply, an hour of his (or her) teaching time costs the taxpayers $75.32.

    The second calculation is the “student instruction cost.” This is simply the teacher instruction cost — the hourly amount we’ve just calculated — divided by the number of students in a specific classroom. Carrying through on our example, we would say that the student instruction cost for a teacher making $75.32 an hour running a Social Studies class of 25 students is $3.01. With this figure we can say exactly what is costs to educate each student in a particular class.

    With these two simple calculations it is now possible to establish the actual cost of delivering an education to any classroom. More importantly, it is possible to make objective comparisons of education delivery costs within a single school or across a district. Parents, school boards, taxpayers, principals and other stakeholders can even compare Elementary, Middle or High Schools classroom costs across districts with complete objectivity.

    The potential benefits of these calculations are enormous. Using the both the “teacher instruction cost” and “student instruction cost” it is possible to insure that instructional costs are not skewed by the size of a school system’s census — a factor that has historically confused comparisons between small and large districts. These measures can also uncover and pinpoint the actual costs of different modes of instruction, of school organization and of daily school scheduling, all-the-while insulating cost-effective judgments from attempts to obscure them with pedagogical rhetoric.

    The use of “billable hours” will enable those who wish to get the most from their town’s tax dollars to review public school costs with a “laser-like” focus, producing the kind of quality education parents and school boards statewide would like to see. This concept, easily adapted from the accounting and legal professions, can provide all education stakeholders with a powerful a tool to effectively manage education delivery costs.

    ”’Dr. Theodore Martland is a former Superintendent of Schools in Connecticut. Mr. Richard Olivastro is president of People Dynamics, a Connecticut based Leadership Development Company and a member of the Board of Directors of the Yankee Institute. They can be reached at Education Dynamics, 860-678-7526.”’

    An Easy Way to Control Soaring School Costs: Bring ‘Billable Hours’ to the Teaching Profession

    Hawaii Reporter
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    The cost of education has increased dramatically over the decades. New school construction and building additions — the bricks and mortar costs — have increased significantly creating exceptional bonded indebtedness. At the same time, dramatic cost increases in salary and benefits for teachers, administrators, and support staff — the human resource costs of education — have spiraled upward.

    As a result, education budgets in towns and cities across Connecticut are consuming higher and higher percentages of property tax collections year after year. And, in a growing number of towns and cities, more of the direct and indirect costs of education are assigned to the general budget. Wherever we find the practice of burying some education costs in the general fund, the real aggregate costs of education are being shrouded from the eyes of most taxpayers.

    Fortunately, a simple accounting method used by many professionals outside the field of education offers a way out of the crisis.

    Almost everyone has heard of the phrase “billable hours.” But, not everyone outside of the legal and accounting professions may know exactly what it means. In simplest terms, “billable hours” are those hours a professional spends at work in service of a specific assignment.

    Teachers do not normally track their time in the way that lawyers and accountants do, but they certainly could.

    Why is it desirable for teachers to account for their time in such a manner? Because using “billable hours” gives all education stakeholders the ability to begin to make rational choices about the optimal allocation of a school’s most precious education delivery resource — teacher time. By translating a teacher’s labor into an objective measurement, parents, school boards, and principals can begin to make cost-effective decisions about who should be hired, what should be taught, and when.

    How would “billable hours” work in education? For every teacher, we make two simple calculations:

    The first is the “teacher instruction cost.” You get this figure by multiplying a teacher’s scheduled daily teaching hours times 180 school days and the dividing the result into the teacher’s annual salary. For example, a teacher with a load of 4.75 class hours per day and a salary of $64,400 would have a teacher instruction cost of $75.32. Put more simply, an hour of his (or her) teaching time costs the taxpayers $75.32.

    The second calculation is the “student instruction cost.” This is simply the teacher instruction cost — the hourly amount we’ve just calculated — divided by the number of students in a specific classroom. Carrying through on our example, we would say that the student instruction cost for a teacher making $75.32 an hour running a Social Studies class of 25 students is $3.01. With this figure we can say exactly what is costs to educate each student in a particular class.

    With these two simple calculations it is now possible to establish the actual cost of delivering an education to any classroom. More importantly, it is possible to make objective comparisons of education delivery costs within a single school or across a district. Parents, school boards, taxpayers, principals and other stakeholders can even compare Elementary, Middle or High Schools classroom costs across districts with complete objectivity.

    The potential benefits of these calculations are enormous. Using the both the “teacher instruction cost” and “student instruction cost” it is possible to insure that instructional costs are not skewed by the size of a school system’s census — a factor that has historically confused comparisons between small and large districts. These measures can also uncover and pinpoint the actual costs of different modes of instruction, of school organization and of daily school scheduling, all-the-while insulating cost-effective judgments from attempts to obscure them with pedagogical rhetoric.

    The use of “billable hours” will enable those who wish to get the most from their town’s tax dollars to review public school costs with a “laser-like” focus, producing the kind of quality education parents and school boards statewide would like to see. This concept, easily adapted from the accounting and legal professions, can provide all education stakeholders with a powerful a tool to effectively manage education delivery costs.

    ”’Dr. Theodore Martland is a former Superintendent of Schools in Connecticut. Mr. Richard Olivastro is president of People Dynamics, a Connecticut based Leadership Development Company and a member of the Board of Directors of the Yankee Institute. They can be reached at Education Dynamics, 860-678-7526.”’

    Defeating Terrorism

    Hawaii Reporter
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    ”’This article is excerpted from the introduction of the author’s book, “A War We Must Win,” to be published this summer.”’

    We must defeat terrorism not only because we cannot tolerate the threat of terror as a way of life, but because, regardless of its source or cause, it is and will always be an unacceptable means of resolving political discord.

    The events of 9/11 left us astounded, outraged and with a determination to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. But, following the collapse of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, we began to falter and lose sight of who the real terrorists were, ignoring the root causes and fixating instead on more visible targets that did not represent any imminent danger, such as Iraq. We have, as a result, undermined our relations with many friends and allies whose support we still need to fight this heinous phenomenon. Now that the war in Iraq coming to an end, and with Saddam Hussein’s regime virtually history, the challenge before us is not just how to reconstitute Iraq as a free nation, but what measures to take to bring about the end to international terrorism.

    Like most Americans, 9/11 stunned me, yet I was not all that surprised. As a student of the Middle East and a witness to the unfolding of the Arab-Israeli conflict for more than three decades, I have long since come to one inescapable conclusion: Resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian crises is the sine qua non to the successful fight against terrorism. We must arrest this intractable and bloody conflict because of its explosive nature and its impact on the Arab-Islamic psyche fed by a perverted brand of Islamic fundamentalism.

    Those who still claim that no connection exists between the international terrorism led by al-Qaida and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict simply do not understand the historical underpinnings of today’s Arab/Islamic terrorism — its evolution since the 1967 war. Since the end of that conflict, anti-Americanism has been fueled by the belief that the United States has not been evenhanded in its Middle East policy; what is viewed as America’s exploitation of Arab resources, such as oil; the support by successive American administrations of corrupt Arab regimes that ride on the backs of their people; our interference in Arab and Muslim’s internal affairs, and our military presence in the region, which is viewed as another form of colonialism. That said, even if the Arab perception of America as meddling in Arab affairs accurately reflects U.S. foreign policy, there still no justification for 9/11.

    And the question remains: What is the most effective way to combat terrorism? I suggest that, try as they may, officials in the Bush administration have been unable to divorce the Israeli-Palestinian crisis from international terrorism and hence their mounting difficulties in effectively combating it. The proposed road map for peace offered by the administration, which provides reciprocal steps by Israelis and the Palestinians first to ease tensions between themselves and then gradually move toward permanent settlement culminating in the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005, lacks decisiveness and clarity on two necessary requirements: (1) The New Palestinian Authority, led by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, must speak out against violence, openly, publicly, clearly, and in Arabic, and then support these words by decisive, consistent action visible to the whole world; and for its part (2) Israel must come to grips with the folly of its settlements’ policy, by freezing existing ones, prohibiting the building of new ones, and accepting the principle of uprooting settlers from most of the settlements. Unless the United States publicly demands action on these two prerequisites, the road map for peace will not be worth the paper on which it is written.

    Meanwhile, however limited or extensive the short- and long-term repercussions of the war against Iraq are for our international standing, especially in the Arab/Muslim world, we must spare no efforts to avoid another war, unless the Bush administration is prepared to defend itself against the widely-held Arab belief of there being an American/Christian crusade against Islam. How we deal with other countries — such as Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Libya — with weapons of mass destruction and that sponsor, or at a minimum, provide refuge and assistance to terrorist organizations will be carefully watched by every nation. Are we going to wage war on each of these countries, or are we going to use our stature and leverage to compel them, by diplomatic means and with the support of international community, to change their ways and abandon terrorism and weapons of mass destruction to advance their national interests?

    The notion that the Arabs/Muslims admire the power of the fist is correct as long as it is one of their own leaders or armies that stands up to us or to Israel. They do not admire it when they are repeatedly humiliated by those they consider to be part of the “Imperialist and the Zionist conspiracy.” Moreover, whereas the war against Iraq might inhibit other rogue states from supporting or harboring terrorist groups, organizations like al-Qaida may feel emboldened by the events in Iraq.

    And what about our so-called friends and allied states such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan that are the breeding grounds of a terrorism that Iraq, even under Saddam Hussein, pales in comparison to? If we really want to end terrorism, has not the time come for us to demand these nations prohibit the media (in each country, fully controlled by the state) from filling people’s heads with unceasing anti-American propaganda? And when will we demand that these governments put an end to the virulent anti-Americanism preached in mosques day-in-and-day-out and advocated by teachers and found in books read in tens of thousands of schools?

    The majority of the recent crop of terrorists came from the Middle East — mainly from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen. There is no reason to assume that the next generation will spring out from somewhere else. The war on terrorism is a war we cannot afford to lose. To win, we must find a lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and as well to many other violent conflicts, capture and kill al Qaida leaders and operatives, and rid rogue states of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons. But in the end avoiding unilateralism and establishing a collective international order by which international terrorism can be resolved are what is most necessary if we are to succeed at all.

    ”’Alon Ben-Meir is the Middle East Project director at the World Policy Institute, New York. He is also a professor of International Relations at New York University.”’

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