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    Grassroot Perspective – March 24, 2003-Secretary Thompson Rejects Tobacco Tax Hike Proposal; SBSC President Testifies On the Regulatory Burden Facing Small Business; SBSC Favors Financial Disclosure and Transparency for Big Labor; Junk Science to Cost Small Business Owners; A Policy Guide for Budget Reform

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    “Dick Rowland Image”

    ”Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)”

    – Secretary Thompson Rejects Tobacco Tax Hike Proposal

    HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson this week rejected a proposal by the Health and Human Services’ Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health for a $2 per pack increase in the federal cigarette tax.

    Testifying before the House Budget Committee this week (February 27),
    Thompson said “We are not contemplating it. This administration does not raise taxes,” Reuters quoted HHS spokesman Bill Pierce as saying the department had never considered the idea of the tax, despite the committee’s recommendation. “The secretary, in response to that recommendation, said we are not contemplating it,” Pierce said in a telephone interview.

    SBSC President Darrell McKigney praised Secretary Thompson for rejecting the advisory committee’s proposal: “The advisory committee came up with a truly bad recommendation, and we are grateful that Secretary Thompson has put a stop to it. This is very good news for small businesses.”

    To read more, please click here:
    https://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=2299162

    – SBSC President Testifies On the Regulatory Burden Facing Small
    Business

    SBSC President Darrell McKigney testified this week at a roundtable
    discussion hosted by House Small Business Subcommittee on Regulatory
    Reform and Oversight Committee Chairman Edward Schrock (R-VA). The
    roundtable included several small business & trade groups who were
    invited to discuss the impact of regulations on their members. This is the latest effort by Chairman Schrock who has been taking a lead role in the fight to bring common sense to the federal regulatory system.

    “Of course, what makes regulatory costs truly insidious is that they
    remain difficult for the average American to clearly see. Individuals
    can see a smaller paycheck due to income taxes, or a jump in the price of a product due to sales taxes, but higher prices, smaller paychecks, and fewer opportunities as a result of an excessive regulatory burden seem less tangible and, therefore, less real,” McKigney remarked in comments presented to the committee.

    To read McKigney’s full comments, go to https://www.sbsc.org

    – SBSC Favors Financial Disclosure and Transparency for Big Labor

    On Feb. 25, SBSC filed brief comments with the Department of Labor on
    proposed rulemaking calling for greater financial disclosure and
    transparency by labor unions. This would benefit union members and
    businesses.

    To read SBSC’s comments, go to:
    https://www.sbsc.org/CongressionalTestimony.asp?FormMode=CongressionalTestimony

    – Junk Science to Cost Small Business Owners

    Small business beware — the EPA is at it again. This time they want to ban the treated wood commonly used for decks and playground equipment despite a lack of evidence of it posing an unreasonable risk to public health. Steve Milloy looks at this issue for Fox News Channel. To read his analysis, please click here:
    https://foxnews.com/story/0,2933,78551,00.html

    Above articles are quoted from Small Business Survival Committee, SBSC Weekly Briefing Feb. 27, 2003 https://www.sbsc.org

    ”Root (Food for Thought)”

    A Policy Guide for Budget Reform

    Strategies for Improving State Government Services and Reducing the
    Deficit

    By Eric Montague, Policy Analyst

    State legislators face a serious budget deficit for the biennium
    starting in 2003. Unlike last year, however, this year’s deficit is not a surprise. A faltering economy, coupled with band-aide solutions
    enacted in the last session, leave the state with a biennial budget
    shortfall projected to reach $2.4 billion.

    The deficit is not the result of lower tax revenues. Revenues are
    projected to increase by $1.5 billion, or 7.6%, in the next biennium.
    Similarly, spending is projected to rise from $22.5 billion in 2001-03, to $24.7 billion in 2003-05. Rather, the deficit is the result of revenues not growing as fast as officials had predicted, creating a shortfall in the level of planned spending increase.

    Controlling government spending is essential to eliminating recurring
    deficits. A new Policy Brief from Washington Policy Center presents
    practical policy changes that will reap immediate savings, improve the quality of public services, and reduce long-term structural costs. Below are some of the main findings.

    *Restore Limits on Spending Growth: The legislature ended spending controls enacted by the people under Initiative 601, thus contributing to the deficit. Returning to effective spending limits would bring greater discipline to public finances and help restore trust in government.

    *Eliminate Positions Vacant More than Six Months: Hundreds of state government positions exist only on paper. If a staff slot has been vacant six months, it’s fairly clear the agency can do its work without an employee in that position.

    *Adopt a Five-Year Sunset Review for all Boards and Commissions: Many of the 406 state boards and commissions have outlived their original purpose and should be allowed to expire. A regular five-year review would allow the legislature to renew those that are still needed.

    *Implement “Gainsharing” Employee Incentive Program: Gainsharing allows agencies to share with employees 50 percent of the savings from efficiency improvements, thus lowering costs and rewarding good ideas from front-line workers.

    *Use Performance-Based Contracting: Performance-based contracting has proven successful in other states, including Tennessee, which saved $10 million through new consulting contracts.

    *Sell Non-Essential Real Estate Holdings: State government owns 9 percent of the land in Washington and can generate additional revenue by selling non-essential properties.

    *Allow the State Auditor to Conduct Performance Audits: Performance audits in other states have saved billions of dollars, and have helped to restore taxpayer confidence in government.

    *Eliminate Costly Prevailing Wage Regulations: Normally market forces determine the prevailing price of labor, not a pre-determined, government-fixed price. By interfering in the natural movements of the market the government artificially drives up its own costs.

    *Competitively Contract Highway Maintenance: An independent study estimates the state could save $25 million by competitively contracting for highway maintenance.

    *Legalize Private Passenger Ferries: The state plans to cancel passenger ferry service on June 15th. If the state won’t do it, it should at least allow private companies to offer the service.

    *Allow Private Firms or Non-Profits to Manage State Parks: Allowing competition for contracts to manage state parks would improve efficiency for an agency that is closing parks and is increasingly constrained by budget pressures.

    *Competitively Contract for Prison Health Care Services: In 24 states inmate health care is provided by private contractors, generally with lower costs and improved quality of care.

    *Allow Private Companies to Build and Manage State Prisons: The experience of other states shows private contractors can build and operate a prison for 10% to 25% less, with no reduction in the quality of corrections services.

    *Privatize State Liquor Stores: Private sector sales would bring better service and wider choice for consumers, freeing the Liquor Control Board to focus on public health and safety.

    *Rescind the Governor’s New Ergonomics Rules: The new rules are the most restrictive in the nation, requiring employers to count, for example, how often employees lift ten pounds, or bend their necks forty-five degrees. Penalties on employers reach $70,000 per infraction.

    *Open a Government Services Contribution Fund: Citizens who feel the government needs more revenue could first pay voluntarily into a public fund before advocating higher taxes on their neighbors.

    *Eliminate the Presidential Primary: In 2000 the state spent $5.2 million on the presidential primary, although neither party used the results to select most of its delegates.

    *Adopt a Constitutionally-Protected Emergency Reserve Fund: A tightly-controlled reserve fund, protected by constitutional safeguards, will shield state services against unexpected shortfalls.

    If adopted, these budget reforms will promote government efficiency, improve services to the public, and limit the high tax burden shouldered by citizens and businesses. They will also help ensure future economic downturns do not force our state into yet another budget crisis, and will build public trust by demonstrating the government’s ability to live within its means.

    Above is quoted from Washington Policy Center, Policy Note,
    https://www.washingtonpolicy.org

    ”Evergreen (Today’s Quotes)”

    “The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” — Allan K. Chalmers

    “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” — Seneca

    ”’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/

    Interest in the War Effort

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    “Suzanne Gelb Image”

    ”War – Does it Supersede All Else?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    I had intended to write to you about a problem I’m having with my tantruming child, but as I started to write about this, I began to feel so selfish with the war going on, and then my problem seems trivial. How do I find the balance between feeling like my problems are important, even though they are not life or death issues like those of the war in Iraq?

    Feeling Selfish

    A: Dr. Gelb says . . .

    Dear Feeling:

    When self-esteem is intact, it is not difficult to conform to the notion that “after me, everyone else can come first.” Some people may construe this as selfish. I consider it self-preservation. In terms of the dilemma you describe, is not uncommon for caring, loving people to experience such a conflict. However, it takes more than love to support someone in feeling like a whole person. It is important to not be like the T-shirts with the footprints on the back. Instead, I believe that it is so important to be involved and engaged in our personal lives, and let the generals fight the war, while at the same time, of course, our hearts go out to those in war-torn areas, as well as their loved ones,

    ”Operation Iraq – Why Am I Glued to the TV?”

    Dear Dr. Gelb:

    I don’t like war, but I think our leadership is correct for putting our country’s foot down, because enough is enough. I am so glued to the TV now, watching the coverage of the war. I wonder why this is so fascinating to me, almost like a fixation?

    TV Viewer

    A: Dr. Gelb says . . .

    Dear Viewer:

    You are probably one of the many millions of people all over the world who, thanks to our high tech communication, are able to join our fighters in their battle for peace even though we are watching it thousands and thousands of miles away. Many of us experience the natural curiosity you describe, and I believe that a large percentage of our nation is in support of our leadership and the necessity of bringing this corrupt dictator to his knees. In that regard, it is not surprising that many television viewers tend to be fixated and even obsessed with the outcome of this mission, and watch with fascination as this country’s advanced technology engages in a dispute whose primary concern is achieve its mission with as few casualties as possible.

    In terms of the curiosity that feeds the preoccupation you describe, I believe that in such a situation, our aggressive nature is stimulated. This can be explained by analogizing to watching game of sport, whether it be prize fighting, football, or baseball for example. In such instances spectators choose an opponent to root for and the natural hunger to win keeps them preoccupied with the action.

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

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

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

    Legislative Hearing Notices – March 24, 2003

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

    “Hawaii State Legislature Sidebar”

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

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

    Hearing

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB189 HD2 RELATING TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES FOR SEX ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB189 HD2 SD1 RELATING TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES FOR SEX ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB192 HD1 RELATING TO ACCRETED LANDS. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB192 HD1 RELATING TO ACCRETED LANDS. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB651 HD2 RELATING TO INFORMED CONSENT. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB914 HD2 RELATING TO ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB1217 HD1 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB1285 HD1 RELATING TO HISTORIC SITES. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB1572 HD3 RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS. JHW

    3/24/03 9:00 AM HB1572 HD3 RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS. JHW

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HCR143 REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT TO SUBMIT THE KYOTO PROTOCOL TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE FOR RATIFICATION. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HCR159 REQUESTING CONGRESS TO PERMANENTLY PROHIBIT OIL DEVELOPMENT, EXPLORATION, AND PRODUCTION IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HCR211 REAFFIRMING THE VALUE AND MEANING OF ALOHA IN THE FACE OF POTENTIAL MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HCR215 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EAST-WEST CENTER AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON ASIA-PACIFIC EDUCATION IN HAWAII TO DEVELOP HAWAII CITIZENS’ ASIA-RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE AS A MEANS TO ENSURE HAWAII’S ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND PROSPERITY AND TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HR115 REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT TO SUBMIT THE KYOTO PROTOCOL TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE FOR RATIFICATION. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HR124 REQUESTING CONGRESS TO PERMANENTLY PROHIBIT OIL DEVELOPMENT, EXPLORATION, AND PRODUCTION IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HR164 REAFFIRMING THE VALUE AND MEANING OF ALOHA IN THE FACE OF POTENTIAL MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HR167 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EAST-WEST CENTER AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON ASIA-PACIFIC EDUCATION IN HAWAII TO DEVELOP HAWAII CITIZENS’ ASIA-RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE AS A MEANS TO ENSURE HAWAII’S ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND PROSPERITY AND TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. INT

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HCR79 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE-PROVINCE RELATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE PROVINCE OF THUA THIEN-HUE OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. INT/EDB

    3/24/03 10:45 AM HR77 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE-PROVINCE RELATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE PROVINCE OF THUA THIEN-HUE OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. INT/EDB

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/24/03 10:55 AM None Informational Briefing INT/TMG

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/24/03 11:30 AM HCR206 REQUESTING THE UNITED NATIONS TO CONSIDER THE ESTABLISHMENT IN HAWAII OF A CENTER FOR THE HEALTH, WELFARE, AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES OF THE UNITED STATES, ASIA, AND THE PACIFIC AND REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. HLT/HSH/INT

    3/24/03 11:30 AM HCR68 REQUESTING THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONSIDER THE LEASING OF UNUTILIZED FAST AND SUBMERGED LANDS AT KEEHI LAGOON FOR THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. TRN/WLH

    3/24/03 11:30 AM HCR197 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A MULTI-USE PATH ALONG THE WAIANAE COAST FROM MAILE BEACH PARK TO MAKAHA SURFING BEACH. TRN/WLH

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/24/03 2:15 PM SCR130 ESTABLISHING AN AWARDS PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE BUSINESSES WITH PARENTFRIENDLY POLICIES. HMS/LBR

    ”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

    3/24/03 2:30 PM HCR128 REQUESTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CALL CENTERS TO INITIATE CUSTOMER RIGHT TO KNOW PROCEDURES REGARDING ALL INBOUND AND OUTBOUND COMMUNICATIONS. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM HR107 REQUESTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CALL CENTERS TO INITIATE CUSTOMER RIGHT TO KNOW PROCEDURES REGARDING ALL INBOUND AND OUTBOUND COMMUNICATIONS. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB88 SD1 RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES OWNED BY MILITARY
    PERSONNEL. CPC
    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB482 SD1 RELATING TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL INDUSTRY. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB562 RELATING TO TERMINABLE RENTAL ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE VEHICLE LEASES. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB665 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO PREPAID HEALTH CARE PLAN. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB678 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO INSURANCE. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB1049 SD1 RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB1361 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. CPC

    3/24/03 2:30 PM SB1492 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES. CPC

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

    A Conservative Perspective – March 20, 2003-Say Thanks to Hawaii's Military, You Have to Laugh, No Way-No War-No Bush-No More; Dobelle to the Rescue; UH on Hate Crimes; Allies Wanted; Selected Liberal Inclusion; Sending Aloha to Hawaii's Law Enforcement; Head of Gay & Lesbian Task Force Quits; No Furniture In Governor's Office

    ”Please Say Thank You”

    We’re asking all of our friends and neighbors in Hawaii to visit the
    Department of Defense Web page by clicking the link below and sign in
    thanking the men and women of the U.S. military services for defending our freedom and those of others around the world. So far, there are only about 6.4 million names from a national population of over 250 million. Let’s increase that!
    https://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

    ”You Have to Laugh”

    “Instead of war, why can’t Tony Blair get in touch with “M” and send James Bond in to Iraq? I mean, give me a break. Why are we spending 100 billion dollars when we have a special agent to go in and take charge? I’m sure Mr. Bond or someone similar could be hired for a lot less $$$. We should be talking to Pierce Brosnan on our next strategic move.” By an anonymous poster on the gayhawaii.com web site bulletin board.

    ”No Way-No War-No Bush-No More”

    On Saturday when reportedly 300 “peace” activists scattered themselves across various parts of Honolulu, I saw this on a bumper sticker. I think it sums up the true sentiments of those activists. The “No War” argument is being used as partisan catalyst for drumming up sentiments against the president, and I think it is failing miserably. The faces I saw were the usual lefty-snobs, including its familiar gay victimist contingent. My associates and I have felt these people are a waste of time, but given the narrow-focus of journalism and reporting in Hawaii’s mainstream media, we are forced to emerge to differentiate ourselves. Brace yourselves now: when you see one of those gay liberation rainbow flags, always bear in mind that some colors on those flags are more equal than others in Hawaii.

    One man I saw had a flag with an image of the world on it while others with signs saying “Illegitimate War” stood nearby. Something stuck me. These people sincerely are proponents of a global government with the U.N. in charge and America as the bad guy on the world scene. The U.N. is ”’not”’ a world government. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the attacks on 9/11, the world has changed. These people are living in a time loop, and rather than face those changes and the others to come, they have retreated into isolationism. The Cold War is over and now a new war on this country and its
    freedom-based values have emerged. The trade winds will not blow their left-inspired troubles away. It’s a new era. Perhaps a post-U.N. era.

    ”Evan Dobelle to the Rescue: U.H. Manoa Gets (PC) Tough on Hate Crimes”

    How many of you saw the scare-piece by ”’Honolulu Advertiser”’ Education Reporter Beverly Creamer entitled ”’U.H. gets tough on hate crimes”’? Many of you have been opining me about this, and I agree with you: this whole thing seems incredibly contrived. There is a difference between investigative reporting and taking dictation, too. This is the same university that just last year began to offer domestic partnership benefits to its same-sex faculty, and there were no beatings, riots by Christian conservatives, or hate crimes perpetuated by red necks with an ax to grind. I’ve heard from
    current students and graduates of U.H. who say that for years it was and still is one of the most gay-friendly places around.

    A married female friend writes: “We all used to go out dancing together at Hula’s and The Wave and some other place called The Stuffed Tomato, and partied together all the time. No one even ”’considered”’ the idea of discrimination against gay people on campus as far as I recall. And a lot of people (especially some of the people in the dance department) were very ‘flagrant’ if that’s what you’d call it. I mean it wasn’t as if they were going around hiding who they were.”

    The piece clearly shows that U.H. President Evan Dobelle is now the new patron saint of Hawaii’s gay-left establishment snobbocracy. We’re not impressed. “This is one of the last frontiers of civil rights and civil liberties,” Dobelle is quoted as saying. “If it crosses into any kind of a felony under Hawaii state law. I would have no hesitation to expel a student for what would be considered a hate crime.” ”’If?”’ Aren’t you sure? It will be curious to see if he will support amending those laws to the point where free speech may end up being squelched speech. I wonder, too, if due process will be compromised for the sake of liberal political expediency. It’s happening elsewhere across the country on many college campuses while open hate for conservatives is fanned and encouraged. We’ve been the recipient of some of the twisted wrath of those Dobelle wants to protect.

    One of the nuttiest things I noticed was the formation of “a network of safe zones on campus.” What is the crisis that caused this, and why now? The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Student Services Office is now headed by Cameron Miyamoto, a nice and well-intentioned young man who was previously the head of the Gay Liberation Project of the American Friends (Quaker) Service in Hawaii. He is reportedly training people as “allies.”

    All this to address homophobia and “transphobia,” of which one of my Log Cabin Republican associates said, “Oh Lord, they are in clutches of PCism. Transphobia indeed.”

    These are the same people who did nothing to commemorate the 20th
    anniversary of the AIDS epidemic two years ago, and when we took it upon ourselves to do so we were smeared in McCarthyite fashion by these frauds in Hawaii’s Gay Politburo. Self-promotion by these aristocrats at gay pride parades was more important then. I doubt if much has changed since.

    ”Allies Wanted”

    One of the answers to this supposedly potential rash of hate crimes is to recruit and train “Allies” who will hang posters “to indicate a willingness to lend support to people who may need it,” and for those of you with busy lives on the go you can also paste on a logo on a purse, backpack, whatever.

    When we read this it reminded many of the ill-fated “Thumbs Up Hawaii” campaign to boost business that seemed to sputter into nothingness, jokes and irrelevancy almost as fast as it was conceived. Does putting up a poster make you morally superior on the subject of gay rights and inclusion? Stunning. “What that logo means is this is a good place if you’re needing someone to talk to,” Miyamoto is quoted in the piece. Starbucks is a nice place to talk to people, too. “The strongest thing is to be building a more
    positive, visible message on campus. What we’re wanting to do is spread support for a population that is often rendered invisible.” And those that are visible and successful without the blessing plantationist gay-lefties are more often than not targeted for jealous smears. What hypocrites.

    Small businesses, individuals and families in Hawaii are the target of on-going initiatives by liberal and socialistic legislative members bent on micromanaging their hopes, dreams, aspirations. Perhaps we should put up posters so that those feeling threatened will have someone to talk to?

    But what the real problem here is that this whole initiative promotes the stereotype of victimization and co-dependency of gays and lesbians as weak. It also promotes the notion that the “leaders” of Hawaii’s gay community are individuals who have positioned themselves to be taken care of with what are essentially make-work jobs to insulate themselves from the very self-righteous policies they impose on others. There are many gays across this nation and in this state who are entrepreneurs and leaders in philanthropy, the arts, science, business and other sectors. A politically correct elite that is perpetually anti-Republican, Bush-bashing and anti-business relegates them to the back of the bus. They hate two-party political systems, and free enterprise is not high on their agenda. And they wonder why so many of us are quietly walking in droves from their plantation. And they wonder why the U.H. School of Business is not taken seriously either.

    ”Selective Liberal Inclusion”

    Kuumealoha Gomes is the chairwoman of the President’s Commission on
    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex issues. (No, Log Cabin Republicans of Hawaii was not invited to be a part of this … it is called “selective” inclusion, right?) She adds to the contrived nature of this “crisis” by calling for buildings, not the whole campus, to be a “safe zone.” It is not mentioned in the piece, but Gomes is the editor of Da Kine Magazine, the leading monthly magazine known for its liberal-left slant, which is never announced, and one not friendly at all to gay conservative pro-business Republicans.

    So much for fair and balanced reporting. Gomes and others at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center would never report them, but some of the greatest problems are gay-on-gay bashing, the drug epidemic, promiscuity, gay-on-gay assaults, and most importantly HIV and AIDS. Gays have a terrible image problem. The censorship espoused by Gomes and her friends on the left-establishment makes open discussion severely hampered. And that keeps them in charge. The level of self-hate in Hawaii’s gay community is astounding, and the suppression-politics from some of its anti-aloha thought-police aficionados among the coldest around. And the response by the establishment is to stick their heads in the sands and hope the tradewinds will drive it all away. And as for balanced viewpoints, the Henry Ford “you can have your car any color you want as long as it is black” mentality reigns supreme.

    Gomes calls only for “the mandatory expulsion of students who cause physical harm to another because of gender identity or sexual orientation.” If it were us we’d be calling for equal protection and due process for all, even for those who may not welcome gays. Let’s do it now. That’s the true nature of inclusion.

    ”Send Your Aloha to Honolulu Law Enforcement Officers”

    We were particularly annoyed when it was portrayed in this piece that going to the police is “very scary,” a “hard option.” No, it is not. It’s a necessary option, and one that anyone who is injured or attacked should do without hesitation. I know and have met Honolulu law enforcement officers, and they are truly among the best in this country. We’re proud of them. The level of professionalism, service and compassion these men and women offer daily is worthy of better than fear tactics. And as recent history has shown, some have lost their lives in the line of duty. Reading such twisted sentiments must embarrass and perplex gay or straight cops alike. You are not alone.

    ”Lorri Jean of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Quits”

    This month Lorri Jean, who was recently in Hawaii, resigned as executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The Washington Blade reported that she quit “because her original commitment to the board, which recruited her for the position, was to stay as long as it took to stabilize the group’s finances and programs.” It also reported that she resigned less than a month after a “restructuring” plan was implemented. That plan entailed three staff layoffs of positions “not essential to the group’s new
    emphasis on building a well-oiled field operation to help train activists in cities and states.” It was further reported that concerns were expressed that those layoffs were “intended to help Jean balance the budget and put the group in the best possible financial light at the time of her departure.” Could you imagine the outcry if these were pro-business gay or straight Republicans?

    ”No Furniture in the Governor’s Residence”

    Would someone care to opine as to why Hawaii’s feminists are so silent about the lack of furniture in the new governor’s mansion? Rep. Mark Moses, R-Kapolei, was right to suggest that Gov. Lingle’s Republican party affiliation is key to the Democratic-controlled Legislature withholding funds to pay for furniture. It really is embarrassing that the Legislature has become this petty. Many never got out of high school it seems.

    But with all the talk over the years of a lack of pay-parity and equality between professional men and professional women, I would think that Hawaii’s feminists would be up in arms. Lingle is the first woman to govern Hawaii since Queen Lilioukalani, and no man in the territorial or statehood eras had ever been so maltreated. It’s shameful and it ought to stop now.

    One friend opined with his thoughts. “I originally thought that the
    root-problem was that the Hawaii Democratic legislative majority lacks decorator sense and interior design taste. It is clear that Hawaii’s furniture retailers are not government-run socialist and labor union-controlled entities. I now have reason to believe that the problem may run deeper than this.” Another thought it all might be retribution against those that may have supported Lingle in her election bid. The ”’Honolulu Star Bulletin”’ was right to call for our legislators to grow up.

    Another opined: “Why not invite the producers of the Discovery Channel reality show ‘Trading Places’ be flown here to tape a show. This will surely do wonders to highlight Hawaii’s architectural heritage and showcase the Aloha State as a desirable vacation destination, particularly to America’s decorator and interior design community. What it will say about the unequal treatment of women political leaders is another story.”

    “I think,” he continued, “that Republicans with interior design and
    decorator backgrounds should be allowed to decorate and furnish the offices of those Democrats in the Legislature that voted against furnishing the governor’s residence. Republican volunteer teams will be organized with a two-day span to plan, execute and finish the office assigned to them, each working with a Hawaii-based interior decorator. Democrats, on camera, will be brought to their newly redecorated office at the State Capitol with eyes closed until they are signaled to open them. They will be forced to live with the results for the remainder of their terms in office.”

    The Log Cabin Republicans have received confidential reports of rumors in the gay community that leftist gay activists and appeasers of the Hawaii Democratic Party have threatened to dangle their Democratic representatives from the railings surrounding the Capitol rotunda in Honolulu should they vote to furnish the new governor’s mansion while Lingle is in office. Michael Jackson-famed journalist Martin Bashir and a camera crew are
    reportedly en route.

    And so it goes. God bless America!

    ”’Jeffrey Bingham Mead is the head of the Log Cabin Republicans of Hawaii and can be reached via email at:”’ mailto:jmead@aloha.net

    A Conservative Perspective – March 20, 2003-Say Thanks to Hawaii’s Military, You Have to Laugh, No Way-No War-No Bush-No More; Dobelle to the Rescue; UH on Hate Crimes; Allies Wanted; Selected Liberal Inclusion; Sending Aloha to Hawaii’s Law Enforcement; Head of Gay & Lesbian Task Force Quits; No Furniture In Governor’s Office

    ”Please Say Thank You”

    We’re asking all of our friends and neighbors in Hawaii to visit the
    Department of Defense Web page by clicking the link below and sign in
    thanking the men and women of the U.S. military services for defending our freedom and those of others around the world. So far, there are only about 6.4 million names from a national population of over 250 million. Let’s increase that!
    https://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

    ”You Have to Laugh”

    “Instead of war, why can’t Tony Blair get in touch with “M” and send James Bond in to Iraq? I mean, give me a break. Why are we spending 100 billion dollars when we have a special agent to go in and take charge? I’m sure Mr. Bond or someone similar could be hired for a lot less $$$. We should be talking to Pierce Brosnan on our next strategic move.” By an anonymous poster on the gayhawaii.com web site bulletin board.

    ”No Way-No War-No Bush-No More”

    On Saturday when reportedly 300 “peace” activists scattered themselves across various parts of Honolulu, I saw this on a bumper sticker. I think it sums up the true sentiments of those activists. The “No War” argument is being used as partisan catalyst for drumming up sentiments against the president, and I think it is failing miserably. The faces I saw were the usual lefty-snobs, including its familiar gay victimist contingent. My associates and I have felt these people are a waste of time, but given the narrow-focus of journalism and reporting in Hawaii’s mainstream media, we are forced to emerge to differentiate ourselves. Brace yourselves now: when you see one of those gay liberation rainbow flags, always bear in mind that some colors on those flags are more equal than others in Hawaii.

    One man I saw had a flag with an image of the world on it while others with signs saying “Illegitimate War” stood nearby. Something stuck me. These people sincerely are proponents of a global government with the U.N. in charge and America as the bad guy on the world scene. The U.N. is ”’not”’ a world government. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the attacks on 9/11, the world has changed. These people are living in a time loop, and rather than face those changes and the others to come, they have retreated into isolationism. The Cold War is over and now a new war on this country and its
    freedom-based values have emerged. The trade winds will not blow their left-inspired troubles away. It’s a new era. Perhaps a post-U.N. era.

    ”Evan Dobelle to the Rescue: U.H. Manoa Gets (PC) Tough on Hate Crimes”

    How many of you saw the scare-piece by ”’Honolulu Advertiser”’ Education Reporter Beverly Creamer entitled ”’U.H. gets tough on hate crimes”’? Many of you have been opining me about this, and I agree with you: this whole thing seems incredibly contrived. There is a difference between investigative reporting and taking dictation, too. This is the same university that just last year began to offer domestic partnership benefits to its same-sex faculty, and there were no beatings, riots by Christian conservatives, or hate crimes perpetuated by red necks with an ax to grind. I’ve heard from
    current students and graduates of U.H. who say that for years it was and still is one of the most gay-friendly places around.

    A married female friend writes: “We all used to go out dancing together at Hula’s and The Wave and some other place called The Stuffed Tomato, and partied together all the time. No one even ”’considered”’ the idea of discrimination against gay people on campus as far as I recall. And a lot of people (especially some of the people in the dance department) were very ‘flagrant’ if that’s what you’d call it. I mean it wasn’t as if they were going around hiding who they were.”

    The piece clearly shows that U.H. President Evan Dobelle is now the new patron saint of Hawaii’s gay-left establishment snobbocracy. We’re not impressed. “This is one of the last frontiers of civil rights and civil liberties,” Dobelle is quoted as saying. “If it crosses into any kind of a felony under Hawaii state law. I would have no hesitation to expel a student for what would be considered a hate crime.” ”’If?”’ Aren’t you sure? It will be curious to see if he will support amending those laws to the point where free speech may end up being squelched speech. I wonder, too, if due process will be compromised for the sake of liberal political expediency. It’s happening elsewhere across the country on many college campuses while open hate for conservatives is fanned and encouraged. We’ve been the recipient of some of the twisted wrath of those Dobelle wants to protect.

    One of the nuttiest things I noticed was the formation of “a network of safe zones on campus.” What is the crisis that caused this, and why now? The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Student Services Office is now headed by Cameron Miyamoto, a nice and well-intentioned young man who was previously the head of the Gay Liberation Project of the American Friends (Quaker) Service in Hawaii. He is reportedly training people as “allies.”

    All this to address homophobia and “transphobia,” of which one of my Log Cabin Republican associates said, “Oh Lord, they are in clutches of PCism. Transphobia indeed.”

    These are the same people who did nothing to commemorate the 20th
    anniversary of the AIDS epidemic two years ago, and when we took it upon ourselves to do so we were smeared in McCarthyite fashion by these frauds in Hawaii’s Gay Politburo. Self-promotion by these aristocrats at gay pride parades was more important then. I doubt if much has changed since.

    ”Allies Wanted”

    One of the answers to this supposedly potential rash of hate crimes is to recruit and train “Allies” who will hang posters “to indicate a willingness to lend support to people who may need it,” and for those of you with busy lives on the go you can also paste on a logo on a purse, backpack, whatever.

    When we read this it reminded many of the ill-fated “Thumbs Up Hawaii” campaign to boost business that seemed to sputter into nothingness, jokes and irrelevancy almost as fast as it was conceived. Does putting up a poster make you morally superior on the subject of gay rights and inclusion? Stunning. “What that logo means is this is a good place if you’re needing someone to talk to,” Miyamoto is quoted in the piece. Starbucks is a nice place to talk to people, too. “The strongest thing is to be building a more
    positive, visible message on campus. What we’re wanting to do is spread support for a population that is often rendered invisible.” And those that are visible and successful without the blessing plantationist gay-lefties are more often than not targeted for jealous smears. What hypocrites.

    Small businesses, individuals and families in Hawaii are the target of on-going initiatives by liberal and socialistic legislative members bent on micromanaging their hopes, dreams, aspirations. Perhaps we should put up posters so that those feeling threatened will have someone to talk to?

    But what the real problem here is that this whole initiative promotes the stereotype of victimization and co-dependency of gays and lesbians as weak. It also promotes the notion that the “leaders” of Hawaii’s gay community are individuals who have positioned themselves to be taken care of with what are essentially make-work jobs to insulate themselves from the very self-righteous policies they impose on others. There are many gays across this nation and in this state who are entrepreneurs and leaders in philanthropy, the arts, science, business and other sectors. A politically correct elite that is perpetually anti-Republican, Bush-bashing and anti-business relegates them to the back of the bus. They hate two-party political systems, and free enterprise is not high on their agenda. And they wonder why so many of us are quietly walking in droves from their plantation. And they wonder why the U.H. School of Business is not taken seriously either.

    ”Selective Liberal Inclusion”

    Kuumealoha Gomes is the chairwoman of the President’s Commission on
    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex issues. (No, Log Cabin Republicans of Hawaii was not invited to be a part of this … it is called “selective” inclusion, right?) She adds to the contrived nature of this “crisis” by calling for buildings, not the whole campus, to be a “safe zone.” It is not mentioned in the piece, but Gomes is the editor of Da Kine Magazine, the leading monthly magazine known for its liberal-left slant, which is never announced, and one not friendly at all to gay conservative pro-business Republicans.

    So much for fair and balanced reporting. Gomes and others at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center would never report them, but some of the greatest problems are gay-on-gay bashing, the drug epidemic, promiscuity, gay-on-gay assaults, and most importantly HIV and AIDS. Gays have a terrible image problem. The censorship espoused by Gomes and her friends on the left-establishment makes open discussion severely hampered. And that keeps them in charge. The level of self-hate in Hawaii’s gay community is astounding, and the suppression-politics from some of its anti-aloha thought-police aficionados among the coldest around. And the response by the establishment is to stick their heads in the sands and hope the tradewinds will drive it all away. And as for balanced viewpoints, the Henry Ford “you can have your car any color you want as long as it is black” mentality reigns supreme.

    Gomes calls only for “the mandatory expulsion of students who cause physical harm to another because of gender identity or sexual orientation.” If it were us we’d be calling for equal protection and due process for all, even for those who may not welcome gays. Let’s do it now. That’s the true nature of inclusion.

    ”Send Your Aloha to Honolulu Law Enforcement Officers”

    We were particularly annoyed when it was portrayed in this piece that going to the police is “very scary,” a “hard option.” No, it is not. It’s a necessary option, and one that anyone who is injured or attacked should do without hesitation. I know and have met Honolulu law enforcement officers, and they are truly among the best in this country. We’re proud of them. The level of professionalism, service and compassion these men and women offer daily is worthy of better than fear tactics. And as recent history has shown, some have lost their lives in the line of duty. Reading such twisted sentiments must embarrass and perplex gay or straight cops alike. You are not alone.

    ”Lorri Jean of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Quits”

    This month Lorri Jean, who was recently in Hawaii, resigned as executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The Washington Blade reported that she quit “because her original commitment to the board, which recruited her for the position, was to stay as long as it took to stabilize the group’s finances and programs.” It also reported that she resigned less than a month after a “restructuring” plan was implemented. That plan entailed three staff layoffs of positions “not essential to the group’s new
    emphasis on building a well-oiled field operation to help train activists in cities and states.” It was further reported that concerns were expressed that those layoffs were “intended to help Jean balance the budget and put the group in the best possible financial light at the time of her departure.” Could you imagine the outcry if these were pro-business gay or straight Republicans?

    ”No Furniture in the Governor’s Residence”

    Would someone care to opine as to why Hawaii’s feminists are so silent about the lack of furniture in the new governor’s mansion? Rep. Mark Moses, R-Kapolei, was right to suggest that Gov. Lingle’s Republican party affiliation is key to the Democratic-controlled Legislature withholding funds to pay for furniture. It really is embarrassing that the Legislature has become this petty. Many never got out of high school it seems.

    But with all the talk over the years of a lack of pay-parity and equality between professional men and professional women, I would think that Hawaii’s feminists would be up in arms. Lingle is the first woman to govern Hawaii since Queen Lilioukalani, and no man in the territorial or statehood eras had ever been so maltreated. It’s shameful and it ought to stop now.

    One friend opined with his thoughts. “I originally thought that the
    root-problem was that the Hawaii Democratic legislative majority lacks decorator sense and interior design taste. It is clear that Hawaii’s furniture retailers are not government-run socialist and labor union-controlled entities. I now have reason to believe that the problem may run deeper than this.” Another thought it all might be retribution against those that may have supported Lingle in her election bid. The ”’Honolulu Star Bulletin”’ was right to call for our legislators to grow up.

    Another opined: “Why not invite the producers of the Discovery Channel reality show ‘Trading Places’ be flown here to tape a show. This will surely do wonders to highlight Hawaii’s architectural heritage and showcase the Aloha State as a desirable vacation destination, particularly to America’s decorator and interior design community. What it will say about the unequal treatment of women political leaders is another story.”

    “I think,” he continued, “that Republicans with interior design and
    decorator backgrounds should be allowed to decorate and furnish the offices of those Democrats in the Legislature that voted against furnishing the governor’s residence. Republican volunteer teams will be organized with a two-day span to plan, execute and finish the office assigned to them, each working with a Hawaii-based interior decorator. Democrats, on camera, will be brought to their newly redecorated office at the State Capitol with eyes closed until they are signaled to open them. They will be forced to live with the results for the remainder of their terms in office.”

    The Log Cabin Republicans have received confidential reports of rumors in the gay community that leftist gay activists and appeasers of the Hawaii Democratic Party have threatened to dangle their Democratic representatives from the railings surrounding the Capitol rotunda in Honolulu should they vote to furnish the new governor’s mansion while Lingle is in office. Michael Jackson-famed journalist Martin Bashir and a camera crew are
    reportedly en route.

    And so it goes. God bless America!

    ”’Jeffrey Bingham Mead is the head of the Log Cabin Republicans of Hawaii and can be reached via email at:”’ mailto:jmead@aloha.net

    Hero or Scoundrel – You Vote – Education Chairman Norman Sakamoto Said He'd Support Governor's Education Plan, But is Not-This After the Governor Thanked Him Publicly for His Support Less Than Two Days Ago

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    Senate Education Committee Chairman Norman Sakamoto, D-Moanalua, gave his word to Gov. Linda Lingle and those in favor of her education platform that he would pass her bills out of committee without amendments that would destroy the original intent.

    Now he has changed his mind and broken his promise.

    As of yesterday, bowing to pressure from his Democrat caucus, he pulled language from the education bill preventing the governor

    Hero or Scoundrel – You Vote – Education Chairman Norman Sakamoto Said He’d Support Governor’s Education Plan, But is Not-This After the Governor Thanked Him Publicly for His Support Less Than Two Days Ago

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    Senate Education Committee Chairman Norman Sakamoto, D-Moanalua, gave his word to Gov. Linda Lingle and those in favor of her education platform that he would pass her bills out of committee without amendments that would destroy the original intent.

    Now he has changed his mind and broken his promise.

    As of yesterday, bowing to pressure from his Democrat caucus, he pulled language from the education bill preventing the governor

    Fighting for Equality in Funding, Establishment of Charter Schools a Major Challenge at Legislature-Democrat Lawmakers Waiver in Support, While U.S DOE Rep. Demands Respect for Charter Schools, Choice in Education, Threatening to Pull $6 Million in Federal Grants from State

    0

    “Laura Brown Image”

    Parents, students, teachers and charter school representatives are fighting at the state Legislature to get Democrat lawmakers, including the chairs of the education committees in the House and Senate, to support charter schools, including the establishment of more charter schools and equitable funding for them.

    On the line, beside the closure of many of Hawaii’s charter schools and the failure of the progress of the choice in education movement, is $6 million in federal funding in jeopardy of being pulled by the U.S. Department of Education. A representative from the U.S. Department of Education, Dean Kern, recently flew to Hawaii from Washington D.C. to meet with Hawaii lawmakers about furthering choice in education and supporting charter schools, in accordance with to Pres. George W. Bush’s plan for America’s education system.

    Kern told HawaiiReporter.com and other lawmakers he met with that he would not hesitate to pull the $6 million in federal funds if Hawaii lawmakers do not show a willingness to support charter schools through equal funding in accordance with what other publicly-funded schools in Hawaii receive. Something he has done in other states. He also expressed concern over the cap of 25 on the number of charter schools allowed to be established in Hawaii.

    Charter school advocate have been lobbying for SB 1700 to be redrafted with language truly favorable to charter schools, rather than damaging.

    They also asked lawmakers to remove uncalled for provisions to establish a 9-member charter school board that would have created competition with the existing State Board of Education, while receiving funds directly without oversight of the Board of Education. Kern says this board should not create additional bureaucracy and be in competition for funds with the Department of Education, rather the board should be in charge strictly of chartering schools.

    Contrary to what Kern and many others in the charter movement said would benefit charter schools, Jim Williams, vice president for Political Action for the Hawaii Charter Schools Network, as well as chair of the charter school, Voyager School, supported in his testimony the ill-conceived amendments.

    Williams’ position, which opposes the federal government’s position, was that “majority leaders” felt that public schools should not have to take “cuts” to pay for charter schools and therefore should receive separate funding from the Legislature. This position ignores the fact that charter schools are in fact public schools and publicly-funded schools, opponents of his position say.

    Williams may have his own professional conflicts that prevent him from doing what is truly best for charter schools, and that seeming conflict concerns key leaders in the charter school movement.

    Williams is listed with the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as the agent for the non-profit Voyager School Foundation, which “distributes its income as determined by the board of directors to Voyager –

    Rally for Justice-Law Enforcement, Republicans Rally for Three Strikes Law to Help Spark Aggressive War on Crime

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    There will be a rally today at noon at the state Capitol in support of passing a three-strikes law for Hawaii, much like that established in California that is credited for helping reduce crime in that state by 40 percent.

    The rally, which is open to the public, is being organized by state House and Senate Republican lawmakers, and will be attended by several of Hawaii’s law enforcement officials, including the brother of recently slain undercover police officer Glen Gaspar.

    Gaspar was shot point blank last month in a Kapolei ice cream shop by a Hawaii man he was trying to arrest who had been previously arrested 52 times, and had 14 felony convictions. Gaspar’s brother will speak on the need to pass the legislation.

    Being billed as the key to the “war on crime,” the three-strikes law has been introduced several times in previous legislative sessions, discrediting opponents’ arguments that Republicans and law enforcement are using an emotional incident like the death of Gaspar to pass new legislation.

    The intent of the legislation, though supported by the governor, the U.S. attorney, the city prosecutor, the state attorney general and the majority of law enforcement personnel in Hawaii, has not been supported by the extremely liberal Democrat majority in the Legislature that has insisted the crime problem in Hawaii needs further study.

    Because there is no three-strikes legislation currently alive in the 38th day of the 60-day session, Republicans in the House, who constitute 15 of 51 members, and Republicans in the Senate, 5 of 25 members, will move to amend current legislation to include a three-strikes law much like that in California and 25 other American states.

    The three-strikes law gives prosecutors an option to prosecute a person with multiple past convictions, and request a life-sentence for that criminal.

    The Hawaii legislation proposed is more limited than the law that is now legal in California, which was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, because Hawaii’s legislation must have involved three felonies, rather than misdemeanors, and there must have been at least one incident of violence against the victim, for the option to be available.

    Those rallying for the law say 60 percent of Hawaii’s crimes are committed by the same handful of people. But because of loopholes in the state law, a shortage of prison space, liberal judges, and a lack of coordination between local and federal law enforcement, those criminals are allowed to walk free.

    Marines Enter Iraq; Baghdad Bombarded

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    The first U.S. and British casualties in the war on Iraq marked a day in which U.S. Marines who crossed from Kuwait into Iraq were met with scant resistance and the surrender of more than a 100 Iraqi soldiers.

    Sixteen British and U.S. troops were killed when their Chinook CH-46E helicopter crashed south of Umm-Qasar in Kuwait at 3 a.m. local time Friday near Highway 801, a British military spokesman in Qatar said. He said there were no U.S. survivors, adding it was British policy to not disclose the fate of its servicemen until their next of kin were notified.

    Officials said the cause of the crash was unknown, but was under investigation.

    United Press International reporter Richard Tomkins, now in Iraq with the Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, of the 5th Marine Regimental Combat Team, crossed into Saddam Hussein’s territory from Kuwait Thursday. On Friday, he reported billowing smoke from torched wells over the al-Ramallah oil fields of southern Iraq and destroyed Iraqi military positions.

    He said the Gas Oil Separation Plant 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the Kuwaiti border was burning fiercely in two places, set alight in an apparent scorched earth move by Saddam’s regime. He also reported at least four natural gas facilities were spewing flame and smoke.

    Bravo Company suffered less than a half-dozen casualties and none of the wounds was life threatening.

    In the first two hours of Friday morning, more than 159 Iraqis had surrendered and more were continuing to approach U.S. troops, turning themselves in, he reported.

    Shortly before the Marines went in Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned that a massive attack to disarm Saddam and remove the Iraqi leader’s regime was imminent.

    “To the Iraqi people, let me say that the day of your liberation will soon be at hand,” Rumsfeld said. “Coalition forces will take every precaution to protect innocent civilians.”

    The United States urged governments around the world to sever relations with Iraq and expel Iraqi ambassadors, while in the United States authorities began detaining Iraqi nationals they believe might pose a security threat and the Treasury announced it was confiscating all non-diplomatic Iraqi financial assets.

    Thirteen more countries publicly acknowledged their support of the U.S. war against Iraq, the Pentagon announced Thursday, bringing the total to 43.

    “The coalition includes nations from every continent on the globe,” White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.

    In separate briefings Thursday, Fleischer and Rumsfeld said they had received reports of three or four oil wells being set ablaze in southern Iraq — a tactic Saddam used in the 1991 Gulf War.

    In other developments Thursday, the Turkish parliament approved a measure giving U.S. planes the right to fly over the country — but it did not grant rights to base U.S. troops in Turkey for use against Iraq.

    Early Thursday Iraq time, the U.S. launched a massive attack on Baghdad targeting the Iraqi leadership. The Washington Post reported Friday Saddam and his two sons may have been inside a compound that was hit.

    The Post quoted an administration official saying, “There is evidence that he (Saddam) was at least injured.”

    It is not yet clear whether the Iraq president was hurt or killed in the attack or if he escaped. A few hours after the attack, Iraqi television showed Saddam in battle fatigues vowing victory against the attackers. The United States was working to see if the man in the broadcast was in fact Saddam and if the appearance was Thursday.

    Last Monday, U.S. President George W. Bush gave Saddam and his two sons, Uday and Qusay, 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war. Iraq rejected the ultimatum. The military action began Thursday a few hours after the deadline had passed.

    Also Thursday, carrier-launched fighter-bombers attacked targets in southern Iraq, particularly around Basra. Targets included anti-aircraft and communications installations as well as artillery batteries.

    In return, Iraqi army units on the southern front fired five large missiles at Kuwait. There were no casualties. Two missiles, believed to be al-Samouds, were fired from the outskirts of Basra. At least one of these missiles was intercepted by a Patriot missile.

    Jordan closed its border with Iraq, though U.N. agencies in Amman said that as of yet there was no Iraqi refugee movement toward the countries bordering Iraq.

    War protests swept the United States and the Arab world, with most governments blaming the United States for the hostilities, although Cairo blamed the Iraqi regime. More than 1,000 people were arrested Thursday in San Francisco.

    Officials in Paris and Russia, long vocal opponents of military action against Iraq, issued statements condemning the attack.

    In a meeting in Brussels Thursday, European Union leaders looked forward to the post-war Iraq, calling on the United Nations to play a leading role in the country’s reconstruction.

    There was some confusion over casualties of the strike in Baghdad. The Red Cross said one person was killed and 14 injured. Jordanian officials said the person killed was a Jordanian truck driver, while Iraqi officials said he was an Iraqi and in Lebanon the Palestinian Liberation Front said one of its officers had been killed.

    Thursday, thousands of coalition troops were poised for action against Iraq. Bush said massive force would be used to make the conflict as short as possible. The coalition forces included 240,000 American, 45,000 British and 2,000 Australian troops.

    An Australian spokesman said Friday Special Forces were operating deep inside Iraq, gathering information on enemy troops movements and identifying key military targets.

    “Our Special Forces task group has transitioned from the battle preparation phase and is now undertaking active operations inside Iraq,” Defense spokesman Brig. Mike Hannan said.

    Prime Minister John Howard sent a personal message to his forces.

    “The government believes that not only is your cause just, it is completely legal and it is in the long-term national interests of our country,” he said in a three-minute video message that was electronically transmitted to the troops.

    On Thursday, Rumsfeld reiterated a message delivered by millions of leaflets dropped near Iraqi forces, suggesting the Iraqis lay down their arms or be killed “protecting a doomed regime.”

    He said the next wave of bombings — the so-called shock and awe attack — would be of a “force and scope and scale beyond anything that has been seen before.”

    The war began after the United States and Britain failed to get enough support at the U.N. Security Council for a resolution that authorized war. France and Russia — permanent, veto-wielding members of the body — threatened vetoes.

    The impasse at the Security Council began last September when Bush told the U.N. General Assembly to confront the “grave and gathering danger” of Iraq — or stand aside as the United States acted. In November, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved the U.S.-sponsored Res. 1441, which authorized the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq and “serious consequences” if Baghdad failed to cooperate.

    Since then, Bush repeatedly said Saddam had lied to the international community and must be disarmed with force. He said if the world body did not act against Iraq, the United States will along with a “coalition of the willing.” He has maintained previous U.N. resolutions grant him the power to go to war.

    ”’With reporting by Richard Tomkins with the 5th Marines, Kathy Gambrell from the White House, Pamela Hess from the Pentagon, Tom Houlahan in Washington, Seva Ulman in Ankara, Turkey, Elizabeth Bryant in Paris, Gareth Harding in Brussels, Martin Walker in Kuwait City, and Hussein Hindawi in London.”’

    Copyright 2003 by United Press International. All rights reserved.