It's
been a spectacular multi-act play that I've had the pleasure of
witnessing for several mornings running now, this drama of a steadily
waning moon cozying up with sparkling Venus and the glowing orb of
Jupiter as Aldebaran, Betelgeuse and Pleiades look on. Today the
moon, not long risen, had whittled itself down to a golden sliver
that was still bright enough to illuminate the whole of the sphere.
Most
people have been sleeping through the show, with no clue as to what's
happening right outside their window, just as most of us had no
clue the Navy and our supposed allies were bombing two ships into
oblivion this weekend right off our coast.
The
Star-Advertiser gives us an account of
the carnage involved with Saturday afternoon's sinking of the
helicopter carrier New Orleans, 70 miles
northwest of Kauai, where another big ship was sunk in the 2010
RIMPAC:
[I]t
was pummeled by at least seven Harpoon anti-ship missiles [at a cost
of $1.2 million each], and then was finished by deck guns from a
firing squad of ships from the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada and
France. In between, an Air Force B-52 bomber dropped a laser-guided
500-pound bomb onto the 603-foot amphibious ship.
The
Navy, which doesn't like to talk about RIMPAC ship sinkings in
environmentally sensitive Hawaii, said the New Orleans was deep-sixed
in 15,000 feet of water.
So military reporter William Cole doesn't press and instead just regurgitates the Navy's shibai:
[A]ircraft
spent 2 1/2 hours clearing the area. Surveys were conducted to ensure
that a "minimum range area" was clear and that marine
animals were not in the vicinity, officials said.
Right. I'm sorry, but I just don't believe you can unleash firepower like that without also destroying marine life. And since the Navy does everything to excess, the Niagara Falls was sunk in a similar
live-fire bombardment earlier Saturday, about 63 miles off
Kauai's southwest coast.
This is just a preview of what's to come on a regular basis, folks, if the Navy proceeds with its plans to greatly ramp up training exercises in Hawaiian waters.
This is just a preview of what's to come on a regular basis, folks, if the Navy proceeds with its plans to greatly ramp up training exercises in Hawaiian waters.
Conservationists, meanwhile, are suing the Environmental Protection Agency for
its "ongoing failure to adequately regulate a federal ship
sinking program that pollutes the sea with toxic chemicals."
There's
something seriously wrong with a system that allows the Navy to
poison the ocean, but convicts a man who tries to stop iwi kupuna
from being dug up for a new shitter in a state park. But has been the story since the 1893 overthrow, since the
Navy's got the guns....
I loved Jim Alalem's quote following his conviction, because it extends to those of us who are working on behalf of the environment: “I am not sorry that I stood up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.”
Meanwhile, ABC News reports on the Navy's supposed “green tech innovation” for the 2012 RIMPAC (emphasis added):
Some
of these efforts will be showcased on July 18, when the Navy tests a
carrier strike force using alternative fuels...
The ships and aircraft will be powered
by either nuclear or
advanced biofuel blends...
Are
you starting to get the picture now? Especially since the Navy's Pacific Command accounts for 20 percent of the Islands' energy demand and Congress is
squawking about the $26 per gallon price tag of those biofuels...
In
other news of Hawaii's polluting industries, Syngenta is displaying
its paranoia by installing a new security system at its Kekaha GMO seed processing and production facility. The move was reportedly prompted by the publication of photos depicting restricted areas in “an anti-GMO blog.”
Kinda
makes you wonder what they got to hide, yeah?
Prying eyes aren't Syngenta's only fear. The company told all its contractors they
had to be off-site by 2:30 p.m. last Thursday to avoid conflict with
anti-GMO protestors who were expected to stage a demonstration. Must be their mole got the info mixed up. The protest was held
at the Syngmo facility on Oahu. But still, two KPD cars and two
private security guards were there at Kekaha in anticipation.
Here's
some good news, though: A GMO labeling initiative will be on the
November ballot in California, where surveys show 90 percent of folks
favor labeling. I'm sure the GMO companies will be spending millions
trying to derail that initiative, because if a big state like Cali
requires labeling, well, the food processors are just gonna have to
go along....
And
finally, judging from the Facebook photos, county Prosecutor
candidate Justin Kollar had a sizable turnout at his fundraiser
yesterday, with well-connected folks like retired judge Alfred Laureta, Rep. Derek
Kawakami and Jiro and Jenny Yukimura in attendance, along with Gary
Hooser, Joel Guy, Lani Kawahara, Dickie Chang, a whole slew of
attorneys and of course, the mayor and Gary Heu. Is it possible
Justin just might win this election after all?
I
noticed the Chamber is hosting a forum for Council candidates
tomorrow evening. Since the greater interest and action is with the
prosecutor's race, it sure would be great to see a debate between
Justin and Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho.
Aircraft carrier has green fuel, but what about all of the ships of the other nations? What percentage?
ReplyDeleteFeel safe with all of those floating nuclear reactors out there?
They going to use depleted uranium missiles/rockets/bullets to sink the ships? How about to blow up the little island?
Was DU in their EIS?
http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/default.aspx?RootFolder=%2fShared%20Documents%2fEA_and_EIS_Online_Library&View={F4E3E6A9-2607-49FC-B7A5-2928B79F10B4}
ReplyDeletedon't know - but you can look them up...
Depleted Uranium will be Hawaii's Newest Public Health Disaster, It's a crime against Humanity.
ReplyDeleteHiroshima, Nagasaki, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, United States of America hawaii and other countries has experienced the cancers, multiple cancers, Birth Defects, and many deadly health ailments from Depleted Uranium.
Research Depleted Uranium and it's effects and know the hidden facts about a deadly weapon. It will destroy the sea life and human population in Hawaii for many years as it has in many other countries.
This is a International Crime and a Crime against Humanity.
Having politicians at your function don't mean anything. They are just being politicians. I don't see any pictured with the candidate. A debate between the two would be
ReplyDeleteInteresting
I don't think Shaylene has the courage to publicly debate Justin.
ReplyDeleteI say the county should sponsor a debate between these two with the winner getting free martinis from Cocaineyards and Jake Delaplane will volunteer to be in a county vehicle as a designated bitch boy driver.
DeleteShaylene has to consult with her attorney before she debates Justin. She wouldn't want to take the fifth during the debate.
ReplyDeleteWho was at Shay's fundraiser? A&B gave her $700. Grove Farm's Mike Tresler gave her $200. Ale Quibilan $200. Lianne Parangao $165.
ReplyDeleteb
ReplyDeleteA KPD Officer on paid sick leave involved in the Chief's fiesco working at Kollers fund raiser.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
Yep.
ReplyDeleteNews just in marine mammals can close there ears. (NYTimes) Unlike their earthbound cousins who have to hear all the meanless babble, rants and sirens.
ReplyDeleteJust plain meanless.
ReplyDeleteSomeone please ask Oprah!!!
ReplyDelete