One
minute you're holding the largely symbolic office of Lieutenant
Governor, and the next you're cruising with the Prez aboard Air Force One, taking the night flight to D.C. to assume your new job as a U.S. Senator.
I'm
speaking, of course, of Brian Schatz, who hadn't even been sworn in
to Dan Inouye's old seat before tossing his hat in the ring
for the 2014 Senate race. And the 2016 race, too. In fact, now he's saying he wants to make the Senate his life's work.
So have
the powers to be in the Democratic Party decided Brian's gonna be our
boy for the next 40 years?
At least
somebody had the balls to finally stand up to Inouye — now that
he's dead. Because I don't think it set well with a lot of people, the idea that Colleen Hanabusa would be named his successor, just because it was his deathbed wish.
And at
least we won't have to pay for, and endure, a special election so the
politicians who aspire to something higher — and don't they all? —
can play musical chairs.
Because
no matter who we send to fill Dan's shoes, we're already screwed. As
in no clout, no seniority, no connections, nobody to do the dirty
business of twisting arms and calling in favors that Inouye did so
well.
There
are lessons for all of us in this.
First,
keep your bag packed so you're ready to go when opportunity knocks.
But remember, you have to actually open the door. And most likely
fill out some paper work first. And never discount the value of
laying the groundwork and engaging in some well-placed hoomalimali to
grease the skids.
Second,
don't cling to anything out of ego. Both Dans should have retired at
least a term or more ago. It's not ageist to recognize the political insanity of having two Senators in their 80s. But both fought the infusion of any new blood and hung on too long, no doubt
thinking they were serving the state as only they could.
Now we'll be
living — voiceless and vulnerable, impoverished and inconsequential
— with those decisions for years to come.
"Now we'll be living — voiceless and vulnerable, impoverished and inconsequential — with those decisions for years to come."
ReplyDeleteyou mean like the kanaka have?
Touche!
ReplyDeleteSchatz is favor of Hawaiian recognition --- Akaka Bill. But here is a you tube of Russell MEans saying why the Bureau of Indian Affairs is so messed up:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVANRroxuOo
Schatz will vote however they tell him to vote.
ReplyDeleteYhea it was self-serving of Inouye and Akaka to stay in office until 88. They should've put the welfare of Hawaii before their careers. To think Inouye intended to run again in 2016 is downright arrogant. Did he really think he was invincible or indispensible? That no one else could do better than him? Why on earth do we not have term limits for Congress? It's ridiculous to let them run term after term as in Inouye's case. Their position of power gets to their head and now we have Shatz thinking that he's going to make it the rest of his career as a senator.
ReplyDeleteKanakas, Egyptins, women in India all have a voice. You must take it to the streets and see if you have support!
ReplyDeleteThe ironies of political life: if Hooser had just stayed put in the senate, as senate president he would have now been handed the position he wanted (lt gov) on a silver platter.
ReplyDeleteHooser's ambition exceeded his abilities.
ReplyDeleteHawaii is not voiceless or inconsequential. 2 Senate votes at the margin is meaningful. And it's only a matter of a short time before the seniority builds.
Besides, maybe the MI Complex will take a well deserved hit in Hawaii. Maybe we can see the end of the waste at PMRF for example. Shut that crap down.
9:10 AM
ReplyDeleteThanks for that video of Russel Means.Heʻs so young in this video.
Thereʻs another one of him (in "The United States of Hypocrisy")just a few years ago when he speaking for the Lawful Hawaiian Governemnt.
Does it really benefit Hawaii to have a moron take Inoye's seat? Even if he does think himself educated and smart?
ReplyDeleteHooser is done. He is nothing but a complainer at this point
ReplyDeleteIt was people like Dan Inouye that made Hawaii such a nice place for all of you to move here and capture your own slice of paradise.
ReplyDelete"......people like Dan Inouye that made Hawaii such a nice place for all of you to move here and capture your own slice of paradise...."
ReplyDeleteIf this is "paradise" I guess the problems with Meth, alcohol, and having the highest rates of diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart disease in the nation.....?
He supported military expansion on the Islands and brought more money, more pollution (land,air and sea)...to help support the over bloated state and local government...
and opened the door for Syngenta, Pioneer and other polluters to experiment on the people of Hawaii with Franken-seed crops.
Your commenters have a strange perspective. Hooser is back working on local politics, which is best for Kauai. Yeah he is done in the Senate, but that works best for us here on kauai. Gary is smart, and speaks up. He will not need 2 years to get up to speed, he already is up to speed.
ReplyDeleteBrian Shatz aint no dummy either,he is Young and articulate
Brian and Gary are two of the the very few smart, political savy and dedicated political leaders we ever have in the state. Happy that Brian was appointed as our US senator, and Gary is back to serve the people of Kauai.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
ReplyDeleteGary is not smart. He's pleasant and seems honest, but smart? Nope.