Musings: Fact-Finding and Terrorists

The Joint Fact Finding Group has again delayed its initial report on “Pesticide Use by Large Agribusinesses on Kauai.”

The draft report was due out today, with a public briefing set for Jan. 11.

But both the report and public briefing have been delayed indefinitely. As group facilitator Peter Adler noted in a press release:

Both have been deferred to allow additional time for the gathering and analysis of data, due to unforeseen circumstances. Both events will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Hmm. Intriguing.

The group, which began meeting last March, is looking at:

Quantitatively, what are the actual agricultural “footprints” Kauai’s seed companies occupy and farm?

What pesticides do they use, in what quantities, and at what rates?

Are there detectable and measurable human or environmental health impacts on Kauai associated with seed company pesticide practices?

If the answer is a possible “yes”, what are the documented health or environmental impacts on Kauai and what should be done?

Is current oversight and regulation effective?

Shifting gears, as the standoff continues in Oregon, where armed militia have occupied buildings at federal wildlife refuge, there's been significant discussion in both mainstream and social media about the terminology used to describe these guys.

The Washington Post called them "occupiers." The New York Times opted for "armed activists" and "militia men.” Others are wondering why they aren't being termed terrorists. Or is that a term reserved only for people of color?

I thought Nathaniel Aka'akamai Mahuka Kahula-Davis had a rather interesting take, contrasting the hands-off approach of the feds in Oregon with the heavy-handed way that state authorities responded to peaceful kanaka on Mauna Kea:

"We fight for our land they bring guns for us."

You can watch his short commentary here.