Monday, February 1, 2016

Musings: Educated But Misinformed

It came as no surprise to learn that contempt of court, domestic violence and substance abuse are the top three crimes on Kauai.

But what do those stats, which speak to anger, depression, alienation, addiction, poverty and a lack of personal responsibility, say about the true state of our island? Especially since they stand in such sharp contrast to the popular image of Kauai as “paradise.”

Most troubling was Prosecutor Justin Kollar's shocking revelation that his office receives more than 500 domestic violence cases a year, with the majority involving alcohol or drug use. Sadly, many of the adults now abusing family members, drugs and alcohol were themselves victim of abuse.

In short, a helluva lot of folks are hurting on this little island, a tragic fact that's forgotten as people and politicians bicker about barking dogs, chimney smoke, traffic, TVRs and pesticides. Activists are totally freaked at the mere prospect of being exposed to ag chemicals, but say nothing about the real and documented harm being inflicted daily on folks by drugs, booze and their most intimate associates.

Though these cases are tallied as crime stats, they're not going to resolved by enforcement or incarceration. It's all about prevention, education and treatment at a personal and community level — something that's going to require a serious re-ordering of priorities.

On a brighter note, Lee Cataluna had a lovely piece on the HC&S workers in the Star-Advertiser this weekend. My favorite lines:

In today’s Internet-educated but misinformed world, people think of plantation workers as unskilled, mistreated and stuck in terrible jobs. That is not true, particularly in areas like the machine shop. Here, they are as skilled as surgeons and as courageous as warriors.

Speaking of Internet-educated but misinformed, three scientific papers that reported harmful effects to animals fed genetically modified (GM) crops are being investigated for data manipulation.

Italian Senator Elena Cattaneo, a neuroscientist at the University of Milan, found what appear to intentionally manipulated images. University of Georgia plant geneticist Wayne Parrot also spotted the doctored images, as well as one used in a 2006 paper. An investigation is under way, with results due out later this month. As Catteneo noted:

The case is very important also because these papers have been used politically in the debate on GM crops.

Then I saw this, posted by the Executive Director of the Pesticide Action Network on the group's website. following her participation in the so-called “Food Justice Summit” in Hawaii: 

Five of the world’s six largest genetically engineered (GE) seed and pesticide corporations field-test new GE crops on Hawai'i farmland. These seeds, often designed for use with specific pesticides, require repeated applications of harmful pesticides like atrazine, paraquat and chlorpyrifos. Farmworkers and residents of communities adjacent to the GE test fields — children, especially — are most at risk for health harms from drifting pesticides and contaminated water.

I went on a “toxic tour” of Waimea, on the west side of Kaua’i, and was stunned to see how close people’s homes are to some of the highest concentration of restricted-use pesticides in the whole country.

This is the kind of propaganda that is being intentionally disseminated about present-day agriculture in Hawaii, where there has in fact been no documentation of “drifting pesticides” or “contaminated water.” But through the use of manipulated language — “most at risk” — she creates fear without actually verifying any harm.

The group also published a statement on the Summit, which includes some blatant lies: 

These corporations are holding Hawaiʻi’s people hostage. [They] divert and contaminate this most precious and important common resource, leaving quality agricultural lands and key habitats without a source of water. Parts of the archipelago are sprayed as much as 250 days per year, or seven out of ten days year round. Companies have fought even basic notification rules so that families and schools are unable to protect their children from regular chemical exposure.

Come on. We have been over this same ground so many times, and all of these points have been shown to be false. Yet still these groups continue to perpetuate them. The statement concludes:

The fight to end the overuse of chemical pesticides and their increasing promotion through genetic engineering begins in Hawaiʻi, and extends around the world.

Now do you see what's at stake in the Islands, and how these groups will stop at nothing to achieve their goals?

Meanwhile, the lowly mosquito is gaining more attention with the “explosive” spread of the Zika virus in the Americas. As Jan TenBruggencate reports on his Raising Islands blog, the virus can be carried by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, and Hawaii has both.

A reader sent a link to a Reuter's article on how genetically modified mosquitoes are helping to reduce mosquito populations in Brazil with the comment:

Possibly of interest to who are against certain things however would like protection from other things.

Indeed. Insecticides are the primary tool used worldwide to knock back mosquito populations that carry such diseases as Zika and dengue. But researchers with Oxitec have modified the Aedes aegypti mosquito so that males die before reaching reproductive age. End result: fewer mosquitoes, reduced pesticide use.

These GM mosquitoes have proven successful during field trials in Brazil, though anti-GMO activists have rallied to prevent such trials in Key West, Fla. However, as Slate reports, while the transgenic mosquitoes are good at suppressing the wild population, they don't eradicate it entirely. The author of the piece, science writer Daniel Engber, advocates eliminating the disease-carrying strains completely by employing various biotech techniques now under study:

We’ve wiped out lots of species in the past, of course, through our blithe indifference to the natural world. It’s tragic that we have no more passenger pigeons, or Tasmanian tigers, or quaggas. But the sky has not (yet) fallen. No one bit their nails when we cleared the world of polio and rinderpest. Should mosquitoes get special treatment just because they’re insects?

Despite disease fears, Engber's idea isn't getting much traction from researchers. He quotes Oxitec field manager Andy McKemey as saying:

“I am enough of an ecologist to be queasy about the idea of eliminating a species.”

Even if it is a mosquito.

64 comments:

  1. Tradewinds and rainfall continue their downward trend, while tourism and real estate sales to buyers in North America and Asia trend up. What's a bigger threat to Hawaii? Pesticides and gmos or climate change brought on in large part by airline travel and all the other activities that drive Hawaii'so economy? We're as vulnerable as the Maldives or Micronesia.

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  2. Lee was raised in a plantation family like I was. For us it was the best of times. We were never rich, but never poor. The rural life style and a guaranteed job was very rewarding.

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  3. As a father of two young daughters, the domestic violence issues scares me. The men of this island tend to think that the girls are their personal property.

    Is it a culture thing? I think so. There needs to be some education in high school about this issue.

    On a simple level, I believe that on a small island where the dating prospects are so limited, it is difficult for young men to let go of their girlfriends since they are scarce to find and, more likely than not, to hook up with someone they know. (You do not fight over fish when so many fish are around you, so to speak).

    Also domestic violence is also a power issue. Many uneducated men feel powerless and resort to violence.

    There is a beautiful little old lady who sells many things at the KCC Saturday Famers Market whose hands are worn and tattered from being overworked. Ask her about "her story" she will tell you she works many jobs and is/was building her house (literally with her own hands) because her daughter's boyfriend burnt it to the ground after she broke up with her and they unfortunately did not have insurance. He went to jail for only a couple of months but will take her years to get back on her feet. Just another sad domestic violence/crime issue on Kauai. One of many.

    Remember Sandy G too?

    Parents of Kauai we need to teach our sons it is not OK to resort to violence of any knd, especially against your loved ones.

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    1. I remembered Sandra Mendonca and how the dirty pigs ripped off her Remember Sandy sticker that was on my vehicle.

      What about all the unsolved murders?

      Kauai can't stop at one or two.

      Delete
    2. Lauren Kagawa was a victim of domestic abuse and where's the outrage.

      Because the culprit was a former KPD rapist pig that's why. Protect and serve Code Blue = KPD Blue.

      Delete
  4. An interesting article today in Forbes on the choices we may have to make; life is not black and white and it's not easy:

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/judystone/2016/02/01/mosquito-wars-update-would-you-choose-gmo-mutants-pesticides-dengue-or-zika-viruses/#3255aa726b11

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  5. Those stats on domestic violence and drugs mirror national statistics on increasing mortality among working class men nationally. Basically related to stagnating wages. The key thing is tests of GMO mosquitoes indicate population declines of 80 to 90 percent. (one test in Brazil it was 92 percent). But anti GMO oppo in Brazil led to the cancellation of further tests. Now with the rise of a terrifying new disease they are back. But consider, if there had been no GMO opposition, then their use would have proceeded, and no disease outbreak. The anti GMO campaigners have a lot of human rights abuses to answer for. From blindness in developing countries because of their opposition to golden rice, to this new outbreak.

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  6. "Activists are totally freaked at the mere prospect of being exposed to ag chemicals, but say nothing about the real and documented harm being inflicted daily on folks by drugs, booze and their most intimate associates."

    What a shameless piece of propaganda. First, they are not "totally freaked" - no more than you are when you whine and moan about activists, air b&b, tvr's, etc. And how do you know they "say nothing.."? That's as idiotic as writing that Martin Luthor King was "totally freaked" about civil rights, and criticizing him for not saying anything about domestic abuse. And who by the way are "they"? You engage in the demonization you then attack them for. Total case of projection.

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  7. There is no explosion of land sales to mainland people. It is a steady clip. A steady drip.
    Da Hoos and especially JoAnn Yukimura are examples of two career politicians that contribute to this trend. Their anti-local housing/development agendas hurt the regular folks the most. Mainland people have made money in more economically advantaged places and want a piece of paradise. Its America, and this is happening in many desirable places.
    The Council can add 300 to 400 available lots immediately, just by bringing back the Tehada CPR rule. The Ag pieces involved are not viable as Ag, maybe some back yard farming but not as real Ag.
    It is sickening that families are living in multi-generational homes with 10 cars in their driveway and streets.
    Open up the zoning. Beg big land to cut loose some parcels for homes.
    Get rid of Da Hoos and JoAnnm, two of the most anti-local sold out politicians ever.
    Might as well get rid of Mike Dahlig and his gang of BSers as well...........shucks, get rid of the Mel, Arryl, Kipukai and Ross..these four have the power to create housing, create educational programs, create drug and violence counseling with our limp-wrist Prosecutor, fix the roads..lean on the State to leave the Kuhio Highway cones up all day, lean on the State to improve State Highways.
    And Mel and his BFFS will guaren-ballbearanz raise the GET...they forgot that the gas tax, increased Vehicle Tax and the 20 percent increase in property tax revenues IS ALL EXTRA money to the County, but like tweedly dee and tweedly dough the Council fo' twiddle their thumbs and beg fo' mo'...dough.
    The budget has doubled, the County personnel has doubled, there are more 100K incomes on the County payroll than there are Zika mosquitoes in Hilo.
    And yes Lee Cataluna is correct. The Plantation people had skills beyond belief. Bring back the Lunas, the hana wai guys, the old palntation shop "grade 9" carpenters and mechanics....put the County under their control.
    Hard for belleb...but our Council guys, all from Plantation influence could fergit the many benefits and talents of the old ways.
    Maybe sweep the Council and bring back Tim Bynum, bring in Felicia, Baby Hoos and the Anti-ilk groups...at least the quarter billion dollars being squandered by our ivory tower overlords. At least the mis-spent County money will be lavished on a new cadre of County insiders...the insiders we have now..are manini dog-barking, chimney smoking, all talk and no do nothings.
    A quarter of a BaBillion dollars of money frittered away. And they still want more. Election year is now. Mel keep a grip on your boys. If a glimmer of memory lurks in the voters over-taxed mind, y'all should be voted out. So much wasted talent. And Mel, the newcomers are all voting for Baby Hoos, Papa Hoos, Felicia and JoAnn, because their anti-stance fits right in to the nimby and raise the drawbridge syndrome..

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  8. Why do you bring MLK into this? Don't try to compare the antis to MLK.

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  9. for information, try googling THEECOLOGIST and read about Pandora's box. It stimulates the brain and gets one to think, hey maybe there is some relationship to the gm mosquito.

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  10. Election coming. Let the self-promoting press releases begin.
    Who feels safer, really?

    500 domestics per year. Probably thousands of drunk drivers. Are conviction rates higher? Is anyone asking if Mr. Kollar is doing a better job than the person he replaced? I just was in court for my own case and that prosecuting attorney in there she was awful. Judge was scolding her all over the place.

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    1. Didn't see any press releases on the county site. Oh wait, maybe you're just trolling. Because yes, there's not ten serious people on this rock who don't think Justin isn't doing a better job.

      Delete
    2. Anybody for PA would have been a better choice than ShayMel.

      Heck even Wally Wilson would have been better. LOL JK

      Delete
    3. 6:21 let's see. Ten reasons why Justin is doing better than Shaylene: 1. Jake is not the first deputy. 2. Jake is not an employee. 3. No lawsuits by past victim witness counselors. 4. No lawsuit by current victim witness counselor. 5. No lawsuit by deputy prosecutors. 6. No lawsuit by council members. 7. Hasn't taken the fifth. 8. Hasn't been seen being a drunken fool. 9. Hasn't required hundreds of thousands for settlement of numerous lawsuits. 10. Hasn't cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands in legal fees.

      Delete
  11. My child or dog should not risk death by wandering into a cornfield.

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  12. 6:22-- They aren't unless they get hit by a car on the way.

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  13. 6:22 Your dog should be on a leash and your kids shouldn't be wandering around trespassing on other people's property.

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  14. Death penalty for trespass?

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  15. Do you actually believe entering a corn field results in automatic death?

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  16. I thought I read that the workers that wandered in without a leash had to be treated in the I C U..

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  17. 6:52 Yes, just as if you entered a home that was being tented and fumigated. Sometimes stupid acts result in harm to yourself and others, and you have only yourself to blame.

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  18. Truthful communication is hard to come by. Common Sense is hard to come by. Lot of things are hard to come by.

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  19. Those fields should be tented ; if medical marijuana has to be grown indoors for health Dept regs, then it follows that these 'for-GMO seed and plant poisons'should be contained as well .

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  20. 8:05 -- This is another example of the distorted though process that stems from ignorance and/or misinformation. It's like putting 1 and 4 together and getting nine.

    First, there is no such thing as "GMO seed and plant poisons." The plants that are growing in those fields are not harmful to anyone's health. You may object to pesticide use, but it's applied in the same manner as is used in open fields all over the nation. And contrary to claims made by activists, there is no experimental pesticide testing going on. That is actually done in closed facilities on the mainland.

    Second, DOH is requiring the medical marijuana to be grown indoors to improve security and reduce the potential for theft. It has nothing to do with any health issue.

    And 7:09, that ICU claim was speculation and rumor-mongering on the part of anti-GMO activists. It was never confirmed, due to health privacy regulations, and is extremely unlikely, considering that all the workers were quickly back on the job.

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  21. Which health privacy information rule is broken if the hospital confirms admittance to ICU of unidentified persons? I thought a name was needed for privacy to be breached?

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  22. So many things in this post.
    Bulletin to the Pesticide Action Network: There are no crops with engineered genetic resistance to atrazine, paraquat or chlorpyrifos. Those are chemicals used in agriculture around the nation. Glad you took your "toxic tour" but wish you'd dispense with the toxic misinformation.
    Re mosquitoes. They may be native somewhere, but they're not native here. They spread dengue and other human diseases; they also decimate the native forest birds with avian pox and avian malaria. The loss of our forest birds is a tragedy of global proportions. We need to be careful in mosquito control that we don't use methods that impact wanted insects, but don't shed a tear for the mosquito. This state would be better off without them.

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  23. 2:36 garan balbaranz u wrong on your GET prediction it ain't passing so try doing some homework because you sound like a 2491 redshirt when you make stupid predictions

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  24. Joan you are mistaken. The vast majority of the corn growing in those fields is not approved for human consumption. It is either "GE Test" corn, or animal feed, or ethanol corn. None is approved for human consumption (except tiny plots perhaps the company grows to give out to the community at events etc). And you are also wrong about experimental pesticide use. These companies have several experimental use permits and those have been published publicly somewhere in the local media and discussed at the 2491 hearings.

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  25. 8:25 "Second, DOH is requiring the medical marijuana to be grown indoors to improve security and reduce the potential for theft."

    Improve security? Medical marijuana patients have been growing outdoors on Kauai for years and yet convictions for theft of marijuana plants doesn't come close to shoplifting convictions. Enclosing something in walls and a roof only increases security if nobody knows it is there. Modern security, guards, surveillance equipment, and high fences work just fine. When is the last time an airplane was stolen from the Lihue Airport? Indoor growing needlessly increases cost of production which is past onto the patient. If the cost gets too high people will shop on the black market. Please let these no-GMO/pesticide-free plants bask in the sunshine as mother nature intended.

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  26. 9:48 As Joan said in a previous post "Don't blame the cops. They can only go by what's in the autopsy report." ....and that report was inconclusive. Just too bad that "they can only go by what's in the autopsy report". Conduct an investigation? You're kidding me right?

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    Replies
    1. Those dirt bags covered up the murders made to look like suicide also.

      How many murders have been made to look like suicide in Kauai?

      People talking get plenty. Sloppy pigs made evidence easy to see that the deaths were murders.

      Delete
  27. 10:57 -- "GE test corn" just means they are seeing if certain traits show up as expected. The corn grown there is for seed corn, which means it will be grown for any number of purposes, including animal feed and ethanol. There's nothing harmful in it, and there is certainly nothing dangerous about any of the plants themselves.

    As for the experimental pesticide use permits, those are for using product x on crop y though it's only been approved for crop w. They are not experimenting with new, unregulated pesticides, or seeing how much pesticide can be applied before a crop dies, etc. That type of experimentation is done in enclosed labs on the mainland.

    This is how stuff gets all blown out of proportion by people hyping the fear factor.

    11:07 -- I couldn't agree with you more. If citizens pressure DOH, perhaps they will remove the ridiculous requirement that med mj be grown only indoors, which will only add to the cost in a place where electricity is so expensive.

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  28. As to the safety of GMO crops, Shiva Ayyadurai, a Livingston High School Hall of Famer and MIT graduate, has issued the following challenge to Monsanto and also to Hillary Clinton- “If Monsanto can disprove the fact that there are no safety assessment standards for GMOs… then I will give them my $10 million building.” Ayyadurai’s multi-million dare revolves around his alleged discovery of the accumulation of high levels of formaldehyde in GMO-engineered plants, and his resulting shock that “acceptable standards for testing” do not exist. "A new study published in the peer-reviewed journal AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES applies modern computational systems biology methods to reveal genetically engineered soy (the GMO) creates significant disruption to the levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and glutathione, an important anti-oxidant necessary for cellular detoxification." Here is his full-position paper- http://www.integrativesystems.org/systems-biology-of-gmos/

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  29. The corn is labeled "not for human consumption". Seems pretty clear to me that people are not supposed to eat it.

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  30. What's ironic is that there were two articles in the Garden Island over the past two days referencing the .5 % GET hike for a multi modal bus expansion, and both articles are blocked from comments. But you can comment on dog whispering, cat whispering, bird whispering and TVR's. Interesting!

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    Replies
    1. TGI is nothing but a garbage tourism paper that is controlled by the Powers on Kauai.

      Delete
  31. @ 2:36 pm, mostly jibberish except for the housing shortage on Kauai. The council members that embrace supporting affordable housing will be the front runners in this election. Off course, we can't lose track of budget and expense responsibilities as well.

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  32. What council members need to learn is how to grab the bull by the horns and get it done. Enough of grabbing the dog by the tail and grabbing the cat by tail. Housing is a big issue for Kauai residents.

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  33. I'm glad you mentioned GE mosquitos. Introducing some form of aggressive GE mosquito into the Alaka'i Swamp is probably the only solution to saving Kauai's endangered forest birds. For example, there may be only 300 Iwi'i left. As temperatures warm, mosquitos are gaining ground at higher altitudes. And avian malaria, carried by mosquitos, as you know, is the primary cause of death for Kaua'i's forest birds- followed by feral cats and rats. It will be very sad to hike the Alaka'i swamp and not see the iconic native birds of Kaua'i we have come to love. And, it may well happen in our lifetime without using best cutting edge science and resources. Again, future generations will ask, Why?

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  34. It is ironic that these crazy smoking dopers are worried about GMO. Everyone knows that grass was severely altered. And the fertilizer? Artificial lights? Growth hormones, etc?

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  35. Saw one of the first Banana. Was really cute. Three inches long by an inch in diameter. Had seeds inside and was very stringy. It is a wow compared to the ones at the market. Some smart guy/gal got the seeds out and made it longer without the strings. It is a great Banana now. Just like a whole bunch of stuffs made good. GMO? If it is thank you.

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  36. 1:51 and 1:53. How does a broke county council create more affordable housing? More buses? With no money, what, magic? Why don't you jump in the next election and show what you can do? Talk is cheap, you want this, you want that, show us how! Jibberish yourself.

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    1. So for the last 8+ years the county has been operating without any funds?

      All of this big talk during election and these big mouths ain't got nothin done. But hey if the BS works then why stop if it gets you elected.

      These jokers on council are lame ducks. Barking dog and smoke law get the F$&K outta he's with that BS.

      You people got most of the Kauai zombies fooled but not everyone is being played by you hilarious clowns on county tv.

      Delete
  37. the voters said Kollar was better than Shaylene.
    That does not necessarily mean he is better than his current opponent. Plenty KPD is plenty disappointed.
    No one could think Lisa Arin would return to the Shaylene scandals and lawsuits.
    She might make the OPA and the Courts run better. These young assistant prosecutors desperately need training and perspective, but top brass at OPA does not have the experience to give either. One threw a pen Bynum style in Court the other day.
    Mr. Kollar should be pressed on the continuing high turnover rate.
    Ms. Arin should be pressed to reveal who her top management would be.

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  38. As far as the native birds go, the feral cat population - which has spread to Kokee - needs to be put down. They are the biggest threat to native birds that can be controlled in a cost effective way.

    Interesting ChemChina is looking to buy Syngenta. I would assume they would not be allowed to conduct field research around PMRF, but who knows - PMRF doesnt seem to care much about security anyway. Maybe China wants to add GMOs to their melamine laden dog food. Imagine what they're putting in the food for us - check your labels, dont buy anything from that country.

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  39. 1:23 PM, what are you talking about? It isn't labeled with any such thing. Of course, seed corn isn't generally for eating, not any more than the little packets of pumpkin seeds in the garden section at Wal-Mart. If you eat it, then you can't plant it, can you? But it's perfectly edible, and people eat field corn (the type that has more starch and less sugar than sweet corn), all the time. Cornflakes, corn tortillas, corn nuts, chips, cornbread, grits, all are made from field corn, not sweet corn. And where do you think cornstarch and corn oil come from?

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  40. Hey, 12:48, that clown makes challenges all the time, and then runs away when an offer is accepted. Kevin Folta invited Ayyadurai to participate in university based testing of transgenic corn and soy samples, with analysis by an independent lab. Ayyadurai declined, then moved the goalposts to other demands.

    That "peer reviewed" study doesn't show up in recognized journals. Also, for those interested in reading it, it's a proposed computer model that may predict certain chemical levels. He does not disclose what he used for input to his model, nor does he actually test plants to prove his computer theory.

    The link you give is to a company in which Ayyadurai serves as a director and claims the company is his "brainchild". His degrees do not include bioengineering, food science or other relevant sciences. MIT released him from employment due to his false claims that he invented email as a youth in the 1980's, overlooking that development began more than 10 years earlier. Seems to be a recurring problem since he also overlooked actual testing of the plants for the chemical changes he imagines.

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  41. 2/2 @1:23, if you actually saw such a label, then you know it had that text because either (A) it was treated with seed protectant chemicals, or (B) the seed is valuable and in limited quantity and is needed for replanting. But somehow you managed to omit that information, which is SOP for fear-flaming anti-GMO types. Like it said in the novel Dune, "fear is the mind-killer". That's why brain dead people like you chant "Four legs good, two legs baaad..."

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  42. Aloha Joan,

    There's no expectation on my part that you post this comment but I thought that you might be interested in a guest column in today's Honolulu Star-Advertiser. It is titled: "How bias helps Facebook spread falsehoods and paranoia". It is written by someone named Cass R. Sunstein. I don't know who this person is but they pretty much nailed it with this column. I had difficulty finding an electronic link to the article in the Star-Advertiser but found that it was a re-print of a column that originally appeared in the Chicago Tribune last month:
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-facebook-confirmation-bias-misinformation-paranoia-20160108-story.html Undoubtedly it is controversial but it is definitely worth reading by all of the comment contributors to your blog.

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  43. @ 7:26 pm

    You obviously don't know your Kauai history. Affordable housing projects were always done as a joint venture using State and Federal grants and obviously the County would spring for a small portion. But it always got done with the council of the past. Or a .5% GET hike could easily accomplish housing and road repair. But to throw clean money after more busses , wow awesome concept. Awesomely stupid that is.

    Oh and your comment " talk is cheap" ..... That's where you come in. Too funny!



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  44. @8:04...

    Fact. the current OPA first deputy is well-qualified (has prosecuted more jury trials on Kauai than Arin and her running mate Mendes combined), well-liked by her peers and subordinates as well as all judges and court staff. She's humble and hardworking and more interested in doing a good job than having the spotlight.

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  45. 7:15 dummy the GET is restricted by State law for only transportation. Also the Mayor and his Housing department work on affordable housing projects. Please spare me the barfbag, don't give prior councils credit for affordable housing success. Give them credit for passing stupid anti GMO laws that are costing us millions of dollars in attorney's fees.

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  46. Millions in attorney fees? Is that you talking Ross? More like $250,000 over past two years or a tiny fraction of what county spends to pay off harassment and other employee claims. This whole 2491 thing really bothering Kagawa. He can't seem to shake it. I suggest therapy.

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  47. 8:04. Fact check. Incorrect plus the current OPA first deputy has never prosecuted a murder trial.

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    1. Hm, neither has Ms. Arin. And anyways, what exactly does that have to do with managing a $4 million budget, 40-ish staff and intricacies of county burraucracy? Oh right, nothing. And if u wanna know about Mendes supervising skills just ask Maui.

      Delete
  48. 9:49 -- the "whole 2491 thing" really bothers a lot of us. There's a reason why Ross was #1, Gary was #7 and Tim lost completely.

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  49. Tim lost because the voters were sick of his feud with Shaylene. She lost for the same reason.
    Only their lawyers won.

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  50. 10:43. Tim lost because voters were tired of him, all of him.

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  51. @11:01am

    The referenced councils of the past is not referencing the Bynums gang of, who started the anti GMO dilemma. The referenced council actually worked to provide for and support the people of Kauai. The concept is simple , hopefully you can grasp that analogy. And as for transportation, a GET increase could be used for road improvements to alleviate the congestion in Kapaa and the likes then the money's earmarked for transportation could be used for housing. No matter which way you spin your jargon there will always be a formula to do what is right.

    Oh and your aggressions tells me that you are part of the problem.

    Have a great day ....

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    Replies
    1. The county of Kauai has used the consultants formula for decades of show me the money and get years of speculations and not one dime will go to a project to solve Kauai's problems.

      All they are doing is blowing smoke up our asses and laughing all the way to the bank.

      Delete
  52. Tim lost because of 2491 and because he's Tim. Shaylene lost because she self destructive.

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  53. 12:36 pm dummy the congestion on the highways are State responsibility, State highway, duh? You're so clueless, move back to the mainland please.

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  54. @8:40 pm

    Sure the Kuhio Highway is a State Highway. But the bypass is a County project. Block that and see how Kuhio opperates. And I hope you don't think the Kauai County and Legislative teams have no clout with the State Highways and Governor. At Governor Ige's outing last months the State Highways Administrator said " The next project would be to tie in the Kapaa Bypass Project from its Wailua exit to the Kuamoo junction via a dedicated lane. This should clean the flow of traffic through town up tremendously. The only recommendation I have is for you to read local politics 101. You might be enlightened from your simplistic tunnel vision.

    Oh and who's from the mainlands? Do you think that only mainlanders can have an intuitors perspective..

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