Romney the Bully by Marjoire Cohn

Romney the Bully
By Marjorie Cohn
Truthout
May 14, 2012

Last week, I was invited to speak to 40 high school freshman about
human rights. When we discussed the right to be free from torture, I
asked the students if they could think of an example of torture. They
said, “bullying.” A major problem among teens, bullying can lead to
depression, and even suicide. When most people list the qualities they
want to see in their President, “bully” is not one of them.

Yet evidence continues to emerge that Mitt Romney is a bully. When he
was a high school senior at the prestigious Cranbrook School, Romney
orchestrated and played the primary role in forcibly pinning fellow
student John Lauber to the ground and clipping the terrified Lauber’s
hair. The soft-spoken Lauber, it seemed, had returned from spring
break with bleached-blond hair draped over one eye. Romney,
infuriated, declared, “He can’t look like that. That’s wrong. Just
look at him!” Lauber eyes filled with tears as he screamed for help.
One of the other students in the dorm at the time, said, “It was a
hack job . . . It was vicious.”

But instead of owning up to his stupidity and expressing regret at his
bullying attack on Lauber, Romney told Fox News that he didn’t
remember the incident, although he apologized for his pranks that
“might have gone too far.” It’s hard to believe that Romney cannot
recall an incident that others who assisted in the attack have
regretted for years. Or perhaps there were so many more that he
doesn’t recall this one.

Lauber wasn’t the only student Romney harassed. Gary Hummel, a gay
student who had not yet come out, says Romney shouted, “Atta girl!”
when Hummel spoke out in English class. Once again, Romney claims he
doesn’t remember that insult.

In still another high school incident, Romney caused English teacher
Carl Wonnberger, who had severe vision problems, to smack into a
closed door, after which Romney laughed hysterically.

While these episodes demonstrate cruelty, one might dismiss them as
the work of an immature high school prankster. But, unfortunately,
Romney’s bullying didn’t end in high school. Romney is now famous for
driving to Canada with the family dog caged and strapped to the roof
of his car.

Moreover, Romney made a career of bullying when he was head of private
equity firm Bain Capital. Bain would invest in companies, load them up
with debt, and then sell them for huge profits. The companies often
had to lay off workers and sometimes were forced into bankruptcy.

The Wall Street Journal found that of the 77 companies in which Bain
invested while Romney headed it from 1984 to 1999, 22 percent filed
for bankruptcy or went out of business. In addition, Bain hid its
profits in tax havens.

William D. Cohan, a Wall Street deal-adviser for 17 years, wrote in
the Washington Post: “Seemingly alone among private-equity firms,”
Bain Capital under Romney’s leadership “was a master at
bait-and-switching Wall Street bankers to get its hands on the
companies that provided the raw material for its financial alchemy.”
Cohan said Bain “did all that it could to game the system.”

For 28 years, Joe Soptic was a steelworker at Worldwide Grinding
Systems. Soptic told Amy Goodman that after the company was bought out
in 1993, his wife had to quit working, she didn’t have health
insurance, and he couldn’t afford to buy it after his salary was
reduced from $59,000 to $24,800 annually. When his wife became ill
with cancer, she went to a county hospital. When she died, he said, “I
had this big bill.” Soptic was forced to liquidate his 401(k)s, which
are now gone. He lost his job after the company declared bankruptcy
under the control of Bain. While 750 workers lost their jobs, Bain
made billions of dollars in profit. Bain denied workers the severance
pay and health insurance they had been promised, and their retirement
benefits were reduced by as much as $400 a month.

Randy Johnson had worked for nine years at an office supply factory in
Marion, Indiana, when American Pad and Paper, which had been acquired
by Bain, bought out the factory in 1994. Johnson was hired back, but
without a union contract. He lost his pension plan, and his wages and
benefits were reduced. After an unsuccessful effort to negotiate a
contract, the plant closed. Johnson and more than 250 of his fellow
workers were fired. Johnson, who had tried to get Romney’s attention
during the labor dispute, said, “I really think [Romney] didn’t care
about the workers. It was all about profit over people.”

A bully does not care whom he may hurt by his tormenting behavior. He
intimidates the vulnerable for his own benefit, or amusement. He lacks
compassion. Romney fits this profile.

Marjorie Cohn is a professor of law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law
and past president of the National Lawyers Guild. Her most recent book
is, “The United States and Torture: Interrogation, Incarceration, and
Abuse.”

http://truth-out.org/news/item/9111-romney-the-bully

Romney thinks he saved the Auto Industry?

today on the News we saw Mitt the Nittwit claiming credit for the Auto industry's survival. When in FACT REALITY shows over and over. Mitt said let them all go bankrupt and reorganize with private money. But in fact there was NO private money and Obama stepped in and SAVED the Auto Industry in Michigan. Ask the thousands of workers and surronding businesses who saved their jobs.

Let's hope the American public is smart enouh to see the truth.

These are Spooky Times We live in.

 When radical right wingers are holding our Nation Hostage.

by Susan McGeachy on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 12:28pm

The United States Congress has raised the ceiling hundreds of times over the past years. The US Congress has balanced the budget many times without any demand. I can't help feeling like the right wingers are fighting against our President regardless of how hard he tries.

This Congress / those that vote against raising the debt should be impeached.

This is not a game of "we are right or we aren't playing).

It is this new radical breed that want to stop the grandfather clock of time and try to change the access of government; (when they are less then the 1/3 majority of all of the law makers).

The Tea Party is going to teach us a lesson and demand a balanced budget without any tax increases. Unless they are from a Planet other then earth, we really don't see how!!! The Democrates have bent over so far backwards that they are now giving the farm away.

The answer is to bring home all of the troops NOW! and cut the contractors working there. Tax the richest 2% billionaires for corp. jets, cut all the give aways on tax subsidies for oil companies (making billions already).
Stop paying the LAW MAKERS in WASHINGTON NOW!

This congress was sent there to guide our Nation forward, getting the people's business and interests first. Yea before all of the lobbiest (with there power and control).
As an AMERICAN I am embarassed by our Government and lack of consideration for ALL American's.
The Tea Party is right that we want to cut the debt but not TODAY. Pass something and then lazer focus on fixing the jobs, the economy and the damaged image our Nation is having to endure

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment:

Don't forget making the banks lower Americans' home mortgages after reappraising their homes when their entire neighborhood is now in decline and worth less original purchase price.  Allow unions to fight for the employees of big corps now expecting servitude instead of helping Americans make a wage that will allow them to rise above their present status.

Phyllis Chu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment:

What do you think he can do?
    What he can do is "get it" that the the other party is not genuinely    at the negotiating table and wants NOTHING but failure for the black    man and anything he tries to do.
      He can stop acting like they are anything but disingenuous and say    so.  When they say no to things they actually were for in the    past,..that says they aren't there at the table. He can say it is a    shame what they are doing.
     He can stop taking Bonner to play golf!!!!!
      He can say the three programs that help those struggling is OFF    the table,.just as easily as they say the tax loopholes and    corporate welfare for the 2% fat cats is off their table.
       Social security is solvent for 30 years and paid by US!! Why in the hell is THAT on ANY frickin table????  It should not be! This is unbelievable!!!!
     He can say a word of encouragement to protesters who are fighting the union busters and say that these evil people are trying to make campaign money and voting difficult for no other reason that to    stifle Democratic votes!
     He can be as tough as his words were during his campaign.  He could be as tough as a Teddy Kennedy!.
     What we need is someone with a frickin sack!! Like Greyson!  Who wouldnt keep trying to negotiate with people who have no intention of negotiating!  When I see a picture of him sitting with these    fakes and smiling I want throw up!  They hate his guts and have no intention of compromising! Why does Obama keep acting like they are    anything but fake?
     He could come out and say they are obviously NOT interested in    creating a jobs bill,.when this is what is MOST important right    now,...he could say that  it is shameful for this party to hold our    country hostage as has never been done before,,and use what any same leader would do in this situation and use the Bully Pulpit as much  as possible. 
      He could say that they wanted to dilute the stimulous money  because they knew it would HELP the economy,..He could say they arte    using this Debt Ceiling for no other reason than to distract from    what IS most important right now;  JOBS!!!!!
     He could say that their actions show they are not actually anywhere near patriots by their actions!
    Say hey to Sacramento ED!   ;-) 
Mike F.

 Twist some arms? They have been in meetings for  over 8 months and these far right crazies are holding the country hostage.
It is a minority of the population that want the system to crash. These people should all be impeached. Even their fellow Republicans don’t agree with this group.
(Remember them: The ones with the Obama hate signs at all of their meetings? The ones totting guns to their rallies?)

Coqui FROG Hunt in Kona Coastview HELP US!!!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are very lucky to have Vickie Kebler to head up the Coqui Frog control for Kona Coastview and Wonderview. She has spent countless hours hunting down frogs in our neighborhood.

Please talk to your friends and neighbors around you and lets all get together and help Vickie.

We need your help killing them with a machine that costs approx. $1,4000.00. We are currently borrowing a machine. Cash too will help buying citric acid and baking powder.

Hopefully with your help this will fight them off and retain the value of our homes.

 

Mucho Mahalos,

Susan McGeachy

Bill Maher hits the nail on the head.

As the talks stall with the Credit Rating and the People of America being held hostage by this crazy Congress. Please for the good of the Nation and the future of our world, DO the right thing and get our house in order.
Compromise and get rid of the my way or the highway attitude.
It is up to the Republicans to give way to the will of the people.

Tax the richest and stop taking from the poorist.
Can't help feeling like we should be prepareing for the end of times in our generation.

God help us, we are in deep kim chee right now!
What is going to happen in the future! The middle class will be gone and people will become desparate. The times ahead may be one of survival.  This Country is truly going down. Egos will be our demise.

Social Security NEEDS your HELP!

Subject: Social Security needs help

This affects us personally.  Our beloved president has put Social Security cuts on the table for a debt deal with Republicans, because Republicans refuse to roll back tax breaks for the rich and big corporations.  Obama is desperate to stop the government shutdown that Republicans are threatening if Obama doesn't play ball and make a bunch of painful budget cuts.  Obama doesn't know how to negotiate, so he just gives things away.  Now he is saying he would support changes that would reduce the size of annual cost of living increases to social security. Over a period of about 10 years, this would effectively reduce the amount we would receive by about $500 a month, or possibly more.  Hopefully we will still be here in 10 years, and, if so, we will need that $500 a month.   Since Obama is pretty much a lost cause, we need to put pressure on congressional Democrats to reject this plan.  Obama can't do this without them. 

Here is the link:

http://pol.moveon.org/bad_debt_deal/?r_by=28665-14543293-yXcvq_x&rc=bad_debt_deal_letter.email.g0

What is your Health worth?

A few months ago I started getting hot flashes, that lasted and lasted. There were many signs, like swelling ankles, constant headaches, fatigue... I thought I finished the change of life over a year ago and I feel like I am going through it again. I went to my doctor and he ran tests, and called me to get in right away. That worried me. I took a battery of tests, cat scan.... pinched and poked...
Now he wants me to see an Endrocrynologist. He thinks I have a tumor on my adrenal gland. I am not a fan of doctors and think any profession that is called "practicing" is scary. Do they know or are they guessing???
This week I will be going to Oahu to see the specialist. (of course there aren't any on the Big Island so I have to go over there). Your health is very important.
The odd part of this, is that over the last year I have cleaned up my diet and started exercising, and then I get this. go figure!
Just an up date. I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you for your letters, calls and advice. I really apreciate it.
Susan

Osama Bin Laden is DEAD!

American's will never forget 9/11 or any of the other targets that have been attacked. Now we need to stay vigolent and remain on high security. Many people around the world don't like America, and we will stand strong.

Stop supporting Countries that harbor our enimies. Bring our troop home and revie America.

Thank God President Obama has stepped up to the plate and made the bold decision to TAKEM' OUT.
Great Work.

Now the GOP can talk about something other then President Obama's birth certificate.
Thank God for the persistance and the final out come.

Kona Helping Japan with shelter boxes.

Lot's of activity in organizing this Kona,Kona Mauka, Kona Sunrise multiclub Rotary/Interact project to benefit theJapanese with as many Shelter Boxes as we can.  Given our strong sisterclub relationships, it is the least that we can achieve.
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-news/sending-aloha-japan.html 

http://news.nationalpost.com/photo_gallery/photos-of-the-day-march-18-2011/

http://shelterboxusa.org/news.php?id=622

We are up to three so far, and today at Walmart, the project has alreadylaunched out to the Kona public, and they are great.  Last October, theysupported 180 Christmas Care boxes to the US Marines.
Ann Goody has been in contact with the recently commenced Aloha for Japan project based on Oahu,and they are very interested in using some of their statewide collected fundsto also support the Shelter Box Program.  Please if you would, get thismessage out to your contacts, and WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Aloha,
Cliff Kopp
989-7072

Amazing footage of Japan- before and After

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

Kailua Kona Tsunami 3/11/11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91Wh0_yNJhc
some amazing footage of the water coming over the sea wall at Alii Dr.

The State Akaka Bill needs your help

The Hawai`i Senate Is About To Vote On The State Akaka Bills.
It Is Critical That You & Everyone You Know Act Today To Defeat These Bills.
You can make a direct difference and help prevent these fake state Akaka Bills from ever becoming law.
These Bills Would Do Two Major Things -

1. Allow the fake state of Hawai`i to seize the so-called ceded or Crown Lands and immediately sell them to foreign developers for billions of dollars, thus solving the fake stateʻs budget crisis.

2. Set up the Danner sisters and Council For Native Hawaiian Advancement as the ones in charge. They will literally have the power to decide if you and your family are "native Hawaiian" or not. They will be able to decide your future and the future of your `ohana if these bills pass.
Now is the time for a display of strong resistance and outrage that your voice is being ignored on this legislation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO -
* Call all Hawai`i state Senators and tell them to vote NO on SB1 and SB1520, the “First Nation,” tribal government schemes. If they pass out of the Senate, call each House member a tell them to vote NO. Find Their Phone Numbers HERE
* Get your testimonies ready. Be ready to send your testimony in at a moment’s notice and then be there at the hearings to present them in person.
* Keep your testimony simple and to the point (see sample ‘talking points’ below). Now is not the time to preach or ‘educate.’ They are not listening. The legislators need only know that there is fierce opposition to these bills.
Below are the four strongest talking points for your testimony. Pick one or two or use all four. “I am opposed to SB1 and SB1520 because...”
1. The State of Hawai`i has no constitutional power to form a new “indigenous” “First Nation” government. Nothing in the State or Federal constitutions give the State of Hawa`ii the authority to form a new “nation” within the “state.” Thus, if passed, these new fake “nation” entities will be ruled unconstitutional by the courts.
2. This will plunge the state of Hawaii into chaos. It will be divisive and extremely disruptive pitting Hawaiians against each other; Hawaiians against non-Hawaiians; families against families. It would create conflicting jurisdictions between the “Native Hawaiian” tribal government, the State government and the US government.
3. The State of Hawai`i is in a terrible financial crisis. Making the people of Hawai`i pay an unspecified hundreds of millions of tax dollars to implement a rogue tribal governing entity is irresponsible, immoral and illegal. It would be far better use tax dollars to fund the critical needs of current services and infrastructure in Hawai`i.
4. The legislature hasn’t spent the time to carefully consider the ramifications. Prematurely rushing through SB1 and SB1520 with so many more pressing, critical matters, would be a serious waste of time. It would also violate the people’s right to participate in the democratic, decision-making process. Before passing something that would so drastically alter the State’s governing structure, the legislature needs to defer action; take at least a year to hear what the people in our communities have to say, carefully study all the factors and ramifications, then make a decision.
One Email Sends Your Testimony To All Senators Here - sens@capitol.hawaii.gov Or Click Here To Submit Your Testimony
Visit http://StopAkakaBill.com for more information.

Kona Police Department AKA Keystone Cops

Yesterday my husband and I were passing Walmart and saw a fender bender in the other direction. 2 cars no injuries. We went to the bank and returned 10 minutes later and the fire truck on the scene and the 2 vechiles in the accident were pulled around the corner and out of the main traffic. Then out of no where 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 police squad cars fight the traffic and arrive making a HUGE TRAFFIC JAM. NO help. just make the situation worse.
My question is does Kona have what is known as a dispatch service?
Our tax dollars, gas wasted for so many to be on a cleared scene?

Do we have someone that sends 2 cars or as needed or is it EVERYONE JUSt go go go go>>>>>>. What a waste of time, money and created a worse traffic jam.

Larry, Moe and Curley would have been proud of these keystone cops.

Remembering back when!

Does anyone remember back when you pulled into a gas station and a cheerful guy in a white uniform with a bow tie; would jog out and filler up, wash the windows and check the oil?
Does anyone remember back when your bank asked if there is anything they can do for you, and not try to cross sell you on opening something new?
Does anyone remember back when people took pride in the homes, and mowed their lawn and kept a nice clean home/driveway?
What happened to those days? Service is no longer in our volcabulary.
Why is that.
I look around and see that people just don't care anymore.
WHY?

President Obama helps Tucson and the Nation heal.

The tradegy in the Tucson shooting was:That the gun and bullets are available with little or no effort.
There should be legislation to out law automatic weapons like that. Why do you need more then 10 rounds at once? This nut had 30 rounds in seconds. Sad.
There were warning signs but he still came under the radar.
The College threw him out and thats all they could do.The guy at Walmart selling the bullets didn't notice that this guy was deranged?The father noticed that his son was dranged but didn't call the Police?
Should of would of could of.....
Time for Congress/ Sentate to step forward and protect us from this kind of mahame.
The Repulican speak is that your right to own and bear a weapon is in the constitution.
The reality is when the constitution was written they had to load one bullet and fire and reload.
They didn't have repeating rounds 30 times?

If heatlh care isn't available to all; who is going to cover all these gun accidents/shootings????

The Changing of the Guards in the House. DANGER!

These next 2 years should be very exciting. The last two years the Republicans all together agreed to vote NO on EVERYthing that was put forward. Now John Bohener (the cry baby) will have to come up with solutions and ideas.
The Health Care plan has no chance of repeal. The American people have spoken and they want JOBS< JOBS< AND JOBS>>>>>
Quite wasting the tax payers money and work on JOBS>
Who do you think pays for those that use emergency rooms without insurance. Thats right you and me.
Why is America the richest country but we are dieing everyday from Obesity, diabetes, and illness related to poor diet. Well the new health care plan will require restraunts to post the actual calories. The new health care helps Seniors with expensive drugs, the new health care covers students on Mom and Dad's insurance until they are 27.... on and on.......
If the Republicans are serious about no new TAXs then why did they just fight to give the wealthiest Americans a FREE RIDE? How do they think they are going to bring the deficit down with actions like that?
We shall see.
My vote is still with Obama 2012. Excellent Job with the hand he was delt.

The Presidental story with great acting.

http://politicalirony.com/2010/10/17/the-very-model-of-a-modern-us-president/

This is clever and true. Enjoy our Presidentail woes.

Happy Holidays To All :)

2010 was a challenging year for many of us. Wishing all a
Happy and Prosprous New Year.

This is an amazing Job. Watch this guy!

This takes a special person to do this kind of job. Not for the faint at heart.

http://www.liveleak.com/mp53/player.swf?config=http://www.liveleak.com/mp53/player_config.php?token=07b_1284580365%26embed=1

Getting Ready to Organize a Coqui Frog group

Kona Coastview, Kona Wonderview, Kona Palisades, Kona Highlands.....
Do you hear couqi frogs at night?
Ready to join a group of neighbors to get rid of the frogs?

The County is doing NOTHING, the State is doing NOTHING.
Now it is time for action.
Baking soda worked for us. Now lets go to where they are and getem'

Call if you are interested in joining this group. 325-7576

Looking for Host family to Help a Foreign Exchange Student

I appreciate you help circulating this information.

Of the 13 foreign students currently placed in Kona this
school year, three are with first semester families.  I need to find new
host families for these three students ASAP.  They will need their new
homes by January.  I would love to find families that will agree to the
second semester, but I will also be happy to find families that will do it
until Easter, or even 6-8 weeks.

Two students are at Kealakehe: a  girl from Pakistan who just turned 17, and a boy from Cambodia who just turned 16.  The other is a 16 year old girl from Mali at
Konawaena. All speak very good English and are good hard working students,
doing lots of volunteer work and are just really nice teens.

Hosting is purely a volunteer experience: there is no
payment for hosting.  Hosting means offering room and board, making sure
the kids catch the bus to school, acting as a friend, mentor and parent and
enjoying the cultural interchange.  Families can be old or young, with or
without kids, big house or tiny coffee shack.  Willingness is the key
criterion.

Thanks for any help forwarding this message.  I can be
reached at 323 2117 or via email.  There is also a website: www.cci-exchange.com.

Aloha, PAMELA WANG

Local Coordinator for CCI

Center for Cultural Interchange

808 323 2117

Comments and responses from you on Floating the Bond -County of Hawaii.

Aloha,

Today, a majority of the council voted to have a public hearing on the Reconsideration of Bill 311 ($56 Million bond).  This positive action allows the incoming council to weigh
the public’s comments. The new, incoming chairperson will set the hearing
date. 

After the public hearing, Bill 311 will come back to the new council. At that time, the new council may be able to get more information from the administration on the project status to be able
to decide what to do with the potential bond issue – wait until the council
knows what the next budget deficit looks like, pass the bond in part or in
total, or vote down the bond issue in its entirety. 

It was very difficult for me to vote against the potential bond issue when two extremely important projects in my district (La’aloa Street Extension to Kuakini and the crosswalk in front of
the Kona Bali Kai) were on the chopping block as well, but the greater public
good was at stake.  However, now the council will have the time to analyze
and match all of the projects against the upcoming fiscal budget to
determine which ones, if any, get bonded. I will continue to work for the
La’aloa extension and the crosswalk in front of the Kona Bali Kai.

Mahalo for your understanding.

Brenda Ford

-------------------

Strong
points.

Josh Green

--------------------------

I too wrote to the Council and Mayor.

I want to know "How many jobs and where" will
they be created.  There is already $36 million waiting to be spent and the $56 million takes the county to the edge of their good credit rating.  Any more and the interest rates would go up
and the Country rating would go down.

Mike Reimer

----------------------------------------

Susan,

Good letter! I concur completely with your observations
and recommendations. Thanks for taking the time to write and share it with the "Aye" team in Hilo.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Curtis Tyler

---------------------------

 

 

We need you to Testify: Do we need to BORROW NOW? Wake up Hawaii

Dear County Council,
Please accept this letter has request to rethink this bond obligation. The property taxes are way down, the foreclosure rate is still on the rise in Hawaii.
To add this kind of debit during this time is just plane irresponsible. There is no plan on how the County is going to pay the addtional interest or the bond it's self.
We have lost 2 cruise ships, Aloha Air lines, and thousands of jobs. We have hundreds of properties sitting vacant with half the value of what they were purchased at.
How do you plan to pay for this? If you can answer this then it would be feasible other wises it is like robbing a bank and not thinking about the jail time ahead.
Common sence is a must in this changing age we live in. If you have a dollar in your pocket you don't spend ten and then figure it out later. Let the new Council decide. Those voteing for this are on the way out anyway.
Respectfully,
Susan McGeachy
Kailua Kona since 1988
=====================================================================

Public testimony can also be at the Kona and Waimea county council
offices by videoconferencing.

If you have questions, please call the Kona county council office
at 326-5684.

Also, you can read more about the issues involved at http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/11/24/local/local02.txt

A Special Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday November 30^th
at 9AM at the Hilo Council Chambers, Aupuni Street.

Please see below for details on how to submit testimony.

Click here to go to
the County of Hawaii’s on-line library for the full
agenda (Council Records -> Agendas).

THE RECONSIDERATION OF BILL 311 RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS      

Comm. 972.5: REQUESTS THE RECONSIDERATION OF BILL 311 RELATING TO THE
ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS:  

From Council Member Donald Ikeda, dated November 17, 2010, requesting the

reconsideration of Bill 311.  Bill 311 was approved by the Council at its meeting of

November 17, 2010, which passed second and final reading by the following vote:

7-ayes and 1-no (1-absent)

Comm. 972.9: From Council Member Donald Ikeda, dated November 18, 2010, requesting that a

Special Meeting by the Council be held before the end of this Council term

Comm. 972.10: From Council Member Dominic Yagong, dated November 18, 2010, requesting the

reconsideration of the vote on Bill 311.  Requests that this measure be placed on the

December 15, 2010 Council agenda

Bill 311:  Authorizes the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds of the County of Hawai‘i for

the Purpose of Funding All or a Portion of the Costs of Various Public Improvement

Projects; Fixing the Form, Denominations, and Certain Other Details of Such Bonds

and Providing for Their Sale to the Public; and Authorizing the Taking of Other

Actions Relating to the Issuance and Sale of the Bonds.  {Principal amount not to

exceed $56,000,000.  The projects include:  Kawaihae Housing Closure

($1,000,000), Kaloko Housing Project ($4,000,000), Pool Drainage Covers

($500,000), Hawai‘i Paradise Park-New Park Development ($5,500,000),

Kikala-Keokea New Park Development ($100,000), North Kohala Recreational

Facilities Repair and Upgrade ($2,000,000), Banyan Beach Parking Lot ($300,000),

Kapiolani Street Extension ($8,700,000), Puna Makai Alternate Roadway

($500,000), La‘aloa Extension ($20,000,000), Energy Efficiency and Related

Maintenance Upgrades ($4,000,000), Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station ($8,800,000), and

Waimea Recycle and Transfer Station Garage ($100,000), for a total of

$55,000,000.  (The correct total amount should be “$55,500,000”.  An additional

$500,000 is included for bond issuance costs.)}

   Re:  Comm. 972

   Intr. by:  Mr. Onishi

   1st Reading: November 4, 2010

   2nd Reading: November 17, 2010



(Note:  Pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Section 92, notice is hereby given that

if the motion to reconsider Bill 311 is approved, a re-vote will be taken on Bill 311 at

this meeting.  If reconsideration of Bill 311 is approved, there will be a pending

motion on the floor by Mr. Onishi and duly seconded by Ms. Naeole to approve

Bill 311.) 

SUBMITTING
TESTIMONY:

• In person: You may testify in person at the Hilo
       Council Chambers, or by videoconference from the Waimea or Kona Council
       offices.
• Written testimony: Testimony may be submitted before
       noon on the business day prior to the meeting: 
•  
• (1) by mail to the County
        Clerk’s Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720
 
• (2) by fax to (808) 961-8912
 
• By email to counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us.
       

Iron Man Father and Son team- the Hoyt's Real Human Spirit.

http://www.wimp.com/fatherson/

Dick and Ricky Hoyt: Fatherson and son team - This is the BEST of the BEST. The ture meaning of the Human Spirit.
We were lucky enough to see the Hoyt's back in 1996. This is a very special team.
This video tells the whole story.
Much Aloha's to the Hoyt's

You ole' rock and rollers will sure enjoy this one.

http://www.tvkim.com/watch/31/kims-picks-funny-old-rock-star-songs

Our Future- Plastic waste to Oil

http://www.flixxy.com/convert-plastic-to-oil.htm

This is incredible. This machine could change our future. worth every second to watch this video.
The machine takes plastic waste and turns it into oil. No drilling, no greedy deals........

How do I get one?
WOW.

How does Health Care in Hawaii work?

If you are employed for 20 hours a week for 4 weeks in a row; your employer is required to co-pay your health insurance. I know this has helped us over the years to pay for our medical and we have piece of mind knowing we are covered.
Our Country is one of the richest in the world and we have the worst health care. In many states people like Rick Scott came in with their corporations and bought up most of the hospitals and closed all but one or two. This way they can charge anything they want. Supply and demand.
The drug companies advertise on TV all the drugs they think you should be taking. Then there is a long list of side effects; in most cases are worse then the reason you are taking to drug to begin with. It is all about money. The insurance companies don't want Obama's health care because it requires that most of the money (.85 on the dollar) collected actually goes to pay for medical care and not share holders.
Why are we so unhealthy? Obesity is the norm in America. This will be the first generation that is not expected to out live their parents.
Physical exercise in the schools has become an elective and not a requirement. When I was a kid we had the Presidential Physical Fitness program. We were tested every year and PE was a requirement. We also didn't have computers and video games to veg out on. The motivation to be fit is no longer a priority. Children over 200 pounds is not acceptable.
We don't need free health care but we do need affordable health care.
I am looking forward to see what the Republicans call health care and who pays and who benefits from it?
All I have heard from the Republicans is repeal. What is there idea of coverage and what is it going to cost?
No one is perfect but we do need to learn a new word in Congress and the Senate it is "COMPROMISE"
No is not an answer. We need solution minded Government. The next two years will be a test.
Can the Republicans get along with the Tea Party?
Can the Republicans compromise and work for solutions?
Can the remaining Democrats compromise?

The Election is over. We are all winners!

After a nasty mean spirited election we are finally done. I consider alot of great things will come over the next 2 years.
First we are happy to have Neil Abercrombie as our new governor (Dem). Linda Lingle / Iona (Rep) took the State of Hawaii into the ditch. We lost 17 school days, the super ferry, 2 cruise ships, Aloha Airlines and the tax breaks for high tech.
Second we got rid of the idiot County Council members. Emily Nagole and Guy Enriques. Both of which couldn't come up with one idea to cut the Mayor's budget. Welcome aboard Brittany Smart and Fred Blas.
Let's work together as ONE island and get this County turned around.
Third we are very happy all the Republicans have new seats in Congress and the Senate, so now they can say something besides NO, NO, NO, NO and NO. They will be accountable for their decisions. Now maybe just maybe they will try to work together to right our course.

We are looking forward to what President Obama has to say this afternoon. John Bohner will now have to answer for his actions. The next 2 years should be exciting.

and last but not least. How do we change the Supreme Court's decision for disclosure of election contributions? The nasty, hateful election was something most of us DO NOT want to endure prior to every election. Open and Honest disclosure should be required.

Good Luck to all and we are hopeful this Country will be in good hands and solid direction.
ps keep the health care (gee it doesn't even take effect until 2012. So how do they know they don't want it?)

Tom McGeachy's work- Fauxcasso

http://fauxcasso.blogspot.com/
 Painted Stone Carvings- Hawaii

Rally to Restore Peace by Marjorie Cohn

Let’s Rally to Restore Peace
By Marjorie Cohn
Huffington Post

October 31, 2010
----------------------------------

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-cohn/lets-rally-to-restore-pea_b_776759.html

In their Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, Jon Stewart and Stephen
Colbert effectively demonstrated how the media hypes fear. They
brought out Kareem Abdul Jabbar to show that not all Muslims are
terrorists. A couple of musical numbers dealt with the wars we are
fighting. But neither Stewart nor Colbert mentioned Iraq or
Afghanistan and how they are allowed to continue by the hyping of
fear.
Like his predecessor, President Obama also hypes fear - by connecting
his war in Afghanistan to keeping us safe, even though CIA director
Leon Panetta recently admitted that only 50 to 100 al Qaeda fighters
are there. Hoping to put the unpopular Iraq war behind him, Obama
declared combat operations over, although 50,000 U.S. troops and some
100,000 mercenaries remain.
Tragically, both wars have largely disappeared from the national
discourse. On October 22, Wikileaks released nearly 400,000
previously classified U.S. military documents about the Iraq war.
They contain startling evidence of more than 1,300 incidents of
torture, rape, abuse and murder by Iraqi security forces while the
U.S. government looked the other way. During this time the Bush
administration issued a “fragmentary order” called “Frago 242” not to
investigate detainee abuse unless coalition troops were directly
involved. U.S. authorities failed to investigate hundreds of reports
of torture, rape, abuse and murder by Iraqi soldiers and police.
Manfred Nowak, the United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on Torture,
called on Obama to order a complete investigation of U.S. forces’
involvement in human rights abuses.
Many reports of abuse are supported by medical evidence. Prisoners
were shackled, blindfolded, and hung by their wrists and ankles. Some
were whipped with cables, chains, wire and pistols. Some were burned
with acid and cigarettes. Electric shocks were applied to genitals,
fingernails were ripped off, and fingers cut off. Some were sodomized
with hoses and bottles. Six died from their torture.
And there are reports of widespread killing of civilians by U.S. and
other coalition forces. But after a couple of days of reporting about
the largest incident of whistle blowing in our history, news of the
Wikileaks revelations has disappeared from the news cycle.
Both torture and the targeting of civilians are war crimes. And, in
spite of the reports of torture, Obama completed the handover of 9,250
detainees to the Iraqi government in July 2010. In so doing, he has
violated the Convention Against Torture, which forbids a party from
expelling, returning or extraditing a person to a country where there
are substantial grounds to believe he will be in danger of being
subjected to torture. This is called non-refoulement. The United
States has ratified the Torture Convention, making it part of U.S. law
under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.
The newly released documents show that between 2004 and 2009, at least
109,032 Iraqis died, including 66,081 civilians. More than 80 percent
of those killed in incidents related to convoys or at checkpoints
throughout Iraq were civilians. Pregnant women were shot dead,
priests were kidnapped and murdered, and Iraqi prison guards used
electric drills to get prisoners to confess.
A U.S. helicopter crew was granted approval to attack two Iraqis on
the ground even though the pilots reported that the men were trying to
surrender. Under the 1907 Hague Regulations, it is prohibited “to
kill or wound an enemy who, having laid down his arms, or having no
longer means of defence, has surrendered at discretion.”
Last year, 239 American soldiers took their own lives and 1,713
soldiers survived suicide attempts; 146 soldiers died from high-risk
activities, including 74 drug overdoses. One-third of returning troops
report mental health problems, and 18.5 percent of all returning
service members have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression,
according to a study by the Rand Corporation.
Jon Stewart spent a whole show last week interviewing Obama about
everything from health care to the economy. But neither man mentioned
the wars, even though the billions spent on them could go a long way
toward fixing the economy and paying for health care.
It is time to put the wars back on the national agenda. Iraq Veterans
Against the War issued a statement saying, “We grieve for the Iraqi
and Afghan lives that were lost and destroyed in these wars. We also
grieve for our brothers and sisters in arms, who have been lost to
battle or suicide . . . We demand a real end to both wars, including
immediate withdrawal of the 50,000 “non-combat” troops who remain in
Iraq. The Iraq War Logs underscore the urgent need for peace,
healing, and reparations for all who have been harmed by these wars.
The first step is to bring our brothers and sisters home.”
We cannot rely on Obama to end the wars. It’s up to us to put
sustained pressure on him to do it.

Marjorie Cohn is a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and
past president of the National Lawyers Guild. Her latest book is
“Rules of Disengagement: The Politics and Honor of Military Dissent”
(with Kathleen Gilberd). Her anthology, “The United States and
Torture: Interrogation, Incarceration, and Abuse,” will be published
in December by NYU Press

Nov. 2nd Tue. VOTE VOTE VOTE

This election is very important. The Big Island of Hawaii needs to come out and VOTE. I am reaching out and asking for your vote for Neil Ambercrombie and Brian Schatz.

Over the past 8 years with Linda and Duke, have lost/ sunk the super ferry, thrown our schools and kids under the bus, lost 2 cruise ships, lost Aloha Airlines.............

Step up to the plate and VOTE. Our keikei are depending on your vote.

Let's do a better job of voting then we have in the past. Reach out to your friends and neighbors. Ask everyone you know to VOTE>>>:]

Thanks Susan

Coffee Processing Help! How to remove the beans?

 We are small time coffee growers. We have 30 trees and most are just producing for the first time this year.
We need help with creative methods of home processing. We currently pick only the red cherries, soak them over night. The next day we squeese out the beans, wash and put on our rack. It sun dries for 2 weeks. Then we crunch up the bean to get the shaft off and end up with the green bean.

We do have a coffee roaster and a grinder so we enjoy every drop.

My question is does anyone reading this blog know a better method to remove the beans from the shaft?
If you have any advice, we would love to hear from you.
Thanks, Susan and Tom(JuanValdez)

Charles Flaherty - Affordable Housing hearing

Aloha e,
There will be a public hearing tomorrow, Thursday, October 28th at 3PM at the Keauhou Sheraton Resort regarding Forest City’s proposed Kamakana Villages at Keahuolu.

The developer applied to be a housing project under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 201H which authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop or assist in the development of housing projects which are exempt from certain statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules of any governmental agency relating to planning, zoning, construction standards for subdivisions, development and improvement of land, and the construction of units thereon provided that:

• The project primarily or exclusively includes affordable housing units (Forest City is proposing less than 60% at 140% of median income);

• The Corporation finds that the project meets minimum requirements of health and safety (Forest City does not); and

• The development of the project does not contravene any safety standards, tariffs, or rates and fees approved by the public utilities commission for public utilities or various Boards of Water Supply (Forest City’s development would).

The state agency, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation entered into a development agreement with Forest City Kamakana LLC which allows the developer to simply walk away from the development or any aspect of the development which may be deemed “financial unfeasible” with only 30 days notice.

HHFDC entered into development agreement without any regard to or consultation with the County of Hawai’i administration or its elected council representatives even though this development will have a great impact on the Kona community.

For instance, the county has reserved 431,360 gallons per day (“GPD”) capacity at the Kealakeke Sewage Treatment Plant, but Forest City’s documents state that the development will generate an average flow of 673,778 GPD with a peak flow of 2,555,477 GPD.

Further, as the Queen Liliuokalani Trust’s attorney’s have pointed out Forest City’s traffic studies are inadequate and incorrect.

But the biggest problem is that Forest City refuses to commitment to building any affordable housing units below 140% of median income. So how much money does your family have to make to buy a house in Forest City’s affordable housing project?

Household size = 1 person, $63,800; 2 people, $72,910; 3 people, $82,030; 4 people, $91,140; 5 people, $98,430; 6 people, $105,720; 7 people, $113,010; 8 people, $120,300.
From County of Hawaii website (2009 income schedule by family size)

The average household size in Hawai’i County is about 4.5, so the average family must make about $95,000/year to buy a Forest City “affordable” ($400,000+) home.

HRS Chapter 201H only gives the county council 45 days to make a decision or the project is automatically approved. At the last hearing, none of the county department heads had had time to read the latest revision to the exemptions being requested. It is clear that not all county departments, including police and fire have had time to evaluate what Forest City is proposing.

Forest City has purposefully ambushed the Kona council representatives and Forest City’s attorney has made substantial financial contributions to the political campaigns of council chair, Jay Yoshimoto, and council member Donald Ikeda. So please come speak out against this project as it is being currently proposed and designed. Tell them to go back to the drawing boards and to include our community, not special interests, in the process the next time instead of dictating demands.

Mahalo!
Charles Flaherty

Debbie Hecht on Charter Amendments and Open Space- Vote yes on 1

PLEASE FORWARD to Big Island Family and Friends-apologies for duplicates!
For a listing of ALL of the charter amendments: click here: http://www.dhecht.com/
and the League of Women Voters' Pros and Cons listing

On Nov. 2nd-or walk in voting is happening now!

Vote "YES" for proposition 1-

Relating to the Establishment of the Open Space Fund.

Mahalo to Council members Ford, Hoffmann, Yagong for supporting THE PLEDGE. Candidates Smart and Blas have also support THE PLEDGE. Angel Pilago and Emily Naole told me that they did NOT want to sign THE PLEDGE. After two phone calls and two emails, the following council members did not respond: Yoshimoto, Onishi, Enriques and Ikeda. PLEASE vote for Brittany Smart and Fred Blas; they will support resuming deposits to the fund and saving land for future generations.

ASK your council members to save our treasured lands and protect the aina.

The Save Our Lands Citizen's Committee asked all of the elected council members and candidates to sign our pledge to support the Open Space Fund charter amendment and to support resuming the deposits to the Fund in 2011. We felt this was important for three reasons: 1) If we can elect a council which agrees to fund the 2% amount, then we can acquire the lands that are pending; 2) so that the 100 people that showed up to testify during budget hearings won't have to attend the hearings, which will save their time and the council's time and 3) to introduce a degree of accountability in the Open Space Fund process.

The PLEDGE that we asked council members and candidates to sign states:

1. I support the Open Space Fund Charter amendment and will encourage my supporters to vote for Proposal #1 RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OPEN SPACE FUND on November 2, 2010.

2. I pledge to honor the voters of Hawaii County who voted for the 2% Land Fund ordinance in 2006 to deposit 2% of our property taxes in an open space fund. I will vote to support resuming the deposits to the 2% OpenSpace Fund in 2011 and I will vote to make sure that deposits are not suspended again.

Please vote for Brittany Smart and Fred Blas who have signed the Pledge and support saving Hawaii's great places.

Here's a SHORT LEGISLATIVE HISTORY of the 2%-1% Open space Fund. In 2006, The Save Our Lands Citizen's Committee collected 10,000 signatures on petitions, of which the County disqualified 6,000 signatures. The council placed the Open Space Fund measure on the ballot. 63% of Hawaii County voters voted to save Hawaii Island's treasured places in 2006.

In 2009, the county council voted to suspend deposits to the 2%Open Space Fund for two years. Mayor Kenoi submitted this measure BEFORE the budget was even printed. Stopping the Fund was his first piece of legislation in office. Only 3 council members voted against the suspending deposits to the fund: Greenwell, Ford and Yagong. The rest of the council: Naole, Enriques, Yoshimoto, Onishi and Hoffmann, voted to ignore the 2006 voter's mandate regarding the Open Space Fund. Deposits will resume as of July 1, 2011, unless the council votes to suspend the deposits to the fund again during budget hearings in the spring of 2011. THAT is why your vote for the council seats in Puna and Ka'u is so important.

The land fund is working! The county has acquired Waipio look out, Kawa Bay (Ka'u) and Kaiholena (N Kohala). Purchases that are pending if deposits resume are Pao'o and Kaiholena in N. Kohala, Kawa Bay in Ka'u and the Kingman Trust Parcels in Kona. To see past and pending purchases with matching funds go to:http://www.dhecht.com/?page_id=196

IN 2010, the Save Our Lands Committee submitted a 2% Open Space Fund charter amendment to the charter commission. This amendment echoed the existing ordinance and was meant to replace the ordinance. We submitted the charter amendment because 1) Charter amendments can only be changed by a vote of the people, NOT by the council or Mayor; 2) and all other counties in Hawaii have an Open Space Fund charter amendment. The charter commission left the ordinance intact in the Code and put the Open Space Fund charter amendment on the Ballot at a minimum of 1% of our property taxes ($2 million per year). The 2% ordinance in the county is still in effect, so the council can still vote to fund the 2% amount or more. With the ordinance still in effect it became evident that we needed to make sure that the council members would fund this amount in 2011, so we could buy the properties approved by the Open Space Commission and the council to protect shoreline access, beaches, surfing and fishing.

For information on all of the charter amendments and to get the link to the League of Women Voters Pros and Cons publication, go to http://www.dhecht.com/.
Debbie Hecht
Campaign Coordinator 2% for the Land Fund
(808) 989-3222