Kaua‘i joins rest of world as a terrorist battleground Usurping civilian policing will soon proceed by a swipe of the president’s pen. Hawai‘i senators Inouye and Akaka have voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (S.B.1867), aka the “Indefinite
Kaua‘i joins rest of world as a terrorist battleground
Usurping civilian policing will soon proceed by a swipe of the president’s pen.
Hawai‘i senators Inouye and Akaka have voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (S.B.1867), aka the “Indefinite Detention” bill in the U.S. Senate on Dec. 2. This codifies into law the power of the military to indefinitely detain American citizens without charge, trial or oversight whatsoever in violation of the sixth amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In short, yes even Kaua‘i joins the rest of the world as a terrorist battleground. An individual tagged with a too loosely ascribed “terroristic threatening” charge is now subject to military action strengthening, ironically, the Patriot Act.
Weakening the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 is considered by many unthinkably tyrannical. It was enacted to limit military’s ability to police and detain Americans and was designed to protect citizens from a centralized, nationalized military force against its own populace. Latin etymology of Posse Comitatus is “power of the county,” a whole force of the county, able males, summoned by a sheriff to assist in preventing riot, rescue prisoners or other unlawful disorders.
Obama, Inouye and Akaka believe the current police powers are not sufficient. What do they anticipate? Could it be further designed financial collapse, depression and riots in the streets? A growing American al Qaeda?
Ultimately, these policy makers’ actions reveal they are fearful — traitors, absent of the ideals of liberty, freedom and principles of the Constitution and Bill of Rights — stemming from attacks on 9/11.
Americans can now be considered enemy combatants and disappear.
I am particularly disappointed in Inouye, a portrait of a decorated war hero who has transformed from a brave, patriotic fighter into career politician — a bought-and-paid-for tool of the Department of Defense’s corporate industrial complex and global banking cartel. Inouye is proven a disgrace.
The good news is that you still have a vote and a voice. Use it to choose liberty over tyranny.
Rolf Bieber, Kapa‘a
Outraged at Sen. Inouye
Regarding the vote on S.B. 1867 (to allow military to intern Americans without trial). I am not only disappointed, but outraged that Sen. Dan Inouye would vote to allow the military to be used against American citizens.
I suppose that he also endorses the police brutality against the Occupation protesters. I’ve heard it said that it’s a waste of time to write him with our views because, in his infinite wisdom, he knows what’s best for us.
Thanks, senator, for setting the U.S. on the path to becoming another North Korea. Clearly the Senate is the 1 percent and is in office only to feather their own nest at the expense of the people. Disgrace, disgrace, disgrace. Do all Hawaiians a favor and retire.
Judie Lundborg Hoeppner, Kapa‘a
Biggest Little Town crosswalk a hazard
This crosswalk on Kaumuali‘i Highway southeast of Hanapepe near the sign that read “Hanapepe Kaua‘i Biggest Little Town” was probably safe when first put there, way back when the suggested speed limit was 10 miles per hour and there were fewer cars on the highway.
Today, the suggested speed is 35 mph from both directions (eastbound and westbound) approaching the crosswalk at a blind curve on the highway. This crosswalk poses an extreme danger for pedestrians. Vehicles heading west on Kaumuali‘i Highway into Hanapepe from ‘Ele‘ele roll downhill very fast and vehicles heading east accelerate to travel up the hill.
The crosswalk there should be removed to prevent a vehicle pile up caused by a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk there on Kaumuali‘i Highway. Let’s not wait for a major vehicle pile up and a possible pedestrian to get seriously injured or die there entering or exiting Hanapepe.
There is a safer crosswalk further down the highway at the Hanapepe Library and Fire Station.
The Department of Transportation should look into this kind of extreme dangers around the island.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
Simply a matter of when
I just want to know who the Einstein is that scheduled road construction over peak driving hours during the holiday season. Is this federal stimulus in action or the 45 percent increase in my vehicle registration fee at work? Someone explain to me how you stimulate the economy by putting a dozen guys to work, then making 20,000 of us as unproductive as is conceivably possible.
Same idea with the trash pickup. I now pay $144 more this year to have my garbage picked up than last year. Want to know what the difference is between this and last year. Nothing. My garbage still gets picked up. They keep telling me how much money the new system saves. Saves who? It’s costing me plenty.
We keep paying more and more and get no return on investment. The government is reaching the point of trying to squeeze water from a rock. We the people are not a bottomless pit of cash.
You know, if any one of us didn’t do our job or ran a business like our government, we’d be gone. Fired. Bankrupt. Wait, our government is bankrupt. Never mind.
I feel like I’m on a big bus coming down from Waimea Canyon and the driver says over the intercom, “We don’t have any brakes!” We’re all going to end up at the crash site. It’s no longer a matter of if, simply a matter of when.
Joseph Lavery, Kapa‘a
