Facts, not rumors, please
Rumors are defined as a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
A Sept. 18 letter to the editor suggesting that arsonists should be exposed and placing the blame of fires started in Washington state lacked proof other than the writer’s statement.
By googling the question, you will find more than four reputable news sources that have investigated the claim and found it baseless.
NYT, Politico, USA Today for a few. The letter served to extend the reach of questionable accusations.
Sue Feutz, Kapa‘a
Kupuna unwilling to be victim
The pre-test program is not enough to insure the safety of our island.
The test must take place 72 hours prior to departure. In the three days between the test and departure, anyone could become infected. They could become infected in the airport or on the plane. Temperature scanning is also not reliable. Those newly infected and those who are asymptomatic but carriers do not normally have an elevated temperature. This is also true of some kupuna, even if they are already sick with the virus.
Unless these travelers can be quarantined — perhaps for only seven days instead of 14 — and then have another negative test result, there will still be the possibility of greatly increasing numbers.
I understand how important it is to allow people to come here once again, and for people to go back to work. However, as a kupuna myself, I am not willing to be a victim of insufficient safeguards.
Let O‘ahu be the test case, or Maui or Hawai‘i. Let’s see what their numbers are after two weeks. Our little island is a sanctuary.
Donna Gould Carsten, Kapa‘a
Subliminal messaging could influence election
What about subliminal communication? By definition, subliminal is “below the level of conscious awareness.” Believe it or not, inserting subliminal messages in communications is NOT illegal.
In 1957, a New Jersey theater superimposed the messages “drink Coca-Cola” and “hungry? Eat popcorn” during the showing of a movie. Sales of Coke and popcorn increased by 58%. These subliminal cuts are very influential in changing our decisions and thoughts, unconsciously.
The FCC and the movie industry have agreed that subliminal messaging is an unfair and deceptive trade practice. The movie and advertising industry have “mostly” refrained from the use of this manipulation.
This practice is not specifically illegal, although there have been several attempts at legislation. Subliminal messages are being used to modify behavior to control weight, reduce stress, discourage shoplifting, increase real-estate sales and quit smoking.
Election interference is now the subject of the day. With no specific regulation prohibiting subliminal messaging, it’s curious what FaceBook, Instagram, TikTok and other social media are allowing to enter viewers’ subconscious. This is a question to ask Mark Zuckerberg and every level of elected official.
Imagine what a 58% influence would do to our electoral process. What if your political beliefs were influenced by this sub-conscious insertion? With this powerful tool all sorts of havoc are possible.
The movie industry and Federal Communications Commission have agreed that this insidious influence is immoral and contrary to all fair advertising laws. Criminalizing the practice of uninformed subliminal messaging should be considered, especially with the potential for abuse in our digital world.
Source: https://bit.ly/35Tzn9o
Mike Curtis, Koloa
Mr. Curtis – When James Vicary – the man who claimed the increase in sales of popcorn and soda because of his “subliminal advertising – was challenged to repeat the experiment (because no one else could duplicate the experiment) Vicary admitted he made up the whole thing to increase his standing in the scientific community. In fact, there was no evidence that he ever conducted the experiment, since he was unable to produce the equipment supposedly used.
Mr. Curtis, you are right.
Trump considered using a “heat ray” gun on peaceful protestors who were interfering with his stupid “holding a bible in front of a church” photo op.
It seems he would resort to anything to gain a political advantage. I think I hear the subliminal messages now:
“Good people both sides” “Poor people invading the suburbs” “Dems coming for your guns” etc, etc, etc.
Oh wait, he is ready to say these things right out loud! In plain sight! And people actually believe him!
Maybe the dumbed down electorate would be better off if they heard, or saw, some sensible apolitical subliminal messages:
“Don’t trust a liar” ” Support logical thinking study in schools” “Question autocratic authority” “Resist foreign influence in elections” “Women’s bodies, women’s choices”
I live in central Washington State and agree with Sue Feutz regarding the rumors of arsonists being unfounded. In fact I was surprised to read the letter suggesting they might have been started by arsonists. What we have is several different fires that were started by various different problems. It’s not one huge single fire.
Mike, I think I’d prefer that the weak-minded people who political views are influenced by subliminal messages, cannot be trusted to vote period. Let’s make a test and if they’re vulnerable, take away their right to vote as they’re obviously not up to making rational decisions. Same goes for having children.
Donna,….um, we know…..it is all about you…..because, you know,…..you are “kupuno”.
Um, you know…..there is something called the “Hidden Epidemic”….increased suicides, increased domestic abuse, increased drug overdoses, isolation fatigue, child abuse, childhood trauma, increased anxiety coupled with unemployment going on now, and wait for it………………the $4 Trillion dollar tab going to your children and grandchildren to stay home and watch NETFLIX.
But hey, you aren’t working….collecting SS and probably a county or state pension to stay home. Just worry about yourself.
Mike, let’s hope you’re not correct and that this type of voting interference will not happen in future elections. The the biggest problem our Country has with regards to voting fraud, and all things nefarious, are the liberals and Democrats who have no conscience and will lie, cheat, desecrate with paint, topple statues, steal, riot, and loot if it fits their “give me “free” stuff for my vote” Socialist agenda! Hollywood and the news media have their fingers on the subliminal mind control buttons and are perfect examples of the danger. These disingenuous liars can’t help themselves. There are just enough of these greedy and “free” stuff losers around to actually affect an election. Just watch CNN, MSNBC, and some of the other propaganda rags and you will get to know pure evil and see the information and delivery tactics that the immature and other losers actually gobble up like Tyson’s unaware chickens in the feeding trough!
Since the average time on welfare and/or food stamps is 2 years (something to celebrate actually), that means the average recipient pays some 40 years worth of taxes for when that desperate time does come. Everyone knows this except one simplistic and disingenuous thinker on the Island of Kauai!
What in the world is this “free stuff” he’s so indignant about?
Sue,
In my letter about the arsonists, I presented a number of facts:
1) The fires were not started by lightning storms and were not where lightning storms would start.
2) The timing of the fires indicated that they were not random accidents.
3) Many arsonists have been arrested.
4) Arsonists do not normally act in large groups like this.
5) Left wing groups have been starting fires in cities all summer.
6) Left wing representatives (such as Gov. Inslee) are trying to benefit from this (note the motive).
You and the media are trying to make a blanket statement without disputing any of these facts, or presenting any new facts.
Your letter is the exact opposite of the title to you letter. You presented rumors from the media, without disputing any of the facts I presented.
Give it up Mark. Kauai slammed the door on your letter in what I would say is the biggest shut down, from comments, I have seen in 20 years. Walk away and hope everyone forgets or double down on the the lies and become repugnant like trump.
Pete,
You apparently believe what you are saying, so I will give you credit for that. But the facts all point in the same direction. No one here has disputed any of these facts. Citing a left-wing media comment is not a fact. You seem to think that intimidation and name calling are good replacements for facts.
Of the six things you listed, only #3 is a “fact.” #5 is distorted by it’s plurality when the number of cities is quite small. All the rest are OPINIONS.
The biggest fact is missing…Nobody from #3 has been linked to any political movement. If you find even one that is, then you will have only one and still no proof!
RE: Reality Bites –
You want to talk reality? Watch this video (link below) and educate yourself before continuing with your disrespectful words. Being realistic does not mean one has to be nasty, which all too often is the case with you.
You think it’s a picnic being on unemployment? It isn’t!
You think this 72 hour ‘one test’ program is a great idea? It isn’t!
You think there’s a quick fix for this virus? There isn’t!
You think anyone is happy about the issues with this pandemic? We’re not!
You think being rude to someone who’s taken the time to learn more about COVID testing than you is ok? It isn’t!
Dr. Darrah O’Carroll was on the Mel & Charlie show Sunday night. Dr. O’Carroll is an emergency room physician, Covid-19 testing specialist, and consultant for Netflix on their pandemic documentary about the dangers of relying on one test for travelers. It’s extremely informative, and something everyone should watch, especially the anti’s…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro89yZ89Q0c&t=9s
RE: nothings free –
“The the biggest problem our Country has with regards to voting fraud, and all things nefarious, are the liberals and Democrats who have no conscience and will lie”
The biggest “no conscience liar” is in the White House. As of July 9, 2020 President Trump has made 20,055 false or misleading claims in 440 days. That averages out to 45 per day! How, and why would ANYONE with morals find this acceptable?!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/13/president-trump-has-made-more-than-20000-false-or-misleading-claims/