Time for parks to be smoke free
Hawai‘i is “The Health State.” Most of us put up with quite a bit of expense, inconvenience and the occasional hurricane to live here for the clean environment. But did you know that there is still an island in Hawai‘i where you will still have to tolerate second hand smoke in the county parks? Yes, sadly, that would be Kaua‘i. And this is decades after second hand smoke has been proven to be a cause of death and disease.
It’s going to take a lot of us to urge our mayor and County Council to make all of our county parks smoke-free. We know it’s possible because they’ve already done it on O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island.
Robert Weiner, MD, Linda Weiner, MD, Mary Williamson, American Cancer Society, former executive director
Climate policies demand your input
I couldn’t agree more with OTHER VOICES Laurel Brier,who wrote “Legislature took steps backward on climate change.”
However, the article from Santa Fe, “States struggle to replace fossil fuel tax revenue,” unnerved me.
The tool that is being overlooked is one that has 90 co-sponsors nationally: The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R.2037), which will help reduce America’s carbon pollution to net zero by 2050.
It puts a fee on carbon pollution, creating a level playing field for clean energy. The money collected from fossil-fuel companies goes to Americans, with a monthly carbon cash back payment so that everyone can afford the transition and would use the money for investments in new technology. (A similar bill began in our state but didn’t proceed because of one congressman.) H.R. 2037 also calls for tariffs to keep businesses competitive.
Carbon pricing is the best approach to cutting emissions with the speed needed — and the consensus is widespread. A recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report mentions carbon pricing 680 times, calling it a “crucial tool in any cost-effective climate mitigation strategy…a mechanism for linking climate action to economic development.” The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released a report weighing the benefits of a carbon price.
The Electric Power Supply Association and the Business Roundtable have also called for a price on carbon. So it’s not only environmentalists and faith groups who support this policy to protect the health of our planet in a fair, equitable manner. Even the America Petroleum Institute favors it. While our federal congressional representatives would vote for this bill, they would like to know citizens’ views. I not only urge readers to contact them, but also to reach out to people you know in other states to push this policy.
An easy way to do this is to see citizensclimatelobby.org and maybe consider working further with this nationwide group, besides merely contacting your elected representatives. The Citizens Climate Lobby is active in other countries too, and has been effective elsewhere.
Bobbie Best, Wailuku
Another Trump likely for White House run
Things are looking up for our country.
Ever since Biden came into office, things are looking up for our country. “Gas is up, rent is up, food is up,” said Trevor Noah at the White House correspondents’ dinner. He may have been joking. However, as the expression goes, many of earnest word was spoken in jest.
Biden accomplished this by giving us record-high inflation with, among many things, his handling of the ongoing Ukrainian war and disastrous supply chain dilemma.
There are also record-high gas prices brought on by one of many issues, including the canceling of the Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office with an executive order.
There’s also record-high illegal immigration brought on by another executive order reversing all of Trump’s restrictive immigration policies including halting the construction of the $16-billion wall. Biden also had record-high COVID cases in 2021, record-high violent crime statistics, and the disastrous Afghanistan pullout resulting in 13 service members killed. Biden also left behind enough of our military equipment and weapons to make the Taliban the best-equipped terrorist group on the planet.
The question still remains: Who will be the Republican nominee for president in 2024? It’s still a bit early with mid-terms still upcoming in November. The word on the street is Biden will not seek a second term. Time will tell? This will leave for two interesting primary races for both the Democrats and Republicans for the 2024 presidential race which will start in about a year’s time.
If Brandon (Biden) doesn’t run, political analysts are saying “The Bern” (Bernie Sanders) may be back. When Brandon was asked about The Bern being back, he thought they were talking about his hemorrhoids. (LOL)
Currently, many believe former President Trump has too much baggage to make another run for president. Some believe Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is an upcoming political rock star and frontrunner. I believe Donald Trump Jr. will be the nominee, and why not? This is why it’s a win-win.
Trump Jr. is a great public speaker. He doesn’t need a teleprompter to remind him who he is as does the current POTUS. Junior is young and does not have dementia, and will not be an embarrassment and laughing stock to America, as is the current president. Junior can actually make eye contact with reporters and answer questions without a prompter that isn’t pre-screened as is the way the current administration does business.
Those who supported Trump in 2016 will be able to recycle Trump yard signs, bumper stickers and other election paraphernalia since Donald Trump’s son has the same name as him. They both have the same platform and political beliefs, so if you like Donald Trump senior you’re bound to like the son.
I predict Trump Jr. will be the Republican nominee for president in 2024! If not Junior, maybe Ivanka? The best part of it, either way, with Junior or Ivanka, is they can recycle all the “MAGA” hats!
The left should be proud that the right is able to recycle. Whoever said that the Republicans aren’t into the green movement? How ‘bout that!
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
